"At age 20, we worry about what others think of us.

At age 40, we don't care what they think of us.

At age 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all."

~ Ann Landers (1918-2002)

Through our yogic practice we learn that we are more than this physical body. That our Self is housed within the body, with this physical body being the vehicle that we use to operate on/in this plane. We learn of the koshas, the layers of consciousness that move from the gross to the subtle:

• Annamaya kosha: the food body
• Pranamaya kosha: the energy body
• Manomaya kosha: the mental body
• Vijnanamaya kosha: the wisdom body
• Anandamaya kosha: the bliss body

We are given the tools of asana, pranayama, meditation, and self-study so that we can better understand and work with these layers of Self.

As my birthday approaches I find myself reflecting on how I was in my 20s. I remember at the time thinking that I needed to keep the various parts of my Self separate because… who could handle the totality of my being? I presented myself in different ways according to who I was sharing with. I was reminded of this in Jocelyn K. Glei’s recent episode on her podcast Hurry Slowly where she speaks of how and why we would want to show the fullness of ourselves online.

This past decade has been one of integration for me, of learning to accept all the parts of myself, and learning how to share my authentic self both online and in person. As I do so, I become more centred in my being, more comfortable in my space. And perhaps, as I near my 40th year, I shall not be bothered by what others think of me.

peace,

Renee Arundhati