Smart-Asses Welcome

Today at the yoga studio we offered a day of full retreat complete with restorative yoga, meditation classes, clean vegetarian meals, and dharma talks. It was a day to rejuvenate and draw within. During one of the dharma talks we were discussing the mind, and a student asked, “Can you be sarcastic and still be connected to your true Self?” I just about leapt across the room and off my mat as I said, “YES! Oh mahon — I hope so – yes you can!” (And then I wanted to say, but didn’t, “Because if you can’t, it’s like saying there’s no room for Jon Stewart or my Sassy Gay Friend in heaven, and that’s a heaven that I want no part of!”)

Our authentic self takes many shapes and wears a personality like a sweater. It gives that sweater life and shape and animation, but the sweater can be loud, demur, beautiful, tacky and more. The question illuminates part of the post from last week — begin where you are, not where you think you should be. Don’t resist the way you show up in the world. Bring your sense of humor, your devotion, your shyness, your audaciousness, bring it all — all that makes you unique.

Tonight, I’m smiling and thinking of Swami Sivananda’s quote: “Crave for a thing, you will get it. Renounce the craving, the object will follow you by itself.” I’m reminded that if I want to be more connected within, more patient, kinder, more present, more organized, I need to first embrace and accept my disconnect, my impatience, my temper, my haziness and disorganization. I need to begin where I’m at right now, in this moment, sitting in front of my computer and accept what I am experiencing without resistance. So, I’m noticing my desire to go back in the hot tub time machine and write this article three days ago, and reminding myself not to renounce my undisciplined nature. (And laughing while thinking of how much fun heaven is going to be, hanging with Jon Stewart and my Sassy Gay Friend.)