natural intelligence

This month’s sankalpa is Natural Intelligence, the opposite of Artificial Intelligence.

Because nothing and no one can tell you how you feel, what’s right for you, what’s meant for you and the directions you’re meant to take - other than the innate sense of self.

It’s impossible to rely upon all the information and influence for the unique rhythm of self.

I’ve had so many friends tell me that their tracker or device tells them one thing, only for them to feel the complete opposite. They then override their own instinct, and try to do, achieve, sleep, eat, drink, meditate, move, more or less, only to have their bodies actually scream back at them with aches and illnesses because they didn’t listen or observe the signs.

The whole purpose of Yoga is to allow us easeful ways to strip away the distractions and actually see, feel and understand our truth for a moment.

One moment is enough.

The trick is to take that moment of clarity and presence, and make it last forever.

And with practice and patience, the small moments of now-ness link up to form a chain, so we’re more present; steering the ship on the right trajectory for our unique destiny.

All the answers are within. Nothing artificial will ever be able to tell you what is right for you. In fact, I’d argue that anything technological will only ever distance self from sense.

Yoga is a practice devised from ancient wisdom (some believe 5,000 years old) and its magic is even more potent in these modern times. Because there is so much noise, influence and distraction. It’s so necessary to cut through the chaos and create some calm clarity. To breathe and believe into our own magic.

Other ways to find natural rhythm are to practice offline stints. I consistently adopt Offline 48, so no phones, technology or screens for two straight days. To be in nature; all the things I usually recommend like listening to birdsong, walking barefoot in nature, growing and picking fruits and vegetables, wild foraging, cooking, watching sunrise and sunfall and being fully present.

Sitting with it all. Especially when you really don't want to.

Anything that takes you away from chaos and toward calm.

Anything that takes you back to self.

To your natural intelligence.