Each one of us is unique. The Divine is expressing itself in a unique way through each of us. Do we ever take time to really look at the sacredness of our own life?
It is said that each soul has gone through 8,400,000 wombs before reaching the pinnacle of being a human being. We have lived through so much. We have seen so much. We have experienced so much. From here we have a chance to ascend, nirvana, moksha, liberation.
When we think about this sacredness of our life, the mind will come with all kinds of agitations. Our habit is to react to every little thing that the restless mind suggests. Paying attention to this provides the perfect opportunity for sadhana (spiritual practice).
Find a moment when you are sitting, keeping your eyes closed or open, notice the suggestions that come into your mind. Like, “Oh, I need to scratch here” or “I’m uncomfortable sitting here. I want to move.” Don’t immediately jump to react. Make that moment a moment of sadhana. Take two or three deep breaths and see if you could breathe out that little suggestion of the mind.
Our breath is very powerful if we truly use it in a proper way. Mind is the horse. Breath is the rein that controls the horse. So easily our situation becomes like that person who was aimlessly riding a horse. His friend saw him and asked, “Hey, where are you going?” The man said, “I don’t know. Ask my horse!”
Sometimes we know that what we are doing or saying is not the right thing, but we react, and the animal within comes out. It happens to us all. A thought might come in regarding a situation or a relationship and the tendency is to jump and react to whatever the mind suggests. Can we look at those situations from a calm place and ask ourselves, how important is it? Is following this thought going to make me lose my peace and harmony with the other person? Can we let it be and not be bothered by it? This kind of practice saves us from unnecessary engagements. Negative emotions only poison our body.
Pay attention to what happens to you when you are being reactive. That reactivity is not only in the mind – sometimes it’s very physical. When you are presented with something that’s uncomfortable, your belly tightens, and eyes stiffen. Our body is giving us clues as to where to bring our attention. Soften your belly, soften your eyes, and take a nice deep breath. It sounds very simple, but this is a very powerful practice.
These everyday moments define our character, our personality, our interaction with others, and ultimately, our life. The problems that we think are problems are just creations of the mind. There is always another angle. If something or someone is irritating you, instead of reacting right away, can you develop a habit to take a nice deep breath? Take two breaths, or three breaths!
Make this life a life of practice. Then, no matter where you are, you are in a special place and are connected with the sacredness of your own life. Please remember, nothing is worth losing your peace.
