20 Sep “TO BE OR NOT TO BE, THAT IS NO LONGER THE QUESTION.”
The Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, so aptly rewrote this famous quotation which all of us are familiar with. This new question is striking and timely.
We know that in the world of today we must do our best to stay involved. Each one of us may respond in a different way as to how she or he wants “to be”. Nonetheless, continually looking at our lives with honesty and assessing what is truly important, is necessary. The world is on a fast track and change is ever present. Yoga comes to the rescue when done peacefully and with unrelenting attention to the breath.
Yoga schools are as varied as a beautiful garden of flowers filled with many species and a riot of colors.
Today, no matter what style you are familiar with, when you sit in Pranayama, try to slow down and eliminate any “special” techniques you might ordinarily practice. Focus exclusively on your inhalation and exhalation. If you are reading this but do not practice Yoga, you can participate too. After all, Shakespeare did not create his question exclusively for Yogis!
Therefore, no matter what your age or health, please sit quietly for about ten minutes and watch your breath as air fills your lungs when you inhale and slowly empties out as you exhale.
After you have sat for as long as is comfortable, ask yourself this question: how do I want “to be”? What is really important in my life? When an answer comes to you, please stay with it and investigate it. Then perhaps you might want to see how this answer can be applied to your life.
Any positive thoughts will be of benefit to yourself and others.
In gratitude,
Elizabeth.
(Photo Credit: Johnson Michael)