What’s Faster than the Speed of Light?

What’s Faster than the Speed of Light?

Sitting barely cross-legged on two wood blocks, the air flow from the ceiling fan gently falls upon my yoga mat. The sounds of cattle mooing, children playing, and way too many scooter horns share the moment, but my attention is elsewhere. I’m focused, and with good purpose – Guru Vivek Ji is speaking:

“The Mind is the Fastest Moving Thing in the Universe”.

The pace of modern life is swift to say the least. Nowadays, it is common to hear talk about how hard it is to balance family life, work schedules, and social commitments, with personal time for self-care. But, there has to be a way, right?

Guru Vivek Ji, explained that only the mind can be in one place in one moment, and a totally different place in the next. In other words, only your mind can see the overflowing laundry basket in the trunk of your car in one moment, and then the list of upcoming assignments written in the notebook beside your laptop in the next. With all of these commitments and responsibilities, is it really possible to make time for yourself?

The truth is, making time for yourself can be hard. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day. With that being said, there is a solution. The remedy lies within shifting your efforts from trying to make time, to learning to take time.

Meditation. A quick Google search can tell you that mediation is when an individual focuses their mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to clear their mind and calm their feelings and emotions. Instead of trying to make time for yourself, take time by changing parts of your daily routine into meditation. Brushing your teeth, walking from your front door to your car door, drinking your coffee…all of these activities can take the form of meditation.

By focusing the mind, moment to moment, instance to instance, you will shift your awareness away from dirty laundry and unfinished assignments while drinking your coffee, towards experiencing the smooth taste of each sip, the rich aroma that accompanies it, and the soothing warmth of the cup in between your hands. If you take a few minutes, at a few different times, in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening, you will have practiced that self-care you’ve had trouble making time for.

Although it may not be the all-inclusive, three day-weekend at the spa resort you were wishing for, 30-60 mins of meditation – even when broken into small intervals – will help clear your mind and calm your feelings and emotions. But, don’t trust me. Trust yourself, and TAKE TIME for meditation.

Shaun M. Leonard, RYT 200