Revisiting the Choice to Be Alone | Returning to Yoga Nidra & Sound Immersions

Every morning I sit in my meditation space, between the crystal singing bowls and Koshi chimes, in front of the red-toned harmonium. In preparation for meditation practice I sing the bowls with the strikers and gently tap them, harmonizing my voice and toning with them.

After sitting in silence for a time, I sing with the harmonium in Sanskrit and English. I read various texts on Yoga - methods, interpretations, teachings in the Yoga Sutras and words of Self-Realized Enlightened Yogis. Then, I sit in silence and absorb.

And then I go about my day.

The practice has morphed for me since I started consistently over a decade ago. I don't know who I would be had I not made that commitment, as difficult as it was sometimes. I remember when I'd wake up extra early so I could have a quiet morning practice on my own.

I'd sit, get quiet, and then who would call out for me? My newborn son. But then I'd hold him in my arms in silence as we both relaxed and I practiced meditation. He loved it. We carried that tradition on even when he was a toddler.

The kiddos are older now, so they leave me be in the mornings. Well, they're still sleeping so it's not really a thing. And I love that they're sleeping.

I love being alone. I love my quiet mornings. I love not having to explain myself to anyone. I love living privately. I love living in my own interior.

But I also loved sharing that time with my little boy in those fleeting moments. When I think back to those times, I feel his warmth. I feel that closeness and human connection. If I had to choose between being alone and holding him in my arms, I would always choose him. As much as I love being alone, I also love human connection.

I've realized, after some years away from giving Yoga Nidra & Sound Immersion sessions that I really loved sharing that part of life.

Revisiting my choices, it's important to me that I do both - that I have that alone interior time and share and connect with others. I've always felt, in particular, that these instruments I have were for sharing and it doesn't feel right to only enjoy them alone. I feel the same way about some of the highly effective Yogic techniques I've learned along the way.