In 1966 Captain Kirk and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise set out to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.
When we think of space, we often think of the vast, unimaginable expanse of the Universe beyond our planet, our solar system, even our galaxy. And maybe how small and seemingly insignificant we little Earthlings really are in the grand scheme of things. (I admit I have to remind myself of this on occasion when I start to sweat the small stuff!)
But in reality we are all simply space. Life-forms made up of atoms, which are in turn made up of electrons, protons and neutrons - the smallest particles of matter know to man - all floating around in nothing but space.
In the words of Eckhart Tolle “When you contemplate the unfathomable depth of space… something within you resonates with it as if in recognition. You then sense the vast depth of space as your own depth, and you know that precious stillness that has no form to be more deeply who you are than any of the things that make up the content of your life.”
The physical organism that is your form has it’s own intelligence, what many call ‘consciousness’, that is an inseparable part of something much greater than the sum of this particular collection of atoms. The same intelligence that creates all life-forms and manifests as the complex living being that is mother Earth, as well as worlds beyond our intellectual understanding.
In 2014 I set out with much less grandiose intentions than Captain Kirk and his crew, to create a place where anyone can take time out to reconnect with their true nature, this inner consciousness or innate Being, a breathing space.
The superficial busyness and constant over stimulation of today’s Western culture and lifestyle simply serves to detract us from our true nature. Rather than constantly chasing happiness and seeking fulfilment externally – from relationships, material wealth, careers – when we make time and space to cultivate calm and find stillness we begin re-connect with that divine spirit or consciousness and find peace and contentment within.
Most people’s lives are cluttered with material things, things to do, and things to think about. We can easily become overwhelmed by all these things, and our lives become out of balance.
Yoga is most commonly associated with the physical, asana practice which of course helps to create a sense of space in the body for prana – the life force that animates our Being - to flow more freely.
However through yoga we also learn to practice aparigraha – non-attachment to the accumulation of material things and wealth, and samtosha – acceptance or contentment with things just as they are. And through meditation we learn to disassociate from our thinking mind, and practice non-resistance. It is through these practices that we rediscover another dimension to our lives – inner space.
If you feel overwhelmed by the clutter of thoughts, things to do or the turmoil of emotion, make time to re-connect with your true nature. If you can’t make it to a studio or don’t have home yoga or meditation practice, simply take a contemplative walk in nature or gaze at the sky on a clear night and feel a sense of connection to a greater intelligence. You are coming home to your Self.
This article was largely inspired and influenced by Eckhart Tolle’s book ‘A New Earth’. If you would like to explore these concepts further join me for my upcoming ‘Creating Space’ meditation workshop in Newmarket on 13th August or my ‘Blissed Out’ Yoga & Meditation Retreat in December.