Why should we think differently and how?
I received this question recently. More specifically, how can journaling support this desire to change our thoughts?
I have mentioned this before, that I can experience self-transformation through the act of journaling itself! See Writing to Heal: The Transformative Power of Conscious Embodiment. However, there must be a somatic component to support the digestion of change and the integration of some new awareness.
Journaling our thoughts can become a stagnant practice, unless we question our thoughts, it’s vital, actually, to ask new questions and here’s the advice I gave — ultimately, to think differently, you have to take new action.
But this drive to act does begin in the mind, so writing is the root of the questioning, then we must feel where this dawning lives in our bodies, following that we take ourselves out of our comfort zones to challenge the old behavioural patterns and thoughts and only then, does the new thinking emerge, as an embodied experience.
Bruce Lee’s words (which stem from Daoist philosophy) comes to mind:
Empty your cup so that it may be filled; become devoid to gain totality.
A space must be created so that it can be filled with new awareness. Movement, purging and any kind of physical release (crying, screaming, shouting, singing, art-making etc.) can support this creation of space. So, meditation becomes important as the next step. However, for me, writing itself is meditative, I feel and ‘empty’ as I write.
Becoming ‘devoid’ could be likened to taking that unknown step outside of the comfort zone. This requires courage, the warrior spirit. If you choose not to leap into the unknown, the growth does not arrive, and the new thinking does not become embodied as a truth.
MARS AND VENUS CONJUNCTION
(Until February 11th)
So, as we navigate a period of conflict and challenges in love, relationships, boundaries and inner battles (mirrored in the sky by Mars and Venus’s close proximity) can we make different choices?
Can we pause, not engage in old conflicts and inner conditioning that sets the mind and body up for living in the same toxic loops?!
(Venus Direct January 29th)
How can you use your unique creative processes (Venus) to support your higher desires, your karma yoga (Mars) which is in service of the divine? What new awareness are you moving forward with in terms of what makes you happy and your choice of relationships?
Where is the dance of Mars and Venus occurring for you in your thoughts and emotions? Look to any drama coming towards you. What is this teaching you about yourself? What do you need to say yes to? (Venus.) Where is the anger rising, and therefore the need for self-protection and boundaries occurring — the No? (Mars.)
Hopefully the above Power Thought can provide some illumination!
With Mercury stationing direct on February 3rd, perhaps we could use this forward momentum to direct our efforts towards aligning with the next right action step for ourselves.
See the Yoga Oracle Card below for more guidance.
NEW MOON INTENTION
LISTEN AND LEARN, YIELD FOR TRUE UNDERSTANDING
Moon is new in the sign of Capricorn on February 1st, in Shravana nakshatra, the star of inner listening ruled by Saturn who is close to the Sun and combust, teaching us to slow down and simplify life.
Vishnu as the deity of Shravana (symbolised by an ear), asks us to pay attention to the higher duty that arises from surrendering to the soul’s purpose and the cosmic order. Open and yield to the messages that current life challenges are teaching. Surrender to being honest with what you hear, what you know the truth to be, for yourself and for others.
Listening deeply in our communication with others can hone our awareness and support us in speaking our truth and making better choices.
JOURNAL THIS:
⫸ Have I offered myself moments of silence and stillness? Where could I listen to myself more and receive with reverence the messages and signs that are showing up? (Are you paying attention?!)
⫸ What teachings are speaking to me right now and what new knowledge is arriving? Pause, slow down and reflect.
⫸ Where is my effort and hard work in the coming month best served for my self development? Identify the priority, the focus area and the next right action step.
(Share your thoughts in our Facebook community or comment below— I’d love to hear how this guidance has supported you!).
I am here to support your warrior’s path,
To help you trust your inner wisdom
And awaken your powerful roar!
Rise Up,
Payal
YOGA ENERGY READING
TAPAS
Niyama: Self-Discipline
Where in life do I need more presence and discipline?
Am I showing up for myself in daily practices that balance mind, body, heart and spirit?
Tapas denotes a practice of austerity and inner cleansing by means of ‘burning away’ misaligned behaviours, in body, senses, speech and mind as taught in the Bhagavad Gita. Yoga itself requires solitude to achieve moksha, but first, a humble attitude towards a Guru and the transformative teachings is required to tread this path of ‘tapasya’ — tapas being the third ‘niyama’ or personal observance that Patanjali describes in the Yoga Sutras.
Remember that the Vedic tradition sees things as a whole, this is not about committing to practices that intensify struggle and suffering, rather the inner fire of tapas is in aid of the wholeness of yoga practice, where all parts work in conjunction with others, for example, ahimsa or ‘non-violence’ is also adhered to, meaning, we use the inward heat to drive focus and discipline to the all parts of our being, for the purpose of purification and right seeing and we do this through self-compassion.
Sutra 2.43 kāyendriya-siddhir aśuddhi-kṣayāt tapasaḥ
Through Destruction Of Impurities, Practice Of Austerities Brings About Perfection Of The Body And The Organs.
Expansion of consciousness cannot occur without some growing pains, therefore, this is a path chosen by those who are willing to confront their conditionings and untruths, and steer the soul to its true path. Tapas requires introspection, resilience and an unwavering focus — a warrior spirit.
This oracle encourages you to commit to a Sadhana, a daily, dedicated self-practice for body, mind and breath, to strengthen the inner light of the soul and to therefore move towards your truest expression. (The Sun and Saturn combustion may already be triggering the need to pay attention to this.)
Is it time to get uncomfortable?
Is it your time to ‘empty your mind’ and unfold to new thinking and a deeper sense of freedom? What then needs to be done?
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