Each of our efforts weighs something and, in fact, does make a difference in our world. In a nutshell, this is what yogis called karma: the inevitable consequence of our actions (and even, if we were to push it a little, our thoughts) on ourselves and those/that around us.
We can easily go two ways about karma. One is the more punishment or sin-oriented one we know from religious dogmas most of us today find outdated; we-get-what-we-deserve kind of reasoning or “manifest our own suffering” (including sickness and the like). This way of understanding karma is perhaps neighbor to an misinterpretation that views karma as some sort of irreversible and inflexible fate, a life that we can’t help but suffer the consequences of.
The second approach to karma is more empowering. It points at our ability to consciously consider what we do, think or speak and choose what is more sustaining in the long term. This can only happen, of course, to the extent of what we know and based on our own intuition. For example, if I say this cynical remark to my friend, is it really funny or will it just hurt them and be unconstructive? If I keep telling myself that I am stupid each time I forget or drop something, what limiting belief am I reinforcing? Or if I hold the door for the person behind me or smile at them, how will my and perhaps their energy shift? You get the picture.
In nondual Tantra, thanks goodness, not everything is subject to karma. No, there is also the spontaneous, playful, for-no-reason act of the universe, aka lila. I like to think of the spirit of lila as how children just freely play for the fun of it. I remember spending hours playing in my room as a kid, and at some point an adult in the house would shout out towards my room: “Cédric, what are you doing up there?”; “I am playing,” I would reply – and wonder what on earth they needed to ask! Lila reminds us that not everything is under control, and it is supposed to be that way.
In light of ancient wisdom, in our times of intense divides and unprecedented changes, we as yoginis and people “on the path” can choose our karma. I am not talking about choosing sides and reinforcing the already existing separation. Of course, we can have meanings and opinions, but I am rather talking about choosing where we can make a difference: how and where we can put our energy.
Nothing, really, can be made on our own. Not even yoga and meditation, who apparently are solo practices; they too need the support of a community, fellow students, and guides who can inspire, support, and point into some directions.
I was just reading a well-written article about the extent of loneliness, especially among men. Although we seemingly are just a swipe or a click away from someone else on our phones, our western societies are built on self-reliance and images of masculinity built around the virtue of “doing it alone” and an aversion to vulnerability (see Joe Duncan’s article or save for later).
So I am asking you…
Where and, especially, who do you go to for support, help, and inspiration?
On the other hand, who in your close or more distant community do you make a difference for: your colleagues, your clients, your neighbor, your favorite barista, your friends’ kids, fellow yoga practitioners, your pet, your local park or forest? Can you reflect on and realize the impact you already have?
Yoga kula
I talk about yoga because this is the world I am coming from, but obviously there are many other types of great communities.
Kula in Sanskrit describes the feeling of belonging and community that yoga cultivates through practicing with (and for) others. I am spending 10 days in Vienna, Austria, visiting my old friend Alex from back in the days when I lived in San Francisco. In 2012, SF was where I dived deep into yoga and my personal growth and spiritual journey started for real… and Alex was part of it (thank you Alex <3).
We decided to practice a great deal together, and I bought a 10-day pass to a local yoga studio, “Feel good yoga”. I have been going to classes each day, which I haven’t done since I started teaching full time 8 years ago. Back to my own practice, with others, not teaching, just receiving guidance and inspiration. Doing so makes me think of you, and what we have done, do and will keep doing together with lots of gratitude.
Thank you, 1, 2, 3
Thank you three times at least, for being part of my community – whether we have practiced on the mat together or not.
First, thanks a million for those of you who occasionally support me with a donation on my Ko-Fi profile. As a creator of free content, meditation guides, blog articles, and now with a book project cooking, every penny I receive as a gift for support boosts my motivation. It is not all about money, no, but nevertheless money remains one way to show appreciation and support nowadays.
Second, I feel indebted to you who have been supporting a yoga studio for a long time, because whether it is in San Francisco, Copenhagen, Vienna or elsewhere, yoga studios are gems that continue to change people’s lives off the mat. As we are getting closer to summer and vacation periods, keeping your membership to your local studio who continues to pay rent and income to teachers over the warmer months of the year makes a big difference.
Third, I bow in thankfulness to you for what you do, whether you support inspiring content creators, yoga studios or any charity or not – really no obligation or whatsoever in that respect. Just knowing that you keep reading this letter makes me thrilled. You are part of a community, and even several ones, and don’t forget that by being you and bringing more awareness to how you live your life, as you are doing, you bring support and positive change to our world. I say it again:
T.H.A.N.K.Y.O.U.
