One of the best ways to cultivate peace in your life is to learn how to observe what is going on without judgement. Generally speaking, our emotional reactions to things and events create more problems than the things and events themselves. I’m learning how to tap into this peaceful place inside me, the witness place that allows me to just acknowledge what is, without trying to change or fix it. Usually, this takes the heat or distress out of any situation and gives me a chance to respond rather than react. Just learning to be present is so powerful. And so I’m learning to practice mindfulness and be in the here and now …. coming to appreciate that this moment is all we ever have.
“The witness place inside you is simple awareness, the part of you that is aware of everything — just noticing, watching, not judging, just being present, being here now.” Ram Dass
In both Yoga and Ayurveda, we talk about learning how to become an observer of our own thoughts, actions and feelings which is known in Sanskrit as sakshi and means a kind of inner seeing and gaining a new perspective, by giving ourselves a bit of distance from the situation.
Awareness Heals
Learning to detach from our experiences and view them from the outside in is extremely empowering. Developing awareness of our thoughts and feelings and having the courage to just observe them and be with them gives us so much information.
It’s common for people to do any number of things to avoid being with thoughts and feelings including eating, drinking, working, drugs, social media, buying things, being overly busy or even yoga. But learning to just sit with ourselves and to just be aware of what’s going on is the key to freedom from attachments and addictions.
Cultivating awareness takes time and practice. But the more we learn to quieten our minds the more we find our way towards peace. The witness within becomes our compass. The more we dip into the stillness, the more we can let go of the stuff that we don’t need.
As Thich Nhat Hanh says:
There Is No Way To Peace; Peace Is The Way
There are many theories and methods of how to practice mindfulness, meditation and cultivation of the witness consciousness. I don’t claim to have THE answer and in fact I don’t believe there is a right way. Find what works for you.
Here are some suggestions for you to try:
Journalling
Meditation
Walking mediation
Mantras
Mindful Yoga practice
Conscious breathing or pranayama
Yin Yoga
Yoga nidra
Mindfulness practice
Find what works for you and practice everyday. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day. It’s more important to be regular and consistent than do big long sessions every now and again. Also, if you can get up in the morning before 6, this is the ideal time. In Ayurveda, this is known as Brahma Muhurta or the time of the creator. All over the world, people rise early and meditate or do yoga in the early hours because this is the time when they get the most benefit. It’s a peaceful time of day especially if you can carve out some undisturbed YOU TIME before the day begins.
As with all of the Ayurvedic practices, try it out and see how it feels!
Oh, and try not to fall into the trap of judging yourself if you don’t get it right, that will defeat the purpose!