Autumn is the season to train your grounding muscles. We go to parks and hiking trails to enjoy the fall foliage and cool weather. We breathe in the scent of earth. We take a mental break from thinking about ourselves and reflect on the beauty of nature. I feel a rejuvenated yet relaxed energy. Grounded.
When you return from your fall walk, you’ll want to use your newly strengthened grounding muscles to lunge toward new goals and plans. But the Yoga Sutras reach out to us with a gentle, wise (2000 year old) old hand and ask us to take it. Yoga Sutra 1.32 asks us to pause for a moment and reflect on the choice of branching out or putting down roots.
Yes, there are times in our lives when we move on or diverge. But sometimes you’re called to put down roots instead. The bright new path you’re about to take can become a hindrance. Maybe those new places are less important than where you are now. Perhaps we shouldn’t ignore this moment (and the thousands of tiny fateful choices that built this moment).
Putting down roots is often much more difficult than branching out. It involves taking a careful look at our lives at this moment, an honest view. Even more difficult is to take a good look at yourself in this moment, an honest view. And most difficult of all is finding a way to accept both – to love and respect both.
Just as it is.
Well, it really takes strength. So let’s be strong.
Until next time,
Laura
