Ayurveda supports people to establish peace. Health brings peace, and peace brings health. In classical ayurvedic texts, life’s purpose is ultimately liberation, or moksha, in Sanskrit. Relief from insomnia, digestive issues, and stress is just the first step. Mindfulness brings us further into the sea of bliss.
Checking-in and listening to ourselves
The power of mindfulness empowers the individual to act with self-awareness. It’s easy to assume we know why we do what we do, but how often does one stop to honestly check in? Considering what motivates us doesn’t take much time, but it does take courage.
At first glance, we are liable to lie to ourselves. How can we expand our capacity to forgive ourselves enough to see what we have actually done? When trying to understand what’s driving us, it’s natural to see ourselves on the “right” side of things. Whatever our choices – it’s psychologically proven that we tend to frame ourselves as morally precise. In other words, we are all “heroes” of worthy causes.
Even in taking on dramatic a role like victim or villain, we escape truth. For instance, excusing bad behavior due to challenging circumstances, only to create more challenging circumstances. Or burdening ourselves with excessive guilt, only to cower in the presence of newly obtained (and absolutely unnecessary) obstacles to being accountable and changing the behavior.
What is really going on? If we’re willing to be honest, stop, and watch, we are probably going to be totally surprised.
Often, the cause of behavior (in any given moment) stems from little things that are embarrassingly simple. It’s not so complex – not so dramatic – not really worth spending much time with in contemplation. Usually, it’s hunger, sleepiness, dehydration, or lack of connection.
Only when we are aware may we begin to good take care. Little needs, like to use the restroom, wear clothes that fit, or shoes that don’t pinch, or just to remind ourselves that we’re safe – all cry for attention. If we don’t tend to these, we’ll find it difficult to maintain focus, self control, and might even act out (like a child) in ways directly contrary to our values.
With mindfulness, we take ourselves in our arms. We become our own mothers. In doing so, we save the rest of the world from dealing with childish behavior – and worse, defending that childish behavior with heroic (or victimized… or villainous) intentions. With our own needs cared for, we become capable of caring for others and truly seeing (and loving) the people in front of us – as opposed to seeing people as acting out roles in our drama.
With mindfulness, we get to experience each moment like a bright-eyed, giggling baby. And we can navigate circumstances intentionally, with the poise of a calm self-directed adult.
Let’s build relationships, carve opportunity, and discover experiences that match what we honor.
It’s worth the risk of realizing we aren’t actually heroes….or villains. We find that each of us just are. That it’s undefined. That the only way to consistently define being is as an experience happening now.
Bring mindfulness activities like breathing, meditation, spending time in nature into every day – even if it’s just to really see the trees around you while you walk from here to there, or simply to become aware of your breathing as you wait for someone to arrive. Incorporating meditation in daily life — meditation in motion — has incredible health and wellness implications. But it also enable us to become aware of our intentions. Thus, mindfulness unlocks greater autonomy over our behavior and our lives — it is a worthy step toward freedom.
2/26/24
