प्रत्ययस्य परचित्तज्ञानम्॥

pratyayasya para-citta-jñānam

Through samyama on the workings (pratyayasya) of one’s mind (citta), the knowledge (jñanam) of what is in the minds of others (para) is obtained.

PRACTICAL LIVING     A lot of our awake time is spent thinking about tasks and experiencing the world in the ‘automatic’ or ‘familiar’ way that we are accustomed to. With reflection, time to pause, meditative practices and slowing down, the automatic loses its power and one can see themselves and others with a wider lens.

Like a mother who is attuned to her child’s needs, one can know what others are thinking, feeling and experiencing. A mother often knows what a child is crying for when they cannot talk. She is so deeply connected to the child’s wants, facial and vocal expressions that she can act to soothe that child and make them feel understood. Similarly, someone who is deeply connected and attuned to themselves and human nature, can feel what someone else is feeling.

Another variation of this is when we are thinking of someone, call them and they answer “Wow! I was JUST thinking of you!”. Who initiated that connection? You or the other person? It does not matter. What matters is that there was an energetic attunement that makes both people feel seen and connected!

IN THE YOGA WORLD     In contemplative psychotherapy, which is based on Tibetan Buddhism, there is a concept called ‘exchange’. This is an experience of feeling what the other person in the room is feeling. You pause and notice that this is not your feeling, you know your feelings well, and realize it’s actually the other person’s feeling. This is particularly interesting when the other person may not be in conscious contact with a particular feeling, like sadness for example. If I suddenly feel sad, and when I pause I notice it’s not my sadness, I am likely feeling the other person’s sadness.

Yogis, witches and mystical beings like the main character of the show ‘The Good Witch’, are intuitively connected to what others are experiencing. Samyama on the workings of one’s own mind can help one understand what others are experiencing.

INSPIRATIONAL PERSON     Sol, my gorgeous and free toddler, is my teacher of attunement. I did not feel attuned to him in the ways I would have liked to when he was born. These past two and half years have taken me into a mother’s journey to pause, slow down and connect with this being. He is my little teacher, guide and role model of an untethered soul. Thank you, meu lindo Sol, for letting me follow your lead as I learn how to love you in the best possible way, learn to understand your queues and your boisterous sense of humor! A mama te ama MUITO!

I hope this is relatable! Next time we will explore the limitations of knowing someone else’s experience!