 What is the philosophy and value underlying engaging in a daily practice - my reflections:
"We live within systems that continually call us into our heads/minds, narrowly operating through rational thinking, competition and production etc. Often this is disconnected from our bodies and hearts, from the Earth and a relational life. It can keep us from accessing non-ordinary consciousness which is a rich resource. If we’re living disconnected from aspects of ourselves it is harder to see our stuck patterns and ‘shadow’. Our unconscious reflexes can assert in forms of aversion and cravings that can drive our choices and behaviors. In a sense, the repetition of a practice over time reprograms our nervous system. Some might not like the idea of conditioning and programing, but it’s just a natural part of living that what we repeat creates patterns in our nervous system. If we don’t choose what patterns us, then by default we will be patterned by negative bias in our primal system combined with the culture we live in and what we expose ourselves to day after day. It takes a choice to make time to cultivate living more holistically, in touch with our body’s wisdom and needs, our heart intuition and feelings, our highest cognitive intelligence and our interconnectedness with others and all life. A daily practice can serve this choice. It’s about taking responsibility for our own energies, seeing where we need restoration, nourishment and balance. Practice can support stewardship of our gifts in a holistic way. We can then bring this into all our work, play and relationships. A daily practice can helps us go from living on automatic, surviving to Thriving and cultivating what our heart’s calling is. I believe in the innate intelligence and wisdom of our bodies and the Earth/Nature/Cosmos. To tap into this intelligence and wisdom we need to tend and tune our vessels on a daily basis. When we do this all aspects of our vessel (body heart, feelings, higher thinking and intuition etc) become unified as a “receiver” as well as a transmitter of energies and creativity, wisdom and pleasure. Having a solo practice can help us ebb and flow - going within then going outwards engaging with others. Solo practice allows us to separate for a time to really feel our own energies and states, our needs as distinct from others. When we are in the thick of daily life, work and relationships there can be a lot of overlaps with others, blurred boundaries and needs, automatic patterns and demands. Creating a sacred space ( a designated time and place apart) ebbing away from groups and the systems, into your personal space can facilitate clarity for your uniqueness, help to clarify boundaries that support your deeper calling/purpose. This in turn gives energy for going outward and engaging with others with new energy, your unique gifts and presence. The activities one chooses to do in their solo practice can be quite varied depending on one’s purpose and personal taste, what skills one wants to cultivate, awarenesses one wants to sharpen. Themes for your solo practice can come from something you want to manifest or an area of your life you want to nourish. Group practice (any shared focus or activity between 2 or more people that is consciously chosen for their mutual benefit or purpose) Many people who want to do a solo daily practice, find it very challenging to do alone, to stay consistent, to keep it fresh and relevant. Joining with others in a group practice can be a great way to get going. The group energy and being committed to the group often helps us stick with a practice. Group practice benefits a group too. We steward our interpersonal relationships and shared values and purposes. We refine skills together esp, skills of listening and witnessing without judgement. Communicating with compassion. Group practice can foster a sense of belonging. Attunement, Co-regulation. Establishing shared languages and meanings within a group. The group energy and the ‘group mind’ brings a different empowerment to us than the solo practice. We need each other – it’s a biological imperative to be connected in healthy ways. Our modern culture and generational traumas have separated us from our healthy bondedness with each other. Doing practices together can heal, repair and empower our beautiful interconnectedness so we can engage in creative collaborations that benefit and evolve our social systems. Where 2 or more cells (systems, individuals etc) touch their edges together is where the creativity flourishes.❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤💔 |