Yes, thank you Linda. That one is so tricky. The viveka aspect aspect of continually questioning and refining your own inner choices...thankfully, it never ends. Right? There is no resolution to needing to stay attentive! Attaining deeper vision and wisdom only brings more responsibility to pay attention.
And obviously, attention, attention, attention is necessary for any kind of serious inquiry...
Finally, at this point in my life – 72 years into it – I understand the need to act, to make a difference, at least to try. For so long I thought that I wasn't doing enough because I was paying so much attention to the inward drawing of the bow. I felt it was too self involved and not helpful enough to others. Perhaps that is true, but what I have also realized is that the time of drawing the bow back and pausing while one takes aim is powerful.
What we do in the meantime, is also powerful. It's that old imperative to act with integrity, to take seriously the yamas and the niyamas and...through that, hopefully find and fulfill our own dharma, however small or large it may be.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Verse 47 —" It is better to do one's own dharma well than to do another's less well."
Thank you Patty for this! In January I asked my students to purchase Deborah Adele's book on the Yamas/NiYamas. We are having such stimulating and heartfelt conversations. "Never stop inquiring and asking questions." Grateful to have you in my life.
Thank you, Darlene. So good to hear that you are continuing to question...and to teach. You are definitely a true gift to your students! They are so fortunate to have you.
As usual, Patty, I love your thoughts on yogic philosophy. This quote was especially powerful:
“You may find some qualities that you don’t like. The trick is that you can’t try to make them go away. In your effort to get rid of the aspects of yourself that you don’t like, you effectively lock them in place.”
Yes, thank you Linda. That one is so tricky. The viveka aspect aspect of continually questioning and refining your own inner choices...thankfully, it never ends. Right? There is no resolution to needing to stay attentive! Attaining deeper vision and wisdom only brings more responsibility to pay attention.
And obviously, attention, attention, attention is necessary for any kind of serious inquiry...
Finally, at this point in my life – 72 years into it – I understand the need to act, to make a difference, at least to try. For so long I thought that I wasn't doing enough because I was paying so much attention to the inward drawing of the bow. I felt it was too self involved and not helpful enough to others. Perhaps that is true, but what I have also realized is that the time of drawing the bow back and pausing while one takes aim is powerful.
What we do in the meantime, is also powerful. It's that old imperative to act with integrity, to take seriously the yamas and the niyamas and...through that, hopefully find and fulfill our own dharma, however small or large it may be.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Verse 47 —" It is better to do one's own dharma well than to do another's less well."
Thank you Patty for this! In January I asked my students to purchase Deborah Adele's book on the Yamas/NiYamas. We are having such stimulating and heartfelt conversations. "Never stop inquiring and asking questions." Grateful to have you in my life.
Thank you, Darlene. So good to hear that you are continuing to question...and to teach. You are definitely a true gift to your students! They are so fortunate to have you.
As usual, Patty, I love your thoughts on yogic philosophy. This quote was especially powerful:
“You may find some qualities that you don’t like. The trick is that you can’t try to make them go away. In your effort to get rid of the aspects of yourself that you don’t like, you effectively lock them in place.”