Embracing the Dark
We just passed the solstice the shortest day of the year. We are in for a bit more winter in the Northeast. I don’t mind the cold and the dark anymore. Do you see see darkness as an opportunity to move inward, to take stock and plan to more fully engage the light? I spend time with tools like a vision board to refine my goals and growth path.
Fear Of The Darkness Longtime Companion
When I was a child and even a young woman, I hated the dark. My mind was filled with fear. The fear created obstacles for me to experience darkness with any kind of healthy balance. I had monsters under the bed in the closets, the walls and worse yet filling my mind and imagination. All that fear and negative focus spilled out to color my attitudes and my life. At some level I think I believed I belonged in the dark and didn’t deserve to stand in the light. I hated to go to sleep because I had to close my eyes. It got to the point where I avoided the dark at all costs and in doing so avoided parts of myself. So this notion of embracing the dark as a resource to help me is a pretty big deal.
Yoga a Way To Meditate And Add Light
Years later I still had a a big block to meditate or rest in svasana. It unerved me to be in the darkness.. After ten plus years of meditating, now I embrace the opportunity to close my eyes and engage. I don’t feel my inner space as lonely or dark. This shift has changed my relationship to darkness in general and the short days of winter in particular.
Now winter is a time of cooking and planning and self care. Play with the flow of nature in the weather. A couple of days ago it was warm enough to walk outdoors and enjoy the quiet energy of winter. I really enjoyed the quiet beauty and wonder and of a winter walk at Gates Pond.
Fill the Holiday Lull
I am using the quiet time post Christmas to set some intentions and goals for 2015. This weekend in particular I am working on my vision board for this new year and gave my nieces and nephews vision board kits for Christmas this year. I bought an extra for myself. I just finished painting the background canvas.
Now I have to think about what I really want to accomplish in the different areas of my life. Take some time and noodle on different ideas. See what rings true for my spirit. What is going to bring me joy and raise my vibration? What can I actualize?
I want to think about my health, my relationships, my family, my service and actualizing my spirit. How do I want to spend my time this year? Where do I want to travel? What do I want to read? Are you done with wasting time and creating obstacles to what I want. Identify what your priorities are set some goals and make plans to follow through on in the months ahead. Plan to be more happy with the year in December 2015. Create some really clear pictures so you see and am reminded of what you want and the plans you have. Happy 2015!
Mary, you amaze me with your self awareness and ability to share. I am sorry that I never wrote anything after our last cleanse. I understand fully why you couldn’t do the same face to face for the second cleanse as the first. However, I don’t think my experience would have worked as well if the second were my first. In any case, the way you share information and your commitment to living the Ayurvedic lifestyle comes through completely. Although I’m back to drinking coffee because I really enjoy it, I have been making changes in how I live and what I eat. I have been reading a variety of articles
on line and incorporating what works for me. I can’t thank you enough for introducing me to Ayurveda.
Many wishes for a healthy and fun 2015. And hope our paths cross sometime soon.
Judith, Thank you for your note. Enjoy the coffee while you drink it. This a journey and I believe we need to engage our choices with joy rather than force or guilt. I am walking with that in mind, always trying to be kind to myself. I hope our paths cross soon again as well.