Curiosity - Strength Training for your Mind
The practice of yoga has taught me the value of my mind with a distinct and separate appreciation from the functions of my brain. So, here’s a piece of my mind over the matter:
The mind is purposed for discovery, ideas, and vetting all of the “what ifs” we propose. Matters of the brain autonomously keep us alive and are focused on maintaining our comfort and safety. Curiosity fuels our minds. It’s the quality that can open and expand the gray matter of the brain so we can “think outside the box” - minding our matters beyond the brain’s confined parameters.
I often tell my students the brain is just an organ. It’s an important one for sure, but the brain is the only organ our minds can have exceptional influence over, thereby, changing the quality of our lives.
Discoveries light up our cranial chemistry adding color to the gray matter of our brains with new connections and learning resulting in the overarching quality of mindfulness. My Lizard Pose is one such discovery. My brain has a voice in my head saying, “Leave well enough alone.” “You’ll break your neck. Lizards can’t fly.” My brain does its job keeping me safe and sound. It’s also quite happy that I do nothing as long as my basic needs for food and shelter are met. My mind is more subtle. It holds my potential and streams possibilities and thoughts that arise from my spirit. These thoughts generate ideas. An idea moves into processing where my list of next-steps is formulated - picked from my brain’s catalog of experiences. With my willingness to try, and my spirit cheering me on, I participate in the discovery process to determine whether the idea is viable. In this case, yes, I could position my body into Flying Lizard Pose!
Flying Lizard Pose (Utthan Pristhasana)
Readiness, as in training, experience and knowledge, are accrued matters in our brains. Curiosity awakens these matters. Matters then come to mind. Mind takes these matters to heart and generates a vision. Spirit cheers the Body on toward discovery when all systems say, “Go.” The mind is open, the spirit is willing, the body is tested. This is how I experience Yoga. It’s more than a series of movements performed on a mat. It’s a mindful practice in personal discovery.
Yoga is my wellbeing practice that metaphorically positions me to discern my values and boundaries, and then balances the paradigms of my needs for physical, intellectual, and spiritual challenge and ease. The time I spend on my mat adds value and clarity to my life. Flying my Lizard actually supports my livelihood by activating my curiosity to keep my mind strong, and by accomplishing something new that my brain initially translated as “no way!” I’m inspired to mindfully take risks in order to grow in my yoga practice and gain understanding of the many ways I can harness my energies to undertake seemingly impossible challenges. All balancing poses are discoveries that light up new connections in our brains. When our brains receive affirmation that all is well despite perceived “danger,” a new bond of confidence and mind-body-spirit awareness is created.
Curiosity is strength training for the mind. It begins it’s compelling work within us when we learn to roll over as babies. This self-motivated change of scenery is driven by our innate need to discover and to experience more about our world and our capabilities. Watching my grandchildren grow and develop has been a great reminder to me about our inherently powerful will to take risks and discover and more. Here’s a recent clip of my 1-year old granddaughter, Lucca Joy’s first steps:
Lucca shows us the pure child-like spirit, willingness, and courage to step out and try something new while demonstrating the work it takes to stay upright and balanced. Activated by curiosity, Lucca’s mind-muscle readiness skills have prepared her to undertake this risk. Lucca’s got positive “self-talk.” She’s cheering herself on - even getting a little pumped up with Curious George in hand and encouraging parents nearby. Lucca is aware the time has come to take a stand, unsupported, all on her own. It’s scary, but driven by her need to discover more, she steps out, makes moves, lights up a new mind-body-spirit connection leading to her growth, (hiccuping as proof) and even falls - happily. Only to get up and do this again and again, persevering until her discovery process for this learning experience is complete because Lucca’s vital evolution requires it.
So does ours. This same energetic spirit for discovery is in us waiting to be reawakened if you’ve let it go dormant. Curiosity entertains the idea of calculated risk. It also feeds our need for discovery and it keeps our minds strong through mental gymnastics. Discovery is refreshment to the soul and enlightenment for the mind. Lucca can walk. Lizards can fly. My granddaughter and I are both empowered by our balancing feats!
Vitally evolve your being. Try something new. Change your windowpane views and landscapes. Connect with nature. Stay tuned in and curious to gain guidance from the ideas, dreams, and possibilities that come to mind because they are uniquely prescribed for YOU to discover more about your divine and purposeful creation.
