The Mind Is The Root Of Everything Else

Resources

Oct 13

I set out to share a lighthearted story about attending my first ever yoga retreat in the Helena National Forest. The tale involved a midnight run-in with an unknown four-legged predator — bear? mountain lion? — which I later learned was a delightful, unassuming mamma dear and her fawn.

But I’m aware of the likelihood that your inbox and social feeds comprise stories about the most recent conflict in Gaza and beyond. I'm not the person you will turn to for news commentary, but I may still help. So, I send this month’s newsletter with a singular intention:

to reframe how mindfulness practices grow our compassion, love, and understanding, no matter the situation

In Being Peace, Thich Nhat Hanh shares 14 mindfulness trainings that cultivate compassion and understanding. These mindfulness trainings develop awareness of our own mind first. Rather than governing bodily actions such as “do not kill,” these trainings prioritize the mind. This is because “according to the teachings of the Buddah, the mind is the root of everything else.”

Though each training is a devout study, the key stages include the following wisdom:

-Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop understanding and compassion, we are determined to come home to ourselves, to recognize, except, embrace, and listen to suffering with the energy of mindfulness. We will do our best not to run away from our suffering, or cover it up through consumption, but practice conscious breathing and walking to look deeply into the roots of our suffering (88).

-Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are committed to taking care of the energy of anger when it arises, and to recognizing and transforming the seeds of anger that live deep in our consciousness (90).

-Aware that life is available only in the present moment, we are committed to training ourselves to live deeply in each moment of daily life (91).

Tall orders — hence the use of language like “practice,” “develop,” and “committed.” This is not a comfortable journey. While I spoke about cultivating adaptability recently, I’ll summarize it here:

we hold ourselves lovingly accountable to cultivate mindfulness and presence, especially in the face of challenges

The most effective practices I’ve found to approach mindfulness and presence are the ones I teach and share:

-Reiki

-Breathwork

-Yin Yoga

Each lineage above is a map of how to invite a deep appreciation and acceptance of each moment. Each incorporates meditative elements such as breathwork, visualizations, and rest for the mind and body.

So, when I set out to curate my first immersive retreat experience, I co-created a curriculum that emphasized practices like Yin Yoga. Yin allows us to observe and accept the world as it is, aware and embodied. Developing an observant nature is beneficial in our daily lives, especially during the seasonal shifts and the approaching holiday season.

Yet, as the retreat dates draw near and world events continue to elevate violence and injustice, it is more urgent that we cultivate our mindfulness training.

November 2-5, we will gather under the trees of Idyllwild, California. Our gathering honors lineages that prioritize awareness, resilience, communication, and sacred rest. We will walk in nature, breathe fully and slowly, begin an inner-dialogue with our emotions, and develop presence.

From beginners to teachers seeking a Yin Yoga certification, these practices benefit all.