This time of year, the time when we’re already reviewing and reflecting on our New Year’s Resolutions, there is a focus on balance. Balancing life and work and play. Balancing relationships in order to give more, take less. Balancing family relationships, marriage relationships, significant relationships. Balancing your checkbook so that you know that the bank knows that you know how much money is there.

I’ve noticed that after reading through my own resolutions, they fall within the categories of community, relationship, learning, and family. (One of my resolutions is to reread my resolutions once a week.)

But what ties these together? How do I balance between and reconcile myself to them? How can I become clear enough in my intention that I attune to the bigger picture?

In the February edition of Yoga Journal, there is an article that defines how understanding yoga’s four aims of life plays into our search for balance. Specifically: dharma (responsibilities), artha (prosperity), karma (pleasure), and moksha (freedom). Please read it. And over these first four weeks of 2010, let’s take them one at a time as an intention that simultaneously grounds and frees our practice, beginning with dharma.

Ready?

Related posts:

1. Slowing Down.