MEDITATION: THE FOUNDATION OF YOGA

Think “yoga,” (or heck, do a Google image search), and you’re bound to see one thing for thousands and thousands of hits: The poses. (And, while I’m at it, mostly thin white women doing poses…. But that’s a topic for another blog…)

For now, let’s begin by saying yoga poses (“asanas”) are amazing, and nobody’s dissing them.

They improve flexibility, circulation, prevent fascial adhesions, and help to energize and relax us. We love poses here at Ganja Yoga.

But, They Are More Of The Icing Than The Cake.

And If Our Whole Culture Thinks They’re The Cake, Then Houston, We Have A Problem.

‘Cause icing is good, but it will make us sick if we eat too much of it (without a base layer for balance). 

And while only doing poses won’t leave you feeling unwell, it also won’t bring you the full and lasting peace that is the promise and purpose of this ancient practice.

Who likes full and lasting peace?

I know I do!

So, How Do We Get To Places Of Lasting Peace, In And Through Our Yoga Practice?

Good question. And to answer it, we’ll have to get to the definition of yoga.

At its heart, yoga is about unification and integration of all of our parts. (The word “yoga” literally means “union.”).

Yoga is designed to integrate our intuitive and intellectual sides, our internal and external sides, our masculine or solar and feminine or lunar sides. By attaining this union, we can reach the highest potential within each of us, - whether that be called the 'soul,’ ‘kundalini,’ or ‘consciousness.’

When We Have Reached Union With Our Breath, Bodies, Minds, And Spirits, We Know How Special And Divine We Are, Which Creates A Lasting Peace Far After We’ve Rolled Up Our Mats. 

How do we get there from here?

First by acknowledging where it is we actually are.

Which means, for a moment, that we go way back to the beginning: Our births.

From the moment we're born, our brains begin collecting impressions of all kinds, consciously and not. Some of the impressions develop into mental programs and limiting beliefs, - our unique shadow side.

Yoga Posits That It Is These Programs, Limitations, Habits, And Neurosis, That Keep Us Unhappy, Not Our External Circumstances.

And meditation is the way to become aware of, and slowly shed, these shadow sides.

Contrary to what many think, meditation isn't about “trying not to have thoughts,” but noticing the working of the mind and all the limitations the mind can bring to our life.

For this reason, it should be noted that yoga usually doesn’t bring peace immediately. In fact, like anything worth doing, there’s a hard part because an easy part.

Connection with one's self in meditation and mindfulness practice can bring up emotions, memories, or feelings that we didn't know were there.

As yoga practitioners, we are in it for the full ride of life, - bringing more awareness and acceptance to the darker parts of ourselves, an ongoing practice, much like shedding the layers of an onion skin.

Messy, Uncomfortable, - Scary Even: No Wonder Our Culture Got Fixated On Poses When There’s So Much Depth To Unpack In The Mind.

The good news is, mindful witnessing of the mind (meditation) gets easier and more rewarding with time, and for thousands of years, millions of yoga practitioners have found the practice absolutely worth doing. Every time.

Lasting relaxation and peace, where we’re less bothered by the turbulence of life, - these are the natural result of the hard work of looking within.

It begins by looking within, - really looking at ourselves, our habits of minds, our beliefs, or limiting thoughts, our conditioned ego, and learning to accept these limitations and shadow aspects of self as we see them arise, instead of trying to change them.

The light of awareness will eventually and automatically soften them, no need to do anything but witness and allow.

If we can cultivate a sense of humor about the ego and be patient with it, we will enjoy the ride of being an incarnated human being and die feeling like we made the most of our short time here on earth. We will carry a peace that can’t be broken.

And while perfecting my Wheel or Crow feels bad-ass, I’d take peace any day, HBU?

Last Thing: What Meditation Isn’t

A distinction between relaxation and meditation, just so we’re clear on what we’re talking about.

Relaxation is super needed in our culture. It is, by definition, the opposite of effort.

It’s rest.

It’s letting go in the body and mind.

It might look like laying back, listening to music, and just letting the mind wander. It might be zoning out in the hot tub, or drifting aimlessly with the mind while getting a massage.

Relaxation and rest are about feeling good, with no real practice or effort, other than the intention to relax and rest.

Rest is so needed in our overworked cultures, that I don’t want to suggest we do anything but rest all day every day.

But, - rest isn’t meditation.

Meditation is active (even though you do it from a relaxed body posture and invite the mind to also relax). You’re witnesses. You’re releasing. You’re staying in the present.

Seeing and allowing all our inner demons.

Seeing and allowing the challenges.

Zone Out And Relax If You Want To, Because We As A Society Need That Greatly. But If You’re Calling It Meditation Or Spiritual Practice, Then Be Sure To Keep Practicing.

Watch your thoughts as they come and go, learning to disidentify with them over time.

Watch your thoughts on the mat and off the mat.

Alchemists turn stone to gold, and in a similar way, as we learn to experience every aspect of our human experience, such as anger, jealousy, and fear, and through our awareness (meditation), we can alchemize them.

We can begin to find ways to be grateful for each emotion, experience, and person.

We can begin to experience a sense of being liberated from concerns and identifications, and this feels like a relief.

It's an experience beyond words, and the serenity, compassion, and harmony.

The lasting peace that is our birthright.

Conclusion: How To Add Meditation To Your Ganja Yoga Practice

When we are ignorant of our true nature (which is love), We feel fear and scarcity. 

Meditation reminds us that we are not our conditioned minds, that we are connected to the universe, that we are love and loved.

And, this attitude takes practice before it becomes a neural groove, or normal way of being.

Start to deepen your brain’s ability for peace by having a few silent moments in bed before you get up. Tune into your body and mind, without judgment. Later, cultivate mindfulness as you make your coffee. Be aware as you go about your day. After work, when you blaze, be aware of the cannabis you’re using, - the smell and feel of it. Be reverent and intentional. Notice what you notice. Try not to judge what you find inside your head.

This is meditation in movement (mindfulness). You can do it during poses too. When you’re stretching it out on the mat, keep your mind present. Gently draw it back when it drifts to the past or future. Notice your mind. Notice your thoughts.

Notice You (and know, it’s not you, it’s a conditioned self that hides the peace and love that is the real you).

Be relentless, but relaxed as you practice mindfulness and meditation, and you’ll shed your previous conditioning and get a clearer picture of the world, less muddled by programming.

Soon, you’ll begin to see this foundational element of yoga positively impacting your every exchange and interaction. Meditation fosters tolerance and cooperation in the mind, instead of fear and exclusion. 

Yoga promises lasting happiness from within, with enough for everyone.

But postures (asanas) are not the way to get this.

They are amazing and they help, but without the mental yoga, we are doing calisthenics.

Practice this foundational element (if you don’t already), keeping compassionate, focused attention on your inner world, and let us know how it changes you!

APPRECIATE YOU!
XO D.