What does it mean to be a father? What does it mean to be a yogi? These are questions that I have been contemplating. Which is more important? Or, are they equally important? I have been struggling to find balance between the two. It reminds me of a story I heard in sutra class. The story is of Arjuna with his guru and classmates. The guru was teaching about concentration and how to shoot a bow with extreme focus of mind. Looking into a nearby tree, the guru saw a white bird with red eyes sitting at the top. Next, the guru asked each classmate what they saw. Some described the branches; others noticed how the wind was moving through the tree. Some didn't notice the tree at all; they described the sun and the blue sky. Each of the classmates was reprimanded. When the guru asked Arjuna what he saw, he replied "Guru, all I see is the red of the eyes like it was a bullseye for my arrow". Arjuna had such an overwhelming sense of focus that he was unaware of the rest of his surroundings.
When I heard this story, I realized how focused I was on yoga and how unfocused I was on being a father. My life today does not have to be all or nothing. I really struggle with balance, but I do not have to pursue my dreams without regard to others. I can be a good dad and live the life of a yogi. By going to my mat every day, I become a better father. To me, being a good father involves being compassionate, loving, understanding, providing, comforting, accepting. All of which, yoga has taught me. My dharma may be to show my daughter the peace and compassion I have learned. Or, maybe it is to lead her toward yoga so one day she may find her God through this practice. That seems like pretty important stuff!
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| How could you not want to be a good dad? |
