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Vata, Pitta and Kapha
by Dani Trudeau
No, these are not American sorority chapters, these are doshas. In simple terms, dosha means energy. I have been reading Jasmine Hemsley’s book, East by West and learning about doshas, which are regulating forces of nature, present in every tissue, every cell and every organ in our body, thereby they govern all of the body’s processes, from bodily functions to our thoughts and feelings. Typically, every person has one dominant form of dosha that makes up his or her personal Ayurvedic constitution or prakriti. Although we’re all born with all three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), they come together differently in each one of us, and it is this unique combination that makes us who we are.
I am a newbie to this ancient wisdom but I like finding ways to explore me further and I also like the idea that we can bring ourselves back into balance through food, drink, movement, temperatures and thoughts. We can view natural herbs and spices, colours, textures, aromas, environments and lifestyle choices as “medicine.” I also like that in Ayurveda, every individual is unique and there is no one way or routine that works for everyone. It is super easy to get stuck in the limited thinking of right and wrong. We compare ourselves with others and often think by doing what someone else is doing it will automatically work for us. First you have to be willing to enter into a deep, continuous exploration of yourself. This is the never ending work- the good work.
Let’s apply this thinking to our working lives. I think, at times, we could do with more looking in than looking out. And not in the navel-gazing way, in the way that makes sure that we bring our best selves to the world. Check in with yourself or with another about who you are at your best, your worst and what things can you do be more in balance. What are your dominant strengths, talents, gifts and experiences, that when in balance, is you at your best? Work can fulfil us or deplete us. And since we spend easily half our waking hours on the job, our occupation affects our longevity and health. If that is not motivation, I don’t know what is. So here’s to the never ending fun of trying to figure yourself out- possibly the biggest job of your life, but also the most worthy.
It’s Bigger than You
by Dani Trudeau
Perspective taking and the unfolding of inner life; what does that mean and why bother? Ultimately we all part of the same systems; we interact, conform, resist, seek out connection and have a desire to find our place of belonging. Unfortunately, we are living in a time of many broken and out-dated systems. We have a dated educational system, a broken food chain and career pathways which no longer serve us well. So why is it so hard to change systems to better suit us?
Systems change is about addressing the root causes of social problems, which are often intractable and embedded in networks of cause and effect. It is an intentional process designed to fundamentally alter the components and structures that cause the system to behave in a certain way. Systems thinking also requires an acceptance of unpredictability and loss of control that runs counter to most models of leadership and accountability.
I think we can make these big system changes best by starting with ourselves. When setting up or running your enterprise, ask yourself these questions;
Are we as open as we claim to be?
Are we as courageous as we ask others to be?
Do we bear as much risk as we ask grantees to hold?
Are we as humble as we should be?
Are we sharing power?
Are we sharing learning as much we should?
For an individual to become ‘more conscious’ is a story of personal growth, not ever easy but always worth it.
Best said by the folks at Perspectiva, “When we develop a deeper reflexive awareness of the ways in which we are shaped, when we start to commit to such processes together, we can speak of a more conscious society – a collective effort to see our challenges in their fullness, and thereby live larger and less deluded lives. When a critical mass of people ‘grow’ in consciousness in this way we can speak of a collective awakening.”
This collective responsibility coupled with personal attention to individual growth is powerful. It no longer gives any airtime to the ridiculous notion that working on yourself is somehow selfish. It is your duty to tend to your soul and your soul contributes to the whole.
Free Hugs
by Dani Trudeau
Connection is the experience of oneness. It’s having shared experiences, relatable feelings, or similar ideas.
In the past couple of months, a healthy amount of tears have been shed at Tribe. This is not a sad story though, this is life and when you bring a group of people together, in a supportive and nurturing space, people can be their best and most vulnerable selves. This is the light and the darkness and what makes it all so beautiful.
Brianna Wiest wrote an excellent article in Medium and explains real connection vs false, “Authenticity is required for connection. The internet and social media do not disconnect us because we are glued to our phones at the dinner table but because they increase our ability to be inauthentic. They allow us to gloat, edit, filter, and post a highlight reel. We can construct a façade of our lives that may or may not be an honest reflection of reality. In this, we breech connection.”
She goes on to say something I feel is at the heart of what makes a real community work, “In order to connect with others, we have to give them our time and honest feelings and ideas and have shared experiences and openness. We do not connect with others by trying to earn approval, awe, compliments, appreciation, envy, or superiority.” Creating a community coworking space goes way beyond good coffee and ping pong tables, it requires genuine care from a place of love.
Most people believe a connection is something they earn by being “good enough” when it is really something they develop by being willing enough. So when you need to talk or just in need of a hug, my door is always open- you just have to be willing enough to knock. But also remember that by connecting with someone, by trusting in others enough to confide in, it strengthens their connections too. And for me and Tribe, that is everything.
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