Straying

We all stray from the paths we wish to be on. We set up nice, organized lives for ourselves, planning out how we will take care of body, mind and spirit.

And then we stray from those paths. Then we catch our straying and start over. And over again and again.

It's a good thing God knows this about us and loves us anyway.

I've noticed that the straying can be big or small with yoga and the 8 limb path. With the niyamas it can be moment by moment. We have a flash of discontentment, a point of anger, an impulsive act that betrays our inner, unleashed minds. Or it can be bigger and more obvious straying, like not practicing the asanas regularly, or even at all.

I think the part of the path that is most tempting to move away from is dhyana. Too tired, just don't want to, forgot to... sit in meditation.

My mom talks about the "light coming on" when she refers to health and nutrition and diet. She says when we have allowed ourselves to just eat junk and stop moving and become sedentary, there is not going to be a successful change until a light comes on. We can make ourselves move and eat right, but we will keep straying, keep eating junk, until we have an inner conviction to change. When we are convicted, we will change. And we will stay on the path for a long time.