The Law of Attraction

Mirroring Scorpions with Yancy Schwartz in NYC

What we seek, we are actively attracting. In people, in energy, in joy, pain, everything. This is why we’re so powerful; we are the architect of nearly every aspect of our life.

What and whom we surround ourselves with is who we are: A yogi will attract other yogis by the habit of attending yoga classes. Even the details reflect our intentions in others; :What style of yoga do I want? Do I need a studio with a shower after a 6am class because I’m heading to work? Is the studio close to my home in the suburbs?” So I meet other people of similar circumstances and wants. An addict will attract other addicts by the same law. Really, we like proof that we’re right. When we find someone who shares our views, we keep them around to confirm the belief system that gives us grounding.

“All the world’s atoms
are really mirrors,
drowned in your essence
like drops in the sea.

Like waves that roll over,
crashing in emptiness,

they deny themselves –

they offer your proof.”

—Walah Daghistani

 

The Power of Habit

Ever try to fight a habit?

Maybe create a new one?

When we fight habits, we create stress. Habits are formed of experience past that served us once, so fighting our habits means fighting our experience and denying our response. (Even the “bad” habits served us the first time they were utilized as a coping mechanism.) If I’m fighting my habits, I’m fighting and denying a part of my past. Fighting the past causes trauma in the present. So the desire to leave a habit because it’s “bad” or “negative” defines this past experience of the self as “bad” and “negative”. To be at peace, all parts of the self are integrated. Even the shadowy parts.

This is where we’ve been. Now, where do we go…

Essentially what we’re doing in this case is fighting for peace. What a lovey contradiction. Peace doesn’t come from carrying a gun to one’s own head. A habit is a powerful defense mechanism, why should it be under fire? (Meaning if I’m trying to stop biting my nails, and I find myself itching to bite, I can’t put a bullet to the thought, watch it die, and call it peace.) Auto-criticism causes stress. It’s almost laughable that In times of stress, the mind resorts to auto-pilot – habits! The very things we’re trying to fight. Welcome to the habit loop. It sounds something like this:

“I’m stressed about not biting my nails, so I’m thinking about biting my nails, and therefore eventually I will act on the one thing I am thinking about.”

The inclination towards habit is simply a momentary experience of the self. Should this piece be out of line from the purest Self, simply observe the inclination. With observation alone, it will pass. We choose to not follow the inclination by allowing the impulse to creep up in any way it likes. Then it will pass. No need to criticize it, because this is acting on the habit and giving it power. With power, the habit will realize it’s fullest potential. Watch it pass, and it has taken no energy from your peace and has no energy from which to grow.

Follow a new practice. This is the key to freedom.

I am what I practice; what I’m working on developing further. I am my ideal self within development.

Yoga Sweets

Exhaustion is who you’ve been. Who are you going to be?

A look into Kapotasana…

If we choose to view Asana as a metaphor for every other limb of yoga, we may find that a backbend is a turning inward; a self reflection lead by the observer into the nature of the observer. Kapotasana is a deep backbend where the spine literally curls into itslef, creating a complete circle of body. For this reason, Kapotasana, or “King Pigeon”, can stir up emotions from within the practitioner. What’s maybe even more interesting is the reaction that such a pose elicits from those who do not practice Yoga.

Those who haven’t chosen the practice can feel uncomfortable with the process’s aesthetics. “Oh man I think I’d break myself if I even TRIED to do that!” “That’s just sick.” “The body isn’t meant to do that!” And yet it does. When a posture is avoided in the practice, and when the practice is avoided in life, there’s a mentality at play. There’s something deep within the ego that’s making an excuse as to why the reaction to such a stimulus is, “No. (I can’t, and I won’t, and thank God you can’t make me.)” And thankfully they’re right; no one can be made to do anything. No teacher can make a student enter a posture or make a student seek a sensation. No one can do something for us without our effortful consent. 

So it’s up to me. It’s up to you. If at the end of class, you don’t feel like trying anymore, do it for the person next to you.

 

May 2013

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