a little faith, a little desire, a lot of attention

“Do you remember the story Sarah sometimes tells at the beginning of practice?” asked Calliope.

“Iccha, Jnana, Kriya…right?” asked Urania in return. “Desire, Knowledge of Technique, and Manifestation?”

“The story of a seed that lands in a sidewalk crack…it desires to unlock the door and be free,” said Thalia.

“Inside the seed is the knowledge of how to align the key in the lock, and how to turn the key to open the door to freedom,” added Urania.

Calliope brought the idea home, “The act of turning the key in the lock, with just the right amount of force, leads to growth and bloom.”

“Sarah compares it to postures on the mat…first you have to want to do it, then over time you work to learn what’s required and slowly build muscle, balance, and skill,” said Urania.

“And then one day…you’re a bird of paradise, a turtle, or standing on your head,” laughed Thalia. “Or…maybe you never get to the pinnacle, but it’s really about the journey anyhow.”

“And it’s a metaphor for everything in life…a universal principle of alignment,” said Urania.

“A good principle to remember when learning is coming too fast…slow down or the key might not line up?” asked Calliope. “Have a little faith?”

“And be aware of what you are feeling…”

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We were born and brought up with the maxim that ‘time is money’, but what does the word time mean? The day is made up of 24 hours and an infinite number of moments. We need to be aware of each of those moments and to make the best of them regardless of whether we are busy doing something or merely contemplating life. If we slow down, everything lasts much longer. Of course that means that washing the dishes might last longer, as might totting up the debits and credits on a balance sheet or checking promissory notes, but why not use that time to think about pleasant things and to feel glad simply to be alive?
~Excerpt from The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho