The Yoga Lifestyle in Action: Finding the Way to Bliss

Seven Stages of a Hot Tub Experience

Stage One: Hot Tub Heaven

I dip my bare feet into warmth, submerging into the hot tub. I’m feeling bliss from my surroundings; the wooden tub with walls of beautiful dark grey and red stones, diffused light from the skylight mingling with the warmth from the earthy, Japanese-style lamp. I’m inspired, looking forward to creating this feeling in the Temazcal sauna at the Doron Yoga & Zen Center in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. My body is embraced by the heat of the water and slowly I submerge myself, taking a deep exhale to allow my muscles to release. My eyes close part way with a hint of a smile on my face – this is heaven on earth. What an easy way to find bliss!

Stage Two: Resisting Relaxation 

At first, I feel softened and relaxed from the heat; however, soon I start to feel familiar feelings of agitation. I start observing my surroundings calmly. I contemplate the cold bath, and watch the water that overflowed from my tub.

Suddenly, I notice a big lump of something on the floor.  My immediate response – an insect! – accompanied by an unconscious feeling – I don’t like them – leading me to feel slight fear.

Thoughts and feelings running away with that feeling of relaxation! I see in my own thoughts the processes of the mind I discuss in my yoga training manual and teacher training program.  

Stage Three: Bliss Interrupted

A second later, I decide to check it out. All I know at this point is my mind is creating a reality that may not be true. I take action and step closer – stepping towards living blissfully – to see what’s there. And yes, it’s not the large insect I imagined! 

As I near it, I realize it’s the stem and leaves that was once a part of a large chocolate covered strawberry. Someone must have been eating in here and left it behind. It’s pretty big – how did the cleaning lady not see this? – I wonder. Again, my mind takes over and my easy way to bliss is disrupted.

Stage Four: Post-Tub Planning

I shall tell them at the front desk later. I notice that my mind is working on phrasing what I will say after my session is over, making plans of how to make sure this does not repeat itself, and how I could get compensated for this. My mind keeps racing, but I have an escape – the cold plunge! I step out of the hot tub, dripping, and before I have time to think anymore I plunge submerge completely into the water. I count slowly to 10, coming out gracefully. With a deep breath inhale, I make my way back into the hot tub.

Stage Five: Too Distracted to Relax

Ahhh, an easy way to bliss! Life is good; my mind is clear. It’s just me and the feeling of the jets on my back. I smile and look around.

But there is the strawberry stem, still sitting where it was before.

My mind goes back to spinning stories about how it came to be there. Then I feel disgusted, thinking about hygiene. A person’s saliva is in my water because this strawberry!

But wait – what is really going on here? What happens when I swim in Lake Atitlan by the DYZC, or the beach? Do I not touch ground and water where people left food? Why am I so concerned about this now?

Stage 6: Can I Really Reset?

Time for another cold plunge please!

This time, I count to 15 as I drop away from it all. I return to the hot tub. All is great.

Until I notice the stem again and all the thoughts that come with it: Why is it that I need to be right about this? Will mentioning this to the front desk help? Will they scold the cleaning lady and will that change her? Did she do this on purpose? Maybe it is not her? Maybe I should just hope to get a free session for my inconvenience…

Suddenly it all becomes clear.

Stage Seven: Back to Bliss

I get up and throw away the stem. It is no longer there. No one has to suffer because of it, not me, not the cleaning lady, not the front desk people. They do not need to apologize.

Everyone stays happy; I’ve found my bliss again. The strawberry stem did not disturb my bliss; it was my minds’ interpretation of the situation. Taking the right action solved the whole problem. The easy way to bliss? Letting thoughts go and coming to action.

The good news is, this time I took before reacting helped me chose a better action than my initial response called for.

Bliss is your right and your choice. It is not about having perfect circumstances. It is about dealing with them in a wise way.