In Yoga classes, we are taught about Santosha (contentment). Yet, how can we be content with our lives, when we are influenced by the past, and the society we live in? We have to accept the fact that we are products of our family, culture, and education. To accept oneself at "face value" and without judgment is the beginning of finding inner peace.
For each of us this is a starting point in the journey of Yoga practice, and the path of personal growth, which runs parallel to our Yogic studies. Sometimes the reality that we are in control of our destiny is hard to face. Some of us have been trained to believe we have limited or no control over our lives.
Many people would like to resign the responsibility of personal growth to a higher authority. In a military society, it is easier to forward decision making to the next highest rank. This is a necessary part of the military structure and "the chain of command." There are also very repressive forms of government, which take all decision making out of your hands.
Regardless of which society you live in, if you are able to access the Internet, you are free to absorb good and bad ideas at the same time. You have the freedom to determine which forms of information you will accept or deny. The Internet is an educational gift, or a tool of self-destruction, depending upon what we choose to do with it.
Here is just one example: You could spend time listening to financial networks and experts who preach gloom and doom. In fact, they shout over each other all day long. If all the shouting does not get your blood pressure to rise, you have truly developed a reasonable level of patience. About half of the information you hear will be reliable. The problem is deciding which half of the information to react to.
Some of these financial experts were trained on the floors of stock markets worldwide. Their shouting, rudeness, and "cutting each other off" is a part of the financial culture. Shouting and running around in a panic may seem like unreasonable behavior to the rest of humanity, but this is how the world's financial markets work.
So, what does this have to do with your paths of Yoga practice and personal growth? Take the time to look within yourself and do not judge yourself because of your social status, past mistakes, culture, or education. See your unlimited potential for what it is. Do not let someone else determine your true worth.
Do not allow yourself to fall under the spell of a cloud of doom. If you find yourself gazing at bad news on television, switch the channel to something positive and educational. We cannot afford to waste time, by listening to pessimism without direction or solutions.
Copyright 2009 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html
