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At one of the yoga studios where I teach, there’s a particular representation of Buddha in seated meditation with a striking, seven-headed naga (Sanskrit for ‘snake’) forming a canopy over the Buddha's head. The hooded snakes above the Buddha represent the protection that dharma provides against life's metaphorical storms.
Yoga practice entails being in alignment with one’s dharma. That is, living life in service of my purpose. Of course, this requires prior knowledge of what one's purpose is. And even before that, being on a quest to discover it in the first place.
Many have yoga to thank for setting them off on this meaningful path. But for me, it was a by-product of so much pain culminating in a near-death experience. The only recourse that remained was the narrow path of sobriety.
Rock Bottom
In 2015, following a drug overdose that led to medical evacuation and a stint in jail, my family sent me to rehab to mitigate a sentencing. There, during group therapy, one of the counselors noted that I had a tendency to over-gesticulate when speaking, as if trying to direct people’s perceptions instead of simply allowing people to see me. None of that made sense to me at the time; it was simply beyond comprehension. Nevertheless, self-will, bullheadedness, and ego indulgence had led to rock bottom. Health, finances, relationships, trouble with the law - all aspects of my life had become entangled in unmanageable knots. I clearly didn’t know any better, so I had to listen to others.
The paradoxical behaviour suggested toward recovery from this specific mis-direction, was to sit on my palms whenever I spoke. I didn’t realise it then, but letting go of trying to control people’s perceptions by sitting on my palms became an act of self-containment at a time when the self - the small “s” - was a nebulous fog, wracked with the physical, emotional ,and mental effects of years of addiction.
Because perceptions can’t be trusted when the mind is so sick, I learned to connect with feelings instead - to quiet the manic energy up in the head by bringing awareness down to the heart. And doing so, allowed the Self, the big “S” - to finally be heard in the clarity of silence and stillness. Inadvertently, sitting on my palms led to the journey of Self-hood.
Finding Softness and Spaciousness
Perhaps this also happens through the consistent action of bowing the head down to the heart when we say “Namaste” at the start of the practice: The ego's authority is diverted toward the deeper wisdom that resides within us.
And as yogis, our practice helps us understand that real strength lies in the ability to soften, be compassionate, and have empathy. In allowing ourselves the grace to shake, wobble, be fragile, and break. To welcome the deaths of old selves to give space for the emergence of something new.
And in the final respite offered by Savasana - Corpse Pose - not only do we die unto ourselves, but we also irrevocably accept mortality. Letting go of unwanted and unneeded parts so we may live fully and in vibrant alignment with our dharma.
This Lunar New Year, a new cycle begins. There’s no more auspicious time than now to reflect on personal development. Here are a few prompts to help us align with the transformative energies of renewal and rebirth inspired by the Year of the Snake.
Shed Old Patterns
I may have, at first, felt shackled by sitting on my palms. But it allowed me to break free from the insecure self that sought to orchestrate people’s perceptions.
What old patterns and self-limiting beliefs are holding me back? Are these self-imposed? How can I identify and challenge my limiting beliefs about success? What challenges have I encountered in the past, and how did I overcome them? What outcomes am I proudest of?
Write your thoughts down into a journal, refute your inner saboteur, and outline effective new behaviours as a replacement for the old.
Identify Your Strengths
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, especially in a socially networked world. No matter how much we hear that “yoga is an individual practice,” the sheer reality of shared studio practice or common hashtags encourages one to look around. When you’re triggered to do so, arrest yourself at that moment. Acknowledge that you’re triggered and identify the trigger.
Here are a couple of effective, new behaviours you can adapt instead:
Assess your skills. Think about what you enjoy doing, what you excel at, and what others often seek your help for. Your natural talents often point toward your dharma.
Seek feedback from others. This is useful, especially for chronic overthinkers. Ask friends, family, or mentors what they believe your strengths are. Sometimes, it takes an outside perspective to reveal insights we might overlook.
Try new things. Indulge your curiosity. Pursue interests that intrigue or scare you, even if they seem unrelated to your current path. Find communities, hobbies, volunteer opportunities. Pay attention to what raises your vibration, what resonates with you.
Trust your intuition more. As yogis, one of the rewards of the practice is increased vibrational sensitivity over time. One might say, snake-like. Pay attention to your instincts and feelings. Then start to contribute consistent action, no matter how small, to align yourself with your insights about your dharma. Don’t worry if it hasn’t fully revealed itself yet; trust the process and allow it to unfold naturally.
Practice Mindfulness
Soonest I wake up, I do a gratitude meditation - for another day of life, for this very breath, for a warm bed, shelter, food and coffee waiting, a job, the love of my loved ones, the ability to move, etc. Then, I set my intentions for the day.
By doing these two things, I begin every day from a place of abundance whilst taking spaciousness, clarity, and energy for what I want done before others start filling my day up with their needs.
Intentions aligned with thoughts, thoughts aligned with words, and words aligned with actions - for me, this is the essence of alignment. It’s exactly the type of practice we can cultivate on the mat to guide how we live off the mat. May this provide us a sense of purpose and direction, serving as a protective anchor no matter the challenges life may throw our way.
Gong Xi Fa Cai! Kung Hei Fat Choy!
