Taking on a challenge: from doing to being

Some days ago I went for a run to a beautiful spot near our home at the river and while I was contemplating the beauty of the river and feeling the life force running through the forest, river and through my veines, I started to reflect on how greatly uplifting these physical challenges are. It's also something that soon I will be sharing more about in our Yoga outdoor challenge retreat for men.

sunset yoga

Humans have always been dealing with a lot of challenges in life. Challenges have not only been an obstacle to overcome, but have been at the very core of evolution. The force behind a challenge we are facing brings us more adaptability and strength into our lives. In the past most of our challenges required a physical action. When there was hunger or we had no shelter, we had to move our bodies to provide for our needs.

Nowadays, challenges are mostly mental and emotional, and are often no longer in connection with the elements or with what our ancestors used to do. Our biggest challenges may include an overdependence on our phones and the internet, an inability to switch off, overstimulation, and coping with pollution. All of these bring us even more in our minds and in thought identification.

On the other hand, when we challenge ourselves physically, like going for a run, doing a vigorous yoga practice, or climbing a mountain, our mind becomes more quiet. Those situations require a lot of focus on elemental processes that ground is into the now: our breathing, our body sensations, awareness of our surroundings. And also after a physical challenge, our mind usually feels more at peace. Exercise reduces stress hormones; such as cortisol and adrenaline, and stimulates the production of endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers and painkillers.

So, although taking on challenges may be a great way to bring more strength, peace and happiness into our lives, it can also inflate the ego if we become identified with our achievements and performances. For the sporty person, running a marathon may become an identity. For a yoga practitioner, doing 3 hours/day uninterrupted a daily practice may become an identity. For a bussinesmen, making 6 numbers/year of income may become the identity. While there can be some psychological benefit in being proud of our achievements, on a spiritual level it keeps us enveloped in ego identification and thus blocks us from feeling our Beingness in its totally. An essential ingredient in yoga is to be grounded as the observer, and not as the ego that identifies with forms that come and go. When we identify with our achievements, body and mind, we may be happy one day, but sooner or later we lose what is most precious to us. Then we will suffer… Not only is ego identification a danger for future suffering. It blocks us from feeling life in its totally right now. Living in truth is a calling each of us longs for. Whether we are in touch with this longing or not is another question. But ultimately we all want to wake up from the dream, and experience life in freedom. And this may be considered the biggest and most valuable challenge in life. Are we ready to give up our comfort zone, dive into the unknown and move from identification with our actions and thoughts, into a sense of pure Being? Here the challenge is not longer about what we do, but about the quality and lucidity of our awareness that penetrates all our actions.

Although there is no magic recipe for awakening, as it lies behind the realm of our actions, there are certain conditions that are more likely to trigger an awakening. If we remain stuck in tamasic habtis, which is according to yoga the heavy energy of inertia, procrastination and laziness, we are not walking a divine life that calls us back home. When we knock on the door of heaven and let the life force flow freely through us, and we take on challenges to overcome the tamasic habits, we may put ourselves in a position where we feel more light, peace, clarity and purpose. Ultimately, the real challenge is to let go of our limited mind and ego-identification and awaken to the totality of our Being. We are all like little rivers, flowing back to the ocean and yet eternally remaining as the same water of Unity.

local waterfall near Pampaneira

Therefore, when putting together the content and name for the men’s retreat which I will hold this April in Ananda Forest, I was hesitating to use the word challenge or not. But although I am aware that challenges can keep us trapped in an identification with our actions, I believe that especially for men it is extremely valuable to take on some challenges to transform stagnant energies into light. Luckily we no longer, at least right now, have to gather as men to fight pointless wars. But we have the choice to awaken the inner warrior in us and to gather as men to awaken our higher potential, and to reconnect with our inner power and purpose while serving our beloved planet and family.

If you feel the calling to join us, you can have a look at our page: ‘Yoga outdoor Challenge retreat for men’. It would be a joy to share this journey with you and to create together a magical, beautiful and joyful experience!