Spiral

by Kacee Must, Citizen Yoga Founder + Owner

Winter is a season of self-reflection. The inward gaze is suggested by nature that surrounds us, the bare trees, the grey skies, the darker mornings and evenings, and the quiet as the snow falls. It is nature’s perfect recipe for an introverted mind. Instead of dreading the winter, we must see it as nature providing us an advantage for the mind. The mind is naturally attracted to everything outside of itself, but if you have done study about the yogic journey, you would know that the first step of integrating the body and mind is shifting the direction of the senses from the world to our inner self.

“By drawing our senses of perception inward, we are able to experience the control, silence, and quietness of the mind. This ability to still and gently silence the mind is essential, not only for meditation and the inward journey but also so that the intuitive intelligence can function usefully and in a worthwhile manner in the external world.” - Iyengar, B.K.S.

We take the stillness of the winter so that we can replenish our deep reserves in quiet reflection so that we are ready for the rising and outward energy of the spring and summer. Take the time this season to write, draw, go for a walk in the woods without technology, revisit inspirational texts. If we learn to use the winter as a much needed break, the spiral of self-reflection is not lonely or stagnant, but profound and liberating.

How are you using this time for self-reflection? Has anything new come up from your introspection? Share your experience in the comments below.