Yoga In Ancient Times
Even in ancient times Yoga was not an end in itself, it was developed to help strengthen both the body and mind for deep contemplation about the nature of the self and the world in which the self arises. It would be great if all of the things that we did today—the yoga, Pilates, massages and Rolfing served such ends—that is, a path of inquiry that led to the profound contentment of enlightenment.
But they don’t.
Technology and the Healing Arts
How the healing arts—or any technology—serves our lives is up to us. They are the gifts of great innovators and healers; handed down to us from people with profound vision and ingenuity. But technology—in any field—is no guarantee of wisdom or inner peace.
A Life of True-Love Is Not Something That Someone Can Give You
A life lived in true-love is not something that someone can give you. It is not an item to be bought or a land to be conquered. Rather, it is a goal that you must put before yourself and set to work on with passion enough to overcome the many obstacles that you will encounter on your way to achieving it.
If that is the spirit with which you come to a Rolfing session—then, in the hands of an adept healer, you are practically guaranteed the self transformation that will be required of you for attainment of your highest goal, the backbone that will be necessary for you to recognize and forgive your mistakes, process trauma, and everything else that has pulled you off your line.
Don’t Short Change Yourself
If you are in agonizing pain then by all means, get to your local Rolfer. But don’t short change yourself. Realize that when your pain is gone you are in the position to elicit the support of a healer that is now available to help you get your life’s work done.
Therefore, before your session, do a little soul searching, a little work. Contemplate your purpose in life—your unique contribution to the world. If you do that, I almost guarantee that a world the likes of which you could probably never have imagined will open up for you. Your life will present possibilities and an easiness that had remained hitherto unknown.
Let’s Get in Shape for Real
My 103 year old Zen Master once told me that it is important to realize that we are never enough. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. We need to find new sources of energy, creativity and wisdom—in our bodies and minds. We need to begin gearing up for some serious change.
Our planet is in desperate need of repair. So why not start with ourselves? Let’s get in shape, for real.
Support for Transformation That We Need
Rolfing, massage and the other healing arts are not just ways of feeling better—they are resources for a better life and better ways of living, which combined with noble intentions, may yet—despite what embittered skeptics say—find their rightful place in the world.
I believe that the healing arts provide the support for transformation that we desperately need, if only we can learn to use them before it’s too late.