Setting Intention... A Good First Step by Viki Distin
Just days away from the biggest goal setting day of the year, I can’t help thinking about “the gap”. The Gap is that place between having a beautiful, heart filled intention of moving in a positive direction to the authentic place of transformation.
I have spent most of my 16 years of practicing yoga trying to figure out this gap. It might be misleading or even down right silly to call my own observations “truths” (and certainly a whole other article…), therefore I am going to call them observations.
My first observation is the points along the journey. It makes sense to me to see this journey as a “Ray” from basic geometry. There is this beautiful beginning point of intention, calling this point A. This is setting the goal of getting to point B and truly believing at that moment that this idea is worthwhile and possible. This is the fun part and an important first step, or transformation cannot happen.
Along this ray of transformation we typically move step by step, little by little. As much as we would prefer to go from point A to point B as quickly as possible, the reality is that break through has its own timing and it is helpful to honor this. Another reflection of the journey points, is the fluidity of it. There is the “pulse” of the two steps forward, one step back. Most likely it will be inevitable, so remember this so as not to get discouraged along the way and landslide all the way back to point A. So while it is helpful to know some of the obstacles along the way, there is also the inspirational part to consider which keeps us moving in the direction of evolution. Just as a “Ray” moves to infinity, so does our journey and possibilities. So as we journey towards our goals, it is important to embrace natural timing and fluidity but also the infinite nature of transformation.
The second observation and perhaps the most difficult of filling the gap, is Self inquiry or in Sanskrit called Svadhyaya. Of course I did not invent this idea, nor is it exclusive to yoga, but I have witnessed for myself that becoming authentic must have this ingredient. Practicing the physical postures without looking at our patterns or our default modes of behavior is not yoga. We could call it a really effective fitness regime or gymnastics, but it is not yoga. Most likely we will remain at point A without this difficult but also illuminating investigation of ourselves. Therefore it is important to study with teachers (yoga or otherwise) who will challenge us in this way. Transformation has the potential to be of miraculous proportions and therefore finding a skillful teacher who can point the way is necessary.
Lastly, in my own journey of transformation it has been essential to incorporate contemplation as the cornerstone of my practice. Practicing asana in a particular way (slowing down, including pauses for integration, holding poses, and of course, savasana…) may help ease us into a sitting practice. The postures were originally designed to enable yogis to sit comfortably in meditation. Without open hips and a strong spine it will be difficult to sit with ease. Practicing meditation is “the how” of transformation because it gets to the root of our patterns of negativity. One of my favorite definitions of meditation is “the ability to have one thought over another”. Many of us have the “intention” of becoming positive human beings. We all know the importance of PMA, positive mental attitude. But telling someone to have more positive thoughts is like telling an alcoholic to just stop drinking. It is not that easy.
Enter stage left….yoga. I am so grateful for this practice of yoga to fill the gap for authentic transformation. Yoga not only makes authentic transformation possible but probable. To the infinite possibility within all of us, I bow.
I have spent most of my 16 years of practicing yoga trying to figure out this gap. It might be misleading or even down right silly to call my own observations “truths” (and certainly a whole other article…), therefore I am going to call them observations.
My first observation is the points along the journey. It makes sense to me to see this journey as a “Ray” from basic geometry. There is this beautiful beginning point of intention, calling this point A. This is setting the goal of getting to point B and truly believing at that moment that this idea is worthwhile and possible. This is the fun part and an important first step, or transformation cannot happen.
Along this ray of transformation we typically move step by step, little by little. As much as we would prefer to go from point A to point B as quickly as possible, the reality is that break through has its own timing and it is helpful to honor this. Another reflection of the journey points, is the fluidity of it. There is the “pulse” of the two steps forward, one step back. Most likely it will be inevitable, so remember this so as not to get discouraged along the way and landslide all the way back to point A. So while it is helpful to know some of the obstacles along the way, there is also the inspirational part to consider which keeps us moving in the direction of evolution. Just as a “Ray” moves to infinity, so does our journey and possibilities. So as we journey towards our goals, it is important to embrace natural timing and fluidity but also the infinite nature of transformation.
The second observation and perhaps the most difficult of filling the gap, is Self inquiry or in Sanskrit called Svadhyaya. Of course I did not invent this idea, nor is it exclusive to yoga, but I have witnessed for myself that becoming authentic must have this ingredient. Practicing the physical postures without looking at our patterns or our default modes of behavior is not yoga. We could call it a really effective fitness regime or gymnastics, but it is not yoga. Most likely we will remain at point A without this difficult but also illuminating investigation of ourselves. Therefore it is important to study with teachers (yoga or otherwise) who will challenge us in this way. Transformation has the potential to be of miraculous proportions and therefore finding a skillful teacher who can point the way is necessary.
Lastly, in my own journey of transformation it has been essential to incorporate contemplation as the cornerstone of my practice. Practicing asana in a particular way (slowing down, including pauses for integration, holding poses, and of course, savasana…) may help ease us into a sitting practice. The postures were originally designed to enable yogis to sit comfortably in meditation. Without open hips and a strong spine it will be difficult to sit with ease. Practicing meditation is “the how” of transformation because it gets to the root of our patterns of negativity. One of my favorite definitions of meditation is “the ability to have one thought over another”. Many of us have the “intention” of becoming positive human beings. We all know the importance of PMA, positive mental attitude. But telling someone to have more positive thoughts is like telling an alcoholic to just stop drinking. It is not that easy.
Enter stage left….yoga. I am so grateful for this practice of yoga to fill the gap for authentic transformation. Yoga not only makes authentic transformation possible but probable. To the infinite possibility within all of us, I bow.
