by Kula graduate David May When David May, a recent 300 hour Yoga Teacher Graduate, was home for the holidays he began to fall into the family dramas that are present in so many of our lives. Instead of spiraling into the conflicts around him, David caught himself. Stepping out of his ego mind and into the perspective of the observer, he was able to relieve the tension, falling into a beautiful state of bliss. Inspired by this moment of eagle perspective, David shared his insight with this beautiful piece... enjoy! |
The marketing was executed to perfection, playing on our ego's every whim. Much like any blockbuster hit, it was all the rage and we had to be a part of it - all the talk that we couldn't dream of missing out on. And so all across the land, in theaters far and wide, big and small, people flocked to its showings, filling every seat with excitement and anticipation for the simple entertainment that was about to come their way. The beauty of it all, up to this point, was how something so heart wrenching, eye catching, and aurally enticing, had no expectations. In the most simplistic of ways, people were just excited to see it. Happy to simply sit, watch, and observe.
The buzz of the crowd filled the rooms as cheering and whistles mixed with the vibrations in the air as the lights went dim. Everyone was there for one thing. There were no previews, as there was no “next” movie to see or other thing to do. Here and now was all there was. The present; encompassing just this.
There was so much intrigue in the beauty of the movie. People watched in awe as every character was introduced one by one. Each one with their own talents and uniqueness - all with a purpose for the story. As the film rolled each character's connection to one another became more apparent to the viewers. As one character handled and dealt with their own perceived personal conflict, other characters were drawn in to the overall entangled plot. Slowly and steadily, before every watchful eye, the movie unraveled. With every inch of film that sped past the projected light, every second of pixelated image that passed, the audience crept closer to the edge of their seats. Their senses heightened. Their engagement rose. They allowed their emotions to begin to show - oohing and ahhing, commenting and grumbling. They began to attach themselves to their favorite character and all that comprised them. The plot grew thicker and people allowed the entertainment to absorb them.
The viewers had become so involved in the movie that they began to believe they were the characters. The audience’s entire existence began to hinge on a written script. Their existence hinged on another character - one they believed was their own self. Arguments began to break out inside the theater as people now believed it was their job to defend their character. People began to not just yell or laugh at the movie, but began to act on behalf of the fictional characters themselves! When their favorite character experienced conflict, they felt the need to act on it, believing they could fix it. They wished so much their character would get back at other characters they didn't like. They wished so much their character would fall in love with other characters they did like. They wished so much their character could erase all of his or her past mistakes from earlier in the movie. They wished so much their character would feel joy so they could be happy also. They wished so much their character felt love, so they could feel love too. And when their character felt depression – when their character was scripted into the deepest pit of their emotions – the viewers contemplated ending it all so they didn't have to experience what their character was going through. They had completely lost themselves in the movie. The drama had sucked them in so deeply it created a dread for the final credits. People never wanted it to end. Many claimed they didn't know what would happen after it was all over, and that scared them.
But...they forgot…
…They forgot they were sitting in a movie theater.
…They forgot they were simply a viewer.
…They forgot that they were not the actor…forgot that they were not the character.
They became so entrenched in the drama; they lost sight of the cinema…
And forgot, that their only purpose was to simply watch this movie, titled Life...
We're so grateful to have shared with so many bright and shining souls. David May joined us for a 300hr YTT in Peru last year. Contact us for more information on how you can deepen your practice and walk with us, together as one big happy Kula. |