Questions founded in a sincere place of inquiry about the self, life, direction, career, and desires have the capacity to lead to exploration, debate, greater discernment and clarity of choice.
The toughest question might sound the simplest: “How are you?”
We often use this question in casual conversation. You know, in an exchange with a passer-by or acquaintance. But when posed sincerely, either to yourself or from someone who genuinely wants to know how you are, this really is a big ol’ question.
In yoga, the sanskrit term, svadhyaya, is the concept and practice of self-study and awareness. Self inquiry is not something you do every once in a while, and it’s not always easy. As with many practices, svadhyaya can be as deep and intense or casual and relaxed as you want to make it.
Learning to know and understand how you are is tremendously helpful for being who you are.
It can start like this: you know when you feel hungry. You know if you prefer savory or sweet, whether or not you’re a ‘dessert’ person. What else do you know? The inquiry gets deeper: What has stayed relatively constant in your likes, dislikes, abilities and aversions? Can you see places and times in your life when shifts have occurred, goals have changed, where you have been flexible or immovable?
What’s great about this aspect of the yoga practice is that you can start anywhere. In your asana practice, you begin with the more physical aspects, and get subtle. For instance, noticing how you feel physically. Strong? Achy? Weak? Then shift to check in on your energy level. High? Tired? Rested? Now turn to check in on your mental state. Scattered? Focused? Drained? This same sort of approach can be used before you sit to meditate, prior to performing a task or enjoying a hobby! Check in on your body, energy levels, and mental state. Acknowledge how you are and how your current state might effect process and determine outcomes.
The exploration of how you are is crucial to how you be.
If you find yourself at a crossroads, as I did this past summer, asking yourself how you are is a great starting point for deciding whether to stay the course or change your destination. Ask yourself, ‘how am I?’ And listen.
I needed a great departure from where I was, geographically, to get deep into this question. I took a long drive, by myself, and it ended with a week-long meditation retreat. I recognize how incredibly lucky and grateful I am to have both the resources and support to be able to take the time to do what I did (and did not do). I decided to close our online studio, but keep our community open. It also took time to realize I felt really sad, and not like a failure. Slowly my energy shifted, and I was able to begin examining what my next endeavors, if any, would look like. I continue to ask if I am enjoying what I am being, doing, experiencing. The inquiry continues as I seek what it is I want from the rest of what’s left of my life.
What never ceases to amaze me is how so much changes, shifts, grows while at the same time so much of what we do, how the world is, cycles over and over.
The time I took allowed me to look at the work I was doing, how impactful it was and whether it would continue to be a life I’d love to lead. For now, I’m really enjoying being part of established organizations rather then establishing an organization. I see the value I bring to contributing to networks that foment change. Where I was working (mostly) on my own, I’ve joined forces supporting others who are leading the way, and I find I’m really content where I am in the big net.
I’m grateful for what remains, what’s changed, and for you.
Mostly, I would love to know… How are you?
