Svadhyaya

As I write from my heart today I am practicing Svadhyaya.

The practice of Svadhyaya is the fourth sub-principle residing under Patañjali’s Second-Limb or Niyamas.

Svadhyaya translates to self-study or study of self.

For me when I take precious time to be alone, it is here during self-study, where I learn a great deal about my higher Self/Spirit.

When I feel as though I am moving away from my higher Self/Spirit and find myself off from being centered, I pray and remember to ‘Believe.’ I have faith in knowing that I can stretch my mind and body further to reach Spirit.

It soothes my soul to find balance mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

For me it’s important to feed my soul daily. Some of the ways that I enjoy nourishing my soul are coincidentally also known to help with the practice of Svadhyaya. Practices such as, journaling, self-study, trying new activities, praying, following a ritual, setting a daily intention and meditation.

My ‘Go-To’ meditation/ritual practice usually looks very different from the traditional teachings of a sitting meditation. I find it easier to move on my pathway of inner peace when I am outside in touch with the energy of Mother Earth, Father Sky, Animals, Plants and Mother Nature.

In 2011, I was in a Yoga Teacher Training program at Spirit of Yoga in Tempe Arizona. During this YTT program is where I first learned about the ancient sage Patañjali and his teachings of the Eight-Limb Path of Yoga. I am still learning and practicing each day on how to intertwine Patañjali’s ancient teachings into my modern day life. Some days are easier than others.

Also, in 2011, I began to write my life story, by journaling with Svadhyaya in mind. During my YTT program I made a promise to a small group of yoga trainees that I would begin and finish my life story, my memoir.

For me to begin writing out my memoir I started with setting an Intention which was; to let go of my past and everything that goes along with my past (Fears, Blame, Shame, Doubt, etc...). Also, I began to write out a log, timeline and journal (Svadhyaya) about what I wanted to write in my memoir. The timeframe of my memoir is from 1973 - 2014.

Stay tuned for my upcoming memoir -Apple In My Truck- a pathway to inner peace. This memoir is still a work in progress (editing phase) and that’s perfect because so am I.

What does your Soul crave today?

Do you have a daily practice of one or more of the following; praying, following a ritual, setting a daily intention and or meditation?

Online Resource for blog:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svādhyāya

Be a Flower,

Share your Beauty

Alicia

*Co-Author my Spirit*

@lishvalentyn