Every morning, a dog stops by a certain tree on our street. It lifts its leg, does its business, and moves along. It’s an ordinary sight—easily overlooked. And yet, something curious stands out. That very tree, the one visited daily, is lush, green, and thriving. In contrast, its neighbor stands brittle and dull, struggling with sparse leaves and dry bark. One could say the tree has every reason to be weakened—exposed each day to something unpleasant. But instead, it flourishes.
This small, quiet moment holds a deep yogic truth. Turning the Unwanted into Nourishment Urea, a component in urine, is rich in nitrogen—an essential nutrient for plant growth. What seems like a daily insult to the tree is, in truth, a gift. The tree doesn’t resist. It doesn’t complain. It simply receives, absorbs, and transforms. Isn’t this what yoga teaches us? To develop a mind that remains undisturbed by praise or blame. To receive life as it comes—not with bitterness or resistance, but with awareness and grace. Like the tree, we are asked to turn the unwanted into strength.
The Yogic Lens
Respond, Don’t React In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna speaks of Sthitaprajna—one who remains steady in wisdom, unshaken by joy or sorrow. This doesn’t mean we must accept mistreatment or ignore harm. Rather, it means we begin to observe our triggers, manage our reactions, and reclaim the energy we often lose to conflict. When someone criticizes you, challenges you, or behaves unfairly, pause. Breathe. Ask yourself: Can I learn from this? Can I grow through this?
A Practice of Inner Alchemy
Yoga is not only practiced on the mat. It lives in how we carry ourselves through discomfort. It blooms in moments where we could harden, but choose to soften. Where we could fight back, but choose to stand tall with dignity. Like the tree, we can choose to absorb life fully—without resistance, without fear—and transform it into clarity, resilience, and depth. Rooted in Awareness At Bharat Yogavidya Kendra, our teachings are rooted in tradition, nature, and deep observation of life. We invite you to reflect on your own inner landscape. What situations or people feel like a daily challenge? What if, instead of resisting them, you embraced them as part of your growth? The next time you pass by a tree, take a moment to notice. Some of the most profound teachers don’t speak—they simply grow.
