The Persian poet Rumi said: “...it makes absolutely no difference, what other people think of you...“
How true. But it makes a huge difference what we think about ourselves!
It happened today in my yoga session in the outdoor pavilion at the beautiful resort Castel Monastero in Tuscany/Italy. I was doing my yoga postures only with half of my usual attention – my mind was busy worrying about this and that and murmuring over some negative ideas about myself and my life. My yoga teacher, a lovely but strong willed lady from Malaysia, told me to concentrate on my breathing and focus on the sweet early morning sound coming from the birds and the wind. Soon my mind calmed down. All of a sudden my mind stopped: there was only stillness and peace inside of me. No thoughts at all. I felt every cell in my body vibrating. It was divine.
Towards the end of the session, I started wondering, why am I doing this – beating myself up again and again. Why do I even entertain my mind with negative thoughts about myself, why putting so much pressure on me? At this moment, I felt a shift inside – it was like some part of me was standing sweetly and warmly beside my own inner being. There was me and my new friend, myself. It was a soothing and healing moment. I knew in an instant, that everything was perfect. I was perfect and the world around me was perfect too. I did not need to become better. All I needed was there – me and myself. I was my own protection, my own audience and I was pleased with myself.
From this place of complete contentment, I could enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Tuscan landscape. Everything was shining, beautiful and crystal clear. I finished my yoga-session with a new energy and zest for life.
It is said, that true contentment is not about getting what you want, it rather comes from being in contact with your inner Self knowing that everything is good and that at the core of your own being you are perfect. When you are happy and content with the one who you truly are, you are able to see the world from a different place. I truly cherish those moments of deep inner satisfaction and I know that I have to keep working on getting there again and again.
But it is worthwhile – try it out…
