A vision I wrote back in 2019 is just now coming to fruition. 5 years later. Not obsessively checking in on it every day. Just patiently letting things unfold.
I bring this up because it is so easy to get discouraged in our endeavors nowadays.
Whether you’re dating someone new, starting a new career or job, or venturing out on your own to create a business. Or realizing what it means to start a relationship with yourself!
All of this takes time. Patience. Greater insight into your intuition. And an unwavering commitment to your path. Your unique path.
The seeds we plant now will take time to grow. We won’t see their growth tomorrow or the next day.
And the same is true for our personal, spiritual, and professional life.
° I’ve shared this tool before but this is the Vision Statement Map I use. The one I wrote in 2019 was a relationship vision°
But how do you know when to let a vision go? Or when to keep tending and stoking the flame?
Well, maybe that’s the point of life!
The Four Desires
In the Vedas, the knowledge source of where yoga comes from, your soul has four distinct desires or “purposes of the soul.”
The first is Swa Dharma, the desire to fully become who you were meant to be. To thrive and fulfill your destiny.
The second is Artha, the desire for things like money, security, and health. These things help you fulfill your dharma. Without good health, you can’t live out your destiny. Same with money.
The third is Kama, the desire and longing for pleasure.
The fourth is Moksha, the desire to be free from the burdens of the world, even as you live out your dharma. Moksha is the longing to experience spirit and to realize a state beyond the reach of the three desires.
Even by reading this list, you may already be questioning certain desires you’ve had that have not led you to “your purpose” though. And perhaps caused a lot of pain and anguish.
Again, that’s the point. We won’t ever rid ourselves of the desire to grow, and expand, make more money, or reach new milestones.
But what we can do is learn to discern and gauge when something is helpful and necessary for your growth over those that may be attachments from an unbalanced ego.
Our Ego
Think of your ego like a sense. We generally have 5 senses (I say generally because there’s a few more). Senses are how the body receives signals from our surrounding.
Each of us interprets these signals differently, contributing to our individuality in how we process and express ourselves.
This uniqueness is what defines our ego. Without this Sense of Individuality, we might experience feelings of depression, lean towards co-dependency by relying on others to define us, or lack the strength to pursue our desires and fulfill our destiny. Or on the flip side, think we’re the greatest and the best at everything and not be open to change, growth or feedback.
For our final lesson of the “Yoga of the Mind” series, we explore your Sense of Self and Individuality. Often misunderstood, our Ego or Ahankara is a crucial aspect of our personality — when in balance. It’s just one short recording, a short talk and meditation combined: Embracing Imperfections & Nurturing Self-Compassion, I hope you enjoy it.
Go back to all the lessons, I link to them below. Write your reflections down in your “Meditation on Paper” Journal, and see what you discover on your path.
Talk soon,
Brenda
My friend, , booked us aura photos and readings while we were in LA. It was the coolest experience. Highly recommend if you ever get a chance to do one.
△ what I’m listening to:
△ what I’m reading:
△ what I’m wearing:
△ dive deeper:
Lesson 4: Balancing Ahankara: Embracing Imperfections & Nurturing Self-Compassion
This is an exploratory meditative practice examining the many facets of the Ahankara. By listening to different words or phrases we gain insight into our own Ego's behavior to try to develop a more intimate relationship with this very sensitive part of our mind. Join us on this transformative journey of self-discovery. By listening to the whispers and nuances of the Ego, we can navigate its intricate role with greater clarity and compassion, fostering personal growth and improved self-awareness.
Yoga of the Mind Series
Your Sense of Self and Individuality (above)
📓 Start your journaling practice with the “Meditation on Paper” journal, now available for purchase on Amazon.
The aura photos were an absolute highlight of LA! Sending you love <3
I loved thus! Thank you!