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| Day 15 - Silhouette |
As any Washingtonian can attest to, this past weekend was just gorgeous in terms of weather. Friday night, I watched a movie and enjoyed the company of a dear friend of mine. Saturday I taught a yoga class then went to a potluck event with all the staff, volunteers, and teachers from my studio. To see all the people I hold closely in my real world sangha community together made my heart sing. The food was delicious, the company was fabulous and before I knew it, it was time for me to head out.
I drove down to DC to kirtan, or chant, with one of my favorite jivamukit teachers Hari-Kirtana Das and his DC SuperSonic Kirtan group. I spent three hours chanting, dancing, clapping, screaming, dancing some more, and having a FABULOUS time. On the drive back, I hadn’t had enough so I blasted Krishna Das and continued on with my chanting, dancing, clapping, screaming, and dancing some more, all the way home. In the midst of all this celebration, my heart felt this strong tug – I really missed Krishna Das and the wonderful weekend I experienced with him (read that blog post here). Then I remember something my spiritual counselor had told me, “no one can make you experience something that you do not already possess”. In other words, I have everything in me I need to feel that happiness I felt with KD. In that blissful moment – I suddenly felt enough. I am enough.
What a concept! I AM ENOUGH. Just as I am. During that hour drive home I felt complete. Perfect. Inspired. And if I am enough, then surely YOU are enough. And if you are enough, the whole world is enough. Each and everyone one of us is perfect just as we are. The world is perfect exactly the way it is.
You may say to me “T – what about the genocides in Africa? What about the War in Iraq? What about George Bush Junior AND Senior? Our world is f*cked up!”
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| Day 16 – Long Exposure |
And I will say back to you, yes, but what about the beauty? What about the 15 people that came to meditate on a rainy Wednesday night in a cramped room in a town that I thought was uber conservative? What about the countless numbers of kirtan going on in the world right now? What about all the acts of love and peace like #OccupyWallStreet? If we focus on the bad – change cannot occur. We do not become prettier by only looking at our flaws and imperfections. We do not become better human beings by constantly pointing out the bad. No, if we just look at the bad we become depressed, hopeless, and angry. Rather, we ought to look at the good. The beautiful. And if we do that, we will naturally want to spread that love. Once we fall in love with our lives and the world around us, we will treat it with the care and love it deserves. Only then can change take place.
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| Day 17 – Technology |
I arrived home, parked my car, and felt grateful. Twice in the past I cried after a transcendental bliss because I did not want to come back to the burden reality. But Saturday night, I felt ok with it all. The traffic, the suburbian noise, the responsibilities that tomorrow brings, everything is ok. At that moment, my heart could hold both the good and the bad of reality. And in doing so, reality became my haven.
I seriously cannot stress enough the importance to live an inspired life. Surround yourself with inspirational people, books, movies, songs… whatever it takes. Keep that heart open! Deepak Chopra says, “Yet from your soul’s perspective, you are as great an addition to the world as Mahatma Ghandi or Mother Teresa, and subtracting you from the cosmic equation would be just as great a loss. The most exquisite silk remains intact if you pull out a thread, but the snag will show” (Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul). No matter how old you are, you matter. You are important. You are enough.
Namaste.
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About Teeg
Yoga teacher and budding health coach living life happily & organically. Forever student of my meditation cushion, amateur photographer, and lover of words. Sharing my light and love to all, I have faith the universe will provide all I need at the right time. Except for chocolate... I can never get enough chocolate =)
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October 17th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Yes yes yes! I love the last part especially – about choosing to surround yourself with things that inspire you. As one can easily make the choice to surround him or herself with things that bring you down – given the 2 options why ever choose the latter?
October 18th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I completely agree. I have found that negativity can be a fire that burns out of control for me. I think I go in extremes though. I like what you say about surrounding your self with things and people that inspire you. A choice is always good.
October 18th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
I have never attended a full-blown kirtan, and I hope to attend one next month with David Newman. Your descriptions are fascinating, and I can't wait to be a part of it myself!
October 18th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
I love kirtan very very much – let me know ab your experience!!