30th May 2022
I have not written in a while despite meaning to do so, and so we reach number 10. Quite often we can feel locked in a certain way unable to progress. To listening to those who are greater (standing on shoulders of giants), travelling, watching myself and others, has helped me gain a little insight into how I act, feel and think. After talking deeply to one of my close friends I was able to consolidate into words what I was forming in thoughts. Some simple keys a human can use to help themselves spiral upwards.
Before I share these keys. What we also discussed was in our minds we have some limited insight. However upon meeting another we can enter what the Greeks called ‘dialogue’, coming from the ancient word logos. Put simply, two minds come to meet each other in conversation and venture into unknown abstract, that is not reach by just oneself. In the abstract, new creative solutions are formed, ideas are born and a reality can be realised. This realised abstraction can then be brought back into the individuals and created. The individuals then leave the conversation with something more, something deeper than they entered. The sum becomes greater than the parts.
All these keys are obvious but simple. It goes to the root of who we are as humans and are so natural, it is surprising that we lost them and are disconnected from the basics. However when laid out it is obvious that by not paying attention to the basics it causes individuals, families and who communities to become dysfunctional The first 3 keys that help me and hope help others are based internally in oneself. These 3 keys are what you can do to yourself focusing inwards. The most important key that sits upon the rest being sleep.
Sleep is fundamental to all living organisms on this planet. It replenishes us, rejuvenates us, lessens our chance of cancer, stroke, disease, slows aging, improves memory, helps with mental, physical, emotional stress. It is natures miracle cure and yet…as a society we are desensitised to it. We cut, chop and trim it down as if it is something we can compromise. No other animal delays sleep on purpose like humans do. It is not natural but rather a symptom of our disconnectedness.
I am currently listening to the book ‘Why We Sleep‘. I find it shocking that I also needed to understand the science to be shocked rather than just the experience of having not slept enough. Sticking to the basics, we should follow our natural sleep cycle and circadian rhythm how we evolved to be. 8 hours of sleep, meaning at least 15 minutes in bed prior. Less exposure of unnatural ‘junk’ light before bed which messes up our body clock, you know what I mean late night phone users! Of course, daylight exposure to the sun to keep our body clock how it is meant to be. Rising the with sun & nature and gently falling back into slumber as the sun dips below the horizon. It’s simple but so powerful. That’s mother nature for you 🙂 Without this basic key we can pretty much forget the rest it is so fundamental to our whole being.
The second and third keys being food and movement in nature. How do we nourish our bodies? Are we sensitive to what we put in them then complain later on about our diseases or why we feel bad? This awareness is crucial, the basics are known by all, plant based, no processed reduce fats and sugar and eat balanced with plenty of water, nothing fancy or expensive.
I did not put the word ‘exercise’ as at least moving is something compared to our sedentary lifestyle sitting in front of a computer or TV for hours without moving. Movement both aerobic and strength straining does so much for our bodies cells I could not possibly put into words. Forward motion decreases cortisol in the brain, the fractals/patterns in nature do so too. Looking at horizons slows down myopia (short sightedness) for developing, being in nature get you outside the compulsive thinking mind and lets you see reality beyond the confines of the 4 walls of the room you are in. Unlock your door, and unlock the prison of your mind into nature. We have evolved for it and it has evolved to nourish us (besides the dangerous tigers and poisons plants).
The next 3 keys you may use to upwards spiral focus externally. Firstly, deepen your relationships with family and friends. It’s quality not quantity. Deepen through honesty, through facing uncomfortable situations through patience and listening. This will make you come outside your own mind chatter, become more empathetic and less selfish. You will hear how others think, the joy and love that comes from a deep relationship is deeply fulfilling. The emotional and mental support this brings is so powerful. It is so natural as a human in contrast to phones at a dinner table and one locking one selves in their own rooms, detached. You will uplift them and they will uplift you, we have evolved for social connection and to be a part of the jigsaw puzzle. To dance the dance of a relationship and learn together on the journey.
The next key is service to others with no expectation of return. This is completely humbling, fulfilling and makes an impactful difference in a practical way. Through service you are totally taken out of self absorption. How to improve myself, make myself better and so on, and instead balance that energy and share it with others. You will not need to prove yourself to anyone as you serve others and ask for nothing in return.
The last key is very fulfilling. This key is creative flow. What ever gets you into the flow – art, music, writing, editing, sewing, building, dancing. This is a deep expression of your inner most fire and passion to the world. Express this and you will feel so released and relieved. It takes some energy and mental space to do so sometimes but making space for this has a huge effect on an upwards spiral. This is so unique to each person which makes it invaluable and beautiful. The abstract that I mentioned earlier flows through the creator the create something meaningful full with energy and depth.
Michael Jackson was asked something like this – how do you write music where does it come from. He responded I don’t do anything I just step out the way, the music writes itself. “Thinking is the biggest mistake a dancer could make”, “artists seem to get in the way of the music.” That is true creative flow. Note this is completely sperate form his personality. It is a state of mind. Getting into that flow state has so many scientific, psychological benefits as well. This includes increased happiness, higher intrinsic motivation, greater creativity, and better emotional regulation.
Bruce Lee practiced martial art – an art. He also said profound statement an interview I would recommend you watch. Like Michael Jackson he also seems to realise that the thought filter that the mind puts onto the world is not real but is only a veil that masks the true one reality. “Empty your mind, be formless, like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend”
Water is not rigid or stubborn or assumes an identity, but thought does so, they trap us in certain strong loops that we can’t see through. Later we can look back and regret how we were so consumed by the thought in our mind. When in reality it is a cloud floating though the sky of our mind, or a car driving though the country road, after passing peaceful silence returns. Sadly one of my personally liked Punjabi singers Sidhu Moosewala who was an excellent lyricist and had deep flow was shot dead yesterday driving his car at only 28. This exemplifies the insanity and desensitisation that can be caused by being strongly identified with the thought and emotions in ones head. So far removed from the sensitivity of the childhood mind. To the point of taking another humans life.
Art and music etc can be viewed by academies and institutes as technical and objective completely obscuring the reality of the music through metrics and measurements. As one story goes “once you hit all the notes perfectly then you are ready to start playing the instrument”. Each instrument is played differently according to the users unique expression when played in that way, then it is exalted to an art. Something that is not objectified by the thinking mind but rather experienced subjectively.
The selfless service to others when combined with your creative energy flow and directed to your family and friends can be a powerful external mechanism that can propel you and those surrounding you upwards. I believe this instils and outputs deep inspiration, high energy and passion.
The keys can be used to help yourself slowly but surely. However, they can also be used to recognise the opposite – when you are moving downwards. This is powerful as you can realise and bring curious awareness to what is causing the surface imbalance and irritation in your life. Focusing on one for example, very simply: am I sleeping enough, why am I not sleeping and so on.
When we hold these keys in our hands and can use them at our will. We can unlock our true potential from the prison of the mind. As the iceman says ‘the captain of your ship, the master of your soul’.
-Jhoty
Jhoty 