The 4th of the Niyamas in Yoga is Self Study (Svadhyaya) I came across this clip on how unfair it is to pedestal people (thanks to @brenebrown & @elizabeth_gilbert_writer ) which reminded me of something I wrote in my journal once about pedestaling.
I had written this post meditation out of a desperate desire to want to understand why so called Gurus fall from grace, after having a major reaction to the behaviour of some very well known teachers that a lot of people put up on a pedestal.
Turning Pedestaling Around – Let study of the Self, be your ground
Svadhyaya can be practiced in many ways
Before you study others study yourself!
(The Dangers of Pedestaling)
It’s ok to think the sun shines out of someone’s arse
As long as you remember everyone has a past
It may appear those you hold in high regard may have no fear
You look up to them, at their feet you bow near
You look at them as super human and think they have always been a certain way
Even enlightened or special some might say
Perhaps this “enlightenment” did not happen overnight
Maybe it was working through problems of their own leading them to a moment of insight
The next time you place someone up on a pedestal so high
Ask yourself is it fair, and why would I ?
A more important question is
Would you catch them if they fall?
Or would you judge them, be disappointed and appalled !?
No matter how strong someone may appear
Right next to their many strengths a weakness is near
Weakness in others maybe hidden for a time
But when your heros fall from grace , it is one way to remind
Stop, pause, consider if I cannot forgive others for their weaknesses can I forgive me for mine?!
So it’s ok to think the sun shines out of someone’s arse
But in regards to what you ‘think’
This too shall pass
Maybe the lesson in pedestaling is eventually you will see
This person is no different to you or me
There’s nothing wrong with pedestaling.
If you learn it’s a lesson in disguise
A chance to learn forgiveness,
an opportunity to become wise
Sometimes we place someone way up there
Then turn our back on them when they do not live up to expectations, and you stick your nose in the air
Only to quick to talk about how unyogic they are
Judging pointing the finger from a far
How quickly admiration can turn on its ear
When the root of this ignorance is always fear
How could they do that you maybe quick to say
Truth is you are judging yourself for putting them ‘up there’ anyway
When it comes down to it, no one is immune to the fall
If you do not place your expectations on this person
You will not be part of the collateral
Damage that only happens when we are at odds with what the truth maybe
Everyone needs to do the inner work of ‘Self’ discovery
It doesn’t imply that doing shit things to people is ok
But look deeper into the reason it ruins your day.
Putting someone up on a pedestal can muddy the ‘true’ view Putting yourself below anyone does the same thing too.
Come back to the reality maybe we all do our best
Keep things in perspective, you are no more or no less.
When someone falls from grace is it about their wrong doing or is it our test.
The Gita says an angry mind cannot see clearly, truth be told
From anger only comes confusion and in such a mind problems will never be solved
Meditation helps to develop the muscles of concentration that help us stay in our own lane.
Self study is more productive than pointing the finger and placing blame.
When I stretch, sit quietly and really listen in
The true art of self study takes me within
To realise I have a choice in that moment in time
I can bitch and winge about ‘them’ being unkind
Or let them mind their own business and with my breath I mind mine.
Namaste
Tammy
Contemplation Meditation on the Art of Self Study