A few months ago, I saw the parable of the elephant. In this simple short story, we find out that a small elephant is tethered by a rope to a post. As the elephant grows it could easily break the rope with its powerful limbs but it never does. The elephant has gotten so used to being tethered to that spot that even if painful or uncomfortable things happen it endures and doesn’t realize or comprehend that it had an option to break free.
Eight years ago, I tethered myself to an idea and decided that I was going to accomplish a particular thing in life (getting a PhD). The first 5 years went by and the journey had its ups and downs but was fulfilling enough. Three and a half years ago, things started to unravel as I started to listen to my heart, body, intuition, and find the joy in just being in the present moment. The last 3 years, I have had the privilege of working with a talented yoga teacher/energy worker, Kate Garland, who has helped me to become a different person who is lighter and more in tune with my essence/spirit.
This week during an energy work session, I realized that I had been enduring and pushing to accomplish something that I no longer found joy in and wasn’t serving me. I had tethered myself to accomplishing a thing and was pushing hard to do it without fully considering or comprehending that I had a choice. My life or future happiness didn’t depend on doing this thing but I had just kept pushing myself to do it. During a relaxing spine twisting yoga class today with Kate, my mind began to relax as I focused on the rhythmic nature of my breath. My body began to twitch as it sank into a deep state of relaxation near the end of class. As I laid on my mat, I could feel a rope tethered to my right leg. The rope wasn’t tight but it made its presence known, the story of the elephant flowed into my consciousness. Like the elephant, I have grown into a different and more powerful being but hadn’t had the courage or awareness before this point to break free from this particular rope. I am now holding the knife in my hand and preparing to take a deep breath and sever the rope. The idea of being free is scary but exhilarating at the same time.
I know my story is not unique and that others are being tethered by ideas, thoughts, stories, and beliefs that are holding them back. You may not see the ropes now but I can guarantee you they are there and that you are not alone. I can’t tell you how to find the ropes that are holding you back but I can say that having a talented teacher/energy worker is definitely worth every penny and the time spent with them will be very beneficial. I have devoted a lot of time to seeing these ropes and part of me is embarrassed to share the struggle but I think it is important to create this type of dialogue so that others are encouraged and feel less alone in their journey.
Mara Skye Wolf 