Yoga and the Art of Springing Toward Abundance

Yes, hidden from view are the visual delights of this lake in Central Park, but, more importantly, hiding in plain site is the abundant promise inherent in the branches that already exist.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on abundance this past month. It grew out of a recognition that I have so, so much. And I am not just talking about the material stuff.

Yes, I know there is a war raging in Ukraine and many people there are suffering from lack of basic necessities. Yes, I acknowledge that at this point in the pandemic many people are still struggling to make ends meet. Yes, many of us are still feeling the need to be cautious and haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels of socializing. Many in the world are experiencing great lack right now.

Still, especially for those of us who are not in any immediate life-threatening danger, one way we can help the local and global causes is to recognize the abundance that exists within and near us already.

The promise of spring is the abundance of growth in the natural world that we are about to witness. Spring brings abundant greenery, delectable fruits, and enjoyable temperatures, among many other things that we will soon be delighting in. It becomes a natural and easy thing for us to recognize abundance in our outer world during the spring season. This time of the year also fills us with happy thoughts as we anticipate the coming physical ease in our life after the cold winter. And when our minds are filled with ease, it is easier to recognize our already existing abundant nature within as well.

There is a popular line of thought that goes something like: what you think is what you become. I think one way to become more of what we want to be is to practice recognizing all that we already have. I’m not suggesting that we take up a monk-like existence by living in a cave somewhere and subsisting on our basic needs only. Rather, I am suggesting that in order to have more of what we want, we need to recognize all that we do have right now. And if you stop to think about it, most Americans have quite a lot and more than most of us need. It should be easy for most of us to do this thought exercise.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Eckhart Tolle and Oprah Winfrey, two people who have created a lot of abundance:

Acknowledging the good that is already in my life is the seed of abundance. … Abundance comes only to those who already have. [Eckhart]

Abundance comes from within you. External things do not make you abundant. Abundance is the energy that flows out of you, out of the being of who you are, out into the world. Initiate this process by recognizing the abundance all around you already. ... Outflow determines inflow. … Give that which you say you most want.  [Oprah]

As yoga and meditation practitioners, I think we would we would be well served to add any of their ideas to our practice.

We are all witnessing the horrors that happening in Ukraine, and it’s making us feel helpless. Yet even this far distance from which we are viewing the war, there are things we can do. One example is donating to non-profits like Razom for Ukraine, which is sending medical supplies to the front lines and amplifying the voices of the Ukrainian people. Another example is even just learning more about this region of the world and the incredible cultural and scientific accomplishments it has produced. (For me personally, a favorite Ukrainian accomplishment is that of Lilia Podkopayeva, who won the 1996 Olympic All-Around Gymnastics Gold Medal in Atlanta. The unique quality of her gymnastics is memorable to me and she is one of the greatest there ever was, in my opinion.) Or, it can even be something as simple as donating to any one of our favorite causes at the moment. I believe that each time we make a donation to help someone else in need it is a recognition of the inherent abundant state we are already living in. 

As spring approaches for us, in our immediate environment we can grow into abundance more things like: peace, contentment, being OK with things as they are right now, and letting go of instead of accumulating more of. Growing these things will help bring balance and serenity into our life. These are really the higher goals of practicing yoga and meditation, not whether you can touch your toes or stand on your head.

May you be happy, …
May you be healthy, …
May you spring toward abundance,
May you recognize the abundance that already exists within and just outside of you, …
May this recognition somehow benefit ALL Beings everywhere. 

Aloha, Metta, Peace, and Joy,
Paul Keoni Chun