“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”

― Pema Chödrön

It was so windy this week that I was almost blown clean off my bike. It made me laugh out loud when I realised I had zero control over whether I toppled over or stayed upright. I had to stop for a minute to lay low for the gust to pass me by.

We Brits have such a preoccupation with the weather. There's been plenty of opportunity to talk about the weather recently with the number of storms arriving on our shores. Apparently, we’re to have to get used to more of this.

Weather Report

Have you seen today’s forecast yet? It seems sensible to know so that we can prepare for the day - what to wear, whether to carry an umbrella, whether to brace for travel disruption (or calculate the risks of getting blown over if we opt for a bicycle!)

Recent extreme weather events reminded me of a quote from Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön (above and below),

“You are the sky. Everything else - it’s just the weather.”

This statement implies a sense of completeness and steadiness that is always present and accessible, even amidst life’s unpredictable forces beyond our control. I interpret “weather” here to refer to both external circumstances and our internal experiences, whether dramatic or subtle.

Our internal weather systems can very often wreak even more havoc than external ones. However, how many of us pay close attention to our internal forecast as regularly and conscientiously as we do to the Met Office? Do we ever take the time to assess our bodies, minds, and emotions with the same daily diligence?

Weather Warning

The weatherman has given me a timely update on wind, rain and temperature so I can head out on my bike, prepared. However, it’s a shame that there’s no one to alert me about which thoughts or feelings are the dominant players in today's terrain that are likely to influence my day (week, month, year or life, for that matter).

This morning, my forecast runs a little like this:

External weather: Breezey with a 2% chance of getting blown off my bike. It’s going to be a busy day at work. No time for yoga this morning. A moderate chance I’ll get to have lunch (well, Moderate or Good 😛)

Internal weather: A bit tired. The slightly earlier morning light has made me happy. I feel mild anticipation of being overwhelmed and impatient during the day ahead. Already longing for some alone time. Hopeful for some sunny spells over the weekend.

Whatever the Weather

You may have heard a yoga teacher say, “How’s the internal weather report today?” Or been asked, “What does it feel like to be you today?’ Or offered the invitation to close eyes, “check in”, and sense inwards.

Yoga invites us always to take the opportunities to introspect, whether for brief moments on the mat or longer spells of meditation.

By observing, the fluctuations of the mind present themselves. You become familiar with patterns that help, hinder, delude, flatter, persuade, and dissuade. We realise also that internal conditions are as changeable as the weather. As Pema Chödrön says, you can sometimes even appreciate that changing winds, however powerful, really are just part of the weather.

With the threat of storms, both internal and external, never far from our lives, how useful it is to acknowledge the steady sky and methods to get there. To access a wellspring of deep peace and security, untouchable, whatever the weather.

Let’s practise.