WEEK 36.1 (SEPT 6-SEPT 12) – THE STORY OF TWO ARROWS
WEEK 36.1 (Sept 6-Sept 12) – I AM ROOTED BUT I FLOW
After an explosion, there is usually a shock wave that we have to be prepared for and it can touch people far away from the blast.
Two Arrows -The Buddhists say that any time we suffer misfortune, two arrows fly our way. The first arrow is the actual bad event, which can, indeed, cause pain. The second arrow is the suffering. That’s actually optional. The second arrow represents our reaction to the bad event. The parable of the second arrow is a Buddhist parable about dealing with suffering more skillfully. The Buddhists say that any time we suffer misfortune, two arrows fly our way. Being struck by an arrow is painful. Being struck by a second arrow is even more painful.
In the parable of the arrow, sometimes called the second arrow, you picture yourself walking through a forest. Suddenly, you’re hit by an arrow. This causes you great pain. But the archer isn’t done and you can expect a 2nd arrow to come your way. Can you avoid the second one? That’s the arrow of emotional reaction. Dodge the second by consciously choosing contemplation. It will help you avoid a lot of suffering.
The Buddha explained:
“In life, we can’t always control the first arrow. However, the second arrow is our reaction to the first. The second arrow is optional.”
Avoid the Second Arrow
So, how do you avoid the second arrow? First, notice the first arrow. When you are in emotional pain, allow yourself to feel it. You may notice your arrows in other ways, like frustration, irritation, and emotional or physical pain. Next, become aware and notice your emotional reaction. Maybe it is a desire to yell or complain to someone. Maybe you get angry with yourself and turn your emotions inward, feeling like you aren’t good enough or that there is something wrong with you. This is the second arrow. Catch yourself adding more pain and suffering. Finally, give yourself credit for recognizing and avoiding the second arrow. You are learning a new response. You can free up energy for circumstances you can control. However, you can also always adjust your reaction, even if you can’t control what happens to you.
We probably find ourselves dealing with the second arrow of suffering many times during the day. The story is not about denying our initial reaction, but to have a choice of how to proceed. Over time, being aware of this choice, and refraining from shooting endless second arrows at ourselves, can help free us of much unnecessary suffering.
“The most important part that happens during a yoga class, is not what happens outside the body, but what happens inside the body. There comes a time in the lives of those destined for greatness when we must stand before the mirror of meaning and ask, what is it? What restriction in my life is preventing that seed of hope inside my heart from blossoming into the flower of human potential that I am predestined to become.” David Scott
“I am rooted but I flow, I am grounded but I bend before snapping. I am deep but my worries are shallow. My dreams and hopes are limitless, but I am content where I stand today. What I own is meaningless, how little I truly need allows me the freedom and lightness to travel further. Never intent on arriving, it is the journey where I discover my passions and gain knowledge of self. I have the brave heart of a lion, the vision and intuition of an eagle and the gentleness of the Buddha…. I am a yogi.” – David Scott
“Sometimes it’s not strength but gentleness that cracks the hardest shells.” Richard Paul Evans
Life is a balance of holding and letting go.
The ones most grounded reach the highest.
“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.”- Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die
“When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” – Epictetus
“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” –Dalai Lama
“When you seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”
“Our greatest strength lies in the gentleness and tenderness of our heart.” Rumi
“When you feel that second arrow triggering anger, learn to take a breath before you respond. A moment of patience during a moment of anger can save you hundreds of moments of regret.”
“Can you look without the voice in your head commenting, drawing conclusions, comparing or trying to figure something out?” – Eckart Tolle
“Forget injuries, but never forget kindnesses.” -Confucius
“Life gives us whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of our consciousness.” – David Scott
“Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.” ~ Alan Cohen
Practice and all is coming… “Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
“Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your well-being.” –Joel Kramer
Find moderation in all you do… “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long” – Lao Tzu, Te Tao Ching
“Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.” – Edward Smith-Stanley
“Think of the self-love you are giving yourself in your yoga practice tonight, as a medicine for healing the earth.” – David Scott
“Before you heal someone, ask him if he’s willing to give up the things that make him sick.” – Hippocrates
“You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” – Navajo
“The greatest wealth is health. We tend to feel our illnesses, but we seldom feel or appreciate our health.”- David Scott
“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.” – Arabian Proverb
“To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” – Buddha
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” – Buddha
“Place your hands into soil to feel grounded. Wade in water to feel emotionally healed. Fill your lungs with fresh air to feel mentally clear. Raise your face to the heat of the sun and connect with that fire to feel your own immense power.” -Victoria Erickson
Yoga teaches us to create a life that feels good on the inside and not just the outside.
“Everyone says love hurts, but that is not true. Loneliness hurts. Rejection hurts. Losing someone hurts. Envy hurts. Everyone gets these things confused with love, but in reality love is the only thing in this world that covers up all pain and makes someone feel wonderful again. Love is the only thing in this world that does not hurt.” – Liam Neeson
“Love is when you look in someones eyes and see everything you need.”
“To love is just a choice… We either choose love or choose fear but we can not serve two masters. The cost of not following your heart is spending the rest of your life wishing you had.” – David Scott
“Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted — in body, mind, and heart — and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow — or we begin to flow more in our lives.” – Cybele Tomlinson
“May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know it’s beauty all the days of your life.” – Apache Blessing