Truly successful people have certain energy. They are happy because they are engaged in work that they love doing. My definition of successful person is someone who has tapped into their personal, divine motivation and built a career out of it. They get pleasure out of serving people in a pleasurable and profitable way.
What a wonderful thought: Happy people working to make other people happier while expressing their own individual way of earning their income and engaging in work they love! Work being joy must be what Edison knew when he said, "Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." If we are motivated by that 1% inspiration, we enjoy the perspiration. If we aren't, then our work can become 100% drudgery, and that definitely leads to "burn out." However, even divine inspirations can become drudgery if we don't understand and practice certain emotional, spiritual and energy bodies in balance.
In addition to the surge of well-being that satisfied clients give us, as well as doing what we love, we must ultimately come to realize the unique qualities of our energy. It is smart to recognize that being in the presence of people can either be a source of nourishment or can drain us. When the nourishment is happening, we can go on and on. But when we are drained by people for too long, we become ill or burned out. So why not begin simple practices, everyday, that will support the nourishment of your body and energy and mind.
The following are simple practices using the basic elements of the universe-earth, air, water, and fire–and meditation/prayer that I learned from a great western yogi teacher, Leonard Orr.
Earth Element
Any type of daily movement-like walking around your block once a day; being engaged in any type of work you love; and food mastery. Since you are the scientist of your body, you can experiment with fasting for one meal to begin. You can eat only fruit for one meal or for the entire day. You can gradually increase the length of your fast if you want to cleanse your system and give your digestive system a rest. You'll love your break-fast in the morning! Just remember you fast for pleasure not denial.
Air Element
Take notice of your breathing. Learn simple breathing exercises. You can do the "20 Connected Breaths" exercise which Leonard Orr created for Americans who want to do everything, in 30 seconds. Just take 4 short breaths, connecting your inhales to your exhales with no gaps or holding in between and then 1 full breath. Repeat this sequences 4 times. Whatever you feel is energy. And if you feel dizzy, it may be indicator that you are usually underbreathing.
Water Element
The simple act of bathing daily can be profound. Bathe or shower in the morning an immediately on returning home at he end of your day. It is a wonderful way to wash off the psychic dirt we accumulate during the day.
Turn the shower to a little cool water just when your are finished. This seals your energy centers (chakras) and helps you keep balance a little longer.
Fire Element
Fire means sun awareness, candle gazing, or sitting before an open fire. Better still, sleeping in front of an open flame. The energy of fire extends beyond the fire itself and can be felt on your body and in your aura (the energy field surrounding your body). I especially use fire after I have given a workshop, when I feel ill or plagued with negative thinking, fear, doubt, disappointment or confusion. It always burns away the "downside" of life's' experiences. Fire is also a cure for "burn-out," which just means your are overloaded by work and people. Hanging out infront of a fire will do wonders for you.
Meditation and Prayer
Setting aside quiet time for yourself or going to a special location that is peaceful and quiet is another simple way of purifying or cleansing your thoughts and connecting with your heart. When we are in the right relationship with ourselves and with God/Universe, all of our relationships are better and our life seems to flow.
The practices are simple and can only be experienced through direct experience. Just thinking about it cannot give you the same results. You might do a 30-day experiment and begin with one or more or these practice. The positive results will be in your thinking, your feeling body and in the results you are easily able to create in your life.
I also strongly recommend you set aside a full day, preferably one-day a week, to be completely alone and NOT be involved in your usual work. If this seems impossible with your busy life, start with setting aside 3 hours just for you and then gradually expand this time. Just take time out from the world–read, work in the garden, wonder, rest, write letters to your loving friends and family, or write in your journal. This practice helps me tremendously. I think about my next project or next day's events. I turn down the answering machine and review it at the end of the day, which is usually Sunday. When you do this in the presence of fire you get a multitude of benefits. I always get my best business ideas during this time–the inspirations just spontaneously come.
© Yashoda Susan Deschenes
(Yashoda Susan Deschenes has been teaching Energy Breathing for 14 years and has provided training throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South Africa. She is the mother of 4 beautiful daughters and 1 BEAUTIFUL grandson.)