Last year, I went on 2 solo travel trips to Iceland and France in an effort to be “alone with my thoughts.” At the time I didn’t know why I wanted to go on a solo trip even though at the time I had crippling anxiety but I wanted to give it a shot. I knew the physical benefits but I wanted to know what the benefits were from a mental and philosophical perspective.

I’ve always heard that people who spend more time alone are happier. I pondered it and thought well maybe they have clearer intentions and a better idea of who they are at their core because they listen to themselves.

Then, when I finished my yoga teacher training a few weeks ago I realized most of these thoughts I pondered long ago were true. While reading the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in training, I learned about the quieting of the “mind-stuff,” aka your thoughts, allows for you to be more in touch with your true self. Like an ocean that has calmed after a storm and you can finally see the ocean floor (yourself). What comes up in my daily life is what I can see on the surface of this ocean. This is also the reasoning behind meditation. Patanjali says:

“Then the Seer (Self) abides in Its own nature”

“At other times [the Self appears to] assume the forms of the mental modifications”

I took all of this as meaning my true self lies within myself. I don’t need to look towards the outside for anything because the Seer or my true self is inside my own mind. The Seer also acts as a mirror and therefore can take the forms of my Ego or mental modifications. Therefore, if they are negative then my true self will be muted under the reflection of all of those negative thoughts.

I am interested in seeing the reflection in the mirror. Knowing myself and understanding myself. Spending time alone, journaling, and meditation has helped me be more intentional with my thoughts, quieting the ocean within my mind.

I am no where near any level of enlightenment as Patanjali, but this understanding makes me a better person in my daily life so I work towards being my best self every day.