spiritual practice | Hawkins Holistic

To do that which serves you.

Greetings and happy 2015, readers!

I posted this steam of consciousness on Instagram last week, and I thought it relevant to share here also, if only as a reminder for myself this year.

We all de-stress differently. If I’ve learned anything in 2014, it’s that it’s so important – imperative, actually – to discover, develop and regularly practice healthy means of stress reduction. Otherwise known as coping 🙂

For myself, meditation + prayer + yoga + kirtan music takes me down a notch, quiets my “overactive” mind, regulates an agitated nervous system, and creates an inner experience of peace & love. But sometimes it’s a high energy run I need or a leisurely walk or cycle in nature. Sometimes it’s a glass of delicious red wine, savored & appreciated. Sometimes it’s connecting with a good friend, and sometimes it’s being completely alone. Ultimately, we must know ourselves, our limits, and give our minds & body that which it needs in any moment. And those needs are not stagnant, as they change hour-to-hour, day-to-day and year-to-year.

There’s good reason why mental illness is on the rise: being too busy to care for ourselves – as we truly need it – is all to common in western culture, and with all the technological distractions and subsequent shortened attention spans, there is a disconnection from the pulse of life. Literally. The way our heart beats is greatly effected by living in an anxiety state. Tuning in, being quiet and listening to our mind/body’s needs is more important than ever.

My call of action to you in 2015? Simply do that which serves your peace-of-mind, for the short term AND the long term.

Naturally yours.

Sarah Hawkins, R.H.N.

October 26, 2014

How To Be Here, Now: A Lesson In Mindfulness

February 3, 2014 issue of TIME.

The term is frequently popping up in scientific peer-reviewed journals and check-out aisle magazines. Why is the concept of mindfulness gaining such momentum? Because, in a time when anxiety and depression rates are climbing, mindfulness works to bring it back, slow it down, and soak it up. Practicing mindfulness gracefully connects us to the world around us, and within us.

Mindfulness has earned a powerful reputation for being a direct pathway to internal peace and awareness. These qualities need to be nurtured and I believe that in modern western society, the cultivation of mindfulness was neglected, and now, people are suffering for it. Thankfully, mindfulness is having its moment in the spotlight; even forward-thinking psychiatrists are recommending mindfulness practice before prescribing brain altering chemically derived drugs, which tend to come with a bevy of unpleasant side effects. Mindfulness, especially when practiced alongside meditation, will also alter your brain chemistry AND will get one in touch with their authentic self & spirit, rather than numbing it. The only side effects of mindfulness are insight, perspective and lingering curiosity.

What is mindfulness? Quite simply, it’s the practice of being present, here & now. It’s actively observing one’s inner experience in a way that is fully aware but non-judgemental. Why do this? Because past/present focused thinking ultimately does us no good in the present tense. In fact, it can hinder us, repress us, and it often creates anxiety states while disconnecting us from the world. When you really look at the present, really ARE in the present, things are quite simple! Try it. What are you doing right now? Clear the mind-junk, let it go. Right now, in this moment, reality is likely quite simple. I challenge you to try this exercise at any moment. To simply “bring it back.”

Allow me to illustrate three common scenarios where mindfulness can be employed.

~ You’re out with a friend for drinks. As she vents about her day you get lost in your own thoughts about your own day, your plans tomorrow, that email that you haven’t replied to, etc. And all in rapid succession! Yes, you are physically present and may even be exhibiting the physical cues of a good listener – eye contact and body facing the speaker – but you are not mentally present. When it comes time for you to speak, to show your friend some support, you have absolutely no idea what she said. I have been guilty of this (!), and I’m guessing that I’m not alone.

What to do: being mindful in this social situation would involve catching yourself early on as your mind begins to drift, and returning your attention to your friend. Maybe you even apologetically tell her that your mind has wandered and to “please repeat that last bit” (this is honest and respectful). Catching yourself when your thoughts lead you astray, and bringing your attention back to the conversation – without judging yourself! – is mindfulness in practice.

~ You’re suffering a succession of bad days. Maybe you’re even depressed. Your mind replays old “stories”, ruminating over them and projecting from them. This is a slippery slope, folks. Imagination is a wonderful, wonderful tool but sometimes it can lead us astray.

