The power of the mind is intriguing isn’t it? I mean, to take on the responsibility of your life is slightly daunting isn’t it? It’s much easier to blame people, circumstance, environment and your ancestors for what shows up in your life, isn’t it? Let me ask you this: Do you believe that our life is pre-destined or do you think we have a hand in what transpires? What a thoughtful question to ask yourself at this time on the planet. Personally, I believe we all show up with karma; an agenda if you will, that on a soul level, we want to clear. And this karma shows up throughout our lifetime. (Okay, lifetimes!) It presents itself as challenging situations, risk taking opportunities, day to day activities, and conditions that blow our heart wide open… pushing us to the depths of our being. Now, we have a choice: we can let them blow by, chalking them up to coincidence or we can breathe into them and witness the magic. We can point our finger outward or we can look inward and ask how we contributed to what is showing up and even deeper, why we created it. And you know, one way isn’t right and one isn’t wrong, it’s just a matter of how deep you really want to go with all of this. Ask yourself this question: “If I could be, do or contribute anything in this lifetime, without limits, what would it be?” First off, notice how quickly the mind comes in with its limits and restrictions, listing the reasons why you can’t be all that! It happens that fast…because mostly, those limiting beliefs are unconscious and they race through your mind like wildfire. Then ask yourself: “Is this idea or vision anywhere present in my life and if it’s not, why isn’t it?” This usually sets off what I like to call the “snow-globe effect”, where things start to get shaken up a bit. Nothing makes sense, however, underneath it all, it ALL makes sense; you’re just waiting for everything to settle. Because the truth is, we CAN create our lives. We DO create our lives. We ARE creating our lives. We are manifesting in every single moment, of every single day. Our thoughts truly do create our reality. And what’s funny is manifestation can happen in an instant or it can take some time. It’s really dependent upon how much we feel into that thought; how much we believe that thought and how much we are willing to clear from our life in order to allow that thought to manifest. What happens when we look at our lives and ask, “How did I get here?” An avalanche of unconscious beliefs has just come crashing down on us and is lying in a pile of rubble at our feet. And what is underneath is who we have been all along, but it’s seemingly new so it feels uncomfortable. It’s been safe and comfortable, living underneath that pile of rubble. Because you didn’t have be vulnerable, you didn’t have to take responsibility, you didn’t have to show your Self. What I have found, over the past few years though, is that once that initial avalanche falls, you feel… exposed. Life all of a sudden looks different. And honestly, you never really go back to “how did I get here.” You really don’t. You fall into the breath, slow-mo your life and feel it all. And in those moments, it’s like your life is flying across the ticker tape of your mind and you see all the choices you made that got you to that moment. You realize that you did create the situation you are in. You understand the power of your mind and your heart harmonizing in creation. And you feel pure reverence. It’s like time stands still and you witness that space…you SEE what choices made, what thoughts you thought, what words you said and what you wrote in the privacy of your own journal, that brought you right there…in that moment. And this is all REGARDLESS of what the moment is! Because you can’t attach to the moment! Not even for a second! That’s what usually throws people off… labeling the moment. Because if the ego comes in and labels the moment as good or bad, right or wrong, then the mind starts playing games…usually the blame game. Which never ends on an enlightened note. You’ve got to stay with the breath, that’s the only way…and in the heart which is where the breath lives anyway. It never ceases to amaze me, blow my mind or take my breath away: that acceptance of the power we possess. In an instant of being, when I am offered that space to notice, I am in full reverence for the pure magic of creation. In that long deep breath of awareness, I notice my words, my meditations and my vision boards. I see my circle of influence, my prayer, my heart and I realize I am in union with God, creating my life. You are an amazing manifester. What do you want to create? By Dana Damara
“My passion on the mat is proper alignment, powerful breath and effortless flow so you feel that off your mat. Your practice becomes sacred space where you arrive to find more meaning, depth, authenticity and integrity in your life."
- Dana Damara: mother, author, yoga instructor, speaker and yogini. Visit www.danadamara.com
Hearts Wide Open