Where is the balance between care of self and care of
others?
Via | Sid Jordan | March 26th 2020
Many people who attend our Meditation and Wellness seminars share that their
motivation for participating is related to hitting the reset button and taking better
care of themselves. Many often relate that they are overworked and overwhelmed
with caring for others. Some are going through relationship changes that require
grieving losses and then finding new sources of relatedness. Upon a closer look
many reveal that they have been in denial of their own needs, physically,
emotionally, socially and spiritually.
When we examine where to begin, we realize that first we must slow down and
listen to our bodies and inner dialogue. Our silent meditation programs with yoga
and meditation create a space for an introspective process that enhances self-
awareness on many levels. The self-knowledge acquired reconnects us with our
intuition, which reveals what simultaneously best serves others and us. The decision
to attend a retreat for self-care is often supported by a friend or family member.
This is a gift we can offer others and ourselves.
Many of us may not have yet fully embraced a program of self-care. Our busy
culture may not support talking care of ourselves and in many instances views self
care as selfishly motivated. Where is the balance between care of self and care of
others? The analogies of balancing care of self and others need a more expansive
metaphor. Perhaps first “know thy self”.
The golden rule, “treat others as we would have them treat us“ benevolently
presumes we know what we and others need. Henry David Thoreau once said that,
“If people are coming to help me, let me know in advance so that I can hide behind
my wood shed.” If we are first clearer about our own needs, then we might be
better able to discern what others need.
This is a first in a series of blogs on self-care. The next article will continue with
expanding on recommendations for physical, mental, social and spiritual practices
that enhance balancing care of self and others.
Namaskar,
Sid Jordan, Staff
In 1994 he moved to Asheville NC to develop an eco-village to support the service community of Ananda Girisuta (Blissful Daughter of the Mountain) on the French Broad River near Marshall, NC. In 1997 he trained to be an Ananda Marga Family Acarya (Yoga Teacher) in India committed to giving personal instructions in meditation and yoga. He currently serves as president of the Ananda Marga Gurukula Inc. Board in the US, supporting Neohumanist Education k-colleges worldwide. He is Director of the Prama Institute on the Ananda Girisuta property where he helps direct programing and teaches yoga psychology and spiritual practices. At the Prama Wellness Center he teaches yoga therapy and stress management to individuals and groups. He continues to offer his 40 years of experience and teaching of yoga psychology, philosophy and practices to audiences worldwide.
Additional Blogs!
Finding Unity – Within & Without
You may be familiar with the story of the elephant and the six blind men, or a similar tale. As they inspect the elephant, each of the six men gain a different understanding of what the elephant is according to what they touch. One feels a wall, another a hose, a fan,...
Sattvic Recipe: Suran Kofta and Tomato Curry by Chef Sweet Baby James
A special Sattvic diet recipe prepared for Prama Institute and Wellness Center by Chef Sweet Baby James of Blue Dream Curry House.
4 Ways to Get into a Higher Gear
Last week, I wrote about a different way to think about rationalization. In the summer of 1990, my Teacher explained it as a specific faculty or ability of the mind. It is a mental process that can help the mind become more efficient and effective by eliminating...
Finding Unity – Within & Without
You may be familiar with the story of the elephant and the six blind men, or a similar tale. As they inspect the elephant, each of the six men gain a different understanding of what the elephant is according to what they touch. One feels a wall, another a hose, a fan,...
Sattvic Recipe: Suran Kofta and Tomato Curry by Chef Sweet Baby James
A special Sattvic diet recipe prepared for Prama Institute and Wellness Center by Chef Sweet Baby James of Blue Dream Curry House.
Let’s get the Mind into high(er) Gear
In one of the last major lectures by my Teacher in 1990, he emphasized the importance of rationalization. He was speaking about developing the mind and how rationalization would help in this effort. Many of us were confused to say the least. We usually think of...
Finding Unity – Within & Without
You may be familiar with the story of the elephant and the six blind men, or a similar tale. As they inspect the elephant, each of the six men gain a different understanding of what the elephant is according to what they touch. One feels a wall, another a hose, a fan,...
Sattvic Recipe: Suran Kofta and Tomato Curry by Chef Sweet Baby James
A special Sattvic diet recipe prepared for Prama Institute and Wellness Center by Chef Sweet Baby James of Blue Dream Curry House.
Other Blogs Posts
The Power of Juice Fasting
Juice cleanse programs offer multiple health benefits, including reducing stress, improving the digestive system, helping to deal with chronic diseases, or simply losing weight.
Seven Ways to Avoid Yoga Injuries
While yoga injuries are not at all as frequent as bicycle injuries or soccer injuries, for example, they do sometimes happen, and it is important to be careful. Here are seven tips to prevent injuries.
12 Scientific Reasons Why a Spring Juice Fast is Healthy
Spring is here. It’s the time of the year when I tell people it’s good to do a juice cleanse. But then some of them will ask: is there any scientific evidence that a juice cleanse is effective? They may also ask me what actually happens to the body when we practice intermittent fasting.
Why it’s Better to Eat Carrots Rather than Cows
The Coronavirus is sweeping the globe at a fast rate. The Prama Institute and Wellness Center has come up with a list of several ways to strengthen your immune system naturally. The digestive system has two functions: to absorb nutrients and to eliminate what the body does not need or want—its toxic waste. So, making sure these two functions are working optimally is the key to good health and a strong immune system.