Vrtti's: Sleep or Nidra

As we continue our exploration of the vrtti’s or the internal activities that roam about the heart/mind space, we come to the fourth vrtti which is sleep or nidra.

Let us simply consider the importance of the quality of our rest and how we can improve upon it, so as to build the foundation of our days, and ultimately, our lives from a place of tranquility and surrender.

Sadly we live in a society where we are subject to incessant programming. Just by driving in our cars we are slapped in the face with billboards, bumper stickers, and ads, all telling us what food to eat, what latest surgical procedure will fix us, and what lawyer to call when that procedure goes awry. So very much is thrown at us every single day, coming from every single direction, and if it isn’t someone trying to buy us, sell us, or hustle us, then there is no shortage of complaints being spewed out by society to get lost within. By days end, most of us are winded, wounded, and overwhelmed by superficiality and underwhelmed by virtuous intent for our genuine well being. 

While sleep is certainly of significance, perhaps it could be considered secondary to the choices we make during our waking state that will either help or hinder our actual snooze time. What if five minutes of sitting in silence and stillness was as important as checking our social media? What if we no longer use our lunch breaks to fill ourselves with more programs that we will just have to de-program ourselves from? What if instead of watching the news and violence on the boob tube, we choose to sit and watch our own thoughts and observe their effect on our state of inner peace? 

Patience, perspective, and possibility are all born from the love affair we have with rest. Two minutes of breathing, listening to the birds, and looking up at the sky, can be like ten cups of coffee sans the jitters and stained teeth. Five minutes of journaling, yoga-ing, or nestling your bare feet into our Earth mamma can be like the ultimate exhale after metaphorically holding your breath for what might have felt like an eternity. 

We get to guide the rhythm of rest to align with the beat of our own hearts. For to march in sync with our innate purity, will no doubt, provide us with the most divine, life-giving energy ever, decked out with passion, entangled in purpose, and sprinkled with play.

Muchas Gracias my friends,

I am so grateful for you and your attention. As always my message is never to be a “telling” but an offering of which you can take what inspires you and leave what does not. May this message be one that gifts you more moments of peace in your day than purgatory.

Blessings,

Andrea Dawn