What Am I Leaving, What Am I Taking Forward?
A celebration invitation was offered and accepted by all in the program, the first ‘graduating class’ of the Amrit Yoga Institute’s 854 hour Yoga Therapy program. We were asked to contemplate what we were leaving behind and what we were invited to take forward. This was authentically and powerfully shared during our ceremony.
In life, we are constantly making choices. Some of these choices appear small, like what to eat for breakfast. Others appear much larger, like our careers or partner(s). No matter the seeming immediate impact of the choice, each has the potential to shape our future.
When we make a choice, we are essentially, often subconsciously, saying, "This is what I am leaving, and this is what I am taking forward." What we leave behind can be anything from negative thoughts and habits to limiting beliefs and relationships. It can also be physical, tangible things; the stuff that begins to clutter our physical environment and our thoughts.
What we take forward can be anything from positive thoughts and habits to empowering beliefs and relationships. Some of these things are physical, some are based on our memories, our experiences, and our relationships. Others are more abstract, such as our values, our beliefs, and our sense of self. When we are clear about our values and beliefs, we can make choices that align with our goals and dreams. We can also build relationships that support our growth and development.
We all struggle to let go of the past; and the letting go is more nuanced than simply saying something like ‘I’m done with that.’ There are layers and layers of letting go, and we recognize and allow for this. We acknowledge the feelings – whatever they might be including sad, angry, resentful, or scared. Feeling the emotions and feelings is the first step to beginning to let go.
Here are some tips for making more conscious choices:
Be aware of your choices. Pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Ask yourself, "What am I choosing right now?" For example, sometimes I do choose the Netflix show, the piece of dessert or whatever, and sometimes I do not. Your knowing about the choices increases with practice; and it is important to give ourself permission to fully enjoy all of life.
Identify your values. Your values are the things that are most important to you. They are the foundation of your choices. Take some time to identify your values. What are the things that you believe in? What are the things that are most important to you?
Make choices that align with your values. Once you articulate your values, your choices begin to align with them. This doesn't mean that you will always make the aligned choice, but it does mean that you will be more likely to make choices that support you over time.
Be willing to change your mind. Sometimes, we make choices that we later regret. If this happens, don't be afraid to change your mind to make a different choice. This, too, becomes easier with practice. And my child-rearing would have been considerably different had this principle been embraced.
As the question was received in the context of the celebration ceremony, here are some of what came forth for me. This might support your own exploration.
Leaving behind hurriedness, moving into the pauses. We can all benefit from slowing down to the speed of life. My personal experience is that hurriedness is with many layers, it is subtle, and the more I notice, the more there is to notice. Scheduling the pauses by planning the day, when we can, supports this invitation. It allows more appreciation of the present moment and to connect with ourselves and with others.
Leaving behind comparison, stepping into trust. Comparison is a thief of joy. When we compare ourselves to others, we are setting ourselves up for either a sense of inferiority or superiority. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we can focus on our own unique nature and let that be our celebration. We can also trust that we are exactly where we need to be in our lives.
Leaving behind self, embracing Self. Our ego is the part of us that is concerned with our own self-interest. When we are identified with our ego, we are more likely to be selfish and to put our own needs before the needs of others. When we embrace the Self, we connect with our true nature, which is unconditional love.
Softening self-doubt, allowing life to come to me. Self-doubt is a common obstacle that prevents us from living our best lives. When we doubt ourselves, we are less likely to take risks and to step outside of our comfort zone. We can soften self-doubt by practicing self-love and by believing in ourselves.
Moving from thinking and doing, into feeling and being. We spend so much time in our heads, thinking about the past, the future, and what we need to do. But what if we could spend more time in our hearts, feeling the present moment and being present with ourselves and with others? When we slow down and connect with our feelings, we can experience more joy, peace, and love.
From holding on to letting go. Holding on to the past prevents us from moving forward. When we let go of the past, we free ourselves to be present without the memories of the past clouding our perspective. This often involves forgiving ourselves and others, by accepting what has happened, and by focusing on the present moment.
From unconscious to conscious. Most of our lives are lived unconsciously. We are not aware of our thoughts, feelings, and actions. When we become more conscious, we are more aware of ourselves and of the world around us. We live from a sense of connectedness; we feel, trust and breathe into the powerful oneness that we are.
I summed this up for our ceremony with the second line of the Asatoma prayer:
“Lead me from darkness to light, into being the illuminating light that sees it all without preference.”
A newly released course, Feel to Heal, was created on these premises. It is centered on the knowing that as we discover who we are, our relationship with ourselves and with ALL shifts and changes. This happens by feeling, by allowing, and often by being supported in this with beings who are on a similar experience. Check it out here – and please consider a) reaching out with questions, b) signing up for the on-line, on-demand course*, and c) joining an intimate cohort to share, explore and allow learning from one another to the deepen our understanding of the course sharings.
*The 50% discount on the course expires on Monday, the 15th, at midnight.