Someone once said to me, “we are always in the middle, no matter where we are or what we do”. If you think about it, there is always someone richer OR poorer, better at this OR worse at that, the list goes on.
I think this statement holds a lot of substance.
The yogic principle behind this is contentment, which is one of the eight limbs of Yoga, called a niyama, or “restraint”. It reflects a non-covetous attitude. In the Yoga Sutras, 11.42, contentment is cultivated through the practise of YOGA. It is a positive mind-set which is much more than passive satisfaction, because it aims to balance the psyche, which is tested when circumstances are perceived as unfavourable(1). How things are is right.
I have what I need. This fuels our spiritual momentum. Joy is accessible. It isn’t frivolous, or dependent on aquiring the newest device, and so is very life-changing! You may have all the latest things but still be devoid of the ability to appreciate, and so you continue to feel lack, instead of abundance…
Today I was speaking with a friend. This person was expressing feelings about a bad mood, the rainy weather, a lack of motivation and too full a plate with family and preparing to go on a vacation. In the middle of talking about all this, the friend stopped mid-sentence and said “I have no right to complain” there are so many people who have so many real problems. I said, probably true, but it is healthy to express yourself. The conversation was very healing. For both of us…details in another blog….ha ha ha….
Equally important to remember that being in the middle means you are here to take the uplifting hand of someone who is feeling better than you, or has a great perspective and handle on things. The other hand, you can offer to someone who is suffering from a worse perspective, whose attitude and mood can benefit from you being the light in the room. The middle is not mediocrity. It requires awareness. It is a call to action, to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Put aside stress for a moment.
I came home the other night after a long day. I didn’t feel like I had the best dinner waiting for me, it was leftovers – again ! but I saw this note under my door. Another tenant in the building had left these notices to say he works at a food bank, they need food, if I had anything to offer. Well, it took me right out of my mealtime funk. I do not keep a very stocked pantry but I emptied what I could. He appreciated it – a little was a lot – he conveyed. And I ate what I had with appreciation, really thinking I am so lucky to have work, to buy food, to have a functional stove and oven…
Gratitude is the option for an excellence-seeker. This is the time of year when the duality of giving and receiving is heightened. You may find yourself in the middle of something, just bear in mind that while you have so much to receive, you also have so much to offer. Two hands…
(1) To read more try Bernard Bouanchaud: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Rana Waxman is a registered yoga therapist ERYT-500, with 20 years of teaching experience. Rana is a freelance writer and social media expert in addition to leading yoga workshops internationally and teaching alignment focused private and group Yoga Lessons in Hoboken and Jersey City NJ.
