Namaste, Aloha....What's Up??

It's funny to me how words can have so many different meanings.  Much like the word "aloha", the word "namaste" is both a salutation and valediction.  But if you look at both words and how they are used,  you will find that there is something very special about both.  I don't really need to go into my love for Hawaii or the word aloha, so I'll focus on namaste. 

The above passage is an ancient Sanskrit blessing.  It's quite beautiful.  It is said that when greeting another, one places their hands together in front of their heart, bow their head and say "namaste".  When I initially read the above blessing, I read it as if I were to say it to someone.  It is also said that by bringing one's hands together, it is the bringing together of spirit and matter, of self meeting Self.  When I read the blessing again (and I've read it many times), I began to see the blessing from me to me...self to Self.  You see, my interpretation is speaking in reference to my own heart.  In my crystally world, the core is the center of the body, the strength of the being with the head and feet being the grounding points.  In my former Christian world, it was the heart that was the center of the being, the strength.  I'm at a crossroads personally as to what world is most suitable for me, or most defines me.  I suppose that both equally fit that definition as I still believe that my heart is where all of my actions are generated, but I also feel that my core is what gives me strength in that I need all of my muscles and organs to deal with some things at times. 

Getting back to my interpretation of the blessing, I now choose to read this blessing as if I am telling myself that I honor me, in my heart where all the love and truth, peace and light of my being resides.  It is the place that drives all I do in life, with passion.  When I am acting from my heart, I am in a good place.  When I am acting with my core, I am, well, dealing (for lack of a better term).  I'm not saying that sometimes in life is not okay to just deal.  What I'm saying is that if I am in that place of my heart, especially when trying to deal, I am one with myself, a complete person.  Complete people are happy people, at least that's what Tom Cruise said, right?  When I am honest with myself and true to my heart, I can pretty much deal with anything.  That's a place I want to be, always.

I've recently started the practice of yoga.  Now, I've tried some yoga classes in the past, but most mostly DVD's, or worse, P90X!  This time, however, I was introduced to a class with the greatest instructor.  She's got such a calming effect to her in both her voice and presence.  She reminds me very much of my favorite crystally acupuncturist from home.  The minute I stepped foot in the room, I knew it was a place for me.  I lost all inhibitions and anxieties and just went with it.  I've actually practiced quite a bit this week and each class has taught me more and more about myself and my limits.  In fact, during one class when we were facing the mirror (ugh!!), I actually consciously thought, "this is not about what the people behind me are saying, it's not even about what the mirror is saying", you see when I close my eyes, it's about what my heart (and core) are saying!  It's a meditation experience for me.  Oh, don't get me wrong, it kicks my butt sometimes, but it's also the most relaxing thing for me.  Does that make any sense?  Yoga is all about breathing.  Breathing and obnoxious poses, but mostly breathing.  One of the main focuses in meditation is breathing.  See the connection now?  So while I'm focusing on my exact pose and form, I'm also focusing on my breathing (or lack of depending on the pose).  I've surprised myself with some of the things I didn't think I'd be able to do.  I truly believe I'm able to accomplish some of these poses with sheer focus rather than skill.  I have become One with me!

There we have it kids, the full circle of this post.  I've started something new that is changing not only my body, but my mind.  It's allowing me to learn about myself physically and emotionally, and spiritually, too, I guess.  Do you have some thing in your life that allows you to learn about yourself while quieting your mind at the same time?  I highly recommend that you find such thing and start the process of letting your self get to know your Self.  At the beginning and end of each class, my instructor recites a passage, usually from some yogi.  Being it's the end of this post, I think I'll do the same: 

"Load the ship and set out. No one knows for certain whether the vessel will sink or reach the harbor. Cautious people say, "I'll do nothing until I can be sure". Merchants know better. If you do nothing, you lose. Don't be one of those merchants who wont risk the ocean."

Life's a beach, and then you live on one...Namaste