Give and Take

I will begin my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification course tomorrow. Tending toward nervousness, many things are running through my mind as I prepare for this next step in the development of my knowledge as a Yogi. This is a serious undertaking on my part, as I have elaborated at length in previous posts about my Yoga and life philosophies, as well as my feelings about the affects of Yoga's popularity upon its modern practice. A part of me is an eager student ready to learn, while also harbouring feelings of "buying in" to the whole Yoga fad, and fears of disappointment. Yoga holds a deep meaning for me - sacred in a non-theistic sense - as it is my passion and my survival tool. In the end, much like my life's philosophy, which is compiled of several philosophical, spiritual and psychological schools of thought, I will approach this with an open mind and take from it, that which suits me, while abandoning those portions which do not sit will with my vision.

The ability to give and take is something I hope to nurture and develop this year. So often we become conflicted by shelving those things we wish to be and are desirous of doing, for courting acceptance and attaining status. The simple fact is that confidence is a product of such expectations and easily eroded if one does not possess a personal vision, and actively pursue those things which elevate life from a mere existence to one of fulfillment. This also holds true in our expectations of others. In the end, is not all conflict the result of others not being as we wish them to be, or for situations no being what we desire? Such conflicts also arise within our selves as we aspire to fulfill the ambiguous wants of others, or sacrifice our dreams for fulfillment of a fabricated situation or life station. It is the difference between cooperating and doing for the sake of financial gain or out of fear, and doing for the sake of love and passion that is sincerely rooted in that which we strive toward. I do not want to live a life where I count down the days until the next "big thing". The "big thing" should always be now.

In the end, all stress is derived from those things described above. While there are no guarantees in life, we can nurture an pursue our passions. We may not always be happy with where things take us along the way - hardship, ridicule, etc., but, if one truly wishes to aspire to their goals and dreams, then at least a portion of that journey is available to us all. Of course, in doing so, we must always approach our path with a regard for others, but that does not mean that, at times, they will be hurt by our actions. Perhaps I am sounding more like Ayn Rand than I intend here. I suppose the simplest way of stating this is not to let naysayers block your way. Many of those who will attempt to do so often act out of their fear and unsettled state of being caused by neglecting that which you do. People possess a love-hate relationship with those who aspire to live the lives of dreams, partially from jealousy (hate) and admiration (love). In the end, this is of only as much significance as you allow it to be. Fear nothing. In the words of Nietzsche: "I teach you the Superman. Man is something to be overcome".

So, as my teacher training begins, I will not allow myself to become frustrated by others. I have no expectations of them, whether they are kindred spirits seeking something of great depth from their Yoga, or simply the latest Lululemon clad fashion diva to jump on the Yoga bandwagon. Like any experience, I will take from it as much as possible in the realm of the positive, and leave the negative on the side of the trail behind me. In the end, it is my choice to aspire to that of Nietzsche's Superman by continuously pushing and developing myself. In the end, mine is the only life I need worry about living. To each their own. I leave you with the immortal lyrics of the late reggae great, Peter Tosh:

"I AM THAT I AM"
I'm not in this world
To live up to your expectations
Neither are you here to live up to mine, yeah

I don't owe no one
No obligation
No I don't mean none
So everything is fine, fine

CHORUS
I said I am that I am
I am I am Iam
(4x)

Don't underestimate
My ability
Don't definate my character
Don't belittle
My authority
It is time you recognized my quality

CHORUS

Learn to love
To love your brother
Don't covet your neighbor

Flee from the city
It's getting shitty
It is full of out-a-quity(Inequity)

CHORUS

I am the rock of the ages
You cannot move I at all
I am the son of lightining
You cannot move I at all
Son of Jacob
Cannot move me at all
I am the son of Moses
You can't move I at all
I am the son of David
You cannot move I at all

I am a firm ripe diamond
You cannot move I at all
You could a shed more tears
You cannot move I at all

You could a full of evil
You cannot move I at all
You could a try more nuttin'
You cannot move I at all

And you can try make a something
That can't move I at all
And could a come with ism
You can't move I at all

And could come with skism
That can't move I at all