This is It

This Saturday I attended a wonderful “Solar Yoga” class at Sol Studio in Crescent Beach. I could speak at length about the wonderful studio, inspiring Instructor, peaceful environment, and graceful yet invigorating flows; but what struck me most was the Instructor’s mantra for the class- This is It.

The mantra, “This is It” broke straight through my mental clutter, my distraction, my to-do lists and grounded me right into the moment. She brilliantly linked “This is It” to “Celebration.” Encouraging each of us to celebrate each movement, and stay with it, as “this is it.”

These principles, as most principles in yoga, are not revolutionary. However to actually practice the principles on a daily basis IS revolutionary. Working into my Seva journey is a personal transformation to stand in consistent recognition of “this is it.” I am challenged to shed my expectations, fear, and ego and working to embrace each moment as it comes. (I almost talked myself out of my morning yoga practice for a variety of silly reasons). Our ego experiences the world in a constricted form, and interprets all experience as “lack” (money, beauty, ability to do headstand, whatever). The perspective of lack can be directed at ourselves, or in judgment of others. Our ego fills us with fear and clings relentlessly to all we have, whilst all the time wishing for more.

Sometimes “more” we desire is “more” good for others, but we must still investigate the source. If it is fed by ego, it makes demands; creates negative judgment of others (usually regarding their stance to one’s goals); can be self-deprecating (you have not done enough to help), and on and on…

“This is it,” breaks through the ego to the heart, and recognizes the abundance and grace of this moment, this breath. When we see the beauty of the moment, we experience our abundance- and from a place of abundance we witness how much we have to give. This is the Seva, the service, a perfect circle of receiving and giving a gift. Recognize your abundance and pay it forward, create a community and world we are proud to leave to our children. Mother Theresa (and the other saints of this world) did not become who they were by “aspiring to be a saint.” Rather they recognized in each moment, this is it, the abundance in their midst, and shared the abundance freely. This is participating in the divine circle, the meaningful path.

Breathe in, breathe out…this is it. May my heart open to my abundance and my actions share it freely.