For the month of August, we have decided to practice recovering and dwelling in the natural joy that is our birthright. The founder and spiritual guide of Integral Yoga, Sri Swami Satchidananda, as well as the saints of many faiths, taught us that our true nature is to be at peace and enjoy all of life, independent of what happens. But the messages of our culture contradict this teaching at every turn.
We are constantly assailed by the thinking that if we acquire or achieve the right things, we can lead a secure and successful life, filled with enough money and pleasurable experiences to be happy. This compels us to engage constantly in planning, judging, measuring and often worrying about how to make our lives enjoyable.
A mind that is preoccupied this way is effectively cut off–both from the heart, where we experience love and connection, and from the present moment, the only moment in which true joy can occur. When we open our hearts to others and make efforts to serve and give, we find a deep sense of fulfillment that is free of dependency on people or things.
And through a practice of Yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation, we learn to quiet the incessant activity of the mind, and sense that inner peace that is there already inside us. Thus, both sitting still and serving are forms of Yoga practice that can reveal to us our immense potential to enjoy life right now, as we are.
Instead of thinking of enjoyment as an end result of completing a to-do list, we can make time now to enjoy little moments of joy. We can pause to take in the smile of a baby, watch a hummingbird in flight, or keep company with a slowly darkening sky at dusk.
Imagine giving yourself extra time to go somewhere so that you go free of tension, breathe and relax on the way. Imagine actually having time for that unexpected conversation on the street, or that chance to stop and tell someone how much you appreciate her/him.
Enjoying life need not wait. I really appreciate knowing that I can even enjoy my “work” if I give my full heart and mind to it, free of tension and pressure. Just like a game, we can have fun giving our all if we aren’t so anxious about the results. My experience is that enjoying the process ultimately produces the best outcome anyway.
We are all free to accept and be content with the present as it is, whether it’s a moment of learning, loving or simply witnessing what is. Why not choose to enjoy the ride and share that joy with others?
