“Imagine that each of us is a spoke in an Infinite Wheel, and, though each spoke is essential in keeping the Wheel whole, no two spokes are the same. The rim of that Wheel is our living sense of community, family, and relationship, but the common hub where all the spokes join is the one center where all souls meet. So, as I move out into the world, I live out my uniqueness, but when I dare to look into my core, I come upon the one common center where all lives begin. In that center, we are one and the same. In this way, we live out the paradox of being both unique and the same. For mysteriously and powerfully, when I look deep enough into you, I find me, and when you dare to hear my fear in the recess of your heart, you recognize it as your secret that you thought no one else knew.” ~ Mark Nepo
This beautiful reading was shared at our NEW YEAR: RENEWED event last week as a way for setting a tone and perhaps an intention, for not only the event (which brought an incredible mix of people together), but for the year ahead. The practice of being able to honor both our differences as well as our shared humanity permeates all our living moments... and I would venture to say that yoga studios can sometimes be a perfect place to experience this. How many times have we heard teachers say "stay on your own mat" or "move to the rhythm of your own breath" to remind us that we are unique and all having an individual experience. But the key is, we are also surrounded by a community of others essentially all doing the same thing... moving forward on different paths... TOGETHER.
I adore the line, "
when I look deep enough into you, I find me..." and am using that as an invitation (actually more of a challenge - because, let's be honest, it's not always comfortable!) to really look others in the eye in 2018... to see the shared joys.... to see the shared struggles... to see the shared humanity.
Namaste,
Kristi & the BYS Yoga Team
