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The space between things

Sometimes there are things in Yoga I don’t know what they are good for. As I’m a very analytical person, I need a reason for everything and  I am often questioning things. In one of the the Yoga classes a couple of weeks ago, the teacher mentioned to focus on the space between all things: the pause between the inhale and the exhale, the space between your toes and fingers, the space between you and another person, the space between an event and your response to it.
So far, so good. It might help staying focused and attentive during the Yoga practice. But I didn’t think of this idea of “a space between anything” as something that could be transferred to the real life. Until I read this article.
It is about how to deal when something or someone is driving you nuts. And, of course, about training your mind to observe the space between all things and the ability to choose what goes into that space between us and another person or a situation could be a real life changer.
Simply put:

No one can make you feel anything, unless you let them.

Just to be clear: We’re not talking about life changing things and dramatic experiences here. It’s about the day-to-day issues that can ruin your day, if you let them.

I can be a situation that drives you crazy:

Being stuck in traffic when you’re trying to get somewhere is never fun, but you don’t have to allow it to raise your blood pressure.
You don’t have to tell yourself a story about how you always get screwed, or the universe is conspiring against you, or you never get any breaks. You don’t have to carry that anger into the rest of your day. You don’t even have to get angry.

Or someone said or did something that you took all personal:

If someone says something thoughtless or hurtful, you don’t have to allow it to absorb hours of your time. Maybe they’re having a tough day. Maybe they cried themselves to sleep in their pillow last night. Maybe their kid was vomiting until all hours of the morning and they didn’t get any sleep.

The good thing is, when we create that little space between an event and how we respond to it, we automatically putting ourselves in the power seat. We can decide how to fill this space: With anger, frustration or even rage? Or rather with love, understanding and compassion.
So, next time someone or something annoys you just remember the following saying:

A person can only drive you crazy if you give them the keys.

If that doesn’t help, read this article on practicing Aloha

Ally, the author of the article, I’m referring to here, has provided this little video with a meditation routine that helps us creating a space between us and our thoughts and realizing that we are not our thoughts.

Andrea

2 thoughts on “The space between things

  1. I agree. No one can make you feel anything, unless you let them. You will be miserable if you let other people bring you misery. So stay positive and attract positive energy.

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