There are many definitions of yoga. The most common is “union” or “non-separation”. This requires us to not see ourselves as separate from one another, from the leaves on the trees, from anything! Now I don’t know about you, but I’m not there yet.
Sri Brahmananda Saraswati describes yoga as the experience when “nothing is missing.”
For me, that’s a really interesting place to start the practice. Because I think- “Ok- if yoga is a feeling or state where nothing is missing- what do I feel is missing in my life currently? And why?”
Do I feel like I need a bigger home, better boyfriend, another child? Do I wish I was skinnier, prettier, more successful?
And as we start to get curious about that, a light shines on parts of ourselves we feel is lacking.
Sometimes it’s a very clear call to action. We need to make a change in our lives. Now. We need some kind of transformation. There is work to be done so we can continue to grow.
But sometimes, in our gentle curiosity, the question becomes- “Why, my precious one, do you feel ‘less than’ in all of these aspects of your life?”
And we start to notice parts of ourselves that always feel empty no matter how full our glass is.
And right there- that’s our work. Which is uniquely different for each and every one of us. Where you feel plenty, I feel lacking. And vice versa. Your work in self-love and acceptance is different to mine!
So- can you learn to embrace all you are?
Can you be completely as ease, completely grateful for where you are at?
And if not, why not?
What do you need to do, what changes do you need to make in your life so you can?
Because yoga tells us- in no uncertain terms- “There is nothing missing from you. Nothing at all. Everything you are, everything you have, is exactly as it should be in this moment.”
And that is more than enough.
You are whole.
You are complete.
You are the state of yoga where nothing is missing.
- Rachael Coopes https://www.rachaelcoopes.com/
