Loving Kindness
As we head towards the Winter Solstice here in this part of the world, I'm looking forward for the light to return. I have been in this interesting funk these last few weeks, surely a cause of the short days, windy and chilly temperatures and the holidays. One of the gifts of practicing so much yoga is that I have learned throughout these years of sadhana to be loving to myself as I experience ups and downs. To not be aggressive with myself or impatient when I start to feel lesser than stellar. It is only because we have felt darkness that we can really treasure and revel in the light! So I have been teaching in the last few days on practicing loving-kindness with self and others.
I was inspired to this by reading Jack Kornfield's beautiful book "Bringing Home the Dharma." In it he recounts a marvelous tale of practicing love. It involves Dian Fossey's mentor George Schaller. Dian Fossey -whom the movie "Gorillas in the Mist" was inspired by, was a field biologist who befriended a tribe of gorillas. Her mentor was a primate biologist, George Schaller. Schaller was able to get the most intimate information ever on gorilla life. When asked by his fellow scientists how he was able to get such compelling information from the habits of gorillas- information no other primate biologist had before- he attributed it to one thing and one thing only: when he went to the jungles to study gorillas he didn't carry a gun.
Before, other biologists had assumed that gorillas were dangerous so they armed themselves and walked in with aggression. The gorillas surely must have sensed this and withheld themselves from the men with guns. Schaller as well as Fossey entered with sensitivity, respect and gentleness. With time these animals felt safe and slowly revealed themselves to them.
I love this story. It reminds to not "walk in with guns" in my relationships with family, friends and self. To be myself and allow my tenderness to be there through challenges. To watch with metta (lovingkindness) the ups and downs of my days and not demean or judge myself. And to slowly allow myself to remember once more how much I have, how much we all have to be grateful for!
You have no idea how this post has come with such impecable timing! I know this was your class theme on monday but I just got the email and it is just what I needed to hear! I love your insight to life! Thank you!
Reply to this
I am so glad Casey! Thank you for coming to class! Love you.
Reply to this
I was feeling the need for inspiration today and came to your site as you always inspire me. This is where I landed... thanks for always reminding me to breathe and open myself! xo
Reply to this