Non-Attachment - Personal Practice

I am not as "easy going" as I like to think.  I have many attachments!  

A few examples are I like to use my own personal bathroom, I want my vehicle to run properly at all times, and I like the routine of writing "The Yoga Lessons" each week.

Well, I can tell you I've had quite the week regarding attachment.

I'm going on vacation and I'll be camping.  Which requires I be easy going regarding the use of public bathrooms, something I'm not good at.

Luckily this week I had a friend talk about an experience with dysentery.   My friend was so enthusiastic about just getting out there and trying something new even though there was discomfort associated to the experience.  I caught the enthusiasm!  I thought to myself "I can do this!  I can camp and use a public bathroom!  Heck!  Maybe even a port-a-potty!"  Well, that last comment may be a bit much.

This week is my Birthday Week!  Now, this is a big deal to me and always has been.  I'm that person that likes to extend my Birthday the whole MONTH, if I can get away with it.

I spoke to my significant other about my expectations and he politely reminded that "I can't expect others to be mind readers" and all I need to do is ask for what I want and need.  We had experienced a lot of heart ache because I attached to past experiences and expectations.  I'm working to let go of the attachment and I've found some new experiences that are wonderful!  I just needed to stop looking at the past.  Ah, more practice for me!

Now the weird one!  I have a real affection for my vehicle.  For some reason it represents independence to me and no other vehicle will do!  I have to have this vehicle!

Of all things, on my birthday my car stalled and simply stopped working.  I was really disappointed that my birthday plans changed in the middle of the day and I needed to address the issue with my vehicle.  I really felt like it let me down.  How could my vehicle do this to me?!?  Then, I was reminded that it's not a big deal, it's only a vehicle.  I can let go of this "attachment".  Hmm...

Ugh!  Why can't I just be finished with all these lessons?  Why can't I be done practicing?  Why am I just not automatically enlightened?

Well.  I guess because I haven't let go of my attachments.  I like my comforts and comfort zones.  And there is nothing wrong with this.

Maybe I'll get there, I'll reach enlightenment, maybe I won't.  But I wouldn't give up the practice of getting to know myself better for anything!  

What a Great Journey with wonderful friends and family to help me along the way to gain new perspectives and show me when I'm attached.

Non-Attachment.  Easier said than done!

Non-Attachment - Yoga Lesson

Non-Attachment is such a wonderful concept!  

The thought of not needing "this or that" seems very freeing.

Then comes practice.  Being at peace even when our comfort zones and the things we rely on to feel safe are lost to us.

Examples may be:

We have a routine we follow everyday.  

Or we have an expectation for a specific outcome.

Maybe we rely on something that brings us sense of independence.

What happens when the unexpected happens, then we loose something, and our expectations are not met?

How do you react?

Why not let it go?  What ever you are attached to.  Let it go.

Practice Non-Attachment and be uncomfortable.  See what happens.

You might just find enlightenment.

Awareness - Personal Practice

I took a break this past weekend.  I did nothing I normally would.  I literally sat around next to a pool, read, wrote, ate and socialized with old friends and new friends.

It was GREAT!!!

I needed that time away from my life.  I called it poolside therapy as I wrote in my journal.

I knew I needed to get away and gain perspective.  To listen to my heart and speak my mind.  

I was also lucky that I had people to listen to me rant along.

At the end of my short vacation I gained a clarity and awareness about my life I could not see while living my life day to day.

I was able to articulate feelings and thoughts much more clearly by the end of the get away.

I could see myself.  What I want.  What I need.  Also, what I will not tolerate.

Specifically I will not tolerate feeling anxious or unhappy.  I will not tolerate letting myself perpetuate negative thoughts.

I clearly can see now where I need to communicate more effectively and where I need to focus my practice on the positive.

Allowing myself to rest, allowed me to clear my mind and gain some honesty with myself.

In being honest with myself, I've been able to be honest with others and find a closer connection.

Self awareness is wonderful!  Everyone should practice it!

I know I'm going to continue with Awareness.  Practice, practice, practice!

Awareness - Yoga Lesson

Life is about awareness.  Mostly of ourselves.

Knowing what you are doing to yourself physically will lead to more awareness mentally.

Mentally knowing yourself and when to call yourself out on negative thought patterns will help you to bring a more positive approach to your life.

Having a more positive outlook will open doors that had been closed and will bring a more connected feeling toward others.

