In yogic philosophy, there is a practice known as svadhyaya, or self-study. Svadhyaya is often thought of as the study of how one interacts with, and reacts to, the world around her/him. You might call it noticing yoga.

It’s noticing habits, thoughts, reactions, instincts, speech, desire, need, and more. At first, it’s merely recognizing. Then, perhaps, it becomes assessing what feels good and what does not, what is true and what is not, what serves you and want does not. From there, it’s choosing to interact with the world differently. It’s stepping back to act, not out of instinct, but intention. It is moving forward into the person that you desire to be - into your full potential and service to the world.

It’s choosing to know yourself better to better serve the world.

Now is a time when we need svadhyaya, when we need self-study. It is a time to step back and  acknowledge what we know to be true. In the name of self-study, in the name of love and unity, here is what I know to be true: Love is real. I see it. I feel it. I live it. Goodness is also real, as is joy and compassion. They are all so real.

I know this to be true.

It is time, now, to look inward and acknowledge the truth that love and goodness are real. It is important to remember that we see and feel their realness every day. We have a choice, as we turn our focus inward, to let go of what does not serve us and move forward into our full loving, unifying potential and service to the world. We have a choice to grow the love and joy and peace within, so that we may pass that goodness onto those we come across. We have the ability to create a snowball of love and joy and peace.

I know this to be true.

This reminds me of a profound message from author Elizabeth Gilbert in her book Eat Pray Love. Gilbert writes, “The best we can do then, in response to our incomprehensible and dangerous world, is to practice holding equilibrium internally - no matter what insanity is transpiring out there…. Imagine the universe is a great spinning engine. You want to stay near the core of the thing - right in the hub of the wheel - not out at the edges where all the wild whirling takes place, where you can get frayed and crazy. The hub of calmness that’s your heart. Stop looking for answers in the world. Just keep coming back to that center and you will always find peace.”

I know this to be true.

Lastly, I ask of you but one thing.... Believe in love. Always.

Need to fill up your love cup? Here are our favorite flower essences for promoting love, unity, and inward reflection: