Blossoming

devyani
devyani
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

The mind is the aspect of us that thinks and perceives the world (and beyond!). I didn’t realize it earlier but it is one the most significant aspects of our existence; in my mind thoughts appear, these thoughts invoke emotions which influence my behavior in that situation. These situations stay with us as memories (fond ones or ones we’d rather forget!). The tendency of the mind is such that it is continuously vacillating either to these memories of the past or about our future — in most cases, the mind is restless and not in the present.

http://wordinfo.info/results/vacillating

Your worldview is influenced by the balance between your thoughts and emotions, Psychology Today.

Confucius: our willpower (desire to act) is rooted in our thoughts and our thoughts regulate our perceptions and emotions.

For many years, I did not pay attention to my restless mind. My mind felt like a foe; it would create an avalanche of noisy thoughts that resulted in anxiety and stress. Little did I know, the mind was an unknown ally that waited for me to make its acquaintance.

In my teenage/young adulthood years, I was a “closed-minded” rebel (without a cause!), placed labels on my self and others that I couldn’t see beyond the epithet. I was stuck in mundane habits that appeared riveting, when in fact all they did was create a veil of fanciful self-confidence that was short-lived. I lived in a bubble because I did not have the awareness, knowledge or understanding to move beyond the narrow scope of my experiences. Until one day, in August of 2009, when the stained mirror I peered into daily was wiped cleaned…

“Debu, you should try this meditation program, a teacher from India is coming and she doesn’t look like yoga teacher, she dresses normally, like us…”, my Mum explained carefully. Listening to her speak, I remained quite in affirmation and a spark of recognition arose in my mind that this is something I must do and have been waiting for. Without hesitation, I signed up for the Art of Living Yes!+ program. Geronimo!

Day one of the program, I walked into the room; to my left, a table of four volunteers sat — bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — waiting to greet the participants. “Welcome! How are you?”, asked the volunteer, as she gave me my name tag. I momentarily glanced across the room full of talkative, inquisitive youth; they appeared as though they had been waiting for this too. I was intimidated and shy, so I sat in the back corner hoping that no one would speak to me. A lad asked me a question about the class but I responded with a nonchalant shrug which was a way to hide my social awkwardness and feeling of being self-conscious. Within moments the room was packed and the petite and enigmatic teacher walked in and the room settled in silence.

During the program we played intellectually stirring games that were wrapped in subtle notes of practical wisdom, we learned about our breath and it’s connection to our mind and energy levels, we learned breathing techniques, light Hatha yoga, we were given tangible tools, techniques and inspiration to break barriers, and empowered to move through life like a peaceful warrior.

But inexplicably, the most significant aspect of the program was when I experienced Sudarshan Kriya. Finally (eureka!), a feeling of consolidation; my body, mind, thoughts and emotions, my heart were in tune. At last, I was at ease with my self. A feeling of deep peace dawned and I felt as though I met myself for the first time. The hardened mind and false labels dropped away. Never had I experienced this level of clarity. Simply put, I experienced pure overwhelming joy. The only way to describe it is it was like meeting a loved one after years of separation. The dormant bud inside me had popped open and had begun blossoming.

Nearing the end of the program we were all given take home techniques to practice daily. From that moment I had decided to commit and dedicate time for my self; for my peace of mind.

Spiritual blossoming simply means blossoming in life in all dimensions; being happy, at ease with yourself and with everybody around you — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Thank you for reading my mini-tale, I hope to share more with you soon!

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devyani

Written by

devyani

Meditator. Vegetarian. Sun Saluter. Found peace in the inner world, time to share it with the outer world! Meditation rocks my world!

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