by Lakshmi
Originally published May 22, 2020
I love reading biographies for inspiration. One day, I realized I could read my own biography hidden in my journals and photo albums. In a workshop several years ago, I was asked to write about my life as a fairy tale. As I wrote, I was reminded of a well-known fairy tale and was astounded at how it echoed my own life. This experience helped to broaden my understanding of who I am. I gained a new perspective on my life, one with much gratitude.
In her book Living the Practice, Swami Radhananda says “Just as we study the ancient texts looking for wisdom, we can study the texts of our lives. Through reflection we discover the potential for our own words to become sacred. Words have the power to tell and retell our personal stories.”
She goes on to relate a story that stood out to her in a workshop, “One woman wrote about her life as a child during World War II – reliving the painful experiences but also seeing how she was a survivor. She recognized an inner strength that could propel her forward in her spiritual quest. By putting the old story on paper she could see how her life had changed, and she could update her self-image from victim to survivor. She was amazed at the help she had received over the years. She found room in her mind for gratitude.”
Swami Radhananda continues, “Affirming an experience through reflection, writing and speaking brings the words forward and dissolves the emotions that surround an event. This gives your mind – the interpreter – another way to understand the experience. The mind has a tendency to hold onto stories. Emotions and emotional words are the glue that keeps us stuck and contaminates relationships, careers and personal growth. Released from emotional interpretation, the mind can change its mind, allowing you to mature as you use different language to describe yourself and your life.”
What is your story? What have you learned? Who have you become?
TO PRACTICE STUDYING THE TEXT OF YOUR LIFE, TRY THIS…
- Come to a quiet reflective place, focusing on your breath and/or chanting a mantra.
- For inspiration, review your old journals, diaries, or poems; look at childhood drawings and photos.
- Write a story about an incident in your life, but write it as if it happened to someone else. Make it come to life. You could write it like a fairy tale, “Once upon a time…”
- Ask someone to listen to your story. Saying the words aloud brings more awareness of their power.