I had a yoga teacher once who often said in his class, something along the lines of, “Yoga is to remember who you really are.”
To me, this is the foundation of yoga and what I strive to get my students to experience.
I’ve been trying to be more authentic. I bristle at the word authentic as it is so overused these days. But when it comes down to it, I am. I find it extremely difficult to “be authentic” on social media. I try, but I always feel like I’m wearing some kind of mask. Scared to be seen. As I’m writing this I’m realizing, I’m not so much scared to be seen- as much I’m scared not to be seen. Not in an egoic sense, bur rather a bone deep fear that my soul might not be fully expressed- that “I” (my ego? my trauma?) might hold me back from my fullest expression.
We do so much to make ourselves small. To fit into a culture that if we really slowed down to examine, would we want to be a part of? How much do we chip away, exile and shame ourselves because it feels safer to be small rather than in full the grandeur of our exquisite selves?
Is that what we want? Is that what we came here to do?
No. Of course, it isn’t.
But can you say that you fully know your true self? Have you taken the time to look? Recently, I thought I had. I thought I had a pretty good idea, only to realize there was a wall of cement between me and myself, me and my heart. So much gripping. So much fear. It felt almost impossible to let go and admit, “Maybe I don’t know myself at all. Maybe there’s so much more.”
Have you taken the time to ask yourself that lately? Have you given yourself space to just be. And listen?
If you think you’re anything less than amazing, then you don’t know who you really are.
I hope this post has sparked the sacred in your heart and makes it a little easier to listen to the voice of your soul.
This is essentially the heart of the ReWilding retreat I’m co-leading in November. For me this feels like the medicine that is needed right now. If you’re interested or would like more info let me know.