Have you ever wondered why practicing together in a class is still essential when the intention of Mysore practice is to be able to have our own practice as an individual?
This story might shed some light on why being in a community can go a long way.
A man who regularly attends family meetings suddenly without any notice stopped participating. After a few weeks, on one very cold night, the leader of the group decides to visit him. He found the man alone at home sitting in front of a fireplace where a bright fire burns.
The man welcomed the leader. There was a calm silence and they were both just watching the dancing flames around the logs that crackled in the fireplace.
After a few minutes the leader examined the logs and selected one that was glowing the most and removed it to the side. Then he sat down again.The man was paying attention to everything and watching with fascination
The flame subsided shortly after the log was being separated until there was only a momentary glow and the fire soon went out. Very quickly what was previously a bright light and heat had become nothing more than a blackened dead piece of wood.
Before preparing to leave the leader picked up the useless piece of wood and placed it again in the middle of the fire. Immediately the piece of wood was rekindled, fuelled by the light and heat of the burning coals around him.
When the leader reached the door to leave, the man said : ‘Thank you for your visit and your beautiful lesson. I’ll return to the group soon.’
Why is a community important in our lives?
Because each student that withdraws takes fire and heat from the rest. It’s worth reminding us that we are a part of the flame. Simply because no man is an island and there is an immense energy in people’s power.
This can be especially useful while we are in the process of stabilizing our practice, keeping ourselves accountable or even borrowing some positivity from fellow mates when things are getting challenging in your life.
An ideal is to be in a state of equilibrium regardless of whether your practice is alone or in class. We learn different things under different circumstances.
As we always say, you never know who you are inspiring next!
Keep the fire burning.