Prioritizing the yogic way [+ free class]
There’s a trap we fall into - “It’s not the right time.” You’ve said. I’ve said it. It’s a lie. There is a never a “right” time for what we want to do in our lives. We make the time for our priorities and for that which we value. Period. And, there’s no shame in that.
The problem arises when our priorities become disjointed and jumbled. When we feel guilty for doing the thing for me, and no one else. When we base our priorities off of money (whether getting or spending it), comparison, prestige, accomplishment, others perception of us, fear, and so on. When we feel like we are never doing enough and that we’re failing at all the things that we call “priorities.” Yes?
Yoga, the ancient wisdom traditions, Ayurveda…they all have a system for prioritization and - simplified- it looks like this:
Self/Divine
Partner, family, loved ones, dear friendships
Work, School, Volunteering, etc.
Everything else
Can you see how our society and culture has it backwards?
Within this tradition, YOU come first. That’s it. That’s also because the divine is within you. It is not something you need to experience outside of yourself. The Divine (or God, Universe, you fill in the blank) lives within all beings. Remember, yoga is a spiritual practice, not solely a physical one. In that sense, inwards is upwards. It’s why practices like yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, etc. are so powerful. Because you turn the gaze in, which allows you to experience a truly sacred life…maybe not every single moment, but many and even most.
Are you putting yourself at the top of your to-do list? How? Are you allowing yourself to be pulled in the directions that inspire you, that allow you to feel expansive? I call this soulful action. Or, are you making excuses that come from your mind?
Then, we have family, partner (if you’re partnered), loved ones, and dear friends. We create space for these individuals. For those of us with young children, it is often very centered on the little ones. I’m so in it right now. I can’t answer a text message on the same day (that doesn’t mean I don’t love you!). But, that’s my priority. My time devoted to Self is less, but it still does come first (often early in the AM). When they get older, I’m sure this will evolve just as all of our relationships do.
And, then we arrive at work. Oh, work. Career, work, career paths, school, graduate study, business - this area is one that comes up the MOST in my work. There is so much anxiety and obsession with work that we can’t release our white knuckle grip on. You can let go. You can allow for more ease. You can create a life full of meaningful work even if the path isn’t laid out in front of you yet. Work does NOT have to be the first priority. Work is not your identity. And, oftentimes our obsession with work and achievement and success is a trauma response that we’re ignoring. That’s a whole other post.
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You will never know with complete clarity of the precise changes that you need to make in your life to feel aligned, easeful, sovereign and free, and deeply fulfilled when you are living from your mind. Your body will tell you. Your mind has all the hesitancies. But, what I often find is that we still don’t know how to listen to the body. The soul speaks through the body (and in other ways). What we can do is take soulful action. Soulful action is that unexplainable pull, the heart speaking loudly, the right inner voice that we can no longer deny. Soulful action is required to reprogram our priorities as mentioned above. There will always be fear before you leap - that much is certain - but there’s a sense of excitement on the other side.
Soulful action is a component of Shakti, the divine feminine. It’s what we explore for six weeks in the Living Lush mentorship that closes on Thursday, July 22nd, through the study of nature’s elements, the Koshas (the layers of our being), and the Chakras. I don’t want you to miss it, especially if the letters the last few weeks have resonated. The next time I share the mentorship, the price will go up by at least $800 (post baby #2’s arrival, of course!). Book your Clarity Call here - it takes 5 minutes and we'll talk for 20 minutes to see if this is the right experience for you. I'll see you on the inside of Lush and Narrative (Narrative is included in the mentorship).
I also invite you to experience this free full-lenth yoga practice on taking Soulful Action and experiencing Shakti. Please know that Narrative is not open for enrollment right now, unless you are joining Living Lush. Write to me and share your experience with this practice and what is coming up for you now. I’d love to hear it!
With love,
Leanne
