Bhavana’s Gift

End the Year with Intentional Grace

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What’s Your Bhav?

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“What’s your Bhav?” the yoga asana instructor asked the students as we sat on our mats waiting for her to begin class.

Bhav? What the heck is my Bhav? 

I soon learned that Bhav was yoga shorthand for Bhavana, which means attitude, feeling, emotion, or state of being.

Like many Sanskrit words I've come to cherish over the years, these sacred sounds are treasure chests brimming with radiant gems. Bhavana is a jewel with countless shimmering facets.

On the surface, the teacher asked the practitioners, “How are you showing up today? What’s happening inside your heart, mind, and body that you’re bringing to the mat? Are you sad, lonely, angry, excited, or joyful?” The unspoken question was, “How can your practice today support you in the way you need? Does your Bhav need an adjustment?”

Asking yourself these questions before beginning any practice is simple but not always easy. The good news is that you don’t need to be in a yoga studio—or even roll out a mat. You can ask yourself these questions before getting out of bed and before your feet hit the floor. Whatever practice grounds you—walking your dog at sunrise, lifting weights at the gym, or writing at your local coffee shop—these moments of self-inquiry help create meaningful, life-affirming experiences.

As I mentioned in last week's post, today I’m sharing one of the practices I especially enjoy working with at this time of year—Bhavana.

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The Bhavana Practice

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If you look closer at Bhavana's facets, you’ll find it’s not just about noticing your emotional state—it’s also about connecting to the true nature of existence.

The word Bhava stems from the root verb bhu, meaning 'to become' or 'to exist.' Bhavani, one of the many names of the Divine Mother, is revered as the Creator of Existence. Embracing the practice of Bhavana is not for the faint of heart—but it is precisely within the heart that a more profound connection to existence awaits discovery.

Bhavana encompasses Buddhist and Tantric yoga practices that foster elevated mental states and qualities such as loving-kindness and compassion. In some streams of Tantric yoga, this deep meditation is called creative contemplation. It’s a practice that empowers you to intentionally nurture qualities like selflessness and kindness, enabling profound shifts in perspective and reality.

Journaling is often part of the Bhavana practice, which can deepen the experience. Begin with a passage from scripture, a line of poetry, or a quality you wish to embody. Reflect on its significance and how it might shift your perspective. Consider asking how cultivating selflessness or compassion might expand your understanding of yourself and your place in the world. Often, I invite the sacred text or poem to reveal a deeper meaning or fresh insight, guiding me toward new levels of awareness.

Bhavana invites us to look beyond our personalities, delving into the essence of who we are. By touching the truth of our being, we align with divine qualities and create lives that resonate with our higher selves.

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Toxic Positivity vs Genuine Presence

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The tradition of Bhavana has been passed down through the ages. It is not about endorsing toxic positivity. Instead, it invites us to meet life as it is, balancing light and dark with sincerity and courage.

Our world feels imbalanced. Toxic positivity can weigh us down, while despair seems to loom everywhere. At the same time, our primitive brains remain wired for survival, keeping us hyper-alert to perceived threats. This instinct often exacerbates stress and anxiety.

Practicing Bhavana helps retrain our minds, fostering calm, clarity, and resilience. It encourages us to embrace the shadows while expanding our consciousness and moving toward wholeness. We are forever changed.

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The Dark of Winter or Summer’s Bounty

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Given everything we’ve experienced this year, this season can feel incredibly intense; amplifying those emotions tenfold seems only natural. Festive parties, family gatherings, and endless gift exchanges often lead to fatigue or overwhelm. Whether you’re navigating winter’s long nights or summer’s vibrant warmth, I encourage you to carve out time for yourself.

Instead of focusing on unfulfilled goals or fretting over the uncertainties of the new year, reflect on the extraordinary qualities that have enriched your life and the lives of those around you. Recognize the higher states of being you’ve aspired to, and nurture your commitment to living a life led by heart, not just the mind.

In this practice of Bhavana, you’ll find a profound way to align with light, truth, and the extraordinary within yourself.

May the light of the holiday season fill you with peace and joy.

Thank you for being here and making this journey with me. I’ll be back in January.

With love, Paulette

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