My son is 2 1/2 years old, and though he speaks quite well, there are still things he confuses. For example, he often says “are” instead of “do.” Like this: Mommy, are you love diggers? Mommy, are you want to go to the park? Mommy, are you like strawberries? By replacing “do” with “are,” it got me thinking and illuminated for me how much we identify with a variety of preferences and roles.
“There is no difference in souls, only the ideas about ourselves that we wear.” — BKS Iyengar, Light on Life
I am someone who loves really good dark chocolate. I am someone who is sensitive to sounds. I am a woman, mother, wife, daughter, yoga instructor… Some of these things are little details and personality quirks, but others like mother and woman I often use to define myself and cling to tightly. But even those are roles that I play. They’re temporary.
“If I am honest, I must admit that I own nothing. I have to give back everything when I die: my body, my feelings, my mind, my thoughts, my experiences, my education, my husband, my children, my family, my friends, my profession, and even my yoga — absolutely everything that I think I am.” — Judith Hanson Lasater, Living Your Yoga
When all of these things which I use to define myself in this lifetime fall away, what remains? It is that which is my essence, my true Self, my soul. And it is to that part of myself with which I wish to align. It is from that part of myself I wish to I’ve space to shine brightly and guide me. That thing which is contingent upon no external factors, that thing which is unwavering. Pure consciousness. Pure love.
“We are like children building a sand castle. We embellish it with beautiful shells, buts of driftwood, and pieces of colored glass. The castle is ours, off limits to others. We’re willing to attack if others threaten to hurt it. Yet despite all our attachment, we know that the tide will inevitably come in and sweep the sand castle away. The trick is to enjoy it fully but without clinging, and when the tide comes, let it dissolve back into the sea.” — Pema Chodron
Krystal Barschig 