Sometimes, the answer is staring right at us but we just don’t see it. In the Lord of the Rings, Gandalf the wizard is trying to open a gate where the words “Speak, Friend, and Enter” are inscribed above.   He tries many incantations but for all his wizardry powers he just cannot open the gate.   One of his company asks him to explain what the inscription means.  He starts to, and while explaining, he comes across the answer to the puzzle.  It was there in the inscription all along.  The password to opening the gate was the word “friend”.  All he had to do was speak the word “friend” to open the gate.

 

 

In my continuing rock climbing example, there also may be another path to reach the top besides just trying to climb straight up.  Perhaps going a little bit to the left or right will help me make progress towards the top.  Perhaps by taking a different tact I can, in time, eventually reach my goal.  Then, being flexible, and going right or left, again and again, I continue to make progress overcoming any obstacles before me.

 

In your yoga class, try building up from the foundations of the pose, taking in the directions a little at a time, and allowing your body to take the shape of the pose gently. Remember, you don’t have to have perfect form. You may just find you are more fully expressing the pose if you are willing to let your body open in it’s own time.  For example, in forward folding, don’t push your body by forcing your knees straight and fighting to get your hands to the ground.  Try keeping your knees bent a little, perhaps using blocks under your hands, and letting the rest of your body relax into the pose.  Approach your pose a little at a time, allowing the body to adjust and grow into your own expression.

For building your mediation practice, try a little bit of meditation at a time.  Don’t attach to a long sitting practice or start thinking that there is only one way to meditate and you have to break on through or else.  By trying to approach your goals a little at a time, allowing for detours along the way, and slowly building up to your final goal, you can work wonders, and, over time, reach your desires.

 

 

 

 

As we discussed last time, walking Ganesh like to cross a street may not be your best option.  Waiting for the walk light allows you to effortlessly cross the street.  Developing a meditation practice also takes time – you can’t just one day say to yourself “I’m a meditator.   I’m going to sit on the floor, close my eyes and become calm, relaxed, and enlightened and sit for three hours straight!”  Also, being an elephant (or a bull in a china shop) may not always be the best method for removing obstacles.  Is there another way?

 

When I was a kid, I wanted to climb a large bolder (we sometimes call these glacial erratics in these here parts!)

 

As a small child, climbing a large boulder was just out of my ability.   I didn’t have the strength or balance to climb very far without falling.   As I got older, I grew bigger and climbing a large boulder was doable.  The obstacle could be conquered.  I was now ready for the task.

 

Waiting or patience is a great way for conquering obstacles.  Ask yourself, why do I have to overcome this obstacle today?  What happens if I wait?    What can I do to become better prepared?  Patience can help you overcome obstacles in both your yoga and meditation practices.  Keep trying to take on just a little bit at a time.  For example, if you are trying to do a pose that is very difficult for you, say firefly, accept that maybe today that pose is not accessible.  That doesn’t mean you should stop practicing –  there are plenty of other poses for you to try.   Perhaps you can do poses that build up to the pose you want to do.  Keep trying, a little bit after a little bit.  Be prepared to come back to the pose another day. Practice.  Lay the groundwork.  Accept that some things take time to learn and work on doing the preparation needed to open up and prepare your body for the pose. Over time, with patience, you might be able to achieve your goal.

 

The same thing applies to your meditation practice.  Sitting on the cushion for hours at a time when you are beginning is just too hard – both physically and mentally.  Try a shorter practice.  If today seems like it “just isn’t working”, accept it. Try again tomorrow.   Have the patience to set small goals and, over time, you may reach the larger ones.

 

 

Lolly here is practicing patience with the humans she lives with.  When she wants a cookie, she raises her paw.  It may not work right away but she patiently shows the paw knowing that, over time, rewards do come.

 

 

But even for Lolly, patience sometimes isn’t enough.  Waiting and time may not be the best path for removing an obstacle or getting your cookie.

 

If I patiently wait to cross a busy freeway in Los Angeles during rush hour a good time may never come.  Or, if I want to climb Mount Everest next year, becoming an elephant head and trying to push to the summit when not fully prepared also will not work.   Is there another way of overcoming obstacles?  What can I do?  To be continued —