The Art of You

"Deep within us, there is something profoundly known, not consciously, but subconsciously; a quiet truth, that is not a version of something, but an original knowing. What this absolute truth [identity] is may be none of our business ... but it is there, guiding us along the path of greater becoming; a true awareness. It is so self-sustaining that our recognition of it is not required. We are offspring of such a powerfully divine force – Creator of all things known and unknown."

— T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with "The Divine Presence" Ericka Brian

You hold the strength of the mountains and the tranquility of the sea. As you explore the art of you, I encourage you to release any perceptions that you've cultivated of yourself. Your perceptions of yourself have heavily influenced your experiences through your thoughts and choices. Give yourself permission to dive into the art of you. Find the foundation in your value and purpose as you shift into your higher self.

"Higher self" is an expression that I will use to describe you in the purest form of yourself — the one who leads with an open heart and a kind mind; the one who is aware of the influences of the emotional mind or the world yet mindfully chooses to live a life full of intention and purpose.

Finding your value can be simple. You are a child of a creator. Whether you want to limit your existence to the physical senses of this world or beyond into the spiritual realm, you have been created to exist in your own creative way. You have unique talents, abilities, and passions that no one else has. It is your responsibility, as an awake being, to share your unique talents, abilities, and passions. There are things in this world that only you will be able to do. Nature, including the people of this world, has waited for your arrival. Yes, you are that magnificent! Therefore, don't waste your life energy on distractions that keep you from expressing your unique gifts or manipulate your physical form hoping to be noticed. Know that in this moment, you are enough. The world is awaiting for you to shine your light.

Some known distractions that might be in your way: watching pornography, overindulging in physical objects, accumulating without giving, holding on to experiences, and/or being dishonest.

Following the Ten Commandments and the eight limbs of yoga by Patanjali has guided me to shift into a higher state of myself and to explore my value and purpose according to the wisdom of the commandments and limbs. Each person is precious in the eyes of his or her conscious creator, so we have been given the tools and guidance to live lives full of value and purpose. I understand that there are many people who struggle with the concept of believing in a God or creator. Give yourself permission to release any ideals you have developed over the years and take time to reflect on each commandment and limb. When you can release ideals you have developed, you give yourself space to reflect. Then ask yourself these questions: What does this mean to me? Can I see myself benefiting from this commandment or limb?

Below I will list the commandments and eight limbs of yoga giving you my reflection on each one.

The Ten Commandments

As a Mormon, I use the version of the Ten Commandments found on www.LDS.org, which is a great resource for finding doctrines, spiritual talks, and music to fill your soul.

1. "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me"

In church, we are told that our God is a jealous God and that we must only praise him. That didn't resonate too well with me. Therefore, I began to explore this understanding and what it meant for me. I learned that by believing in multiple gods, I was becoming spiritually exhausted. I was praising all that I had come to know, yet I felt the need to continue to seek because something within was not complete. I found myself in spiritual discontentment and formed an unstable foundation. With an unstable foundation, I was more likely to cave to temptations that would lead me away from the purest form of myself.

2. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"

When making graven images, we become distracted by what has been created. For example, we may be distracted by the sex or the perceived nationality of the image created. We should look within through prayer in order to connect with the source of all that is.

3. "Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy God in vain"

It's important we never take any name in vain or use harming or derogatory language. When I've used a derogatory expression, it has felt empty or fueled with negative emotion. We have the responsibility, as conscious beings, to respect all that is for what it is. Use your precious words wisely. May your words and expressions be fueled with love, compassion, and understanding.

4. "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy"

Taking one day out of the week to intentionally be spiritual has been a blessing. I was once working seven days a week. I had very little time to fill my spiritual cup, which was compromising my foundations; I found myself weak when I came face-to-face with temptation. Taking the day off from work to practice my faith and be with my family has given me a beautiful perspective on life. I choose to slow down and enjoy time with my family. I do my best to try to infuse the understanding of Sabbath to all the days of the week, encouraging me to slow down and be in the light of my heavenly Father.

5. "Honor thy father and mother"

Honoring those who gave us life gives us the gift of humility. There were times I didn't agree with my parents or the choices they made. My grandmother would tell me, "Love them anyway." "Love them anyway" were words I lived by for all encounters. See if you can forgive and love those closest to you; then you can forgive and love those who come and go.

6. "Thou shalt not kill"

For obvious reasons, we don't ever want to cause anyone pain or death, no matter what they have done to us.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Oh adultery, a pain that can last a lifetime once inflicted. I know this pain all too well and would not wish it on the meanest person I know. I really don't see the point in engaging in such acts. What I do know is a person who does commit adultery is feeling desperate. One significant other shared that the reason why he cheated two times was because he needed validation that he was attractive. The third time was because he fell in love, but that love, unfortunately, only lasted two weeks. As much as I wished to help him with my words and body, I knew that the level of sadness and desperation lingering in his soul was not of my doing. This was bigger than me, bigger than our relationship.

In...