Mind The Gap #72

If you travel on the metro in London you are familiar with the call to “mind the gap.”  The gap between the train and platform that is always present yet often not seen.  We are called to bring attention to it in order to navigate successfully and avoid catastrophe.

There is always a gap between the way things are and the way we would like things to be. There is a gap between my authentic emotional response and the way I would like to  spontaneously react. There is a gap between what is and what will be. There is a gap between what I know and what I yearn to know.  There is a gap in who I know myself to be and who I truly am.

How do we mind the gap? How is it possible to be both authentic, respectful and honoring of what is at the present moment rising, and what we would like to participate in creating?

This is the practice of yoga.  We go deep inside into that space that is prior, silent and restful, yet dynamically alive. The place that is not really a place; fathomless yet as measured as the next breath.  It is the sacred middle, the madhya.  It is this space we naturally expand in deep meditation. 

Upon emergence from this vastness we come armed with some new sense of knowingness. What is it we know?  We must pull on the tender threads.  We must articulate to the degree possible.  And then refine again and again and again so that we may get to the essence, to the core, to the white hot molten center of what ever is.  

Resting in the middle space, the space of infinite potency, possibility yet born, we increase our capacity to create, moment by moment, a life of authenticity, discernment, respect, wonderment and love.  We make space, stand apart, not as other or in detachment, but rather in compassion with full access to all our tools - emotional, mental, physical and all the subtle realms between.  Moment by moment we are able to truly mind the gap between impulse and action.  Senses heightened, mind sharp we are poised to choose, to live the best life possible under the current circumstances.  We increase not only perspective, but knowledge of every sort; knowledge of our deepest self and what is necessary to bring the desired outcome to fruition.  

Mind the gap.  Expand the middle.  Meditate.