For the past several years I have been on a journey.  A journey to better understand what spirituality means to me; to be more mindful, to have good intentions, and to let go of the idea of “one” and better understand my place in what I often call the “collective” or the Universal Mind.  What I have come to learn, well one of the many things that I have learned, is that we must let go of judgement in order to find peace within ourselves and in this world.  When we judge ourselves we are casting a shadow on our true spirit and loving energy – when we judge others, we are casting that darkness on ourselves AND those we criticize.

So where am I going with all of this?  Well, this past weekend I went on a yoga retreat.  I’m blessed to say that it is the third that I have done in the last year and a half.  And what did I say when I told people what I was doing this past weekend?  “Oh, well I signed up for this BEFORE I left my job, so that is why I am going.”  You see, I was so worried about people judging me that I was going off on this weekend having just started my own business, that I was trying to cut them off at the pass.  This was all in my own mind as people mostly responded with a “good for you” or “have a great time.”

While spending many, many hours on my mat over the past four days, there were so many times that judgement tried to creep in, and sometimes it did.  I would think to myself, “you should be able to do that” or “don’t use a block, push harder to get into that pose.”  But as the hours went on, I began to release this voice in my head and allowed myself to be guided.  Allowed my body to do what felt best.  And in the moments of stillness and meditation, my inner voice shared this thought:

When you let go of judgement, you are free to enjoy life, you are free to enjoy others, you are free to be yourself.

Wow, thank you inner guidance system!  Boy, did I need that one…

As the weekend concluded I began thinking about how I would share my experience and what I might write; I also thought about an image that I might use to go along with this post.  I thought about some photos that my sister took this summer of me doing dancer’s pose that I never ended up posting anywhere as my form wasn't right and “how can a fitness instructor post a photo that isn’t right……….”

Needless to say, the photo is proudly attached to this blog post.

Perhaps today you will try and release yourself from the binds of judgement; of yourself and of others.  Feel the lightness and freedom that comes along with shining light, rather than casting shadow, on the collective.

As always, I invite you to share your thoughts below.

Thank you for reading.