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August 2008 
dance more
Posted on Jun 6th, 2006
by 
Breeze
Breeze
If all your actions are based on the pursuit of happiness, why is it that so many things you do yield anything but happiness?
Life dances and you have to dance with it, whether it is taking you on a wonderful ride or is stepping on your toes. This is the necessary price and transcendent gift of being incarnate—alive in a body. But it is just life dancing. Life will move you in the rhythm and direction of its own nature. Each moment is a fresh moment in the dance, and if you are lost in clinging to the past or clinging to your hopes or fears of the future, you are not present for the dance.
The concept of nonclinging almost always draws two protests. One is from entrepreneur types who irately point out that they have to measure their lives by the outcome because it's their job to produce results. Parents say it, doctors too, even elected officials say it as though they are the only ones feeling this pressure. If life really worked in this manner, if you could control outcomes, then why don't things turn out just the way you want them? It isn't that you shouldn't work to accomplish your responsibilities; people should be able to count on you to do so with honesty and your best effort. But it is sheer hubris to think that the outcome is entirely dependent on your efforts or that you can be sure of what is the best outcome. Life dances with you, and when you are fortunate, your perseverance and good work meet with receptiveness and you succeed; if not, it doesn't work out.
When you experience that quality of heaviness or being pulled back, it is a symptom indicating that you are clinging to something in the past. Living life in the spiritual dimension means letting go equally of past and future and being present for each moment as it arises. It serves no purpose to judge yourself or to wish to undo that which has been written in the sands of time.
In order to be fully alive, you also have to die. When you cling to the past or future, believing you are holding onto something precious, you are denying what is sacred about life. Your life, with its unique pains and joys, can only be reconciled in your surrender to the truth of your experiences as they arise one moment after another, never fixed, always moving. A beautiful sunrise, a baby's smile, a broken heart, cancer, the loss of love—open fully to the experiences of your life in all their mysterious manifestations. Meet each of these moments with compassion, loving-kindness, and your very best response. Then let loose of each in turn, for however beguiling in their beauty or their horror, they are truly only life dancing.
written by P.M. yoga journal
Life dances and you have to dance with it, whether it is taking you on a wonderful ride or is stepping on your toes. This is the necessary price and transcendent gift of being incarnate—alive in a body. But it is just life dancing. Life will move you in the rhythm and direction of its own nature. Each moment is a fresh moment in the dance, and if you are lost in clinging to the past or clinging to your hopes or fears of the future, you are not present for the dance.
The concept of nonclinging almost always draws two protests. One is from entrepreneur types who irately point out that they have to measure their lives by the outcome because it's their job to produce results. Parents say it, doctors too, even elected officials say it as though they are the only ones feeling this pressure. If life really worked in this manner, if you could control outcomes, then why don't things turn out just the way you want them? It isn't that you shouldn't work to accomplish your responsibilities; people should be able to count on you to do so with honesty and your best effort. But it is sheer hubris to think that the outcome is entirely dependent on your efforts or that you can be sure of what is the best outcome. Life dances with you, and when you are fortunate, your perseverance and good work meet with receptiveness and you succeed; if not, it doesn't work out.
When you experience that quality of heaviness or being pulled back, it is a symptom indicating that you are clinging to something in the past. Living life in the spiritual dimension means letting go equally of past and future and being present for each moment as it arises. It serves no purpose to judge yourself or to wish to undo that which has been written in the sands of time.
In order to be fully alive, you also have to die. When you cling to the past or future, believing you are holding onto something precious, you are denying what is sacred about life. Your life, with its unique pains and joys, can only be reconciled in your surrender to the truth of your experiences as they arise one moment after another, never fixed, always moving. A beautiful sunrise, a baby's smile, a broken heart, cancer, the loss of love—open fully to the experiences of your life in all their mysterious manifestations. Meet each of these moments with compassion, loving-kindness, and your very best response. Then let loose of each in turn, for however beguiling in their beauty or their horror, they are truly only life dancing.
written by P.M. yoga journal
Access: Public
beautiful and powerful… I needed that!
I feel as though I'm going to be stepping into something here I may not like…
Breeze, this is beautiful and powerful and I believe what you express to be true…for the most part.
In my own defensive nature, however (at least I admit to this defensiveness?) I have to speak for those of us who have not fully let go and struggle with it – in my case, daily. I don't feel like I'm clinging to memories. Instead, it is that I have had a difficult time deprogramming myself and letting go of some of the powerful, negative influences that have shaped how I experience and interpret much of the world. Our behaviors, beliefs, actions, etc., are very much shaped by our past - entirely shaped by our past and the now. We have the power to challenge them, change them, but I don't believe we have the power to just let go without their future influence. If it is so that we do have this power, I've just not discovered it yet, and I sometimes feel guilty for not being able to just say YES! I'm there!! I've let go and am free!
Every day I wake up I go out and see, feel, and experience beautiful moments. I appreciate. I live and love and laugh…….and boy do I struggle sometimes.
I know I've been vague as to my own struggles, and I will keep it that way, but apparently, I just had to release.
Peace to all readers. The post IS beautiful and very inspirational. I'll keep working on it!
What happens when your life isnt based upon: ” the pursuit of happiness”?
I swirl in wonder, but wonder crosses sadness as much as happiness.
but i agree life is a dance, to embrace to let go, to move with, to move apart. to change in the edges of movement.
:)
A wonderful reminder to be that which we are.
I've experienced the moment and words do not give it justice. The past is…….the future will be……it is the now that makes it happen! Live, love, be happy, be sad, laugh, cry, hurt, smile, be who you are.
In a way we are merely a form of emotional processors.