Oh boy...this is my jam! I am a full nerdy academic type, so I love nothing more than having a pen and notebook in my hand, taking notes furiously as I LEARN, LEARN, LEARN something new, or often, some new, delicious perspective on something that gives it (and me) new life and fire.
Svadhyaya is the Yogic path, a sacred path, of self-study and reflection. You don't have to be an academic to pursue this path. This path is all about really stopping to think and reflect on your perspectives and to learn, listen and read as much as you possibly can to inform this, not because you have to, but because you desire to. This practice helps you to really discern information, to practice critical thinking, to examine different perspectives and viewpoints instead of just acting or believing impulsively from a limited perspective or experience. YES!!!
This is not always pleasant, because it requires deep digging. This would be Socrates' favorite Yoga Niyama, I think, because it's all about questioning everything, not taking anything you think you know for granted, but truly knowing it in your heart and soul because you've REALLY reflected on it, wrestled with it, churned it and made it yours. This helps us see more clearly, authentically and with that "engaged detachment" that Buddhists like to talk about.
Of course, we want to be mindful not to get so obsessed with our head's learning that we forget our heart's connection (a constant check for most of us academics, I think). Svadhyaya is not about being Mr. Know-It-All, it's about helping us better investigate what and why we see things the way we do, to understand and appreciate how others do the same and to hone our strengths and be honest about the aspects we need to work on.
Gandhi said it was our "sacred duty" to study all of the world's wisdom scriptures. He read from the New Testament, the Qu'ran and the Bhagavad Gita daily. Lately, I've been in a spirit-led devouring of religious scripture. I just can't get enough. I'm scribbling notes and diving deep, reevaluating a lot of what I've assumed in the past. It's a bit scary. It's weird at times. But it's so, so good. And so joyful.
Everyone in my area is aware of, or has been directly impacted by the multiple tornadoes that hit our area last week. We've all been recovering, either physically or emotionally/spiritually (or both). It is truly miraculous that with all of the destruction, there was such little impact to human life. Most of what is being dealt with now is the material loss and starting over. According to the scriptures I've been reading lately, this is a time for us to be grateful and for us to act. To serve as God's hands and HELP however we can. From the smallest gesture/token to grand ones, we are all in this.
"(Because of this distress)...you're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more referent, more human, more passionate, more responsible...you've come out of this with purity of heart." 2 Cor.7:9-13
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial." James 1:12
"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." Ephesians 3:16
"Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Matthew 22:39
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