Week 6 💡 Prepare

7/15/2020

By: Aditi Ram, Saadhvi Mamidi and Avishka Gautham

Notes by Aditi

Reflection on the RAW from last week:

• Water in the morning is as good as coffee; it rejuvenates and refreshes
• Breathing slows the mind and helps bring space and awareness. This pre- established space allows you to give space for the day and all emotions that arise.

Karma

• Every single action has a consequence which is tied to only the doer of the action
• Every action’s consequence will catch up to us regardless of if we know what we are doing or not

Example 1: If someone is driving on the wrong side of the street in a foreign country, their ignorance of the law won’t absolve the consequence of the action.

Example 2: Someone who drinks tap water from lead pipes as a way to stay hydrated and healthy will still feel the effects of the lead despite not knowing about it.

• Because of this, we ALWAYS get what we deserve, as what we receive is just the consequence of some action in our past. Whether it is good or bad is up to us and is all relative.

Our consequences will always challenge us, so we must prepare and become strong NOW to face these inevitable challenges.

• When you are at the beach and a wave is coming, you have to prepare for it to come by either holding your breath and going under or releasing and riding it. Either way, you must prepare for how you are going to approach the wave, otherwise we will be defeated.

Challenge + Purpose = Training

• Training comes with complete acceptance of a situation which allows one to rise
• When one takes responsibility, it allows one to have power over the situation

Challenge — Purpose = Problem

• A problem comes with complaints and the question, “Why me?”
• Blaming others and asking others to fix our problems renders one powerless and is a sign of giving up

Activity:

We were asked to identify a time when we continuously failed at something and a time when we finally succeeded at it, focusing on what the differences between them was.

• Some in my group mentioned how when they plan to study for a test weeks in advance, it doesn’t work, but the night before, they do successfully study, highlighting how in this scenario, urgency of the matter is the motivating factor.
• I shared how in middle school, I didn’t really care for practicing music, hindering progress, but when I came to high school, I developed my own interest for music outside of my mom’s will which motivated me to practice and get better.
• Another student mentioned how after seeing others become more fit, they decided to pursue a workout routine as well.

In all of these scenarios, it was the decision made by the individual that allowed them to succeed. When the goal is self-induced, the determination to achieve it is amplified.

• Based on what your goal is, your approach must change. Persistence is needed for one to exercise but if one adaptation of strategy is needed for one who continuously studies in a way that results in failure.
• It’s important that when motivation is drawn from people that it is positive and that the actions you are undertaking are for yourself.
• When we question the importance of something, remember that there’s a chance for development in that event — an opportunity to invoke discipline.

Notes by Saadhvi

10 Takeaways:

1. Paying attention to what we engage in helps us moderate our intake
2. Ignorance is bliss until you gain knowledge
3. Everything that happens to us, we essentially deserve — the sooner we accept and take full responsibility, we give ourselves the power to rise above challenges
4. Every challenge, opportunity, event is a chance for self-development and training
5. Use different situations as a means to develop virtues
6. Seek the uncomfortable
7. When all you seek are compliments, you are equally vulnerable to everyone’s criticisms
8. No one is broadcasting their failures — stop comparing your worst to other people’s best
9. To realize our infinite potential, we must let go of selfishness — selflessness brings the mind to quietude
10. Bad things don’t happen to good people; things happen to people

Reflection on Week 5 RAW (Eat a meal without distractions for a full 45 minutes) — When I paid closer attention to the food I was intaking, without any outside distractions, I was able to avoid overeating and could sense when my stomach was full with food.

*Paying attention to what we’re engaged in helps us moderate*

Reflection on Week 5 Practice (Drink 1–2 glasses of water after waking up and breathe for 5 minutes) — Breathing helps us gain space, making us more aware of our thoughts. Later on in the day when anger, sadness, anxiety arises, these breaths set us up for gaining space. Drinking water in the morning makes you less lethargic throughout the day — revives you.

What is Karma?

• Every action has a consequence that is tied to the doer of the action
• When we prepare for the consequences of our actions, we evolve
• Challenge + purpose = training
• Challenge — purpose = problems

Everything that happens to us is merely a result; there is no point in getting attached to the result when it is no longer in our control.

Long-term Habit: Go to bed and rise one hour earlier or go to bed 15 minutes earlier every 3 days.

• Why? The greatest way to gain self awareness is solitude (spending conscious time with yourself). The mornings are more quiet, enabling this process of solitude and reflection.

Discussion: Think of a time where you tried to do something and 1) failed and 2) succeeded, what was different between these two situations?

With a higher purpose, we are more likely to succeed

• Success and failure is relative, it looks different for everyone
• Ex: Getting a higher grade doesn’t always mean success. The time spent, the knowledge gained, and the lessons learned also indicate success and growth
• “Why does this matter?” → every opportunity is a chance for self-development
• Use situations as a means to develop virtues

RAW: Identify the chore you dislike the most and do it for the next week

Notes by Avishka

Karma:

Karma is a super important concept. I know we’ve heard it all over pop culture, but what does it really mean? Karma is essentially cause and effect; what goes around comes around.

It is extremely important to keep your circle positive, speak good words, perform good actions and think good thoughts. After all, your negativity could come back to you!

“Why Me” Complex:

• The Why Me Complex is extremely common. Essentially, when troubles and obstacles form along our path, our initial reaction tends to be “Why Me?” Why didn’t I get the same grade as him? What did I do wrong? Why are bad things happening to me? and so forth.
• We tend to be so caught up in the Why Me Complex that we simply wallow in self pity; we give up. This can become very unhealthy.
• Luckily, a solution exists: a shift in perspective! Try to ask yourself, “Why not me?” instead of “Why me?”

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” This is true! Try putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Gratitude works!

• If you become so used to praise and compliments, you will revel in them but wallow in criticism or difficult times. So, it is very important to have a strong footing and not be swayed by the opinions and words of others, whether positive or negative.
• The only person you should strive to be better than is the person you were in the past. Constantly make the effort to improve your physical, mental and spiritual health so that you can be better every day!
• When your mind is quiet and at peace, you are able to perform at your best self and you become more capable of doing amazing things! To quieten the mind, take time to self-reflect and spend time with yourself. This could be through listening to music while taking a jog, yoga, meditation, etc.
• Exercise is one of the best options because you are able to quieten all of the noise in your head and spend time with yourself all while becoming healthier! It’s a win-win!
• When we align ourselves to our goals and have a clear, concrete direction as to what we want in life, we don’t get swayed by things around us. We are able to perform and become the best versions of ourselves.

Pro tip: Write down your goals and place them somewhere that you can see everyday.