This is the last part of a three part blog, Live Your Yoga: Making A Decision. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 here.
Making decisions – especially big life decisions – can be very challenging. We can feel pulled in every direction. Which choice is “right?”
The Bhagavad Gita offers us insight into how we can live our yoga in the midst of our daily life struggles and choices. In this epic story, our hero (Arjuna) is counselled by Krishna (his charioteer and the voice of Arjuna’s “higher power”) on how he can live yoga and still take action as a warrior. Yoga isn’t only for peaceful times; it’s for every moment of our lives. Especially those times that seem full of conflict.
The third yogic path that Krishna offers to Arjuna is LOVE.
Now, this is a radical departure from the “meditate/know thyself/think your way into enlightenment” kind of practice everyone had been doing up until this point. Love does not require intellect, action or fancy yoga clothes. There is not barrier to practice, Krishna says, devotion can be expressed with the gift of a leaf. Love simply requires an open heart.
Try this (really, try it, it will only take about 30 seconds):
- Sit quietly.
- Bring to mind the face of someone (or something, like a beloved pet) that you love very much.
- Take ten deep breaths, focusing on what you love about this creature.
- Breathe, and bring to mind all the little details.
How do you feel?
“We are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” – Brene Brown
Isn’t life better when we are just a little bit in love?
The human heart has incredible capacity for love and devotion; when we allow this feeling to permeate our being and infuse our daily actions and relationships, we are able to effortlessly embody qualities such as kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and compassion. When we open our hearts, we can begin to feel the interconnectedness of all beings.
Krishna shares with Arjuna that “everything is Krishna.” Seen from the highest perspective, everything – including us – is part of this Oneness. When we express devotion and love through our daily actions, we can also remember our divine connection to all things. When we remember that we are connected to all things, we can infuse more love into our small daily acts. Love creates more love. Every act becomes a gesture of devotion, a remembrance of our participation in the divine dance.
“All beings are words of God, His music, His art.” = Meister Eckart
Practice:
- Sit comfortably.
- Close your eyes.
- Bring to mind someone or a creature that you love. Think “just like me, you want to be happy.” Repeat this for about a minute.
- Expand your consciousness to the city around you, all of the inhabitants. Think “just like me, you want to be happy.” Repeat this for about a minute.
- Gradually expand your consciousness beyond your city to the country, the continent, the world. Think “just like me, you want to be happy.”
- Feel your love state.
- Take a few deep breaths and open your eyes.
From this perspective, what is the best choice?
From this perspective, what is right action?
Are you teaching the Bhagavad Gita? Check out my study guide for teachers and students.
