My car tells me a well-being story
My car is almost fifteen years old now. It’s time to get her well-being checked to find out if I can continue using it.
When I observe her, she looks so fresh and beautiful. Her interiors are also so clean and comfortable. Thinking a little deeper, I realized she is being used judiciously. She does not work for long hours and stretch herself. She gets her regular exercise and body care. She inspired me to stay young for long by taking care of my own body and mind appropriately.
When she is on the go, she starts with first gear at a slow speed and gradually she becomes faster and smoother by jumping gears reaching the fifth one.
Learning a lesson from her, I also start my day slowly by putting my body (annmay kosha) in the first gear. I stretch my body in my bed when I wake up in the morning.
Putting the second gear, I start taking fresh breaths. I observe my breathing in and breathing out and let the vital energy (prana shakti) spread in my body. This way I connect to the pranamay kosha. Jumping up to the third gear, I choose a positive intention for the day, This helps me keep my mind alleviated throughout the day. This is my connection with the manomay kosha.
And during the day I keep switching between the fourth and fifth gear. I run in fourth gear (Vigyanmay kosha) by asking myself questions to become mindful of my present activities. I ask myself, “ What am I doing now? Why am I doing this? How am I doing this? Is this helping towards my positive intention of the day?”
This inquiry helps me jump to the fifth gear i.e. the state of joy (ananadmaya kosha). I feel relaxed and joyful in whatever I am doing in the present space and time.
Annamaya Kosha — The food sheath
Pranamaya Kosha — The vital energy or breath sheath
Manomaya Kosha — The mind sheath
Vijnanamaya Kosha — The intellect sheath
Anandamaya Kosha — The bliss sheath
Before sleeping in the night I park my body to sleep. I reflect on the day, how well I took care of my well-being and then breathing in and out I go to sleep in love-asana. I find shavasana as the time to love myself and therefore I call it love-asana.
I’ve learnt the art of longevity from my car. I’m so grateful to you my dear car!