Twilight Reflections: Nurture Your Peaceful Warrior

10/7/24

"Patience isn't waiting or being static but moving in harmony with the speed of nature and what life is presenting to you." Gabrielle Harris

Hello friends, dear seekers. Another Monday. I'm feeling continued gratitude for the sun these days, toward myself for all the small steps that amount to a life of courage and heart. I experienced synchronicities while moving through my own weathers of grief and loving into this season of the wind. When the winds became too much and my tendency toward control or shut down arose, I found gratitude and space as my anchor. Both in offerings and also in my receiving. The yoga renews. With my hands at heart in Anjule Mudra- Namaste my friends. Namaste. As both a salutation, a connection to you all, and of deep respect toward self and all beings.

Nama: Bow As: I Te: you Namaste.

"Let your own sincerity and heart guide what unfolds." - Tara Brach

In meeting today's mix of rajasic energy—internal alertness, anticipation, and aliveness in my nervous system—the season of vata is in full swing. As Ayurveda teaches, the winds bring both inspiration and the potential for imbalance, leading to restlessness, especially when layered with external or internal pressures, political climates, and life's demands. Let’s draw in more internal resources and call forward practices that bring the steadiness of earth to hold us, just enough water to nourish and flow, and an ember of fire for focus, intention, and dedication. Together, we can channel the winds to keep us uplifted as we move forward.

I invite you to open your palms wide, sense the agency of your hands. Feel the webbing between your fingers. Like the webs of your life, both delicate and strong, a gentle nod to the season. Now, place one hand over the other, both resting on your heart. Press your hands gently into your chest, connecting with the strength and fortitude of your heart, fully supported by earth and your back that holds this strength. Steady your breath.

Take a few moments to acknowledge the circumstances that are true for you. Bring language, name what is there, emotions, sensations, without the story. Work, studies, parenting, commitments, transitions, grief, frustrations, disconnection or apathy perhaps? What is there for you? As I often extend, get curious and release the pressure to 'know', and offer just a bit of space to sense without getting swept too far in.

Can you bring yourself into the witness space, your indwelling self, to remember that you are the one that watches, that holds the string of the kite when the winds are strong or offer strength to the limbs when the mud is thick. Your inner most loving witness is always here, it says I've got you. We are in this together. Offer the palms together, Namaste. Respect within. What is beautiful without conditions.

This week, can we bring into practice the possibility increasing our capacity for Santosha- contentment and acceptance?

Santosha. Sam: complete. Tosha: contentment/acceptance. To cultivated being satisfied within while you continue to meet your yearnings.

This is not a static practice. From the heart in action, kriya yoga we can enact non-harming, or ahimsa, as our guide both in relationship to self and others. Not avoidance, but rather to let others be as they are, despite differences. Not bringing unfair judgement or unreasonable expectations upon ourselves or others.

"To practice acceptance is to walk a fine line between intolerance of injustices and tolerance of the circumstances of our world- no matter how tumultuous they may be." Cheresson & Rice.

I've really be resonating with energetics of orange hues and shadows, this seasons colors that come from the times of twilight. As afternoons transition to dark. As days begin to settle. When the veils are a bit thinner and we can see more clearly. There is a harmony, a patience, an attunement when we witness from this space, just enough warmth for deepening understand, love and respect for the comings and goings that make up our life.

"Whether you are yearning for love, connection, meaning, belonging, continue to remind yourself that you are learning how to hold the tension of things... It's a journey worth taking as you continue to make the most of where you are and preparing for what's to come. You are allowed to practice being content, while learning to name your needs at the same time." Morgan Harper Nichols.

Join me in practices that cultivate Santosha within you, from the sincerity of your peaceful warrior within. You as a bearer of light. Come to practices that unburden and replenish. To that in you that is patience and content. That brings tolerance and heart.

An integrated affirmation inspired by Grace Selene, Morgan Harper Nichols, Matt Kahn.

I am aligned. There is no need to rush or force in my natural unfolding. I attune to the moment and connect with my peaceful warrior. I name my needs with more love, not less. I am content where I am as I care forward, to what's to come.

Here with you in practice. In Love & Light.

-Maya

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