May 2022 | Volume 2

Abhyasa: The key to growth

Do you often find yourself struggling to make real progress while learning new skills or trying to adopt new habits? “I know it but I struggle to live it”: do you relate to this kind of frustration?

Many of us actively try to work towards our personal growth. We try different things: from little things like consuming more inspiring content on social media to bigger steps like committing our time to new courses. Despite all of this, one may feel dissatisfied and lack that sense of achievement we all live for. Sounds a little too familiar? Maybe it's time to take a step back.

Few months back, Subba introduced me to the concept of Abhyasa (practice). I was introduced to the idea that it is important to not only learn new things but also give yourself the time and room to make mistakes while practicing, polishing and fine-tuning what you already know. Each new skill or habit that you take must be followed up with regular practice, or abhyasa because it’s the very gap between ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’ that leads to dissatisfaction and frustration.

Science has proven that it takes 21-45 days of sustained practice (while keeping in mind all 3 abhyasa pillars) to inculcate a new habit into our lifestyle. It is important that we commit to something and practice it regularly. Here’s how to get yourself to do it:

Decide on a reasonable frequency
Show up for it each day

My ongoing abhyasa has been towards meditation. I have been trying to improve my meditation practice to become a better version of myself. For me, it meant showing up and attending the weekly meditations and also redoing them during the week.

There are bound to be days when it is very hard to show up. This is when the presence and support of a community can give you a nudge. At other times, one can try reaching out to a guide/teacher and discuss your challenges to stay connected to your practice. Staying motivated is an important factor but on days when my motivation takes a dip, this is what has worked for me:

1. The guidance of a wonderful teacher to show me the path

2. A beautiful and vibrant community to keep me motivated and engaged

3. And, with the launch of ‘Best Life Journeys’, the access to the right tools for my daily self-practice (live and recorded sessions)

The Best Life Journeys use the tools of meditation, wisdom, and science, to grow your mind and deliver you to a better life. Know more here.

Follow her on Facebook & Instagram and know more about her here.

We love to see her express her beautiful post-meditation thoughts on paper using vibrant colors and mesmerizing art journals. Here's a page from Ramapriya's journal that mirrors her state of mind right after one of the Calm in Chaos meditation sessions.

“We often associate happiness with something outside of us. But in reality, the source of happiness is within us. The more contact we have with that source, we increase the happiness (blooms) in our life.

Happiness is a state of mind that we create for ourselves, but it’s not something that we can do overnight. We need train ourselves for this. Art journaling and gratitude journaling have been my regular practice to understand this”, she says.

This simple technique will not only leave you feeling calm but also more balanced and grounded. You’ll be more aware of your surroundings, your body and your thoughts. Make sure you pay attention to your body weight, posture, the movement of your muscles, all your five senses and everything that is happening around you while you do the slow, mindful walk.

It will instantly bring you to the present moment, leaving no space for unnecessary worries and negative thoughts. Here is an 8-minute walking meditation podcast that can be repeated, if required, for a longer walk.