I have a question for you: do you trust yourself?
I thought I did, until I had a little lesson from a caterpillar nibbling on my foot (which I talk about in this week's podcast :)
So as I begin doing the Work of building trust with myself, I look to Yoga to see what my experience is there, and what the texts have to say.
First, you probably already know that yoga helps you know yourself better. The simple act of moving and breathing in a connected and mindful way begins to shed light on mental habits, energy level fluctuations, emotional blockages, and relationship to body, just to name a few. Triangle pose one day does not feel the same as Triangle pose another. Then you notice things off the mat, like increased blood pressure under certain circumstances, racing pulse after that third cup of coffee, mental agitation after too much screen time, etc.
Here's what happens to Arjuna in Chapter One of the Bhagavad Gita, as translated by Stephen Mitchell:
"As I see my own kinsmen, gathered here, eager to fight, my legs weaken, my mouth dries, my body trembles, my hair stands on end, my skin burns...I am beside myself, my mind reels." -
That looks like a panic attack to me! He's so aware of how his system operates he can name his body's response. So, feeling this way, he puts down his sword in dismay, then begins to listen and reflect.
Building trust with yourself means moving away from danger when your body gives a signal. It means listening to the rhythms of your energy and honoring those limitations. Your body trusts you when you give it what it needs. Doing this again and again is like building muscles for strength--flex, flex, flex your trust muscle!
May you find every opportunity to build self-trust by nourishing, resting, and listening to yourself this week.
Much love,
Jess
