VerbAsana

Reflection or Reflex-ion - That Is the Question

The world as we see it is, in essence, a grand reflection of ourselves or our Ahankaras (loosely defined as egos or cognitive selves). Even as we stand shoulder to shoulder with another, gazing at the same scene, what we perceive can be entirely different. Additionally, we attract or perhaps create the events of our lives by the power of our focus. In essence, an unguided mind is like a magic wand, shooting off haphazardly.

It is a scientific fact that the mere act of observation changes the subject of observation. As we have such subtle effects on ourselves and our world, it behooves us to monitor our process of observation as well as that of action. Our feelings serve as our built-in guidance system. The 60's adage, "If it feels good, do it," is a truly inspired tenet, providing true feelings are differentiated from momentary sensations. "Bad feelings" are neon arrows showing us what we don't want. However, once we see our aversions, we then need to shift our focus to the positive side of the equationÑwhat we feel to be our true, deepest or "divine" intent. Keeping abreast of this intent is one of the greatest challenges that we can take on and one of the most rewarding pursuits we can aspire to as human beings.

Example: People in your environment are sniffling, sneezing and coughing. You feel pensive about the thought that you may be the bug's next victim. You could think, "I hope I don't get sick, too," or perhaps instead you'd choose, "I want to be healthy and feel energetic enough to go on my planned outing this weekend." One thought perpetuates your apprehension and one makes you feel at ease. One attracts illness and one encourages health.

A student of mine recently asked me, "So, what's really the point of all this meditation and yoga business anyway?" My response was that the core teachings are to direct the student into a life of conscious action.

We tend to think that we act with conscious awareness, but the truth is that we typically live our lives reacting with habitual or preprogrammed responses. It's not a predetermined fact of life, just a natural and easy way to get through it. It requires earnest effort and acute awareness to be truly in control of our thoughts and actions, to breathe through gut-level reactions and to seek an understanding of what our feelings are telling us. Those "bad feelings" are actually good to receive. It's not the feelings that we should want to avoid, but, rather, the actions that make us feel bad. All feelings are either positive or negative and we refine our interpretation to match specific occurrences. These feelings tell us that either we're doing or focusing on something that goes against our greater desires, or that we are acting in a way that moves us towards realizing them.

Another example: Let's say someone provides you with a physically painful and angering experience. Your initial emotion exposes what you disliked about your experience and could possibly lead you to make changes to avoid a similar situation in the future; at that point you're done with the feelings and can let them go. But, if you hold on to those emotions they begin to swell and grow within you. As you try to "get even" with the individual by fuming as vehemently as you can, you only manage to create a stronger sense of what you dislike inside yourself, thereby attracting more of the same. At that point it's the dogged rehashing of what you don't like that is making you feel bad, not the past incident.

The most important questions you can ask yourself are: "Who am I?" and "What do I really, really want?" If you can be clear about these two fundamental questions and their ever-changing answers, then your guidance system will be strong and accurate. It then becomes a simple matter of paying attention and acting accordingly. Happiness will follow and your world will reflect that back to you.

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 mojoyoga.com or contact him by phone at 614-885-3355.