Yoga for Heartbreaking Times

In a world and time where there is so much suffering, how do we understand practice? How do we make sense of being still, nourishing our heart, and taking rest, when so many are fighting for their life and are without safety?

We feel their pain because we are inextricably linked to each other. The yoga is clear that although we are unique individual expressions of the cosmic presence, we are all just like waves on the ocean- distinct, but each nothing but ocean. We are not actually separate from each other. If the ocean is clear, each wave is clear. If the ocean is polluted, the waves are as well. Yoga is the clearing of the oceanic pollution.  When we connect to wholeness, calm, peace and love in our being, we are affecting the whole.

The great horrors happening throughout the world right now are like a cancer on humanity. It is skewed and warped and harmful to the whole of our planet. When one has cancer, there are so many helpers. There are those who diagnose, those who educate on options, those who are expert on surgery or the right treatment protocols.

And there are those who assist by supporting the immune system of the person. There are those who nourish and inspire their heart so as to not lose hope. There are those who help them remember the deep knowing of what it means to be human and help them take courage. There are those who are present to bear witness, to mirror their goodness and their worthiness, so as to uplift them.  This is the power of yoga during these times.

There is so much fear and rage and confusion in the world and within us. It often seems to be getting stronger. We know fear and rage and hate feed on each other. What if we had practices that cleared the pain of it from us so we could tap into the remembrance of the preciousness of life? We don’t clear the knowing of what is happening. But we can perhaps lessen the fight, flight, or freeze response. These yogic practices can help us feel a powerful connection to the lifeforce that supports life itself. And this can be the foundation from which we offer our highest vision and action and presence.

If we sense that fear and hate seed more of the same, perhaps we can make room for the  belief that love and peace and groundedness and calm can seed more of the same.

Become a refuge, a safe place, a balm. Come to yoga to take rest, to heal, to nourish yourself. The world needs your heart, your presence. Rest, ground, connect so you can offer your beauty and highest vision in the work you do in the world.