Exploring Swadhaya: Who Are You Beyond Roles and Relationships?
To know oneself - humbling job – not always pretty – lifetime commitment required.
People spend years in therapy – self-reflecting, analyzing and trying to understand who they are and why they are here. There are many levels to self-observation and awareness. First we must assess and take responsibility for our thoughts and actions, our reactivity and unconscious habits, and our fears and doubts. Hopefully we learn to do this with some measure of humor and without judgment. By observing our beliefs, behaviors, and desires with objectivity, we discover whether they are life affirming or not. By refusing to hide from what is within, we prepare the way for the deeper levels of introspection that the Yoga Sutras teach.
The specific sutra on Swadhaya (or introspection) tells us that as we look within, we are actually studying “the Divine” and by doing so we will be “guided to the Supreme Self.”
“Sacred study of the Divine through scripture, nature, and introspection (Swadhaya) guides us to the Supreme Self.”
(Sutra 2.44 – Translation from The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi)
We are assured over and over throughout the Sutras that our true “Self” is spiritual, ever new joy, ever radiant light and unlimited in nature. It is only because we see through a limited frame of reference that we think we are small, separate human beings defined by our personalities and roles in life. It is a magnificent new paradigm to stop identifying ourselves as someone’s mother, father, wife or husband and start knowing ourselves as soul – complete, worthy, valuable, loving and loveable. This soul level knowing enables us to do whatever we do with creativity and freedom.
In fact, all the outer and inner practices of Yoga help us help us shift our perception of self as ‘limited human’ to Supreme Self or part of Divine creation. From the most basic use of asana (posture) to liberate the flow of energy in the body, to the discipline of pratyahara (quieting the senses) to enter the stillness of meditation, Yoga gives us tools to live with intention, purpose and awareness of Divinity seeking expression through our individual lives.
Of course, until we reach enlightenment, we will inevitably face new challenges and wonder, “Is this all there is to life – struggle and suffering peppered with momentary pleasure and relief?”
Again and again, we can return to our Yoga practices – focusing on controlling our prana or life force through conscious breathing, being mindful of our thought, speech and action, and the cultivating more inner stillness through meditation. We must surrender negative self concepts and choose instead the clarity, perspective, and calm of Supreme Self. Whether we received a sense of our value and worth from our human families or not, when we see ourselves as a unique part of the Divine Creation, we realize our innate worth and goodness. As we experience more of our true nature, we realize our purpose for being. From this place of purpose we move through life with joy and the ability to effect positive change in the world around us.
Jennie Lee is a Yoga Therapist, retreat facilitator, and program developer, with over 6,000 teaching hours and 20 years of experience in Yoga philosophy, practice and meditation, as well as spiritual psychology, and body centered psychotherapy. An active member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, she founded Stillness in Motion Yoga & Wellness in 2002. She brings love and enthusiasm to her work in guiding people through the self-awareness and consciousness raising process, applying the ancient science of Yoga to facilitate growth and healing. Having overcome much loss herself, she holds tremendous compassion for those undergoing life’s challenges and is a knowledgeable and intuitive guide to anyone seeking positive life change. Her Hatha Yoga practice incorporates aspects of many lineages, including Astanga, Kundalini, Kripalu, and Viniyoga. She has led retreats internationally on numerous Yoga related themes including The Philosophy and Practice of the Eight Limbs of Yoga; Putting Insight Into Action; The Yoga of Imagination; and The Yoga of Conscious Trust. As a writer, Jennie Lee’s work has been published in Yoga Therapy Today magazine, on the Yoga Finder website, and as a Featured Expert on Dr. Keith Ablow’s Living the Truth website. She Jennie Lee can be contacted at 978-771-4000 or
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