Nature as Guru

Banks of the Mississippi river

     It was a long and magical winter, living in close proximity to the Mississippi river. I've always loved the Mighty Miss, but had never felt her true power until living just a few blocks away. Sleeping close to the river, waking up close to the river, I got her message and it was clear. Go with the flow. "Yes, I do that already," I answered. "No, I mean really go with the flow," the river seemed to be insisting. "Trust yourself, trust the world, trust the flow."

I thought about the river valley and the strong tree roots connected to the river banks. "Stay rooted and go with the flow." It was an overnight realization, that I could live like the freedom of a river.

In a few days I will be heading out for some extended adventures in yoga (life).  Perhaps making all sorts of plans was necessary in order to explain this urge to depart from routine. My logical brain and the rational world wanted to know exactly what I was planning to do. Plans were an important part of the process and helped me to make sure I got on my way. Now that I am on my way, I have thrown my plans out the window and am back to trusting the river energy. Bold, fluid, trusting. The teachings of the rivers & trees have been inspiring yoga teachers for thousands of years.

Luggage

Too much stuff?

    As I prepare to live simply without an external home base for awhile, it seems obvious that having a bunch of stuff to tote around would be burdensome. Still, my first attempts at packing for this journey included 20 pounds of yoga books, way too many shoes, and hair products that I haven't used in many years. Am I hanging onto some image of myself from the 8th grade and trying to bring it with me? Who knows. Feelings of attachment were coming out of the woodwork and into my luggage. Dragging the past around is incredibly heavy. I would much prefer to take this open-ended adventure with 2 carry-on pieces of luggage, so I'm hoping most of these things will not make the final cut. Packing is a very insightful part of a journey. 

Minimalism is very appealing.  It has me wondering, what keeps me from such a lifestyle? A hoarding mentality? Looking at Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga, aparigraha reminds us to take only what is necessary. To collect or hoard things implies a lack of trust in the Universe to provide for the future. Aparigraha also speaks of letting go of attachments in order to understand that impermanence and change are the only constants in life. This ancient philosophy may inspire me to get a little lighter. If not, I will practice accepting my choice to have more "comforts" then I can comfortably carry.