Note to Self – Not to Media

Each and every person on this planet was having a unique experience during the social distancing and restrictions imposed to slow the transmission of COVID 19. Human beings have always been social by nature, so when we are suddenly asked to detach from society, it is natural for questions, confusion and frustration to arise. At the same time, such a situation can also bring unexpected insights and answers.

For some people, spending time alone was not such a dramatic change. They were already comfortable with their own company, so the restrictions may not have affected them in the same way. For others, quarantine became an opportunity to spend more time with loved ones and turn their attention towards personal life. But for many people, particularly those accustomed to being surrounded by colleagues, friends or family, social distancing was much harder to accept. This was especially true for people living and working away from their families, who were suddenly separated from the social environment that had become part of their everyday lives.

There were people living alone, people enjoying unexpected time with their families, and people deeply missing the company of friends, colleagues or loved ones. There were also those who continued going out to work and those whose primary concern was simply survival. The circumstances were obviously very different from one person to another.

One thing worth observing was that recognising our own situation in relation to those facing much greater difficulties could bring a certain perspective. Many people did not know where their next meal would come from, while others were fortunate enough to have food, shelter and the security to remain at home. Yet human beings rarely stop at basic survival. Once our basic needs are met, the mind begins looking for something more. Desire creates another desire, and the cycle continues.

This pattern has been part of human life for a very long time. Suddenly, however, we were being asked to live within limitations. We had to adjust our usual ways of living, remain in one place, follow guidelines and learn to live with fewer choices and fewer familiar outlets. In many cases, the internet seemed to be the one resource with almost no boundaries, provided we had a good connection.

And this is where an interesting problem began.

The mind that was accustomed to constant stimulation now had an almost unlimited supply of it through the internet, while many of its usual outlets had disappeared. Before the pandemic, after a long day at work, we could go out, meet friends, visit a restaurant, go to the gym, walk in a park or simply sit somewhere and talk. These activities gave us a way of relaxing and, perhaps without realising it, a way of temporarily moving away from our own thoughts.

When those possibilities disappeared, digital socialising became one of the main ways of staying connected. Of course, this was valuable. Staying in touch with family, friends and colleagues was important, and for many people it helped reduce the sense of loneliness created by isolation.

But there was another side to it.

Perhaps we were simply finding a new form of escape.

When we are constantly occupied, we do not necessarily have to encounter what is happening within us. The mind can create an endless list of things to do, watch, read, discuss or consume, even when we have very few external responsibilities. The question then becomes: why is it so difficult for us to sit quietly with our own thoughts?

Perhaps the thoughts that arise when everything becomes quiet are exactly the thoughts that need our attention.

Some may require action. Some may require acceptance. Some may simply need to be observed without immediately reacting to them. There may be unfinished work, unresolved relationships, old emotions or questions that we have been avoiding. And sometimes there may be nothing specific at all. Even then, spending some time simply being with oneself can become a valuable practice.

One traditional way of observing the activity of the mind is through meditation. Rather than immediately following every thought, we begin to develop the capacity to observe the movement of the mind itself.

In the traditional approach to Yoga, Asana can prepare the body for Pranayama, and Pranayama can help prepare the mind for meditation. These practices are not merely techniques for escaping from difficult thoughts. They can become ways of developing steadiness, awareness and a more intimate understanding of our own patterns.

There are many online resources available to introduce people to Yoga, Pranayama and meditation, and during the pandemic these resources became particularly valuable. At the same time, there is something important about gradually developing a self practice. Once we become familiar with a practice, there is value in being able to sit quietly and practise without constantly depending on an external voice, video or teacher.

Of course, this is not always possible for everyone. Circumstances, experience and individual needs are different. When formal practice is not possible, something as simple as writing can also help.

Keeping a journal and putting our thoughts onto paper can create a little space between ourselves and the constant activity of the mind. We do not have to write beautifully. We do not have to share what we write. We do not even have to make sense of everything immediately. Sometimes simply allowing thoughts to appear on paper is enough to make them easier to observe.

Perhaps the most important thing is to remember that we do not need to be perfect in any of these practices.

We do not need the perfect Yoga practice, the perfect meditation session or the perfect journal entry. We can simply sit, practise, observe and write as honestly as possible.

Self judgement often enters when we begin imagining how our practice appears to someone else. This becomes especially relevant in an age where almost everything can be photographed, posted and shared. We may begin doing something for ourselves and then unconsciously start doing it for an audience.

For a moment, forget that the internet exists. Forget about sharing. Forget about whether anyone else knows what you are doing.

Imagine that you are practising entirely for yourself.

Perhaps that is closer to the reality of Yoga anyway.

Social media can easily become a spiral of constant stimulation and comparison. The important thing is not necessarily to reject technology completely, but to become aware of our relationship with it. We can notice when the internet is helping us and when it is simply filling every available moment with more activity.

Even small changes can make a difference.

The philosophy of Yoga speaks extensively about the movements and modifications of the mind, known as Vrittis. Patanjali defines Yoga as the calming or stilling of these movements of the mind. This does not mean that the goal is to force the mind to become completely blank. Rather, Yoga points towards a deeper relationship with mental activity, in which we are no longer compelled to follow every thought, impulse and reaction.

It is somewhat ironic that this message itself is being shared through the internet.

But perhaps that is precisely the point.

The question is not simply whether the internet is good or bad. The question is how we use it. Is this tool supporting our growth and connection, or is it simply giving the restless mind another place to wander?

What are we feeding the mind every day?

During a period when the outside world had become unusually restricted, perhaps we were being given an opportunity to look more closely at the world within.

Let us try to use this time, and indeed any period of uncertainty in our lives, for self observation, contemplation and genuine rest. We do not have to emerge from every difficult period having achieved something extraordinary. Sometimes it is enough to become a little more aware of ourselves.

Perhaps true happiness does not come from constantly adding something new to our experience, but from discovering a greater sense of contentment within ourselves.

And perhaps when we become a little more peaceful within, we naturally have more peace to share with the people around us.

So, for today, this is simply a note to self.

Spend a little time away from the noise.

Sit quietly.

Observe.

Breathe.

And see what is there.

Hari Om Tat Sat