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Hello my friend!

As we continue our exploration of Awakening into Spring, let’s look at how awakening can be defined as a form of enlightenment.

Enlightenment can be considered a diaphanous concept. It is defined in different ways, depending on the source and the beliefs behind the definition. My own understanding of enlightenment is evolving as I grow and change myself.

Right now, the definition of enlightenment (for me) is having a full and authentic understanding of yourself and your purpose in the universe. Being fully accepting of yourself and living as authentically as possible in the present moment with no ties to the past or the future.

How do we do this? Well, like everything, it’s a practice. One based in understanding that there is a core Self and everything else is simply layers of perception. My mentor told a story (it’s an old story) that goes something like this:

If you look up at the sky, you may see clouds, or rain, or snow, or the sun. You may not see the sky itself, but you know it’s there. The sky is the Self (capital S) and the weather is our thoughts, feelings, memories, dreams, etc. Remind yourself that you are not the weather, you are the sky. You are always there, even when the weather changes.

For me, this story is so soothing. It can be easy to get caught up in the “weather” of the mind but I like to remind myself that it isn’t who I am. It’s just the weather and it will change.

So this week, try out vipassana meditation. It’s a simple practice of observing what is happening around you and within you.

Here how it goes:

1. Find a comfortable seat in a place where you won’t be distracted for a short time. You can sit on a chair or a meditation cushion, whatever is available and easy for you.
2. Close the eyes and bring your inner awareness to your breath. Do not change or manipulate your breath, simply observe it. If your mind wanders, gently bring awareness back into your breath.
3. Once you’ve established a comfortable level of inner focus, slowly begin to scan your body. Moving up the body from the toes or down the body from the top of the head, simply observe any sensations you are experiencing without reacting to the sensation. This might include tingling, itching, heat, heaviness, lightness, pressure, pain, tension, or nothing at all. Keep scanning without reacting as you move your awareness throughout the body slowly, from part to part to part. Again, if your mind wanders, just gently come back to your practice of body sensing.
4. Finally allow your awareness to come into your mind. Notice the thoughts that are occurring and simply observe them. Name them if you like. For example, you may notice that you are contemplating what to have for lunch, and you can silently repeat to yourself “planning” since the type of thought is a planning thought. If you are experiencing no thoughts, observe that space. If there is a sound like a dog barking outside and your awareness jumps to that sound, you can silently repeat “listening” and come back to observing your thoughts.
5. When you’re ready, slowly bring your awareness back into your senses and open the eyes, welcoming the information that is coming in through your eyes, ears, and other senses.
6. This whole practice should take 15-20 minutes, but give yourself any amount of time that feels right. Be kind to yourself, knowing that some days this will be easy and some days it will be a challenge.

That’s it!

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Yoga for Self Awakening | 30 min Chair Yoga: Whether you are at work or at home, or if you work at home, or if you need some extra support, this yoga class will guide you into a deeper awareness and connection with your body, mind, and heart. Using a chair, you will feel supported as you explore movement that will build strength and flexibility while calming the mind and opening the heart.

Watch HERE

That’s it from me! I truly hope your week is full of ease, peace, and love.

From my heart to yours,

–Viviane Wolfe