reNEWal

January is a perfect time to set a practice in renewal. This month let’s explore how we bring our focus towards something new. How do you forge a new path? What motivates you to coming to a new point of commitment?

For each of us there is a point in which we awaken to a desire to grow, change, or even devote ourselves in a new way. It can be a physical impulse, and ego driven desire, fear or aversion (driven by avidlya), a spiritual intuitive guidance or emotional upheaval. Like the old adage goes, “we approach change when the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change.” It is the feeling of being entrapped or stuck that can trigger the impulses.

This month’s practice will be to identify in what way we may be stuck, and look at ways to renew our purpose, our lifestyle, our practice, our path. Be open minded on how you will approach the practice. Observe your life in all the ways that present themselves, not censoring any of it. Stuck is stuck, and although it often comes with a feeling of familiar, it is not free-feeling. Let the feeling of stuck be your talisman to turn towards renewal.

As you begin to set your path of renewal lean into it. The feeling of new can be quite disconcerting. Newness is unfamiliar but freshness comes with it. The feeling of freedom is a very expansive feeling while stuck can feel comfortable with all its boundaries. It may even help to have a soothing mantra like, “I am experiencing something new while exploring my new path safely” or “this too will become familiar.”

31 precious days to wake up each morning aware, committed and open to a path of renewal. We are supporting each other in our practice this month.