Beautiful Mystery

The great wizard in the movie "Wizard of Oz" may have said "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" But in our #yogapractice, and ultimately in our life, that is EXACTLY what we want to do:

Peer behind the curtain.

In our quest to become fully aware of our True Self, we must see through and beyond the illusory veil of perceptions, thoughts, ideas, attachments, emotions, beliefs, and the data that we collect from the culmination of our life experiences.

Meditation is a way to ease ourselves out from underneath the burdens of the mind. Encouraging the mind to remain still and focused slows down the vrittis (movements) and creates inner calm, spaciousness, and clarity.

"I meditate so that my mind cannot complicate my life." ~ Sri Chinmoy

However, meditation isn't something that can be forced or made to happen. It isn't a task or deed that can be "done." Because meditation is not something that happens as an effort of the mind. Meditation is an equanimous quality that emerges through a practice of concentration and focused awareness.

These two aspects of the meditation process are illuminated in the 6th and 7th Limbs of Yoga: #Dharana and #Dhyana.

6th Limb - Dharana:

The contemplation of the mind through single-pointed focus.

7th Limb - Dhyana:

An expanding awareness that arises spontaneously as the field of activity (contemplative nature) of the mind becomes still.

Can you remember a time that you got lost in something that you were so immersed in and focused on that you completely lost track of all time and space?

That is meditation.

Each time we consciously expand our field of awareness and take our inner gaze out beyond the nebulousness of the "veil," more of the beautiful mystery of Who We Really Are reveals itself. And this transcendence of the mind and ego leads to the 8th and final limb of the 8 Limbs of Yoga.

“Life is a mystery of beauty, bliss and divinity. Meditation is the art of unfolding that mystery.”

8th Limb - Samadhi:

The merging with the divine, when individual awareness dissolves into the Great Whole and there is only Oneness.

Tat tvam asi

I am that.

In love and devotion,

Lisa and Kevin

Co-Owners of Black Cat Yoga

Black Cat Yoga began with a simple idea: bring people together through yoga, music, and community. What started with a single class has grown into a heart-centered gathering place for Kirtan, sound baths, and shared practice. Our intention has always been to support people in discovering their own path, and the joy of walking it together.