I have a story to share with you today. About resentment and….. potatoes.
I haven’t blogged a lot of ‘soul inspiration’ lately and my intuition told me I needed to get this out there!
Self work is something I believe to be so important to a healthy lifestyle. Unresolved issues, anger and emotions can make us physically sick. Oh boy, have I been there!
We are all works in progress.
One area I struggle with is resentment towards those who have wronged me. I find it hard to forgive and let go. I nurse the hurt. I am indignant.
I read this story and it was like a huge lightbulb went on in my head!
I hope you find this story as helpful as I did. It’s from one of my favourite books of all time (more on that later).
I am re-telling it in my own words.
A high school teacher told her students to bring to school a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. The students are asked to think of all the people who have wronged them, every person that they have judged, every person they could not accept. The names of these people were to be each written on a potato and put in the bag. Most students had bags that were full and overflowing. They were instructed to carry the bag everywhere with them for one week – including taking into their bed at night. They were never to let the bag out of their sight. By the end of the week, the students were sick to death of their bag of potatoes. It was annoying having to lug it everywhere. The potatoes started to fester and go mouldy and stinky. The bags were heavy and awkward, weighed the students down and made them miserable. The teacher told the students the significance of carrying the potatoes. It was a way to understand the price we pay for holding onto our resentments. Fortunately, when the week was over, they were able to put the down their bag of potatoes and get rid of it. The lightness, relief and freedom at doing so was only a taste of what they could feel of letting go of the resentments that each potato represented.
*lightbulb*
What do you think? Do you have some potatoes you could let go of? Are they festering? Getting stinky? Weighing you down? Making you miserable?
This story is from a fantastic book called ‘The Eight Human Talents’ by Gurmukh. My yoga teacher did an exercise from it one night in class. The Natural New Age Dad and I were blown away and as soon as I got home, I jumped online and I ordered myself a copy. We have since ordered many more copies to give to our friends that are suffering and struggling.
Gurmukh is a Kundalini yoga teacher with a powerful message to share. She links eight human talents (acceptance, creativity, commitment, compassion, truth, intuition, boundlessness and radiance) with each of our chakras. She says ‘the use and cultivation of these eight talents are the keys to happiness’. She goes through the talents one by one in each chapter and gives information, stories, advice and exercises to unblock each chakra and to cultivate the talent. The exercises use yoga positions, mudras and mantras all combined and repeated.
All I can say is that these exercises have been life changing. Now, I don’t want to get evangelistic on you.
But, it really has changed me. It has changed my husband. We love this book.
You can get the book through my Fishpond affiliate link here.
What books have changed your life?
I’m reading a book at the moment called Rushing Womans Syndrome. Every woman who doesn’t have a moment to spare needs to read it.
Oooh yes! I think we can all relate!
I LOVE Kundalini yoga…. and by the sounds of it I would LOVE this book. A life-changing book for me (one of many) would be Ram Dass’s “Be Here now.” So incredible 🙂
I am sending you this book. I was re-reading again last night and I just went…. I need to send this to Lou!
Yes,we need to learn to forgive & let go for our own sake. When I was a teenager I read a book called Creative Visualisation. I really found what I practised in the book to be of great benefit.
you did start early!
on my list now thanks for sharing.
i just finished women of spirit by katherine martin. wonderful! totally inspiring stories of courageous, spirited women. x
that sounds fab Pam! will look it up
So lovely to let go!! That seems to be the theme of the month! (I love potatoes too much though, must eat them rather than chuck them!) 😀 Love it Sonia! <3
yes – wedges in coconut oil.. nom nom!
I love Kundalini Yoga and my former teacher is a close friend and student of Gurmukh and always says great things about her- might definitely have to look at this, I’ve been looking for a book to use at home.
oh wow Johanna – I am so impressed. She is amazing and I am totally in love with here and her book.
My teacher I mentioned is Harjiwan, she is a beautiful amazing woman and teacher. Unfortunately she doesn’t do regular classes in Byron anymore but she does workshops here and in Sydney and Melbourne, keep your radar open for her 🙂
I will thanks Johanna x
Great story – I think I need this book 🙂
Oh, and I forgot to add a book that changed my life … it’s called “10-10-10” by Suzy Welch … such a simple but very effective tool for decision making and getting over things 🙂
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Suzy-Welchs-Rule-of-10-10-10-Decision-Making-Guide
Hmmm … might do a blog on that book actually
ps. i’ll stop commenting on my own comments now 😉
yes I would love to know more about it!! 🙂
It is an awesome book. I hope it resonates with you as well. 🙂
Sounds great Sonia. I’m reading a few things at the moment so have popped this on my book wishlist. I’m gradually working my way through Women Who Run With the Wolves which is amazing but sooo much to take in. I have got a lot out of The Happiness Trap, particularly how to defuse unhelpful thoughts rather than try and fight or control them and also how to clarify my values and use them as guideposts for action.
Love the potato analogy! Breathe…. and release…. 😀
I was told to get that book when I was in my early 20s and I never did. I think it’s time!
Love this story – thanks Sonia – off to share it and hope to read this book in the future (my to read pile is enormous right now).
Life changing books would be those related to self care, perfectionism + any Brene Brown books
Oh Deb – yes! You put me onto Brene Brown and I lurve Gifts of Imperfection!!
I love her too!
Love, love, love, love. What a wise lady you are and yes, I need this book too! xxx
thanks Leash xx
I forgive easily…its forgetting that can be tricky xxx
I struggle with both!!
I am completely booked up at the moment but I’m going to take a note of this one as well, because it sounds like a goodie!
I have so many life affirming books on my list…The ones that have stayed with me since childhood/teenage years seem to be the unforgettables. Return to Love by Marianne Williamson and The Alchemist!
I will check those out too – I think I have a Marianne book somewhere!