Mindfulness Archives - Page 6 of 6

Living with Authenticity

I often see this blog bookmarked in my selection of bookmarks, but I glance right over it. I don’t have anything pressing to write about- at that time. However, when I’m not near a digital device, or when I don’t quite have the idea developed, those are the times I think, “I should write about this.” Once synchronity occurs, you’ll be seeing more from me. But for today, this very topic makes me think of authenticity.

Deeply desired and appreciated by many (most), and underutilized is this idea of being authentic. My studies in yoga and Eastern spirituality point to this topic daily, maybe even hourly. It’s such a part of the fabric of spiritual practices that I don’t think it’s really talked about much, just assumed. Assumed that we get it, and assumed that we understand how it fits into the scheme. But it’s not that easy for humans, having this human experience with this human minds and living in the West with all the external stimuli bombarding us. Some days I don’t even know what authentic is anymore, like was that my idea? Where did I get that? Or my very favorite, how long have I been holding that view/value that I really don’t even agree with!?

Have I lost you yet? I’ve lost myself. Ironic. In the effort to identify myself, to live authentically in every moment, I’ve lost myself to my mind. Silly mind- always getting the way.

Until next time (hopefully a more inspired next time), let’s challenge each other to be more authentic, but authentically authentic (without letting your mind get involved or trying too hard or being less yourself in the effort to be authentic).

At first it sounded easy, I just have to be myself! Not easy….but the outcomes are far more rewarding, in my opinion.

Be well.

Learning to Embrace and Feel Gratitude Toward Ourselves

by Amber Erickson

I can always count on yoga classes to stir up motivation- and today was no different. I took the time to attend two classes this morning, and I’m really glad I did. The first was difficult and taught at a high-level. From standing half-moon to warrior 3 variations to a bunch of other stuff I can’t seem to remember right now, it was enough of a challenge that the days topic of gratitude didn’t really have a chance to sink in. I then stayed for a beginner class, and with the slower pace and more reflective time, I was able to work with gratitude a bit more.

It occurred to me that at this time of year, so many of us begin to think about the things we’re grateful for. It could be the changing of the seasons that naturally promotes more self-study and reflection, it could be people gearing up for Thansgiving, or it could be a more social activity for some, as can be seen on Facebook and similar. It appears we often say or think we are grateful for something, but how often do we show gratitude for these same things. Or take it from just a mental or intellectual type of gratitude, to a more emotional or energetic thanks-giving.

The example most relevant to me right now is the physical body. Just the other day I was thinking about how I am grateful that I am able-bodied. I don’t have any physical ailments, am healthy, am active and have the means to do what I want to do, on my own, without much, if any, assistance. Many people don’t have the “luxury”…it’s neither good nor bad, just a different experience. However, as an able-bodied person, I can’t really imagine not being able-bodied, so it makes sense to me to be grateful. I thought it, I maybe said it out loud and that was it. I moved on to the next thing.

Today, in class, we were asked to give thanks to our bodies. I then took that further and thought about taking language out of the equation and just through my mindful movements and breath, showed my body how grateful I was for the work it was doing. I used my heart to give thanks to my body, rather than using my mind. It seems odd, it sounds odd…I get that. But I ended a really difficult class with a new appreciation for what my body and breath were able to do, and a new understanding that they are capable of much more than I often give enough credit. They are with me; they sustain me. They are there for me- able to support me in times of happiness, sadness, joy, anguish and indifference. And I got the opportunity to spend two hours just being with them today. What a great way to show gratitude to myself!

The interesting thing is I didn’t even realize, until after-the-fact, that often our gratitude is just at the spoken, surface level, rather than a true feeling or showing. I’m just as guilty as anyone. But yet, one’s process of showing thanks is highly individual. Not everyone would derive the same sort of experience I did, and many others may have a deep connection with speaking their gratitudes. Whatever works for you, go with that. In this season of shortening days, darkness and cool weather, take the time to reflect on what you’re grateful for, and maybe even think about how you can live this gratitude. Rather than just thinking it, how can we show and live our gratitude? If it’s a friend, maybe a personal card thanking them for their support would be nice. If it’s a pet, maybe a special treat could be fun. If it’s a partner, try giving yourself to them 100% and see what it feels like to be truly present to them for an evening. The possibilities are infinite. As has been discussed in other posts, I believe awareness is key. Rather than just living mindlessly and taking advantage, we could all take a moment each day to be aware of that which sustains us, helps us, loves us, supports us and is of and around us. There is much there to be thankful for. Rather than giving thanks this thanksgiving season, let us show thanks. May the beauty of our hearts radiate inward and outward.

Mindful Communication: The Key to True Dialogue

by Amber Erickson

In the journey for a more mindful, intentional, authentic life, I find myself less willing to interact with those who are not genuine. I can often tell when someone is just saying something to make me feel better, or make themselves look better, and I quickly lose interest because it’s all fake. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I strongly believe in acting from a place of being genuine. If you don’t care how my day is, just don’t ask. Maybe others don’t agree with this sentiment, but it brings light to a larger topic, one that has hit home for me today.

I am currently working in an environment where I talk to a lot of people, albeit for a very brief time, and today I was reminded of how robotic we have become in our communications. “Thank you,” “How are you?” and “Have a nice day!” have become nothing more than generic phrases used in customer service that hold little* meaning. I say little because sometimes it is genuine and the person muttering the phrase means it. I have made the choice to say thank you when appropriate, but when I tell people to have a nice day, I mean it. And I can feel the energy behind the words is different when I mean it. My tone is different, my heart feels different. That is genuine.

Today, someone came up to me and said, “How are you today?”. It took me a second to respond because I was engaged in the transaction he was doing, but then I said, “I am just fine, thank you for asking.” He looked very puzzled and asked what I had said. I repeated, “You asked how I was today and I said I was fine, thank you for asking.” He then said, “Oh,…I asked that?” He then walked away a bit perplexed. I had a brief moment where I felt a little silly, but then my heart sank a bit. Sometimes in the busy monotony of work, it’s easy to get into routine. I hadn’t really thought much about mindful communication, and had settled into a routine. I was partly sad that I’ve gotten comfortable and forgotten on many occasions to stay mindful in my work and be genuine. But I was mostly sad for humanity, represented through this man who was acting no differently than most others. As I was walking down a busy hallway later, I felt very alone and almost even invisible. The people around me are like zombies (heavily caffeinated and sugared, at that) who are running around trying to please, get ahead and fit into society and have lost touch with themselves, each other, and the greater interconnectedness of it all. I’ve been there; this isn’t a high-horse scenario that I’m getting at. It’s about being aware, being mindful, and projecting that outward in an AUTHENTIC way.

My hope for everone today is to be mindful in our communications. What we say, how we say it and even what we don’t say carry enormous weight. Speak from a place of love, from every part of you, and be mindful in your communication choices. We can all work on this.

Let me know how it goes. Even if you just work on mindful communication with one person, in one scenario today, you will begin to create a shift in perspective and habits.

Thank you (truly) for reading.

Namaste.

P.S.

As I was driving to yoga after posting the discussion about mindful communications, I realized I left out one sentence I find to be quite important.

It’s not necssarily wrong (or bad or inappropriate or….) to say something we don’t mean or to be polite and ask someone how they are if we don’t really care, the point is to try to make conscious choices about what we are going to say (or not say) and try to be aware of the impact they may have (or not have).

I hope this clarifies.