Endings and Beginnings | Nature's New Year
Here we stand in the Northern Hemisphere on the Vernal Equinox. The nearly perfect balance between daylight and darkness as we shake off the shackles of winter and embrace the renewal of spring. A day of "equi-nox", or "equal night" heralds a season change and is a great time to consider creating balance in one's own universe.
Each of us has an opportunity now to find our own fulcrum point: a resetting of intentions and attention in a way that aligns with the upward force of the blossoming natural world.
For a modern life, however, the idea of balance can feel illusive. Something that's always just out of reach - or only possible with the help of more nannys, assistants, dogwalkers, live-in-chefs, etc.
But what if we started to understand balance to be something much more subtle? What if balance can be more of a state of mind and a state of moving through the world than anything else?
To explore finding your own balance and new spring resolve, I'm sharing, three choose-your-own adventure practices fitting for any time-constraint as well as additional "bonus" practices to explore at your leisure. You'll notice all 3 of these practices, include an "I am" intention statement. These two words are some of the most powerful we have as they allow us to command the energy of our own conviction and declare it externally - to the world.
As part of an intentional practice, consider who you'd like to be across the rest of this year, state it in the present and make it your reality. Then sit back, and watch all the forces of your life conspire to help you.
If you have 5 minutes
- PRACTICE | "One Minute Breath." Inhale for 10-20 seconds, hold the breath the same amount of time, exhale the same amount of time. Breath is all through the nose. Practice for 3 minutes and if possible, listen to this.
- REFLECT | List 3 things you are grateful for across 2018 thus far.
- INTEND | Finish this statement: I am... (free write for a minute or so).
If you have 15 minutes
- PRACTICE | Kirtan Kirya to re-rhythm yourself back into the best flow and connection with the natural world. After tuning in with Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo (3 times), follow along with this track. (11 mins)
- REFLECT | What are my 3 guiding words for the rest of the year? How can I use them to find more balance and flow. (3 mins)
- INTEND | I am.. (1-2 mins)
If you have 30 minutes
- PRACTICE | Chi Generation Kriya. A great set I've been loving as of late. (20 mins)
- REFLECT | Where have I been? Where am I going? What can I do to ensure I focus on positive movement across the rest of 2018? (7 mins)
- INTEND | I am...(1-3 mins)
Bonus Practices
- Lay down on the ground, chest down. Perhaps in a nice grassy patch in a nearby park. Feel your heartbeat gently thud into the earth. Feel connected to the pulse and rhythm of the ground.
- Spring cleaning is a thing for a reason. Learn more about minimalism or the art of Feng Shui. It's the perfect time to refresh and remove some of the things you no longer need.
- Eat more greens! Sprouts, lettuces, leafy greens and anything that reaches up and out of the earth to give you that same springtime lift.
- Try a walking meditation: Set a timer for 20-30 minutes. Simply wander with the intention to learn from and be in awe of the spring.
- Service is always in season. Consider how you can share your gifts with someone this week or weekend. It can be kind and simple or more of a bigger declaration of generosity. Giver's choice.
- Try dry-brushing to help the lymph system move and circulate more freely by aiding the process of releasing toxins and refreshing the skin.
- Spring is a time of boldness and action - the plants are almost shouting this at us as they begin to open in all their glory. Ask yourself: Where have I been holding back? Where can I amplify a sense of boldness and action?
- Eat P-fruits. Pears, plums, papaya, pomegranate, you get the picture. These are especially refreshing to the system and the metabolism.
Photography by the talented Souqfly