We can not live without food and therefore should be grateful for our food.
We can not live without breath and therefore should be grateful for our breath.
We should be grateful for education because it helps us in life.
We should apply our knowledge correctly.
We should have fun.
On Saturday morning of the "Heart of Yoga Conference," Mr. Desikachar structured the chanting and meditation around these five points.
After he introduced the concept of fun, I had expected him to use the Sanskrit translation: िलल lila. This is commonly translated as play, including divine play. Yet, he used the word ananda, which is often translated as bliss. Hmmmm....I would be curious to ask him about this distinction. His examples implied that our fun should lead us to laughter, which has healing qualities.
He also spoke on the origin of illness. He named three factors. First, illness of our own making due to our expectations and disappointments. Second, genetic factors. Third, external factors. He said that treatments are often effective when medications and meditations are mixed. I found it ironic, and meaningful, that as I jotted my handwritten notes, I used the abbreviation med'n to mean both "meditation" and "medication"!
As in the previous evening's lecture, he emphasized that faith, hope, and positive attitude play a huge part in healing. He quoted Jesus as saying "Your own faith has saved you."
Desikachar called on his student, Chase Bossart to speak. Because Chase was raised in this culture and is similar to my age, I find his perspective a helpful bridge. Chase pointed out that the only vehicle we have for getting around in this life is...our body. Since the body is affected by how it interacts with different foods, or different teachings, that we must choose carefully what we put in our bodies and minds so that we get a desired outcome.
In the afternoon, Menaka Desikachar spoke on therapeutic aspects of yoga. She also emphasized the layers of the body, breath, mind, emotions, and soul, each of which can be a location of illness or an input for healing. Because the layers pervade each other, we can chose to affect one by affecting the other. For example, although asthma may be an illness of the breath, it can also lead to stooped posture and mental agitation. Conversely, calming the mind or straightening the posture can be part of the avenue to making space for the breath and remedying the asthma.
Systems. Layers. Choices. Hope.
May each of us on the path remember the many parts that make up the whole, and when one isn't working, may we harness hope, and try a different way through.
Visit this blog again in the coming days for more updates on the conference.
