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There are 10 Yamas and 10 Niyamas - yogic take on human values and ethical practices that help us reach our full potential for personal, spiritual, and professional growth, and to liberate us from the repetitive cycle of suffering. When we live in contradiction to the highest values, when we avoid taking the higher road -  we get stuck in a rat. 

 

This month we are inviting you to join us in aligning our consuming habits with the value of lightness and moderation. Mitahara invites us to get to know the silence, the space in-between, the space itself - open consciousness, an experience of complete presence. This is where unconditional happiness and joy reside, the bliss itself. Mitahara gives us a chance to look at the source of our joy, and whether it is supportive of our well-being and the health of our planet. I love the quote by Blaise Pasqual, a mathematician and a philosopher that says something like this: 'All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly alone.'

 

In Yogic and Buddhist philosophy true liberation is achieved when we make friends with that inner silence - which can be felt like some kind of a VOID as we are learning what consciousness is. When we are not aware that that inner silence is our peaceful space, we want to fill that void with all kinds of time-consuming and physical distractions like over-indulging in other people's affairs, talking, shopping, tik-toking, munching, and solving everyone's problems, you name it - whatever we possibly can.  With meditation practice, we learn that the inner space is never actually empty, it is instead is FULL of presence. With love for ourselves and our common planet Earth, we reduce all harm through our need to fill that void, we learn to sit with silence, and we build an intimacy with the greater consciousness. This is why I love hosting silent retreats a couple of times a year, you can send me a Chat Message if you're interested in joining my next one. Adyashanti has a whole book on this subject called Emptiness Dancing, which I highly recommend as all of his books speak on this.  I have my must-read books list here.

This is an excellent topic for regular contemplation, as very often we slip into diligently filling that emptiness like a root canal without even realizing it. We ALL do it in our own unique and fascinating ways - it is human nature. Yoga practice allows us to see more clearly, and be straightforward (Yama Arjava) about our patterns. I would also love to offer you my idea that every type of consumption is the opposite of being present with ourselves. In her book 'The Big Magic' which I just finished last week, Elizabeth Gilberd compares her mind to an Australian Sheperd puppy. She says when she is not creating, her mind is like that puppy who not knowing what to do with herself will want to dig a hole in a living room or eat a couch. We all can learn to find comfort in being simply present and not needing to consume or destroy anything to fill that space. 

 

I invite you to start this exciting cleansing project by journaling on the 7 topics below, contemplating our day-to-day patterns, and being very curious about what you might discover. The truth is that we know what is best for the greatest good of all, and all we can do is continuously work on developing self-discipline, (Niyama Tapas) as a lifelong practice, and a path of LOVE. This is a lifelong project :)

 

7 Angles to Contemplate Moderation:

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1. Entertainment: following 'other people's stories through our screens to fill that void

2. Shopping, acquiring physical belongings

3. Work time, and leisure time

4. Food & drinks

5. Substances that alter our consciousness

6. Sleep - do we sleep too much?

7. Need for validation & attention - do we speak too much? Spend too much time socializing? On the phone all day? Seek other people's approval? Attention? 

 

I must also mention a very important point - we do not judge or reject reality - we simply see, graciously accept and make any adjustments, and we do this with devotion to the greatest good, and with unconditional love for ourselves. And, we learn to reach out for professional help. We cannot change what we do not clearly see, and even when we see - asking for help is a very self-loving act.

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Sending you peace, health, and clarity,

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Natasha & Glowing Team