“Why are you so enchanted by this world, when a mine of gold lies within you?” Rumi’s words are a gentle yet profound reminder of the treasure that resides within each of us. We spend our lives on a relentless quest for happiness, love, and joy, often looking outward to relationships, careers, possessions, or far – flung adventures as the sources of these precious emotions. But what if the truth is that these feelings are not something to be found in the external world, but rather, they are innate, already within us, waiting to be awakened?
Jennifer Agugliaro offers a set of simple yet powerful exercises that can help us tap into this inner wellspring of joy, love, and light, revealing our true selves in the process.
Exercise #1: The Love Wave
Close your eyes and take a moment to center yourself. Think of someone in your life who could use a little extra love. Visualize their face, and as you do, let a warm smile spread across your own. Picture yourself embracing them in a huge, comforting hug, as if you could physically transfer all the love in your heart to them.
Allow that love to flow freely, starting from the depths of your being and radiating outwards. Feel it growing stronger, surrounding not only you and the person you’re thinking of but expanding beyond, creating a wave of love that ripples out into the world. Remember, this well of love is always accessible. You can return to this place of warmth and connection whenever you need it, using different images or memories as the key – perhaps the sight of a smiling baby, a playful moment with a pet, or the ideal of world peace.
Agugliaro loves to begin her day with this exercise, sitting in the serene morning light after her meditation. The simple act of opening a door or window, feeling the fresh air on her face, and then closing her eyes to send out this love wave sets a beautiful, positive tone for the rest of the day.
Exercise #2: The Gift of Giving
Agugliaro shares a story of a chance encounter in a bookstore. An old man with snow – white hair and a worn – out beige sweater approached her and handed her a chocolate rose, wishing her a beautiful day. Her initial reaction was one of suspicion and unease, but over time, she came to cherish the memory of this kind – hearted soul. The man, it turned out, made it his daily routine to buy a dozen chocolate roses and distribute them to random strangers, brightening countless lives in the process.
She invites us to follow in his footsteps. Choose a day this week and make it your mission to give a gift to everyone you meet. The gift doesn’t have to be physical; it could be a sincere compliment, your undivided attention during a conversation, or a warm, heartfelt smile. And most importantly, give without expecting anything in return. You may not always receive gratitude, but the act of giving itself is the reward. At the end of the day, reflect on how you feel. You’ll likely find that the joy you experienced came from within, not from the reactions of others.
Exercise #3: The Vulcan Mind Meld
We all have goals and expectations that shape our lives. But when these aren’t met, it’s easy to feel disheartened. To combat this, close your eyes and imagine yourself ten years from now. Give your future self whatever it is you believe will bring you happiness – whether it’s children, financial success, or a sense of power and accomplishment. Notice the emotions that wash over you. Then, while still holding onto that feeling, bring your attention back to your present self.
Look around and identify the things you already have that bring you fulfillment. Maybe you don’t have the family you envisioned yet, but you have amazing friends. Or perhaps you’re not as wealthy as you hoped, but you can afford the things that truly matter to you. Keep looking until your “present self” feels as content and happy as your “future self.” It’s like merging these two versions of yourself, and in doing so, you realize that the happiness you’ve been seeking is already within your reach.
Exercise #4: A Gratitude Nap
Lie down comfortably, surrounded by pillows and blankets. Set a timer for three minutes and, out loud, list all the things you are grateful for. Don’t worry if your list seems trivial at first – be grateful for the softness of the couch, the length of your hair, or the sand on the beach. After the three minutes are up, set an intention to be open to whatever the universe has in store for you. Surrender yourself to the moment and rest for ten minutes. When you wake up from this “gratitude nap,” you’ll likely feel a new lightness, a deeper appreciation for the beauty of your life as it is right now.
In our busy lives, we often forget to engage in these simple practices that can unlock our inner love and joy. Our true nature, which is filled with light and happiness, gets buried under the weight of life’s experiences and traumas. But as the Ayurvedic concept suggests, we have the power to shine so brightly that the darkness has no place to hide. These exercises are the keys to setting our inner light free. By starting our day with the love wave, making a daily commitment to joy, living from a place of abundance, and practicing gratitude, we can embrace our true selves and experience a life full of joy, love, and light.