What to do: being mindful in this situation would involve stepping back and stopping yourself in your cognitive-tracks, and objectively questioning your story. Is it purely perception, and not founded in fact? Has said situation even happened yet? Is there a place within you that needs more attention and introspection so that you can work through, heal, and move past these self-limiting thoughts? Asking yourself these questions is mindfulness because you are actively taming the wild horse that is your mind, objectively and without judgement. Watching your thoughts, and noticing when they are hurtful rather than helpful, is being mindful.

~ You’re eating dinner in front of the TV. Before you know it, the meal that provides our bodies with the vitality to live, love, and create has vanished. This is eating mindlessly, and when we eat quickly and distractedly, it affects digestion which ultimately effects nutrient absorption and our state of health. We have to eat anyway, so why not make it a pleasurable, sensual, nourishing experience!

What to do: being mindful when eating involves putting away distractions (TV, cell phone, reading material) and taking in the meal with all of your senses. Mindful eating might involve thoroughly chewing food and tasting it, pausing and briefly closing eyes between mouthfuls, and being grateful for the nutrients the meal is providing your body right in this moment. Being mindful at mealtime is being present with the food, and appreciative of the life it gives you.

This is my take on mindfulness, and like anything, it evolves. From reading this, I hope you’ve learned something that you can apply to your daily life, and mindfully so. 🙂

Naturally yours.

Sarah Hawkins, R.H.N.

September 23, 2014

Pranayama Yoga

Modern science shows us that practicing yoga has immense benefits in all aspects of health – physical, mental, social, and spiritual. But how does one apply that science to their life? Answer…via Dr. Bhopal!

Last weekend, I was given the opportunity to attend one of Dr. Jaswant Bhopal’s pranayama yoga & meditation classes. In 2 hours time he eloquently guided students through breathing techniques that heal and soothe both mind & body. I didn’t know what to expect going into it – the yoga I’ve done in past has been that of the mainstream variety – but I left a changed person. My eyes have been opened to yet another natural, non-invasive way to effectively promote health and practice mindfulness.

A bit about Dr. Bhopal…he’s an assistant clinical professor, physician, psychiatrist, spiritual preceptor, yogi, toastmaster and poet. Ya know, just yer average guy. For those of you who like to know why something works – for e.g., how exactly does this breathing exercise slow down the sympathetic nervous system – Dr. Bhopal can tell you. And he can tell you how adopting a ‘Prana-Life’ is comparable in effectiveness to prescription meds when dealing with mood disorders.

If I could go to Dr. Bhopal’s class every day I absolutely would, but because that’s not an option, my intent is to practice the breathing techniques and study the Prana-Life principles (see below).

If you are based in and/or around Vancouver BC, I highly recommend attending Dr. Bhopal’s next monthly class (it’s free by the way!). Check here for details.

BENEFITS OF PRANAYAMA

Increases	Decreases
Oxygenation of tissues Immunity Vagal tone (the degree of activity within the parasympathetic nervous system, e.g. heart rate) Hormonal balance Melatonin (the sleep hormone) Alpha rhythms on the EEG (rhythmic electrical cycles in the brain) Body’s own healing propensities	Toxins Mental stress Hypertension Heart rate

PRANA-LIFE PRINCIPLES

Doing Good to Others:

Doing Good to Self

Non-violence ~ not harming other sentient (i.e. emotional) beings, including one’s self, and not harming the environment. Non-violence includes practicing tolerance and not speaking ill of others, even if based in truth.

Truthfulness ~ not deceiving or intending to deceive others or ourselves in our thoughts, words or actions.

Non-stealing ~ only take something with permission.

Sexual propriety ~ regarding others as human beings rather than as male or female bodies. Sexual activity, within a committed relationship, ensures the conservation of our energy for spiritual practice.

Abstention from greed ~ not coveting that which is not ours, and avoiding the acquisition of unnecessary objects.

Cleanliness ~ internal and external, such as moderation in diet. Cleanliness also implies avoiding the impurities of mismanaged anger and egoism.

Contentment ~ acceptance of the external situation that we have been allotted in life while not being complacent about injustice.

Austerity ~ committing to our yoga and spiritual practice.

Self-study ~ looking within one’s self, and contemplating and applying the spiritual scriptures of our chosen path.

Surrender to a higher power ~ surrendering to God or a higher principle other than one’s limited self. It implies cultivating the senses of modesty and humility.

Naturally yours.

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Hawkins Holistic

Tag: spiritual practice

January 1, 2015