The world goes by so bustlingly fast, a blur of action, words, and feelings. As human beings, we work so hard to take it all in, to make it all part of that story that is us.
So often we miss the opportunity to witness without action, to pause and be in the moment, to look into the eyes of those around us as they experience their own defeat and triumph, their own fears, their own hurt, their love, their joy and to be with it all, but act on none of it. Animals do it, especially cats. They are wonderful at exercising the witness mind.
Let go of rational thought for a moment and step away from the need to do. Pause, tapping into your animal instincts, and just watch. Meditate on what you see. Look into the eyes of those around you. Look beyond the surface…and even those who, in your mind, may have brought hurt or pain may reveal to you an underlying softness, a love, that they just can’t figure out how to put into action because they’ve put so much other stuff out there.
Look into their eyes and connect with that love and you just may have more love to hold onto as you go bustlingly through the fast-paced action that is the story of you.
AHIMSA – a Sanskrit word for non-injury, non-harming, kindness – a practice we should regularly engage in with others and ourselves according to ancient yogic traditions. But, too often hurt, loss, or betrayal cause us to want to protect the heart, put up a shield, wrap it in armor and fight back.
Opening the heart to love and loss allows one to forgive, let go of resentment, and release fear, and thus to feel all emotions more fully, including love, joy, and contentment.
Today is the day to FREE your heart, to practice Ahimsa. Shed the coat of armor, soften and expand the space surrounding your heart and allow sensations to flow through you.
Peel back the armor by inviting deeper and more fulfilling breath into your body, reaching deep down inside, freeing your breath, freeing your body, freeing your feelings.
Let your face muscles soften
…brow relax
…corners of the mouth curl up in a subtle smile
…shoulders roll back and down
… ribs move more freely as breath draws deeper into the body
…heart space opens.
Feel nurtured by your breath.
Feel the freedom beginning to unfold.
Dive into the love, joy, and freedom you bring to yourself on the wings of your breath.
Begin healing your deepest essence. Breathe in…breathe out…FREE your heart.
Whether managing staff, supporting family and friends, or directing your own destiny, each of us has at one time or another been called upon to take the lead, to be in charge, to make things happen.
Ancient yogis believed that leadership was born of wisdom. But, wisdom did not reside in the head. Rather, the true seat of wisdom is in the heart.
Thus, to lead with wisdom, one must lead from the heart, or from a place of love.
To lead with love requires non-judgment, compassion, and the ability to see the strengths and gifts in those you lead.
Imagine what the world would be like if we all lead a little more from the heart instead of the head.
We all remember growing up. The first time we twirled or rolled so much that laughter, interlaced with a smidgeon of fear, burst from within us as the world spun around uncontrollably and the mind tucked away a note to maybe spin a little less next time. We sampled the roles of mommy or daddy, worker, leader, follower, and friend as we played dress up together or joined in team games on the playground. We dropped objects from tables, stairwells, and out car windows with genuine awe as the mysteries of how these things worked unfolded before our very eyes. We spontaneously erupted in play, as we naturally found new ways to move the body, new ways to see the world, new ways to feel connected with it all.
When children engage in play, they engage in an adventurous journey through the unknown. Play allows you to take chances, to explore edges, to uncover workings of the physical body, subtleties in social and emotional dynamics, expressions of creativity, and to conduct investigations and form solutions through active problem solving. Play is the foundation of learning. Play is critical for growth. Play is an essential element in the development of a bright, well-rounded, well-adjusted person.
Why then do we limit play to children? Why, as they grow older, do we discourage children from going to this natural place of curiosity, wonder, and learning? Why, when we become adults, does play disappear?
While there may be a question about whether you can form new neuron synapses or the brain can improve its functionality after a certain age, there is no question that play, at any age, provides an opportunity for exploration, sensation, and learning.
So, grab your neighbor’s hand and go run through that pile of leaves in the middle of the yard, or roll down that grassy hill, or scoop up some snow or sand and build with it. Dip your fingers in paint and slide them across an empty canvas. Lie on your back, grab your feet and roll from side to side like a happy baby. Smile, laugh, and dig deep down into your inner child and let it shine in the wonder, curiosity, and learning of play.
If you’re worried about what other folks may think as you get silly, serious, loud, or creative in your play, invite them to join in. Free yourself and others from the misperception that there is no room in adulthood for play. Engaging in play could be the best thing to keep you agile in mind, body, and spirit and ensure a lifetime full of curiosity, wonder, and awe. Imagine what you might not discover, what you might not feel, what you might not learn, who you might not become if you never played.
Play is the work of children…and of healthy adults too.
Monday Mindfulness 