OM Yoga Magazine – July 2018

I

’m a Leo to some people, a vata type to others, and even a pitta to others still. I may be wise to some (stop the sniggering please, mother!), I may be silly or ignorant to others. Generous to some, selfish to others. My point is that our ego likes to make sense of the world with labels. If the ego thinks it knows something, then it feels safe, it can put it in a box and focus on something else. However, in a world where everything is constantly changing, labels can be problematic. Especially in relationships when times become challenging and the negative labels start to fly about.

Self fulfilling prophecies In tantra there is a phrase: The role you put on someone is the role they will fulfil. The label then becomes a crystal ball into the future. When we believe someone to be a certain way, that is what we look for to confirm our belief was correct. For example: ‘Bob is so selfish’ (sorry for readers named Bob!). When we have the belief that Bob is selfish, that is the behaviour we will look for to confirm our viewpoint. This has a literal effect on our brains as neural plasticity means the brain is constantly changing to adapt to its environment. Information that comes in through the eyes passes through seven synapses (communication bridges) therefore it focuses on some information more than others and ultimately selects the data it wants to see. Thus confirming how our beliefs shape our realities.

Our nervous system When we have a negative belief about someone, it has an effect on our nervous system. When seeing the person, thinking about them, or even hearing their voice, a potential activation of the sympathetic nervous system can occur – consequently leading to an increased heart rate, more vigilance of the surroundings, difficulties to relax and digestive suppression. And a postural reaction too, potentially such as

tightening in the shoulders, jaws etc. So, if we add all these things together, then it is pretty clear to see the power of a belief.

Everything in flow ‘Bob’ is a fluid entity as we all are. We are all constantly changing so when we take a step back, maybe we can breathe and ask: Is Bob selfish all the time? What situations do I perceive Bob as selfish? If I asked Bob’s friends or family if they think he is selfish would they have different responses? The point of these questions is to show that due to Bob’s previous life experiences he will react in certain ways to different stimulus, due to his belief systems about the world. In some situations we may perceive his behaviour as selfish, in others he may be extremely generous. When his behaviour is perceived to be selfish, maybe we can drop into his shoes and try to understand why he acted in that way. Or can we express how the behaviour affected us as often habits are unconscious?

I believe we all want to be truly seen as we are When we fall in love we drop into the conscious mind and we are usually fully present with our beloved. When they talk we aren’t thinking about our response. There is a whole body listening, a spacious and beautiful fullness in the silence of being. A gentle and attuned holding of space. A seeing of that person’s innate beauty, innocence, joy and wonder; those qualities that we all have inside. When a person is seen as they are, their heart can open more and more. When the heart opens, the nervous system can relax, the body can soften, the mind can soften, the eyes, the energy. A dropping of doing, achieving and a joy in being. Imagine waking up each day with an intention to see this inner beauty in everyone we meet.^

Luke Bache ia a yoga teacher, holistic wellness expert and mindfulness coach (urtruenature.com)

Drop the labels and start to see people as they are.

By Luke Bache

LABELS, LABELS,

EVERYWHERE

om spirit

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OM Yoga Magazine – July 2018

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