PranaBeing blog: Two Things to Trust

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Life can be a dizzying affair. Sometimes I have to really boil things down for myself.

There are two things I can always trust:

  1. This moment is exactly the way it is, right now.

  2. This moment is bound to change.

When I get disoriented, I can bring my mind back to these points. The first point is a way of getting my bearings: “Here I am. Ah, yes. Everything is exactly as it is. How could it be any other way?”

This is relieving and calming. Even if the moment is showing up in a way I don’t like (or if I’m showing up in the moment in a way I don’t like), I can still completely rely on the fact that everything is as it is. And, it will change. If I focus for even a few moments, I can observe and experience that change for myself.

The second point is a way of tempering my mind. Knowing that “this too shall pass” helps me stabilize the mental pendulum. There’s no point in freaking out too badly, because if I don’t want what is happening now, it will soon change. If I really like what’s happening now and I’m afraid of the change, I can remind myself to chill out by enjoying this moment fully and surrendering to the knowledge that it’s all going to keep changing. This helps me relax back into the flow of life.

If I’m resisting change, I can focus on what’s here, now. And if I’m resisting what’s here now, I can focus on change. Sweet, right?

Yes, there’s a lot going on. And, life is also simple.

It is as it is.

It is changing.

I highly recommend regular practice of observing these two truths. It’s a way that I engage with life to reduce struggle and inhabit presence. It has guided me through the most difficult and uncomfortable moments of my life, and opens my heart to appreciate the beauty of this passing moment.

What is something that you can absolutely, always trust?

Micro Investing in Yourself

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Understand what health is and whether you want to cultivate it. (If you don’t, this blog is not for you. Save some time and stop reading now).

Let’s use the Ayurvedic definition, articulated 3,500+ years ago:

samadoshahasamagnischa

sama dhatu mala kriyaha

prasanna atmendriya manah

swasthaitiabhidiyate - Ashtanga Hrdayam

A person is called healthy when the dynamics governing function (doshas), the digestive capacity and process, and body tissues are all balanced; wastes are eliminated regularly; senses and mind are clear, and the person has a feeling of luminosity and pleasantness deep within.

Now you have a clear rubric for assessing your own current state of health or dis-ease.

Cultivating health is not rocket science. Here’s something you can do right now to start.

Exercise:

1.    Look at the definition above and determine where your state of health leaves something to be desired. Are you having indigestion every afternoon? What about that persistent shoulder ache? Or maybe you feel dull in the morning even after a full night’s sleep. Jot down the areas you see need attention.

2.    Now write down 1 - 5 things you do regularly that you know do not support your health. They can be directly related to your health challenges or not. (These can include thinking or saying specific things)!

3.    Look at your list. Which one of these are you willing to trade for an action that does support your health?

4.    What is the easiest, simplest thing you could do that you know supports your health?

5.    Make your trade.

Congratulations! You have just started micro-investing in yourself. Make a commitment to return to this process in one week and check on your ROI.

Leave a comment below and let me know: how’s your health? What trade are you making? What ROI are you reaping?