Why Self-Care Matters
Why Self-Care Matters
“When there is calamity, it is the energy of the soul that protects.”
- Shri Dhyanyogji
This quote has always been an inspiring force on my spiritual + wellness journey. My meditation teacher, Shri Dhyanyogiji said this quote during a ground breaking ceremony for his first ashram in Ahmedabad, India in 1971. In his talk he explained that the benefits of a daily meditation practice and a yogic lifestyle come down to one main thing — to make our souls shine brighter, deeper and stronger, so that when there is calamity, the energy of the soul can protect. And this is why I think self-care greatly matters.1
For yogi’s, meditation is a tried and true instrument to help one connect to their soul and ultimately the divine. And, a yogic lifestyle is key because the mind-body unit is our vehicle to engage in meditation — with the goal to strengthen our connection with our soul, meet God and be free of the cycle of birth and death. The thing about strengthening our connection to our soul and God— it’s not always an easy thing to do. Yogis can spend countless years, decades and lifetimes working towards this goal— and that’s why a yogic lifestyle is key.
What is a yogic lifestyle?
A yogic lifestyle is deeply rooted in intentional self-care and is laid out in great depth and detail in the sciences of yoga + ayurveda. These sister sciences provide clear directions on care and maintenance of the body, in depth explanations on how to understand the mechanics and operating software of the human mind, and most importantly, both sciences provide practical tools to put into practice to support a yogi’s soul journey toward God.
How does yoga + ayurveda strengthen the soul?
The beauty of yoga and ayurveda is that at the root of each of these wisdom traditions, the common denominator is about intimately getting to know our own mind-body unit so that we can transcend its limitations and access the soul, which is limitless. And that’s why the well-being of our mind + body are integral pieces of helping us tap into and strengthen our connection to our soul.
Ayurveda: The Science of Life
Ayurveda means the science of life. And the wisdom of Ayurveda is to help one return to their natural state of wholeness. By learning what ratio of elements make up our personal mind-body unit that we were born with and how the stresses of life have impacted these elements, Ayurveda provides rich perspectives and practical tools to help us bring our unique dosha, mind-body constitution into alignment so that we can lead a long and healthy life.
At its core, Ayurveda was created to help yogis stay strong and in good health so that they could then wholeheartedly focus on their yogic practices without being distracted by ailments and disease that can arise when your unique dosha’s elements are out of balance.
Yoga: The Science of Union with the Divine
Yoga is a science dedicated to creating a union between the mind, body, soul—and ultimately God. At it’s core it offers a sacred path for one to strengthen the body, still the mind and tap into the deepest place within us that helps create balance and equanimity—inside and out— so that one can live in peace and harmony with the greater whole.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, beautifully lays out the framework and all that goes into the complete path of yoga. In the west, this structure is better known as the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Hatha Yoga — which is any form of “stretching” yoga taught in the west— is actually just one branch out of the eight. Each of the eight branches provides a unique teaching to the whole of the science. As you begin practicing these limbs regularly, you quickly learn that every teaching is powerful on its own and each provides a path to connect with the divine.
Since we’re all unique beings, what branch or branches each of us is attracted to varies. And, although they can build upon each other, it’s not always the case. Each soul moves at its own pace, depending on where it’s at on its larger “soul” journey — that’s beyond this one lifetime. As one practices, each branch provides a deep understanding of a part of the inner workings of the mind. Often what follows when one begins to experience and understand its teaching is that the inner spirit thirsts for more knowledge and experiences and is then inspired to move to the next branch. When you begin to experience the deeper teachings of these branches together, you begin to better understand your whole self —mind, body and soul.
Meditation + A Yogic Lifestyle
One of the last branches, before union with the divine, is meditation. Meditation—on so many levels— is one of the most powerful tools in Yogi’s toolbox. And when you’re able to take the time to create a nourishing lifestyle that supports your daily meditation practice, you are not only strengthening the connection that allows you to tap into the stillness within, but are increasing the potential for benefits and fruits of a regular practice to manifest with greater ease, swiftness and depth.
How Does the Soul Protect?
When we take time to strengthen our connection to our soul through meditation , what happens is that we begin tapping into a deep well of limitless stillness—in the form of peace and love. And, so when calamity hits, that direct connection to that stillness that resides in our soul, shows up as protection is many different forms.
For example, it:
Helps us stay grounded, present and detached, rather than stressed, distracted and in rumination.
Provides a quiet space to listen, learn and reflect, so we can respond rather than react.
Helps us stay open to new perspectives that can lead to new solutions.
Keeps us connected to gratitude and the abundance the universe has to offer— despite what doors close or obstacles are faced.
Provides a safe space to recalibrate and rejuvenate our nervous system.
Helps strengthen our intuition and ability to tap into our gut when it comes to the decision making process.
Pretty amazing, don’t you think😊? And, this is really just the tip of the iceberg to infinite ways the soul protects us.✨
Are you a meditator? How has your meditation practice impacted your life? How has protection from the soul shown up for you?
With peace + love✌🏽❤️,
Kajal
p.s. If you’re interested in learning how to meditate, here’s info on my meditation teachers free Sunday meditation program. You can tune in from wherever you are. Happy meditating, friends!
Shri Anandi Ma, This House is on Fire: The Life of Shri Dhyanyogi, page 249
