Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Wake Up!

"If we can stay awake when our lives are changing, secrets will be revealed to us--secrets about ourselves, about the nature of life, and about the eternal source of happiness and peace that is always available, always renewable, already within us." —Elizabeth Lesser “If we can stay awake…” That’s the challenge! Can we stay present, especially when the going gets tough? That’s the time when I’m most apt to over eat, over drink and just plain space out to avoid that challenge. Yet when our lives are changing is when we can receive the most learning and probably experience the most progress (and isn’t life always in transition?). Yogic philosophy teaches about The Witness, that part of us which is untainted and is always awake and aware. “What’s happening now?” is the perfect question to ask at any moment of our lives but particularly when we are changing. Remaining in witness consciousness to watch for the answers will reveal those secrets Lesser mentions. Pranayama, or breathwork, provides the support and energy to move through the emotional rollercoaster of fear that arises during changing times. Meditation allows the mind to find protection from itself and its fearful wanderings. As Lesser reminds us, that source of happiness is always available to us and that’s the good news!