Monday, May 6, 2013

Refinement

by Elizabeth 'Rainey'
Seattle Yoga Arts Teacher

As the ancients saw it, refinement is the ever renewing process of life. We are all part of it whether we know it or not. Plants and animals adapt and grow to meet their environment. We seek knowledge to respond to our life situations. Our yoga practice is our endeavor to refine ourselves as human beings; to support our physical structure, attune to our subtle energy and learn to identify ourselves at a deeper and more steady place than our surface identities.

There is a beautiful teaching axiom that the yogins used to exemplify this: The grass is eaten by the
cow and turned into milk. The milk is then churned into butter. The butter is clarified into ghee. And finally, the ghee is offered into the sacred fire as a holy offering of love.

The process of transforming ourselves into a blessing for all life takes time and effort and dedication. This is why we practice, this is why we reflect on our actions, why we read inspirational and sacred texts and why we keep trying to do our best at whatever stage of growth we may be. Each round contributes to the next unfolding of our heart and best Self.

"Each minute of life should be a divine quest."  ~ Paramahansa Yogananda

Find more from Rainey at her website or facebook page.