Lets talk self-care: Body, Mind and Soul: Part 3

Taking Care of Our Soul:

Today in the last and final Part 3 of Let’s Talk Self-Care: Body, Mind and Soul, we focus on taking care of our soul.

Do we have a soul? What is a soul? Where is the soul? Some of us like to argue, with all the scientific explanations, that there is no such thing.

“God is one, but he has innumerable forms. He is the creator of all and He himself takes the human form.”- Guru Nanak Dev Ji the first Sikh Guru.

These are powerful words that we seldom hear, let alone comprehend.

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” says Teilhard de Chardin, a French philosopher

The soul can not be seen, it must be felt!!

Persian poet Rumi says, “I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul.”

All the great gurus, philosopher, poets and thinkers have tried to connect us to this divine energy that resides within us. We may call it God, universal consciousness, or a light of divinity that resides within us. The terminology does not matter, what matters is how we as humanity have failed to acknowledge or connect to this true essence of our being – our soul!!

How unfortunate that every child miraculously created and born into this world somehow becomes a part of our ego driven culture and society. Generation to generation we as care-givers, educators, and fellow humans empower each other to live from this place of egoistic mind.

We learn to create a false image of ourselves then spend our entire life trying to protect and defend this image. This place of separation from our true self; from one another; and from the universal consciousness is what creates a life of discontentment, negativity and ultimately un-wellness in our bodies and lives.

We are never taught on a day to day basis to connect with our real being and to lead our lives from this place of pure love. But, where is this soul anyways? How do we see it? How do we connect with it?

This soul, my friend, resides quietly, peacefully, and gently past the constant, involuntary and loud chatter of the mind and the ego. We can not see it. We can only feel it. We can feel it when we learn to disengage with our mind and go past the ego.

It is from this place that we begin to understand the true meaning of life. We begin to realize that we are here on earth for a short period of time to live our own unique journey; unfold our own purpose and become the best version of ourselves. Life lived from this place is full of love, compassion enthusiasm and of course wellness.

1. Have Reverence For Life

Reverence begins with a realization and acknowledgment that our life is not our right, it is a privilege. We begin to have a deep appreciation, gratitude and respect for the amazing synchronicities, systems, and natural phenomenas that support humanity and its existence. We learn to replace expectation from life with gratitude for life. We then accept life as it happens making the most of every moment.

Mindfulness Tip: Every day, thorough out the day take mindful breaks. Take a few deep breaths and focus on something that you find truly fascinating about life. It can be how the sun rises every morning, how the grass grows, how ice-cream is so yummy. Nothing is ever too small or too insignificant for this exercise.

2. Get to Know and Honour Ourselves:

We are all unique, and amazing individuals created to perfection. Yet, this realization never dawns upon us. We spend our entire life trying to fit in and be like others. The moment we learn to turn our focus inwards and discover our own abilities, talents and qualities we begin to find our passion, and purpose. Our life then becomes our own unique journey without any pressure to be better than the other. Our only mission becomes to be a better person than we were yesterday.

Mindfulness Tip: Let us learn to spend time in solitude. The best company we can have is that of ourselves. Learn to be your own best friend and learn what makes us happy and fulfilled.

2. Realizing We Have Nothing to Prove to Anyone:

This is our journey and we should live it according to our own terms. When we try and live to please others and fit in neglecting our authentic beings we fail at life. As Rick Warren (author) says, “if you live for the approval of others, you will die by their rejection.” And we die with the biggest regrets hidden in our soul.

Mindfulness Tip: Let’s learn to listen to and honour our own desires. Learning to say no when we are simply doing something to please others and learning to say yes to what we truly desire!

3. Learn To Grow from Pain and Hardships:

The purpose of our soul is to constantly grow and find our purpose. Life is not meant to be happy and easy all the time. Neither is life meant to be resisted. It is meant to be lived through each challenge, pain and struggle. When we live through hardships and grow with each experience our soul expands.

Mindfulness Tip: When life brings struggle or pain, breathe through it. Feel it, acknowledge and see how you need to learn and grow from it. Its life embrace it!

