What is a perfect action?
Hi dear one.
According to the Yoga philosophy and my beautiful spiritual teacher Nalanieji, a perfect action is:
“One that causes no harm to anyone, and some benefit to someone, yourself included.”
Living a life which causes no harm to anyone while providing some benefit to others myself included, is a noble pursuit, but let's face it, it can be a bit of a challenge at times. It's like navigating a river, trying to steer clear of obstacles without capsizing.
But fear not, my friend, there are ways to make this journey a little less daunting, and even fun.
As someone who tries, some days are better than others ;), to live a life that causes no harm to anyone while providing some benefit to others, I can attest to the importance of not forgetting about yourself in the process. It's easy to get caught up in the needs of others and forget about our own needs, but taking care of ourselves is crucial for our own well-being and for our ability to continue making a positive impact in the world.
Personally, I make sure to prioritize self-care activities that help me feel refreshed and energized. This can mean anything from drinking a nice glass of wine with a friend, doing yoga, swimming in the sea, or reading a book. I also set boundaries and say "no" when necessary, recognizing that my time and energy are valuable, and that I need to prioritize activities that align with my values, needs and goals.
Reflecting on my values and making sure my actions align with them has also been helpful. By staying true to myself, I can avoid feeling drained or depleted by activities that don't resonate with me.
This principle fascinated me so much when I first heard it that I even wrote a children’s book about it. You can check it out here (it’s my gift to paid subscribers) Yolanda Yogapanda E-Book Yolanda Yogapanda Paperback
Living a life which causes no harm to anyone, while also providing some benefit to someone, is like being a dolphin in a sea of sharks. You have to be smart and strategic in your actions, avoiding danger and finding ways to help those around you. And just like a dolphin, your playful and kind nature can win over even the fiercest of predators. So, let's swim with purpose and make a splash in the world!
At its core, this principle emphasizes the importance of being mindful of how our actions impact others. It encourages us to think beyond our own needs and desires, and consider how our behaviour can positively, or negatively, affect those around us. This can be as simple as choosing our words carefully when speaking to others, or being considerate of peoples’ feelings when making decisions which may impact them.
I try to not take myself too seriously. At the end of the day, we're all just human beings trying to do our best. So don't put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect, my friend. Laugh at your mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward.
Until next week, stay curious and grateful.
Loves and joy,
Kim
Join my chat on Substack for something daily as well connecting with others.