Namaste Beautiful Beings,
Happy New Year! I hope you are all well. I am. I always mean to take more time to check in with you all, and am so grateful when life allows me to do so.
After a very full year, it was lovely to have a two week break to step into a place of deep stillness and rest. This time off brought a lot of insight regarding the importance of settling the nervous system, slowing down and taking time to just be.
Permission To Be
Things are moving at a tremendously fast and vibrant pace, life is constantly growing and evolving, both on the multidimensional level, and in the physical world. As humans, we are faced with so much unconscious pressure on our energy systems as we continue to expand, and work in the physical world, all while absorbing the effects of waves of energy worldwide. We seem to unconsciously get caught up in the doing, the working, or just the general excess energy of moving from moment to moment. Even if this energy is just showing up as thoughts, getting the list done or having the belief that we need to keep our creative output at a certain level.
What if, in slowing down, in giving permission to just be who we are in that moment, we could open to a space of deep nourishment? What if this permission would give room for inspiration to flow when the energy and time is right?
For those of us in the northern hemisphere we are in deep winter. Nature’s natural intelligence is inviting us to slow down and to honour it’s rhythms. The darkness wants to embrace us in a big bear hug. What would it be like to accept that support and to sink into a space of deeper surrender? It’s hard. I know. Taking time for ourselves is often the first thing that we sacrifice to be of greater service to others, or perhaps even our purpose. Yet there is a magical and simple thing that happens when we give ourselves permission to enjoy. Permission to leave some days on the schedule free. Permission to do the things that we most desire to do (Even if it’s doing nothing, or watching a movie, or eating a decadent sweet meal).
When we open to this idea of trusting in what we need in the moment, instead of the list of things that needs to get done, the universe responds with a wave of nourishment that soothes the excess stress we unconsciously carry around. Now this might not happen the first time. It takes time for the nervous system to decompress, to “offgas” our learned habits and patterns. This may come in a wave of emotional release, or the mind speaking up loudly with all the things we need to do, but with practice it’s amazing to see what will open up.
After 2 weeks of sleeping in, having no agenda for the day, and doing what my being wanted (even if it was nothing), I started to notice creative inspiration flowing. It’s as if someone vacuumed out all the areas that were pushing towards that creative output and service. In the clear bright space left behind it allowed everything to unfold effortlessly, with the energy to bring it into fruition.
There is a time and a place for movement, and for action, even in the winter season, but that action doesn’t need to flow from the subconscious pressure on the energy system. Action can instead be supported by a free flow of prana in a nourished and well centred being. In doing less, in having space, we can actually accomplish more. It might not always be in the “timing” we would like, but there is an effortlessness and a grace to it, that is our birthright. As the life that is here to move through us has permission to do so, it’s amazing what will open up.
I invite you to create some time for yourself, maybe an afternoon a week, or a whole day where you don’t schedule anything (not even a walk outside), and see what unfolds as you allow yourself to be curious about trusting, and handing yourself over to the natural support of nature.
Recipe
Aloo Gobi
Who doesn’t love a good winter recipe. It’s the perfect time for soups and stews, and even some warmer, spicier meals. I have been exploring and experimenting with some different recipes, and this is one of my favourite. Yes, it uses onions and garlic, which is often something we avoid in Ayurveda, but at this cold time of year- can be so nourishing and bring us the warmth we need to ground and settle in. I use lots of fresh organic ginger, and paprika ground from peppers we grew in our garden last year. So yummy@
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or ghee
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon black mustard seeds.
- 1 onion, diced
- ½ – 1 Serrano pepper or green chili, minced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 2 medium potatoes or sweet potatoes (approx. 1 pound), cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cauliflower, cut into florets
Spices
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne, adjust to taste
- Cilantro, garnish
Directions
- Melt 2 tablespoons oil/ghee in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds.
- Once the seeds begin to splutter, add onions and stir frequently for for 5 minutes, or until they begin to brown.
- Add the potatoes and the remaining tablespoon of oil/ghee and continue to stir frequently for about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, Serrano pepper and spices. Stir for a minute, then add the cauliflower.
- Mix well, add ¼ cup water then cover the pot with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes, stir, then cook for another 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
- Garnish with cilantro, serve.
This recipe was taken from My Heart Beets. If you go there directly there is an instant pot version available.
Upcoming Offerings
Rest, Renew & Reset – Healing Light Yoga
A Six Week Journey Into Deep Nourishment, Sacred Surrender, and Integrated Awakening
Starting Tuesday, January 28, 2020.
4:30pm -6:00pm PST/ 7:30pm – 9:00pm EST
Register Here-
https://themysticspath.
In this 6 week series, we will open to the practice of surrender to create space for support, transformation and integration of all that is happening in our lives. Working with powerful, yet gentle breath practices, mantra, mudra and deep relaxation we will let go of the idea that in “doing” we are more, and allow our nervous system to be replenished from the bottom up.
Throughout our life we have been taught to work hard, keep moving, and be accomplished through action. In this sacred course we will invite the nervous system to reset itself and to realign with the innate power and presence of our natural “being” . As we attune to our true nature, and to the supportive flow of consciousness we effortlessly open the doors to abundance, vitality, and well-being in all areas of our lives.
Healing Light Yoga Therapy utilizes our consciousness (pure awareness) and the power of subtle intention to create balance on the physical, energetic, mental, emotional, karmic, and spiritual levels of life.
We will also open to your own potential to heal and to connect with your subtle energy body. We will embrace and work with the cellular, emotional and energetic layers, opening the doors to a clear and potent awareness. At the same time you will explore and experience a deepening of your intuition and expanded self.
** This course offers profound growth for those already working with energy awareness and energy healing, yet it is also a beautiful starting point for beginners**
In these 6 weeks we will explore sacred practices to expand our awareness, enjoy deep surrender, and get to know and deepen our experience of energy healing. We will also have an online community forum and time in class to share experiences and ask questions.
This is not a western style yoga class- it is a course of consciousness based healing.
Some of the practices we will explore are:
- The Power Of The Breath- Pranayama techniques for healing and energy flow.
- Supported Asana- Gentle and restful yoga postures to create space for transformation.
- Sacred Mantra- Ancient & subtle, creating waves of expanded awareness
- Mudra- Inviting flow into the Nadis and meridians to support our healing and growth
- Subtle Intention- When we let go, magic happens
- Deep Surrender– In deep rest, true healing can unfold
Not only do these practices affect our energy body, they also:
* Clear cellular memory to heal from the inside out
* Change energetic patterns that create imbalance in the mind and body
* Restore flow in the body to enhance vitality and prevent disease
* Expand awareness to hear our inner wisdom
…and much, much more.
When-
Tuesday’s, starting January 28, 2020 until Tuesday, March 3, 2020
4:30-6:00 PST/ 7:30-9:00 EST
Where
Online Via Zoom- Anywhere in the world
All classes are recorded if you can’t attend live. Classes are also accessible for 3 months after the course starts.
Cost- $108 USD plus tax ($120)
Register Here-
I would love to join us. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
photo by the talented Christy Greenwood
As always- Thanks for reading, and so much love and blessings to you all,
Asrael