Pondering the New Year Using the 5 Fundamental Elements of Evolution

 

Pondering the New Year Using the 5 Fundamental Elements of Evolution

Looking for something different to New Years Resolutions? This year, I used the 5 Fundamental Elements of Evolution as the basis for my New Year pondering. 

But first, let’s briefly explore the basics of evolution.

All that is ever happening is evolution. To evolve means to progressively change. There is no progress without change. Too often us humans become rigidly attached to the specific timings and outcomes of how things should happen. This leads to over maintaining in a cycle of the ever-repeating known (non-change). 

Whilst these cycles might feel safe, non-change does not support evolution and thus, stagnation occurs. In nature, nothing stagnates for too long. It eventually leads to destruction. 

As humans, we want to move in ways that support our growth and evolution. From the Vedic perspective, growth is enhanced when the following 5 elements are embraced. 

Practicing Vedic Meditation strengthens each element and our ability to become an agent for progressive change as a whole. If you’d like to explore these in more depth, register for an upcoming Intro Talk or Private Mentoring session.

Stability - is directly related to our mind having stepped beyond thought and grounded itself in Being, it’s unshakable true nature. This leads to evenness in our activity, increases our repertoire of capabilities and a reduction of suffering. 

Adaptability - our ability to interact with demands and changes in expectation rather than reacting to them (fight-flight). 

Integration - our ability to become aware of and add new ideas, information and innovations to our repertoire of capabilities. 

Purification - letting go of anything unsustainable or irrelevant that no longer serve us and hold us back (and thus restricts our evolution)

Willingness to Grow - to what extent can we embrace change enthusiastically?

Here’s how I used the 5 elements of evolution to ponder the New Year:

First, I list 108 things I am grateful for, then I answered the following:

Stability

  • When did I feel most connected to a deep sense of integrity, stability and authenticity?

  • When did I maintain stability, break through limitations and act from my true nature

Adaptability

  • What were the major highlights/wins of the  year?

  • What did I leave on the table (left unfinished/didn’t start)? What got in the way and if relevant how can I adapt to create change?

Integration

  • What were some influential conversations/relationships/lessons/moments that stood out to me?

  • One of the decisions that I’m most proud of is

Purification

  • What patterns did I let go of or let die?

  • What old patterns persisted that I am ready to let die next year?

Willingness to Grow

  • What brings me joy and how do I cultivate more of this in the year ahead?

  • What am I saying ‘yes’ to more in the year ahead?