While breaking bread and coloring our pancha koshas, Casey, Kyle, and I told stories of navigating life in the recent months and years. Neither man would claim to be on the path of yoga and yet I felt as if I was in a master class of how to handle the ‘chitta vrittis’ (the fluctuations of the mind that bind us to unhealthy habits and misperceptions).  The roots of yoga further teach us we (human beings) are inter-related not only to each other but to all of existence.  That means, know it or not, like it or not, we each affect each other.  Yoga invites us to realize as we grow and establish our individual selves in the state of inner peace, to show up in our communities and offer that same peace to our collective.

I was deeply moved to see our friend Casey’s rendering of the pancha kosha (above).  As I gazed at the topographic looking lines, they reminded me of ripples in a pond overlapping and merging.  Casey is almost a generation younger than me and grew up in a completely different cultural setting.  In the treasured few times we have spent together I have learned lasting lessons on courage and compassion (which unbeknownst to Casey are pillars of Yoga) from him.  

As we packed away the crayons and color pencils, I asked Kyle and Casey for their permission to share these renderings in a newsletter.  With their gracious agreement we knew it was time to say our goodbyes.  Casey was catching a flight home having just completed a Secret Service duty in our area.  Kyle had to pack his bag to fly out on a Homeland Security mission overseas.  Nourished by our shared experience it was time for me to prepare for the classes I would teach in the morning.  Melancholy in recognition that our three paths would diverge I knew to lean into gratitude.  Grateful that the lifelong cultivation of inner equilibrium in each man would soon be in service to folks far and wide.

As I walk into the final months of grad school (Master of Science in Yoga Therapy) I am often reminded that the therapeutic application of the yoga is based on the foundation of the pancha kosha.  There is growing body of scientific research showing we humans reap lasting health benefits with the continuous cultivation of inner peace.  I posit that it is equally important to establish and maintain inner harmony to benefit our fellow beings.  No matter the situations and circumstances we find ourselves in, we can bring balance and the possibility of peace within ourselves and to the collective.

Every step on the path toward freedom is one step further away from greed and hatred.  Whatever path you are on (and there are many), I am cheering for you.  Thank you for doing the inner work and showing up in community.  I know it is tough work, and I know it is absolutely necessary, especially now.  We need your whole being, your glorious pancha kosha on this planet.  Please keep on your path towards peace.