We’re so caught up with the outside world that we forget that the real deal is inside. In these times, we tend to be very judgmental of ourselves and others. We criticize ourselves and other people. We see ourselves as only as good as our material extensions: what cars we drive, how we dress, what kinds of friends we have. If we don’t have any possessions, we envy and may even send negative thoughts in another’s way. Our minds are so narrow, we aren’t open to any new ideas, and most likely we keep repeating the same mistakes repeatedly. You see, there is no solution to any problems in a state of emergency. Solutions, possibilities, and beauty only arise once the Drunken Monkeys are themed, and we can center ourselves.
Ahimsa Yoga Sequence Pose Mantra Mudra Meditation Photo Gallery
We may eagerly ask: How do we theme our Drunken Monkeys? The answer is yoga. Yoga is a way of gently moving our attention from the outer world towards the inner world. When this happens, we gain a lot of understanding and insight into our lives. We also gain lots of energy, and not the jittery, coffee-type energy. It’s a very pure, controllable energy which helps control our minds and bodies, balancing all the impulses. I remember one time we were sitting with my guru. He was talking so calmly and with a big content smile on his face. We were so ready to know the ins and outs of meditation practice and were bombarding him with questions. I will never forget that he just smiled at us. Then he said: “Thank you for reminding me of the way I used to be.” When we’re leaving our lives in the outer world, there are lots of questions. We may find ourselves asking for advice from a friend, then a minute later from another, our mother, brother, and it goes on. We may even go to psychics to learn how things are going to turn out. We may ask questions: “Do you think this is good?” “Do you think this will happen this way or that way?” “What is it going to be like?” But still, our inner vessel remains empty. Now, when we move our attention from the outer world to the inner world, we simply know. That simple. We have the trust that whatever happened is the way it is intended to be. Whatever it is, it’s the way it’s meant to be, and whatever comes is the way it’s supposed to be. The deeper level of trust is very healing and simply allows us to do what needs to be done according to the present moment and not based on the fi ght- or-fli ght stress response.
In blog 1, Sutra II, Patanjali, the great sage behind the Yoga Sutras, gives a concise definition of what yoga is about. He says, “Yoga citta vritti-nirodaha,” which translates: “Yoga is the cessation or inhibition of the fluctuations and variations of the mind.” This means that yoga is the experience of consciousness without the fluctuations of the mind. It perceives life without Drunken Monkeys. It’s experiencing life as it is.
Beloved, I will share with you centering practices that will help you dip into the deeper levels of Self. Try these practices in an authentic way and see what truly works for you.
“As my friend was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break away from the ropes they were tied to, but for some reason, they didn’t. My friend saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” he said, “when they are very young and much smaller, we use the same size of rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they can’t break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free. ” My friend was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds, but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were. ”
