Trouble in Paradise

Sep 24, 2011 | Healing, Philosophy, Wisdom, Yoga practices | 3 comments

Anyone who regularly reads “Yoga with Eve Grzybowski” will know that I speak glowingly about my life in the beautiful surroundings of Mitchells Island.You can also read the story of the small, intentional community we’ve set up here.) Usually I’m a pretty positive and happy person, I think, in the midst of our island paradise. But last night I sorely tested myself and the merits of all my wonderful yoga philosophy when I was at a cocktail party (yes, alcohol does pass my lips) and spoke my mind, revealing a provocative personal opinion. I didn’t get a good response, or not the one I wanted, and my mind and mood went into an accelerated, aggravated tailspin. I had a devil of a time getting myself out of the hole I’d dug, but my social graces are so ingrained that I managed to muster the necessary veneer of friendliness, so that I could see out the evening. Once home, I dropped down into a miserable state again, feeling ashamed for having been outspoken and at the same time justified in my stance, however poorly expressed. I tried on blaming my husband; he’s too smart for that, though. So, I stewed in my woeful juices for a while until I started to take responsibility for my thoughts and actions. This is good yoga practice, I believe. Gosh, it’s hard! Not blaming the other, and not blaming yourself. And yet, it’s so very powerful the way personal responsibility can open up insights and let one claim the less desirable parts of the psyche and personality. I made it through this crisis by shining a light into some shadowy places and by opening up to the loving support of Rick, Heather and Daniel. Namaste.

- Trouble in Paradise

Padmasana

3 Comments

  1. Oh I love your absolute honesty in your self reflection. I too opened mouth and put foot right in recently – I don’t know what impulse (or weird chip malfunction) was triggered to say what I did and I was so embarrassed. I realized that the universe was reminding me that I am still such an ordinary person no matter how much yoga practice provides this comfortable buffer for me to protect myself with smugness – that sometimes I need a good smack into reality that yes, there is a hell of a long way to go!

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  2. We are all a work in progress…..making mistakes teaches us a great deal….Smiling Hugsssss

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  3. Love this post! Nice to know it happens to the best of us. One side effect of going through cathartic times lately is that I either stutter to get words out, or I blurt things out right and left, to whatever unwitting audience there may be. Today I just stuttered my way through the entire Ashtanga opening mantra! So bizarre. Almost like I self-censored for so many years I have to re-learn the ability to articulate.

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