One Step at a Time

When you have a great and difficult task, something perhaps almost impossible, if you only work a little at a time, every day a little, suddenly the work will finish itself. – Isak Dinesen

Coming back from an injury, sickness, stress, or major set back can seem like a monumental task. As we inch back, step by step it can seem like we will never be able to feel good again. But instead of focusing on how far we have to go it is best to try and focus on how far we have come. The road to wisdom is a journey of one step in front of the other. Slowly we learn to appreciate the movement of our bodies and the spaciousness of our minds.

One of the abstinence (to abstain or refrain from doing) in yoga is to practice non-violence. When we think of non-violence we often think of not injuring or hurting others. This is one form of non-violence, however non-violence also means not hurting or injuring yourself in body and in mind. It means to not be tough on yourself and push yourself beyond your present limits. 

One of the ways to practice non-violence is to be kind to yourself and that means appreciating each step along the way especially when life hands you a difficult task.  I am now recovering from cancer surgery and facing radiation. The progress is slow and the task at times is so difficult.  However I am trying to look at the progress I have made and be grateful for the ability to take each step forward.

Progress sometimes can seem to be of little consequence. I have found myself at times looking at how much I have lost instead of how much I have gained.  I can walk, drive and even have begun to teach my yoga classes.  Last week I struggled to walk, drive and could not even get into a yoga pose. My progress is slow but with each new day I am getting stronger.  Non-violence now means to be kind to myself and appreciate what I can do and how lucky I am to be out of bed and moving.

Before performing any mental or physical act we should reflect upon the consequences.  Yoga teaches us that when we are established in a state of non-violence we cultivate a spiritual force that connects all things and therefore do nothing that brings pain, anguish, fear or attachment.  Being non-attached we reach closer to cosmic consciousness.  And isn’t wisdom the ability to be cosmically conscious of the beauty and nature of life?

The main source of non-violence rest in the mind. The mind directs it’s thoughts in ways that manifest physically. Therefore to clear the mind of negatives and focus on the beauty and joy of the moment.  The more you begin to realize the spiritual aspect of all things the closer you get to experiencing non-violence. When your life is permeated with non-violence you rise above the hurt and the pain and the journey becomes lighter and the steps easier.  The difficulty of life gives way to an inner strength that makes even the most difficult task a work in progress that eventually finishes itself.

Doctor Lynn
www.doctorlynn.com