This Ground, This Breath

In mindfulness yoga, we work with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness from the Buddhist tradition. They are mindfulness of the body, of the feelings, of the mind and of the objects of mind. For this post, I will focus on the Third Foundation of Mindfulness. When we observe the activity of the mind, we become aware of how it changes moment to moment, and we learn to identify less with the comings and goings of the mind. We also become aware of habitual patterns. Developing awareness of both of these aspects of mind through the practice of mindfulness leads to greater freedom by leading to changes in the brain. (In science, this is called neuroplasticity). Here's just one example on the yoga mat: We may notice that every time we go into Downward-Facing Dog, we lament the weakness in our arms or the tightness in our hamstrings. Imagine what the impact is over time if these thoughts stay the same, particularly if we identify with them as absolute truth. Perhaps we become unwilli...

I recently pulled out a cherished pair of spiral ear rings given to me years ago by my older sister. I was reminded that like many things to which I was first introduced by her (yoga included!), she was the first person to enlighten me about the meaning of the spiral symbol. She shared with me that the spiral signifies growth and transformation. As this was a period in my life of intense self-work, it was a deeply appreciated affirmation of all my effort. Recently, I've been thinking about the spiral as also signifying change that is seemingly effortless, resulting from natural forces coupled with the passage of time. Consider that the spiral is found throughout nature, from snails and seashells to fern fronds and flower buds. Even our vast Milky Way galaxy is a spiral. And time itself can be represented as a spiral, moving from the inside out. As we begin anew in 2018, I'm finding this view of the spiral as the natural course of things exceedingly helpful. There's a lo...