This month’s theme: Effort vs. Ease
This month at Soul Sanctuary, we’re focusing on what arises within when we explore the balance between effort and ease. Together, we’ll consider the Yoga Sutra 2.46 ‘Sthira-Sukham Asanam’ (the concept of creating a ‘steady, stable, comfortable posture’ according to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali), and the role the mind plays when faced with challenges. We’ll consider what happens when the ego and intuition collide, and the power of manifestation within our yoga practice and life.
Sthira Sukham Asanam
The Yoga Sutra 2.46; Sthira-Sukham Asanam is roughly translated as “postures should be stable and comfortable” and is also often seen as the balance between effort and ease.
The idea of finding balance is recurring throughout The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The concept of Sthira-Sukham Asanam tells us this, that life entails finding harmony through balance. In life, this concept is mirrored with the daily ebbs and flows presenting as light vs. dark; in the same way we seek to balance the yin and yang within our yoga practice. Through the teachings of yoga, we learn that finding harmony lies within creating this balance.
These concepts are to be thought upon in life off the yoga mat as well. When we are working towards a goal, striving to make a relationship better, finishing a project at work, we have to ask where the balance is between effort and ease. Then you might also pose the question to yourself "what is my energy worth", if the effort far outweighs the ease.
Sthira
Sthira refers to the ability to hold the body with stability, strength and intent.
It requires us to be present and connected in mind, body and soul in order to move through experiences of discomfort when they arise. We often think of discomfort within the physical body, but we must seek presence within the physical body, the mind, and the energetic body to find our ‘comfortable seat’. It requires us to find stability and presence in the body and the mind during asana, meditation, or any other yoga practice.
Sukha
Sukha refers to comfort, ease and bliss within yoga practice. The meaning of the word is ‘good space’ from the root words su (good) and kha (space).
Sukha occurs when we learn to relax into and find bliss within the practice of yoga. Sukha can be likened to the feeling that we have ‘arrived’ into a posture, we might feel as if the muscles are fully relaxed and that we are aligned. Sukha requires a calm, contented mind with space for prana (the life force energy) to flow through us.
The Power of Thought and Manifestation
The idea of ‘manifestation’ was born from the belief that our thoughts have power. Even if we are not intentionally manifesting, thoughts run through our minds each moment we are awake and these thoughts have power. The power of thought can be proven when we think of scientific studies that use the ‘Placebo Effect’. Studies involving this concept use the power of the mind as a tool for scientific or medical investigation.
“Your mind can be a powerful healing tool when given the chance. The idea that your brain can convince your body a fake treatment is the real thing — the so-called placebo effect — and thus stimulate healing has been around for millennia. Now science has found that under the right circumstances, a placebo can be just as effective as traditional treatments.” - Harvard Medical School
When we manifest or even simply think, we attract. Light thoughts attract the light and dark thoughts attract the dark. This, again, is demonstrated when we take the Placebo Effect as an example.
What is Manifesting?
Put simply, manifesting is creating and shifting thoughts, words, beliefs or feelings with a purpose of making them real or true. During a manifestation practice, we adapt our thoughts and energies to align with what we desire and speak, visualise or meditate them into existence with the energies of the Universe. We align with ourselves, our desires and the Universe.
Your Guided Manifestation
1 - Discover and Feel
Feel and find out what you want to manifest.
Write down some specific goals and ideals that you would like to occur in your life. Think about who, where, what, when. Take your time and think about your life path. Let go of any fear and limiting beliefs. These are your true desires - there’s no right or wrong answer.
2 - Set Intentions
What do you want?
Decide which of the goals and ideas above are what you truly desire. You can ask yourself questions like:
- Why do I want to achieve this goal?
- Do my goals align with my true desires?
- How will I feel if these goals are achieved?
3 - Practice gratitude
When challenges arise that make us feel as if we are far away from achieving our goals, it is important to remain faithful and committed to the dreams that will eventually be realised by the Universe. Practicing gratitude is a great way to stay on track. Practice gratitude for the challenges the Universe has gifted you with and the ability you have to overcome them. Write gratitude lists, journals or practice gratitude during meditation for what you already have and what is to come, also.
4 - The Manifestation
Tell the Universe what you want and believe in the power this has.
There are many ways to tell the Universe about your manifestations. There are many different ways to do this, but the most important aspects are making your intentions known and cultivating a belief in the power the Universe has to bring your manifestations into fruition.
Ways to practice your manifestation
Make a vision board
A vision board is a visual representation of your thoughts, goals, words, feelings or energies. You can create one physically or digitally. Imagery, words, colours and textures can all form a part of your vision board, they provide you with the opportunity to be as creative as you desire.
Gather your materials and create a visual representation of your manifestations and put the board somewhere you’ll see it every day. Seeing your vision board daily will keep the manifestation at the forefront of your mind.
Write your manifestations down
Writing is a powerful way to tell the Universe about your manifestations. You can use a journal, write a letter to yourself or to the Universe or write them down as a part of your daily routine - repetition is a useful way to keep the belief in your manifestation strong.
5 - Manifestation meditation
*This month at Soul Sanctuary, we’ll be sharing a guided meditation dedicated to manifesting. Get a 14-day free (yes, free) trial to give it a try.
During your usual meditation practice, visualise yourself achieving your manifestations. Think about how you feel, and cultivate the belief that this moment will happen. It might also help to repeat some positive affirmations during your meditation. Positive affirmations help to continue the belief and feeling that the Universe is listening and will put your manifestations into action.
6 - Create space
Now it’s time to create space to receive your manifestations. Be open to the different ways that your manifestations will arrive and keep hold of the belief that they are a part of the plan the Universe has for you.
Trust is a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to manifesting, you need to be able to hold onto that trust, even if it doesn’t happen in a way, order or timeframe you envisioned. Keep the faith that you will achieve what you want, at the time that they/ it are supposed to occur. Let go of any negativity around this and, if your belief begins to waver, don’t forget that you can repeat the manifestation to remind yourself of the plan you and the Universe are working towards.
7 - Can you take action?
This is the important one that many people forget. We assume that to manifest is to sit back and just think, but we still need to be taking action towards the things we want. Can you take any steps to bring your manifestation closer? Maybe there's a phone call you could make, a decision that needs to be made, something taking up space needs to be let go of or maybe it's the closing of a chapter in your life.
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This month is all about the balance of effort vs. ease and the power that our mindset has over our ability. Take a look at your calendar, schedule and monthly music playlist below.
See you on the mat xx
