If there is one thing I’m sure of, it is that you have to remain open to whatever life may bring.
In the book How Yoga Works, the author, Geshe Michael Roach, an American Master of Tibetan Buddhism (and recipient of the Presidential Scholar medal at the White House), inspiringly shares how yoga works when its teachings – yamas and niyamas – are practiced in daily life.
Some of you may not know that I am a Certified Sivananda Hatha Yoga Instructor. My Sanskrit name, graciously given to me by my swamis (teachers) in the ashram, is Shakti (female principle of divine energy, universal creative power, vibrant health and abundance). So, it is no surprise that I would be attracted to the book’s messages.
Years after my beautiful ashram days, having trained with and/or read the many mind-expanding books from contemporary luminaries in science, spirituality, and the art of living – such as Gregg Braden, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Lynne McTaggart, Anita Moorjani and Jack Canfield – I believe Roach’s book describes not only how yoga works but also how life works.
The yogic way of life strives to make one more conscious, more aware, of the interconnectedness of all life. When one is more present it is easier to see – but, perhaps, not fully understand – the mysteries and miracles that occur every day.
A Story To Illustrate The Point
I recently read a story illustrating how when we follow our instincts or gut feelings – particularly those that seem weird or nonsensical – we are often surprised by what the multiverses (I believe there are more than one!) have ready for us.
The woman in the story had a sudden, irrepressible craving for a Slurpee (frozen carbonated beverage) from a specific 7-Eleven store. She didn’t question the feeling; she just got in her car and drove straight to the store. According to the article, “The Westchester, New York woman was on her way to the convenience store to pick up a Slurpee when she saw an SUV careen off the road and roll into the brick wall of a CVS [U.S. pharmacy store].”
It just so happens that the woman who was pursuing her craving, Christine Corrado, is an EMS (Emergency Medical Services) instructor and paramedic. So, she did what anyone with her training would do under the circumstances. She quickly made a U-turn to help the driver of the overturned vehicle. When she arrived, she couldn’t feel a pulse, and the man was, as Corrado said, “cyanotic – really, really blue.”
The man had a heart attack. Corrado immediately gave him chest compressions until he eventually regained consciousness – which saved his life.
The Multiverses Surprise Us
So, the question must be asked. If Ms. Corrado had not had that sudden urge for a Slurpee, at that exact time and place, what would have happened? Would the accident have occurred at all? Would the man’s time simply have been up, and would he have died? These are questions no one can answer.
What matters is the fact that if Ms. Corrado had not been driving past the man when he had the heart attack, there may not have been anyone to save him in time.
According to a Harvard Health Publishing article on cardiac arrest, it takes “Six minutes to save a life.” In reflection, Ms. Corrado said, “It’s pretty strange to me that all of a sudden on this day at that moment I would decide to go to that particular 7-Eleven to obtain a Slurpee.” She added, “Look at that. Never know what God has in plan for you.”
Trust
We don’t know what Infinite Intelligence, Spirit, Loving Source, or whatever you choose to call it has in mind for us from one moment to the next. However, we always can be more open to trust our intuition, which, in essence, is messaging from a pervasive power. Meditation is one way of tuning in. Being in nature is another. Asanas (physical postures/positions of yoga) yet another. There are many methods and modalities. The point is that, however we tune in to our intuition, when we get urges that seem odd or irresistible, maybe we are being tapped to do something amazing.
