Guest Post by Brenda McMahon
As we enter the 8th commandment of Yoga… we come upon a concept many of us know in this world – the exploration of the fire within! Tapas comes from the root ‘to burn’ and it relates to the ideas of self-discipline, austerity, burning desire, motivation & dedication. Although these words conjure up slightly different ideas, the focus is on the idea of dedication, overcoming short-term distractions and desires in order to stay focused on one’s highest goals.
As an artist, my life & my living are fueled by Tapas. In order to create and keep that energy flowing, my fire must burn brightly. It is in the burning of that desire to create something beautiful from a lump of clay that sprouts my motivation, dedication and self-discipline to run a thriving business. After 18 years at the potter’s wheel, I am well practiced in Tapas. I also have a fire for self-awareness and presence. This tapas is quieter and deeper. Along with fire, however, comes discipline… and the devil, as they say, is in the details.
“Discipline is remembering what you really want.”
My art and my yoga have two similar components – self-discipline. Despite what many people think, artists do not spend all their time creating – we only wish we did. Instead, we are business people and so we have to stay in touch with customers, reach out to clients, order supplies, market our work and much more. As a yogi, I may have developed a quieter mind over these last 20 years and a stronger body, but that occurs in the everyday of attending to my imbalances in order to bring myself back into alignment. In other words, it’s plain & simple hard work.
Think about where you have Tapas in your life right now. Is it your career, your family, your travel? Perhaps it is gardening or cooking, reading or being in nature. Everybody has something that moves him or her deeply. Tapas is taking the energy of that which you love – and expanding that love into areas where you need to express more love.
The opposite of Tapas is having a lack of discipline, enthusiasm, and motivation. As you consider tapas in your life, consider the voids as well. Where do you feel lazy, carry negative thoughts, have weaknesses & blocks in your body? All of these characteristics prevent your fire from burning.
One of the ways to foster tapas in your life today is to spend some time thinking about what you really want; think about long and short-term goals. What sort of person would you most like to be? What characteristics would you most like to personify. Then begin the practice of self-discipline. Take action by doing things that will create that experience. There is nothing more exciting than instilling self-discipline and then watching the transformation unfold.
Where do you want to bring tapas back into your life? Consider your physical health. Have you let it go? If so, dedicate 1 day a week to go for a bike ride, take a yoga class or walk in nature. Do you want to ‘feel’ better? Think about your diet. Cut out carbohydrates or eat more vegetables. Shop at the farmer’s market or dedicate one night a week to creating a beautiful meal for yourself. When we feed the fire of self-love it can only grow into an inferno out of which will flow love for everyone and everything else. But remember, it all happens, one step at a time.
Enjoy this day, as you consider the 8th commandment and the heart of Yoga, Tapas.
Begin being the person you want to be – right now.
“Tapas… is the choice of finding a better way.” ~ Doug Keller
Namaste.
To access the entire 12 Part Yoga Series, click here.
Brenda McMahon is a full-time Ceramic Artist traveling nationally & internationally showing her artwork and teaching clay workshops. She creates meditative porcelain vessels and Yoga Oms in her private studio. Brenda is a passionate student of metaphysics and has been a Yogi for 10 years.
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