Saturday, August 01, 2009

Let go, Let God...

"There is a secret one inside us, the planets like galaxies pass through his hands like beads."

-Kabir

Back to "Meditations from the Mat", which is a book of daily reflections on the path of yoga (by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison). From the Day 303 in the chapter on Pratyahara. Pratyahara is about learning to turn inward. I feel like that is my state more often than not during my waking hours. Hard to operate or function in daily tasks when I am in this state!.

Mr. Gates is very good at articulating what is inside my head and beyond. He crystallizes loose thought patterns that I have and pulls them together in cohesion. Which is why I find myself often turning to this book. My yoga teacher, Chris reads a passage from this book to us every Sunday morning. I never tire of hearing any of these reflections no matter how many times I hear them.

In relation to this particular quote, he talks about how the "world abounds with evidence of this inner being (the secret one that lives within us; the flower of our center). There is no end to the art, music, humor, and literature sprung from this deep well of creativity."

This inner guide we often call our muse.

Sometimes connecting with this inner guide that I call my muse comes with difficulty or reluctance. It is only when I make a conscious decision to let go and surrender to what will be that my muse comes forth. It is as though she laughs at any attempts that are contrived.

And that is what Mr. Gates refers to as Pratyahara-that decision to give yourself over to something else that is greater than you.

And the image you see before you? It is a shadow cast from a wrought iron container that holds trash cans in Old Town, Albuquerque. The shadow cast upon the concrete stamped bricks-the deep color and all those cracks! It was more than I could resist. I'm afraid that out of all the fancy dancy shots I thought that day, this one is amongst my top 3 favorites. Not an image that would win in any competition. Except for the attention of MY muse.

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted!

9 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Terrific shadow shot! Have a great day!

Sylvia

Mystic Meandering said...

Very artistic shadow shot. Love the cracked brick, gives wonderful texture to the piece. Also loved your content below the picture, and offer this in return...

This is the gift - seeing life as it is - simple awareness - simply being.

A Wild Thing said...

My muse thinks continually of simplicity...which to me your shot is simple, yet rich in texture...I have dallied over which shots to use, then my inner voice speaks for me...simplify...

Hey Harriet said...

Love the shot with such beautifully textured bricks! I also love your term 'fancy dancy' hehe. I haven't heard that before. Cute! Fascinating post, once again! :)

Rosebud Collection said...

I think the shot is beautiful.
Your title.."Let go, Let God.."
Have to tell you, I work with that all the time. I kind of like to be in control and have had the brakes put on me so many times..But I do get the message.
Happy SSS.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Two for you today:

A trash-can holder
in Old Town Albuquerque—
it sings, I listen.


A trash-can holder
in Old Town Albuquerque—
mysterious muse.

My Shadow Shots

Dianne said...

the brick is so warm and rich in color

I enjoyed reading about the book and the quote, thank you

Chubby Chieque said...

Very nice quotes, indeed and your shots always give me an intriguing feelings.

As you may know that I love analysing participant's shadow shots b4 I comment but this shot? I would never guess that this is an wrought iron thing.

Cheers...

jabblog said...

Interesting shot of a rather mundane object - the poetry is in the imagination.

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