I had planned the theme of “mindfulness” for this week, and my intended blog post was going to be all about the Power of Mindful Breathing. How transformative it is to just take a breath.
I believe that. It’s true. But as I started to meditate on the idea of Mindfulness, I heard myself sounding like all of the clichés that riddle the yoga community and social media. I know that I roll my eyes every time I see a yoga influencer talking about their “mindfulness practice” that includes sitting in a gorgeous outfit in full hair and makeup peacefully gazing on a million dollar view. Or how I see “self care” as another way to sell expensive things (cosmetics, lotions, oils, spa treatments) in order to feel worthy of just existing.
I want more for us.
I created Daily Flow because I myself struggle to maintain a regular, daily practice. I’ve seen how well it works when I actually do it, but I often fall short. I wanted to make something that I would like and that maybe would help other folks, too.
Something for people (like me) who are serious about deepening their practice but feel like there are obstacles. And somehow a hashtag just doesn’t do it.
Let’s Try #spiritfulness
The thing we are here (on Earth) to do is cultivate our connection to spirit.
I don’t think you can convince me otherwise. It seems to me that the whole point of this incarnation is to come into closer relationship with that eternal part of us, whether you call it the soul, life force, spirit, Self or — probably the most-accurate label — God.
If we consider that is our deepest, holiest aspect, what would happen if we flipped it and made it our most outward-facing? What would happen if we dared to not only wear our hearts on our sleeves but to enrobe ourselves in heart… in spirit… in God!?
Your body is a temple … and temples house holy things
Temples, churches, mosques, synagogues and other sacred structures tend to be beautiful. We decorate and adorn them with our highest art — no matter how humble that art may be when held up against Creation.
But what makes these spaces holy? It is not the buildings themselves, but what they house. Usually deep in its recesses, there is something sacred: the Ark of the Covenant, a statue of Zeus (or Thomas Jefferson for that matter), the Shroud of Turin, or some other holy relic.
So why do you hide it? Why do you ignore that it’s even there? We all do it. In American culture — at least mainstream Christian American culture — it is hubris to suggest that we are innately holy. In fact, many faiths assert the direct opposite: we are innately evil and must be “saved.” (Putting the Church, which proclaimed us evil, in the unique position of saving us.)
What if, in fact, we are innately holy, spiritual, Gods-among-humans already? Then it is our job to seek integrated, spiritful lives that reflect that profound truth.
Meditation Practice
In our meditation practice this week, we consider these truths as we incorporate a visualization that, I won’t lie, made me cry a little. Sometimes when we stumble upon deep truth, it is emotional. For me, at least, acknowledging or unearthing something in a meaningful way is a kind of release. And sometimes those bring tears.
Vinyasa Practice
In this week’s Vinyasa practice, we slow down … a lot. No movement is taken for granted, and nothing is separate from its corresponding breath. Which is leading? Breath? Movement? In my opinion, the “right” answer is that neither is leading … and yet both are.
Nothing that appears in this blog or on this website is intended to treat or diagnose any disorder, physical or otherwise. Always consult a physician before beginning any exercise program.