Nourishing The Soul

We often go to great lengths to look after our bodies, but what can we do to nourish our souls? Sister Husain provides a crash course.

As we all know, the roots are the most important part of a tree, for they nourish the whole tree. But if you water only one branch, leaf, fruit, or flower, the nourishment does not reach the rest of the tree. When you try to dig the soil, you find roots that look unattractive compared to its beautiful verdant personality outside. But if you disconnect the tree from the root, it no longer is a tree. It becomes wood! The analogy of the tree and the root is a simple one to apply to our own lives. Many of us often feel that despite our talents and abilities, our hard work does not reap us the fruits we expect. Our tree of life, instead of blooming, seems to weigh us down.

The tree of life actually symbolizes our work, relationships, physical health, mental health, etc. So, when we try to manage only one aspect, we attempt to manage only one leaf or one branch. For instance, we may try to manage our relationship with a spouse and then something happens at work. We then get busy trying to resolve that crisis. Then, the markets take a hit, and we are putting all our resources to use in tiding over a financial mess. And just as we are recovering, a relationship with a friend goes awry. That is life in a nutshell for many of us in the 21st century. Despite all our privileges, why do we increasingly find ourselves in a spot? Why does life not unfold with ease? Why do we not have the time or luxury to savour that which we have worked so hard towards?

A very simple answer lies in understanding that perhaps we may not be watering our roots. Our soul is just like the roots of a tree—hidden inside the body. What is visible is this body, the relationships of the body with others, the roles that we play through the body and the possessions that we have acquired through this body. A simple way of bringing back life to its full glory and vitality is to start recognizing, acknowledging and realizing that we are beyond our bodies. And in nourishing our souls, we will be able to recalibrate our lives for seeing best results.

So, how do we nourish our soul? It begins with the recognition that we are ‘beings’ that are separate from our visible bodies. You can start with affirmations that will help re-instate your faith in you as an eternal soul. The soul has the faculties of the mind (mann), the intellect (buddhi), and inherent traits and resolves (sanskar), and it has unlimited capabilities that we often forget about when we only identify with our bodies and the things connected with it. Things begin to change when we work on our soul consciousness.

Affirmation:

I, (the soul) am the living energy in this visible body. The being of love. The being of light. The being of peace, expressing and experiencing the physical world, through this physical body. I must remember that as it is important to nourish the roots, to water the roots if I want the tree to be lush and green, it is as important to nourish and water the soul with peace, love and happiness from the supreme.

When I (the soul) am at peace with myself, I am able to give my best to my relationships and my work. I am able to solve my problems, be creative and take resolute decisions. I spend less time and I achieve more success.

Our most common alibi is that we have too little time and too much to do! What we really need to do is understand our priorities. We always create time for what is easy—our phones, watching our favourite series or going shopping. But we find excuses for what sustains our lives. If you understand that nourishing the self is your top priority, you will make the time no matter how busy you are.

The next question is what is the best time for yourself? When do you take the time out?  What is the best time and what should you do in that time?

The best time I would say is right in the morning when you begin your day. What is the first thing that you do? What is the first thought you have? Is it about your work? Is it about things that happened the previous night? Do you simply begin checking your emails or switch on the TV or start talking to people or just get to work? Now, assess how you could do things differently. What are the changes that you can bring into your morning routine?

Take a pause. In fact, pausing at any time of the day, even when you’re burdened with things, equips you to handle the situation better. Don’t wait to start on a perfect day. The time is Now. Life is Now.

As soon as you wake up, you could start your day with 10–15 minutes of silence. Resist the urge to check your phone. Do not think of work. This is your exclusive ‘me time’ in which to cherish your beautiful company.

So how should you think? And what should you think? One of the first words to yourself should be a positive reminder about who you are in essence.

Affirmation: I am a peaceful being of light. I am a soul. I am a child of God. I am a being who is separate from this body, its responsibilities and the roles that I play though this body.

I am light and free.

Create a thought of peace, of love and experience God who is also a being of light just like you — an ocean of peace and love. Feel his energy and his light nourishing you.

Affirmation: I am connected to the supreme through my mind. I am ready to begin my day. I know that no matter what, I am more powerful than my situation. Nothing and no one has the power to take my peace away. I am a being of peace.

I know that I have the support, I have the power. I will be able to accomplish anything I set my mind to. I am not seeking in my relationships. I am more understanding and ever ready to give love and support. I do not get disturbed when things around me don’t happen as per my wish. I do not seek nourishment from the physical world. I have shifted my consciousness from the physical to the spiritual. I have connected my mind to God who is an unlimited ocean of spiritual powers.

Brahma Kumari Husain’s morning meditation is available on The Positive Podcast

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