Yoga

Yoga is hard. Being around people wearing clothes I couldn’t fit into in third grade, and setting my mat beside others who are wrapping their legs around their heads, is intimidating enough, but, it’s yoga itself that’s most difficult. While I know the various poses, I’m incapable of keeping my balance. Sometimes I hold on, but usually it’s a matter of time before I’m on all fours looking up at others, shaking my head in dismay. Losing balance is part of the deal, I suppose, but it’s frustrating and embarrassing never the less.

I’ve been taught to look for a spot on which to focus. I’ve also been instructed to use breathing and mindfulness to stay balanced. In varying degrees, these techniques have helped, and I suppose with practice they could become increasingly effective. I only wish I could apply them to my spiritual life as well.

I’m embarrassed when seeing people whose faith is stronger than mine. I’m intimidated when others do the kinds of things for others of which I can only dream. Like yoga, though, I need to remember comparing will only lead to giving up and walking away. Instead, I need to set up my mat and get going! Unfortunately, I always seem to lose my balance. Sometimes it happens quickly, other times slowly, but inevitably I end up on all fours, shaking my head in dismay.

One reason I lose my balance is I get distracted. The countless distractions surrounding me serve as invitations to wobble and fall. Like in Yoga, I need to focus on a fixed point, a fixed something or someone that will keep me balanced. Focusing on something permanent causes other distractions to loose their power. Looking back, I can see I lost my balance because wasn't focused on anything permanent.

Breathing and mindfulness are other tools to use. Slowing down and breathing, reminding myself of the person I want to be, the faith I want to profess, and life I want to live can balance me in significant ways, but too often I choose to race through my day, thinking of nothing but the immediate challenges before me. In other words, I lose my balance and miss significant conversations, meaningful moments, and beautiful sunsets. 

As I approach the season of Lent, perhaps it's time to work on balance. I may even go to a yoga class.

To Compare is Human, Identify Divine

“I’m a high bottom drunk,” said the woman with an air of superiority. (For those unfamiliar with 12 step recovery expressions, "high bottom" refers not to a plastic surgical procedure, but to the fact that she came into the rooms before going to the absolute bottom of life.) While I was happy she was spared additional pain and suffering, her comment pointed to our propensity to find something to make us feel better about ourselves.

Like the poor man and Lazarus, we so often confess our sins while looking over at others and saying:, “I may be bad, but I’m not as bad as him or her!”  In other words, no matter what our situation, we can always find someone whose situation can make us feel better about ourselves. Like fast food, however, comparing may taste good at the time, but eventually we’ll see it for the poor nutrition it is.

I once held up an orange in theology class. The students were to respond with all of the wonderful things about oranges. Then, I held an apple beside the orange and students instantly compared and shared why one was better than another, instead of celebrating the wonder of fruit.

Recently, I read an account of a panel presentation where the two speakers, Fred Buechner and Maya Angelou, were introduced with an emphasis on the different stories that brought them to where they were that day. Angelou began her remarks by pointing out that the two may have grown up differently, but they shared the same story. Those in the audience remember little else of what was said that day. They’d heard the most important thing.

We can say all of this is true of others, and not us, but watch how many times we compare or identify in a typical day. The tilted scale may surprise and disappoint us, but it also may inspire us to shift the weight and find what we have in common with others. My hunch is such a shift will lighten our souls and transform our world. 

Lenten Opportunity: Writing our way to Easter

This Lent, there will be a group who are going to use the season to reflect on their lives through 15 minutes of daily writing, based on provocative writing prompts. Each day, an email will be sent asking the recipient to reflect on a specific aspect of his/her life. (Example: Who made the greatest impression on your spiritual life as a child and how?) Through these brief reflections, we will look inside our lives in a unique way and uncover much that lies within.

Recipients are asked to respond to the prompts through 15 minutes of writing/reflection. (The writing is not shared. It’s just a way to increase the level of one’s reflection. Handwriting is preferred; typing better than nothing.)

If you would like to be a part of this creative Lenten exercise*, please send an email to me at chipbristol@gmail.com , and I will put you on the list. (Lent begins on Feb 10)

*This counts as taking something on for Lent (vs. giving something up). It will do more for you than giving up chocolate!