A popular metaphor in yoga is that of flying a kite knowing when to give string, so that the wind can take over and make the kite soar, and when to reel it in so that the kite does not get entangled in trees and other such objects. The idea is clear - let go when higher forces are at play and take over when you can control something - real simple. In theory at least.
Or as Patanjali says in Sutra 2.47, Prayatna Shaithilya Ananta Samapattibhyam - relaxation of efforts and absorption into something infinite in regards to mastering Asanas. In life, this relaxation of efforts is important too or we would just become tense and rigid and miss our goals because of it. Yoga is about effortlessness.
I am a big fan of the metaphor and the Sutra and use both of them in class whenever they fit. But over the last few months, I observed myself trying to hold the string of the kite when I should have let go. In response, life, the beautiful teacher, simply played out as it always does and left me with no option in the end. And I finally understood and bowed down gracefully (after having a hearty laugh at my own folly).
What had happened? It was university application time - not my own, my daughter's. After clearing high school, it was time to look at the world of higher studies that beckoned - US, Europe, India - the world seemed her oyster. With a wonderful predicted grade, she managed to get into a highly ranked university abroad in her chosen field of study, which is much sought after.
Esta historia es de la edición September 2024 de Yoga and Total Health.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 2024 de Yoga and Total Health.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Pay the Price for Peace
Attachment or freedom? The choice is yours
Floating Through Life
When the going gets tough, the tough surrender
Sublimate your Emotions
Remember that emotion is ego in motion
A Lesson from Ravana
Reading between the lines
The Strokes of Daily Effort
What makes a good person great?
From Science to Pseudo-science - Part II
Where there is light there will also be darkness
The Trap of Reaction
Think, understand and only then act
Simple Is Best
We dismiss things as too ordinary and it is our loss
The Importance Of The 'Emergency Kit'
How to overcome difficult times by oneself
हृदय शुद्ध तो परेशानियाँ गौण
जिस मनुष्य का हृदय मलिन होगा उसमें ज्ञानाग्नि जलाने की शक्ति उतनी ही क्षीण होगी, जिसका हृदय शुद्ध होगा वह पल भर में ही आत्म-ज्ञान प्राप्त कर सकता है । यह आत्मज्ञान का मार्ग बहुत ही साहस का मार्ग है।