The Art of Being Human: A Yogi's Perspective on Life, Love, and Loss

Namaskar 🙏🏽🌹

As a Yogi, I bow to the divine dance of Shakti and Shiva, the eternal rhythm that pulses through every fiber of existence, within you, within me, within all. It is from this sacred union that the human experience blossoms, a tapestry woven with threads of joy and sorrow, stillness and movement, light and shadow. 

We are born into this world, vessels of potential, imbued with the vibrant energy of Shakti, the divine feminine. We are the flow of life itself, the ever-changing current of thoughts, emotions, and sensations that courses through our being. This is the realm of experience, the dance of the senses, the symphony of interactions that shape our perception of reality. We taste the sweetness of ripe fruit, feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, hear the laughter of a child, these are the gifts of Shakti, the vibrant expression of life in all its fullness.

Yet, within this dynamic flow, there exists a stillness, a silent witness, the unmoving ground of being that we call Shiva, the divine masculine. This is the space between breaths, the quietude behind thoughts, the unchanging essence that underlies all change. It is the deep well of peace within us, the source of our intuition, our wisdom, our connection to the infinite. In the stillness of Shiva, we find refuge from the turbulence of the world, a sanctuary where we can reconnect with our true nature.

The human experience is the exquisite interplay of these two forces. It is the dance of Shakti and Shiva within us, the constant movement between activity and stillness, between doing and being. We are not merely bodies moving through space, nor are we simply disembodied consciousnesses. We are both, simultaneously. We are the dance itself.

Too often, we become entangled in the web of our thoughts, carried away by the relentless current of Shakti. We identify with our stories, our fears, our desires, forgetting the silent witness within. We become lost in the illusion of separation, believing that we are isolated individuals, disconnected from the interconnected web of life. This is the source of our suffering, the root of our discontent.

The path of Yoga is a journey of remembering, a return to the wholeness of our being. It is a practice of cultivating awareness, of observing the dance of Shakti within us without judgment. We learn to witness our thoughts and emotions as passing clouds, recognizing that they are not who we are. We begin to discern between the voices of the ego, the chatter of the mind, and the still, small voice of our intuition, the whisper of Shiva within.

Through practices like meditation, pranayama (breathwork), and asana (physical postures), we create space for stillness within the dynamic flow of life. We learn to access the deep well of peace within us, to reconnect with the unchanging ground of being. We begin to experience the profound intimacy of our own existence, the sacred union of Shakti and Shiva within our very being.

This is the holistic embrace of the human experience – to fully embody both the dynamism of Shakti and the stillness of Shiva. It is to embrace the full spectrum of human emotions, from joy to sorrow, from love to fear, recognizing that they are all part of the rich tapestry of life. It is to find peace within the chaos, to discover the stillness within the movement, to recognize the divine within the mundane.

As Yogis, we are called to live this truth, to embody this union in every aspect of our lives. We are called to be present, to be mindful, to be compassionate, to be love. We are called to dance the dance of life with grace and awareness, knowing that we are both the dancer and the dance, both Shakti and Shiva, both the flow and the stillness. This is the exquisite intimacy of the human experience, a dance of divine love, a symphony of existence, a journey home to our true selves.

And this dance, this sacred union, is not confined to the mat or the meditation cushion. It permeates every facet of our lives. It is in the way we greet the sunrise, with gratitude for the new day’s potential. It is in the way we interact with others, with compassion and understanding, recognizing the divine spark within each being. It is in the way we approach our work, with focus and intention, offering our gifts to the world. It is in the way we face challenges, with resilience and acceptance, knowing that even in the darkest moments, there is an opportunity for growth and transformation.

The world around us, in its current state, often seems to amplify the chaotic currents of Shakti, the relentless demands of modern life pulling us further from the still center of Shiva. The constant bombardment of information, the pressure to achieve, the fear of missing out – these can create a sense of overwhelm, a feeling of being disconnected from ourselves and from the world around us.

This is why the practice of Yoga, in all its forms, is more vital than ever. It offers us a refuge, a sanctuary where we can reconnect with our inner stillness, where we can cultivate the awareness necessary to navigate the complexities of modern life with grace and equanimity. It teaches us to find the pause within the activity, the silence within the noise, the peace within the chaos.

It is not about escaping the world, but about engaging with it from a place of deep inner stillness. It is about recognizing that the challenges we face are not obstacles on our path, but opportunities to deepen our practice, to strengthen our connection to Shiva, to refine our understanding of Shakti.

Consider the breath, the very essence of life, the bridge between the inner and outer worlds. Each inhale is a receiving, a drawing in of Shakti, the life force that animates us. Each exhale is a releasing, a letting go of what no longer serves us, a return to the stillness of Shiva. By consciously observing the breath, we can become more attuned to this natural rhythm, this constant dance of giving and receiving, of activity and stillness.

In this dance, we discover the true meaning of surrender. It is not a passive resignation to fate, but an active acceptance of what is, a deep trust in the flow of life. It is the willingness to let go of our need to control, to allow the wisdom of Shiva to guide us, to trust in the unfolding of Shakti.

This surrender is not about giving up on our dreams or aspirations. It is about aligning them with our deeper purpose, with the wisdom that resides within. It is about recognizing that true fulfillment comes not from external achievements, but from the inner peace that arises from living in harmony with our true nature.

So, let us continue to dance this sacred dance, this exquisite interplay of Shakti and Shiva. Let us embrace the full spectrum of the human experience, with all its joys and sorrows, its triumphs and challenges. Let us cultivate the awareness to witness the flow of Shakti within us, and the stillness to connect with the wisdom of Shiva. Let us live each moment with intention, with compassion, with love. For in this dance, we discover the true beauty of being human, the profound intimacy of our own existence, the divine union of all that is.

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