The “holy days” are upon us — a time when we’re invited to make space for what is sacred. Winter’s darkness encourages and supports it; all the spiritual traditions support it; the Roman calendar supports it; time off from work (if you’re lucky!) may even support it. And yet, with Christmas behind you, you may find yourself already barreling full-steam-ahead into 2023 — before you’ve even had a chance to take stock of where you are — here, now, nearing the end of 2022.
Progress without perspective can cause a lot of trouble. Just look at the damage we’ve done to this planet in the name of “progress”. This week, or this day, or this hour — what would it be like to let go of progressing? To let go of improving or advancing — whether it be your body, your spiritual practice, your workout regimen, your plan, your career, your diet, your next project? What if just for the moment you gave yourself permission to observe where you are? To feel how you are?
That pause is sacred. That pause is yoga. Union. The practice of coming together. Instead of progressing, let’s take a little time to focus on perspective. As Marcel Proust wrote,
“The real voyage of discovery consists, not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
This week, may we see where we are a little more clearly, a little more fully. And from there, who knows where we might go?