Finding courage and connection through yoga

Welcome to my first blog and to my new website. I hope you will enjoy it and find something that will interest and inspire you.

This is the beginning of some new chapters in my life – a new year, a brand new website, my first experience of writing a blog, teaching in countries I haven’t visited before, and some new projects to work on – all of which is exciting and challenging at the same time.

In my blog I will write about different topics connected to the philosophy of yoga and to life. Everything I write is based on my own experiences and understanding of yoga and life so far.

I believe we live many different lives in one body. We go through different stages. We change and transform for many different reasons. But there will always be a part of us which remains the same. The part where there is light and love, no matter what. The part which is connected to something higher, a higher consciousness we are all part of.

What can flourish from that place depends on the different paths we are walking, countries we live in, people we meet, choices we make or think we make. Maybe they are already written in the stars. Who knows…?

All these things together and much more make us who we are today.

Not long ago I was in my home town and saw an old friend of mine. He is what we can describe as living on the outskirts of society. His life has been hard with many different drugs and diseases running through his now broken body. His eyes have no light left. The teeth are almost gone. The skin is grey and his back is bent. His life will probably end soon.

I used to know him very well. We spent time together as friends and I have always had a soft spot in my heart for him. He looked away when he saw me. I called his name and he walked slowly towards me. I hugged him with warmth and care. He started to cry and as he looked at me he said, “Is it really you Maria? You look so healthy and well. Please continue to be happy. Please live life fully. Follow your dreams, follow your heart. I will not have long to go now. I have no dreams left and my heart is slowing down. The disease is eating me up and the drugs are doing the rest.”

His voice broke. We both cried and I hugged him again. After some time of talking I left, and looked back over my shoulder. He was waving and smiling. I continued to cry. I cried for him, I cried for everyone who is being taken down that road. I cried for myself. It could have been me, it could have been you, it could have been anyone.

I knew him when he was young and adventurous. He was happy, he was sharp. He travelled the world, lived in different cities in Europe. But he fell in love with a very destructive mistress – heroin. He became addicted. His body, his soul, his light – they slowly went away. He tried many times to change, to transform, trying to quit and start a new life. He was successful for some time, but he fell back again and again. Eventually he gave up.

I have also lived many lives in this body, trying many different ways to reach happiness and to escape life. I have also travelled the world and faced darkness and different ways of living. Through yoga I found my path in life and how to get to know myself, with one longing – to see myself as I really am. To be brave enough to face darkness end to enjoy life fully. To be clear. To be connected to that part which is love and light. To be happy and peaceful.

I still have a long way to go. I keep on practising and trying. I am usually happy, and I am sincerely grateful for the tools of yoga that show me how the mind is working. There are many ways to become more aware. Whatever path we choose, the most important thing is to practice with devotion and focus. To develop faith and belief in what we are doing.

One of the most important texts in yoga is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Here you can read and get insights about the human mind, life and yoga. In the second chapter you can read about the different Kleshas -obstacles in life. Obstacles for peace and clarity. Obstacles for seeing yourself and getting to know your true self. Patanjali describes five Kleshas. The first one, also called the mother of all, is avidya – ignorance, not seeing yourself as you are. Not knowing your self. Not seeing the world or anyone as it really is. According to the sutras this is the root of all misery.

I honour my roots and all the people I have met. I honour all lives and different experiences I have lived. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am now. Where I will be tomorrow I cannot say.

It could have been me standing there close to death with almost no body left and no light in my eyes. So this sutra is for you, my friend, and for all of us walking the path of life. The sutra of love and compassion is my favourite of them all:

1:33
maitrikarunamuditopeksanam
sukhadukhapunyavisayanam
bhavanatacittaprasadanam

“In daily life we see people around who are happier than we are, people who are less happy. Some may be doing praiseworthy things and others causing problems. Whatever may be our usual attitude towards such people and their actions, if we can be pleased with others who are happier than ourselves, compassionate towards those who are unhappy, joyful with those doing praiseworthy things and remain undisturbed by the errors of others, our minds will be very tranquil.”

Eventually we are all the same. There are no differences. We are all one!

Enjoy life. Spread your love.

With warmth and love,

Maria

“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat any time.” – Herman Hesse