Enjoy, Escape, Experience
Paramahansa Yogananda said, “Practice the art of living in this world without losing your inner peace of mind. Follow the path of balance to reach the inner wondrous garden of Self-realization.“ After reading that quote you might be thinking to yourself, “That bit of advice sounds good, but how, in reality, does a person do that?” After all, everyone “living in this world” wants “peace of mind,” but how can it be attained? The answer is found in the second sentence of the quote, and that is, “balance.” Following the “path of balance” is the key.
In our western culture, we have all been taught that hard work and perseverance is the key to success and happiness, and that is true—to a certain extent. But hard work and perseverance alone can only be sustained for so long and can, in fact, end up being counterproductive and lead to unhappiness if not balanced out.
Our Being Yoga Theme of the Month is “Enjoy. Escape. Experience,” because enjoying, escaping and experiencing is the balance to all the effort, struggle, busyness, and weariness that we associate with hard work and perseverance.
Want to find balance in your life? Please read on:
Let’s face it: everyone needs a break now and again to find balance. At some point during the day, everyone needs to stop doing, going, producing, worrying and thinking by taking a deep breath, relaxing and clearing the mind. Anyone that practices yoga knows that, and certainly anyone who meditates knows that. Taking daily breaks from the constant hum and beat of life helps to revitalize and re-energize. Intentionally taking quiet moments throughout the day to relax and meditate actually leads to more productivity and more peace of mind than if one keeps ceaselessly pushing forward to the breaking point.
As sustaining as daily breaks are, however, there also comes a time when everybody needs to find balance by physically retreating from day-to-day life as well. “Getting away from it all” and removing oneself from one’s normal venue and regular routine is amazingly cathartic. Undoubtedly, it is easier to be present and connected when removed from the ordinary, so it’s important to have a change of pace and a change of scenery in which to revitalize one’s perception of life.
That is why we at Being Yoga invite you to join us at a yoga retreat in Tulum, Mexico from September 18th through the 25th. Join us to enjoy, escape, and experience life under the Caribbean sun. In this natural, pristine setting you will be able to leave the fast pace of the Bay Area and immerse yourself in the present moment of quiet white sandy beaches, blue skies and ocean breezes. And through meditation and yoga, with the guidance of Kriya Yoga Master Arley Gaines and Yoga Instructor Robin Duffy, you will rediscover and reconnect with the real you—the one who is naturally whole, happy and free.