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The Healing Power of Beauty
Beauty is a balm for the soul. How can you presence more beauty today?
Unconsciously, our hearts soften and we breathe a little deeper when we drink in beauty. Fresh flowers. An aesthetically pleasing website or logo. The soothing touch of a lover’s caress. The warmth and ease of their tender gaze washing over you. Fashion that inspires with color, pattern or texture. The pure innocence and whimsical awe of a child.
Beauty draws life into alignment and attunement – as a strong magnet coalesces metal shavings. Beauty is to the eye and heart, what a finely tuned instrument and resonant voice is to the ear. Symmetry pleases the brain. Beauty evokes resonance – creating order. Deep sigh.
When objects or thoughts are in disarray (dissonance) – we feel scattered, perhaps irritable. In yoga, creating harmony through order, cleanliness and simplicity is called saucha and it naturally breeds clarity of the mind and heart – called sattva.
The act of ‘presencing beauty’ is a function of the Priestess and wise ones of all traditions know… you can instantly soothe any situation by creating beauty. It puts us at ease, elevating the consciousness of everyone involved.
Physical Beauty
Physical beauty invites us to put effort into the way we show up in the world. Our very presence is our contribution, “darshan” or offering to each moment. Physical beauty is a form of offering ourselves to the altar of life. We bless and respect ourselves, life and those we encounter when we are mindful of the way we present ourselves and interact.
Consider the tone of your voice, graceful movement, well-timed conversations, attentiveness, aesthetically pleasing attire and decor, scent, color, personal grooming, lighting, nature and gesture. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder…but subtlety, gratitude and grace are a good start.
How can you be more mindful and add a touch of beauty to your physical presence today?
Emotional Beauty
Emotional beauty is what you radiate from the inside out. Can you hold every person you encounter with positive regard? My favorite word in Sanskrit is “Jyoti” or light. In cultivating emotional beauty, we train ourselves to seek out and register the light and love in everyone. They, in turn, respond accordingly.
One of my favorite books, “The Greatest Salesman in the World” challenges us – whether with your child, spouse, friend, co-worker or taxi driver – to practice seeing their light. As you recognize the light and soul in each individual, soften and respond by sending love and good wishes to them. Generously give out “warm fuzzies”: smiles, compliments and random acts of kindness. When you mirror another’s light, they’re bound to breathe a little deeper, slip into the heart and respond in kind. Their beauty and radiance will shine forth. You may add the radical Buddhist practice of loving-kindness and silently repeat to yourself “May you be happy. May you be free.”
Please leave comments below to let us know your favorite ways of sharing inner or outer beauty with the world!
- How does beauty shape your life?
- What do you find most beautiful and inspiring?
- How do you define beauty?
- Who inspires you as they share their beauty with you?
xox,
Ashley
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Damn do I love the idea of presence as a verb… Hot damn (sorry, lol – it’s just so weird to bring in that kind of expression when we’re talking about meditation… I just couldn’t help it). It opens up so many new ways of thinking and doing.
I love the “idea” that beauty can be found outside nature and things like that. Very fresh to see a logo mentioned. Because it’s true. I think there’s a lot to say about the beauty in, and calming power of, simplicity. Nature has it and the websites/logos/fashion that actually looks good pretty much always has it.
Thank you, also for your beautiful presence!! I like how you explain the importance of sharing and seeing beauty (inside out). Recently I had a talk with a yoga teacher who thought it was outrageous to put effort in looking good on your yoga mat, because outfit has nothing to do with yoga. I could not agree less…. it’s much deeper than an ego thing. Making yourself beautiful for your practice is an act of devotion. Just as I want to have a shower before my practice, I want to wear clean and pretty clothes. If not, it just feels like a lack of respect and in return the practice feels lame and uninspired. Same goes for other areas in life. Thank you for pointing out the importance of beauty in the world.
I’ve slowly realized that anyone can be beautiful and to me, the secret is to carry yourself with lightness or “keeping your heart center open”. I mean, who looks ugly walking around like that? It feels very natural and instantly makes me feel better when I remind myself to do that. I think too often people focus only on putting on a smile, but leave the rest of their body language very heavy and burdened.
Beautifully said Amanda! 🙂 xoxo