This blog looks at the four different kinds of vessels in relation to the teachings of yoga. The vessels are analogies of human personalities/conditions that prevent us from easing our suffering and living with more vitality and gratitude. The ancients taught that we ALL have the potential for wholeness, but they were also aware of the obstacles that keep us from experiencing joy and freedom. I will be using my teacher’s book, Yoga for Transformation (YFT) by Gary Kraftsow in writing this blog.
Halloween has come and gone. The costumes have been celebrated and now put away in the closet. We are in the middle of chaos from the pandemic to natural disasters to a country divided in fundamental beliefs. Establishing and maintaining a yoga and meditation practice is such an important part in helping us navigate these unprecedented times. It’s my practice that keeps me grounded in the middle of chaos. I think…it’s a great time to look at the story of the 4 vessels.
The 4 vessels are:
The Upside-Down Vessel
The Dirty Vessel
The Leaky Vessel
The Tilted Vessel
The Upside-Down Vessel: This vessel symbolizes a fundamental disorientation to life. It is an analogy for an individual who presents with both a CLOSED mind and heart. “The view of the ancients was that the first steps in personal transformation are the recognition of the reality of suffering, knowledge of the causes of sufferings, and the wish to change our condition.” YFT With these individuals, personal practice has no role or purpose because they have closed themselves off to the possibilities of creating change through actions both on and off the mat.
I have a saying, “I will only work as hard for you as you are willing to work.” I recognize that sometimes family members may fall into this category. My view and a Yoga Sutra teaching is to have compassion for them but with space. Sit with that for a minute…Compassion with space. Yep, that means that you don’t have to try and change anyone. Oh yeah…life changing!
The Dirty Vessel: This vessel symbolizes individuals whose systems are toxic at some level. When we talk yoga levels, we are talking about the multidimensionality of physical, energetic, and emotional levels. This toxicity can be on any OR all of those levels. The ancients recommended that the first step in personal practice is to purify = clean it up! Makes sense right?
If we don’t feel good, for example with our digestion, it can be hard to want to practice. Although the right yoga therapy practice can be exactly what is needed to help manage the symptoms and begin to improve functionality.
The Leaky Vessel: Ah…my favorite and one I think many people can relate to. “This vessel symbolizes individuals who are unable to sustain practice and to build energy in their systems.” YFT This could be due to instability of the mind including too many distractions. (insert cell phones, social media here)
This Leaky Vessel was me for many years. I would start my personal practice only to find other distractions that pulled me away from it.
Can I get a show of hands…can you relate?
One day, many years ago…a dear friend and I made a pact that we would practice every day for 30 days and check in with each other. That is all it took for me to establish my practice consistently. I see how powerful my yoga and meditation practice is in maximizing my potential and feeling good while doing that.
Yes, we do have time. If you look at what takes up our energy (insert cell phones, social media here…lol), we can learn to do less of what drains us and more of what supports us.
The Tilted Vessel: This vessel is able to hold some of whatever is put into it but it also loses some. “It symbolizes those who receive practices and teaching and make progress, but who are unable to maximize their full potential.” YFT Gary Kraftsow goes on to write that there are a variety of possible reasons for a “tilted vessel” including a distorted perspective involving the methods and purposes of practice.
In other words, someone doesn’t have clarity with what, why, and how they are using the tools of yoga to develop their potential. Downward Facing Dog is just a posture and is not necessarily needed in a practice. However, if you have certain physiological digestive symptoms, that pose could be chosen to help a person manage and improve their symptoms.
This is why it is so useful to have a skilled yoga therapist guiding a client’s personal practice because they are trained to understand where imbalances exist on multiple levels and what tools of breath, movement, sound, and meditation will best support the client’s priorities step by step.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about The Four Vessels. You may have related to one of those descriptions. Remember, please don’t judge yourself but observe your patterns. Patterns are not good or bad but can be functional or dysfunctional. A good question to ask yourself when making choices is “Will this serve and support how I want to live?” Only you know the answers to that question. The answers live deeply inside of you. You are your own beautiful light in this world! Let’s shine together friends!!