Freedom
My father-in-law, Merlin, spoke today at their Unitarian Universalist fellowship about Freedom. He made many points that have been sitting heavy in my heart today.
Freedom means you are free from what was oppressing you. Free of Fear. Free of Consequences. Free of the Past. Free of Sexual or Racial Opposition. Free of Expectation.
Most often, it takes courage to gain freedom. You must go into those spots that are not so shimmery. You must face what you are battling. It is so easy to oppress and keep things locked away.
Yoga really helps to confront those sticky, dark places. The peace and breath give me the courage to go into the parts of myself that I am not giving freedom to. My Fear of Change. Fear of Being Alone. Fear of Losing Control. Normally, when my world is spinning too fast I find myself further away from my Mat. Once I get there though it all changes.
Thich Naht Hanh once said something of the sort: If you are hammering a nail into wood and you accidentally hit your left hand…then immediately your right hand will come to take care of your left.
There is no thought that goes into it. It is an immediate reaction. There is support and compassion all around. And it starts with myself. If I can be compassionate and courageous within myself then I can be more so with others.
As we sung today….”I’m not going to let my Fear of Failure turn me around. Turn me around. Turn me around. I’m going to keep on a’walkin. Keep on a’talkin. And march to the freedom land.”
Keep a loose grip. Don’t let go and don’t cling.
