“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”
John 15:19
I have always pondered on the biblical idea of “being in the world but not of the world”. To me, “being in the world” only applied to my physical location which is currently the tropical oasis of Singapore. It is well curated, clean and safe but not without its own stressful ways.
Our senses are bombarded by external stimulants for the entirety of our waking hours. The brain sees, smells, listens, tastes, touches and thinks incessantly. Even during our sleep, our mind’s eye beholds our life’s drama and imaginations. An average internet user now spends an est. 7 hours every day across all platforms according to research (link). Our brains are not evolved to process constant stimulation – more specifically being in the constant fight or flight state.
The world around me seems to equate “being busy” to “being desired”. I was no different, having lived in 4 countries within 5 years for work, FOMO was a pretty big theme in my life. During week 3 of the YTT course, I had a friend visiting from the UK and he mentioned a group ski trip in France! I expected myself to start impulsively checking flights and succumb to the power of FOMO. But that didn’t happen. Sure I would’ve loved to catch up with friends but deep down, I felt a deep sense of relief. I had completely grown out of the drink-till-you-drop London lifestyle. In fact, over the last two years, I grew to relish the “not so busy” weekends thanks to lockdowns. Instead of constantly doing, I was forced to think and spend time with myself. And what YTT gifted me was the elevation from just day dreaming to focused pondering of the self discovery journey.
I do catch myself wondering what if I become “of the world” again once I start work in one week’s time? Well, worries have no end and now that I have seen and touched the door to my soul’s garden, I will find the way again. It had always been there. And always will be.
Jane
200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course
Weekday’22
