New Beginnings

When you become aware that there is something new out there for you, some new place to be, or a new way of living; when a new project beckons you, tantalisingly from the edges of your consciousness, but you don’t know where to begin.

When you see that you might be healthier, wiser, kinder if you chose differently.

When you remember that life can be exciting and there are new things to learn, new places to discover, new experiences to have.

When you ask after that new thing that is calling you: What are you? What is it that is wanted of me? How could this life of mine be different; how might it be better?' When curiosity rises in you.

When that project that you have always wanted to begin, but have never known how, keeps whispering to you fom the sidelines. When you have heard that voice for years and you still haven't started.

Just begin.

When your old friend Fear stands in your way, blocking the path and tells you that you are safe where you are now; what you have is enough and who are you to think that you could ever do this new thing, this new project of yours.

Even then, just begin.

Your fears try to keep you safe by keeping things the same; but your fears are getting in your way.

Then comes Procrastination. Think of all of the things you need to do before you can begin: you need to clear things away; you need to build things up; you need more knowledge; you need to be ever so slightly different (slimmer, fitter, smarter, braver, less tired, more financially secure).

Look closer: Procrastination is only fear in disguise.

Everything begins inside of us: it is an inkling, an instinct, a desire. But it must move from our heads to our hearts to our hands if anything is to be made of it.

You plant a bulb in the winter and you can't imagine that from that hopeless looking, dried out thing, will come the most encouraging growth, the most beautiful colour, just when you need to see it at the cold beginning of next Spring.

One word
One stitch
One step
One phone call
One click of the mouse
One conversation where you admit your secret plans to a beloved friend

We already know we're not in it for the glory; we're in it for the love; we're in it because we are in the habit of tuning in to what is wanted of us and we're committed to using the unique gifts that we have been given, because, well, that's what they were given to us for.

I'm not talking about other people's gifts (some people have such intimidating gifts and that can be discouraging); I'm talking about your gifts and mine; our small gifts to use and share and relish in our own small communities. I never did want to stand up in front of the whole world, did you? I wanted to do my own beloved little thing here, in the place where I live among the people who make me happy.

Don't get waylaid any more. Now you know that you want to begin, begin.

Living in Peace

Living peacefully is important. I know that when I am experiencing peace I am a better, kinder person & I observe in the world that those who are not peaceful have a tendency to wreak havoc on the themselves, their loved ones & the world at large.

Peace is lost & found.
We are human beings, not saints & often it’s when we become aware of how little inner peace we have that we find the means for transformation. Peace feeds peace, but disharmony might be the thing that makes us begin our search.

Peace feels like spaciousness to me: room to breathe a full, whole breath; time for forgiveness (yourself, others); comfort in my body & a slowing down of thought.

Peace is not passive, it is powerful. To be the one who is dependable, strong, forthright, calm & gentle in the midst of trouble is a gift indeed.

Every day, begin again.
Peace is a plant that requires daily care.

Your practice lies not in the times you fail, but in the simple turning back to the method you know works again & again for as long as it takes.
You have your whole life for it.

Be Light

As ever, the Swedish Forest Retreat was delightful.  Four days surrounded by beautiful woodland, wonderful people and lots of laughter. My highlights? Always the bread, Jonas’ homemade sourdough is just amazing, but this year there was a woodfired pizza oven too and a steady stream of different toppings.  Marscapone, walnut & honey pizza with a nice glass of Italian red hit the spot perfectly.

Every year on retreat, there are insights and new things to learn about yoga: deeper meditations and new aspects of asana to incorporate into your practice certainly, but also how important it is to stay light-hearted in your yoga practice, because developments in yoga come easily when your heart and mind stay open.  I thought of this as I watched Erika come into Svarga Dvijasana (Bird of Paradise Pose), her balance was awe-inspiring, her focus too, but the pose only became truly beautiful when she relaxed a little, when she smiled.

I will be back there next year in a place that is coming to feel like a second home to me, a global pandemic couldn’t keep me away and a 14 day quarantine when I got home was a small price to pay. 

Retreats work, they throw you in at the deep end, they let you spend time alongside likeminded souls, they give you time to explore, be brave, ask questions and grow.  The things you learn on retreat stay with you for months to come and work their way into your practice slowly but inexorably. 

Thank you to Nina and Jonas for instinctively knowing how best to look after people when they are on retreat, for throwing open the doors to your home and welcoming us all in and providing such an inspiring place for retreat.