I think that often, we get our sense of success wrong. We think it comes from pushing, controlling, hustling and making things happen around us. But I believe that when we experience success in our lives, what we’re really experiencing is a direct reflection of our inner world. Like most things today, success and achieving our big dreams is associated much more with doing, over being. But when we realign with the energy of our highest truth, purpose, joy, and sense of service, success comes naturally.
If you’re feeling stuck or out of alignment, this episode will help you reconnect with the love, wisdom, power, peace and presence that is already within you - so that you can become a magnet for success in the world.
At 24, I started to step into a new state of being.
It felt like everything was going wrong. The legal career that I’d worked so hard for was no longer a match for my soul and instead of burning bright, I’d burnt out. I had no idea what to do next, so I turned inward - in search of the safety, security and success that I longed for. In that moment, I chose to stop looking outside of myself for answers, and instead, look within. That simple shift in perception inspired my path over the last several years, and helped me remember the truth of who I am.
In those early stages of my soul recovery, I dove deep into practices that brought me back home to myself… restorative yoga, breathwork, yoga nidra, and meditation.
Exhausted, all I wanted to do was lie down, and the truth is, that hitting that bottom - both figuratively and literally - forced me to slow down, and finally get still.
That’s where I found a more mindful, whole and complete way of perceiving myself.
Stilling our mind and body allows us to truly connect with our spirit. The world is noisy, and this subtle, intuitive part of us can be difficult to tune into. But in stillness, we disconnect from others’ influences. The quieter we become, the more we can hear.
This is what the yogis call pratyahara, which is a withdrawal of the senses, or a distilling of the outer world. In this space, we’re able to tune out the noise and tune in to ourselves.
Once we get quiet enough to establish that spiritual connection, our job is to follow the guidance that comes through.
That may be in the form of a feeling, a word, a sensation or simply, an inner knowing.
Surrendering to stillness allowed me to hear the soft whisper that nudged me to leave my legal career, fly to Bali, and take my first yoga teacher training. In my first Savasana there, I cried in relief, because I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Slowing down and listening is so important when we’re trying to ignite something!
It also helps us navigate the road to our dreams, which can be bumpy at times, with a lot less stress and a lot more ease.
In stillness, we receive, because when we open up to spiritual guidance, we’re given all we need.
When the idea came for Prana + Patchouli, instead of comparing myself to others, I made a commitment to become more me and share what I loved through my work. I wanted to be of service and make an impact. By going inwards, my confidence grew, creativity flowed, and I finally felt free. I took inspired action and created a business in full alignment with who I really am, and then, the world reflected that inner success around me. I allowed the Universe to support me, instead of trying to rely on my own strength.
Through that experience, I learned what genuine success meant to me, and began to move through life as a joyful spirit, not just someone chasing a fabulous vision of outer success.
So, in practical terms, how do you invite more stillness into your life?
If you haven’t guessed already, it’s through this daily practice of being intentional about going inwards and nourishing that connection with your intuitive self, your spirit. It could be through your meditations, your breath, your journal, or your restorative yoga practice - whatever inspires you to be still.
Restorative yoga nurtures stillness and is naturally very introspective. While it may not look like you’re doing much lying on a pile of props, there’s so much magic happening below the surface. Our goal is to support the body in different positions to relax and reprogramme the nervous system, imprinting a stiller, softer way of being in the world. This also has heaps of physiological benefits, which means that it supports the body to function optimally.
In that way, stillness can nourish your health and wellbeing and create space for healing, like it did for me, so that you can recharge your light, and step out into the world as your best self.
Let the world reflect back to you the light of who you are, and in that process you’ll be guided! Like a big, beautiful shining magnet, you’ll attract all the resources you need to show up, in a greater way than you could ever imagine. Success comes naturally when you’re in alignment with your truth. And the way to truth is through stillness.
As we add up those moments, stillness becomes easier to tap into, even when we’re not on our mat or meditation cushion. We can turn down the volume on chaos, and come back to a calmer place. There, we have a greater awareness of our purpose and our connection to the world. Life becomes easier to navigate and we arrive in that flow state.
Success is a practice in shifting your focus from “out there” to “in here”. So, whenever you find yourself back in fear, anxiety or stress, remind yourself:
In stillness, I receive.
Before you go back to your day, let’s take a moment of stillness together with 3 deep full breaths.
Notice the slight pause, in between the inhale and exhale, which naturally inspires stillness.
Breathing together…
Inhale deeply, exhale completely.
Two more times like that.
Inhale. Exhale.
Last time.
Inhale and exhale - let it all go.
Hopefully, you already feel calmer and clearer!
So, how are you going to create those moments of stillness for yourself this week?
Let me know! Leave me a comment on the post for this episode over on Instagram, I’m @pranapatchouli.
You’ll probably find me snuggling up with my bolster on my mat!
Thanks so much for listening, and I’ll see you back here next week with a brand new episode.
