If I told you the world was flat, despite all evidence, you would think I was a bit loopy. And if I demanded it was flat, becoming agitated with any facts that you presented to prove to me I was wrong, you might think I was certifiable. Yet, we do this all the time. We deny what is — often causing ourselves anxiety — despite the facts.
When you sit in traffic, do you become agitated and angry even though there’s nothing you can do to change the situation? Do you wish that your spouse or loved one would change a particular behavior rather than just accept that they are who they are? Refusing to accept what is — at this present moment — is akin to insanity. It’s an argument you can’t win, so why fight it?
Our dismissal and resistance to “the now” as Eckhart Tolle calls it, is the reason we are so unhappy, and joyful acceptance is a mere intention shift away. Shifting your attention to acceptance of what IS, can start anytime and anywhere by simply noticing when you aren’t accepting what IS.
On the yoga mat, resistance to what IS shows up physically in a furrowed brow, a clenched jaw, shallow breath, frustration, hesitation, and distracted thoughts. When you step onto the yoga mat tomorrow morning (she said subliminally), set an intention to accept what is happening in each moment, and do it. If you find your edge in a particular pose, don’t disappear into your heat, stay with the physicality of the pose, and with your breath. Do so without judgment.
Off of the mat, resistance to what IS shows up as worry, guilt, anxiety, anger, irritation, frustration, depression, addiction, attention disorders, and so on. Off of the mat, see if you can begin to recognize when you become lost in a stream of thought, a fictitious argument, or lamenting over a “what was” situation. That recognition will bring you back to the IS-ness of the moment. And, do so without judgement.
“I have just three things to teach:
simplicity, patience, compassion.
These are your greatest treasures.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.”
– Lao-Tzu
When you begin to accept what IS more and more, you’ll find that living is more appealing than escaping.
Namaste.
– Your Charmed Yogi
Photo credit: Funny animal pictures
A Charmed Yogi 
Lovely post! Acceptance of how things are – rather than how one would like them to be has def helped me to be happier – although I’m not always in the present…
Thanks, Claudia. I think we all struggle with being present, especially during times of struggle. I just try to release and relax no matter what. I’ve come to make a game out of it — to see if I can “beat” my own mind and just let go.
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