One of the benefits of having a regular practice of meditation and yoga is the opportunity to tune in more and more to a mindful state. Being more present invites us to open up our senses, listen more profoundly and make choices that are in our best interest. Listening to what we hear on the inside (our inner voice) and checking in on the outer experience as well provides guidance, heightens our intuition and just might keep us from getting into mischief!
I am reflecting on the time in the summer when I brought my yoga mat outside early in the day for some practice. It was a beautiful weather and I was excited to get outside in the morning light. As I settled myself down on the mat under a gorgeous mulberry tree, I could hear the birds flitting from branch to branch, all singing lovely morning songs. Looking up I loved the beautiful matrix of branches and leaves with the sky finding its way through the openings.
As I settled onto my back I got this whisper: “You’ve seen bird droppings all over your walkway. Are you sure you want to continue your practice under this tree?” I laid there considering my options. I was so darn comfortable and happy to be communing with Mother Earth on this quiet summer morning. My first response was to sit up. Still taking stock of whether I should move or not, I sat contemplating in cross- legged pose. I immediately thought of all the times I have encouraged my clients to pay attention to the whisper.
In that moment, that moment of not moving, not one but three birds let loose, two on the mat and the other on the walk right next to me. I laughed it off, shrugged my shoulders, got up, and rolled that mat up to find a safer place for my morning practice. I KNEW those birds were going to be disruptive. I just KNEW!
We get messages day in and day out. Some are more important than others, but if we can begin to listen to the mini-messages, we can begin to train ourselves through practice to pay attention to the more significant life-changing ones.
How can you tune in more to your own message alerts? The suggestion I have that has the most impact is to go silent. All throughout the day, draw those moments to you when you can sit with yourself placing attention on your own breathe moving in and out.
We live in a culture with competing, clashing sounds of everyday life. In the more quiet moments self-discovery arises. It’s a noisy world out there and you are the one in charge of the volume.
