Manageability
As we move further into 2023, goals, plans, changing plans, stressors, learning new things, etc can become more and more chaotic. Although I do believe a little chaos is essential for productivity in life, that burning desire, the fuel that keeps us going, we can manage it better when we give each other more autonomy. What is autonomy exactly and how can we give it to each other? How can we cultivate it within’ ourselves?
Autonomy:
the right or condition of self-government.
(in Kantian moral philosophy) the capacity of an agent to act in accordance with objective moralityrather than under the influence of desires.
When we are in a sense of autonomy we can reflect, give understanding, hold a sense of compassion, do the right thing, hold a conversation, feel pain, but not blame it always on someone else, come up with solutions that help all involved. When we are not in autonomy, we can let our desires run the show, wanting to control everything, too angry, too jealous, to be better, to be first. We tend to be all over the place, to have that thing override our sense of morality. We can’t hold the expanded, grounded space of love to govern ourselves in a way that is sourced with a flow of discernment.
Sometimes we need to not be in autonomy. But what I have found is that the more we are in the space of autonomy we can think more clearly, feel better about our choices, more satisfied on a deeper level, people are happier to be around us, more things get done in less time, and relationships improve. Just think if we all gave each other more of THAT.
So what if we are stressed, overworked, driven by too many desires, overwhelmed, and all over the place. Not being in autonomy doesn’t mean we can’t manage things or have a good life, however, the more of it we have, the more it is a ripple affect of spreading it so that others have it too. When others have it too our world becomes more peaceful, we make better choices in how we parent, we are kinder, we lead more with our heart and soul instead of just doing things to be liked or to be better. It gives all of us a more safe, peaceful, enjoyable life… instead of cat clawing to the top.
To cultivate autonomy within’ ourselves we first need to learn to govern ourselves with more sobriety. I’m not saying sobriety in terms of you can’t have alcohol. I’m saying sobriety in terms of looking at how we affect things. Not with a tight grip, but with a gentle gaze. In heart and soul method the physical practice of hatha vinyasa flow integrates body, breath, music, and movement. The breathing in the postures for awhile gives space for reflection, observation, realization, discovery, and the mind can wonder if it needs to. This brings sobriety. Meditation, reading books, writing in a journal, safe meaningful intimate time with another person. All of this will help in cultivating a sense of self governance. Physical movement like yoga where you sit in a posture and breath for awhile seems to work the best, well, as long as the environment is one that allows practitioners to process their own thoughts and feelings. It’s not dictorial.
The other part of autonomy is morality. I’m not just talking on the outside and I’m not talking about being a goodie goodie two shoes either. That’s not realistic or standing in truth. When we lean into morality it gives us an extra super power because it strengthens our heart and soul. When these two are strengthened as we move into authenticity, our autonomy is strengthened, and therefore our world can become more manageable. It helps to bring a manageable chaos, more order. The Yamas and Niyamas are moral principles we can lean into practicing more. They are apart of the eight limbs of yoga. You can google it. Don’t we all feel better and are nicer to people when we get things done. The house is cleaned, the kids are being themselves and we know how to parent them, dinner is planned, and schedules are set. This gives us all more of the capacity to extend our arms to help because we want to! We are not shoved into things through desperation, overwhelm, anger, or anxiety. Things just work.
In this country things have fallen apart morally which has made it hard for us to govern ourselves. I do feel to change that, we must change our operation system in the mind. Building more autonomy through the practices listed above will help do that. This is a huge part of wellbeing.
A movement practice with Heart and Soul Method, showing up on the mat 4-5 days a week, can bring such sweet sanctuary to a troubled mind. A more organized mind will make things seem more manageable and feel better. The core chakra classes of this method are essential to add to your tool box as everything I mentioned above. When I feel too much negativity, I go to my mat moving with the breath. The dance movement heals my emotional body.
Taking Heart and Soul Method sessions are a way to move you into a space of more balance, reflection, and a deeper love for yourself as well as others… it helps with the processing, doing different types of movement in one class that is backed not only by science but also by the beauty of art in dance movement. Your agility in mind, body, and spirit is improved, and that, feels good.