“Often we can achieve an even better result when we stumble yet are willing to start over, when we don’t give up after a mistake, when something doesn’t come easily but we throw ourselves into trying, when we’re not afraid to appear less than perfectly polished.” – Sharon Salzberg
“If we fall, we don’t need self-recrimination or blame or anger—we need a reawakening of our intention and a willingness to recommit, to be wholehearted once again.” – Sharon Salzberg
I refer to this useful inspiration regularly. The New Year’s remind us that we can start again. However, we can always begin again. From “The Power of Intention” published in O Magazine in 2004. Sharon Salzberg speaks to the power of cultivating awareness of the intentions behind our thoughts and actions.
I recall listening to Sharon Salzberg speak to how the important work in meditation, is not when we have it perfect, focused and present, but when we falter. When we catch ourselves distracted, mindlessly breathing, or even when we miss a day of practice. Do we get frustrated, put ourselves down or fuel our feelings of incompetence? Can we be kind and loving of ourselves in our response? Can we remain accepting of our capacity for more?
Readily applicable to our Asana and life practice.