Desires and Fears
We are all familiar with desires, whether they are desires like having another job or being healthier. Or more yoga related desires like being more flexible or becoming the new blogger for yoga journal :)
Buddha teaches us that there are only two movements that motivate us. The movement away from pain and the other movement towards pleasure. Take a look at the reasons why you do certain things. You will see you are either running away from something painful, undesirable, or trying to achieve something you want, desirable.
When you look further into it you see how the two movements are connected, how running away from one thing, means moving towards another thing. When you move towards flexibility, you move away from being stiff. It is your fears that are motivating your desires.
So trying to achieve the desire for “fame” is trying to run from the fear of being unnoticed, “a nobody” . Fears and desires are two sides of the same coin.
My inquiry into the desire to become the next “yoga journal blogger” goes like this.
What would being the next YJ blogger give me?
The answer is : “more exposure”
Question: What would more exposure give me?
Answer: “more security in creating a living”. Basically I would feel safer in my existence.
Next question: What is now?
Answer: “existence”
The main fear behind all desires is the fear for survival. Subconscious we believe that fulfilling the desire will secure our survival. Seeing that in this moment our survival needs are taken care of brings freedom.
Question: Do I need to become the next YJ blogger?
Answer: No I don’t, But if so, it would be “just for fun” :)
Esther
7 Comments
Hi Esther, it’s great that you’re going to be the next YJ Blogger! I’m happy to see that you’ll be getting more exposure because you deserve it. Thank you for being here :)
Comment by Mellisa Jan 29, 10, 6:16 pmCouldn’t have read this at a more perfect time…. That fame thing is on point. Thank you…. I am a artist and musician and that reading reminded me a few things that are really easy to forget.
Also, I’ve been using your site since the Summer… I can definitely feel the difference between the mornings I do yoga and the ones where I don’t. Thanks!
Comment by Tone Bklyn Jan 30, 10, 4:12 pmHi Melissa,
Comment by Esther Feb 01, 10, 12:02 pmThank you for your lovely comment , I’m not the next yoga journal blogger yet though :) . Just going to apply for the job. There are a lot more other good blogger’s that applied, so we’ll have to wait and see…
Hello Esther,
Comment by Jane Mar 04, 10, 2:38 pmYour website has helped me with discipline. I have practiced yoga for years but was hitting that wall. At the age of 60 I finally realized it wasn’t about the perfect pose but about stretching and being able to meditate. Thank you for that
Hi Esther
I have been following your yogatic videos for a few weeks now. I got motivated to start Yoga due to lower back pain and a year of physical calamity! My aim is to strengthen and keep strong all over my body. Your videos have been superb! Both meditative, movement and your blog on fear hits an apt place. I just wanted to say that I really enjoy the’ pick and mix option’ that you provide here with all the videos-it’s like a sweet shop of Yoga but far healthier – it’s always nice to see something new too.
I have been telling my friends all about you and some of us would like to know-QUESTION: Do you have any Yoga for Climbers (rock climbers)?
Thank you & namastae
Comment by Priya Mistry Mar 28, 10, 10:13 amPriya
Esther dont know about other people but you definately are the Yoga Blogger as far as I am concerned. You talent and expertise come through despite your humility. The www needs more people like you!
Comment by meiko Mar 28, 10, 11:24 amThis post is incredibly informative and insightful. I love reading about other people’s experiences and learning from them. And I have definitely learned a little something today.
Thank you!
Comment by Rambles with Reese Apr 11, 10, 8:21 am