October 2012 – Tapas: Heat /Discipline

It all began with a trip to the local bank, where there was a basket of chocolate candy sitting there. I was tempted. It’s only a bite of chocolate. Chocolate’s good for you.  And so began the holiday season of indulgence. Or over indulgence. Feeding ourselves. And over drinking. And parties, events, cooking and baking and making gifts or shopping. And wrapping. Where does it end?

It ends with us being stressed sick, lying in bed, waiting for it to be over.

Yes, I exaggerate, but only to make a point.

My theme this Fall has been balance, trying to find it and maintain it. As we move from the heat and activity of summer to the cold and inactivity, comparatively, of winter, we strive to keep ourselves afloat.

Everything constantly changes. The air temperature fluctuates and we are unsettled.

Yoga affords us the opportunity to re-find ourselves, to settle into our bodies and our minds. Fall is the time for balance, as we have one foot in summer and one foot in winter, we span the bridge. What a wonderful time to practice balancing yoga postures.

I am also reminded of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, including the 8 limbs of Yoga, his road map  for us to practice yoga and live our lives off the mat. Tapas, one of the observances from the 8 limbs of yoga, means heat or discipline, like the heat of the fire in my fireplace—it’s controlled and steady, unwavering. Unlike my discipline which is constantly shifting. I get my heart rate up and heat up my body at the gym. But it only works that way if I actually get out the door of my house-just putting the clothes and shoes on doesn’t mean I’m working out!

In discipline there is balance. It's a constant steady learning process, working at it a little at a time. Again, I am challenged with that-hence this blog which began in October ends in December!

I like the way Nischala Devi speaks of tapas in her book The Secret Power of Yoga. “Living life with zeal and sincerity, the purifying flame is ignited (tapas), revealing the inner light.” Just do it, whatever it is, just be true to yourself and do it with gusto and find your true self, your inner goodness! She defines tapas of body as “service, physical purity, living in virtue, moderation and reverence for all.” While practicing yoga and teaching it I intend to serve myself and others. I try to stay healthy, to eat well (over-doing is my downfall) and exercise, and get enough sleep. Moderation in all things is healthy. I like to make lists and include the “play” or non-work or errand items, like exercise and yoga and meditation, even writing, for every day. I need to see it to encourage myself to participate in even the healthy-for-me items! It’s difficult for me to have zeal and enthusiasm when my energy is low from lack of sleep.

Nischala Devi also speaks of tapas of the mind as “tranquil, gentle, kind, quiet, willpower and purity of thought”. When thoughts are negative they cannot be kind or gentle or pure. It takes the discipline again of taking care of my physical body in order for the mind to be pure and tranquil. Meditation certainly helps, as does being able to “sound off” to a friend’s listening ear.

The third aspect of tapas from the Bhagavad-Gita is tapas of speech, allowing our words to be an expression of the mind and heart and “be truthful, pleasant, serene, beneficial, prayer and japa” or repetition of a mantra. Even the simple thanks given before eating food is reflective of this aspect of tapas. I recently spoke to an animal communicator who told me some things to tell my cats. She said I needed to mean it, not just say the words. And that I think is tapas, for it to come from the heart.

I am reminded of my original thought, which was really about being disciplined and seeking balance during the holidays, which really began with Halloween. I am trying to be mindful of not over eating, staying with my regimen at the gym, practicing yoga and meditation, and finding space for creative outlets. I am trying to be conscious in my selection of what I do and where I go and who I am with. And I attempt to be totally present with zeal and enthusiasm. All that is a lot easier when the semester is over and I have a bit of free time in my life. And now final grades are in and my time is even more my own. And so I continue to work on tapas.

May you find tapas – zeal – enthusiasm – discipline - heat in your life, lighting the spark of your inner light.