40-day Self Care Challenge

What is your personal description/definition of self care?

Neurobiology of Self-care: 
http://www.childhoodtrauma.org.au/2015/may/neurobiology-of-self-care#sthash.pOU7z4W3.gbpl

Self-care is essential to my daily survival. In Ayurvedic medicine, the concept of self-care is defined as dinacharya, meaning daily routine. It is our daily routine that allows us to get in touch with the circadian rhythm of nature and our lives. I believe that we are slowly loosing touch with this natural rhythm of life as technology and busyness begins to control us. 

Caring for the self means putting on the oxygen mask first. It is a cliche, but my immediate response is to care for others, putting their needs and expectations first and neglecting my own needs. I have discovered that doing this repetitively over time has left me feeling depleted and unable to breathe properly. I love being of service in my work and personal life, but find it is much easier to give from a place of fullness rather than depletion, doubt and irritability. When I am able to connect and love myself, it is easier to do this with others. When I can live and trust in the flow of my life, creativity and possibility can unfold. 

How do I fill my cup? Everyday I try to do a something that is for me and all about me like taking a walk, an aromatherapy bath, swimming, dancing, and practicing yoga postures. There are all great for my physical body but my mind has become a little agitated, fatigued and non-trusting these days with so much on the go. Life feels like a juggling act, and my meditation practice has become less than ideal. I am also feeling tired, lazy and not really wanting to meditate which is all the more reason to do it...

Therefore, I am challenging myself to a 40 day meditation challenge starting sometime today! 

Trust Meditation

by Swami Mahesh 

This meditation is derived from the tantric yoga tradition that works on the heart center to develop a sense of trust and flow in the divine plan of the universe. 

Practice time: 10 minutes 

1 - Sitting in easy meditation pose, place the left hand in heart mudra (hridyra) with the thumb touching the middle and ring finger, the index finger will curl into the thumb and rest on the left knee. The right hand is resting in the lap with the palm facing up and relaxed. 

2 - Close the eyes, and begin to focus on the breath, the long deep flow of the inhale and exhale through the nostrils. Take a deep inhale, and on the next exhale breath, begin to chant the mantra ॐ AUM . As you are chanting this primordial sound, the right hand moves in front of the torso, from the region of the pelvis (1st + 2nd chakra) to the region of the chest and heart (4th chakra). 

This is followed by an inhale breath while returning the right hand, palm facing down to the original position resting in the lap. Continue 21 times.