Aliveness & Meaning in the Slow & Steady
"What's most important is not the goal we're seeking, even if it's enlightenment, but living each moment of our daily life truly & fully." Thich Nhat Hanh
Hello dear seekers,
This week's post comes with a gentle track and an invitation: take a moment to pause. Adjust your posture. Breathe slowly and steadily- just enough to feel yourself arrive. Even a glimmer of steadiness and peace is enough. Connect to that within you- the Ananda—the kindest, wisest, most loving inner witness.
Gift yourself 10 rounds of present moment breathing. First offer a hand to your heartspace. Breathe into the lungs, the heartspace. At first, release out your exhale. Then as it feels right, deepen your exhale. Breathe in- your chest expands- further down down down toward your seat. 10 steady rounds.
Breathing in. I am here. Breathing out- I am love, I am clear.
Repeat.
We begin again. Atha Yoga Nusasanam.
After a full week and weekend of service- market, urban farm support, business support and the joy of subbing a Monday morning yoga flow—I found myself returning to this page like many of us return to the mat: a little tired, stretched, but with heart. The seasonal winds and shifts are real. With the sun rising earlier, the energy of Gemini still stirring, and Summer Solstice on the horizon, the momentum of life is very much alive.
In Ayurveda, this time of year is mobile and infused with intense light- prana is vibrant, fire is strong, and air is moving fast. You might feel creative and enthusiastic—or overwhelmed and overstimulated. Maybe both. The emails, the calls to action, the civil unrest, the sacred masculine energy within and in reverence of Father’s Day, the speed of Mercury—all call us forward. Invoking a confidence of glow, and courage as flame.
If you're feeling the pressure to do, perform, or hold it all, you're not alone.
If you’re in a season of stillness, grief, or quiet perseverance, this too is sacred.
The call is to the that in you that is alive, steady, energized & clear.
With a hand to the heart you might ask- How are you in this moment?
What is your body and mind taking in? Where is your energy going?
What would it feel like to return to your breath and acknowledge your heart before responding to life?
As Morgan Harper Nichols reminds us:
"The sun is still rising, and I am still finding meaningful and worthwhile ways to come alive right here." “Your intentions and your efforts matter right now.” “As the sun continues to rise and your heart continues to beat, the ways you are learning to be present amidst the waiting and the unknown matters more than you know.”
A practice for this week:
Place a hand on your heart. The same hand that reaches for your to-do list, your loved ones, your phone and bring it home.
Ask gently:
How are you, heart?
Is there anything you need me to know?
You don’t have to have an answer. The breath, space, and a subtle smile can be the reply.
Themes from Past Blogs:
If you’re curious about more from last week’s prana vayu or then how we can with care, meet the winds of expression (Udana Vayu), feel free to revisit:
→ The Pause Between Winds: Honoring Prana, Shadow & Shine
→ Honoring the Winds of Expression: Finding Balance in Bloom with Udana Vayu
✨ You can also search past posts by keywords (vayus, koshas, doshas, chakras, astrology, or quotes) using the magnifying glass icon on my homepage.
Be reminded:
That you are soft and strong. The sacred masculine and feminine are within you.
That you’re allowed to pace, to pause, to love, dance, and sing.
That what you share ripples outward, even if unseen.
"You are kind, genuine, and your brilliance is only yours. No one has what you possess within yourself. You are a force as bright as the sun, and as gentle as the grass when you allow yourself to be." — The Courage Practice
In steadiness and presence,
With love & light,
Maya
6/17/2024
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