Sometimes when things go “wrong” or when I am having issues with myself or others (well kind of the same thing) I try to challenge myself to take the “yogic perspective” with the issue and see it with a calm mind and peaceful heart.  I attempt to observe the physical and non physical in my realm of consciousness throughout my body and being.  “What is really going on here?”, I ask myself as I then try to listen.

When I can find some clarity with the situation the next part is letting it go which is probably the most challenging.  Finding ways to let go can be subtle and maybe not so subtle.  Do I need to talk it out, approach someone or something or can I find ways to simply be with it and then say adios?  All depends on the situation I guess.  One important lesson I have learned over the years is that it is ok to be angry, pissed off and agitated.  I don’t need to push away any emotions or feelings that aren’t labeled as  “good”, I can accept them and move through them.  I need to feel all the feelings and be honest with myself.

It is amazing how through our yoga practice we can transform and move through poses on our mats but we also learn to move through transformations off the mat as well.  When we are practicing the physical aspects of yoga we breathe through discomfort, we quiet down to listen to our inner dialogue and we stay connected with the breath.  After some time and practice, we learn to take this process into our lives.  This is yoga.  The mind is going to wander, the mind will be distracted and the mind will cling; this is its nature.  Sacred yogic text the “Yoga Sutras” state “Yoga chitta vritti nirodha.”  Though there are variations on how this statement is translated from the Sanskrit, it can be interpreted as “yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.” In other words, we practice yoga in order to achieve a stillness and clarity of mind.

I feel that whichever form of yoga you practice the exhale is always the perfect opportunity to let go.  Inhale; receive, exhale; let go.  Flow with it, move through it and be with it.

I’ll keep this post short, bottom line,  attachment leads to suffering and detachment leads to freedom.  What is your recipe for detachment???