The Abundance of Enough

Let's be honest - the world often tells us success is about struggle, stress, and competition – doing more, having more, being more. It's a path that's deeply ingrained in our culture and mythology. But, this path can sometimes lead us away from happiness, leaving us feeling disheartened by relentless struggle.

That’s because this approach is often based around the idea of “lack” – of not having, or being enough.

But there's another path, an inner path to feel content and abundant just as we are. It rests on a beautifully simple idea: "I'm enough." Yes, it’s become a bit of a wellness mantra, but if we look past the cheesy slogans and influencers, there’s a genuine truth in this perspective. If we feel whole just as we are, life is already bountiful. If we believe deep down "I'm not enough," no success can fill that empty space.

I'll admit - I struggle with this sometimes. I come from a family that defined worth by your career. So it's been an ongoing journey - really a lifelong endeavor - to feel comfortable just being myself, separate from any job title or status.

Yoga reminds us we already have everything we need. Yoga means to unite or join, and its purpose is to unite two worlds we often keep separate. One world is "out there," the physical realm with things and other people. The other is the world "in here," where our minds are ceaselessly active, generating thoughts and sensations. Yoga helps us bridge these two worlds, to make us whole, and to let "I am enough" become the foundation of our approach to life.

To embrace this understanding of abundance, it's helpful to recognize the role our minds play in attracting it into our lives. Maybe you’ve heard the saying "Energy flows where your attention goes." This means that what we experience in life is a direct result of where we place our focus. It's like a scale: the more weight you place on one side, the more it tips in that direction.

Picture the universe as a vast, ever-evolving canvas of possibilities, constantly expanding before you. Within this cosmic tapestry, we have the incredible privilege of existence. Just being here is a miracle.

Wherever possible, I try to shift my focus to what's working in life. I try to recognize the countless ways that well-being shows up - in my body, relationships, surroundings.

But, what about the very real tough stuff? Over the past week, I've been reflecting on how these yoga principles, the ideas of abundance and contentment – or santosha – sit alongside the wicked problems facing our world today.

Climate change threatens life worldwide. And inequality leaves billions in poverty. Thinking of this stirs up emotions - fear, grief, anger. It can feel overwhelming.

Is focusing on inner abundance a way of escaping or denying the difficulties around us?

No. I don’t think so. Tapping into inner wealth doesn't mean ignoring real problems. In fact, if we can act from love, not fear, we are more likely to find care and creativity. We realise our power to lift up and transform.

We can use our yoga practice to strengthen us, so that we can share our gifts bravely. Lend voice to the silenced. Offering what we can - devotion, donation, simple care – can create a rising tide of love. Each contribution fuels the change we wish to see. Together, we can build a world overflowing with abundance.