What does it mean to surrender to one's True Self? Probably not what we imagine it to mean... How does one go about surrendering to one's own self? The answer is definitely not what we think....
To surrender to one's self is not a matter of simply submitting yourself to all that is beautiful and wonderful within you, but it is to also give up those beautiful images that we have of ourselves. It is both the beautiful and ugly aspects of ourselves that are equally untrue. Beneath the notions of beautiful and ugly, is a formless, shapeless, empty fullness that is truly who one is. Allowing any image we have of our selves to be sunk into that Mystery...is to truly surrender to one's True Self.
We'd love to hear about what Ishvara Pranidhana means to you? Has there been a moment of realization that you've experienced related to this niyama that you'd like share?
Showing posts with label tranformation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tranformation. Show all posts
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sweet Surrender - Ishvara
Ishvara can be defined as the True Self, or purusha. The Bhagavad Gita stanza 18.61 refers to the "transcendental Self that abides in the heart region of all beings". Pranidhana is to "throw down", "give up", or "surrender". So, the last of our niyamas (yogic guidelines for living) Ishvara Pranidhana is to surrender to what is True within each of us.
As we shine the light of awareness on our lives through yogic practices, we give up attachments to egoic pursuits, identities, patterns, and delusions. We live from Heart, Truth-- staying sincere to what is True to our experience with curiosity and interest and Love. With bhakti/devotion, exploring freedom from the ignorance/avidya of living a contrived life of shoulds, expectations, and attachments.
Simpy living a life devoted to surrendering each moment to Truth. To what you KNOW to be True in your Heart. This Truth can not be taught, but only experienced. The yogic practices may or may not ready you for the experience of Truth, depending on your sincerity.
As we shine the light of awareness on our lives through yogic practices, we give up attachments to egoic pursuits, identities, patterns, and delusions. We live from Heart, Truth-- staying sincere to what is True to our experience with curiosity and interest and Love. With bhakti/devotion, exploring freedom from the ignorance/avidya of living a contrived life of shoulds, expectations, and attachments.
Simpy living a life devoted to surrendering each moment to Truth. To what you KNOW to be True in your Heart. This Truth can not be taught, but only experienced. The yogic practices may or may not ready you for the experience of Truth, depending on your sincerity.
Once in a Blue Moon...
The blue moonlight mist on this New Years Eve is beautiful. I, too, am reflecting like the moon, with grateful presence, on the joys and challenges of this Life. Adi and I began today harmonizing yoga with sweet sounds of truth sung so amazingly by Michelle...in 2009, we welcomed a son and lost a mother.
Moving into 2010, I am reminded that our Flow sangha/community is growing into its seventh year. The tradition of new year reflection and hope toward the future is as natural as the change of seasons. However, this year, I am shining the light of awareness on my perspective a little more wholly.
Goals tend to be external and time-focused, and although they can be empowering they are only temporary. This is why some of us have given up this tradition. The yoga approach is more internal and presence aware. Realizing that we truly can not change anything about who we really are. Who we really are is eternal, present, Truth. We are not these beautiful bodies, brilliant minds, and talented hands (although deeply grateful for this experience of them), but something more.
So, this year, instead of goals, I am fine-tuning my affirmations/intentions to become reminders written in the present tense. Now, once, during this blue moon, I write this with the full awareness that these are perspectives that I shine and reflect...on this divine play, lila, called Life. I also completely release any attachment to them, surrendering them to the blue moon sky and the whole of the universe with faith and gratitude...simply shining the light of awareness:
~Resting each evening, knowing the many facets of the jewel I shine & reflect
~Gracefully surrendering to mothering, giving SO MUCH LOVE with humor & gratitude
~Feeling healthy, cultivating vital energy, & resting when it feels natural
~Pausing to reflect, being gratefully present with those I love, including myself
~Finding inner silence and stillness
There is no lasting change, everything is temporary. However, I have experienced the grace of transformation. Transformation occurs naturally when awareness allows true acceptance of what is and the Truth of who you are. All the goal-setting, trying, effort, intending, affirming, etc in the world may provide you temporary change, attachment, pleasure. However, true transformation is effortless..GRACE...naturally arising from the presence of awareness and acceptance.
Moving into 2010, I am reminded that our Flow sangha/community is growing into its seventh year. The tradition of new year reflection and hope toward the future is as natural as the change of seasons. However, this year, I am shining the light of awareness on my perspective a little more wholly.
Goals tend to be external and time-focused, and although they can be empowering they are only temporary. This is why some of us have given up this tradition. The yoga approach is more internal and presence aware. Realizing that we truly can not change anything about who we really are. Who we really are is eternal, present, Truth. We are not these beautiful bodies, brilliant minds, and talented hands (although deeply grateful for this experience of them), but something more.
So, this year, instead of goals, I am fine-tuning my affirmations/intentions to become reminders written in the present tense. Now, once, during this blue moon, I write this with the full awareness that these are perspectives that I shine and reflect...on this divine play, lila, called Life. I also completely release any attachment to them, surrendering them to the blue moon sky and the whole of the universe with faith and gratitude...simply shining the light of awareness:
~Resting each evening, knowing the many facets of the jewel I shine & reflect
~Gracefully surrendering to mothering, giving SO MUCH LOVE with humor & gratitude
~Feeling healthy, cultivating vital energy, & resting when it feels natural
~Pausing to reflect, being gratefully present with those I love, including myself
~Finding inner silence and stillness
There is no lasting change, everything is temporary. However, I have experienced the grace of transformation. Transformation occurs naturally when awareness allows true acceptance of what is and the Truth of who you are. All the goal-setting, trying, effort, intending, affirming, etc in the world may provide you temporary change, attachment, pleasure. However, true transformation is effortless..GRACE...naturally arising from the presence of awareness and acceptance.
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