About five years ago, a certain rogue told me to never do anything because “I should” which I immediately rebuked. However, fast forward to 2011, and doing what I want to do and not taking action based on “shoulds” is my New Year’s Resolution… What originally sounded to me as highly irresponsible and self-centered, I now see as pure yoga.
Interacting and making decisions from your own core is the essence of personal integrity, the union of action and inner self, and it is asteya, “truthfulness,” in action. To do something out of pressure, obligation, or guilt, or completely based on another person’s opinion is an act of violence, “himsa,” and is a lie. Having said that, our higher power speaks to us in various ways and provides friends and mentors to us. However, we must digest this information and produce our own desires and truths.
It is impossible to give your all to something that is false and inwardly violent, even if it is an act of charity. On the other hand, when you help someone out of pure desire to do so, it is truly an act of “charity,” of love, and the results will be tenfold.
This can seem difficult at times, but the question is easy – what do I WANT to do? Granted, it may seem like the answer will never be laundry or work, but the answers may be have a clean and peaceful home or earn enough money to buy a house or to take a real vacation.
Even when you are able to recognize what you, at your core, want to do, it can be very challenging to stay true to yourself and to not succumb. It takes courage, bravery… and a little capriciousness. However, remember that most people really don’t want you to do something you truly do not want to do although they may want you to want to. ;)
Some of us are so used to acting on the basis of other people that we aren’t on our own radar at all and have no idea what WE really want. That’s when you stop right there where you are and start playing… and digging. If you find yourself in this category, it’s also common to resent (and secretly covet) those who practice it quite well.
Practicing the art of moving from your core and acting out of pure desire, while allowing others to do the same, is the ultimate act of “ahimsa,” nonviolence, and follows the old saying “live and let live.” Another word for live is to reside, so let us reside in and truly inhabit ourSelves! Namaste.
It's your thing..." by the Isley Bro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Law64SEq8U
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