Fragments of Fullness

We had only a tiny harvest of lilacs in our yard this year, but the few blossoms that did manage to survive were at their peak this past Sunday. 
 
I happened to notice them just as my weekend retreat was culminating and I was standing in front of the house waving goodbye to the participants as they drove off. 
 
It was serendipitous moment, seeing those perfectly formed, fragrant, little flowers after a wonderful weekend spent in the company of bright, genuine, and open-hearted students. Just like those lilacs in their fullness, my spirit brimmed with a profound sense of fulfillment.
 
Purna is a Sanskrit word that means complete, full, and perfect. It’s an attribute that’s ascribed to Consciousness that also expresses the innate wholeness that we foster in yoga. 
 
You might experience purna as a deep-rooted sense of well-being, an internal contentment that arises irrespective of external circumstances, or a recognition that you are fundamentally whole and deserving of love and acceptance, just as you are.
 
In an imperfect world, making ourselves available to capture fleeting moments of fullness can uplift and elevate your moment-to-moment experience, sometimes in unexpectedly powerful ways. You might be surprised at how many occasions there can be to practice this!
 
It could be as simple as pausing for a few seconds to immerse yourself in the sheer beauty of a fully bloomed flower, lifting your gaze to appreciate the vast expanse of the sky, savoring the stillness that follows a yoga practice or a period of meditation, or cherishing a fulfilling conversation with a dear friend.
 
The lilacs are already wilting. No surprise there. But their brief flourish and quick demise only underscore the importance of seizing the moments of perfection and joy whenever they arise, no matter how small or unassuming.