Commit to Change with Meditation
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; Watch your words, they become your actions; Watch your actions, they become your habits; Watch your habits, they become your character; Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” ~Lao Tzu
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, we are taught that the path of Yoga lifts us out of darkness by making space within our hearts and minds for the illumination of the spiritual truth of our unity—the awareness of the universal I-AM beyond the individual I-am. The Sutras also teach us that this wisdom arises directly from our practice of Yoga and it starts with the seed of commitment. This seed can guide us to take right action for ourselves and others.
While it can feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. Once we decide what we want to do, the very next step is setting up the time and place and sticking to it. For example, you may commit to 5 minutes of natural breathing while lying in bed first thing each morning. Once that becomes your habit, you may then expand your practice to 15 minutes on your porch doing breathwork and sun salutations. Some of you may find that daily Yoga Nidra is the most accessible way to launch a daily practice. Whatever you choose, make sure that it makes sense for your lifestyle and don’t overcommit. The choice must be yours alone.
Intention
Meditation is not simply a way to relax the mind, but rather a way to transform the mind . The key to creating meaning in your practice is through intention.. Spend a few moments each morning to ask yourself—Who do I want to be? How do I want to feel? How can I act in a way that also benefits others? Let your intention come from your heart so that it can inspire you.
Self-Care
The practice of self-care is about supporting our bodies and minds with practices that nourish rather than deplete. Self-care can be as simple as drinking more water, going to bed earlier, spending time in nature, or taking a daily walk. I encourage you to add something positive to your daily routine rather than approach this as deprivation. Try not do too many things at once. Simply aim for one thing and stick with it.
Move
Yoga Asana is designed to clear the body of physical and energetic blocks and helps to prepare the body for sitting in stillness with ease. If you don’t have much time, you can commit to as little as 5 minutes each morning to moving your body through sun salutations or joint-freeing movements. Allow yourself to move intuitively.
Breathe
The breath is the source of life and healing. Among many people who practice Yoga, pranayama is often overlooked. Yet it is one of the most powerful tools for healing the body, improving vitality and clearing the mind. Committing to a simple daily practice of breathwork can significantly improve how you feel and function. Start with one technique each day and stick with that one. It can be as simple as observing your natural flow of breath.
Meditate
Meditation can be calming, but it is different than the practice of deep relaxation. Meditation trains the mind to be able to focus on one single point of awareness. Meditation practice begins with concentration, which moves the mind away from trying to manage many thoughts at once. While there are many techniques that help the mind to focus (including mantra, mudra, and candle gazing), using the breath is one of the most accessible ways to begin. I recommend starting with one simple breathing technique, followed by silence. You can set a timer or count your breaths, but stick to the same practice every day for a week to build muscle memory.
Committing to Change will help you become more patient and less reactionary as you become more connected to your true nature. Be curious and kind with yourself and others.
Namaste
xo Kika