I’m so glad I did this. I highly recommend it. Kind of an inner-spirit research project. Ask your friends, co-workers, peers, teachers, instructors, and acquaintances how they see your inner spirit. You might be surprised by the answers.
It may even anger you; “I’m not like that!” It happened to me. But, the digestion and contemplation of these answers, is quite liberating, enlightening, and you may even find acceptance of yourself.
I named this blog, ‘I Am No Yogi”, because being a Yogi is not a destination; it’s a way of being. More so lately, I’ve been questioning myself; “Am I being Yogi-like?” So, even with my yoga training, practice, certifications, and experience, I dove into my books, as well as research to find out.
After everything I’ve read, downloaded, watched, interviewed, listened to, and digested, the best and most succinct answer I found was this: A true yogi honors and respects the spirit inside of him. The true inner self. We continue the journey with humility, realizing our own weaknesses and defects, if we want to achieve lasting inner peace and true happiness.
If you know me or read my stuff, you know I love peace and I value peaceful, happy, kindhearted people. But, I grew up in a volatile place and was in many violent confrontations, starting at a very early age. I realized, the fastest way to get back to “peace” is to do war better than the enemy and I did it. I lived that.
I love peace, but I know its price and the realities of what it takes to achieve it and protect it.
That’s why I see Tom Cruise’s character in a few good men as the bad guy. Jack Nicholson played the hero. Yep, you heard me. That sausage link at breakfast tastes amazing, but the brutal reality of how it got there shouldn’t be questioned by those who can’t handle the truth.
So, I immersed myself in martial arts, boxing, wrestling, firearms, and violent defense systems. Not only do I know how the sausage is made, I can make it from scratch. But, I’d rather just enjoy it with my French toast, like peaceful folk.
In this research journey, it became clear that my inner spirit leans heavily in the warrior approach. Someone actually told me that I must have been a warrior in past lives. I didn’t quite like what I was finding at first, because I related “warrior” with someone who’s answer to everything is war. That’s not me.
Then I came across, “The Psychology of the Warrior Spirit”, by Lynn Seiser, PhD, and found these traits:
• Warriors move towards a quick and strategic conclusion to conflict, not away from it. – Check.
• They have a concentrated focus on the mission at hand. – I do this, even at the grocery store and sometimes I catch myself and mentally say, “Hey, look around; relax.”
• A warrior believes in saving lives, even if it means taking some. – Yep
• Warriors feel compassion for those whom they protect. – I love people and this is so very true.
• It is love, not hate, that motivates. – Absolutely
• Warriors feel a deep love and commitment to peace and that is what we train and live for. – When I read this, it took such a weight off my shoulders.
I’ve been torn throughout my Yoga journey, thinking I had to shed my true inner spirit to be peaceful or to be “like a yogi”. As it turns out, I don’t. In fact, I just needed to learn about it and accept myself.
Seek out who you are inside. Learn about it and live your true self.
Namaste peeps. Cheers. I love you.
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash.
I Am No Yogi 