4. Realize That We Are All One:

We as human beings go about harshly judging and labeling others while we live limited lives afraid of judgment from others. The reality is we are all the same. We all experience similar emotions at different times through different situation or scenarios. We all need and seek love, validation and compassion. True liberation begins when we stop judging others and connecting with each other from a place of love and compassion. “Walk with me for a while, my friend—you in my shoes, I in yours—and then let us talk.”― Richelle E. Goodrich

Mindfulness Tip: Be the kind of friend you seek in others. Next time someone shares their struggles and emotions truly listen without judgement; be compassionate; love wholeheartedly and overcome the urge to talk about them (gossip) with others. This is true liberation for our soul.

5. Embracing Child Like Wonder:

As children, we were constantly curious and in awe of the world around us. As we grow, we loose this wonder and enthusiasm. We get set in our routines and begin to take everything for granted. Keeping that child like spirit alive throughout our lives ignites the spirit. At least once a day, every day find something that brings back that child-like wonder.

Mindfulness Tip: Put on an outfit that makes you happy and rejoice that happiness; walk in the rain; watch a sunrise or a sunset; sit and soak in the sun; go for a bike ride and feel that fresh air on your face; be with someone you love; watch their smile, hear them laugh. The list is endless and as unique as all of us. Find what leaves you in awe of life.

6. Indulge In Little Joys

Modernization has taught us to set big goals and aspirations. There is absolutely nothing wrong in dreaming big and working towards our goals. But we must not forget to make time every day to indulge in little joys and pleasure of life.

Mindfulness Tip: When we get busy we forget to enjoy the true pleasure of our morning tea or coffee; we forget to truly relish the flavour of a good fruit; or the sun shining on our face; joy of running in the rain; playing with a child; listening to an elder. Again is endless, just do what awakens the soul!

7. Know That Life Is Bigger Than Our Problems:

Our mind has a tendency to make our problems seem much bigger than they are. Over time we get so caught up in our little issues that we forget the real meaning of life. Unfortunately, so many times people waste away their whole lives living in misery until it is too late. Next time you feel like a victim, you feel cheated or let down remember your life is much bigger than the few people who have wronged you. Let us learn to get out of our minds, keep things in perspective and focus on the bigger picture!

Mindfulness Tip: When your mind becomes over burdened step outside; connect with someone who will uplift you, go for a walk in nature, laugh a little, dance to your favourite song, sing in the shower. Let yourself feel alive!!

8. Connect with nature

Spending time in nature, feeling life as it happens through the flowers, plants, birds and animals, rejuvenates the spirit. True connection leaves us in awe of the universal energies and their potential. Then to think this same energy resides within us, giving us the power to create our best possible self is truly empowering.

Mindfulness Tip: Plant a flower, discover a new plant, feed the birds or simply watch them. Just be with nature and let yourself be amazed!!

9. Be Open Minded

Through the ages we have come to live in our own little tribes. We tend to think our culture, our religion, our traditions and our way is the only way to live this life. We close our mind to new ideas, new ways of doing things and new ways of being. This gives us nothing but limiting lives as we label and judge anything that is different. Learning about new cultures, new traditions and new thoughts keeps life fresh and exciting. We don’t have to adopt a new way of life but we must learn to appreciate every way of life.

Mindfulness Tip: At least once a year make it a point to experience a new culture, country or school of thought! You owe it to yourself!!

10: Be Creative And Learn Something New

The essence of our being is creativity. Once we learn to live outside of our own mind we step into a field of creativity and immense possibilities. When we become care-givers we forget to connect with our creative side. We also tend to think learning is for the children. We often take a sigh of relief that we no longer need to learn. What we miss out is learning new skills and making time for creativity keep us young and vibrant. Studies have found we start to grow old when we stop learning.

Mindfulness Tip: Take up painting, dancing, knitting, writing, learning a musical instrument, etc.

In Conclusion:

Finding, connecting and living from the light within us, our soul, is how our life is meant to be. This is where human evolution is leading us. Are you ready to move forward or will you choose to be one of those left behind? Will you choose to live your life to the fullest or will you live with regrets? The choice is yours.

Our mind, body and soul are the reason we are able to experience life. Our aim is to lead a healthy life lived from a place of consciousness. Our first and foremost responsibility is to take care of ourselves body, mind and soul. This my friends is the beginning of creating a life of our dreams!!

With Love,

Devinder 💖