On the Bhakti Path
Bhakti yoga festivals are an annual tradition that I hold dearly. I move mountains to get one into my schedule. Sat Nam Fest, Ecstatic Chant or Bhakti Fest, the festivals bring together world-class musicians and yogis who are devoted to mantra music and meditation. Many different seekers gather to soak in the practices, grow and expand. I love the break from daily life, the immersion in yoga and the connection with like-minded people.
These people face similar challenges of integrating meditation, chanting and yoga practice into daily life. Most people who commit to meditation will attest to the fact that it makes life go better. When my practice is strong and regular, I maintain aerial perspective. I don’t take things personally; I am more patient and compassionate. Sounds pretty compelling. So why would I slow down or skimp out on my practice?
Well, work and life have a habit of getting in the way. Take this small example. I would love my older kids to be on their way to bed by 9.00 pm, even 9.30 pm. A friend asked, “Why don’t you just leave them then and go to your practice?” Sometimes I do. Other times I see that before bed is the best time of the day to actually hear what’s happening in their lives. Should I be so attached to my meditation practice that I contract in my mothering?
These are the questions I ponder. Should I get up early when I haven’t slept well to do my yoga practice or catch that extra bit of sleep? Experience shows that regular spiritual practice makes life go smoother. That’s not always easy to remember when the alarm goes off and the body begs for more sleep.
The next debate is between commitment and rigidity. The teachers say that the commitment to practice will hold us through all of life’s oscillations. True and I have also found that the bigger my commitment the greater the negative self talk when I don’t measure up. When the bar is too high, a chronic life tendency in me, then I become the not-good-enough-yogi, which I then have to unwind.
This year I went to Sat Nam Fest West with all of these questions in mind. My practice was chugging along but it had some dips that I couldn’t quite fill. Being in a community of like-minded yogis, elevated my resolve. It strengthened my connection to the benefits of the practice and just gave me the boost I need to carry on with greater resolve and ease.
Community is great for building strength and resilience. It feels like an energetic bridge I can stand on. I am reminded that I am not alone in my challenges. Even when we part ways, I am comforted feeling the parallel journeys we are travelling.