In the background

"...Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit.." (from Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore)

"Breathe in deep with the left nostril.. breathe out fully with the right nostril.." I am conscious of the pattern in my head. It has been about 3 weeks since I last did my Kriya, and as it happens, the body memory seems hazy. "Did I start with the left as I was supposed to? Did I miss switching from left to right for breathing out?" After having mastered the practice for about 2 months of continuous practice, it does feel unfair that I have to pick the basics up again. The break happened.

I remember the day I missed my practice for the first time in these three months. It was around end of Navrathri and I had some guests at home. But then they left the next day, and I had some work that had come up perhaps, not sure. The reason is hazy - why did I give up on the practice? Was I not aware of the benefits of doing yoga everyday? I certainly was. But what made me give up?

"Wow, was that a cool breeze that just hit me? Is Chennai finally moving into its "winter'?" The morning air in Chennai has a hint of chill since about a week. It is a welcome change from the prolonged months of summer mornings. And, quite automatically, the cozy warmth of the bed is alluring, sleeping in time is more. Well, for the rest of the family, that is. I am not for sleeping in late. I love early mornings. I have, over years of conscious practice and the demand of growing a family, become accustomed to using those precious peaceful morning hours.

The rhythm of quiet dawn (while there is always the hum of an air conditioner somewhere, the curse of living in a bustling metro, sigh!), is deeply comforting. I need my early mornings - not mindlessly hurrying into the chores or haphazard routines. I have internalized this need, I recognize its importance in my day. Now, that's a good habit there, isn't it?

Have to stretch a bit forward from my balcony railings to catch the sunrays... Summer becomes winter, there is rain, there is fog. But the sun shows up no matter what. Wow, that's quite a simple yet profound truth of life. The assurance of the routine keeps us steady and going about life. And just like the different mornings, I too need my new seasons, colours, discoveries - with the steadiness of my Sun, basics of a healthy life, in the background. Now, that's a new year resolution in the making, starting now!