Dedication to Darkness

Thank you so much for all your kind well wishes over the past week – I am honoured to be part of the kula we’re building.  I’m really sorry to have missed our final classes of the year last week, but I’m on the mend now!

I am blessed to say that I have not had to deal with serious injury or illness too often in my life.  Some of this I am thankful to the teachings of yoga for; some luck also thrown into the mix I’m sure!  A week off my feet has been an eye opener.  A reminder of the fragility of this body, and the preciousness.

I’ve become so used to being able and self-reliant.  I’ve become so reliant on being able!  In my head is my own voice as I tell you – focus on the breath – this is enough – and yet, tears, frustrations, anger – I don’t want this!  I teach yoga – I can’t (shouldn’t!) be incapacitated!

And yet, things happen. We are human.

The Universe has a funny way of reminding us of the lessons we need to learn; times of darkness are often our greatest teachers.

And here we are at the Zenith of darkness: The Winter Solstice.

We tend often to only celebrate the light.

The other, darker stuff gets hidden away.

But what of this Darkness?  What of that which is hidden?

It is the darkness that makes us human.  Our flaws, our hidden fears, our deepest desires.

Darkness provides us the opportunity for growth and for strength which emerges from fathomless depths.  Only in darkness do we discover these potential truths. Only in darkness do we realise that we must strip away the built-up clutter we collected along the way (emotional…physical…spiritual…mental…); in darkness we get back to basics. 

We cannot be, can never be, full LIGHTNESS.

The Darkness makes us whole.  The Darkness offers us the chance to shine.

As a wise friend reminded me this week: Mine the gold!

And so back to basics I have been, trying the best I can to meet myself in darkness and mine the gold!  Nothing fancy; remembering the joy and relief of small, simple movement. Renewed compassion. Remembering to be thankful. Remembering to be gentle. Remembering that this too will pass.

This Winter Solstice and Christmas time I wish for you a time to rest and reflect.  What from this year are you ready to leave behind?  What are you inviting in for 2016?  There is no rush. No New Year deadline. Wait for the lighter days and months for action…for now, rest, nurture new ideas and nourish.  There is nothing more to be done.

Wishing you very happy, peaceful and restful Christmas times, my friends.

May we be happy,
May we be healthy,
May we be peaceful and free.