|
Monday, October 06, 2008
|
Yoga Teacher Training Lessons: Dispassion |
|
|
|
|
Dispassion. It's a word we'd been hearing for days now, and, at the slightest mention, made some of us cringe. For many, the word presented one of the few gripes about Yogic philosophy, implying a nonchalant attitude that leads to a passionless life and loveless friendships. How could the Yoga way, so intriguing for its sense of compassion, now neglect love and passion on its way to "higher realms"? Dispassion is defined as "the state or quality of being unemotional or emotionally uninvolved." No -- something about it didn't stick. I had, myself, some vague notion of understanding; having gone through a radical teenage phase in which I was prepared to eat only fruit that fell from trees, and disown my lovely family for buying Crest instead of the cruelty-free, eco-alternative. In this instance, dispassion could have been useful, creating space to care less for extreme values and accept one's own and other's shortcomings. At the time, this was my notion of dispassion: a letting go of extremes to maintain balance. It wasn't until this recent Yoga Teacher Training program, I came to see how dispassion could be so much more.
Each morning, halfway through Pranayama, we had a short bathroom/tea break before learning a few new breaths. On one such occasion I took the opportunity to use the restroom. Stuck between dreams and consciousness, my mind slowed from morning practice, I sat sleepily in the quiet of the stall, watching my thoughts drift by. There! I saw myself… I was salsa dancing… I was camping, climbing mountains, writing a long overdue letter to an old friend... "This was not the first time I've dreamt this," I thought. In fact, all of these images were repeating themes in my internal movie: things I always dreamt of, but was too afraid to do. "They are nothing more than phantoms," I said to myself, and like shadows they came – POOF! then disappeared. There, in the clarity of the bathroom stall, I experienced the first tinges of dispassion's grace. I was completely in the moment, and when the images returned, something about them had changed. For the first time, I saw them objectively, rather than with some previous sense of subconscious fear and longing. A good portion of my mental reality had been occupied by these "day dreams", and if I continued to allow myself to be inhibited by fear, they would never be anymore than that. Being able to see them with dispassion, I felt closer to realizing them than ever before. In consciousness the irrelevance of my fear dawned and hesitation faded. Dispassion, I saw, wasn't meant to hinder one from living a passionate life, but to enable it! Through dispassion, one could come to see beyond doubt to love, beyond indignation to gratitude. The gift of dispassion allows one to stop in moments of frustration, anger, or attachment, and let go; to find one's self, one's true nature, by detaching from one's own previously set, mental emotional patterns. One of the most profound things I've come to realize, after understanding dispassion is that I no longer withdrew at its mention in class, but saw it as an opportunity to embrace true love and passion all the more. Thanks to YTT, I see how, through personal detachment, Yogis were (once again) withdrawing from life, only to embrace it more fully: shifting perspective to find truth in behind the veil. 3 Comments
 For myself, I define that kind of balance between attachment and detachment as non-attachment. But beyond the semantics, I completely agree. I came across this issue few time in my life, and I cam to the same conclusion you cam to. In a way, being in the "world" (project/ class etc) but not completely of the "world" gives a completely new respective. In the beginning it feel as if you are betraying your own self, and with time, you discover that you actually learn to embrace a wider aspect of both the issue itself and yourself. Namaste 1
November 05, 2008
I so enjoyed the article, would so love to come to this dispassion, thanks again,
2
November 06, 2008
I leave in the morning to return to my life after coming "home" for the holidays to be with family. This is the first time in 27 years that I've had the notion to disconnect (not simply physically) from them. I live states away, but subconsciously my actions and lack there of not only take into account my emotions, but also their emotions and expectations of me. My mother worries as most mothers do. Even when she's not around, I blame her and get angry at her for what I fail to do. Over these past 3 weeks, I've been mourning. I've felt so alone. I needed to read and write. Thank you for explaining dispassion. There is peace in reading that the love I have for my family is even greater after letting go and living more fully.
3
January 06, 2009
Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
Our Sponsor
Japa Mala Beads: unique semi-precious gemstone and sacred wood malas
|
| Premium Content |
|---|
| Our premium members have access to deluxe features, detailed yogic information and downloadable MP3s. Check out our Premium Membership Benefits page to find out all of the rewards of joining. |
| Yogic Wisdom |
|---|
|
If you want to know your past life, look into your present condition;
If you want to know your future life, look at your present actions. Padmasambhava |
Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
