What does it mean to let go?
Scroll to the end of the post for Febuary’s Playlist!
February 2023 Focus
The Fifth Niyama:
Isvara-Pranidhana, Surrender
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I think control is an illusion we build to protect ourselves, and the larger we try to make that circle, the weaker it gets. We can’t control our own destinies, much less someone else’s. And even the illusion is so fragile, any change can destroy it.
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The theme this month at WYAY is the fifth and final Niyama, moral observance, Isvara-Pranidhana. There are many ways to translate Isvara: Lord, Supreme Being, God, the Divine in all Creation, Ultimate Reality, the True Self, and even the Greater Good. Pranidhana means to surrender, devote, or commitment to. So together this niyama is the life long journey of devotion, letting go of control, surrendering, and trusting in something higher than yourself. While it might feel confusing to have such an open ended definition I think it is beautiful that a person of any faith practice or a non-religious person can practice fully this Niyama, and yoga in general.
In my life- It can be quite the fight to stop fighting and trust. When I look back on my life so far, there are countless times where I was sure there was only one path forward and yet when I let go of the need to do things in a specific way it all worked out in the end, often in ways much better than I could have imagined or planned. When I first met my husband I was not planning on dating anyone. At the time I was living in a foreign country and set on my career as a professional dancer. A life which often involves a lot of travel and relocating when you get a new contract. It did not make any sense to be dating anyone when I was going to a different country each weekend to audition; Denmark, Poland, Austria, Germany etc. Yet the fates had their way and we fell hopelessly in love, and it was terrifying because how, HOW could it work out? In a rare moment of clarity, I remember saying to Frantisek, “I have no idea how this is going to work out, but if God brought you into my life, there must be a way for us to be together.” Several moves, painful months of long distance, a broken foot and a lot of paperwork later it did work out and we have now been married for 7 years.
The Ego- Sometimes our ego can really get in the way of our happiness. As corny as it seems I really feel love is the answer. When we love and feel loved we let go of insecurities and are able to trust. We care for others not to make ourselves bigger or more important but in the humility of simple care and affection. When we practice asana there are times when our ego wants us to ignore our needs and push for some imagined ideal or compete with ourselves or others. How many injuries have I caused myself because I pushed too hard and wasn’t listening to my body? Too many! However when we love ourselves we can talk-down that need to be perfect/strong/a certain way, and be where we are. You are enough, just as you are. You are a miracle just by existing.
“We need more real love. Gritty, dangerous, wild-eyed, justice-seeking love.”
The Divine Work- Whether it is the miracle of sunshine or bird song, or the support and love of friends and family there are powers greater than you working for good. Sometimes it can be hard to see the good for all the storms of life. We see natural disasters, war, pain and suffering and we wonder, how can we trust the universe or God with all this pain? And yet there is a bigger story at work and we are part of it, Brene Brown says, “We need more real love. Gritty, dangerous, wild-eyed, justice-seeking love” and I can’t agree more. We are part of the divine work not on the sidelines. Devote yourself to the good and work for it. Devotion to God might look like climate justice work, racial justice work, LGBTQIA+ activism, work to end homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity and so much more. In these ways the divine is making miracles for others through you. Pouring out peace and blessings with your hands. Everything you have, all your skills, abilities, and all your possessions are loving gifts which you did not earn. It is then your duty to serve with what you have to love on your community and share your blessings onward.
Meditation- There’s a reason we finish each yoga session with Savasana (corpse pose). I often say that this pose is the most challenging, even though from the outside it seems rather simple, just laying flat on the floor. That’s because Savasana is practicing surrender, finding not just external stillness, but complete stillness in the mind as well. Each time we enter that state of stillness we are letting go and making space for peace. In meditation we try to observe which thoughts try to draw our attention and instead, focus inward to the center of ourselves. In this place we can release attachment and transcend our limitations. Don’t be surprised if we spend a little more time in meditation and Savasana this month ;)
I REALLY struggle with this one, honestly. I am really in need of the serenity of surrender. I like most of us really like to be in control, so this month we practice Isvara-Pranidhana by trying to trust in the bigger picture, bit by bit, sometimes it will be easier than others, and that’s part of the Journey. Even when we can’t see how to get there we try, by
letting go of the ego through love
Doing the work of love in the world
Cultivating stillness in ourselves to make room for the bigger messages in store
This most challenging Niyama is a life long practice, like all the others. All we can do is keep taking one step at a time.
Here’s February’s Playlist!
