The Truth About Movement & Awareness

When we question our lifestyle and beliefs (thoughts), willing to change our minds and find out who we really are, we begin to taste freedom.

I’m just realising this perspective after reading several sacred texts and experiencing life from another point view. Although my family didn’t teach me any of these things I know now, their catholic answers made me begin this journey to dig deeper and find convincing answers about my existence.

Yoga and meditation have helped me to unveil parts of the hidden truth. However, even when we think we already found the truth, life can surprise you… The truth seems to have many levels of understanding and it can change from person to person. So, please read this lines carefully. I hope these ideas only serve you to awaken the sacred curiosity you need to begin your journey towards freedom.

Freedom is a complex concept, it can mean many things really, however, I see true freedom as the capacity to realise who you really are, to be self-aware of your own thoughts and know that YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU THINK (although you tend to attract what you’re thinking about). Here is when everything begins to make sense. I made this drawing to express my perspective, in other words, my level of truth (which I’m sure is subject to change) at any time. This journey seems almost infinite.

Self Awareness – I am:
This phrase is in the middle of the board because is the main reason of my existence, to be able to explore who I really am in the world. In my case, I think that I am spiritual being (living in a female body) playing a role in society. Again, this is just a thought, a perspective I chose to believe. I consider this my inner truth, and this perception can’t be fully expressed using words. Considering this personal point of view, I presume other humans beings must be the same as me.
All of us seem to be trying to make sense of our own existence. How? Most of us agree to do it through our belief systems (consciously or unconsciously), we all do it, that’s perfectly fine. And these beliefs need to be based on something solid. Let’s say that the 3 most common pillars in people’s life are: Your studies – Your job – Your creative project.

So we play our society roles through these and many others… We are free to choose how to play our roles as we wish. If we don’t play a role related to any of these 3 pillars, at least we play a role in our family or friends group. That’s the common way we organise our life in modern society. No problem with that.
What about Body Movement then? Why is it highlighted like that on the board? Because Movement is a GIFT. We experience life through our bodies. When we were children, we were in touch with our own body on a deeper level. We felt its needs and gave it what it wanted (as much as we could or adults allow to) following a sacred connection with it. We grew up and started judging not only our own bodies but others people’s bodies as well. Our external image became an important aspect of our life, we gave movement for granted. Sadly, we became attached to external stimulus and forgot the true purpose of this sacred gift.

I would say that Movement is one of the most obvious equivalents of LIFE. We move with our physical body all the time, however, we forgot how to connect with it. We get sick because we’re not being aware of the signs our body is sending us before being severe ill. We need to learn again to enjoy the movement that our body allow us to perform. We need to release the tension we hold in our bodies, and our mind is the key to achieving this.

There’s movement coming from our minds as well as our emotions. These are like subtle bodies we need to be aware of in order to let go of tension and mindfully enjoy the gift that has been given to us: Movement.

Movement leads to stillness and stillness to movement, like the waves of the ocean, they are two and one at the same time. Movement and stillness are part of our nature on so many levels…

That’s why my passion for yoga has increased so much over the last years. When you start exploring your body through sequences of movement (and stillness), you know you’re releasing tension, but you also realise there are many layers of awareness still to unveil. Many philosophies agree: Being fully aware of your physical body, mind and emotions is just the beginning of a magnificent journey towards freedom and self-realisation.