An enriched mind (and a cheeky invitation)

Citta: Tending the Soil of the Mind

In yoga, we practise yogaś citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ, usually translated as “yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”

Ah, isn’t that feeling amazing? When you can arrive in the present and feel more yourself, more in your body.

But stillness isn’t practical all day. We need to make decisions, be creative, plan things, converse.

I’ve realised I want a more enriched mind. Less being dragged down or away by thoughts.

An impoverished mind is like soil that’s been turned over so many times it’s now low yield. An enriched mind is fertile ground to grow from.

So my friends, wanna be enriched bitches with me?

Let’s focus on what helps us thrive and grow, and shed off, tone down the shit.

Some prompts if you feel the impulse to follow them:

• What do you find yourself repeatedly, mentally complaining about? Can you do something about it? If not, can you gently ask yourself how to loosen the grip on the thoughts?

• Which thoughts excite you, like fertile ground, but perhaps you’re saying “nah, I’ll get to that later”? What tiny step could you try today, just to see what grows?

• Can you take some time today to give your undivided attention to the present moment? Try a walk without your phone. Or sit in your garden, a park or at the beach and watch the vastness of the sky and the intricacy of nature. Fallow time is how soil gets rich again.

Big love, Em x