Margoshka and the Infinite Process

How do you keep yourself fresh, not just on the outside but within?

What is it that makes you decide to push through?
What is it that keeps you running around doing extremely important things without taking time to rest?
What is it that de-prioritizes relaxation, exercise, nutrition and support?
What is it that pushes ideology and convinces you that until you fix everything that’s wrong with the world you cannot fully exhale?
What is it that keeps you from falling asleep as you run through your to-do list over and over and over again?
What is it that makes you believe that the health and happiness of the world is more important than your own personal health and happiness?
What is it that says “I know I should exercise, but…”
What is it that pushes you to your breaking point without remorse?
What is it that makes you binge eat, procrastinate, sleep all day and feel ashamed of yourself?
What is it that heaps blame on you for allowing yourself to get burnt out when there are so many important meetings / marches / rallies / events to organize / attend?
What is it that pushes self-care to the bottom of the priorities list?

Is it the ego?

Offering

In order for our activism to be sustainable we must become aware of the ego, accept the ego, make friends with the ego, and gently loosen its grip on our thoughts and actions.

The Urban Sangha Project,

with the Meditation Working Group of Occupy Wall Street and the Interdependence Project,

presents

a new weekly class starting this Thursday at 12noon

Sustainable Activism: Tools of Self-Care

In this class we will use the tools of yoga and meditation to contact the eternal ever-loving core of our existence.

Self-care is not a one shot deal, but a lifetime’s journey to take excellent care of your one precious divine self so that you may share your power, vigor and love with others.  We cannot heal the world without healing ourselves.  We cannot accept and love the world without finding ways to continuously accept and love our temporal impermanent tender and aching selves.

Cool Waters

Each of us has access to precious resources.  We must nurture and nourish those springs of inspiration within so that all may benefit from the healing.

The ego is not bad, is not the enemy.  Step away from the struggle and step into the light.  Make the choice today to honor the truth of your being.  Dare to give to yourself the compassion and freedom of self-care.  Honoring truth you cannot go wrong.

Not to imply this is easy.  Not easy.  Never easy.  Until one day it becomes as natural as breathing. Maybe.

Self-Care, the Chameleon

Whether it’s going for a walk or a run, taking a kickboxing class or a long soak in the tub, lighting candles and sitting in prayer or reading a chapter from your favorite book, a hot cup of tea, a delicious bowl of soup, an afternoon nap, or a long overdue phone call to a dear friend, self-care can take many forms.

Can you allow yourself the opportunity to discover what it is you need?  This is an inner-revolution, activism for the soul.  And each of us gets a gold star for even thinking about it.

I’m sending out hearty waves of encouragement from my fresh little self to yours.  Take a moment to ponder, what does self-care mean to me?  And if so moved please share your thoughts in the comments below.

One love.

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#OccupySamsara is a column dedicated to the heartfelt yearning for all sentient beings to be safe, happy, healthy, and free from suffering.  Samsara is a Sanskrit word used by Buddhists to describe the cyclical nature of our own and societal suffering and dissatisfaction.

Follow me on Twitter to continue the conversation.

The Thursday 12-1:30pm Sustainable Activism class is open to all change-makers, everyone who is working in service to the community.  No experience necessary.  Come as you are.

Tagged: #OccupySamsara, activist burn-out, ego, meditation, self care, yoga