Cultivating anything takes time and care, whether it's a garden or an attribute. If we want to grow love, we plant and then nurture seeds of loving kindness (metta in Sanskrit) in the form of kind actions. If we want to grow respect for someone or ourselves, then what do we plant? I believe that our feelings of honor or esteem arise from a pattern of consistent memories that were planted in our past. Respect is not a one-time planting. Literally, the word respect translates from the Latin to mean "a looking back at" someone or something.
This past weekend we looked back to regard our fathers on "Father's Day", hopefully remembering them or treating them with honor and high esteem. But these feelings of respect and honor didn't grow overnight. They developed gradually as a result of a pattern of past actions and attitudes that were observed over time. We remember those patterns of consistent behavior, floating through our memories and contributing to our emotional response to someone or something. My own father earned my respect with his consistently high expectations of me and himself, as well as his regard for discipline. I've finally figured out that I must have viewed his meticulously clean hygiene as a quality worth emulating, but obviously not all of his characteristics were admirable! Only our heavenly Father faithfully demonstrates His positive characteristics in a consistent pattern of perfection. On the other hand, our earthly fathers seem to have one leg planted firmly on the ground and one reaching heavenward, pointing to our divided interests, like this week's "One-Leg Bridge Shoulder Stand" or Eka Pada Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, an addition to last week's blog. Again, this inverted posture is NOT recommended for prenatal students.
- Physically---To celebrate the summer season, the past two week's yoga postures may be practiced comfortably on a beach towel or mat early in the day before the sun's rays become too bright and strong. After remaining in last week's "Shoulder Stand Bridge Pose" with both legs extended straight and heels firmly planted on the ground for 5-6 smooth and deep breaths, at the top of an inhalation draw the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles up and inward like a drawstring to support the lifting of the right leg. Once all three locks are fully engaged---mula bandha, uddiyana bandha and the jalandhara bandha---the right leg may be extended up toward the sky and aligned directly over the right hip to move into the "One-Leg Bridge Shoulder Stand" or Eka Pada Setu Bandha Sarvangasana. Since the weight of the entire body is stretched out from the back of the head to one heel, the extended leg must create enough lift to counter the grounding of the heel. Hold this position for 3-5 smooth and relaxed breaths with a soft and steady gaze at the navel, nabi chakra. Then release the right heel back beside the left heel in preparation to lift the left leg straight up over the hip with toes reaching heavenward. Be sure to ground firmly into the back of the head (NOT the neck) both shoulders, both elbows and the heel of the grounded foot. After holding this "One-Leg Bridge Shoulder Stand" for the same number of breaths on the left side, slowly exhale the left leg back to the floor with the locks engaged until both feet and legs are extended straight again. Then inhale deeply, draw in the locks and slowly walk one foot at a time back under the knees before exhaling the spine, one vertebra at a time, back onto the mat. Rest on the back in "Corpse Pose" (January 24, 2009 blog) for at least five minutes.
- Mentally---Counting each smooth breath is referred to as "conscious breathing" because it holds the attention of the mind in each present moment. Clear your mind of all thoughts other than the quality and duration of each cycle of breath.
- Spiritually---After practicing these postures (asanas) until they become somewhat comfortable, it's easy to remind yourself that one leg is grounded on the earth while one is reaching heavenward for balance. This opposition of forces is just as it should be, reminding us of the balance that we strive for between the physical and the spiritual. No human ever achieves perfect balance as a consistent pattern worthy of continual respect. Only God in heaven is worthy of man's constant honor and esteem. The wisdom in The Book of Proverbs says it best:
Remind yourself that we all strive to earn respect, but it can be dashed in a moment's poor judgment. (Let's call it "the Weiner factor.") Namaste, plf
