Nothing is set, reset.
Ideas and thoughts can hold us back from our truth, or true self. For a long time, the majority of my life I had this idea in my head about suffering, my self worth, and my so called ‘path’ in life. I thought I had to do specific things to be liked, loved, worthy of anything positive coming to me. And while I agree with the thought that we should always be in alignment with ourselves for our best outcome and living a path of peace and wellness, I have dropped the idea that I need to fit into a particular box- even my own.
Thoughts can make us free to soar as eagles up on the hawks nest or, they can drag us down and cage us against our best efforts. I am sure you have felt wanted and unwanted thoughts before; I know that a lot of students come to me with intrusive thoughts that can keep them up at night; worry, fear, nervousness, sadness etc.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali highlight three specific sutras or texts that help us to become more immersed in spirit and help shine some light on these powerful thoughts and feelings.
The first is II, 7 : Attachment is the dwelling upon pleasure.
When we want something; a good conversation, a specific delicious food, or idyllic weather we focus upon them, attaching to them, and when they don’t happen immediately or at all, this brings us suffering.
The second II, 8: Averson is dwelling upon pain.
When we don’t want something to happen; feeling uncomfortable traveling, feeling sore after a workout, a confrontation with a loved one. If we continue to avoid pain or discomfort this causes us suffering because we are fixated on avoiding discomfort instead of working through it.
And finally II, 9: Clinging to life, and the fear of death are sustained by an intrinsic force in the same way that the other primal causes of suffering persist dominating even the wise.
Big feelings of attachment and aversion can cause even the best of us to feel suffering at some point in our lives.
The truth is that even our thoughts can reset, nothing is truly set, we can start over, shift, or change our minds at any time. Our paths are not laid in stone but are flexible and fluid like the sea. We are in charge of ourselves, our path, our decisions on what to accept and truth and what to discard. We can discern between ‘is this helpful?’ and ‘does this idea or thought serve me?’.
Traditionally, the purpose for doing asana, or postures in yoga, is to connect with the body in such a way that it begins to still, calm and relax. Once this process has taken place, we are able to meditate deeply and clear our mind.
Meditation is one of the best ways to change a thought pattern or to simply quite the chronic inner voice. When the inner voice is quiet, and the thoughts have time to settle like sand in a glass jar of water slowly shifting to the bottom, we give ourselves time to process what is really serving us in our life and what is worth leaving behind.
Everyone has difficulties with change at one time or another. The process of change can bring up these big feelings of aversion and attachment leaving us in a whirlwind of emotions and ultimately suffering. Change, however, is manifested by the individual, it is birth, renewal, and part of the creative process.
I encourage you to sit with your thoughts, meditate on what serves you and what holds you back bringing you suffering. I’m holding a new live virtual class on Youtube which helps us to accept what is and embrace ourselves through creating ‘bad art.’ which can help with this process of resetting thought patterns and ideas. You can check out the full schedule updated monthly on my website and of course my facebook page. Thank you for watching and have a warm and peaceful rest of your day!