Grinding Away at the Karmic Wheel

Day 17

It's been a few days since I've written, but I'm glad to say I've been keeping up the practice despite being very busy. I figure if it's a choice between doing the practices, and writing about not having time to do them, I'll do them!

Even though I've had to modify them slightly for available time (doing fewer than 108 repetitions of each mantra, or doing just a sun salutation and an inversion, backbend, and hip opener instead of a full on asana practice), I'm keeping the fires stoked. It feels good to keep the commitment.

It's interesting to notice the temptation to slide out of the practice, to come up with an excuse as to why I don't want to continue, or feel like I need to continue any further... but I've been doing spiritual disciplines long enough to understand that it grinds away at my karmic wheel, polishing rough spots where my previous groove is to avoid them. Though sometimes it's good to go with the flow and do just what feels good, in this case I know deep down that there's "stuff" being dislodged from deep within me, for illumination, healing, and transformation. I really want to get to the next level, and so I'm determined to see the practice through for the full 40 days!

Which, in the scheme of things, is NOTHING! I have a friend who is a head monk at Tyangboche Monastery in Nepal, and he has done several 3 year silent retreats. Jaws drop. Heads shake in disbelief. Most of us can only imagine the discipline & focus, not to mention the resulting states of consciousness that would come from such a practice. 40 days - can handle! It feels like a good balance for this modern yogini. :)