I have been grappling with the question “What is my highest aim? and “how does it relate to
yoga?” for about a week now. I thought maybe something more profound would emerge if I waited to
answer the question, but my immediate response has not changed. My highest aim has always been to
be as self-aware as possible and serve others with intention.
While being self-aware sounds intrinsically simple, it is a continual challenge for me in conjunction with serving others. Being self-aware takes dedication, a willingness to face my fears and own my dreams. Serving others continually demands patience, empathy and the ability to put aside my thoughts and put my attention first and foremost on others' needs. Each of these practices are intertwined and keep the other in balance. To reiterate: I cannot possibly serve others if I am not aware of what my own wants and needs are and if my concern for others is rooted in wondering how their wellbeing serves me, that is not genuine caring. To be genuine in my interactions with others I must be able to differentiate between the chitta vritti in my mind and what others are saying to me – to fully witness and observe what they need from me means being fully present with them and not allowing my mind's chatter to get in the way.
The reason I care so much about being self-aware and serving others with intention is because that is why I believe I am here. I exist to learn more, to expand my understanding and be challenged by the philosophies and actions of others who are also developing on their own path. I see my development in particular as being related to yoga. Like Ashtanga Yoga itself, there is a practice and philosophy with which I live. I see myself as engaging with ethical and moral principles on a daily basis (philosophy aspect) which help me make decisions that launch me into interactions with others (active practice). It is my understanding that my interactions and experiences with others are in themselves gifts. To explain what I mean by living as a gift and how it relates to yoga, I will share a passage with which I felt a resonance from The World Peace Diet in which Tuttle says:
While being self-aware sounds intrinsically simple, it is a continual challenge for me in conjunction with serving others. Being self-aware takes dedication, a willingness to face my fears and own my dreams. Serving others continually demands patience, empathy and the ability to put aside my thoughts and put my attention first and foremost on others' needs. Each of these practices are intertwined and keep the other in balance. To reiterate: I cannot possibly serve others if I am not aware of what my own wants and needs are and if my concern for others is rooted in wondering how their wellbeing serves me, that is not genuine caring. To be genuine in my interactions with others I must be able to differentiate between the chitta vritti in my mind and what others are saying to me – to fully witness and observe what they need from me means being fully present with them and not allowing my mind's chatter to get in the way.
The reason I care so much about being self-aware and serving others with intention is because that is why I believe I am here. I exist to learn more, to expand my understanding and be challenged by the philosophies and actions of others who are also developing on their own path. I see my development in particular as being related to yoga. Like Ashtanga Yoga itself, there is a practice and philosophy with which I live. I see myself as engaging with ethical and moral principles on a daily basis (philosophy aspect) which help me make decisions that launch me into interactions with others (active practice). It is my understanding that my interactions and experiences with others are in themselves gifts. To explain what I mean by living as a gift and how it relates to yoga, I will share a passage with which I felt a resonance from The World Peace Diet in which Tuttle says:
As we evolve spiritually and awaken our potential, we can be food for others every day, sharing our love and understanding, our time and energy, nourishing others and ourselves in the process. It is not just our personal love, energy, or time that we share, for like the apple, when we give of ourselves we are giving of the gifts we've received from our families, teachers, and friends, from the earth and her creatures, from the sun, moon, and stars, and from all our experiences. Ultimately, we are life itself giving to itself–feeding itself, exploring, satisfying, and rejuvenating itself. If we live well, we may feed many with the most nourishing food: the fruits of compassion and wisdom. In the end, more than needing food for the journey, and that our deepest need and joy is not merely to consume but to be nourishing food for others, and we are called to discover our own unique way of contributing (Tuttle 5-6).
Therefore, by being our individual self, living as authentically and wholeheartedly as possible, we can
help others achieve a higher understanding and cultivate a richer more full life for all beings around us.
Our lives are holy; our experiences should awe us with beauty and profound love. We should treat
others with the respect and give reverence to our teachers.
On that note, every time I am in a yoga class and the session ends with the teacher thanking the students for sharing their practice, I get chills. The term Namaste means “the Divine in me bows to the Divine in you.” I appreciate this action each and every time it is performed because I recognize and experience our oneness, beyond time and ego. I believe that we are drawn together to share this life and act as teachers to one another. My desire to investigate the practice of yoga has become in essence the means with which I can support my highest aim: to become a better student and teacher by knowing myself more fully and serving others with intention.
On that note, every time I am in a yoga class and the session ends with the teacher thanking the students for sharing their practice, I get chills. The term Namaste means “the Divine in me bows to the Divine in you.” I appreciate this action each and every time it is performed because I recognize and experience our oneness, beyond time and ego. I believe that we are drawn together to share this life and act as teachers to one another. My desire to investigate the practice of yoga has become in essence the means with which I can support my highest aim: to become a better student and teacher by knowing myself more fully and serving others with intention.
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