Suppose you are peeling an onion. You take off one layer, and there’s the next layer. Finally, at center is its core. Similarly, in yoga we do have layers of reality leading back to our true Self. Ananda Maya Kosha bewellacademy.com; “the bliss body”
Picture yourself on a beach watching the sun go down. You stand knee-deep in gentle waves. The pink and orange sky seems only to serve your immediate surroundings. In that moment everything is perfect. That profound sense of contentment you feel? That’s Ananda Maya Kosha.
This is uncharted waters in a boat with no maps and not much idea of what lies ahead. It’s all very exciting, but the aim is not only to be peaceful (in inner peace) also embrace life with open arms and a big smile
Breathing exercises are the first things many Indian yoga masters teach. Tireless attempts to get students accustomed to them may be just typical. But they actually serve as an easy but effective tool for holding the attention steady and conditioning the heart-mind (thought waves).
Meditation is the next step. It’s a bit like tidying an attic long ago forgotten and full only of long-lost souvenirs. Over time though, through directed experiences where participants learn to still mental chatter, focus on their innermost nature and connect deeply with an emotion many would call “pure bliss”.
The yoga postures also play a role. They are not only physical exercises but portals into a deeper awareness.
It seems a bit old-fashioned to keep a journal in this digital age. But the physical act of keeping a diary can be transformative. After each practice session the coach guides participants to write down their thoughts. The interplay between heart, mind and soul produces new insights one could not have imagined before.
Have you ever heard the saying “through art I found myself”? Here creative expression is an equally important pillar. For instance, to paint emotions into a canvas, or to create stories from one’s own imagination. Through this kind of activity you go straight to your soul.
As people camp around the fire the telling of stories marks a time for each person to reignite his own heart in turn.
Let’s not talk about gourmet food, but rather cultivating the habit of mindful eating which transcends the sensorial level. Imagine taking your time to savor a morsel, to taste the colors and textures until you feel nourished deeply inside, not just full in your belly.
As we move beyond days into weeks, the progress is at an unhurried pace and naturally come.