November has always been a season of shifts. With the time change, the upcoming election, and life’s uncertainties unsettling our nervous systems, I’m deeply grateful for the steady grounding of my inner practice.
Holding space for the highest good. The intention of practice in the context of the community. At Yoga Among Friends, our mission is to create a space where the community can flourish in kindness and feel a deep sense of belonging.
As a Sangha, we offer whatever we can to bring attention to how we can help ease the fear and tensions of suffering for each other. To create a safe environment where the air we breathe, the water we drink, the trees, and all of nature in the animal kingdom are nourished with the element of peace. We have to live deeply with each moment that is given to us.
The world now needs us to go inward, be mindful, and choose to extend the energy of genuine compassion. We must recognize that love alone is not enough; we must go deeper into understanding and accepting that everyone perceives life through their own lens. Each of us has unique experiences, even within the same family. This practice involves examining our own judgments and cultivating self-acceptance for the shadows within us.
Yoga is neither a self-help industry nor a form of psychoanalysis; it offers a gateway to self-awareness. It helps us recognize our struggles to see clearly, the anger that stems from our survival fears, and the importance of pausing and listening to choose a mindful response. Deep listening can be exhausting when our minds are filled with the noise of outer chaos.
