Living Beyond Illusion

Being in ones 40s has it’s perks, I suppose. This sense of crystal clear clarity comes streaming through around life choices. Having lived in this body for so many years and a practitioner of yoga for 10, my body now sends very clear messages about what serves Self and what does not. I have learned to tune into the messages. It is actually quite simple. When I am making a choice that is not in line with my Truth, my body contracts. Usually in my center…my solar plexus. A chakra just below your breast bone. This chakra, energy center, is where our identity lies in our body…at the center of our being. It is also known as the personality center. Sometimes, the contraction is very subtle.

At this age, we have also had many years of practice in over riding these inner voices and easily move onto what we perceive as the “right choice“. The right choice is often dictated by primal needs such as what is practical or what, instead, serves our fears. A contraction in the root chakra, may be a sign that one is responding from a survival or fear place rather than choosing what is best for the Highest Good. When we choose to respond from a place of Highest Good, giving over our trust in the divine, then we will be guided down our personal path with ease. It is said that if one follows one’s bliss and makes choices from this highest place, we will experience more joy and ease in our life.

In my own life, I have been dancing with choices around family. My teens are living full lives and it is an opportunity for me to move into a more creative place in my life. There is a big door opening in front of me and I am finding the courage to step through it…into the great unknown. Life after raising a family. In my case, it has been 15 ½ years. This is a long time to live your life for two. Again, the shift is subtle. As my son still needs my presence and gentle guidance, I have the opportunity to slowly make the shift into a new phase of life.

My body is changing with age and a long bout of chronic illness. A profession that involves physical performance is requiring change as well. I am finding new ways to share the yoga and pace myself. The work feels like it has matured to a new level and I am being rewarded by a steady flow of students and private clients. I think we all appreciate and can relate to our teachers when they are being human.

My primary relationship is also shifting during this time. What was once needed in this relationship, is not needed as much anymore. There is more opportunity for my partner and I to drop into what serves us most outside of being coparents.

I am finding that the solitude that has been provided to me (which I resisted kicking and screaming because I am such a tribal/social person), has actually served me well in hearing what my body, mind and spirit need.

I check in with my body before taking the optional steps of the day…What to eat for breakfast? What to wear? Which way to drive to work? How do I spend my evening? My free time? I am taking a great deal of quiet time to hear what my body mind and spirit desire. I am noticing that I do not want the same things anymore. My body is craving a diet with more vegetables and less carbs. I’m noticing a subtle change in how I want to appear to the world. Comfort seems to be important, as well as style. I am choosing to be out in the world in a new way…shining and abundant with humility and light. I am not feeling the same need to dance when I go out on the town. Instead I might choose to sit and watch a performance, enjoy an art showing or a gentle walk in the Smith College garden.

I am also carefully choosing with whom I share my precious time. I am not choosing to be drained by conversation that comes from a place of victimization, anger, negativity or inconsideration of others feelings (e.g., gossip). We all go there sometimes. I am choosing not to be around that kind of energy all the time. The friendships I do choose to maintain, and which I am eternally grateful for, are with those who observe their own personal role in their life challenges. They make sincere efforts to do what they can to create a positive shift in their life. If they can’t do it on their own, they seek support in the form of a spiritual counselor, therapist, cocounseling or from the honest reflection with a close friend or family member who is available for this kind of support.

Before I know it, my life is looking quite different. I am attracting what I need and desire in my life and what is not serving my Self is dropping away with ease and grace. The key is to not panic or react when you notice that you are wanting your life to be different. Make the changes slowly. Try on the new changes and see how they feel. If it doesn’t work out, you can wait and see what new ideas rise. During this time of change, it can feel like there is a lot of space in your life. Enjoy this spaciousness. Try not to be afraid of it. It is the door opening. It is the opportunity for quiet and reflection. In that time of quiet and reflection notice what sensations rise in the body…a desire to exercise? Ask yourself, “What type of exercise would feel best today?” A hunger craving? Ask yourself, “What food would serve my body most at this time of day?” Notice what pops in your head. Notice the addictions that rise. A craving for sugar. A desire to sleep even though you already slept more than enough. Check in with your inner wisdom as to what is best. Drop into your solar plexus and ask it what it needs to be your brightest and best today?

Enjoy the unfolding of the new you. Unmask the illusion and see what is beyond it. Who are you today? What are you? What do you desire? What makes you laugh and smile in this stage of life, after something old has been released and something new has space to come in.

For support in living beyond illusion visit http://www.pranaheals.com and set up your first private phone or in person session today. Give yourself this gift for the holidays. What a great way to start the New Year!