Verbasana

The Way of Asking

Even before Patanjali's time, the Buddha taught that attachment to relationships, things, and outcomes brings suffering. One can't fully experience pure joy without understanding this basic precept on the deepest level. However, as we have no choice but to act, we will feel our best when we come to know our deepest selves and act with mindful and heartfelt conviction.

Many people fly through life on autopilot, and most of them are upset that life doesn't give them what they think they want. Those who exercise their imagination, along with their muscles, are the ones who really prosper. For of all our actions, the internal ones are the most powerful.

Ask and ye shall receive. It's not magic, it just seems like it. It's no more mystical than gravity. It's just the way it works - metaphysics. Our energy, projected through thoughts and emotions, wishes and prayers, can be a more potent shaper of our future than our physical actions. But, just as with gravity, there are "rules."

When asking for "divine intervention," it is necessary to ask with one's entire being. The mind must be clear and explicit. The heart must feel committed and in sync with the request. Both must be in alignment with one's higher aspirations. Even when we are not looking for it, we know in our hearts what we really, really want, in our truest guise.

Here are some common habitual pitfalls:

Our words, whether internal or external, often contradict themselves - words like, "I wish I had _____, but I really can't afford it," or "I want to be happy, but something always goes wrong." It's important to learn to state hopes without imposing contrary judgment or prediction.

Sometimes as one speaks, the words and the inflections don't agree - like someone sweetly berating, "You're such a bad doggie, yes you are." This is comparable to wishing for success while harboring feelings of unworthiness or disbelief. Internally, it might be something like thinking, "I really wish I had more money," while feelings resonate as "I'm sorry that I don't have what I want." Here, the feeling of the idea is louder than the phrasing. This is a more subtle form of contradiction, which requires heartfelt observation to unveil. Consider someone who says energetically and assertively, "Oh, you're quite welcome," while standing with arms folded, head forward, and shoulders rounded - body language in direct contradiction to words. This is like asking with full conviction for something that, in part, you think you want, but which is contrary to your deeper wanting. It may be a desire for adulation, wealth, and more things, or a different job or partner. Not that any of these are wrong, but if one's truest calling is directing him/her toward humility, simplicity, or finding a lesson not yet learned, the "request" will be tainted with uncertainty.

Then there are those gremlins that like to throw wrenches of self-sabotage into the works. They can be sired by many different forces, but they all share the same affinity for shooting us in the foot before the start of a race. Some of our disabling habits are creations of these imps, but just like in the movies, gremlins wilt under the glare of light - in this case, the light of introspective awareness. Observation brings awareness, awareness yields understanding, and understanding provides control.

Just as mixed messages confuse us, so, too, they leave the universe befuddled. There's nothing to lose. Give it an honest try and see what happens. Take your time and create a clear, concise vision of exactly what you want. Meditate on it to see if it feels right on all levels and accept whatever truth presents itself to you. Project your wish to Mother Universe and feel the possibility is real. Believe that you're worthy of receiving it and practice patience.

All is as it should be, all is well.

Thatcher Ross teaches meditation and is certified in both Kripalu yoga and Acu-yoga. His goal is to empower his students to maintain their own health and to explore their inherent connection to joy. You can find more information about his classes, unabridged versions of his articles, and reach him at yogabug.com or contact him by phone at (614) 885-3355.