Greetings Sadhakas,
This week in class
we are considering how the practices of Yoga help us maintain the middle path.
He that can have
patience, can have what he will.
-Benjamin
Franklin
Here is a tip for
keeping the palate on the middle path. When it is craving candy or a hot fudge
sundae, go for a walk repeating the mantram you have chosen, and bargain for time.
Tell your mind, "In two hours, on our way home we can go to an ice cream
parlor for a deluxe sundae." Interestingly enough, two hours later the
mind has forgotten ice cream sundaes and is thinking about the movie it will enjoy
tomorrow evening. All you need do is put just a little break of time between
the palate and its desire, for you can count on the mind to change its desires.
Treat the mind
gently, patiently, and compassionately. Since it has been allowed free license
for so many years, it is not fair to expect it to come round in a day or two.
Words to Live By:
Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is
to discover for yourself how to “keep the palate on the middle path”. Consider what
it means to “put just a little break of time between the palate and its desire”.
Work to generalize this concept to other areas of life like your behavior or
any time you go on automatic. Remember that the “goal” of Yoga is to still the fluctuations
of the mind and that the practices of Yoga should move you in this direction.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
No comments:
Post a Comment