Photo By Oluremi Adebayo
Habits are the many rituals that make up our day, small or large, they can begin or end with the mind. In Ayurveda, the recommended daily rituals for optimal well being are often easier said than done. Whether it’s waking up at 5 am, eating only healthy food at regular meal times, or simply living in the present moment, making space for these habits that energize us requires rewiring the mind.
That’s why here at SC Ayurveda, we want to help you take control of your life, through the rituals of your day, and habits of your mind.
Implementing New vs. Eliminating Old
There are two main streams of thought for the process of creating habitual well being. Implementing new habits is often easier to do than breaking old cycles ingrained in your mind-body over time. It may be more fun to start going to a yoga class than it is to give up late night snacking. However, they’re two sides of the same coin, because letting go of the habits that don’t serve us creates space for what we want to bring into our lives. Not eating late at night, allows for a night well rested and digested, with a more energized morning ready for yoga! We will be focusing on eliminating old habits, since it is often the more challenging endeavor.
What Does it Take to Break a Habit?
At the heart of breaking a habit, is mindfulness and intention. It takes honesty and integrity with oneself, looking in the mirror and asking yourself truthfully: is this habit serving me? Then recognizing, without judgement, the habits that are bringing you down to a lower state of being. An important part of this process is non-judgement, which requires detachment from the habit. If we are attached to our habits, then there is no space between us and the thought or our consciousness and the action (given our thoughts and actions are the habits). To recognize that we are more than our thoughts and actions, that we are pure consciousness, can allow us the freedom to choose our habits with peace and clarity.
How to be more Mindful and Intentional
Close your eyes, take a deep inhale… and a deep exhale… releasing anything but the present moment.
Slowing down is essential to creating a life that aligns with the intentions of your highest self. We must be calm enough to listen to the internal cues of our consciousness to recognize when we are falling into a habit that does not serve us AND have the strength to observe it while not choosing to continue it. Becoming the observer of one’s thoughts is a meditative practice. This is a habit within itself– meditation.
Practicing meditation can help bring back your focus and recognize habits of the mind. Observing the distractions that come to your mind and consciously choosing to avert your energy is a powerful practice. A foundation of meditation must be built with a regular, consistent practice, eyes closed, and seated. This is like the roots of a tree, building connections in your mind; it doesn’t look like you’re doing much from the surface, but beneath the soil you are rewiring your mind to be ready for growing shoots, branches, and fruit. Throughout the day, this practice doesn’t have to stop when we aren’t seated with eyes closed, it’s actually ideal that this peaceful state of mind continues. When we are moving quickly, in a rush, knocking items over, it may seem like there’s not enough time to slow down and take a deep breath. It is in those moments, when we recognize our chaotic state of being, and choose to discontinue, that we can break free from a cycle of chaos. Choosing to live in a meditative state is like a tree growing branches, with fruits of peace, clarity, and vitality.
Take for example anxiety, rather than allowing the thoughts to overwhelm us, remaining attached to anxious thoughts, we can observe them, have compassion and non-judgement towards those emotions and thoughts, allowing overthinking to fade away over time. A key to this practice of mediation and observing your thoughts is that it takes time. Part of the process is building patience and honesty with yourself to know that you are doing your best.
A Habit to Begin
If you are interested in where to start with changing your habits, starting small, so you can be consistent, is a great beginning. Food is a vital source of nourishment, building a healthy relationship with the sacred practice of eating can help us master mindfulness and detachment. Praying before eating requires patience and intention. Saying gratitude aloud or in your mind before each meal is a beautiful way to honor your mind and body through ritual. Eating slowly helps negate overconsumption and allows us to listen to our intuition for when we are nearing fullness.
Be kind to your mind, body and soul. Remember we are meant to exist as blissful consciousness on this earth. Habits that are mindful and intentional can help bring out our awareness for the divine in all things.
1/28/2025
Article by Kaylee
