The gentle gaze of beauty

From the contemporary breakthroughs in medical communities about how the nervous system works, we know that there are five “flavors of awe” (Dr. Passaler’s term in Heal Your Nervous System). Beauty is just one flavor that is a “serene and peaceful type of awe, filling you with an appreciation for the beauty in the world.”

Ancient yogic wisdom points to this attentive calm—the gentle gaze of the “drishti” helping one bring focus and stability to the bodymind.

The dictionary meaning of gentle that spoke to me was a kindness directed back towards the self or others (e.g., a gentle reader, for example).

The work of “grandma philosophy” on social media to share wisdom is full of recommendations to bring gentleness into our lives. “shifferdiane” on IG encourages us to have “sit and stare time” or make “happy traps” for ourselves, little kindnesses we leave in our paths for our future self to be reminded of small beautiful things in life.

I think the space to see beauty in our lives–because it is “integrated gently”; because “everything softens, settles back” when we turn our drishtis towards it; because it is meant for “safe keeping” (we want to keep our beauty “traps” safe in our treasure boxes) helps us look at ourselves kindly and tenderly and ask the most curious questions.

What questions bubble up inside of you when you encounter beauty?

Interested in a women’s journaling circle at The Writing Shed? Join me for an in-person workshop on Saturday, April 11, from 1 – 3 to try a sampling of simple beauty exercises, including “writing about green” activity. Details to register are on the Events page.