~ seeing one's most true self & balancing the ego ~
The Dragon sees everything. Its essence has been with us since before our first breath and will be there at our last. It watches us navigate the external world as well as our inner world. When Dragon energy is awakened, we are courageous, visionary, and can easily drop into witness consciousness. It is almost as if we are traveling with a great friend inside of ourselves. When we look in the mirror, deep into our eyes, we may even glimpse the "self" behind the "self," the one who is watching us. This is the power of the Dragon breathing transformative fire into every cell of our bodies. Witnessing this omnipotent energy, even for a brief moment, helps us surrender and let go. We let the Dragon guide us. We hop on its back for a ride, and as we traverse even the most difficult terrain, the Dragon's eyes see beauty everywhere. It is said that if a yogi does not see beauty in the world, their Agni is dim. Agni is described as "inner fire" or "sacred intelligence." May even just the mention of the Dragon stir the embers of intelligence within you.
~ the dragon and the third chakra ~
The subtle energy of the Dragon lives at the navel center, in the Manipura chakra. Manipura translates to "the city of hidden gems" and behind its gates burns the fire of our transformation and digestion. The sages believe health of the fire at the navel center is what governs our ability to clearly "see" both the inner and outer dimensions.
First of all, I am so excited to return to the yoga studio to teach this evening ♡ I've missed you all so much!
Welcome to week 15 of our yoga series, based on 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.
Before I left to travel, we learned from the bat, who encouraged us to venture into the dark. This card taught us to trust the subtle wisdom and uncover the messages that can't be heard in the comfortable sunlight of safety. We become able to see what is only visible in darkness, and finally close the doors to those past chapters that need to end.
This week, we return to the space element, which differs from the other four elements. Space is the container that holds the earth, water, fire, and air. It is the stage upon which the other elements dance. The space element cards point us toward a deep, primordial aspect of ourselves... an underlying current. Our teacher for this week is the dragon. There is a powerful force inside of you - one who sees you as you truly are. He is the one who sees your potential and who is guiding you there. However, the path is not always easy. The fires of transformation are sometimes warming and enlightening, but other times the flames rage and burn.
The dragon energy is associated with our navel center - the Manipura Chakra - the city of hidden gems. If we refer to folklore, the dragon is the creature who guards the treasure, who protects the jewels and riches. But few are brave enough to battle the dragon, for doing so means to risk pain, to risk death, to risk being burned alive... or to risk failure... and all before we even have confirmation that this alleged treasure is even behind this scaled terrifying creature.
That's where the faith comes in... that is were courage enters. That is where we do the scary thing, because we trust that there is something magnificent on the other side. We can feel it. We may have even dreamt of it... but for now it's only that - a dream. Until we cross through the fire.
The navel center is the center of our power, but much of that power is latent. Fire... transformation... purification... is required in order to uncover and release that power. And just like the many who were too fearful to battle the dragon, so many of us are too scared to face the fire, because we'd rather stay where we are than risk pain and failure. But no risk, no reward. And maybe we do get hurt, maybe we do fail, but our control lies in our decision to be brave and persistent and to not give up.
We face many fires and monsters in our external world. But that same force is inside of us as well. We are home to our own dragon, our own fire. And that power watches, and waits, and whispers encouragement and visions of treasure into those still spaces throughout our journey.
Allow your inner dragon to guide you - to give you strength. Don't be afraid of the pain that may be a part of the process - old things must die in order to be reborn. Don't be afraid of the fires that blaze within you - they are the fuel for your transformation. Don't allow your world to become dim because you fear the flames. They are your deliverance, they are the source of your power. Trust in the course of your evolution. The world is asking for your light.
Next week, the rabbit of the earth element warns us of the dangers of living in fear. A mind poisoned with worry will only reflect a world of peril around us.
dream extreme!
♡ kat
excerpts from my journal:
"I have developed a new relationship with pain. My primal ego mind seeks pleasure and avoids pain. But by avoiding hurt, I am avoiding growth. Before I would grit my teeth through that transformational fire, I would force my way through. Now, I am learning to relax into the discomfort and revere the sacredness of pain. It is a secret gateway that not many dare to pass through - but the most valuable treasures lie on the other side of that door. Pain is only another sensation, the resistance to it and the fear of it, is what causes us to suffer."
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