A Guide for Deeper Connections
February was all about Relationships. Although I didn’t share as much as I intended to this month, this post will delve into how ancient wisdom can help us cultivate happier, healthier, and more harmonious connections.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (a classical text written around 200 BCE) offers a roadmap for living a life of joy, freedom, peace and integrity. Today, we’ll explore two specific limbs: the Yamas and Niyamas.
The Yamas (outwards practices) guide us on how to conduct ourselves in social interactions. There are 5 Yamas: Ahimsa, Satya, Brahmacharya, Asteya, and Aparigraha.
Ahimsa is often described as non-violence. We can think of it as peaceful presence, and being compassionate with others. Patanjali says that if you are established in Ahimsa, then all beings around you cease to feel hostility. Ahimsa is just presence, presence is peaceful by itself.
Satya is about authentically living your truth. There are two kinds of truth: relative truth, which depends on the conditioned mind, and absolute truth. Always strive for the absolute truth - I am pure existence.
Asteya is often described as non-stealing, but it also entails having healthy boundaries, not taking what doesn’t belong to you, and avoiding excessive desire for wealth or material possessions. It’s about cultivating abundance consciousness.
Brahmacharya is about managing your creative / vital energy so that you don’t over-give or deplete yourself on things that aren’t for your highest good.
Aparigraha is freedom from attachment. It’s letting go of what you don’t need and not clinging to things. No experience is permanent, so practice letting go and flowing with life.
The Niyamas are inward practices related to emotional intelligence. There are 5 Niyamas: Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadyaya, and Ishvara Pranidhana.
Saucha is about staying clean and pure in your body and mind. This includes not taking in toxic food, emotions, or other sensations. It’s about cultivating mental and physical hygiene through healthy habits like taking care of yourself, getting enough rest, and fostering divine emotions like empathy and compassion.
Santosha is being content with the present moment and accepting the things you cannot control. Our discontent often comes from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Tapas is cultivating discipline. Discipline is the self-sacrifice of prioritizing your highest good.
Svadyaya means to study yourself. It’s about self-reflection and understanding your unique needs and path.
Ishvara Pranidhana is surrendering the outcome to a greater, higher intelligence. It’s acceptance of the divine mystery of existence, trusting that things ultimately unfold as they should.
Take a moment to consider how integrating these practices into your life will strengthen your relationships and enhance your overall well-being. Which of these practices are more challenging and which feel more natural for you?
Speaking of enhancing your well-being, I have an exciting opportunity to share! This year, I’m collaborating with a few other amazing changemakers, to offer retreats designed to help you disconnect from the chaos and busy-ness of every day life and connect with YOU.
The first retreat is for leaders and will take place in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (April 19th - 24th, 2024).
Save the Date! Leadership Retreat in St. Thomas USVI. April 19th - 24th, 2024. Details to come.
The second retreat is a Serenity & Self-Love Retreat for Women and will be held in Sedona, Arizona (June 6th - 10th, 2024).
Save the Date! Serenity & Self-Love Retreat in Sedona, Arizona. June 6th - 10th, 2024, Details to come.
If you feel called to take some time for yourself and connect with a small group of like-minded people, save the date that resonates with you and stay tuned for more details. Email or DM me if interested.
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💚 Trev