Opening to Love

If you are seeking closeness to the Beloved,
      love everyone.
whether in their presence or absence,
        see only their good.
if you want to be as clear and refreshing as
         the breath of the morning breeze,
like the sun have nothing but warmth and light
           for everyone.

Shaikh Abu-Said Abil-Khair

In honor of Valentine's Day, my morning yoga practice focused on heart openers (and in honor of World Sound Day, I intoned AH continuously for 5 minutes after finishing my practice). After all, the heart is the organ of this holiday. Opening up the heart center gets a lot of lip service in yoga circles. Go to a yoga conference and it's almost a given that you'll find a workshop on opening your heart center.

As I rested in Savasana this morning, I began to think about what it means to open your heart. My Rolfing experience has shown me how much body armor we have in this area -- tight chest muscles, caved in chests, rounded shoulders. All of this in name of protection. Yes, the idea of walking around with an open, vulnerable heart can be downright scary. Yet without tenderness we're missing out on the juice of life.

I think that part of opening our hearts to others is loving ourselves and then shining that love out to others. My friend made me think of this today when she lamented being boyfriendless on Valentine's Day. I understand her feelings. After all, I know how wonderful it can be to share love and intimacy with one person. These last few years, I've come to realize the joy of loving all people. Sending love out to others only magnifies it and returns it to you tenfold. Now Hallmark, diamond commercials, and romance novels would have you believe that if you don't have that one special love then you won't be happy. But why limit yourself to one? Why not love everyone? You only need to start with yourself.

Since we're on the topic of love, I offer up some words on love from Hazrat Inayat Khan.

And on this day and every day I wish you deep, unabiding, and unconditional love. May you embody that love and shine it out to the world. Be love, live love, share love.

Namaste!

Comments

[bonnie]

My mother always gives me a little heart or a choccy on valentines day. Even if I am partnerless I am never alone.

It is nice to have a partener, yes, but sometimes we get so focussed on haveing or not haveing that type of relationship we forget about the other types of relation shipd we have

[yogaglamgirl]

ps...I know what you mean about the armour. It is scary when we take it off, but I think it's worth it! :)

[yogaglamgirl]

ps...I know what you mean about the armour. It is scary when we take it off, but I think it's worth it! :)

[yogaglamgirl]

My gosh...looks and sounds like we're really in sync! I just finished writing about learning to love myself. heee heee! Thanks for sharing the Words on Love.