MODERATION IN ALL THINGS

Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras are at a codified spiritual path written down between 500-200 BC.  That's a long time ago!  Yet, they resonate today and the truths contained within them seem timeless.  What does change, as always, are how they are interpreted.  Just as with any revered teaching, as time goes on human interpretation may change, re-define, or update the meaning as language changes and as we learn more about the subject.

For example, the Yama (or "restraint") which begin the Sutras has as one of its number, Brahmacharya. While the literal interpretation from the Sanskrit means "walk with God", it has also been translated as "chastity",  and "continence".  This Yama came to be associated with sexuality and to practice Brahmacharaya, meant to practice celibacy.  According to the source I am using for this discussion, the much loved and much read book at Yoga Circle Studio -- Meditations from the Mat -- the word is more accurately a call to temperance or moderation.  Moderation in ALL things -- sex, yes, but also food, drink, money, possessions, work -- anything that taken to excess causes us harm.

So, if even those things that seem "good" can be overdone, I thought of Brahmacharya as I watched my husband dismantle a dangerously ready-to-topple old outdoor fireplace on our property.  He'd decided to take it apart boulder by boulder and move them to the front of the house to repurpose as a rock wall around a new patio space.  This meant moving an estimated 5000 pounds of old rock, then preparing the space with 5000 pounds of fine gravel and carrying another 2750 pounds of flagstone -- all of it up the long front staircase to the worksite.

As I write, he is leveling the flagstone and filling the cracks with sand.  He's been at this job for 2-1/2 weeks.  I'm watching my 67 year old Super Man in amazement, and also noting that with age comes wisdom.  He used to tackle projects like this with a single-minded fervor and a blinders-on goal directness that would have guaranteed he'd be done with it in short order and ready to move on to the next project.  But now I note the back brace he wears, the slow, steady steps, the deliberate consideration of how many rocks to carry at a time and the many breaks for hydration and rest.  He also has taken days off for time with grandkids, a long weekend trip with the family, time with friends, and more relaxing gardening chores.  He works about 6 hours a day, not the 10-12 he would have put in on things like this in the past.

I watch him practicing Brahmacharaya.  Moderation.  I am reminded that the lessons of Yoga go far beyond the studio and way off the mat.  In all we do, the ancient wisdom of self-care is there for us to utilize in order to live a life of meaning, health, and spirit.

Looking forward to a tall glass of sun tea on that new patio, giving thanks for the many acts of slow and steady, one rock at a time, moderately paced labor that my husband employed to create a beautiful respite space for us.  Come on by...I'll pour a glass for you too, as we all practice Brahmacarya in our busy lives.

Namaste,   donnajurene