LIKE A BABY LEARNING TO WALK, WE LEARN THIS SKILLFUL BALANCE OF ENGAGEMENT AND DETACHMENT GRADUALLY. AND LIKE A TODDLER, WE NEED ENCOURAGEMENT WITH EVERY FALTERING ATTEMPT WE MAKE TO ESTABLISH THIS INNER UPRIGHTNESS
ANY MOVEMENT TOWARD GREATER KINDNESS AND COMPASSION IS TO BE CELEBRATED.
ANY SKILLFULNESS IN STAYING CALM IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT, IN REMAINING CHEERFUL IN ADVERSITY, AND IN MAINTAINING EQUANIMITY IN SUCCESS OR FAILURE IS TO BE COMMENDED.
ANY ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE HEART OPEN WHEN WE MOST WISH TO CLOSE DOWN IS A MOVEMENT I THE RIGHT DIRECTION, HOWEVER MINUSCULE OR PATHETIC THAT MOVEMENT MAY SEEM. WHEN WE MOMENTARILY LOSE IT AND BECOME INWARDLY UNSEATED, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NOTICED OUR UNSEATED STATE IS ONLY EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE AN ALREADY STRONG SENSE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SEATED.
EVEN WHEN WE MAKE TERRIBLE MISTAKES AND FOOLISH ERRORS THAT LEAD US WELL ASTRAY, THE PAINFULNESS OF THESE EXCURSIONS IS VERY LIKELY TO CEMENT OUR COMMITMENT TO STAY TRUE TO OUR VALUES THEREAFTER.
DONNA FARHI
BRINGING YOGA TO LIFE.
THE EVERYDAY PRACTICE OF ENLIGHTENED LIVING
HARPER SANFRANCISCO 2003