A great way to start self awareness is by taking time to step back from the day to day of your life, to rest and relax.

With a rested body and a clearer mind you can be more aware in your normal day to day life.

Why not start with the next day you have off?  Schedule with loved ones or co-workers so that you can do something that will help you to rest on your day off.

See what happens with your awareness!

Give - Personal Practice

This week has been a full of lessons for me, but one common theme kept coming up in each of the lessons.  Be giving and accept what you are given.

When I wanted a specific experience, I asked for it and my request was granted.  The request demanded time and money from another person.  They gave both to me freely.

When I let go of my perspective regarding how something should "look" and took time to listen to others, I opened up to their perspective and found myself being more giving.

When I needed a friend to listen and to be there for me at a moments notice.  I found their gift of time helped me to gain insight and a new perspective.  This made a difference to me as it kept me from being irrational.

When I asked for help in the upcoming future.  I asked not for an immediate and all or nothing answer.  I asked for consideration and any variation of help would be appreciated.  The response was more than I hoped and the gift of time given to me has put my mind at ease.

Now, this is not to say that there wasn't strife along the way or that my ego didn't rule here and there.

I asked for help along the way from another and was turned down.  I had thought it was a bit extreme in the denial of the request.  Then I reminded myself that I may not have the whole story and I am not in the position to judge.  With a positive attitude the end result was better than the original request denied.

Also in hindsight, I can see where my ego caused issue and where it helped.

I found others asking for time I could not give due to other commitments.  I had to say no and felt guilty about denying the request.  But to have tried to make it work would have caused additional stress and anxiety.  Simply a case of saying no and my accepting my own no.

I found another asking me to change future plans, but this would not have been good for my relationship with others and I value those relationships.  I denied the request.  This is still causing issue, but I have to accept that I can not please everyone.

I found myself wanting to guard my perspective and this caused heartache.  Then I decided my perspective was based on past experience and I could practice letting go of the past and opening up to a new approach.  This I still need to work on, but I've taken steps toward changing my perspective.

In conclusion, this past week has been a lot of give and take.  But isn't it always about that?  Isn't it always about finding balance?

Where I can.  I do choose to give!

Give - Yoga Lesson

Give.  It's such a simple word, but with a big meaning.

There are times when we rationalize why we should not give.  

For instance:

It might be when you are frustrated with another person and you want to guard your position and not give in.

It could be something you materially want, but not need.  To give up on the want could open up new possibilities that help others or simply bring them joy.

Possibly you have plans for "your time", but at a moments notice someone asks for your help.  You could choose to stick to your plans or help.

To guard and act upon our immediate wants is to let our ego rule.  To let greed of our time, things, and perspectives lead us.

However, ego is a good thing.  In Moderation!  Ego keeps us from being taken advantage of and helps us to follow our own true path in life.

The practice is:

To know the difference.  To know when to give.  To know know ourselves.

Practice what "Give" means to you.

Then simply, give.

Want What You Have - Personal Practice

I've found myself thinking often lately to "be careful what I wish for, I might just get it"!

I think of myself as a go-getter and will achieve anything I set my mind to.

I'm always driving myself toward achieving something.

I seek out something for a sense of accomplishment.  Sometimes I seek things I don't want or need to divert attention from the things I really want.

I divert myself toward easy achievements so I don't have to worry about failure with regard to things I really want.  

I at times put up obstacles to the things I want.  I make it harder to achieve by creating extra work or thinking it's not perfect enough.  

I do this because I know that once I achieve the desired outcome, the work toward the desired achievement will end.

I worry I won't want what I've sought out after putting so much energy into the desired outcome.

I see I'm not very appreciative.  I take for granted many of my accomplishments. 

I spend much time thinking about the next achievement vs. enjoying the life I've lived that led me to the here and now.

So I decided I needed to look around me.  To see what I have.

I acknowledge I have achievements and things I do not want or need.  The hard part is letting go of what I do not want or need.

The hardest to let go of is ego attachment to achievements.  

How will I let go of "gloating" about some of my accomplishments?  They do not serve me in the here and now.  After I talk about them I very often feel silly about them because it's reliving a past that has no purpose.  

I do recognize there is a difference between gloating and offering experience to help another.  Offering experience I can be proud of, as long as I'm not forcing it on another person.

But, after all it is spring!  Time to clear out the clutter!  Time to let go!

What remains, I will appreciate.

I aspire to want what I have!