Today is the 1st day of the Year of Dragon. The Chinese believe that we (Chinese) are the offspring of the Dragon, and that the Dragon Year is a lucky year. Honestly I think we are rather superstitious. After all, dragons didn't even exist.
A similar question to ask is, does God, or a Higher Power of the Universe, exist? To people who have a religious belief, the answer is very obvious. To people like me, who is not subscribed to a certain religion, this is more debatable. Growing up with half of my family Christians and half of them Buddhists, I have been pondering religious questions and could not quite make up my mind. I always think, I believe in myself. I work hard and get what I deserve.
Yet, when I went to the first yoga class in 2012 when the teacher asked us to pick a word to describe 2012, I picked "Faith". What does Faith mean to me?
2011 was a year full of changes to me. I started a new full time job after being laid off from the previous job of 10 years, started teaching yoga, followed new teachers, made new friends, but most importantly, there were personal losses and emotional turmoils. In the midsts of all changes, I realized there was only one constant in life. Love. The love of my family and friends, love of what I do, love of nature. No matter what material gains and professional achievement I obtained, Love is really the only thing that matters.
Instead of setting new goals to push myself to attain the next level of achievement, I will have faith. Trust that by making the compassionate decision, things will happen, doors will open, and I will know what to do. If things are not happening the way I want, take a step back and think, are my intentions pure and are they aligning with the guiding principle of love and compassion?
For example (this is a real life example going through my mind all the time) I want to have a lot of people coming to my class. Why? So that I can be a more successful teacher. Well, is this intention pure? Take a step back and think, why do I teach? I teach because I believe everyone should benefit from the wonderful practice of yoga. So as long as I am doing my best to teach the few people who come to my class, I am meeting my true intention of teaching, and I should not be disappointed that not 'enough' people come. (Even one person coming to my class is enough for me to teach.)
I am also resolved to do these starting in the new year: Meditate daily to tap into the constant source of Love and Faith. Read writings from inspiration people. Tell people I love more often.
May you all have faith in the Year of Dragon! Namaste.
A similar question to ask is, does God, or a Higher Power of the Universe, exist? To people who have a religious belief, the answer is very obvious. To people like me, who is not subscribed to a certain religion, this is more debatable. Growing up with half of my family Christians and half of them Buddhists, I have been pondering religious questions and could not quite make up my mind. I always think, I believe in myself. I work hard and get what I deserve.
Yet, when I went to the first yoga class in 2012 when the teacher asked us to pick a word to describe 2012, I picked "Faith". What does Faith mean to me?
2011 was a year full of changes to me. I started a new full time job after being laid off from the previous job of 10 years, started teaching yoga, followed new teachers, made new friends, but most importantly, there were personal losses and emotional turmoils. In the midsts of all changes, I realized there was only one constant in life. Love. The love of my family and friends, love of what I do, love of nature. No matter what material gains and professional achievement I obtained, Love is really the only thing that matters.
Instead of setting new goals to push myself to attain the next level of achievement, I will have faith. Trust that by making the compassionate decision, things will happen, doors will open, and I will know what to do. If things are not happening the way I want, take a step back and think, are my intentions pure and are they aligning with the guiding principle of love and compassion?
For example (this is a real life example going through my mind all the time) I want to have a lot of people coming to my class. Why? So that I can be a more successful teacher. Well, is this intention pure? Take a step back and think, why do I teach? I teach because I believe everyone should benefit from the wonderful practice of yoga. So as long as I am doing my best to teach the few people who come to my class, I am meeting my true intention of teaching, and I should not be disappointed that not 'enough' people come. (Even one person coming to my class is enough for me to teach.)
I am also resolved to do these starting in the new year: Meditate daily to tap into the constant source of Love and Faith. Read writings from inspiration people. Tell people I love more often.
May you all have faith in the Year of Dragon! Namaste.