05/04/2025
Today in our Mmm Mini Retreat we were exploring the 9 obstacles that Patanjali outlines in the Yoga Sutras through tarot and then we burnt them away through various practices and releasing ritual.
These obstacles are the dullness and state of unfulfillment experienced with the emotions of the 4 of Cups. The apathy and laziness with the tamasic heavy energy of the 9 of Swords. The doubt and scepticism when our inner critic goes overboard with a reversed Justice card. The discontentment and disease caused by a neglect of self causing mental health issues and inability to manage stress with the reversed hermit. The carelessness and negligence of self and our responsibilities with the reversed fool. Turning to the false due to procrastination and postponing what is necessary with the hanged man. Being over powered by the senses and being trapped and stuck by our desires, attachments and materialism with the Devil card. The instability and lack of direction, control and focus with the reversed Chariot card. All these obstacles are distractions of the mind which prevents us from truly knowing our ‘self’ and experiencing stillness, clarity, joy, peace, awareness, love and the truth.
We went through a journey to learn what these obstacles were in our lives presently externally and internally and then burnt them away physically, mentally, energetically and also spiritually.
You can’t expect your seeds to grow in infertile soil. What obstacles are you facing?
1. Can you recognise them?
2. Are they external, internal or both?
3. Are you brave enough to face them?
4. Are you brave enough to change them?
5. Can you consciously meet them with the opposite (Yoga Sutra 2:33) essentially re-training the mind?
