Know Thyself

Recently I listened to Kyle Cease speak about the idea of an external locus of control. When we're children we have nothing but an external locus of control. We are born two people, we are born to the circumstances of those people. And then, as parents, we assume our children lie (because they do). When you are only ever at the mercy of your circumstances you learn to become manipulative to get what you want. But, in this crucial time of development we convince our children that we know how they feel better than they do. That mentality becomes ingrained in our worldview to such an extent that there are adults out there complaining that things are happening to them. They've completely given up the concept of creating their reality, of knowing who they are. Because they think someone else knows better. They spend their time manipulating those around them to get what they want. (What they think they want) They blame circumstances they have the power to change without realizing they've come into a position to do it.

This kind of mentality is why we give doctors so much authority over us, how the student/teacher relationship works, how some religions work. And society. Keep yourself small and ignorant and let those who know tell you what's true. 

Yoga offers the practitioner so many opportunities of growth. One if them is the opportunity to move your locus of control from outside of yourself to inside. From the world happens to me to I happen to the world. 

As you begin to peel back layers of conditioning you learn who you are, what your baseline assumptions are and if they're useful. If they're not you can begin to change them. 

Practice this week without falling into your habitual student mindset. Practice without letting your teacher be over or above you. Most teachers want to serve you. You practice in the service of your highest self, not to placate another person, not even your own ego. Keep polishing your perspective until you are a beacon in the world. A lighthouse.