Change is often received poorly by us humans. I've recently stepped onto a path that has already begun to change me. Each time I notice a difference, I'm tempted to pass judgement on it, label it and distance myself from it. I've done a lot of work to stay present in my breath so that I can notice these things coming up, but I wasn't able to see my distancing habits until I re-discovered an old story. Now my mantra is "maybe yes, maybe no", which helps me to not attach a label to anything arising, and helps me accept the changes with more grace. Here is that story:
The farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”There was once a farmer whose only horse ran away. On that evening the neighbors gathered to sympathize with him, for surely this was such bad luck. Now your farm will suffer and you will not be able to plow, the neighbors warned the farmer. Such a terrible thing to have happened to you, they said.The farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”The next day the horse returned and brought him six wild horses, and the neighbours came to congratulate him and celebrate his good fortune. Now you are richer than before, they said. Surely now this has turned out to be such a very good thing, for you, after all.The farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”The following day, the son saddled and rode one of the wild horses. He was thrown off the horse and broke his leg. Now the son could not work on the farm. Again the neighbours came to offer their sympathy for such an inconvenient truth. They noted that there was more work than the farmer could handle and surely now he would become poor. Such bad luck, indeed.And the old farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”The day after that, conscription officers came to the village to take all the young men for the army, but because of his broken leg, the farmer’s son was disallowed. When the neigbours arrived again, they said how very fortunate the farmer was, as things had worked out after all. Knowing well that most young men never return from the war alive, this was the best fortune yet.
I hope this story helps you with any of your changes. Because if there is one guarantee in life, it's that it will change. Happy holidays and Namaste.
Schedule updates and special events; please see Special Events page for more details...
- THIS WEEKEND: Saturday, December 4th 1:00-3:30om, Lorien will teach her Sweet Surrender Restorative Workshop at Willow Glen Yoga Studio. This is a perfect opportunity to gain tools to reduce stress effects and regain serenity during this hectic season!
- Special classes: For the month of December, Lorien will be teaching a Foundations of Flow class on Tuesdays at 10:30am at Breathe Los Gatos. This class explores the concepts of flow - breath, balance, energy, strength, ease - in an ongoing 75-minute class format. Join us!
- Beginning next Monday (Dec 5th), you can register for the Gentle Yoga Kaiser classes that begin in January. These classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday (register for each separately), 9:30am-10:30am at one of the Kaiser buildings off Homestead. Both Kaiser members and non-members can join these classes. Call (408) 851-3800 to register after Dec 5. Classes run 10 weeks and are $80 for members, $120 for non-members.
- SAVE THE DATE: April 27-29, 2012 Weekend Retreat with Lorien and Marti Foster at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga... more info coming soon!
