How do we move out of indecision when we feel strongly both ways? When we're faced with choices do we follow the way of the world by trying to use our own logic and reasoning---making a list of pros and cons for each choice, or asking the advice of someone we admire? Or do we simply go it alone and make the best decision with the available information? We could also decide not to decide and eventually allow the decision to be made for us. "Lead or be led" as the saying goes. Who is your guide, your leader? What goals are you trying to accomplish?
Chronic indecision may occur because you don't have a long-range goal. Maybe you haven't discovered (or accepted) the fact that every life has a divine purpose. (Yes, God can powerfully use even those children unwanted by their parents!) How can you lead our life according to God's chosen path if you don't know what it is? Read some of the Bible stories in The Book of Genesis to learn the tough lessons that Sarah, Rachel and other "slightly bad girls of the Bible" experienced when they became impatient for God to act and then tried to do things their way. Let's just say it wasn't pretty when they made decisions to deceive their husbands and manipulated them to bring about what they thought would be best!
I've noticed that I'm a tad indecisive when both choices appear to bring acceptable outcomes. But which one will bring about the blessings that God has in store for me and for others around me? What is the purpose of my life? If I want to leave my mark on the world I have to live with purpose. The only way I know to cause all the decisions of my life to fulfill my purpose is to consult the Creator who designed me with specific gifts for specific purposes. Yes, I need to pray about every decision in my life---large or small---in order to follow His path for my life. What do I hope to be and to accomplish by the time I die? Some of these things are tangible and measurable. With one wrong decision I can be blown way off course. Valuable time can be lost or wasted by the indecision that stems from a lack of purpose. But a goal can be an exciting dream that carries you forward into each new day. (And I really could/should write a book about this if I don't get off the course chosen for me. Please pray that I will return and re-return continually to my goal of writing, and that I can let go of doubts and distractions.)
My first suggestion to readers who want to solve the indecision dilemma is to pray about and discover the specific gifts that God has given you to use for His good purposes. Once you acknowledge and accept that you have been blessed, say with artistic or musical talent, it will be easier to accept the challenge of a specific life purpose. Narrow it down to one or two obvious gifts and then decide how they can be used to honor the God who gave them to you. This can be accomplished while practicing yoga---yoking with God to tap into the mind of Christ. Practice your best version of this week's full "Belly Rolls" or Jathara Parivartanasana as you contemplate your life's purpose/s. But don't practice twists if you are pregnant!
- Physically---Begin by continuing the "Bent-Knee Belly Rolls" from the January 24th blog with emphasis on moving in sync with the breath. (There was no new blog because I was on a much-needed vacation last week.) Start from a twist to the left side while lying flat on your back on the floor or a firm, level surface. The bent knees are rolled to the left (massaging the right ascending large colon first) and the gaze is focused to the far right (called parsva drishti) or on the right thumb (angusta ma dyai). Then inhale to extend both legs straight out toward the left hand as the chest expands and both arms stretch away from each other with both feet stretching toward the left hand. At the top of the inhalation hold the breath in briefly (antara kumbhaka described in the January 10, 2011 blog) while drawing the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles up and inward. This very important step engages the mula bandha and the uddiyana bandhas to protect the spine by providing support for the vulnerable lower back while lifting the legs and twisting from side to side. Only after the locks or bandhas are engaged bring both straight legs up over the hips by squeezing the core muscles back toward the spine and grounding the upper back and arms into the floor. Begin the exhalation as the poker-straight legs lower as one unit toward the right hand, and the gaze rolls to the left thumb. This completes one cycle of Jathara Parimartanasana.
- Then relax the abdomen and pelvic floor to breathe a deep belly breath as the arms and chest expand outward, and the diaphragm drops into the lower abdomen. Hold the breath at the top of this deep inhalation, and engage the locks before moving both straightened legs over the hips and the head back to center. During a long and thorough exhalation, lower the legs as one unit slowly to the left as the gaze rolls back to the right thumb. Continue these complete "Belly Rolls" for at least 2-3 full cycles before drawing both knees tightly into the chest on an exhalation. Then extend the feet out with the toes pointing away from each other to rest in the stillness of "Corpse Pose" for a minimum of five minutes. (See the January 24, 2009 blog.)
- Mentally---This breath-synchronized cycle of "Belly Roll" twists requires complete awareness, focus and concentration because there are several internal actions (engaging and releasing of the locks) that must occur simultaneously with external movements (leg extensions, lifts and lowering.) Since these actions are orchestrated by three segments of breath---inhalation, breath retention and exhalation---the mind is kept in the present moment by coordinating the movements with the breath (vinyasa.)
- Spiritually---There is obvious spiritual significance of turning to the right and then to the left with the eyes changing direction, seeking a path to follow. Let's strive to be like Jesus and His apostle, Paul, as we chart our personal course toward becoming the person that God wants us to be and accomplishing the centered goals that He has charted for us---continually returning back to center our minds upon the goal before us.
Beware of distractions and decisions that take us off course! Namaste, plf
