A simple way to elevate your personal morning practice
My morning Sadhana (or practice) getting up early before the sun rises is a little mixed at the moment, somethings stay the same while others alter depending on how much time I actually have. Though I will mention it includes some Sikhi, Kundalini, affirmations, visualisations and writing in my gratitude journal while drinking hot lemon water to start my day.
I have found the most beneficial thing has been to use my phone to the minimum I can. It’s obvious and yet super powerful in practice.
I can easily at the click of a button go to a group chat message from the night before I’ve missed or a Facebook message someone sent me very early in the morning, or go to Instagram and see the likes I have on a post. That is all to easy. We do that all the time throughout the day and our attention goes off into different directions when what is really useful is focus and to the ability to connect with infinity not technology. The good news is if you practice this first thing in the morning consistently you may start to implement it at times throughout your day such as before sleeping.
It’s about setting personal boundaries. Just as I wouldn’t have a full blown conversation with someone before 5am (with the exception of being on my teacher training, I was excited to be there amongst other human beings into yoga!) I wouldn’t just casually have a conversation on my phone, direct or indirectly.
I’m not saying turn your phone off (especially if like me you may get a call from work) but if no one will contact you in the early hours, thats what do not disturb or flight mode is for. Also mute those Whats App groups for 8 hours or more.
This breaks it down to using my phone for:
- Music recording/speak along to
- A timer
- Hukunama
- Yogi Bhajan quote of the day
That’s it.
And if you feel your busy mind is not ready for that, even if it’s not a person your going to talk to but you have something you really feel to remember or inspiration for a project, keep a notebook nearby, call it meditation notes if you like!
When I’m dressed and making breakfast, then I look at the weather, train times, Instagram, messages and so on.
It says – Sadhana is my time, away from the worldly goings on, just to be.
A sadhana is a personal practice which becomes a self serving habit and discipline so why not include the discipline to be present in the moment too. Without distractions, you will find you’ll become more still and your intuition will guide you to what’s important and needed anyway.
