My GROWTH and EVOLUTION through TRUTH in the Practice of SELF-STUDY...

As we continue our SOJOURN, WHEELING ALONG on this SACRED JOURNEY called LIFE, I wonder how you're doing on your saga of 'studying yourself'???? 

I continue my SELF-STUDY/SVADHYAYA exploring, seeking understanding, gaining more insight into myself, my soul....

Just 2 days ago, I had another mammogram, ordered by my oncologist (breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, and radiation a few years ago). After years of these tests, I find it interesting to witness my fear (my mind's self-talk) as I approach the hospital, AGAIN, for this examination....I am aware of the 'shortness' I had w/the hospital staff going into this test (which years ago were just 'routine', and now are accompanied by tears due to the past few years' experiences....)

As I mentally 'stepped outside myself', and 'viewed my fears & tears' with the eyes of a COMPASSIONATE WITNESS, I was able to BREATHE INTO MY HEART & MY GUT, where I was FEELING THE FEARS...I allowed myself to FEEL the tears as they streamed down my face, and CONSCIOUSLY let the tightly clenched belly and the wetness on my cheeks BE. Rather than fighting these very real feelings, I FELT them; rather than stuffing the feelings, I BEGAN TO EMBRACE THEM, and even ACCEPT THEM with understanding... IN ALLOWING MYSELF to be human~to NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER, I began to relax...I was able to CONSCIOUSLY CHOOSE to be more patient with the technician and the secretary in the Breast Center...I was MORE PRESENT to myself, my soul...and, thus, to them and their work, their feelings...

And I see this as GROWTH...in being, in breathing, in feeling, in letting go, in accepting what is true, what is real...

Does this make sense to you? Are you willing and able to study yourself, and to see changes, growth, healing, and to be HONEST/TRUTHFUL with yourself? FOR THIS IS WHAT SVADHYAYA is all about...When we open to TRUTH, our souls are able to EVOLVE..."To grow is to change, and to have changed often, is to have grown much".

Rolf Gates, in his special book: MEDITATIONS FROM THE MAT, encourages us to practice this aspect of self-study,"...examine the level of truthfulness in our workplaces family, and friendships.
How much time do we spend in the presence of people who are telling the truth? How much do we spend with people who are not? What is it like when we hear the truth? What is it like when we do not? What fears keep us from being honest? It it true that like attracts like? Does honesty beget honesty?"

As we explore this 4th Niyama, Svadhyaya, what are we encountering, experiencing, embracing,about ourselves? Do we like what we're learning?....Self-study...hmmmmmmmmmm...

I wish you, as I do myself, much TRUTH as we WHEEL THROUGH THIS DAY, THIS WEEK, THIS....

Hari Om, Tat Sat,
In truth, in Self-study,
Lee Ann