I always thoroughly enjoy learning from my amazing Himalayan Kriya Yoga teacher, Mollie. (You should follow her on Instagram @mollieofthenorth and then you’ll understand what I mean). Every time I take a training with her, she inevitably will remind us that marriage and raising children are considered to be the longest of all the Kriyas.
I love this way of seeing the great and deep work of becoming a fully embodied human. Kriya translates from the Sanskrit to mean “Evolutionary Action.” When we participate in the work of the Kriya, we participate in our own personal evolution, our healing, and our growth.
The physical movements, breath patterns, Mudras, and sometimes even tongue and eye placements all come together to construct the Kriya, and then we commit to that pattern again and again, for an extended amount of time. Usually, multiple minutes if not much longer. While this usually becomes physically and mentally taxing, the work of participating with the Kriya invites us to keep going; to endure. To continue showing up for the work without attachment to the results. To keep stirring the pot. To keep churning the butter. To continue emptying the dishwasher and cooking dinner and doing bath time and picking up the socks and having a difficult conversations…every…single…day…again…and again…and again…
Embracing Daily Kriyas
How we show up to the Kriya (and to relationships and child-raising) matters. When we return to the practice again and again, we have the opportunity to choose the way we want to approach things. We can intentionally decide what mindset we would like to approach the movement through; how we want to see ourselves and the world, and commit to a determination to cultivate meaningful inner qualities through whatever life may bring us.
And while I agree with Mollie that long-term relationships, family, and raising children are the best and most powerful examples of the longest and most enduring Kriyas of most of our lives, I have learned something new for myself recently. This will probably sound obvious to you, but it just dawned on me that LIFE is actually ONE HUGE, GIANT, ENORMOUS KRIYA.
What is Your Reoccurring Kriya?
Every single second of every single day our hearts are beating to keep us alive.
Every year patterns perpetuate as families work generationally and the wheel continues to turn around and around and around.
Once you get on this rock then the work never stops until you get back off…and even then, does it?
Once you navigate through one hurdle, another challenge arises to take its place.
No matter what happens in your life, you have an opportunity to either stay in the Kriya or to step out of it.
You can stay present through the unexpected, or you can detach and live your life in reaction-mode.
You can choose your mindset and your healing in times of disappointment and heartbreak, or you can allow yourself to be swallowed by despair and sadness.
You can give up and play the victim, or you can connect with your power every day until your agency becomes stronger than your reflex for blaming.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE. IT NEVER STOPS. THIS IS LITERALLY THE WORK OF YOUR LIFE. TODAY. IN THIS VERY MOMENT.
Will you choose to remain in it?
I am here to support you to breakthrough the bullshit in your life so that you can FULLY come ALIVE. Will you join me? I am creating a Revolution, one person’s inner work at a time. Sign up for a free call with me today to get started!
Journal Prompts:
What recurring patterns or challenges do you face in your life that feel like a Kriya? How can you approach these with a mindset of intentionality and growth?
In what ways do you notice your mindset and inner qualities shifting when you embrace the daily routines and responsibilities of life? How can you further cultivate positive qualities through these experiences?
Reflect on a recent difficult situation or recurring obstacle in your life. How can you reframe your approach to stay present and engaged, rather than falling into reaction-mode or victimhood?