(This is the 2nd of the Eight Universal Principles for Stepping up to the Edge by Baron Baptiste taken from his book - “Journey into Power”.)
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Aliko Sunawang
“When you are in the now, a whole world of options open up to to you. ”
This question of HOW - is prevalent in most of us. We always have this need to know. Some questions are easy- like how do I poach a chicken? Ask Google. How do I use my new iPhone? Ask Google. How do I get strong arms? The internet answers alot of our HOW questions.
Then what about the How do I save the Earth? How can I be of service to others? How do I stop my overwhelm and anxiety? How to not worry about what other people think? How do I speak to my boss about quitting my job? How do I quit my job?
The 1st principle for stepping up to the edge ask that you to be Present in the Now and drop the future or the past thoughts.
And now, we come to the How do we do that? And Baron says the answer to HOW is to be in the NOW.
“You already have the answer to how within you; our bodies are encoded with this innate knowledge. The key to accessing it is by coming into the moment. Each time you think you don’t know how is a clue that you aren’t willing to trust your intuitions - use this question as a tip of that it’s time to tune in and trust the light of your inner knowing.
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How often have you gotten distracted in your yoga practice by your worries or your fears of what has happened or not yet happened?
I do - hands up, I do get distracted.
“From physicalness, you will have access to empowerment and possibilities. ”
In the Baptiste Yoga asana sequence, there is a strong focus on physicalness, which is direly needed to take the practitioner to a place of presence. Through our physical bodies, we learn to connect to our mind through physical sensations. Simply by listening to our body, we are communicating with our mind.
You can choose to listen to what your mind says about your body, all the commentary, opinion, beliefs. And there’s the reality about your body and its experience. What ever you’re feeling in your body is just sensation. And what ever tells your mind tells you is just a story.
“There’s no room for new possibility if you’re stuck in your stories.”
My stories are my fears of breaking my wrist in Crow Pose; or my neck in a Headstand and even not being to stay in a Frog pose. But really, it is more than that. They relates to my biggest fears in life - fear of failing; fear of what people think of me; that I’m not strong enough; etc.
I used to get really angry and I will say to myself - what’s wrong with me? Why am I so weak?
MY HOW QUESTION WAS THEN HOW DO I MAKE YOGA EASEFUL? OR REALLY HOW DID I MAKE YOGA (LIFE) EASY FOR ME?
Truth is it was NOT that I have the RIGHT answer, but that I discovered that every moment is different.
By staying present to what’s NOW present - my physical body, my surroundings (where I am) and my breath - I’m able to focus on what I CAN do, instead of what I can’t do.
I do something instead of nothing.
I do what I can with what I have.
I trust that I know what I’m doing;
By focusing on what I can do Now.
“The work you do on the mat facilitates your whole life.”
Being in the Now gave me access to find easefulness on and off the mat.
Being in the NOW is a Practice of noticing what’s what - reality (what’s real/the facts) vs story (what’s not real).
What’s really right here in your experience?
Right here is not the future. Right here is not what other people are thinking.
THOSE THOUGHTS ARE NOT REAL!
Right here is YOU, what you see, what you feel, what you hear NOW.
This week, do the work of being in the NOW HERE; in moments of fear, of not knowing, when you are feeling anxious or overwhelm - focus on being NOW here, appreciating what you have, what is around you and notice what comes up. Nothing to fix or work out; just acknowledge the thoughts and let it go.
Journal This:
What is my most meaningful creation in life? Is it my work, my family, myself?
When do I feel most energised?
When & how do I deplete my own energy & connection to myself?
What is possible if you give up your stories?
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Kelly Sikkema
Edited using Canva.
Words: Author’s Own