by Sonya Verma, Hive Core Facilitator
photo collage by Sonya Verma
This time in isolation can pull on the chords of our emotions on all levels. Each of us will have our own unique experience. One big part of Ayurveda and Yoga is a gratitude practice which is believed to shift states of consciousness. Research now supports this in the positive Psychology world.
The word emotion comes from the Latin word emovre, to be moved. E-motion is energy in motion. In Ayurveda, we look at how emotions are stored in the tissues and organs. Everything that enters our awareness and system, people, experiences, food, media and so on have to be digested. If they are not it can cause indigestion and blockages within the physical and energetic body.
Emotions are like mangos.
We have to learn to ripen them and then juice them.
When emotions are juiced, they are deeply nourishing. Even sweet.
-Dr. Vasant Lad, an Ayurvedic Doctor and teacher
The practice of gratitude with emotion can shift the way that we look at our lives, experiences, and families. It is a practice I have been doing with my family and spouse that has truly shifted the dynamics of these relationships for me.
For many years, I unconsciously identified with the archetypal role of a victim. I, also, spiritually bypassed difficult emotions of grief, not being good enough, failure, and the victim mentality that showed in the form of illness. Through this practice, it has been empowering for me to shift the role of victim and to compassionately learn from my experiences and grow. Each of us here carry our stories and are always shifting and expanding. Each story, a unique blueprint, to make us the person we are today.
For this practice of gratitude you can start by dropping into the body and the heart. It helps to place your palms there and feel that for which you are grateful. You can verbally express it, and I recommend writing it down for the next 40 days. The consistency allows this to become a habit. If a person comes into your mind that brings the feeling of gratitude, take the next step and share it with them.
I've been working on a gratitude challenge, loosely, on social media. The following is one of my posts, to model what this looks like for me. I kind of look at the posts as gratitude musings.
What a beautiful Tuesday it is! I am deeply grateful that I woke up before sunrise with my sweet Willow purring by my side. The welcoming of routine that feels nourishing, and honoring the morning sun with a warm beverage as the cats joyfully play outside.
The sweetness of picking up 3 beautiful mandalas that I look forward to working on in the coming weeks from my dear friend @radartist. Even though I did not see her, I felt so welcomed as I entered her outdoor space surrounded by Buddha statues and a sense of a warm hug and a feeling of home overcame me. It was an adventure to get there as it was the first time. I had left the comforts of my neighborhood to another part of town and there was a friend walking on the street. Even safely and distantly chatting with her was a pleasant surprise.
I’m deeply grateful for a warm nourishing lunch with my husband Daniel. I love that we have been eating mindfully together each day on our lunch breaks. It is truly a blessing and I cherish those moments.
I’m deeply grateful for these beautiful purple flowers that made it to my doorstep with a lovely card and heartfelt message from my dear friend Kim on Sunday. It touched me so much of our friendship and the kindness of her gift.
I cherish these moments and look forward to teaching a lovely yin yoga class this evening with a sweet group and connecting with my niece on her 21 birthday today.
A beautiful day to honor family, friendship, love and connection. I hope you will share your moments of gratitude today as well. #covid19gratitudechallenge