The Hero Revealed

Heroes and their stories make up a large body of literature. From our early childhood we have been enthralled by the adventures of brave souls who have done great deeds. Most times, these folk have been much like us. They lived lives of mundane existence and we can identify with that. But one day, something special happened, one day the adventure began.

So it was with Tolkiens The hobbit, which is a great introduction to the amazing trilogy The Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit transports you into the mindset of the rest of Tolkiens works, much as A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man enables you to understand Ulysses, the magnum opus of James Joyce.

As the heroic story begins, there is nothing about the hobbit that would forecast the drama to come. But come it does, with almost too much intensity for the hapless hobbit, or the enchanted reader. There are many adventures on the path, with much testing and challenge. Lady luck intervenes at times, until at last; our hero-in-the-making is confronted with the ultimate encounter, the Dragon. This, the last battle, is neither quick or of certain outcome. The Dragon has fearsome physical and magical powers. Our hero now, for that is what he has become, must bring all his courage, his cunning, his physical and psychic strength to the confrontation.

The struggle is long and arduous. just when it seems that all is lost and the dragon will triumph, the hobbit reaches deep within for one last bit of courage that even he did not know was there. Clutching his sword with a confidence gained from all his previous trials, one last lunge finds a fatal spot, the dragon crashes to earth.

The story would be unsatisfactory if it ended there. The author lets us follow our victorious hero home, to spend his days reflecting on his adventures, with his pipe and contentment. He realizes that the path took him through the dark night of his own inner being. He remembers that guidance was always with him, encircling him like a soft wind.

The heros saga is presented to us often, in ancient as well as modern guise. Whether using sword, Kalishnikoff or light saber, the struggle is the same. The courage to overcome can only be found within. Frank Lloyd Wright remarked that there was nothing about the caterpillar that would indicate it would become a butterfly. So it was with our hobbit friend. By overcoming his fears he found a hero, waiting to be wakened. And may it be so, with each of us.

Thomas Yoga Teacher

Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya is the fourth of the yamas and the word, literally translated means dedicated to the Divinity of Life. The word is often used in yogic practice to refer to celibacy or denying pleasure, but this is only a small part of what Brahmacharya represents. The purpose of practicing Brahmacharya is to keep you focused on your purpose in life, the things that instill a feeling of peace and contentment

Historically, Brahamacharya as celibacy was likely a product of teaching yoga to young men, whose desires can be difficult to harness. Unless you are living the ascetic life of a sadhu, chances are you will indulge in sexual pleasure, food pleasure or any number of possible treats. To bring brahmacharya into your life and yoga practice is to practice moderation in all things, including those things that are pleasurable distractions.

When we become hooked on pleasure, it becomes an addiction and the absence of pleasure feels like loss or dissatisfaction; we become unable to enjoy the simple happiness of life, to observe the quiet broad beauty of our minds - slowing down becomes difficult because the focus becomes the object of addiction. Practicing moderation allows us to enjoy pleasure and remain focused on our greater purpose. . How does this relate to asana practice? Sometimes yoga students push themselves in yoga practice, creating a sense of urgency, correctness (am I doing this pose well?) and anxiety. This can leave a student feeling exhausted at the end of their practice rather than feeling relaxed or refreshed and ready for purposeful action off the mat.

It is important to apply moderation to moderation also, so it is not a burden. It is a beautiful practice. It is about moderating the extremes, not wanting too much and being happy with what you have. The practice of Wanting Wanting Wanting will always leave you feeling unsatisfied.

Brahmacharya can bring out many issues and energies as you begin to observe moderation - our addictions and ego rebel strenuously when they are not in control. When they arise, notice what the issues are, go deeper into your practice and discover your true motivations.

Ask yourself what is your purpose in your yoga practice? What are your goals in yoga and do you allow space in your practice to reach those goals?

In yoga,

Jenn

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