Where are you???

Disclaimer : I am toning this down to something I can relate to. Sage Patanjali (in his Yoga Sutras) was talking about how to reach that state of eternal bliss. The mere mortal that I am... I have no clue what this so-called state of eternal bliss is. So.... I am trying to connect it with my teeny-tiny-restrictive universe. I am sticking to the usage 'practice'. It could range from your plan to go walking daily to studies (for students, age no bar). 

Some background to what I am going to say. In verses prior to the one discussed here, Sage Patanjali talks about Samadhi. Everything about Samadhi was a total bouncer for me. But then verse 1.21 & 1.22 caught my attention. 

Tivra Samvegaanaam Asannaha (One can reach the goal if they show the desire & put in appropriate effort into it) 

Mridu Madhya Adhimaathratva Tataha Api Visheshaha (And... The desire & effort can be of three grades - Mild, medium & intense) 

This was the starting point for me - You need to analyze, understand and accept where you are with respect to your conviction & practice. Based on the above two verses, we can draw up a 3x3 matrix. 

From the look of it, the worst place a person can be at is when you have - All the time in the world for your practice, but absolutely 0 conviction in what you are doing (The Mild-Conviction-Intense-Practice space). We all know that person who literally slogs his __ out, but the effort never translates into anything. Imagine a situation where you are working day in & day out, but there are no results. 

And... Don't you think the best place to be at is.... Intense-Conviction-Mild-Practice???? If we can made great things happen with the least amount of effort....... Aaah! 

Now, once we figure out where we are, we can prioritize things and work towards moving to the best place in this matrix. 

So.... Where are you today?? 

Sources : 

     Patanjali Yoga Sutras - made easy by Dr Padiki Nagaraja Rao

     ww.swamij.com

108

Me : Should we give it a try? Lets not worry about the final count, just give it a try. Like this was an experiement?? Should we?
Kid1 : Okay
Kid 2 & 3 too agreed.

It was the day after Rathasapthami. I was leading an asana session for children. This conversation happened while I was explaining the significance of Rathasaptami. We just decided to give a try at 108 Surya Namaskar. Just a trial... A personal enquiry. The kids were never trained to do a 108. The aim was not to complete 108 rounds, but to look inside and find out.... How far we can go, Are we bound by our own limitations etc.

The result??? Ooooo... One completed 108, One came close to 90 and the other around 70. The smile on their faces... Extremely humbling experience :-)

Their happiness did inspire me to participate in the 108 conducted in our community. This wouldn't be the first time I am doing a 108. I know that I can still do it. I was not planning to spend time on something I already knew. But the smile on the children's face did inspire me to pick my mat & walk to the ground.

Kiddo too had promised to join me. When she picked her yoga mat, I had mentally prepared myself to listen to her wailing around 20th round. Well... She did surprise me by completing 108 without any complain. Okkay... According to her... 107.5. In her defense, she was tired towards the end. I had asked her to sit down until she is ready to continue. She did initially sit down, but the crowd's energy made her jump up & continue. So.... she completed her 107.5 & I my 108. This is to our first 108 :-)

Picture Courtesy : www.parents.com

:-)

:-) 

:-) 

:-) 

:-)