Meeting Yourself Where You Are

Meeting Yourself Where You Are

The mind naturally fluctuates. It's the nature of the human mind.

Yogic practices lean into easing the fluctuations so that you can connect with clarity, well-being and wholeness, but first you have to acknowledge the state of mind you're in.

This isn't always easy because it's also the nature of the human mind to avoid pain and move toward pleasure. In the Patañjali Yoga Sūtras, he names five kleśas or obstacles that the mind faces. Rāga (attachment) and dvesha (aversion) are two that he describes. Clarity is found mitigating both and embracing equanimity with how things are.

One step in doing this is taking a moment or two whenever you can to check in with yourself and notice what's going on inside.

Are there emotions activated?

Is the mind calm or anxious?

Do you have a repetitive dialogue or monologue running through the mind?

The mind and body are connected so, the body can also provide clues.

Is there tension or discomfort?

Are you overheated or feeling chilled?

What's the quality of the breath?

After asking, just witness. Just be with yourself exactly as you are and try not to judge. Simply sit and honor yourself exactly as you are in that moment.

We're looking forward to exploring Patañjali's Sūtras and also practical ways to work with them this fall.