My New Mission – A Sort of Homecoming

It’s funny how I left NJ two years ago in search of “something missing” only to come full circle and rediscover it here at home. This past week, I finally got back to a regular ashtanga yoga practice, pranayama and meditation.

Way back when I used to practice ashtanga for nearly 2 hours 6 days per week. Then in the evening, I would do pranayama and meditation for an hour. I remember distinctly how I SO looked forward to my evening meditation like primetime tv. LOL. I would shut everything down at 8:30pm, sit by my “altar,” light candles and incense and just get lost in it . I LOVED the way it made me feel! Well, I finally got back to it. I decided to set the time aside early in the evening and the joy came flooding back. Now I feel like I wasted so much time on the internet late at night, when I could have been re-connecting with myself and spirit.

So my new mission is twofold. It is about the physical aspect: eating healthy whole foods, weight-training, athletic conditioning, biking and running – the activities I love and make me feel good physically.

The second part of my mission is spiritual: practicing ashtanga, meditation, pranayama and living by the Four Agreements.

I’ve taken some time recently to re-examine my life. I looked closely at how I act, things I’ve done and the relationships I’m in and there are lots of things that I want to change. For example, I feel guilty for not taking better care of my mom and I want to change that. There are friends that have needed me, but I’ve been too busy. There are grudges that I’ve held that are pointless and toxic. If any of you have gone through EST training or the Landmark Forum, than the concept of contacting others immediately to express what is in your heart and request forgiveness AND forgive is familiar to you. It’s very cathartic and freeing.

For example, I just got in contact with a friend from Kauai. Our relationship had gotten awkward and distant and I left the island without saying goodbye. I’ve regretted it since and it’s weighed heavy on my heart. But 2 weeks ago, I contacted him not knowing how I would be received and he was SO happy to hear from me! He too wanted to clear the air and we communicated more honestly and openly than we ever had. It was so incredible and I am so grateful to be able to call him my friend.

So a big part of my mission is growing in to the complete person that I want to be: physically and spiritually. With each action I am now asking myself, am I living by the Four Agreements:
Am I being impeccable with my word?
Am I taking thing to personally?
Am I assuming things?
Am I doing my best?

So simple yet difficult to break years of conditioning. I am LOVING this new mission!

Tagged as: Yoga/Mind

http://ronfitlog.wordpress.com Ron

Loved your post today! Change really should encompass our whole life, not just the physical aspect. Especially liked reading how good you felt reconnecting with a “lost” friend.
KaliLilla

Thanks Ron!

Years ago, I learned the lesson of being as honest, transparent and uninhibited as possible, but somehow I drifted away from that “knowing.” I'm so glad to be re-learning those lessons now and applying them in my life. Often taking the first step to open the door to communication is the hardest but 99.9% of the time, it ends up with such a sense of relief, joy and love.
lynda

I read this last night and didn´t post, but thought of you. Thinking how yoga and meditation really help you shows you what is the real you. Now you know what you should always do. So far have found that walking is something very ME. My brother Skip was like you. He loved to meditate, incense, deep-thinker. Wish I could try it myself….and guess I could. Have tons of videos on yoga, but am not very flexible to say null. What you mention about the 4 Truths tho is something all of us can try. Who are those Tolkins? I went to their site and didn´t get what it is that makes them special…tell me. Are they Mexican?
Lynda
KaliLilla

The Toltecs are a Mexican society of scientists and artists. Honestly I don't know much about their history and lineage, but I find their teachings beautiful and they really resonate with me. Here is a link to the page with a little bit about the Toltec tradition: http://www.miguelruiz.com/tradition/toltectradi...

p.s. You don't have to be flexible to do yoga. you just have to breathe.