Everyday Yoga: meditation

Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts

Just Because I'm a Yogi, Doesn't Mean I Don't Get Angry

I remember one time when I got angry with my Mom and she said, " Where is Mr. Yoga now!" And I replied, " Just because I'm a yogi it doesn't mean I don't get angry." The funny part is that the more I progress on the path the more emotional I have become. I used to be so out of touch with my emotions both good and bad, that I would only notice weeks later sometimes how I felt about something. People I knew, especially woman friends complained that I never talked about how I felt about anything.

Though I denied it, they were right. I was so numb, I barely felt things and I was so mistrustful that I would never share anything personal with anyone even if I was aware of it. Years of yoga, therapy, somatic movement, attempts to practice non-violent communication, meditation and a general desire to bring my actions in line with my heart slowly opened me up till now I often know when I want to smack somebody, when I need a hug, when I want to give one and the myriad other feelings large and small that I go through every day.

For me, being a yogi means striving to become aware of what is alive inside of me, the good, the bad and the ugly. Witnessing what I go through and trying to treat myself with compassion is a big part of this. And you know what? The more I find the kindness that I need inside me, the more I have available for others. But still, once in awhile, I'm sure I'm going to want to smack somebody ;--) Of course I won't, I'll say, "You know I'm feeling really frustrated right now, since I was so counting things looking a certain way and I'm finding I want to blame you for them being different. Would you mind if just gave you a good smack to get it out of my system?" ;--)

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Soft, Soulful, Lovely

What attracted me to this post was the soft soulful loveliness of the photo. When I read the the words behind it, I was struck by the raw beauty of someone speaking their truth. It is a meditation on the selfie and much more.

@sacredseed518 The selfie. This is something I don't normally share or talk about. There is an embarrassment and anxiety that comes up but I am ready to expose myself. For myself and for those who my story may resonate with. - I grew up thinking I was fat and ugly. I grew up thinking I was fat and ugly because I was bombarded with media and a society that had grossly unattainable standards of beauty. I was bombarded with the idea that women's bodies are for the pleasure of others. So I starved myself, I cut myself and I abused myself for years. I hurt myself and I hurt everyone around me. Through yoga and psychedelics, I found a path and the tools for healing. Fast forward to a more mature and empowered incarnation of myself. - Though I have the tools to cope, the trauma still exists. I had this idea that selfies are vain or for the insecure searching for validation. But I am ready to let it fall away. This selfie is to expose myself, to share myself, to illuminate this false shadow of doubt that tells me I'm not good enough, not beautiful enough. I am not perfect but I am enough. And if I take another step in the direction of love, truth and compassion than my life is enough. Hurt people hurt people and healed people heal people. What you do for yourself, you also do for others. I am beautiful. And so are you.

How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body

A photo posted by Ray- Yoga Gear Shop Owner (@yogalifestyleblog) on Oct 11, 2016 at 5:03pm PDT

The most impressive thing I learned from this article was that a few days of meditation will have lasting effects on your body chemistry, even four months later!

Check it out at the New York Times http://nyti.ms/1KY24TK. Copy and paste link or go to the Times site and search for How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body.