Full Circle

This is not a full circle, It's life carrying on. It is the next breath we take It's the choice we make to get on with it. Alexandra Fuller

The Enso practice for Japanese meditators involves the daily drawing of a circle with one brush stroke. This reflects the state of the meditator on that day.  It represents the emptiness from which all things arise yet it is not complete – giving the impression of being part undone.

I am currently attending a kundalini yoga intensive program called the 21 Stages of Meditation in Bali. Comprising three ‘journeys’ we explore the hindrances to meditation, our crystalline self and then graceful enlightenment. 

Today we will share our experiences of yesterday’s 5 x 31 min meditations repeating the Laya yoga mantra.  It was a marathon to hold difficult mudras, maintaining the chant, shifting position to ease aching knees and observing my mind running a full circle of the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.  

Just getting into position was a challenge. Then the clock starts and we begin to chant. Within minutes I start wondering why are they going so fast? Why doesn’t someone stop them?  I chant louder, frustration sets in, then shutting down and pausing before a change of heart.  ‘They know not what they do” comes to mind. I decide to laugh, readjust the arms and spine and to lighten up. Literally.  We finally reach the end for a much deserved gong bath.

By shifting my mindset I joyfully completed these difficult seemingly endless meditations without irritation.  How to translate this learning to my daily life?  We know we’re coming full circle when we stand at a very similar crossroad where we made such a mess of life before, but this time we take a different road. Beth Moore You just stay the course, and do what it is that you do, and grow while you’re doing it. Eventually it will either come full circle, or at least you’ll go to bed happy. Jon Bon Jovi