Life's Meat Tenderizer

In the past 50 days (original writing 4/8/12), the Universe has asked me to let go of some important things in my life. It started with my 20 year old cat's death. Two weeks later, my 90 year old grandmother, with whom I was very close, died. Five short weeks later, my 15 year old cat died. For those without pets, it may be difficult to understand the loss, but these were creatures with whom I had my longest relationships outside of my family.

In spite of, or maybe because of the pain, I've learned a lot through these experiences. It has been a gift to be with each of them when they died. And I've learned lessons from all of them. My cat, Tiffy, was the poster cat for acceptance of all circumstances, unconditional love, joy and contentment. My grandmother was a dignified woman, who made me feel important, that I had special gifts to offer the world, and they should be shared through the things about which I am passionate. My other cat, Maddie, demanded from me full engagement, and she taught me discernment; she was a unique cat, but did not share herself indiscriminately.

Having experienced this "Trifecta of Death" in such a compressed time has left me feeling pretty roughed up, but I can see the value in it. An image became very clear to me a couple of days ago-the process of tenderizing meat. It feels like Life sprinkled a powder of experience on me, and Universal Timing took its spiky metal hammer and pounded the crap out of me. I realized that there were really two options: become hardened by the experience in an effort to shield myself from further sadness, or allow it to strip away all the BS and tenderize my heart. Believe me, I could use some tenderizing. I can often be without sentiment, too direct in my speech and unsympathetic. Pain has helped me understand the importance of leaving people with a good feeling about themselves after being in my presence. I'm not sure I'll get it perfectly anytime soon, but you can bet I'll be trying a lot harder.

There has also been an unexpected lesson for me. Respect for everyone's life situation, even if it seems unjust and beyond their control. I can recall situations from my own life-- some I chose unwisely, others felt more imposed upon me-where someone could have intervened and helped me. I can say with complete certainty that I benefited in untold ways from all of my experiences, good and bad. I hope I will not be misunderstood; it is important to help when necessary. I suppose what I'm saying is that I'm redefining "necessary" and hopefully I'm not nearly as arrogant as I was 7 weeks ago to think I know best for everyone. I think I understand what "live and let live" means.
There's also recognition for me now that I am not in charge. I'd like to think I'm holding the reigns, but I understand in a new way that I cannot see the whole picture and as the Desiderata says, "whether or not it is clear to you, the Universe is unfolding as it should." What I can control is the managing of myself through the processes that present themselves in my life.

Sound like a bunch of junk a former "cat lady" minus one grandma tells herself to feel better? Maybe, but it works. I DO feel better. And more grateful, more aware, more connected, and hopefully, a little more tenderized by Life's occasional bludgeoning. The good news is that I am still alive to do some good with my new knowledge.

If you want to read the blog post I wrote after my grandmother died last month, click HERE.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing you in the practice room.

Much love,
Liz

P.S. Another odd bit of timing related to all of this was a reminder I got today about a special practice I am doing on June 3^rd when Venus transits the Sun. The message of the practice to commemorate this galactic event is shedding the layers of protection that hide the True Self, allowing our actions to come from a place of purer intention. Two hours of fun, good work, and self-reflection- all for $20. If that sounds good to you, call Yogabliss to register, 206-275-2300, and I'll see you there!

Beauty Will Save the World

Hello Friends!

Dostoevsky said, "Beauty will save the world." I've been turning this over in my head a lot the last month or so. If there's one thing worth striving for in a yoga practice, it's Beauty-- otherwise it's simply acrobatics or gymnastics. But save the world? What does that mean as we live our daily lives?

Imagine if we endeavored to infuse every aspect of our lives, each action, with Beauty. What words would pass your lips, what thoughts would cross your mind, with what bhava or feeling would you do everything? It's nearly impossible to conceive of the robustness of experience, the positive impact that could have. In achieving this, I am the least among us.

Often, I am personally "lost" in the busyness of daily life, surrounded by pavement, the sounds of the city drowning out my thoughts and the symphony of Nature. A couple of weekends ago I spent some time alone at my grandmother's lake cabin. No TV, no radio, no cell service or internet. I could actually hear the wind rustling the leaves of the trees like they were talking to me. It was during this time that I realized these moments of "retreat" are so critical. Removing oneself from daily events and the barrage of noise on every level gives one a chance to settle. For me, I find it also reminds me that there is Beauty all around me, and that I should try to add to that Beauty.

The thing I've noticed most is that I usually head into these times with a list of tasks to finally complete, books to read, articles to write, etc... and none of it ever gets done. Somehow, in spite of my lack of productivity, devoid of a conscious directing of volition, a powerful thought or intention magically pops up that affects the course of my life and the person I want to be.

This gave me a new appreciation for the yoga retreat, however brief. So ubiquitous the opportunities, it almost gives the impression that a retreat cannot be all that important. On the contrary, its importance cannot be underscored enough. A group of like-minded people, coming together for a period of time to support each other in the process of self-study, in surroundings conducive to inner reflection, is bound to have powerful and lasting effects.

It's easy to think that what we do in our lives isn't that critical most of the time. But what if it IS? What if we lived as if EVERYTHING mattered? Another Russian novelist suggests that Beauty may elevate our works to that of the heavens:

"Works steeped in Truth and presenting it to us vividly alive will take hold of us, will attract us to themselves with great power- and no one, ever, even in a later age, will presume to negate them...and if the too obvious, too straight branches of Truth and Good are crushed or amputated and cannot reach the light-yet perhaps the whimsical, unpredictable, unexpected branches of Beauty will make their way through and soar up to that very place and in this way perform the work of all three." ~Alexsandr Solzhenitsyn

It's fascinating to me that these two men lived in the Soviet Union during very bleak times, and it's proof you don't have to go on a retreat to "find yourself" or appreciate Beauty-- but it might be helpful. Life can be so challenging, and sometimes apparently ugly. Find inspiration anywhere you can, look for it within yourself as well as around you, and imagine it when all else fails. And if you don't know what to do or how to do it, make it Beautiful. That has to be enough.

Satyam Sivam Sundaram (Truth is God and God is Beauty),
Liz

For information on my upcoming retreats, please email me or check out my website:

www.LizDoyleYoga.com