It has been a while since I made an entry here. For a new beginning, best begin at the beginning. Let me start by recollecting the ancient teachings of Patanjali 'Ata yoga anushasanam, yogaschittavrittinirodha'.
My chitta has been filled with vrittis recently.
When I remember my early yoga classes, I remember the yamas and niyamas.
Today more than any other time, we need to take a deep breath and practice the yamas to restore balance in this world that sometimes seems to be falling off its axis.
This week I get back to my yoga practice with the practice of ahimsa or non-violence. Most of us are non-violent people. The word non-violence brings to mind the image of Mahatma Gandhi sitting by the spinning wheel calmly spinning cotton while the rest of the world was in flames.
Not all of us are capable of such equanimity. But we can be kind. Kind to ourselves, to our families, to our acquaintances , our co-travellers, our colleagues and to the stranger on the street. Kind to the birds and the beasts, to the grass that grows while we bury our heads in the sand.
Practice kindness. My resolution for the week, the month, the year and for the rest of my life. Practice kindness - the first step to restore balance. The first step in my long 8-fold path, towards peace and harmony.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
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