Poetry

Resistance is Futile

April 16th, 2018 | By: Susan Mathis | Posted in Blog, Conscious Living, Kripalu Yoga, Morning Meditations, Poetry, Yoga On and Off the Mat

There are three things I know about myself; I hate change, I resist change and my “story” is that change is not my friend. Simultaneously there are two things I know about the Universe; everything changes and resistance is futile.

Last week was a whopper, a butt kicker, a doosie (insert your favorite phrase here). In the midst of said week things were coming at me from all directions. My survival method kicked in, I put my head down and plowed through. Finally, on Thursday morning space opened up in my schedule and I had a moment to hit pause.  The feel of the sun on my skin and the sound of the wind chimes on the porch softened the gripping on my body and in my mind. Sitting in quiet reflection I was able to step back and become aware of why I felt so shut down mentally and emotionally. During this pause I became aware that my friend resistance was sitting next to me.
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If You Don’t Become the Ocean

January 22nd, 2018 | By: Susan Mathis | Posted in Blog, Kripalu Yoga, Morning Meditations, Poetry, Yoga On and Off the Mat
If you don’t become the ocean, you’ll be seasick everyday. ~Leonard Cohen
 
The morning after Hurricane Earl kissed the outer edge of Tulum I left my beach side bungalow and walked to the edge of the sea. Despite the howling winds and pelting rain of the previous night, the waters were quiet, the sun shining softly. As I walked the beach the now tranquil waves flowed in and flowed out, the inhale and exhale of the Caribbean Sea. More evidence of the storm, an uprooted palm tree bobbed at the waters edge, displaying how closely intertwined was the cycle of storm and calm.
 
It was not lost on me that nature was a mirror of my inner experience, storm neighboring calm. Two weeks earlier I was shaken to the center by the sudden death of my closest friend. At that moment the inner winds were blowing, my mind swirling, seeking to find peace, meaning, answers. How inconceivable that life can be full and end so unexpectedly. How unbelievable that my practice asked me to ride the tide of loss and find inner stillness. How unimaginable that such tranquil beauty could abut a raging storm, yet how similar to our human experience.
 

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Revealing the Hidden

November 6th, 2017 | By: Susan Mathis | Posted in Blog, Kripalu Yoga, Mindfulness, Morning Meditations, Poetry, Yoga On and Off the Mat

Transparent

Fallen leaves disguise the path, drawing my gaze toward the upper reaches of the forest.
Barren trees open up a landscape of tree trunks and branches in myriad colors of grey and brown.
Fingers of sunlight travel down jagged ravines, highlighting the remaining green and yellow foliage.
Rocky bluffs and cliffs appear, showing the rugged character of rock worn down by time.
The foundation of the earth is unmasked as November slips from colorful glory into quiet release.
Center stage, the forest’s scaffolding is exposed.
The hidden is revealed.

~sm 11-6-16

Yesterday I headed to the forest for a solo hike. Leaves crunching under my feet, the sounds of nature replaced the cacophony of voices, cars and technology. My eye was drawn upward to tree trunks and branches, the building blocks of the forest. With fall color receding, my attention was drawn to things I would never see during the “peak” of autumn color.
 
In yoga, the quiet practices of pranayama and restorative asana are similar to my experience in nature yesterday. When the body becomes still, the beauty of our inner essence rises to the surface. As we move from the distracted world of doing and attend to the subtle sensations of body and breath, we arrive in the world of Being. In stillness the hidden pieces of who we are can be seen. Transparent, there is nothing to hide the quiet beauty of our inner Wholeness. 
 
Meditation, restoration yoga, and quiet practices offer a gift; deeper knowledge of your inner song. Take time to listen to that melody. 
 
Jai Bhagwan. Victory to the Light of Awareness within each of us.
 
Susan
 
 

Where The Light Gets In

December 7th, 2016 | By: Susan Mathis | Posted in Blog, Poetry

14344273_10155221751713858_8826651091601268923_nWhere the Light Gets In

In the tiny cracks in the armor
that I built to protect myself
the Light gets in
to soften me
and illuminate my wholeness.

Through the tiny moments of pause
in the busyness of my mind
the Light breaks through
reminding me that sacredness lives
in every moment.

When I breath in
the Light spreads through me,
tracing the tiny thread of gold
that knits together my soul.

When I open my eyes to see
the Light shines out and reveals
that Golden Web that weaves
me to you and you to me.

SM 4-10-16

Morning Prayers

December 7th, 2016 | By: Susan Mathis | Posted in Blog, Poetry

15220026_10155493433208858_2527305294282649876_nMorning Prayers 

Grabbing the clock. 5:30 am, I sign. 

I shuffle the pillows and turn over, hoping for one more hour of sleep. 

You snuggle in, and the rhythmic sound of your breath soothes me for a while. 

My unwilling mind demands I wake.  More signs. 

Exuberantly you jump from the bed, joyfully greeting the day with staccato barks. 

My hand smoothes your soft fur. 

I shuffle to the door, grab coffee and return to bed. 

The discipline of practice sets in, seeking inward refuge. 

I settle into the quiet of morning meditation, your head gently resting in my lap.

You watch the world as I watch the breath. 

Together we meet the day in silent reverence. 

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