"A Tradition is a Way of Seeing  or 
Creative Use of Traditions"

by Sharon Hicks

 

Published: 2002. Yoga Living Magazine, Vol. IV, Issue 1.

A "tradition," translated from its Latin roots, is "handed down" to us or "passed on" to us. It may be a belief or a custom which has survived over time. It may be an outgrowth of the basic human impulse to understand the universe. A tradition arises from a deep-rooted need for harmony. The great traditions all share a systematized vision or way of seeing. When we take "seeing" to mean perception and learning it follows that traditions can be the means to deeper understanding. Two traditions which are an integral part of my life are the traditions of art and of yoga.

The tradition of yoga is one of six systems of Indian thought which together are known as darsana. Darsana when translated means: sight, view, point of view or even a certain way of seeing.

There can be traditions within traditions. For instance, within the tradition of art there are traditions of painting, sculpting, etc. Within the painting tradition there are such traditions as the old masters, the impressionists, the abstract expressionists, etc. And within specific painting traditions there are specific artists, each with a certain way of seeing. Art is a means to learning. This holds true for the artist who is a discoverer as well as for the viewer of the artwork who would not "see" this point of view if it were not for the artists' creation.

Traditions then can afford us new ways of seeing, can offer a means to learning. But, on the other hand, traditions can be limiting. Often times, what we consider to be traditional is actually a routine or a resting point in the past. It is a tradition to have dinner each evening, we learned this should be so. But, if we try to stick to a schedule which we learned worked in the past, we may not see what is possible in the present. We may even become upset because we cannot live up to the expectations we set for ourselves. At other times we may feel "stuck" because we have established a way of seeing which prevents us from seeing new possibilities.

The creative use of traditions, however, allows for new possibilities. A tradition can be a point of departure. It can be an influence rather than a resting point in the past. Artists are influenced by the traditions which came before them. They select and recast the traditions to suit their particular purpose. Creating new realities, artists transform traditions.

Creative use of traditions applies to yoga as well. Yoga can become a way of life—this happens when we creatively use yoga's tools in the present moment as needed.

I will share how yoga helped me several years ago when I was hospitalized and had a tumor removed from my neck. Upon completion of the surgery, I awoke to the words "take a deep breath, breathe." These words inspired me to begin ujjayi breathing which I continued for the next three or four hours. The positive affirmations of "I am feeling better and better, every minute I am feeling better" became my mantra throughout the night and into the days that followed. The first morning after the surgery I found myself practicing gentle neck exercises and alternate nostril breathing. Somehow, by listening to my body, I knew just what to do for the weeks and months that followed.

Traditions do not have to be governed by rules. Rules bring about routine. Instead, traditions can be alive and change. Traditions can be used, adapted, made to serve our needs and, they can be a means to fulfill new goals. I suggest that the path to harmony requires flexibility and creativity. By breaking down the walls of our ways of seeing which no longer serve us in the present moment, we can be artists by transforming traditions to create new realities and a life we love.

 

 

 

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