~ grounded yet heavenly, practical yet spiritual ~
The hooves of the mighty Buffalo are grounded in the Earth, yet its heart and mind rise toward heaven. The Buffalo sees challenge, hardship, or a bump in the road as an opportunity for upliftment. Therefore the Buffalo does not fear death, illness, or misfortune... its gentle eyes look to the road ahead, trusting every turn. May we all experience this elusive yet life-changing bliss from time to time, and may we allow this card to remind us that life is a precious gift.
when in balance ~ trusting, pure presence
when out of balance ~ restless, lacks gratitude
to bring into balance ~ prayer, bhakti
Hi friends! :) Welcome to week 36 of our yoga series -- exploring this life through the symbolism of the animal kingdom. Each creature represents a different aspect of our human journey, helping us to better understand and connect to our inner and outer worlds. Every 5 weeks in our yoga classes, we cycle through each of the 5 elements (earth, water, fire, air, space) and their respective animals in this card deck. How can we bring each of the animals within us into balance?
Last week, the cosmic egg taught us that everything is complete, but the journey does not end. It is a symbol of remembrance. When we return to our source, even if just a flash of recognition, a brief taste, we remember that we are home no matter where we are.
This week, we begin our eighth cycle of the elements with the buffalo. He belongs to the earth element, which represents our relationships with fears and habits. This mighty creature harnesses his strength not from his force, energy, size, or appearance, but from his humble, steadfast nature. The buffalo calls us to deepen into the part of ourself that lives in pure presence. We are extensions of this earth. We trust our path. We are rooted, grounded, fearless. And although our duty is here on earth for now, our peace is drawn from our foundation in awareness... of the greater reality of our hearts and the cosmos.
The great buffalo's gaze looks out upon and embraces the landscape around him. This scene will change throughout his lifetime, but many elements will retain their familiarity. This land belongs to him. Just as he belongs to the land.
He maintains a wide view, absorbing it all -- the treachery, the hardship, the mundane. He absorbs the beauty, the lavishness, the inspiring. He absorbs it all and rests in neutrality. He is rooted in the earth. He knows his duty is here, amongst the varying colors of the scene. He is alike in pleasure in pain, sickness and health, fortune and tragedy. For he sees through the eyes of the heart -- he lives by that wisdom. He is deeply devoted to his unique, individual path. He knows it all as sacred.
It is all sacred. The horrors. The ecstasy. The decay. The new life. The buffalo knows this. He lives in remembrance of a more expansive plane. He lives in remembrance of the ultimate reality where there is no right or wrong, no day and night... there just is. And it's all sacred. That plane embraces all things in love. The rose and the thorn.
Just as Ram Dass says, "and this too."
You experience heart-wrenching loss "and this too"
A long-awaited dream comes true "and this too"
Something is beautiful "and this too"
Something is hideous "and this too"
Success "and this too"
Failure "and this too"
They stay "and this too"
They leave "and this too"
mind-suffocating confusion and despair "and this too"
complete liberation "and this too"
The buffalo is one of the strongest creatures to roam this earth. The symbolism of his strength is not due to his size or appearance, but rather to his unshakable faith. His strength is drawn from how deeply he resides in his heart space. His strength lies in his balance: equal devotion to this earthly plane and to the beyond.
Next week, the turtle helps us close all other books and begin to tell our own true tale.
til next time ✌︎
dream extreme!
♡ kat
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