Stira and Sukha

Tuesday

Nov242009

Stira and Sukha

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 8:40PM

Stira and Sukha - Stability of the mind, ease of the soul : By Jami Larson

As the holiday season approaches, winter offers the first deep chill, and the days continue to grow short. Conversations, contemplation, and breath bring me back to 1 vs 33 of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras:

1.33 In relationships, the mind becomes purified by cultivating feelings of friendliness towards those who are happy, compassion for those who are suffering, goodwill towards those who are virtuous, and indifference or neutrality towards those we perceive as wicked or evil. (maitri karuna mudita upekshanam sukha duhka punya apunya vishayanam bhavanatah chitta prasadanam)

This Sutra has a ring of holiday cheer doesn't it? Each attitude is a preparation practice for deeper levels of meditation. This sutra is a call to be wakeful, mindful, and generous in our attitudes, thoughts, and feelings toward others in abundance or scarcity. A devoted Yoga Soul, undoubtedly discovers these four practices stabilize and purify the clouded mind. This Sutra becomes a mantra to train the mind gently and lovingly.

Now before I go any further, let's address the "But what about really bad people?" subject. This sutra is offered to each of us as a direct invitation and instruction on how to purify and bring stability to the mind.

The Sutra translation offers the word "perceive" rather than proven or factual. Implying that there is a level of discernment on our part, as to who is non-virtuous, evil, wicked ect, which is only as pure as our thoughts, words and actions. A judge not lest you be judged implication. Further more anything less than neutrality towards an individual perceived as non virtuous, evil, wicked, will encourage the same vibration of negativity to rise within our consciousness. You know how it feels to smolder in anger, disdain, or intolerance toward another's words or actions... It's exhausting!! The peaceful Warrior embraces Upekshanam: the acceptance of the unity of the divine that does indeed exist in all beings, both above and below. A courageous equanimity, neutrality, and understanding of karma. The soul waits, ever eternal, illuminant. As we remove the shadows of obstacle through practice, we fortify our ability to enter Dharana and Dhyana and acess the true nature of soul.

Consider this passage translated by Stephen Mitchell of Psalms 139:

Where can I go from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I take the wings of the morning
and fly to the ends of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me
and your spirit will give me strength.
If I rise to heaven, I meet you;
if I lie down in hell, you are there:
if I plunge through the fear of the terrorist
or pierce through the rapist’s rage,
you are there, in your infinite compassion,
and my heart rejoices in your joy.

I invite you to begin with yourself. Sit quietly with eyes closed. Begin to open the breath. Receive the inhale as a conscious choice to be in life, inspired and sustained. Notice each exhale as an opportunity to surrender the nonessential. Purifying, cleansing.

Begin to shift your awareness to areas within the body that are open, joyous, and free. Honor these physical areas and the practices that have created this ease. Allow this joy to spread. Notice other regions of body and mind responding to this present joyous attitude unfolding.

Now become aware of the physical and psychological aspects of you that are suffering. This can be a physical injury, hurt feelings, or even guilt. Notice where this suffering has taken residence within you. With steady breath, wrap compassion around and through this suffering. Be generous with time and attention. As you feel complete, acknowledge your inner benevolence, virtue, and devotion. Embrace the truths you hold deep within you heart and acknowledge how you are living these truths.

Now shifting your attention to the aspects of you that you have labeled as "less than divine". Your grudges, jealousies, and resentments. Notice where they hide within the body and mind. Rather than justify or repeat the story as to why these feelings and aches exist, just witness. Continue to weave steady cycles of breath through the body.

Be available and courageous. It is very likely that this non-reactive state offers just the space needed to let go, transform, and heal. Touch the unity of the divine within. Touch your humanness. Reignite your dedication to the practice. Bring your hands to the heart alter and bow.

Aham Prema... I am divine love.

A gift from a student I highly recommend to spread the love this season:

Rumi and Great Southern Oaks!! Seriously beautiful... one of my absolute favs:

"Inside the great mystery that is, we don't really own anything.

What is this competition we feel then,
before we go, one at a time through the same gate?"

- gradtitude and blessings,

Jami

Jami Larson |

22 Comments |

tagged

Mind,

Patanjali,

Soul,

Staability of the mind,

The Yoga Soul,

Yoga,

Yoga Sutra

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