Too much? Too little? What’s right? What’s wrong? Can it be
just this? Or might it be that?
A while back in yoga class I was invited to do more than I thought myself
capable of and was thrilled with the possibility of progress. Then, a couple of weeks later, I
was cautioned to not think of myself more highly than I ought as our instructor
shared the story from Greek mythology of Icarus:
… His father, who had built wings
from feathers and wax, warned Icarus not to fly too low lest his wings touch
the waves and get wet and not too high lest the sun melt the wax. But, the
young Icarus, overwhelmed by the thrill of flying, did not heed his father's
warning, and flew too close to the sun whereupon the wax in his wings melted
and he fell into the sea and drowned.
The practice with Icarus reminded me to stay grounded and
centered and balanced as we were challenged to hold certain uncomfortable poses
longer. In the process I found that I was capable of more – in the here and
now. That was what that practice bore – a sense of the now. Of the moment. Being
present in the moment.
These two lessons have stuck with me and now, at the studio once again this morning,
I, who have too often felt that I was either too much or not enough, may have found
the middle ground. The middle ground, it seems, is in the balance. Balancing postures
always challenge me. Over the years of practicing yoga, the strength and core
positions give clear indication that there is progression in my practice. But,
it's those balance postures which seem to be my nemesis. Even so, I persist with patience
and trust that as I practice, practice, practice, progress will be met.
The middle ground of balance seems to flow from contentment.
Contentment rises up as I root down in loving kindness and compassion for
myself. A Biblical text, Matthew 5: 5 as paraphrased in the Message frames this well for me this
morning: You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no
less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that
can’t be bought.
Balance can’t be bought. It can, however be practiced. It
can be learned. I am learning to be content in spite of unsettling
questions that tip me off center.
Where are you feeling off balance today? How can you extend
loving kindness and compassion to yourself? Where is contentment to be found?
These are just a few questions that I ask of me as I leave this page.
I hold them gently as I go on to the rest of my day. May it be so for you.
Image - Vida Yoga Mandela Vector Art WhiteI hold them gently as I go on to the rest of my day. May it be so for you.
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