Most of our behaviors are processes that arise from the subconscious/unconscious layer of our being. These behaviors or reactions to life stimulus reflect a combination of nature and nurture.
Ongoing incidents of instinct and experience form habitual responses that often do not align with who we actually see ourselves to be and what we most desire to experience.
Our habitual responses often keep us spinning in justification, defense, clean-up, second-guessing, procrastination, disconnection and confusion.
Evolving Mindfully is about awakening to these aspects of ourselves in a way that gives rise to transformative empowerment.
One of the foundations of cultivating conscious lifestyle to align with our intentions is the idea that deep down, we all desire and deserve to live lives of beauty, peace, joy, intimacy, purpose meaning and fulfillment.
It also reflects the truth that (and this is utterly amazing considering how many of us there are) each of us is a unique individual combination of attributes and characteristics that longs for an experience of Self that is authentic, vital and fully actualized.
Many of us want to live the answers to the questions who am I; where do I come from; who am I becoming; why am I here; what is my contribution in real time without having to take time.
Still, the truth is, in order to actualize being who we are and realize our potential in fulfilling and meaningful ways in all areas of life requires that we take time to study ourselves and empower ourselves to bring our thoughts, words, attitudes and actions into alignment.
Taking time to consider these questions regularly is an act of mindfulness and reflects an ancient yogic principle of Svadhyaya, which means self-study. The Eightfold path of yoga is a system that supports self-study toward self-mastery.
A key element of self-study is the function of Sakshi, the Inner-Witness. Many forms of ancient wisdom work with a concept of the Inner-Witness and offer, as Yoga does, myriad practical practices to cultivate the capacity to begin to notice without judgment.
Noticing without judgment is a key of self-study and also very powerful in supporting quality of relationship with the people in our lives.
When the Inner-Witness functions through practices that can be done in time set aside to learn as well as (and ultimately most importantly) in the course of living our lives, we really get to know who we are in a way that creates spaciousness to begin to release identification with conditioning that drives us in directions we do not necessarily desire to go.
One of the beautiful aspects of the way these practices work is that they are really very simple and gentle. They build our capacity for awareness and empathy towards ourselves and others that begin to transform our lives and relationships in ways that; yes, requires some devotion to applying yourself to learn new skills and tools, but is really quite simple and easeful to implement.
I am thrilled to be offering an upcoming Self-Mastery Session: Transformation: Explore the What, How, Where, When and Why of Change. Are your days imbued with the qualities, characteristics, feelings and experiences that reflect the beauty, pleasure, joy, love and connection that is possible? Realizing these possibilities generally requires a transformation of emotional, thought and behavioral patterns.