understanding the mind
To understand the mind you cannot interpret it according to somebody else’s idea, but you must observe how your own total mind works. When you know the whole process of it – how it reasons, its desires, motives, ambitions, pursuits, its envies, greed and fear – then the mind can go beyond itself, and when it does there is a discovery of something totally new. That quality of newness gives an extraordinary passion, a tremendous enthusiasm that brings about a deep inward revolution: and it is this inward revolution which alone can transform the world, not any political or economic system.
J. Krishnamurti, The Book of Life
How was your day? How was your summer? How are you feeling? How often do you take a moment to pause and ask yourself these questions?
One of the many amazing things about yoga is its ability to calm the fluctuations of the constant thought patterns that keep us from considering these self-inquiries in the first place.
As we continue to watch our inner-workings, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks into gear – our hearts beat more normally, digestion flows more smoothly, our organs and blood and brains function more optimally. Ayurvedic practices like seasonal eating also support this state of complete physical and mental wellbeing.
In the spirit of the new season, I encourage us to continue to work on reflecting back to how our bodies and minds feel, whether in this particular moment or on this particular day, or the duration of this past summer. Our discoveries can lead to intuitive shifts that might organically guide us in the direction of our desires, without over or under-achieving.
I personally have the tendency to over-work myself, even though I know all any of us can do is our best. When I first discovered how I could help heal some irritating gut issues with Ayurveda I was both extremely enthusiastic and totally overwhelmed. It was self-inquiry and reflection that led me there in the first place, and I knew I needed to take action, but I was a little humiliated at how well I had been trying to take care of myself yet was still not feeling 100%.
It excited me to take care of myself in new ways, although in the beginning I could not quite figure out how I was I going to do all of the things Divya suggested I do with the schedule I currently had. Thankfully, she always encourages me to do what I can as often as possible, not to take things too seriously to the point of exhaustion, to get massages regularly [excellent prescription, no?], and to visit nature as much as I can to breathe clean, fresh air – basically, to reflect on how I feel and make sure it’s not overworked or overwhelmed.
The continual discoveries that yoga and Ayurveda help me to uncover are so enlightening, and the good student in me wants to get an A+ for effort. I also now understand my patterns of hyperactivity and perfectionism, and so am cognizant to check in daily on how I am feeling.
Per the beautiful Krishnamurti quote above: it is our ability to reflect inward that can transform our Selves first and foremost, and perhaps our communities or even the world in which we live as a result.
When we can come to understand where our minds are coming from by observing before reacting, we might discover a new way of being, of living and acting, of our relationship with ourselves and others and the world around us. From that exciting discovery comes the passion to move forward in a natural yet revolutionary way.
Not quite sure how exactly to reflect? Here are a few questions I personally ask myself when I want to check in:
- How does my body feel – is there any tension, does anything feel off, what feels good?
- How does my breath feel – is it flowing easily, is there anywhere it feels stuck or stagnant?
- How does my brain feel – is my mind racing, what is playing on the movie screen of my mind, is there space or is it cluttered?
- How was my day – what went well, what could I consider improving next time, how do I feel after today’s happenings?
- How does my life feel – does it look and feel like the way I want it to look and feel?
- What Worked? & How About? – my Iyengar teacher Nikki Costello uses these questions for practice teaching critiques and reflecting on the day/our Selves. What worked this time around, and how about trying [insert new suggestion] next time?
What does it mean to you to reflect, to understand the inner-workings of your mind and body? How can you make the act of checking in an ongoing, daily practice?
Read the full newsletter for more good vibes: Paige‘s paleo vanilla cardamom cake with coyo frosting, wellness happenings, Costa Rica retreat 2018, and good new music.
Photo with my yoga wife Aditi Shah by Renee Choi in NYC, wearing bottoms from Athleta.
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