om mind
W
e all know that our work on the
yoga mat transfers to our lives
and out into the world. An hour
of bending, twisting, sweating,
and surrendering somehow gives
us a better sense of self, faith in the unknown, and a
willingness to persevere through tough times. But how
and why?
When we explore the philosophical side of yoga, we
discover notions such as the Yamas and the Niyamas,
which suggest a mental and spiritual guide map as
to how to stay the course. For example, Tapas, which
literally means ‘to burn,’ suggests we need fiery
discipline to reach Nirvana, or perhaps, just a simple
goal we’ve set for ourselves.
What does this have to do with our time on
the mat? Whether or not we are aware of the
philosophical aspects of yoga, they tend to seep into
our asana practice. By the twentieth Chaturanga,
we may be ready to roll up the mat and quit, but
we don’t. We pause. We breathe. We reflect. We
persevere.
The West has its own word for Tapas. It’s called
‘grit’. Grit is a trait based on the level of passion and
motivation one exudes in achieving a specific goal.
People with grit don’t give up despite the obstacles
that may impede them. They have a burning desire to
rise and shine, in the midst of adversity.
Have you been feeling less than passionate about
life? The following meditation will help light a fire
under your bum.
This is an active, participatory meditation. You will
need a pen and paper to practice.Do it now
Take several deep breaths to clear your mind.
Write the word gratitude. Below it, list three things
for which you are grateful. Sit with the image of these
three things, and let gratitude permeate your being.
Next, write the word responsibility. Ask yourself
how responsible you are in this moment. Ponder areas
where you could increase your level of responsibility,
jot down notes about these areas. Notice what
sensations come up in your body. Breathe through
them.
Continue with the word integrity. List your fears or
aversions to standing up for yourself.
Now, write the word tenacity. Prepare a vow
to overcome difficulties, such as, “Today I vow to
persevere through the initial discomfort of not doing
yoga for five weeks,” for example.
Repeat the mantra, “Gratitude, responsibility,
integrity, tenacity.” Reflect on what you wrote. Feel
the fire of Tapas and grit beginning to fuel your
motivation to bring whatever it is you desire into
fruition.Jill Lawson is a writer and yoga teacher in Colorado,
USA (jilllawsonyoga.com)