Have you ever stood at the waters edge? The ground literally gets rearranged and pulled out from under your feet, water is pushing out and at the same time being pulled back in. Where do you find your anchor in the continuous shifts beneath your feet? I tried so many times to enter Ardha Chandrasana and I miserably failed while eating a bunch of salt water. I was sure I could find some stability in my foot, or use my hips, or use some magic yogic skills to find the pose even for a moment. It did not happen! I finally let it go and opted for Downward Dog, my home away from home. I stuck all of my four limbs into the moving sand and tried to plant myself there. I got low and reached all of me into the ground. It led to this moment:
Spiritual practice (and life) is a total and ongoing preparation for where you can find ground, even in chaos. How does one navigate through the unknown and through the ever-changing landscapes of our inner and outer lives? For me, I have a mantra and a place, teachers and friends, asana and bhakti. When everything else is not there, I still have my mantra. This mantra beats in my heart always, no matter what, and it is true shelter from the ever-changing nature of “things”!
Where do you find your ground?
Bryn Chrisman