There is no month in the year that brings more inspiration that September. I can't remember how it was when I lived in Buenos Aires for back then September was sort of March and it was all in Spanish. Wish I kept those journals.
I look back at my English pages and, like clock-work, it is with the first cold shivers of September that I start searching for the Beloved in the form of a book by Pinkola Estees, or Jung, or a writer's workshop a silent and focused practice, a longer pranayama session that falls nicely into an attempt at meditation.
September also calls me with a deep voice into looking back and looking forward, setting up goals, planning where I want to spend energies in the months to come. Last year it seems I wrote all about specific things I wanted, numbers, trips, traffic, amount of posts. Quantities mostly.
THE SIMPLE PROMISE
This year I want to turn the under-thinking of last year around. Maybe I want to have a theme rather than a goal, and that would be to always pay attention to the connection with the Self, the Beloved, the Creative Force, the Individuation Process. Re-kindle it and keep the coals and dry wood coming, nurture her with what inspires, tend to it, and let the results fall where they might, for they will, if I let it and get out of the way.
The promise is to do the work. That's it. Just do the work. Get on the mat, write those pages, count those breaths, read that book, notice where I am acting not in form with the yamas and niyamas, listen to the audio that inspires. Every-day. Yogi, do your yoga, to the best of your understanding.
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| Aiming high but building roots, doing the work one day at the time |
We know what we are aiming for, and we do the work. We come closer to the Self by stepping on the work every day, feeling it or not, trusting the process, and surrendering the results.
What work do you see yourself doing in the months to come? Where is your creative energy directing you this month? What are your aims for the year and what is the work you promise yourself you will do?
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I love this post. I also feel the change in the fall. Best time of the year. Reading this brought that feeling to life. Especially since it's getting cold in Chicago already. Crazy weather over here. Hope you have a creative autumn Claudia!
ReplyDeletethanks Efrain, stay warm there in Chicago, the windy city! And I hope you have a creative Fall too!
ReplyDeleteAutumn feels like a spring within. Everything around is decaying slowly, you're bound to be less active and start building nests at home. Yet, it gives that peaceful feeling inside.
ReplyDeleteYou expressed it simply yet beautifully!
For me, it is going to be about sticking to ashtanga practice as I'm a passionate beginner. (So many thanks for your book btw! It helped me get pieces together) And reflecting on the inside: how to be a better, happier person everyday, little by little.
Is this promise really so simple? ;) Wish you good health and lot of energy for this practice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Timea. First thing I felt when I read your question is that you already know the answer to that. I feel that this is intuitive knowledge, we know deep inside that we must tender to what makes us laugh, enjoy, kick, what it is that we do when we are flowing and living, when the light becomes shinnier because it just feels so good to be doing this, whatever it is that moves the spirit.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, the promise is really that simple, we put one step in front of the other, we do the work, we follow our bliss but not from a fantasy level, rather from a place of grabbing that pen, unrolling the mat... yes it is that simple
Marion wrote this comment which for some reason is not showing:
ReplyDeleteAutumn feels like a spring within. Everything around is decaying slowly, you're bound to be less active and start building nests at home. Yet, it gives that peaceful feeling inside. You expressed it simply yet beautifully! For me, it is going to be about sticking to ashtanga practice as I'm a passionate beginner. (So many thanks for your book btw! It helped me get pieces together) And reflecting on the inside: how to be a better, happier person everyday, little by little.
Love the idea of having a "theme" rather than a "goal".
ReplyDeleteClaudia, this post is so so timely for me. I can't thank you enough. Love the concept of the theme. I'm going to do this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Kamal :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it takes some of the edge off from the militaristic term of "goal" and makes it more permanent too, more like something to carry with us rather than an "end"
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