....take me home to that place, where I belong(ed)....
I love that song. Even though I don't take it to heart in a literal sense (I belong wherever I find myself, after all!), it always makes me smile thinking of that place I call "home" in the familial sense - southern Indiana.
Rob and I have been here visiting for the past week. It has been a lovely week full of family, horses, falling asleep to the songs of crickets (unheard of in the city) and general peacefulness. This evening I attended Bible study at my Dad's church (he's a United Methodist minister). My Dad is an inspiring storyteller, and I love to hear his sermons and other teachings. Since I was unavailable on Sunday morning to attend services at his church, I hopped at the opportunity to go to Bible study tonight. He remains, as always, more teacher than "preacher", and I thoroughly enjoyed the lesson.
He stressed the importance of finding the truth in the story, not the truth of the story. For example: as a Christian, it is important to my Dad to see the truth of Jesus' miraculous works - that Jesus had gifts above and beyond his fellows, which can serve as inspiration to us all. He sees this as more important than whether or not Jesus actually walked on water (for example). This is a lesson I often use when sharing stories of Yogic Philosophy with my students. Discovering the truth in the story of the Bhagavad Gita, for example, offers much more profound lessons than a literal interpretation can.
Another stimulating aspect of tonight's lesson was the importance of putting Biblical stories into context. Where the Bible is concerned, a word that was used by the original authors (in Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek, depending upon the book) may have taken shape as something that makes no sense to modern readers once it was translated. Doing a bit of history study in order to better understand the world of the ancients makes the stories come alive in a new, more meaningful way. Again, this is very helpful in my teaching. Helping students understand the roots of the Purna Yoga practice, and the "place" of asana in the path (according to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali), can put them in touch with the bigger picture of the practice. This can potentially help them find their way to deeper and deeper understanding of union and enlightenment.
Occasionally, upon learning that I am a "preacher's kid", a colleague will ask how my Dad feels about me being a Purna Yoga practitioner. This question often elicits a chuckle from me, as I know my Dad to be a spiritual man, not a religious man (even though he has been a minister for well over 20 years). It is my observation that my Dad is much more concerned about whether or not his children are good people who strive to learn and grow, treat others with love and respect, lend a hand to those in need, tell the truth and - in my case at least - seek to deepen our understanding of, and relationship with, the Divine. Through these choices, we end up living in a way that I believe Jesus himself would smile upon. For my family, this is much more important that than whether or not we are "good Christians". My Dad taught us that there are many paths, not a single Truth, and that God is continually revealing Itself to Its creation - us! I feel supported by my Dad as I walk my own, individual, path.
This evening's lesson inspired me to study the Bible more, along with some other books my Dad has recommended in order to help me put the stories into context. I avoided the Bible for a long time, as I do not count myself a Christian and didn't know how to read it in an appropriate context. Now, I feel more confident in being able to see the truth in the stories, getting to the heart of Jesus' teachings and feeling out how to apply them in my own life. One of the most wonderful gifts my father has given me is the example of being firm in one's faith, and deepening that faith by asking questions, probing the stories of one's tradition, and letting go of dogma so that we might keep our hands available to hold those of God.
"Letting go of dogma so that we might keep our hands available to hold those of God"
that's beautiful, Kelly! How have you been? I often think about you. The new schedules came out at Yoga Centers and I was disappointed to see no Mom & Baby Yoga... I'm assuming it is because of the dwindling class numbers :(
It was such a wonderful gift to have Mom & Baby Yoga and, though we are long graduated, I think Jasper and I both have been blessed by it. Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher. Your father should be proud, I think, of the kind of compassion and spiritual light you share with others :)
Posted by: andrea (jasper's mom) | August 28, 2007 at 12:46 AM