embody your Self
From the Buddhist point of view, we are each responsible for our own situation, whether we care to admit it or not. We are all active participants in the creation of our own karma. We all have the capacity to determine our future paths.
David Nichtern
As a type-A perfectionist blended with a fair amount of inherent hippie-nature [read my MindBodyGreen article for tips on how to tap into nature to support our wellbeing], I have had to do quite a bit of self-exploration to understand that – regardless of the outcome – doing my best is in any situation is really all any of us can do.
Key point: regardless of the how things turn out. In yogic philosophy, this is described as non-attachment. The Kleshas – or afflictions – go on to explain that suffering can be caused and perpetuated by, among other things, our attachment to desires, whether material possessions or an expected outcome.
As I continue to experiment with Ayurveda, I am continually learning what I do that does or does not make me feel my best involving food, lifestyle practices, and my relationship with my Self.
I have been getting a lot of questions from friends and family on the sustainability of the dedicated activities I have adopted like cooking fresh almost every day in a specific way unique to my individual needs, not to mention what I do when I travel [I squeeze a lot of my own snacks and ingredients into my backpack]. The short answer is: I do my best… The more involved answer includes: …even if and when I judge myself for not doing or eating what I am “supposed” to.
The tree-hugger side of me rides the waves and sometimes errs on leaning more toward “it’s all good” than causing a ruckus. The perfectionist in me is easily disappointed in myself when I don’t do what I am “supposed” to do, or when things don’t look the way I expected them to.
Finding a balance between these two characters is a constant work in progress. Yoga encourages us to practice with devotion – alongside looking inward to identify our thoughts, feelings, desires, and where they all stem from.
When we can see our desires with more clarity, we might be able to better identify why we are suffering, and come to rest in the fact that all we can do is do our best.
If we are not honest with our emotions or hopes for the future, the platform from which we build upon is unstable. That being said – if we are clear about our Selves and understand what it means to embody our desires, what happens when we choose not to do our best, or brush things off and push down emotions when in reality we feel strongly about whatever we are scared to feel?
Doing our best without clinging to the outcome does not mean letting things passively happen to us, nor does it mean working ourselves into the ground and beating ourselves up over the result. It is a simple recognition of our intention, and our actions as a result of that intention.
Being aware of our reactions might give further insight into how we really feel if we were not 100% honest with our Selves from the get go. If we choose not to let things, people, and life make us feel miserable, all we can do is appreciate and embody our Selves and our efforts just as they are. No strings attached… or maybe a little bit looser, more compassionate strings…
What does doing your best mean to you, and do your actions line up with your true desires?
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Photo with my yoga wife Aditi Shah by Renee Choi in NYC, wearing tops from Tie Dye All Day.
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