Election Day is right around the corner. I'll be happy when it's over and I stop receiving daily campaign emails and text messages. You, like me, might be feeling a bit anxious as we creep closer to a day that will undoubtedly have an impact on all of us.
On Sunday, I received a newsletter from Tias Little, one of my yoga teachers, about now being a time to hold to what is true. He wrote about a term coined by Gandhi: satyagraha (a vow to stand firm in the service of truth). Little goes on to explain that it can be difficult to ascertain what is true when we are bombarded with misinformation and lies. He says "to live true is to live by care and empathy not hatred and aggression. Personal and collective integrity requires a kind of restraint, known in yoga as yama—the vows of non-harming, honesty, and generosity of spirit. It is the courage to stand up against forces that demean and oppress."
Staying grounded and firm in honesty and generosity can be challenging when we are surrounded by division and inflammatory speech. During elections we feel forced to pick a side. Little mentions that "to be disciplined and firm in the taproot of your being" one can turn to the first chakra for help.
The name “chakra” is the Sanskrit word for "wheel." In yoga, chakras are used to describe the way energy moves throughout the body. There are seven chakras that correlate with areas along the spine from root to crown. The first, muladhara, or root chakra, represents our foundation, and when balanced, gives us the feeling of being grounded and confident in our ability to withstand challenges.
Some time ago, I recorded guided meditations for each of the seven chakras. To help you cope with the stress you might be feeling this week, I'd like to share the first one with you to help balance your root chakra. You can access the recording here. I hope that you find the meditation helpful. Stay tuned for a future workshop series regarding the seven chakras.
If you haven't already, be sure to vote to make your voice heard.
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