“…when is light more precious than when it arises from darkness? When is trust more admirable than when it involves an uncertain, yet bold, leap of faith? …your path is perfection in the divine sense, not in some artificial absence of struggle, but in the wrestling of darkness and light that ignites the fire within your… heart.”
-Alana Fairchild, Rumi Oracle Guidebook
You say gluten, I say gluten-free [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][sometimes]. Let’s just figure out what’s best for each of us so we’re mostly balanced, sound good?
Yoga Sutra 2.46 says that our “posture (asana) [should be] stable (sthira) and comfortable (sukha).” In order to breathe with ease, whether in a twisted upside-down yoga pose or in the midst of a conversation, we should essentially have a focused and sturdy foundation alongside a gentle, joyful essence.
And so essentially, yoga offers us this practice of being courageously grounded and committed to whatever we are doing, without force or strain, in order to experience the present moment easefully.
Easier said than done, am I right or am I right?
Reestablishing balance is a result of looking within, which means observing all of our physical and mental components without judgement: baggage, talents and triumphs, losses and embarrassments, past and present circumstances. It is these characteristics and experiences, after all, that make us who we are.
When we are able to uncover a clearer perspective, we can begin to notice what is out of whack, or what is making us feel off. It is not unlike repairing a car engine: we see the check engine light illuminate, look through all of the car parts, eventually notice what isn’t functioning optimally, and act accordingly in order to bring everything back into balance.
Yoga International explains: Cultivating sthira and sukha as we move through the days and seasons of our lives establishes a foundation for fully realizing our spiritual aspirations, for accomplishing our worldly goals, and for weathering the inevitable changes and difficulties that come our way.
That being said – reinstating balance is not a means of perfectionism. We would not know light without dark, and so we cannot accept and realize balance without, well, imbalance. If we were all perfect porcelain robots, life would be no fun, but it is more fun if we are mostly balanced instead of uncomfortable.
What is mostly balanced? Eat all of the greens, and also enjoy the treat if and when you crave it. Feel the feelings but be mostly positive, remembering that sticky feelings pass. Stay out too late and drink one too many, and the majority of the time take good care through practices like meditation and yoga [etc].
Break your own rules sometimes to feel both diligent and uninhibited, not to feel like perpetual poo.
We all have our unique storms we’re weathering. The act of sustaining a mostly balanced life is simply about noticing what doesn’t make us feel 100% and moving forward to support our mind, body, and planet, in ways that make us feel real good.
As we shift from spring to glorious summer, I offer you the following 5 tips to dust the cobwebs off of whatever part[s] of you feel unstable, and restore the [mostly] balanced state that exists within you:
- Forget everyone else’s tips and create your own how-to guide. You know your Self best, so you do you and do it well.
- Sit with yourself for a moment at any time of day and do a gentle body scan, checking in with each body part as you pass over it.
- If you notice yourself struggling with something, pause to consider what feels off balance and why, without giving into the urge to immediately fix it.
- Instead of seeking for something that feels “wrong,” explore the act of observing in order to act from a place of truth in lieu of potential false perception or fear.
- Befriend any fear of or anxiety toward screwing up. Remember we are not machines, and making mistakes is part of the balancing process.
What do you do to restore and enhance the balance that is already within you? What makes you feel both securely stable and easy breezy?
Read the full newsletter for more goodness: how to wash fresh greens for a balanced diet, discounts on some of my favorite things to support a balanced lifestyle, tunes and wellness happenings.
Photo by Renee Choi, wearing Hyde organic apparel in DUMBO, Brooklyn.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
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