“You cannot catch a horse in a field by running after it.
But if you stand still and hold out an apple, the horse will come to you.”
~B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Life
Image via http://tammyhughbanks.zenfolio.com
Is there something you’re chasing, forcing, or grasping at? Can you be still and allow it to unfold on its own, or perhaps even let it go?
This reminds me of the old Buddhist simile of the mind being like a monkey tethered to a post. The monkey is one’s thoughts, and the post is a heightened yet totally passive awareness. The constantly busy mind is represented by the monkey scrambling all over the place on its leash. Eventually, the unmoving post (the passive awareness) causes the monkey to come and sit quietly beside it.
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That’s beautiful. I hadn’t heard that one before. Thanks for sharing, Hariod. It is similar to the horse quote. Scary, sometimes, to think how much our mind controls us, and also how much control we have over our mind and reality if we would just believe it.
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Oh, yes there is! Very timely advice for me right now. Thank you for this simple yet profound reminder Kim on allowing life to unfold as it should.
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You’re welcome, Miriam. I’m re-reading Light on Life for the first time in many years, and I am amazed at how much wisdom exists in Iyengar’s words. They were exactly what I needed to hear, too. I guess with age comes so much wisdom, if we’re willing to listen to it.
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Absolutely true, Kim. We just need to listen and trust.
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Be still, and just be!
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Yes, that too, Mick 😊
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I loved this quote, Kim! It is true, both literally (if you’ve ever actually tried to catch a horse) and metaphorically. I tend to over-plan, and try to control things that I really can’t. Thanks for the reminder that sometimes it’s necessary to just step back and let life flow. It’s incredibly liberating, if we can actually do it!
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It was a much needed reminder for me, too, Ann. Thanks for reading!
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I love this, Kim. How simple a process to understand and implement. How difficult for us to understand and implement. I wonder why,
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I think maybe our society doesn’t value or teach us to slow down enough to allow, maybe. Glad you enjoyed.
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