We need good balance to move gracefully through life, in our relationships with our self and with each other.
Yoga is an experiential tool kit to help you find balance. The Yoga philosophies give us a guidepost to help navigate the dance floor with ease and grace. They allow us to cultivate conscious change and a wholesome relationship with self and others.
One of my favorite movies is Eat, Pray, Love.
Why was this such a popular and powerful chick flick? It demonstrates the importance of the four basic aims in life described in the yogic philosophy.
How do we cultivate joy and feel whole and complete without going on a journey across the globe? There are four basic aims and desires that we strive to accomplish in this dance called life. According to ancient texts these aims are called Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksa.
Dharma is our personal responsibility and obligations. As a mother, wife, employee and employer I have many obligations to fulfill. There is also responsibility toward the common good of society and as stewards of our environment. Through daily choice and practice we find meaning and purpose in life.
Artha represents our material needs; food, shelter, clothing and anything necessary to fulfill our dharma.
Kama is our sexual attraction necessary for human survival, and fulfillment of pleasure through all of our senses.
Moksa is the ultimate freedom and joy experienced when you are one with your higher power or with source.
Our challenge is to find balance in all four areas of our life, especially this time of year with so many expectations. It’s also a good time for reflection. Are we having real meaningful family conversations or are we just going through the motions? Are we giving from hearts and desire or is it just something else we need to check off the “to do” list?
When we are congruent and balanced with our four basic desires, then life flows effortlessly. Then you are living and working in “the zone.”
When you are all artha (money oriented) and no dharma (family) or kama (all work and no play), there is incongruence and discord in the home…and stress.
So this holiday season, how can you pay attention to all four desires and aims in life? Can you make conscious decisions to:
1. Meet responsibilities to loved ones and family,
2. Experience joy and pleasure,
3. Earn money for food, clothing and basic needs, and
4. Take time for gratitude, prayer and the quiet moments, to really nurture your soul and connection to a higher power?
Isn’t that what Christmas, Hanukkah and all spiritual and religious holiday are about?
Let’s celebrate all of this!
Here is a picture of my pregnant daughter and I posing before the White House Christmas tree, celebrating family (dharma) and life’s pleasures (kama). How are you balancing your desires this season?
