then it melts.
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Photo taken at Sangha Yoga Shala.
We’ve all had those outrageously frustrating days when everything seems to be going wrong from the moment we wake up until we slam our face into the pillow at night, or conversely when things easily slip into place and you glide through the day like a champ.
When I moved to New York, for example, I was grumpy for several reasons and wound up finding myself in some undesirable circumstances because my mind was a tunnel-vision of gloom, attracting things to make me feel even lower. When it rained, it poured icicles, and it snowed a whole heck of a lot that winter.
On the other hand, I recently had a day where there universe was seriously on my side. I had won a ticket to Bitten: A Food Conversation through social media, spent an amazing day at the conference connecting with and listening to inspiring individuals, enjoyed delightful eats, and wound up winning their incredible grand prize at the end of the day. I was on a roll, and I never wanted it to end.
Not unfortunately, life happens. Whether it’s outstanding or hair-raising, every experience we have makes us whole, and each experience – whether it rains or snows or shines – eventually comes to an end.
Although it seems as though we don’t have much control over our experiences, the law of attraction is a powerful, real thing because life itself is a result of our powerful mind creating a real situation. As humans in this century we may not be as connected to the mind and its connection to the universe itself, so we have those days where we feel out of control, like things turn from rain to snow to a disgusting wintery mix with no spring in sight [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][sound familiar, New Yorkers?].
What we can always count on and bring our attention to in any circumstance is the breath: noticing it’s presence without judgement, perhaps even expressing gratitude for the life force it provides. The more we simply notice our Self in each experience without judgement or qualification, the more we will reside in our experience without suffering and begin to attract the experience we want and deserve.
If and when the sticky situations arise, practicing awareness of our Self can also help to relinquish the feeling of discomfort when sh*t hits the proverbial fan.
Sound complicated? That’s OK – there’s no right or wrong way to practice mindfulness, and as a result get a clearer picture of what we want to attract into our lives. We just have to be open to the possibility.
I invite you to try a simple sama vritti meditation this week and notice how the act of tuning inward can open you up to the things you want [or want to let go of], and recognize how each experience will continue to build you into the whole, colorful human being you already are:
- Sit comfortably with a tall spine, and inhale/exhale normally out of the nose for a few breaths.
- Begin to make your inhales and exhales equal in length, for example inhale for a count of five through the nose, pause at the top before you exhale for a count of five out of the nose.
- Repeat this practice for as long as you like, continuing to bring your attention back to the breath whenever the mind wanders [as it inevitably will – we are not robots, after all].
- Observe things like the quality, sound, or movement of the breath before you gently release the practice and begin to breath normally again.
Often when it rains, it also makes rainbows – I have several exciting events coming up in March and April, so make sure to stay tuned and connect with me on social media for updates!
Read the rest of the newsletter for workshop details, a healthy and tasty brunch idea, great music and more.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
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