October is Emotional Wellness Month.
And it is no wonder; the beginning of autumn, a period of nurturing, a time to harvest, to balance light & dark, to let go of what we no longer need, and a time of transformation and reflection. A time to ground ourselves to prepare for the remainder of the year. We are halfway through Dakshinayana, the cycle of rejuvenation & rebirth. The time of year to purify the lower three chakras for stability as the energy pulls us toward the earth. As you reflect on the year so far, what do you see? How do you feel? How is your Self? What do you need to focus on to move forward? The Muladhara, Root Chakra, connects us to our physical world, governs over our physical energies and gives us a sense of safety & security with other people and with ourselves. It is the root of your being. The Door to your Core. It is rooted in the Earth element, Prithivi, and is directly linked to your ability to dig in and feel firmly rooted in your life. Do you feel rooted? Grounded? On this road to transformation this month we are driven by Svadhyaya, self-study. What is essential to you, to your Self? The study of the Self requires us to connect our actions with the consequences. We do this all the time, unconsciously, when we are learning a new skill. Go back to when you learned how to ride a bike. You pedaled once, maybe twice, and then toppled over. Then you analyzed what went wrong, made an adjustment, and tried again. Perhaps this time you pedaled five times before falling over. Again, you analyzed, made adjustments, and kept on going. And you kept at it until you could pedal as long as you wanted to! Such is the road to seeing your Self clearly. And be honest with your Self on this road – never underestimate the power of your own Self-deception! You may think and say that you are 100% invested and trying your hardest, but are you really? What you get out of this process is 100% related to what you put into it. The booby prize is that the longer you practice with it, the harder it is to stick with it. It becomes difficult, maybe even painful, especially emotionally. But if you can stay with it, you can expand your capacity to become comfortable with the discomfort, and you Build Your Self Up.
So… What is your 6-10? We always ask what do you do? Implying, what is your 9-5. But far more important to your Self is, what is your 6-10? What do you do after that which is required of you. What moves you? What drives you? Who are you? Do not get caught in the trap of defining your Self by your 9-5. If you love your job, that’s great! But it does not define you. And finding what does define us can be a tough and long road to travel. Study. Be patient. Find what is at your core. And proceed with caution. “I am” are the two most powerful words in the English language… for what you put after them shapes your reality. Both positive AND negative. Your mind is a powerful force and you will believe anything it says! If it says I am not good at this, then you will not be. If it says I am a hard worker and I am doing the best I can, then you are. So who do you think you are? And when what you think you are is not in alignment with reality, with what is, then you have conflict. So, avoid labels. If you say I am an accomplished athlete and then you brake your leg and have to stay in a wheelchair for 8 weeks... then who are you? Powerful words, I am. You get to fill the blackboard of your life with whatever you want. If you have filled it with baggage from the past and things that do not serve you – wipe it clean! Create a clean slate. Begin to use those two little words to your advantage. I am receiving every good thing. I am happy. I am abundant. I am healthy. I am love. I am filled with energy every single day. “I am not what I think I am. I just am.” Jaimal Yogis Practice with the Root Chakra this month. Move into asanas that cultivate a sense of earthiness, radiance, and stability. Stimulate your sense of smell with essential oils that are grounding, strengthening, and centering. Study your Self. Go deep inside to your core and find the source of your strength. The origin of your life force. So you can Build Your Self Up. One day at a time. "You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself."
Glinda, the Good Witch