And we welcome the new year!
2020 has been a big lesson for all of us. For most, it was a year filled with challenges, and for some, it was a year of growth and expansion. With anything in life, there is the yin and the yang, and the question is whether we choose to see both sides.
I remember a few years ago, when Mr Kim’s dad passed away. In the months that led up to that point, we watched a comedian on television, and the most poignant line from his sketch that I still remember today is, the best of times and the worst of times. And it always is. The month when his dad passed away, we promoted to the next level in our Arbonne business. Now I cannot remember who the comedian was but when I looked up the phrase, this came up …
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
– Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
How amazingly relevant is that and how powerful?
Buddhism talks about the middle way. In its simplest definition, it means a balanced approach to life. Whilst we can think about overindulgence and abstinence, I am also very aware of its implications on our mindset.
Fixed mindset vs growth mindset.
Whilst in recent years, I consider myself to have a growth mindset, 2020 has highlighted to me that I am perhaps not completely in that space yet; that I do get drawn down a rabbit hole, and this sutra is such a comfort to hold in your heart. I remember my yoga teacher saying that deep within the recesses of our hearts is a cave lit up by candles. We just need to know that it is there and find a way home.
For the MY KIND OF YOGA™ Ambassadors this year, our monthly intentions will be drawn from the Yoga Sutra, and we start this new year with this particular sutra, “There is always a light within us that is free from all sorrow and grief, no matter how much we may be experiencing suffering.” Yoga Sutra I.36
This sutra is one tool to help you quiet a restless, agitated mind and attain a level of stability and clarity. If it resonates with you, it is there for your support. If it does not, there are several other tools in that chapter that you might choose instead.
So, after the year that we have experienced, remember that this resource of light and joy, clarity, and deep peace is always there within you. I like lighting a candle every day to remind me of this, and here is an inner spark meditation that is simple to do:
- In a quiet place, sit comfortably with your hands resting in your lap, palms open. Begin by taking several calm, deep breaths.
- Begin to visualise the light within your heart. As an image comes to mind, continue to breathe comfortably and focus your attention on that light within. When the mind wanders, as it inevitably does, gently bring your focus back to the inner light, without judgment. If you have trouble visualising this image or keeping your focus there, you may want to softly chant the words, “my inner light shines” or “I am light”.
- Once you are settled, inhale and open your palms outward. As you exhale, place your palms over your heart. Repeat this three times and then sit quietly for a few moments or minutes, continuing your relaxed breaths.
- Should your mind wanders again, repeat the gesture of inhaling as you extend your palms outward, and exhaling as you bring the hands back to your heart, as often as needed.
- When you are ready, open your eyes.
