Stability

What happens when your happiness is tied to something as variable as the weather?


It's puzzling but undeniable. We hate the weather. This year has been particularly trying, but even when all goes to plan we are annoyed by it. I'll confess to it. Last weekend was too cold. In a week and a half it will be June and I find frost advisories unacceptable.


How about your fluctuating feelings toward your spouse?


When we are in relationships we're upset at our partner and when we're not in relationships we're upset that we're alone. I find this to be a very tiring duality. Yet it's one that I can not but hold myself accountable for. There is a story in The Art of Joyful Living in which the author (Swami Rama) witnesses his guru receive a visitor. His guru responds to the visitors' comment about being alone by saying he was with his highest self before the visitor arrived, and was only lonely since he was distracted by the visitor. I haven't gotten to that place. I have always been lonely when alone. But I can't deny the challenges of sharing a life with someone. It makes for some serious roller coaster moments.


When circumstances in our lives change greatly over a short period of time it is important to have stability to fall back in. We need to have firm, stable ground under our feet in order to weather the metaphorical storms we're faced with. If we can cultivate this ground we can be content with out lives. If we can view the events of our lives as a whole instead of in little devastating incidents we stand a much better chance of being happy, or at least content.


This week's asana is designed to strengthen your ground. With balances and standing poses we will find our base and discover how it relates to our center. With breath, intention and posture we will work to accumulate and contain energy. If you create a stable container for your energy (prana = life force) when you encounter challenging situations you will have the ability to deal with them, instead of falling over under their weight. In knowing better who you are, you are able to be that in any situation.