A blessed life is not the same as a charmed life. In a charmed life everything goes exactly as planned or wished (for a period of time.) Whereas, a blessed life is one experienced with bliss and joy, but not dependent upon outer circumstances. Therefore, we could all say we lead a blessed life IF we can only recognize the gift of divine favor that accompanies each breath we take and each talent we've been given. (Yes, I know I've shared a similar message in earlier blogs, but its importance cannot be overstated!)
The key to appreciating and leading a blessed life just might be to practice a mental discipline called aparigraha in Sanskrit. This yama or discipline sets us free from hoarding and rejects all thoughts that focus on loss or the lack of anything. No matter how great or small our blessings are during this season when we celebrate Thanksgiving, we have something we can share with others. It might be donating food to a local food bank or just going to work at packing boxes there. It might be sending a meal to someone recovering from surgery or inviting neighbors to your family Thanksgiving feast. I invite each of you to step out in faith (no matter how little you think you have) and practice random daily acts of kindness and generosity. Even better, pray to be a blessing to someone every single day! As you practice the physical posture called "Elephant Trunk Pose" (more challenging than last week's "Elephant Pose") get in touch with the person you were created to be by spraying out showers of blessings on others.
- Physically---Your body will appreciate if you prepare for this week's challenging position by practicing hip-opening and strengthening postures such as "Diva Pose" (Utkata Konasana) described in the October 17, 2011 blog and "Revolved Diva Pose" (Parivrtta Utkata Konasana) from the October 24, 2011 blog. Also be sure to have two yoga blocks or extra thick hardcover books beside your mat to use as props for this arm balancing position. After sitting in the "Wide-angle Seated Pose" called Upavistha Konasana (December 13, 2010 blog) for 3-5 smooth and deep ujjayi breaths, fold forward hinging only from the hips, maintaining the natural concave curve of the lower back, and remain there for at least five rhythmic breaths with arms and gaze reaching toward the feet.
- To move into this week's "Elephant Trunk Pose" inhale slowly while bending the right knee and grasping the outer edge of the right foot with the left hand to bring the right thigh back and outside of the right upper arm as high onto the arm as it will go without forcing it. Then with one block placed beside each hip, at the top of the next inhalation draw up the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles (called the locks or bandhas) and place one hand securely onto each block. During the long and slow exhalation press both hands into the blocks while leaning slightly forward to lift the torso from the floor. At the top of the next deep inhalation (bringing in lots of prana!) draw the locks firmly inward and toward the back of the spine like a drawstring. During the exhalation lift the left leg to place the left ankle onto the right one, swinging both legs up and down or side to side like an elephant's trunk. After several (or maybe only one) slow and deep breaths, bend the elbows to release the hips slowly back onto the floor. Rest in the "Seated Wide-Angle" for several breaths before switching sides to place the left leg onto the left upper arm for "Elephant Trunk Pose" on the left side. Remember to rest in "Corpse Pose" for at least five minutes with a resolve to spray blessings onto others.
- Mentally---When practicing a challenging posture such as "Elephant Trunk Pose" it's very important to keep a positive "can do" attitude while paying attention to the energy that enters the body with each deep breath and then rises upward to create lift. If that doesn't help, remember the yoga axiom to "Only do what you can do," and accept where you're at on any given day. Practice with joy and it will come.
- Spiritually---Even if you're only able to lift "your trunk" during one exhalation, envision the elephant trunk spraying blessings upon everyone you meet, giving thanks for what you do have to give!
