40 Days to Letting Go of Harmful Habits
In Kundalini Yoga, there is an understanding that a 40-day commitment to a meditation, kriya, mantra or positive, healthy practice is a fundamental step in the journey towards healing. The formula is simple and straightforward:
It takes 40 days to change a habit.
In 90 days, a new habit is formed.
In 120 days, the new habit is confirmed. It is part of you.
After 1,000 days, you have mastered it.
SuperHealth training examines how this approach is effective in replacing self-defeating habits with practices that are self-affirming and improve health and wellness.
There are no quick fixes. Understand that and you’ve passed one of the first hurdles. Secondly, think about how consistent therapeutic treatments help the body heal from injuries more quickly.
If you’re still procrastinating, there is inspiration in the Five Sutras for the Aquarian Age:
#2 There is a way through every block.
#3 When time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off.
It’s important to understand that the 40-day journey means 40 consecutive days. If you miss a day, don’t punish yourself too harshly. That’s when remembering Sutra #4 is helpful – Understand through compassion or you will misunderstand the times.
Be compassionate with yourself and release any feelings of guilt. Start back at Day 1 and imagine the feeling of accomplishment when you reach 40 days – that important milestone in the healing process.
Perhaps starting with a comforting, self-healing meditation is what you need.
The Meditation for Stress Release and Clearing Emotions of the Past is simple, gentle and uplifting. It can be practiced sitting in a chair or in Easy Pose.
The spine is straight, shoulders are relaxed.
The hands are held at the centre of the chest, with the palms separated. The thumbs and corresponding fingers touch – forming a triangle in front of the heart.
The eyes are focused at the tip of the nose.
The breath pattern is in five-second intervals. Inhale slowly over five seconds; hold the breath in for five seconds. Exhale slowly for five seconds. Do not hold the breath out after the exhale.
Start with a minimum of three minutes every day, working your way up to 11 minutes.
To end the meditation, inhale deeply and suspend the breath for a few seconds. Exhale and relax.
Read more about the Mediation for Stress Release and Clearing Emotions of the Past in Meditations for Addictive Behavior, available through SuperHealth.