“TO BE OR NOT TO BE”

 Shakespeare’s often-quoted question above could be expanded upon, “to see or not to see”, “to hear or not to hear” and “to touch or not to touch”.

Do we really wish to be true to our selves, to find our real nature, to understand who we really are, what we are or is it too much trouble? Are we happy in our ignorance?

Do we really wish to see clearly another’s point of view or would that disadvantage us? Are we happy to spend our lives ‘looking through dirty glasses’ just because the truth may hurt?

Can we be open and compassionate enough to sit and listen, really listen to someone; someone who has a need to talk, or someone who wishes you to understand where they are coming from?

Can we touch with sensitivity? Can we hug from the heart and not because it’s the ‘done thing’? Can we touch with the sensitivity needed in a Yoga class?

There is a way to do anything and everything and the above questions need answering. In saying this, it is known that those who do not wish to see will not see, those who do not wish to listen will not listen and those who are insensitive to the needs of others may choose to stay that way. Why, because the ‘I’, the ‘ego’ is in the way and it can be too much of an effort to change the way we live our lives.

If we are true to our real nature which is pure spirit, we will have gone beyond the ‘I’ the ‘me’ and the ‘mine’. These things belong to the ego and it’s these things that cause us so much unhappiness. When we know something of our true nature then we become selfless rather than selfish. Generally our minds are full of our own needs and own thoughts that the spirit is hidden somewhere beyond this conglomeration of thoughts. Now and again we may get a glimpse, become aware of being here now and watching all these thoughts and all these so-called feelings and needs. When we do, it is then we can start to understand them, sort them out and curb this wayward mind and the senses that feed it.

“To be or not to be” is really a vital question for all of us and not just those practising Yoga, because if it is not addressed even in the simplest of ways (and we all have to start somewhere) then we are not practising our faith or Yoga.

Satchidananda Ma with her many helpers