Caring for your thoughts and your inner and outer worlds – the element of air.
We have an inner world and an outer world. We have 100% control of what happens in our inner world and absolutely no control of what happens in the outer world. But we do have a choice of how to react or respond to the reality of any situation or experience. This choice can have a profound effect on our mental self care, because our thoughts have the power to shift our wellbeing and inner peace.
Michael Singer, in his book The Untethered Soul, writes that you are not your self-concept. Your self-concept is the structure of your thoughts, emotions and self-beliefs that you create in your mind. He believes that when you realize that you are not who you think you are, your intuitive experiences within your own centre and within your true nature, awaken. This happens when your awareness of your thoughts shifts and can remind yourself to separate your thoughts from who you really are.
Think about your life and your own inner and outer world. You only have control over your own thoughts and vision. Is there anything in your environment or that is happening in the world right now that you can really change? How you navigate this question is integral for your mental self-care. You are 100% in control of your inner world. What you choose to take into your thoughts and focus on is solely up to you. Mental self-care means discerning what you allow to enter your inner world.
Focus on where you end and others begin. This is a metaphoric line between us and others or circumstances which creates a clear boundary. Mentally drawing this line, helps you to hold what is yours in place in your life and not allow what is happening in the outer world to shift you from your centre. When you can see that what is happening in the environment or with people is really not yours, but theirs, you can then choose to respond from a place of strength.
To see the reality clearly as it is, is not always easy. But by honouring your own inner world and your own thoughts, you lay the foundation for deep mental self-care.
Yogi Bhajan says “your mind is a stream of thoughts, impressions, and reactions. It is a collection of animal and human faculties under the pressure of the senses and under social pressure. But you are not your mind. That stream of thoughts and reactions is not you.”
The Air element represents the breath of life. Air is the primary nutrient. Your breath is the voice of your spirit. It’s depth, sound, flow and rate reflect your mood. The Hindus call the cosmic breath ‘prana’. The Chinese believe that this cosmic breath is the energetic life force which they call ‘Qi’ meaning energy. The Air element symbolizes a vast network of vital breath. From the winds that brought the Universe into being to the first cry of a newborn or the first breath of life (Om). This element is connected to the mind, wisdom, spirits and the soul.
A beautiful and simple way to take care of your mental world, to still your thoughts, and come into inner peace is through the breath. Breathing deeply focused on your belly, filling your whole body with oxygen, brings you into presence. When you come to a place of deep stillness in your mind, you find space to create the boundary between your inner and outer world. With this space you can discern where you choose to place your attention.
This allows you to be more present with your thoughts and slows your thinking allowing you to take another deep breath and still your mind.
Mental self-care comes with awareness of slowing down your thoughts using your breath, and choosing what you allow to bring into your internal world.
Be Always Blessed, Nidhi-Amanda xx