FINDING YOUR WHY

To find our reasons for cultivating a daily practice, we must step back and take some time for reflection. Then, to understand how our daily practice might work, we need to pay a little attention.

We suggest you carry out this exercise over a week or two; you will know when you feel ready to progress.

The reason that we need this time is that:

For something to become a long-lasting practice or habit, we must indeed be ready and fully understand the deep inner reasons for wanting to implement it.

UPON WAKING

Notice how you feel, and take a moment to acknowledge the transition from sleep to wakefulness. If you have the space and time, it would also be helpful to journal these feelings to reflect on, but that won’t be possible for everyone, and that’s ok. Notice which emotions come up for you regularly.

DAILY SITTING

Once a day, please sit for however long feels comfortable, with your eyes closed or resting if closing them isn’t an option. Notice your breathing and ask, “why do I want a daily practice”. Notice what comes up, but there is no need to force anything.

You can also follow our sitting practice here.

We can now take the learnings from your time spent in reflection and move forward to begin the inner questioning. Again, this step is essential for long-lasting habit change.

Take however long you need with this part of the workshop.

Choose a pen and paper, wear comfy clothes and sit in a quiet space

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Notice any thoughts that arise but gently keep pulling your attention back to your breath

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Keep breathing mindfully and remain still until you feel calmness and a softening of your body

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Open your eyes slowly and reacquaint yourself with the room

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Pick up the pen and begin to answer the questions below

INNER QUESTIONING

  • What has drawn you to this course?

    Have you had a daily practice before?

    What do you hope to gain from having a daily practice?

    How is your mood upon waking most days?

    Do you notice any fluctuation in mood throughout the day?

    How are your energy levels on most days?

    What barriers can you see to having a daily practice?

    Are you ready to find a way around them?

    Are you someone that likes structure?

    Can you recognise what you need from day to day?

    Can you prioritise yourself?

    Can you listen to how you feel?

    How are you responsible for your happiness?

    Do you like time alone?

    How do you decide what you can fit into your schedule?

    What portion of time are you devoting to working on yourself?

    How do you follow through on commitments you make?

    How do you feel if you break a commitment to yourself?

    Do you feel as though you don’t have enough time?

    Can you be kind to yourself?

    Does every day follow a similar structure for you?

    Do you have a good amount of patience?

    Are you a tolerant person?

    How do you want to feel from day to day?

    Can you let go of perfection?

    Can you start small?