I did some very useful work with one of my teacher Siobhan in September and one of the things that stood out to me was the difference in the language of the ego and the spirit. As human beings, we have both:

•  A spirit – that which is vast, expansive, eternal, connected to everything, and is the source of our energy and purpose
• An ego – an aspect of our mind that creates individuation, that appropriates everything as belonging to it (I always think of the seagulls in Finding Nemo saying “mine, mine, mine…”), and allows us to navigate in this world now that our spirit is in its own body.

In my experience, sometimes it is hard to know which voice is speaking – the ego (mine, mine, mine) or the spirit (us). As yogis, much of the practices we engage in is to get more and more connected to spirit, and to act and live from this connection to spirit.

I thought you might find it interesting to see the difference in the language of these two aspects of self, as a way of deepening your connection and understanding of both

~ EGO ~

– Results oriented

– Is pushy and forceful

– Is interested in the unreal (illusions)

– Loves drama and making things complicated

– Focused on BIG THINGS RIGHT NOW

– Manages scarcity

– Sees problems everywhere

– Fear & resistance

– Questions HOW?

– Fatigue

– Believes that only certain things matter

– Thinks: Only I can do this (seagull thing again)

– Anger & Frustration

– Confusion & Doubt

– Tries to manipulate and control

~ SPIRIT ~

–          Process oriented

–          Is called to create – there is a “draw” to something

–          Only wants truth

–          Sees the genius in simplicity

–          Interested in LITTLE THINGS EVERYDAY

–          Free flow of abundance

–          Sees opportunity everywhere

–          Willingness

–          Questions WHY?

–          Energy

–          Believes that everything counts

–          SEES the potential in others

–          Compassion

–          Clarity

–          Leads by example and allows life to unfold

I love this list… and I love to check in with where I’m at and which aspect is taking the drivers’ seat J

Enjoy deepening your awareness of both aspects of self. Please leave me any questions or comments below!

peace & love,

m xo

Janati Yoga Home

I am home today with a cold – coughing, congestion, phlegm. It doesn’t