There is nothing wrong with you. It’s hard to remember that when we’ve been pushed most of our lives to do more, be more, deliver more. In fact, more people spend time striving to be better than they are without taking into account that they are “enough” just as they are. The answers aren’t out there somewhere waiting for you to find them. Rather, they are inside of you, waiting to be uncovered.
In Ayurvedic healing and wellbeing, we talk about “Swastha” and “swastha”, or coming into one’s “Self”. There is a “higher-Self” of divine energy and a “lower-self” of ego. Both are essential for life and striking the right balance between the two is key to longevity and good health.
The “Lower-self”
For most people, the ego reigns over everyday life. This is normal; without an ego, we would have no sense of personal “self” and very little drive to achieve. But, simply being led by the ego is an easy trap to fall into and can lead to personal suffering – the thought that there is something wrong with you that needs fixing.
Your ego, or “lower-self”, often seeks outside you to find answers, meaning and purpose in life. The “lower-self” can drive us toward consumerism without consciousness, addiction without awareness, and competition without acceptance. The actions of the ego are not something to feel guilty about, but rather an opportunity to cultivate new energy on a healing path.
The world oftentimes creates an ideal and we chase it. Rarely, do we stop to intentionally ask ourselves what an “ideal” would be for us – for our “higher-Self” – without all of the outside influences. Are we living someone else’s purpose as opposed to our own? What might we learn about ourselves if we quieted the mind and learned to look within?
The “Higher-Self”
Many find “Swastha” – the “higher-Self” – as they progress on a path toward wellbeing in mind, body and spirit. They spend less time chasing the perfect body or perfect life as it compares to their friends or family and focus instead on what brings them true joy – the simple and more meaningful pleasures in life. Importantly, each person finds it in their own time and own way. There is no formula to quieting the ego and elevating the whispers of the soul; this happens naturally as you dig deeper into your own personal healing and wellbeing.
Many people open up to acceptance of who they are, what they have in life and what their personal truth is. They are no longer lost in meaning and purpose or living someone else’s truth. They are rooted in themselves, open to new possibilities and unwavering when it comes to what matters most. Sure, we all get caught up in the ego – we wouldn’t be living if we didn’t! – but those who have done the work are less likely to stay in that space before returning to “Swastha” – their higher truth.
Who Finds “Swastha”?
Swastha is non-discriminatory. It is accessible to everyone and found in every corner of the globe. Those who seek Swastha live in the world everyday, subject to stressors, conflict and challenging patterns. The biggest difference is that they have intentionally chosen and committed to a different path. They know the difference between joy (kama) and pleasure, prosperity (artha) and materialism, purpose (dharma) and pursuit, and liberation (moksha) and attachment.
Seeking Swastha helps many to avoid the excessive suffering of stress or conflict because they can feel their relationship within a duality and use it as a portal to resilience or detachment. Swastha doesn’t make life painless but it helps to shift our relationship to pain, affording us an opportunity to learn, grow and live in service (seva).
Importantly, Swastha is a path to optimal health in mind, body and spirit. It offers less disease through more wholesome, nourishing foods that help to keep the body strong and vital – it builds Ojas. It helps us to overcome the mental energy of distraction (rajas) and inertia (tamas) to cultivate clarity (sattva). It creates an opportunity for unity (yoga) between you and the divine energy or spirit that guides you. When we are able to see clearly, the entire world and every experience within it creates a possibility for change, growth and wellbeing.
Attaining “Swastha”
Living in “Swastha”, or as your “higher-Self”, doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process that unfolds organically with time, intention and surrender. Swastha requires openness, acceptance and admitting that perhaps there is always more to learn.
Beginning a journey of “Swastha” does, however, require a willingness to admit that the ego is always present and effortlessly more powerful than the “higher-Self”, which needs to be intentionally remembered and reinforced everyday.
There aren’t “5 Tips to Attain Swastha.” This only begins with a journey of self-discovery in mind, body and spirit.
There are, however, a few simple steps you can take today to start living life more simply as your “higher-Self”:
If you want to learn more about “Swastha” and how to start or reignite your healing journey in mind, body and spirit, contact us at Path Wellbeing.
