Saturday 21 November 2015

Letting Go: a life's work

Teaching with Sarah was something I had been looking forward to for some time... The idea came about a little while back, when Sarah returned from India having completed her yoga teacher training.

The theme came to us without much need for deliberation. Life has thrown plenty at both of us recently and we have found ourselves staying close (rather than clinging) to 'Let Go' as something of a mantra...

For me, teaching on a Saturday involves letting go of several things: my typical routine gets adjusted. The same is I know true for most who attend the weekend workshops: we let go of things in order to come along. Attending is a choice. Choice involves sacrifice. And that's worth acknowledging. 

The hatha based practice was just what I needed. My body welcomed it. And has reminded me of it since (thanks, Sarah!). Moving before sitting seems to work well for most bodies. 

Ajahn Chah's statement makes sense: 

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace
If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace


There is something about the sentiment that, intuitively, we know. Yet we forget. We get lost in the trance. We are forgetful. We need reminding.  Letting go is an ongoing process.  Every minute of every day.  

Come what may, we need to remember to let go.  Of the good, the bad, the ugly, and the so-so.  Whatever our experience has been, we need swiftly to let go of it, in order to suck up what life has in store for each of us, one day at a time, one hour at a time, one moment at a time, one breath at a time.  Every breath counts.


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