Spiritualizing All of Life

Spiritualizing All of Life

by Janet Nash, MSW, LISW-S, RYT-200, Reiki I + II

What is yoga? You may have heard that the meaning of yoga is “to yoke” or “union.” That is true, but to yoke with what? Or union with what? Some people say it is the union of body and mind, or body, mind, and spirit. But, yoga is about being in union with all of life. So what exactly does that mean?

We tend to separate the spiritual and the non-spiritual parts of our lives. For instance, I’m spiritual when I pray or meditate, or take a yoga class, or walk in a forest, while I’m not spiritual when I’m washing dishes, or paying bills, or food shopping, or performing my job. Yoga is a union of all parts of our lives and spiritualizing all of it. My wise teacher says, “The goal of yoga is to spiritualize life. All of it…including the poopy diaper! Everything outside of yourself is there for your evolution.” What matters and what makes a difference is your perception.

I think we all probably have said something like, “When X happens, then I’ll be Y.” X=when I lose weight; when I get married; when I get divorced; when I get promoted; when I move, etc. Y=happier; on the right path; popular; successful; loved; confident—fill in the blanks. We spend so much of our lives waiting for some event to happen with the honest belief that life will be infinitely better from that point forward. How much time are we wasting while we’re waiting? Yoga turns that thought process completely on its head. Yoga says that every event in your life is there for your evolution and growth. Every part of your life—all of it—is of Spirit and is Divine.

It makes me think of the insufferable boss I once had who I detested. I planned my escape from this job for, literally, years. I spent many unhappy hours wishing my work life away secure in the thought that when I got out of that job, life would be soooooo much better. Well, I’m still there, and I realize that I’m blessed to have the job. There is friction in all aspects of life and some of the coarsest, grittiest people I’ve had to deal with have helped to smooth some of my roughest edges. My insufferable boss was one of my most powerful teachers.

All of life, including the messiest, most chaotic, most uncomfortable, most distressing, ugliest parts of it are also part of our evolution. My wise teacher also says, “Everything is a gateway to the Divine (or Universe, or God, or Spirit).” I’m a planner and a dreamer. I think about the ideal job and continue to plan my escape. You’d think I’d learn, but it takes quite a bit of repetition! There is a very powerful verse in The Bhagavad Gita in which Krishna says to Arjuna, “As for you, do the work that comes to you—but don’t look for the results. Don’t be motivated by the fruits of your actions, nor become attached to inaction.” Arjuna’s duty (and mine) is to perform the act, but not look for its fruit. My duty is to do my job to the best of my ability and to let go of the outcome or to let go of my attachment to a positive outcome where I receive accolades for being a brilliant therapist. That’s not my duty. My duty is simply to perform my calling.

So there is spirit in washing the dishes; being present with appreciation for all of it. Living it with attention and intention. There is spirit in paying the bills. Do I write the checks (if you still write checks), cursing under my breath for having my hard-earned money leaving my account or can I be conscious and present to the exchange of energy. Energy in—energy out.

Some of the ways my wise teacher suggests we divinize life include: looking people in the eyes; having gratitude for everything and anything; pray; smile; get present; meditate.

May we all be safe.

May we all be as healthy as we can be.

May we all have ease of body and mind.

May we all be at peace.

May we all live live with grace and Spirit.