My thought of the week has been the culmination of the topics I’ve been talking about over the past three weeks. We explored the topic of “Expansion” a couple of weeks back, where our attention is drawn into a particular event/thought/emotion and we contract around it. Expansion offers an opportunity to create space around that focal point to allow for all in our field of awareness. The following week we looked at what the practices of yoga and meditation offer to us in the form of self-discovery. What is it that we have been taught by stepping on the mat? What is the current lesson that is underway at the moment?
As we open to spaciousness and begin to discover what is arising in our practice, a third element needs to occur. How do we adapt to what we’ve uncovered? This week, we’ve been exploring how to nourish ourselves through our practices, our words, actions and choices. Now that we have a greater awareness of what’s happening, how do we begin to hold onto positive changes that we make?
Herein lies the challenge. What might have been working for us ten years ago may no longer be effective. This happens due to the dynamic nature of being human. We are constantly in flux with both planned and unplanned events arising in our daily lives that can throw us off-kilter. If we lack awareness and keep repeating the same behavior, we can find ourselves in a place of dis-ease and imbalance. Finding what works for us and then having the consciousness to refine and tweak is a large part of keeping ourselves in balance. By asking ourselves some of the following questions, we can fine-tune our connection to self and as Wayne Dyer said,
“When you’re at peace with yourself and love your self, it is virtually impossible to do things to yourself that are destructive.”
1. Who are you hanging out with? Are those relationships nourishing you?
We know that the company we keep influences how we feel and the decisions we make. It is innate that we seek those like us, we look for our tribe as they offer a reflection back to us, as to our own true nature.
2. How are you nourishing your physical body?
Take a consciously deep and slow breath. It’s that simple. This is just one way to feel connected to your physical presence. Choose whole, real food. The life force within the food affects the life force within your tissues, so pick vibrant foods that nourish not only your taste buds, but your cells.
Move your body every day in some way that is multi-directional. We spend much of our time seated and its impact is long-term. Reach, bend, twist and get into those well-fed tissues. Not sure what to do? Head outside and take a walk. It doesn’t have to be complicated or involve a FitBit.
3. Do you spend time every day in silence, stillness and contemplation?
Nourishing ourselves on a deeper level can be found through more subtle practices. Allow the agitated thinking mind to take a break and open to the wider field of consciousness. Get connected to your inner self as knowing ourselves on this level supports us in managing stress and finding peace.
4. Are you doing what you love and loving what you do?
We spend a large chunk of our lives at work. If it isn’t something you love doing, considering changing it to something you do. You’ll find richness in ways that just might outweigh the size of your paycheck.
5. Are you connecting to something bigger than yourself? Are you able to serve others?
Moving away from our own self-centeredness supports our own self growth. If you’re feeling out of touch, feed someone. A bit down? Do something nice for somebody else. Often when we get out of our own way, we are reminded of our connection to all beings, every where and when we expand further, we connect to that huge eternal expanse of consciousness.
As we contemplate these few questions, do so from a place of openness and curiosity, rather than judgment. See what arises as this inquiry might open the gateway for a deeper sense of purpose, connection and love.
Now that’s nourishment!
