two months

It’s been two months since my last post, and I have 2 months left at the Ayurvedic Institute. Where does time go? Literally. Looking back at October when I started this new journey in my life, little did I know how quick it would go by. Time moves so much faster than it really appears to do so.

What have I learned? I’ve learned that there is a lot of time I wish away. There’s not a day that goes by that at some point I don’t say “I’m ready for this day to be over” or “Only 5 more minutes” or something along those lines. And in retrospect, I think those were all really stupid things to say. Now, I’m here, having wasted perfect moments to create amazing ones all because I wanted that day to be over or was bored for those 5 minutes. Do I ever live in the present moment?

I realize more and more everyday how difficult it is to take advantage of the place you’re in, and to truly “Carpe Diem”. Time is so precious, and we let it slip out of our hands like grains of sand. Why is it so easy to live in the past and future, but never in the present?

Our lives are driven by many things such as fear, desire, and ego. We have no awareness of our true nature or our true Self. We let our senses run our lives, and thus we aren’t able to enjoy what is happening during the present minute. Right now, as I type this there are a million other things that are running through my head, such as “Man, I really need to go to bed so I can wake up in the morning”, and now being aware of the thoughts racing through my head, I stop and realize how peaceful and beautiful this moment is right now. Sharing it with Nandan, being in this space of calm and tranquility, listening only the sound of my keyboard tapping away this post.

How often do we stop and smell the roses, and really really enjoy their fragrance? How often do we just melt into the arms of our loved ones and give a real meaningful embrace? There are so many times I look back and regret not having spent my time better, and how I shouldn’t have wished away that time. I could have been more engaged in conversations, I could have given all of my energy to people I love, and I would have created so many more beautiful memories. But, the world of should have, could have, would have, isn’t one in which I want to live or dwell in.

Time to move on and not regret. Time to live in the moment and love what is going on right now. I have two months left in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Who knows where life will take me next, but why worry? There is a sense of freedom that comes with having no control over what will happen next. The less I can worry, the more time I can give to the present me to help that Nishita grow and nurture her life.

Life if beautiful and time is priceless. Live in the present, and take advantage of the precious and amazing moments that you create.

yama and niyama project

So in one of my classes here at the Ayurvedic Institute, we had to pick a Yama and Niyama to implement into our lives and work on. Yama and Niyama are 2 of the limbs of Patanjali‘s 8-limb path of Yoga.

Essentially, Yamas are the restraints and Niyamas are the things that you should do.
Yamas: Non-lying, non-stealing, non-violence, non-coveting, and continence.
Niyamas: cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrendering to God

I thought it was pretty neat that our teacher made it seem like a very tangible project. That it’s not hard to just implement some of these into your life if you just try. The ones that I picked are “non-stealing” and “self-discipline”. Folks, before you get all tizzied up. No, I do not steal, but there was a sense of contentment and satisfaction that went along with this one. A sense of not wanting more and more past what you have already. Anyways, it definitely appealed to me.

I think it’s just neat to try this little experiment out. Sure a lot of it you need a ton of faith in yourself, discipline, and plenty of effort on your end, but the harder you try, somehow it becomes a lot easier to practice. The more you try the easier the universe will make it for you to achieve your goal. It’s incredible how much latent strength you have hidden somewhere in you, that is just waiting to come out and be displayed.

You don’t even have to pick a yama or niyama. If you have really just wanted to start a practice or habit, all you have to do is just put in the effort, and then everything will fall into place with just a little bit of faith. The universe is inherently looking out for you. It is inherently taking care of you and wanting to take care of you. Sure, at times it may feel like it’s every man for himself, but there are unseen forces who are constantly on your side as your little cheerleaders, hoping and helping you achieve anything you put your heart to.

When I was little, I was told that I can achieve anything I want if I put my heart into it and have faith in something greater than myself. And it’s so true. Naturally, I didn’t realize this until I got older. But, this little project has taught me just that. Am I perfect now? Heck no. The first 3 weeks we were assigned this, I just kept forgetting. But, at least now I am thinking about it. Step one, right?

Just ask for strength and the universe will give it you. It’s a pretty great relationship if you ask me!

Just keep telling yourself that you are incredible, and that you really can achieve anything you want to. It’s all possible. Trust me.

Happy weekend folks! Go out and be amazed at what this world has to offer you!

something about octobers

Thinking back, I can’t believe that one year ago today, I was sitting at my grandparents’ house in India studying Sanskrit and Yoga. It’s crazy thinking that it’s already been one year since I decided to start this journey in life, and tried my best to be open to what the world and universe sent my way.

Well, here I am one year later, starting a new journey with new relationships, and a somewhat new perspective and outlook on life. My husband and I (that still sounds funny) got married about a week and a half ago, and made the trek from Memphis to Albuquerque to study all those things that I started in India, but on a much deeper level. We are at the Ayurvedic Institute, and I find myself just as excited, if not more, to be back in the groove of studying Sanskrit and Yoga and Ayurveda.

Our classes officially started yesterday, and it was awesome to have all of my old memories and things that I remembered from India flood back to me. But, I think the coolest part of it all was that I now have my best friend to share this exciting time and new journey with, as well as 38 other fellow classmates. Everything is just a whole lot better when you have incredible people to share it with.

I know I’ve said this again and again and again, but it’s really crazy how life works out, and it’s crazier what happens when you let the universe give you what you need at that point in time. But, you have to be open to it, and really truly let your heart talk to you.

In class yesterday, we were talking about dharma, and what the true meaning of dharma is. It’s a really hard word to translate into English, but I like the definition that was given to us; and it was along the lines of being aligned with your true nature, true self, and when your soul and your heart is doing what it’s meant to be doing in life. As I was meditating yesterday, I was trying to just clear my mind, and when I was able to do that, even for that brief period of time, there was a sense of peace. I know that this path isn’t easy, but it brings me a sense of joy and peace, because I know that I’m doing something that I love, and not what someone else wants for me.

Once we let our insecurities go to the side a little, and realize that we have the capability to be open and loving, we can let the universe talk to us. It’s scary as crap, but totally worth it in the end.

I can’t wait to share this new journey with all of you, and tell you all about the different things I am learning! I guess Octobers are a good month for me…