Angels Inside Us

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.  ~ Michelangelo

In Yoga, I often remind students part of what they are doing in their practice is letting go of everything that is not who they are. Just as a sculptor removes the unnecessary bits of the stone in order to reveal his creation, the poses, the breathing, the deep awareness of each moment gently unveils our true nature. Several of my teachers have used this analogy and I think it makes sense.


Instead of trying to change who we are, we are simply uncovering our true nature. From this perspective, there is no effort or striving, simply unfolding. Each of us is an angel waiting to be set free. 

Just Look and Remember...

There are no conditions to fulfill.

There is nothing to be done, nothing to be given up.

Just look and remember, whatever you perceive is not you, nor yours.

It is there in the field of consciousness, but you are not the field and its contents, nor even the knower of the field.

It is your idea that you have to do things that entangles you in the results of your efforts - the motive, the desire, the failure to achieve, the sense of frustration - all this holds you back.

Simply look at whatever happens and know that you are beyond it.

~ Nisargadatta Maharaj ~

Sometimes this is so easy to remember and life just happens. But often all of those conditions, efforts, desires, and frustrations seem to attach themselves and make it so difficult to know that we are indeed beyond it all.

Nisargadetta gently brings us back again and again to this idea, beyond ideas. In the still point between breaths we can find it. In meditation, if we let go of preconceived notions and techniques, we can be there. Once we find it, we will always be able to return, like following the spokes of a wheel to reach the center.