Reaching the Next Level in Life IS Possible

Although It May Not Be Easy or Quick

Do you find that come Spring, cleaning the house from winter crud is a regular thing?

When I participated in (my first) Ayurveda food-based Spring Cleanse, the same goal came up — getting rid of the extra winter crud.

According to the instructor, to go deep, really DEEP, that meant eating simple. The cleanse is part of my story “How I Accidentally Became a Vegan Eater.”

We had a goal for removing tissues, or extra layers left from what we took in through any of our senses and did not completely process. According to what we learned, unprocessed items such as food, thoughts, or emotions, can lead to disease.

These tissues contribute to the current version of our existence today.

No way did I need any EXTRAS. I wanted to give my body a chance to do the DEEP internal cleaning.

In order to limit the amount of NEW impact, I included a two-day (out of the 5) digital detox. Besides the cleanse related Zooms, social media and any other web browsing were OUT.

During the retreat portion of the Spring cleanse, I reflected, utilizing art and journaling efforts.

In as free-flowing of an effort as I could create, I set up an area in the sunniest room of my apartment. The retreat space included a yoga mat, pillows, and a blanket.

Utensils included fine/ultra-fine point markers, pens, and pencils. For paper, I had a sketchbook plus some loose sheets of heavier white cardstock.

Whatever came to mind, I wrote down or drew.

The Exploration Led Me Down This Path, Again…

Are you someone who seeks out information, sometimes not quite sure what you are trying to solve?

From a young age, I LOVED books and reading. That interest included bookstores and libraries.

I think it is safe to say that exploring was a thing.

Still, there’s a limit, right?

Especially as children, we are offered or aware of what is accessible to the people around us — namely, our family and whoever falls into our environment — through school, camp, local organizations, books, magazines, TV, music, and movies. And now, the Internet and social media.

If you’re like me, and not content with things as is, then maybe you also realize there are parts we know are there and can’t quite access. In fact, we may not be able to imagine what that next part could be.

For example, when participating in Yoga classes, sometimes there would be a hint that there was more to Yoga beyond being an exercise class. I wanted to explore that further without training as an instructor. That desire led me to Sva Sadhana, and opened up a completely new path of Ayurveda.

An image I think about is the playground bars at three heights and next to each other.

If no one around me can reach the highest bar, and maybe, on top of that, is not aware or interested, then what is the overall success level going to be for ANYONE?

Someone might think about or even express wanting to reach a higher level, and won’t get anywhere because the max for the environment has already been achieved. Plus, all who reached the max are comfortable. They don’t see any reason for growth and maintain the status quo, such as this article about the Five Monkeys Experiment explains.

It matters most when a problem exists. Like being paid through an app with a lot of fees. It motivates the person paying the fees to see what else exists. The answers may not be mainstream yet.

I learned about new apps because SOMEONE ELSE had the problem. I used the new app because I was willing to check out something new and not solely stick to what I had previously used.

Those who seek more eventually might figure out that extending beyond the current environment matters.

That growth depends on the openness for new knowledge AND the ability to access the right information.

That support may not come from those who are in the current environment, AND resistance to change or related to new information is high.

The Five Monkeys experiment shows the depth and effort to maintain the status quo. After realizing this resistance exists, to find and reach higher bars I limit family interactions. In fact, for major holidays, I would rather be by myself than take the time and effort to travel to a gathering.

If “LOVE” means being sprayed with water for five minutes because I reached towards something new or have a different opinion, then I choose to be somewhere else, NOT someone else.

Since the world reflects back where you currently are, it’s tough to maintain changes or continue to grow if the support does not exist. This is why a community of people making the same efforts is important. As challenging as it can be, this is what I see as necessary to reach and surpass the highest playground bar.

Sometimes, the resource can be obvious, yet the support is not. I meet people all the time. Some of those people have not been interested in sharing what they know or being in a relationship (with adults) where they perceive they are the person with extensive knowledge.

Thus, even when I thought I had found “my people,” I was dismissed as “a nice person.” Or ignored. Or possibly blocked from regular communication.

I respect their choices.

The way I see it, these examples mean that if any of those people knew the clear path to the next level, they did not want to include anyone outside of others who saw the same.

“Insecure people only eclipse your sun because they’re jealous of your daylight and tired of their dark, starless nights.” — Shannon L. Alder

Eventually, though, if you openly keep pursuing, you will see pathways. You will find ladders. You will also be able to meet guides who will assist you to reach the highest playground bar, and beyond.

When that happens, a whole new world FINALLY opens up. What seemed a mystery is now clearer or solved. The chance to keep moving UP has turned into a likelihood as long as the effort continues.

Then Comes My Favorite Part

Teaching others about those paths and BEING a guide, allowing others to see new footsteps to follow.

As frustrating as it can be, I feel like I have a responsibility to do this — take the time and incur the expense of things, like Sva Sadhana, so I can translate through my experience to a point where it adds to others’ awareness, and possible efforts.

For example, the same close friend who inspired me to “think” about eating differently when she switched to Vegetarianism (which you can check out here), works with me sometimes when it comes to digital technology.

Recently, we practiced different apps to determine what might work best so we could SEE each other while talking. The trials included discussing head/earphones, a microphone, and blue light filtering glasses. The experience helped her since now she has work meetings via Zoom, one of the apps we tried.

It is the unexpected answer, or the Serendipity when you didn’t expect or had given up hope.

And, if you’re lucky, a path and a new environment that will help you continue to grow.

I started flailing my hands in SOS efforts the most around a year or two ago. I even took the time and expense to revisit a group of friends at a conference near San Francisco in early 2019.

In July 2019, I reserved my spot for the November 2019 start of the NINE-MONTH Sva Sadhana training.

In August 2019, I started a business both focused on community and personal growth/wellness. As of May 2020, I began focusing on regular efforts, especially through writing. Eventually, the information will be accessed on my website here.

It all starts with sharing and is infinite as to how far that might extend. And like heating water in a tea kettle on the stove, the bubbles increase with the temperature and the pace picks up speed!

Now that I know I have the needed environment, I am hopeful. I am excited. And more than ever before, I am energized.

And, with help from the cleansing process, I seemed to have cleared the pathways to keep moving forward.

What are you trying to reach?

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