Meditation to Remove Obstacles
By Mindy Arbuckle, E-RYT
Obstacles are a part of life. You have your goals and aspirations and every time you get going on your project something comes up, something blocks your way. It is an everyday occurrence. Some obstacles are larger than others, yet they are always there.
The Yoga Sutras describe the different types of obstacles as:
Disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, temptation, false perception, failure to reach firm ground and slipping from the ground gained. (YS 1.30)
These obstacles happen to everyone. They are a common occurrence to those on the spiritual path. Do not get discouraged by them. The mind cannot always function on the same level – it has its highs and lows. If there was no challenge and there was steady progress always, you would lose interest in the game of life.
Yoga practice is like an obstacle race: many obstructions are put in your way purposefully for you to pass through. They are there to make you understand your purpose, strength and depth of your capabilities. Everyone has strengths but you don’t always know it. Challenges and tests help you to understand your own capacity.
This is similar to the power of water. If a river flows smoothly and gracefully without obstructions you would never know it’s power. However, if you narrow its path and place boulders in the way, even a cliff drop, you can see how very powerful water can be. Over time water can be so strong that it can cut through mountains, round the edges of the hardest rocks, and create unparalleled beauty.
The next time that an obstacle comes up for you in your life or your yoga practice take a moment to detach your emotions from it and view it from a place of calm and balance. Thank it for showing up in your life and learn from this obstacle.
Another method for dealing with obstacles is to chant to Ganesha, the elephant headed god. He is known to help the pure at heart remove the obstacles that bind them as well as bringing good luck and prosperity. This mantra helps you to discern a state of mind that is creating disharmony between you and another. This will bring balance to your inner world and order to your outer world.
Om Gum Ganapataye Namaha.
“Om and salutations to the remover of obstacles.”
Offer more repetitions of this mantra depending upon the seriousness of the difficulty in your life. Three repetitions can be a lovely way to start each day. However, if you are dealing with a specific obstacle practice a full mala (108 repetitions). If the problem is very serious, practice more than one mala every day for at least 40 days consecutively.
The Ganesha Mantra can be quite powerful in removing the obstacles in your way. Be prepared for the changes that can occur with regular practice of this mantra. Speak to a qualified yoga teacher if you have questions about the practice of this mantra or the things that come up for you.
Watch the video to learn more about this mantra and the proper way to chant it.
Mindy regularly teaches meditations like this one in her yoga classes. Join her Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 am for an All Levels Yoga Class or Sundays at 9:00 am for Bliss Yoga.
About the author:
Mindy Arbuckle is the owner of Green Mountain Yoga in Arvada, CO. She has been studying and teaching yoga for most of her adult life and is passionate about helping people through positive and intentional self transformation.
