The Healing Practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam
With everything that we are faced within the world right now, all the uncertainties and loss of control. This is a good time to turn to what we do have control over and that is our perspective. We have 100 % percent control over our perspective.
The Yoga Sutra 2.33 Pratipaksha Bhavanam- Pratipaksha means “opposite” and Bhavana means “cultivating or development”. It states that “when disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite ones should be thought of”. It asked us to bring light where there is darkness. If you choose to look around and see darkness right now, you will see it manifesting itself in fear, anger, scarcity, worry and suffering. But this is a choice. We also have the choice to see the light. To bring light to the darkness. To look around and see the kindness, the dedication, empathy, generosity and love of those in our communities. With that comes gratitude. Gratitude has the power to shift our entire state of mind.
During this time, we might have much more time on our hands and with that comes a lot of mental noise. Especially when we don’t have “busy work” to distract us. This mental noise might tell you, you’re lazy, not good enough, you should be doing more or create unnecessary worry or anguish. This is when your yoga practice becomes so important. It’s important that we don’t identify with these thoughts, but instead be the witness and observe them. Come into the present moment and replace these thoughts with positive thoughts or actions. Pratipaksha Bhavanam says to re-frame these thoughts and change our perspective. To shift your point of view might literally require you to go outside and take a walk in nature. Whatever that is for you. Choose thoughts and actions that make you feel good. This could be doing something nice for someone, acting silly or childlike, putting on some nostalgic music, cuddling with a loved one, doing something creative. Whatever gets you out the murkiness of the mind and lets you connect with your soul. This is the Yoga we practice on, and off the mat. I invite you to try this.
We are always going to have negative thoughts. That comes with being human. But what we do with these thoughts is up to us. We can choose to look at these times as an opportunity to slow down and to return to what is actually is important to us.
Again, we have 100 % control over our perspective. When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. Pratipaksha Bhavanam is a reminder of our immense power.
12/2/2020
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Trisha Burke Martindale 