The track: life!
As a former competitive motorcycle racer who finds the foundation of my practice in the experiences of my life, a clear vision of Yoga practice came to me through the metaphor of a precise racing line through 2 linked bends, a right-hander that determines the left-hander after it...
The track is set: 2 flat curves, a right bend then a left bend, all on a circuit several kilometres long. This is the life we travel through, with its bends and meanders. Either we merely endure them and are life's plaything, or we begin to play with them...
The aim of this practice is to cross the finish line after several laps of the circuit as fast as possible and, of course, safely. While it matters to link the bends as well as possible, one after another, it is not taking one bend perfectly that will get us to the finish line instantly, but applying, at every moment, awareness and the intention to go fast and cross the finish line.
So the intention is very strong and brings attention focused on the moment. The moment thus becomes awareness in action (vimarsha). It is no longer possible to give in to the “daily hypnotic drowsiness of life”, because going off the track will quickly be punished, often severely. The decision to enter this race then pushes us to be lucid at every moment and forces us to stay with our intention.
But it is quite conceivable that a bend is badly taken, and in the end this matters little compared with the whole race. Guilt plays no part; on the contrary, the wish to do even better can make us go much faster and better through the following bends, with attention that is necessarily sharpened.
So life becomes directed and channelled; it takes on a deep meaning that lights up every moment, every act, every decision, every moment...
At the moment of linking the 2 bends, an important element appears that is so little understood in our world: sacrifice...
Indeed, if I want to come out of the second, left-hand bend as fast as possible, and so get through the 2 linked bends as fast as possible, I must sacrifice the first, right-hand bend...
Explanations
The best line through a bend is to go as wide as possible on entry, come back towards the centre in the middle and run wide on exit. (see figure 1)
But this is no longer possible when you have to take 2 bends close to each other.
You have to sacrifice the first to take the second. (see figure 2)
In this idea of sacrifice we understand Yama and Niyama (restraint and discipline).
These two activities of Yoga, at its beginning, will give more “speed” to the other activities.
But we must see Yama and Niyama in a somewhat broader way than mere restraints and disciplines, even though these are already good starting points...
Sacrifices and restraints
We must open this notion of sacrifice to every moment of our life, guided by the intention of crossing the finish line (awakening). Above all, it is our ego-driven pursuits and assertions that we must restrain, at every moment: trying to step out of our character and stay connected with our being, our deep consciousness...
For those who have managed to feel the opening and vibration of the heart during a practice, it means trying to stay, whatever happens in life, in any bend, connected with these vibrations, perceiving what is happening in the moment and applying the same “moves” as a rider entering a bend:...
Taking the line requires understanding what is at work, in motion, the right attitude in relation to the abilities at hand, a search for safety and for pleasure, to go fast and well.
First comes placing the braking, hard in a straight line and softer and softer towards the centre of the bend: that is the right restraint, resting on the right disciplines. Hard at first to tame my wild nature and my overly strong habits, then more supple once the direction is set...
Fulfilment
But I must go a little further still and not take everything now, otherwise the second bend would be missed. So I must silence my urge to speak, to act, to accelerate, and in the end to react to the slightest opportunity, the slightest demand or the slightest stimulus.
I keep myself for the bend that is coming, for the fulfilment that will take place in another moment.
With great finesse and intelligence in the act, almost in an inner stillness full of restraint and fierce determination, I place my machine on its best line, in its best behaviour. This is not tied to an ethical or moral vision, just a strong determination that lights up the moment and gives a meaning, a direction.
At last the new curve takes shape; life offers me something else, the result of my restraint, and everything is then in my favour. I am exactly in my right place, my dharma is fulfilled without clash, suffering or difficulty...
Weight transfer, and off we go towards something else!
The acceleration is very gentle at first, so as not to leave the apex, the centre, taming the moment, stillness and balance in movement, still observing in the moment, nothing else...
I remain a still and peaceful observer carried towards the light...
The position must be right, the breath light and free, the gaze resting calmly on the furthest point...
The intention is everywhere: to go fast and well, vibrations, gliding...
Finally the acceleration grows and propels me, fast and far towards the light; the line has catapulted me towards infinity. The movement is so perfect that it no longer belongs to me; it accomplishes itself and accomplishes me...
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