On scary things and steps to freedom
Scary things are happening.
And taking on scary things are part of life. Sharing this pic of me at Matanuska Glacier, AK 2005 doing something I felt really hesitant about bc I didn’t want to be so uncomfortable and cold.
Matanuska Glacier, AK 2005
I was very close to talking myself out of the experience but went on bc of some cajoling and encouragement from my company.
Right now we’re being asked to lean into scary and uncomfortable, to experience discomfort by taking actions and having conversations that are meant to discomfit and dislodge long-standing useless notions around hierarchy and competition and kill or be killed mindsets.
This process is a journey, in fact it’s THE JOURNEY.
Sutra 1.33 maitrī karuṇā mudito-pekṣāṇāṁ-sukha-duḥkha puṇya-apuṇya-viṣayāṇāṁ bhāvanātaḥ citta-prasādanam
maitrī = friendship
karuṇā = kindness
mudita = merry
upekṣāṇāṁ = indifferenece
sukha = wellness
duḥkha= suffering
puṇya= virtuous
apuṇya=immoral
viṣayāṇāṁ= matters
bhāvanātaḥ= practiced
citta= mind
prasādanam= purified
This sutra offers the antidotes to the suffering which occurs when obstacles to bliss arise, at which one must shift to mental purification. To achieve this, the first bit of guidance is to settle on a single "stuff" or maintain focus on a singular point.
Following that, the pathways of practice are listed as:
employment of friendliness over wellness,
kindness over suffering
pleasure over virtuosity and
indifference over immorality
In this learning process I’m starting to expand my thinking and challenge my beliefs. Is growth always uncomfortable? Referring back to the chart 'From Comfort Zone to Growth'
Is growth always the right answer? What can we learn from degrowth? From the relationship between degrowth and decolonization?
I’m on the journey to understanding, maybe you are too. Have you come across these terms and research? If so, share more here!
One step closer to FREE
I remember being told to smile with my mouth shut, or to stay out of the sun (for fear of getting too dark), even not to lick my lips because then they’ll get bigger. 🙄
Of course, being told those things were hurtful to little Tejal and impacted me in ways I’m still unraveling. Now I understand the implications of these statements so much better - through long conversations, therapy sessions, healing affirmations, learning from others, yoga asana and mediation, and intuitive work.
It’s been many decades of decoding this certain intergenerational trauma that brought me here.
I want to celebrate this moment with you, the moment where I decided that it was more than okay to take a headshot without any forewarning, with my hair doing whatever it wanted, with the heat giving my skin a shine, no face full of makeup, and not a single f given, because it was another step in freeing me, and helping me to help others.
Thank you @sovern.la for your Souk Market fundraiser for Pal Es Tine and for inviting @visionbykovios to offer pop-up headshots. Let’s get free y’all.
Reserve your next class here.
Tejal Yoga offers accessible movement and continuing education in a warm environment. Our knowledgeable South Asian instructors are committed to the authentic and spiritual practice of yoga. Learn more at tejalyoga.com
