Light the Dark

We are headed toward a milestone for almost everyone. The month of December has so many reasons to celebrate. Yet there are elements that can cause suffering. The winter solstice happens to mark the day with the least light for our region of the world. It’s going to be cold and dark and for many that’s a daunting situation to face. The question then becomes: why? Many are afraid of the dark and cold because they are afraid of being uncomfortable and they are afraid of change. The cold is something to be endured for many. It is the reason to perpetuate hibernation tendencies and become mired in ourselves. Dark is to be overly lit. Bad things are said to happen in the dark. This is but a reflection of our own fear of our own dark.
Yoga teaches the path of growth lies in shedding light into our internal dark corners. Those things we are reluctant to look at are the things holding us back.
Sukha is a Sanskrit word that refers to an open and illuminated space. Dukha is the opposite. We can embody either term, and maybe through your practice you have noticed positions or situations in which you feel light and at ease, or closed off and upset.
The beauty of claiming your life is that you get to choose. You get to choose how you practice, you get to choose how you feel about winter and you get to choose whether you increase your inner space or increase (or maintain) your suffering.
Getting yourself motivated when you're feeling down can be a real challenge, and the yogic concept of Agni is an important element to increase at this time of year. The seat of fire in our beings is in the region of our navels. When nature is at its darkest we must remember we carry light and warmth within us every day.