But there is a question that keeps
nagging at the back of my mind: are you, am I identifying with the
image of our path, or with the actual experience of walking it?
I have trouble relating with the idea
of being on the “yogic path.” Or really,
“any-adjective-I-can-think-of” path. For some people, it works
great, and that's awesome. Others? Maybe it makes you want to run for
the hills. For me, the inner rebel wants to kick and scream at the
thought of labeling or putting a tag on the brand of “life” I
live. As soon as I hear “____” path, “____” philosophy,
mentally I hold up my hands and say, “Hey, that's great for you,
but it ain't me.”
But do we sometimes allow the language
to prevent us from hearing the underlying message and intent?
What are we striving for when we decide
to show up on our mats? We made a choice. We're walking the path. But
whose path is it?
On either side of the coin, we can
attach too much power to names and images and forget that regardless
of what we identify with or don't identify with, this is real life.
Whether we're running towards a particular life style and embracing
it wholeheartedly or running away and keeping it at arms length, we
can still miss out. At the end of the day this life isn't a matter of
which path you choose; it's a matter of remembering that it's a
miracle this is your life at all. That is sacred ground beneath you.
Whatever names you choose, whatever images you seek to identify with,
do you remember what the earth feels like underneath your toes and
what the sun feels like on your face?
Our paths will inevitably always be
longer and bigger than we expect them to be; do you try to diminish
it so it fits, or doesn't fit a certain package?
