Keep the lesson…

Back to the world of Sutras again! As the ‘father of yoga’ Patanjali put this clearly, we should have a good memory of all the mistakes we have made and lessons we’ve learned so a not to fall back into the worldly root again. This advice is not just for yogic practice but a living principle that I hope won’t surprise you because our life is a yogic practice root and branch!

But first of all look memory in a face. I must warn you that here Patanjali did not talk about your attached memories which create impressions in the mind and at later time come to surface, either when you want them or sometimes even when you do not want them. Moreover memory in this sight is one of the mental modifications which are raising the mind into ripples. So these modifications of the mind stuff disturb your inner peace. If the restraint of mental modifications is achieved you have reached the goal of Yoga. Why? If you control your mind you’ve controlled everything. That’s why. Then there is nothing in this world to bind you. Like a Sanskrit saying enlightened as the mind, so the man; bondage or liberation are in your own mind. If you feel bound, you are bound. If you feel liberated, you are liberated. Things outside neither bind or liberate you; only your attitude toward them does that. So how can we restrain these mental modifications like memories? Well, Patanjali believes that yoga practice and non-attachment are the keys. Don’t be scared! It doesn’t mean that you must forget everybody and everything in your life as being a lonely monk in a cave. This is an intention and effort. In my personal opinion just practice and everything else will happen when it has to happen!

So you already know the secret receipt which is simply practicing yoga! If you would like to dig deeper, start with your mistakes. Maybe you’ve already became aware of avoiding mistakes is needed experiences but you only can have experiences if you make mistakes. So the truth is that all of us make mistakes. We are human as I mentioned it several times. We are not perfect! Actually there is no perfect. If you reached perfect, it would mean that you won’t change anymore because perfect is a constant thing.  But life is change and everything is changing. Changing and development is the pure existence. So don’t try to be fixed. Don’t try to be or seem to be perfect. It’s meaningless and it is surely going to hurt you or rather everyone around you. Preferably try to go with the flow and accept yourself. Of course, this is also an intention and effort.

The other important lesson of mistakes that there are no mistakes! What? Yes, exactly. Actually you can forget the word because you don’t need it. Everything happens in your life, your every choice, all your steps are simply and solely possibilities to learn more. There are no good or bad situations. There are no mistakes, blames or troubles. There are only lessons and opportunities of development. And it only depends on you. Choices and undertaken of responsibility. Be brave to choose and always take the responsibility because this is the way of learning. You cannot get experiences in a desert island but you are burning on 200% for nothing if you don’t take the consequences of your choices. All happenings in your life carry some purpose even if you don’t find it. At least to show that you are not the center of the universe and when you are travelling to work in the morning, God maybe have not got time to turn all the traffic lights green for you so just deepen your breath, wait a few minutes and bring this lesson in your pocket.

But remind yourself, acceptation of learning your lessons that life brings does not mean repression! Pain, sadness, doubtfulness are also part of life. There isn’t only one side… Of course, always look on the bright side of life sang Brian on the cross but maybe we took it too seriously. We always try to be these shinny happy people with no problems and no fears. You can have a bad day. You can be sad if sad things happen to you. Do not avoid pain. But do not keep it and stick in it. Just learn your lesson and keep the lesson. It is true on your yoga mat as well. If you over-extended yourself and got an injury, don’t keep the memory of your pain but keep the lesson of the reasons of injury. This lesson is not about just an injury. This is how yoga becomes the part of your life.