Be, Not Do

Here we are in week 2 of Lent. How’s it going? I’ve had to self examine a few times when I’ve noticed myself getting caught up in performative aspects, rather than living + resting more fully in God's presence.

I remind myself daily that Lent is a season to help me remove the distractions and barriers in my daily life so I can simply be in relationship with God. To boil it down even more—Lenten season is a time to do less and be receptive to God’s grace, not do more to try and earn God’s grace.

If you have been practicing yoga with me over the last several years you’ve no doubt heard me say, “simple, not easy.”  I’m experiencing the truthfulness of these words this Lent. There are things in my life + mind that I'm comfortably attached to.

Limiting Belief

So as I start this next week I am reminded that God’s grace is already here so what are the things I'm allowing to interrupt my receptivity to it?

Theologian and Professor, Tim Muldoon, puts it this way, “What are the attitudes, habits of mind, thoughts that are getting in the way of entering in more fully to the life that God is inviting me to?

This can be a plethora of responses for different people. Some of you may feel distant from Jesus, unsure, seriously considering beginning a relationship, or perhaps you are very intentional with your relationship but have a growing desire to draw more near. No matter where you are, God is.

I’ve created this yoga nidra meditation for everyone. It is designed to help identify and process a limiting belief that you have come to believe is true. One obstacle we may put up in our spiritual life is getting stuck in the way we think. A thought that may play a significant role or take us away from God’s grace.

So we’re back to hard soil. Is there a hardened attitude or belief that needs tilling? Last week my mother-in-law shared with me that Lent is a time to work on our “hard edges” rather than to say, “it’s just the way I am”.

"I AM"

In John chapter 8, verse 12 the author wrote, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Whatever shadowed, limited belief you may think to be true and hold in yourself, it's not too dark for Jesus. No darkness can ever master Jesus' light. In fact, we read that the darkness has not overcome it or in other versions, understood it (John 1:5).

Jesus is the embodiment of God's love. He is the light that brings life, truth, hope, and radical change. Jesus knew exactly who He was and gave us 7 unique "I AM" identifiers.

Knowing what mis-identifiers or limiting core beliefs we believe to be true is a powerful step in the direction of positive change.

What is your limiting "I am ________".

The Practice

So friends, wherever you are on your journey, I hope you will practice this meditation created to meet your limiting belief.

What is Yoga Nidra?

This is a guided meditation ideally practiced lying down on your back. The goal is to ground the body and relax the mind. Ultimatley the mind is guided into a relaxed state of consciousness similar to sleep but still aware. I refer to it as a gentle, relaxed awareness. In recent years, Neuroscientist, Andrew Huberman has rebranded the practice as "NSDR" meaning non sleep, deep rest. If you want to learn more about the efficacy of the practice you could check out his research.

Here’s what you need to prepare for the practice:

A quiet room in your house.

Dress in warm clothes so you don’t get cold,

Light support like a folded blanket under your head. Not a pillow. You want your neck neutral.

Lie on your back with support under knees if you need.

Arms relaxed by your sides, palms rotated up.