Australian Natural Health - February/March 2018

The ancient Indian yogis knew that surrendering to the natural flow of life is where peace, serenity and stillness are attained. From a spiritual perspective, surrendering simply means being at one with the present moment. Whether we’re feeling anger, sadness or uncertainty, simply by feeling our emotions and acknowledging their presence, we can begin to heal and evolve.

The yogis also pointed to nature as one of our greatest sources for learning. When we spend time in nature, we’re able to see the natural laws of the universe in motion; trees effortlessly shed their leaves in autumn, only to grow new ones again come spring. If we take a leaf from nature, maybe the secret to change is in welcoming it rather than fighting it.

While our mental, emotional and spiritual progression is a foremost focus of this issue, so too is the state of our planet. We’ve reached a pivotal point in caring for our earth and we need to take action to effect change. By being more aware of our actions and how they affect our environment, we can create a brighter future for the next generations to thrive.

Ultimately, our power in effecting change comes down to choice; it’s empowering to realise that in each moment we’re able to choose our thoughts and actions, but the key is to do so with mindfulness. To borrow the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, “The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” With that realisation, we’re more equipped to focus on the present moment and create a life that lights us up.