Roots and Routes: One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy
Life can often feel like an uphill climb: repetitive, exhausting, and seemingly endless. But what if, we could find happiness in the struggle? Albert Camus believed we could, famously saying, “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” This idea challenges us to rethink how we approach the challenges of life, much like the balance we seek on a yogic journey.
The Myth of Sisyphus:
Camus draws from the Greek myth of Sisyphus, a figure condemned by the gods to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only to have it roll back down each time it nears the top. This endless, futile labor represents the absurdity of human existence: our relentless search for meaning in a world that offers none.
While Camus views happiness as an act of defiance against life’s absurdity, yoga offers another perspective. It invites us to cultivate happiness through grounding, mindfulness, and self-discovery; transforming life’s struggles into a meaningful journey.
Being in the present moment
Camus's focus on finding meaning in the "struggle itself" aligns with the root chakra's emphasis on presence.
Life’s journey often begins with questions about our foundation: Where do we come from? What gives us stability in a world that feels unpredictable and ever-changing? In yogic philosophy, this sense of security and connection is governed by the root chakra, or Muladhara. It is the energy center at the base of our spine, symbolizing our most primal needs: safety, identity, and belonging. When it’s balanced, you are grounded in the now, appreciating life for what it is rather than seeking external validation or ultimate answers.
Going down to the root cause of things
The country I grew up in brings with it many reflections on the concept of roots in life. Immigration, whether framed as a "fancier" expat move or not, inevitably disrupts one’s sense of safety, identity, and belonging. While my daily routine didn’t change much, my nervous system recognized we were living in a different land and, in the beginning, became quite a bit of a drama queen.
Other life events can similarly shake our roots: divorce, the loss of a loved one, or the devastation of war. These experiences force us to confront the very foundation of our lives, leading us to question what we rely on, what grounds us, and the inherent absurdity of it all.
The story of your birth and emotional foundations
My mother had to give birth to me under difficult circumstances. Her labor lasted 22 hours, filled with a lot of pain compared to usual. Due to patriarchal constraints, she had no agency in choosing her doctor or hospital. She was without the support of her husband or her own mother; the only person present was my paternal grandmother.
Reflecting on this, I realize my life didn’t gradually encounter absurdity as I grew, it began in an absurd place. Each birth has its own unique story, starting from pregnancy. How you feel when you think of your birth story can offer profound insights into your emotional foundation and your perspective on life itself.
We are all Sisyphus: a limitation or nature of things?
In life, we all carry a boulder, yet the nature of the boulder and the incline of the hill differ for each of us. Reflecting on the impermanence of material things, I’ve begun to see life as a journey of discovery, an opportunity to understand the specific challenges we face. Why were we given this particular boulder and this specific hill? What are we meant to learn from them?
As the Oracle in The Matrix suggests, perhaps we came into this world to uncover why we chose this life in the first place. The task is not just to endure but to explore the purpose of our struggles and what they reveal about who we are.
From Roots to Routes
Our foundation shapes the routes we can take in life, but it’s not deterministic.
That’s why grounding as a practice is so important. After a certain age we have the ability to shape our own ground.
The challenge is how are we going to do it?
Affirmation for Life’s Absurdity
Under the category Yogic Journey, this affirmation offers a fitting conclusion:
"The journey itself is enough; I am present and secure."
A gentle reminder to find peace and grounding in the unfolding process of life.