Article: A Holistic Lifestyle – Finding the Balance in Your Mandala
I believe I have always been drawn to a Holistic life, I just didn’t know what one looked like. I believe it all began with a gradual opening of my spiritual life. The need to fill the “hole in the soul” was so evident for me in my life. I had “hit a bottom” on many levels --- stressed, emotionally dead, migraines, no exercise, and everyone’s life was moving along except mine – I felt frozen. I needed help! So, I asked for it! Gradually, with the help of many “angels” I learned to connect with my inner self, I was able to get in touch with my emotions.
I found out then that my body was very deeply connected with my emotions. My body needed to move and I discovered yoga. Yoga brought me total body awareness and as time passed it has taught me how to breathe and much more about life and me. My mind began to quiet down by meditating and I was beginning to feel wholeness. My being, by becoming more aware at a spiritual level, lead me to all parts of my Self. These parts, mind, body, emotions and spirit, I found, are interdependent and today, I make choices to bring my being into balance.
I could not find any accepted definitions for holistic, holistic health, or holistic medicine. Most usage falls within two common definitions: Holistic as a whole made up of interdependent parts. You are most likely to hear these parts referred to as 1) the mind/body connection, 2) mind/body/spirit, or 3) physical/mental/emotional/spiritual aspects. Holistic as a synonym for alternative therapies. When this meaning is applied to illness, it includes a number of factors, such as, 1) dealing with the root cause of an illness, 2) increasing patient involvement, and 3) considering both conventional (allopathic) and complementary (alternative) therapies.
What I would like to talk about is the expanded perspective of holistic, considering the whole person and the whole situation. When approaching your life holistically, the whole person is involved and considered in how he or she interacts with his or her environment. I like to use the four parts of mind, body, emotions and spirit. I believe to achieve maximum well being, where everything is functioning the very best that is possible, we start accepting responsibility for our own level of well-being, and everyday choices are used to take charge of one’s own life.
I like to use the metaphor of a Mandala. Mandala is the Sanskrit term for circle and the circle is the universal symbol of wholeness. It is an image of the egg that we are all born from, of the blue-green world we live upon, of the circle of the year, going from spring to summer, to fall to winter and then back to spring again.
Using the Mandala as an image of the Self and dividing it into four parts, placing your mind, body, emotions and spirit separately into each, you will see that each part is interconnected. If one of these parts were to disappear or be erased, there would be a hole, an emptiness, a space. When we neglect one part of the Mandala (the Self) it sets off an imbalance. For instance, if we stopped physically moving our body, not eating the right kinds of foods, drinking enough water, our body would suffer and it would let you know by getting weak, depressed or ill. When this imbalance occurs it affects our well being internally and externally.
Each day one might take a look in the morning to see how you will be connecting with your mind, body, emotions, and spirit throughout your day or week. Here are some questions you might ask:
Mind
Will I be reading a book that stimulates my mind today? Am I taking classes or workshops that interest me and are helping me grow personally and professionally? Am I listening and hearing other people and allowing a broader perspective come into play for me? Am I giving myself time to develop my own ideas? And then time to let both of those to synthesize for me?
I am an avid learner of non-traditional modalities rather than traditional educational route and also take time for meditation to quiet my mind and have developed a community of like-minded people.
Body
How will I physically move my body today? Have I tried different ways that fit my body and me? Am I willing to try something different? What nutritious foods will I eat today? Fruits, vegetables, protein, and plenty of water? Will I limit sugar, fats and fast food? Will I allow for a nap or quiet time today?
I have learned through the years that I enjoy walking and taking yoga classes in a studio. Not everyone enjoys treadmills, weights and gyms. I have found that taking little steps in regard to letting go of particular foods is a good way to start. I let go of red meat 5 years ago and have gradually let go of chicken. I have found that taking little steps in regard to letting go of particular foods is a good way to start. I am also a big fan of naps. Saturday and Sunday are my dedicated nap days – 2 hours at least. I have learned the hard way about my need for quiet time. I need more than the average person. Quiet time for me is not optional for me to lead a balanced life.
Emotions
Am I OK with how I am feeling today? Are there feelings that I want to express today I have been holding on to? Do I have lots of people in my life today to express them with? If not, is there someone I can call that will listen and not judge? Am I willing to try journal writing? Am I able to get in touch with my joy, sadness and anger, and, if not, am I taking appropriate steps to handle this? Will I be spending time with people today that love, encourage and support me?
If no one is available, I usually whip my journal out and write. Writing always helps me get pretty clear about the feelings.
Spirit
Will I tap into my inner guidance today? Will I do this through prayer, meditation, while I am walking, running, in my yoga practice? What can I do today creative today that I haven’t done in a long time? Is there a new church or synagogue or meditation group I have been meaning to check out? What am I doing when I am not aware of time passing, when I look up at the clock and a couple of hours have passed by and I can’t believe it?
Creating something, anything for me is another way I tap into my inner guidance. I might create a new Mandala, write an article or create a new yoga class to teach. All of these enliven my spirit.
Here are a couple of quotes from two of my dearest friends when asked, “What does leading a holistic lifestyle mean to you?”
“Holistic Living for me means creating a life that is true to who I am as Soul, a life that follows my personal mission and purpose for this lifetime. This “way of living” encompasses all aspects of my life including my relationship with myself and others, my personal time, how I choose to make money, my spiritual life, everything.”
Laura Erdman-Luntz
“We are living a holistic life when we put energy toward each of the four components of the self – mind, body, emotions and spirit. When we integrate these components and then express them both internally and externally, we create a whole self.”
Carol Kurtz Walsh
If you have been wanting more balance in your life and the holistic way resonates with you, try a few of the tips mentioned above, a holistic center in your community or contact me! By taking little steps each day you can begin to bring the mind, body, emotions and spirit toward wholeness and you will be able to find the balance in your Mandala.
Rixie L. Dennison
Holistic Lifestyle Coach
“Balancing Mind, Body, Emotions and Spirit”