Support When Things Feel Hard
I began writing this post a few months ago at the beginning of the holiday season - a time where some may experience excitement and glee, while others may experience grief and heartache. I revisited these reflections, and although the holiday season has passed, these thoughts still ring true for me, and I think they may ring true for others as well. Because no matter the season, we can all use support when things feel hard.
—————————-
I recently read an interpretation of the eight worldly dharmas - a Buddhist concept that teaches us that when we get deeply immersed in these dharmas, we experience suffering. The eight dharmas are pairs of opposites that we tend to strive towards or away from in our experiences -
Pleasure and pain; loss and gain; fame and disgrace; praise and blame
These feelings arise out of our interpretation of our worldly experience. They are the result of our reaction to analyzing a situation, an interaction, a confrontation, a thought, etc. Part of our journey can be to sit with these feelings, rather than push them away, feel the need to rid ourselves of them, or completely give into them. When we better acquaint ourselves with these feelings, we can begin to understand how they influence our experiences, who we are, and how we react.
These dharmas will surely visit us throughout life. Through the support of a mindfulness practice (whether meditation, yoga, intentional living/movement), we can acknowledge the feelings that arise from a situation. We can invite curiosity, exploration, and inquisitiveness into our experiences to seek the wisdom that underlies. Through this exploration, the energy within our beings begins shifts. We will show greater compassion towards ourselves and others through our willingness to work towards letting go of becoming bogged down in our dharmas.
Non-attachment (aparigraha, part of the eight limbs of yoga) is a central theme in the discussion of the worldly dharmas. When we practice non-attachment, we begin to see the true nature of our being; we gain clarity in the mind; we find connections within ourselves and beyond. Practicing mindful non-attachment will allow us to release the feelings and emotions that can overwhelm the body, and instead look at the situation with empathy and grace.
—————————-
For many, the holiday season is a time of joy, hopefulness, and celebration. For others, it may be a time of grief, uncertainty, or sadness.
Wherever you are in your journey, I encourage you to use yoga as a form of support. The foundation of yoga is centered on support - resourcing so the self can heal and prosper. Let us remember that as we travel through this time of year, as well as through any time of year that may feel difficult.
When things feel hard, seek greater support from your yoga practice to nourish the physical body, emotional body, and spiritual body -
Support when you are grieving. Support when you are celebrating. Support when you need a challenge. Support when your thoughts overtake your mind. Support when you need to slow down. Support when you need to pick up the pace. Support when you are lost. Support when you are found.
Allow yourself to recognize that commitment to a bit of support each day will heal, will center, and will regain trust in the self.
May you also find support from all else during difficult times - nature, the earth beneath your feet, the air surrounding you, the light of the sun, the radiance of the moon, the power of silence, the power of sound, teachers, mentors, family, trusted friends, reading, writing, playing, prayer.
