What’s reincarnation got to do with it: How one-life or many-lives influences how you live THIS life.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
― C.G. Jung
Many moons ago, I used to write emails like this every week. To share insight, resources, and perspective. It’s pure joy to return to the ritual of writing and I want to thank you all for your readership.
This year is particularly potent for writing because my teaching is focused on mythology. Myths are teaching tools. They help you navigate the human experience. And yoga has a long vast lineage, ripe with fascinating tales and flavorful stories.
When you approach yoga myths, metaphors, and teachings, it’s crucial to remember that the yoga tradition comes from a social, cultural and historical context very different from your own. Only when you unpack some of the context, can you truly grasp meaning. Understanding the fertile soil from which yoga grew is one of the ways you honor its roots. Then there is less risk of misappropriation and you can skillfully apply ancient teachings to your current, modern situation.
Bringing ancient teachings to modern living does require translating. And not just Sanskrit! You have to build a bridge for the western mind to access the eastern perspective.
There are so many differences with east vs. west that sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. One foundational belief is one-life or many-lives. The impact of reincarnation on your mindset is immense. Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik plays with this fundamental difference in his Ted Talk
What you believe about the meaning of your life (and what happens when it ends) influences how you live. Now, I’m definitely not an authority on what happens, but dismantling some of my social/cultural programming has been tremendously HEALING. For example, the eastern lens has brought kindness and receptivity, especially to my body. I’m more patient with being in process rather than the chronic frustration of needing achievement or accomplishment to feel good or worthy or enough. In fact, I enjoy process because along the way I get to discover more of who I am instead of focusing only on what I do or have.
What has the yoga perspective given you?
And here’s the thing, unpacking context doesn’t have to be a big scary heavy daunting task. It can be interesting and exploratory. Kinda like trying different cuisines to expand your flavor palate. Why not expand your social, cultural, mental and spiritual palate too?
Part of deepening your practice is wading through the history, mythology, and cultural context of yoga. The journey will expand your horizons and your palate of perspective. It will infuse your practice with more meaning and authenticity.
In the Shiva Nataraja story-telling event, we’ll do some unpacking in a way that’s fun and engaging. It’s Monday 4/4, 4:15-5:45pm. Register here.
