what makes us different…

Lately I’ve been thinking about how quickly we categorize ourselves and everyone around us.

We often define ourselves by what we do for a living, the neighborhood we live in, our political beliefs, our religion, our family, the style of yoga we practice, or even the food we eat. Sometimes these things help us feel connected to others. They help us find our community and our place in the world.

But I also wonder if they sometimes do the opposite.

The more attached we become to our labels, the easier it can be to forget that the person standing in front of us is so much more than theirs.

What if, for just a moment, we set all of those things aside?

If we stripped away our careers, our homes, our possessions, our accomplishments, our opinions, and even our identities, what would be left?

Would we really be so different?

Yoga has a beautiful way of reminding us that underneath all of those layers, we share something much deeper. We all experience joy and disappointment. We all know love and loss. We all want to feel accepted. We all want to belong.

One of my favorite mantras is So Hum.

It is often translated as “I am That,” but another way to think about it is, “I am you, and you are me.” It reminds us that we are not as separate as we often believe.

The next time you find yourself sitting quietly, try breathing with this mantra.

As you inhale, silently think So.

As you exhale, silently think Hum.

Stay with it for just a few minutes. Notice what happens when, even for a short time, you stop focusing on what makes you different and begin to notice what connects you to everyone around you.

I’d love to know…

What labels have you given yourself that may no longer be serving you? And what might happen if, just for today, you set one of them down?