Embracing Discipline

Does anyone love doing what they have to do? How do you do that? I can do what I have to do…sometimes, often grudgingly. I can always manage to do what I want to do. Having been superbly controlled as a child, I find discipline to be a thing of no small horror. I want to change, have tried to change, it is time, I must change. Wayward ways—-Be Gone!

My new contract is with enacting ritual, instead of discipline. I’m calling a sow’s ear a silk purse, and as I drop my coin of the realm into its silky interior I pray it holds. Rituals speak of magic, of transformative elixirs, and beauty. Discipline is Saturn’s hold of being burdened in responsibilities and hard work. Hmmmm let’s see, which one do I love? Perhaps I need only turn ten degrees to the left to see that what I loath can be/is a thing of beauty? Is my mind that powerful? It can be, despite my lax and loathsome ways.

My job, no my opportunity, to create renewal lies before me. I can choose to make a ritual of taking vitamins, drinking water, eating vegetables, doing paperwork. Each time I choose with attention and love, which is all ritual requires, my energy connects me to the task with joy, and expansive gratitude. When marching under discipline’s guidance, I do these things because I should. My energy in doing so obeys, and shrinks, feeling controlled. Which of these nurture and take my body into health?

We are all aware of other’s energy, if not our own, even if it doesn’t come to full consciousness. You know instantly the moment someone is happy in helping, and when they do it because they feel obliged. Our energies are powerful and pervasive, and I trust that when I set intention, and ask guidance, I can change, despite years of being different. It may take time to put this new Ritual-Practice into place, but I can find happiness in turning ten degrees any day/every day. You?

Asana Vasisthasana/ One foot/ one arm extended balance. Come into Pose from Down Dog, move into plank. Open to left side, balance on R hand, under R shoulder, and stack L feet on top side of R foot. Open the chest and reach L arm up, opposite R arm. Remain here for 5-10 breaths. You may increase the stretch by lifting L let into the air, pressing the soul of R foot into the floor. Grab L big toe with L index finger, or simply hold the leg up, parallel to floor.

Health Notes: Open to possibility here. The more you can expand the chest, look up and open the leg, the more expansive and powerful the feeling. This Pose increases wrist, and leg strength, helps balance, and if top leg lifts, can stretch groin muscle.

Ayurvedic Notes: Fall is Vata Dosha, which speaks of dry, cool, light, mobile, or airy energies. We all have some Vata within each of our bodes, some have more than others, so during the season when Vata is higher, pay greater attention to calming, cooling, and quieting the spacey, scattered feelings. Use opposite energies like: warming spices of ginger, cinnamon, cumin and pepper. Do more oil-massage. If worry is excessive, drink calming teas like chamomile, not coffee. Pull back from watching a lot of TV, read instead. Vata needs quiet, and serenity. If that feels like discipline…ten degrees to the left, my friend.