Day 5  |  Believe It or Not

In the ancient teachings of the Yoga Sutras as taught by Patanjali, we delve into the profound understanding that yoga is, at its core, a science of the mind.  These sutras are like ‘threads’ of teachings, and they provide firm bedrock for the foundation of yoga philosophy today. I have been told that if we understand and embody just the first two sutras – teachings dating back to around 200 BCE – then we have a grasp on the yoga practice.  Sounds simple, right?  Good luck…

The first sutra imparts the wisdom that 'yoga is now.' In these three simple words, we find a gateway to presence and heightened Awareness in our practice.

The second of these ancient teachings says that ‘yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.’  Yes, even thousands of years ago people were distracted – long before Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg were even born.

Our minds are like computers, constantly taking in data, gathering perceptions, formulating thoughts and patterning these thoughts into belief systems. So there is a lot of chatter to quiet up in there.  As humans, we are predisposed to what is called a negativity bias.  This is not because we are bad people; it is simply a protective mechanism in our wiring.  When left unchecked, whether we believe it or not, our belief systems may become outdated, persisting out of habit, and potentially becoming harmful.

The reassuring news is that our brains have neuroplasticity so we are not fixed as humans.   With mindful tools, we can liberate ourselves from having old ideas run our lives.  As we begin to recognize our own belief systems and the patterns they hold for us, we get to determine the quality of our own life experience.  Reframing these beliefs, along with meditation and a gratitude practice can be helpful tools.  

JOURNAL

  • What is the dominant narrative you currently tell yourself about your life?

  • How has this narrative shaped your beliefs and actions?

  • If you don’t still hold this belief, what might you lose by letting it go?

  • What are some alternative perspectives or interpretations to a challenging life experience?

  • What strengths and lessons have you gained from your challenges and setbacks?

MEDITATE

  • Join me on Insight Timer! Here you will find ‘Breath of Gratitude’ - A guided meditation to help anchor you to gratitude in a visceral way. I will be posting more meditations here soon!

On Demand - Day 5

I love you, Keep going!

Alex

p.s. Tomorrow’s Practice - Saturday 10:30am - A heart-opening Flow - so important, let’s goooooo!