Finding Meaning in the Simple

When it comes to the world of yoga and meditation, things can get complicated. There are stories of transcendence, enlightenment, bliss. Heady stuff, yes, but are we missing the forest for the trees?

Last year I was taking a workshop in which we spoke about the subtle and the gross. The teacher said that in our pursuit of the subtle we neglect the joy of the gross. The teacher then reminded us that when we neglect the gross in our search for the subtle, we lose sight of the fact that the subtle is here with us right now. It comes back to the wisdom in the words, "as above, so is below." I must admit that I never quite grasped that concept until recently. I, too, was wrapped up in pursuit of the subtle, fantasizing about "escaping" the monotony and the unspiritual "real world." I was missing the big picture -- the bliss is in the ordinary. It's not about escaping -- it's about being present, with whatever is in that moment (even if it's something mundane like cleaning the toilet or vacuuming the floor).

In all of my yoga studies I got caught up the big things which took me out of the moment. I thought I should be transcending the little stuff. Nice and yogic of me to be all caught up in my ego, thinking I was too good for the small stuff and shouldn't be wasting my time when I should be focused on enlightenment. The question I began to ask myself is -- What are you missing as you chase enlightenment?

Thich Nhat Hanh offers up an excellent commentary on mindfulness (no surprise there, right?). This brief video is filled with wonderful wisdom. I absolutely love what he says about washing dishes and drinking a cup of tea. Who needs to chase enlightenment when it's already here -- in this very moment?

Don't miss out on the bliss of the gross in pursuit of the subtle. Mindfulness and presence can make any moment (no matter how ordinary it may seem) extraordinary.

Namaste!

Comments

[yogibarrett]

Thanks for reminding us what Thich Nhat Hanh practices everyday - awareness, and therefore, gratitude, for the little moments. It's not easy to do, but when I do it, I am so much more in love with life.

[My Yoga Experience]

I have an experience too which turned my attention towards yoga. I now practice yoga mudras to enhance my life altogether.