Once upon a time - Yoga: How did it change my existence and make me face with myself?
I want to start by saying that every moment or whenever we say “I wish” is a moment to be awaken. Yes, it is an opportunity to be awaken. To come to the present moment. I don’t prefer to say “I wish” anymore so maybe I can give a new way of thinking by sharing my thoughts.
How liberating it would be if we could (“I wish”) openly express our vulnerabilities, where saying "I'm afraid" is met with understanding and support rather than judgment. Or when you dare to be vulnerable someone or inner voice says “Yes, I have been there too or I have experienced what you experienced too. Or even you just want to hear, everything will be fine, don't worry.”
During my yoga teacher training, I discovered the intimacy of facing difficult emotions like fear of public speaking and insecurity or feeling disabled by comparing my physical limitations. I think I started experience ‘acceptance’. I began to accept myself. These feelings have always been present, but I no longer label myself as a failure or incompetent. Instead, I acknowledge my fears and insecurities as they arise.
When faced with challenges, I stop for a while and now awareness to say that, "I'm afraid," or "I don't trust," and I'm grateful for the supportive environment that allows me to do so. Because Yoga journey made me aware of this. Because I never gave a chance to calm down and observe myself before. I’ve never experienced stillness before. This journey has taught me self-compassion and gratitude towards myself. I am not also perfect at that part either but I am definitely doing better. But I have to mention that I never give up. Even after the darkest nights. As long as the creator is with me I will continue to create as a co-creator of my life.
Yoga has become my superpower, empowering me to navigate life's complexities with grace and resilience. I believe this transformative power extends to humanity at large. As we increasingly disconnect from ancient wisdom, our true nature, we find ourselves in a state of mass isolation, individualism seeking solace in virtual realities like the Metaverse, which often distort our perception of reality. What do I mean? As we spend more time online and less time connecting with traditional wisdom, nature we may feel more isolated. We might turn to virtual worlds like the Metaverse or AI for comfort, but they can sometimes make us lose touch with what's real. Being real is kind of luxury in our time.
My aspiration is to embrace the Eight Limbs of Yoga, reinforcing my inner strengths and aligning with my true nature. I may not know where this journey will lead my body, but as the ancient yogic text says (first yoga sutra), "Atha Yoga Anusasanam." It means ‘Now, Yoga’. This saying reminds us that yoga and its lessons are always accessible, whether we're doing the perfect pose or not. It's a relief to know that we can turn to yoga whenever we need it, whether we're feeling out of sorts or full of joy. Practicing yoga could mean doing physical poses on a mat, or it could mean sitting quietly and focusing on our breath. This might involve embracing one of the key moral principles of yoga, such as refraining from causing harm (ahimsa), cultivating kindness and compassion (maitri and karuna), or being truthful (satya).
My wish is to face life's challenges with equanimity, witnessing my thoughts and emotions without judgment. In doing so, I aim to find stability and ease in every moment, embodying the essence of yoga: "Sthiram Sukham Asanam." “Sthira” embodies strength, steadiness, and stability, while "sukha" signifies comfort, happiness, and relaxation. "Asanam" pertains to the physical aspect of yoga practice.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Namaste 🙏🌱
Istanbul, 2022
Yogatime
