The Ego and Yoga: A Bath Time Tale

I decided to meditate in the bath one night. I lit candles and decided to focus on the wonderful scent of the essential cedar oil I had just purchased. It was quiet, tranquil and relaxing. I had just settled into nothingness then . . .

Plop! . . .Plop! . . .Plop! . . .Plop!

For some reason, my shower decided to start leaking out of nowhere for no reason at all.

Plop! . . .Plop! . . .Plop! . . .Plop!

That's okay . . .I meditate all the time. I teach meditation and know that I should notice these events, acknowledge these events without attachment as if watching clouds in the sky. Concentrate . .

PLOP! . . .PLOP! . . .PLOP! . . .PLOP!

Is it getting louder? Ah, this cedar smells delightful. . . PLOP! . . .I am so relaxed . . .PLOP! . . .The water is so warm . . .PLOP! . . .Cedar . . .cedar . . .PLOP! . . .CEDAR . . .PLOP! . . C-E-D-A-R-

I get up from my perfect bath to check the shower faucet. It's completely off. I stick a towel on the floor under the drip . I went so far as to place a sponge right underneath the offending shower head as a back up to the drip.

There. Now I can enjoy my meditation. Back in the tub. Settle in. Close eyes. Connect to the breath. Cedar . . .Cedar . . .Cedar . . .Plop-bing-rattat-plop! . . .cedar . . .Plop-bing-rattat-plop! . . .Cedar . . .Plop-bing-rattat-plop!

So, I didn't stop the noise from the drip, in fact I had enhanced it to a disco beat staccato.

Well that's okay, I'll change my way of thinking. It sounds like rain now. . . Plop-bing-rattat-plop! . . .Cedar . . .Cedar . . .Cedar? . . .Plop-bing-rattat-plop!

Needless to say, I got up from the bath, annoyed. I didn't beat myself up or thought my practice was a waste of time. I did acknowledged that I did the best I could and let myself just be with whatever I was feeling.

Although we lead our students through mindfulness and letting go, as teachers we have to remember that no matter how long we have taught, no matter how long we have practiced, no matter how much we experience, we are forever students, learning and growing.

Each practice will be different, each meditation different, each student different . . .It is all part of yoga. All the ups, all the downs, all the frustrations, all the awakenings. What we plan, what we decide to do may not be part of the journey, but setting aside the ego, we can grasp those opportunities for growth, freedom and happiness.

Now, as I am writing this, it has occurred to me that maybe I should have just changed my focus from what I wanted to focus on, to the dripping shower, embraced the crisp sound of the water hitting the floor, let the echo of each *Plop!* reverberate through my center and enjoyed my bath with no resistance, and with no ego.