The importance of getting inspired

The importance of getting inspired

by | Jan 27, 2016 | Uncategorized

Being ‘inspired’ is probably one of the moment’s biggest buzz words. For us free-living modern folk, life is all about ‘getting inspired, discovering your purpose, and living your passion.’

It gets bandied about so often and in so many circles, almost as a given, that we seldom stop to really ask what it means. Or worse, I’ve heard people say how much it makes them feel like a failure for not being inspired, not knowing their purpose or their passion. I get it. We don’t feel inspired all the time. Some would probably even say that we can’t feel inspired all the time. And there are necessary periods of life in which we fall apart, lose direction, and seem to flail aimlessly (probably whilst the next wonderful thing is brewing…). These are all part of life and our growing.

But inspiration is important. And what’s more, it is beautiful.

Mei Lai with giant amazing treeInspiration is that mysterious awakening that makes our cells tingle and become vibrant with excitement and joy. It is that brilliant stirring force that tugs on the strings that connect us to a sense of something larger than our individual selves, and to that something larger within ourselves.

The word comes from the Latin root ‘spirare’ – spirit, or breathe. Inspirare means ‘to breathe into’, and in Middle English inspiration was synonymous with divine guidance. Inspiration is that sublime feeling that arises when we are in direct connection to spirit. It is our direct connection to the essence of life – to breath – that gives us energy and sustains us. In my experience, you can’t possibly get enough of it. And if you care about living a joyful and meaningful life, it’s vital that you get it.

And it is the creative essence of evolution. It is what makes us human and what continues to unfold us towards greater beauty, love and creativity. Without inspiration, we are merely fighting for survival. What’s more, inspiration is unique for each one of us – what may be dull to one person may completely fire up another’s inspiration, and lead them to the next amazing discovery, project or creation. Inspiration is not just what makes the world go round, but what keeps it evolving. It is the creative force of life itself, bursting forth with astonishing beauty. And it is contagious.

So ‘getting inspired’ is as important as every single breath you take. And it keeps getting better – the more you have, the more you give, and as Joseph Campbell says about love: the more you give, the more you have. Everyone reaps the benefits.

Many people think that getting inspired is something that happens randomly, an accident of fate. But it’s not like that. Just as you can cultivate the breath through pranayama, you can cultivate inspiration – simply by seeking it out.

Rainbow architectureSeek out things that give you that tingling feeling of excitement. You know when you feel it, it’s fundamental. Read inspiring stories, watch movies and documentaries that move you, visit incredible architecture or wild valleys, seek out great art and music – whatever gets your creative juices flowing.

And if you’re not sure where to start, don’t waste your time wondering about it – start somewhere and just keep looking until you find it. Because you will. It’s as fundamental as your breath and the revolving of the planets around the sun, you just have to cultivate your awareness to know it for yourself. And when you find it, relish it. Roll around in it. Let it tickle your taste buds and draw you onto the next greatest thing. And know that it’s a never-ending spring. There is always more.

Let inspiration be the force that unfolds your life – into beauty and greatness.

Because it’s your own innate creative essence. It’s your birthright.

The power of your breath

by | Mar 9, 2015 | Uncategorized

deep-breathIn honour of the breath, your constant companion, your guide, your best friend. She is right there with you – if you listen, she will tell you so much about yourself, your emotions, your mind-states: she gets hot and fiery when you feel angry, calm and deep when you relax, light and fast when you are anxious, shallow and soft when you are in deep meditation… she is not afraid to follow you to all the places you go.

The breath taps you deep into your nervous system and your emotional state, and it’s the only visceral function of the body that is both autonomic and can be voluntarily regulated. The breath is a constant, present tool to guide your focus and awareness into your body and into the now. Which is why the breath is such a powerful tool.

Pranayama, or breathwork, is one of the ‘eight limbs’ of classical yoga, and more and more people (and science!) are awakening to the power of the breath. By becoming aware of and consciously regulating the breath in different ways, we are able to create significant changes in the nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, purify the subtle energy channels in our body, increase our prana or life force, shift emotional and mental states, and prepare the body-mind for meditation. But because the breath is so powerful, like any relationship: get to know your breath first and develop a solid friendship with its natural character, before starting to explore uncharted territory…

inhale exhale

Here is a simple practice to awaken you to the power of your breath:

1. Take a comfortable seat either on the floor or in a chair, where you can sit easefully for about 10 minutes. Take a moment to notice how you feel in your body, your mind, your emotions. Allow your body to rest into your seat, but lengthen your spine and feel the crown of your head reaching gently towards the sky. Feel into the space in the upper body created by this lift of the spine.

2. Find your natural breath, very simply observing the breath as it moves into the body, and as it moves out of the body. Do not try to change the breath, do not make any effort, simply observe your in-breath and your out-breath, accepting your breath exactly as it is. You might also start to notice where the breath touches the inner space of your body. Do this for 1-2 minutes.

3. Invite the breath to gently deepen. Like a somanaut exploring inner space, invite your breath to explore the full inner space of your body. Where can the breath go? How does it feel as it moves into previously uncharted territory?

4. With your deepened breath, start to work with a count: inhale to a count of 4, exhale to a count of 4. Remember to keep the practice comfortable, make sure you are not straining or struggling with your breath. This is not about how long and deep you can make the breath, but finding an evenness between your inhalation and exhalation. This is called Sama Vritti Pranayama (equal ratio breath). Do this for 2-3 minutes.

5. Let go of the count and come back to your natural, effortless breath. Observe now the quality of your natural breath. Is it fast, slow, calm, ragged, even? Where does it touch inside the body? How do you feel in your body, your mind, your emotions?

6. Thank your breath, seal the practice any way you wish, and as you continue with your day – remember to touch base with your new friend from time to time to see how she’s going!

Take-a-Deep-Breath-Whale