SOFTNESS

The theme this week was softness and kindness.

In the yoga discipline, we are taught to really hold the poses, to penetrate and also to 'bear' certain discomfort which diminishes with time. While that is useful in the beginning of practice to instill a certain interest and discipline, we have to watch very carefully that we dont get 'militant' about the practice. Making it another 'achievement' through blood, sweat and tears. As in modern busy life, we are already striving so hard to keep our head above water.

Strength, in some forms, can be breakable. Discipline without joy, cannot be long-lasting and burns out. Carbon steel is added to metal during sword making to give it additional hardness and strength, and yet too much, the blade flexibility decreases, becoming brittle and more likely to break. Be like water, Bruce Lee says. "You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it comes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes a bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes a teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water, my friend"

In our asanas, we want firmness so we can hold the body to allow energy thus to flow (like how vessel holds it contents). But at the same time, not so rigidly that our entire body is tense and energy is blocked. Like water, fluidity can help us bend so we dont break.

STHIRA SUKHAM ASANAM (yoga Sutra 2.46). Stability of mind, stability of pose. This balance between stability and ease can be difficult because it requires one to balance two dynamic opposing forces.

Beyond this physical level, how can we remain soft , open and compassionate to our bodies but also to ourselves. As shared in our sangha yesterday about Ram Dass teachings - how can we not feel guilty about not being good enough, that we ought to be more spiritual, more conscious, more present. To appreciate the perfection of universe just as they are, just as we are. That we are at the optimum place at this present moment. We are not a mistake. If we were fully enlightened, we would not have taken a birth at the first place. I/we are enough.

Loving ourselves and our space a little more. Exploring the yin and yang balance of strength/ stability and space within our body and our minds.

Wonderful weekend. Namaste.