I’ve been thinking lately about steadfastness, defined as “the quality of being resolutely firm and unwavering.” In one of yoga's sacred texts, the Yoga Sutras, written by Patanjali in about 250 BCE, it states “practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break, and in all earnestness.” The word sutra means “thread” in Sanskrit. Patanjali is credited with pulling together the threads of yoga philosophy into a book that guides us to spiritual growth and enlightenment.

The world comes at us every second of every day with endless opportunities to scroll, swipe, and bounce from one drama (or joy) to the next. How can we be steadfast in thought, action, and spirit if we are caught up in the rip current that is our daily experience?

One of the answers, for me, is to practice. It feels radical to give myself the chance to focus on slowness, steadiness, and take a deep dive into my own experience. Rather than accelerate, I can soften and slow my breathing. Rather than letting my mind have free rein, I can strengthen my ability to cultivate presence. I can choose to be steadfast on my mat and in my meditation, trusting that everything I practice will support my life off the mat.

Yoga asks us to keep showing up in all earnestness. Yoga invites us to dig deeper, to see who we are, what our gifts are, and what brings us joy. Yoga helps us discern where we can be of service in the world. Yoga helps us clear out the distraction, the chaos, the mess, so that we operate as much as possible from the bedrock of our being.

So, this month, let’s practice steadfastness. When we feel ourselves being pulled into the current of the news cycle, the chaos, and the stories we tell ourselves, let’s come back to the ground beneath our feet, to peace, to presence. Let’s practice in all earnestness and trust that if we do, we will contribute our gifts to the world in meaningful ways.