04/06/2025
Many of us have resistance to routines, and yet routines can aid us in self care, provide a foundation during transitions and unfamiliar places, and carry us through difficult times. We are reminded of the woman, who upon receiving news of the death of a loved one, found herself brushing her teeth. This simple routine brought comfort and grounding during an overwhelming moment. We are also reminded of a loved one who kept her sanity, and even found empowerment during imprisonment, by establishing a routine of exercise, self-care, and meditation.
We observe and acknowledge the difference between ROUTINES that SERVE us and ROUTINES that ENSLAVE us.
"Babylon" (western culture), requires us to follow routines and schedules that are both dysfunctional and harmful. It tells the mother to feed the baby by the clock and ignore its cries of hunger, disconnecting the child from its own gut. The child wants to play at sunrise, his circadian rhythm still in tact, but he is told to stifle his urge and wait for an arbitrary hour on the clock. Early schooling, an invention of the industrialists needing more workers, has one main purpose. To prepare us for the soulless drudgery of the 40 and 50 hour work week.
We suppress our urges for hunger, play, curiosity, and sleep to abide by a routine tied to a clock, and to fit into a society woefully disconnected from the natural rhythms of nature. Our bodies pay the price. Artificial lighting disrupts our sleep, giving rise to depression. Living with cement beneath our feet and beds disconnects our personal electrical field from the earth's, exacerbating anxiety. The fast pace of Babylon disconnects us of from our bodies. We lack the time for self care and we fail to notice the warning signs that portend illness and even injury. We and our sisters have been so disconnected from our bodies that we were unaware of a child or tumor growing inside us. For these reasons, many of us are escaping this society that does not serve us. For some, we must escape before it kills us.
When we first break free of Babylon, we may be tempted to throw out all semblance of routine. If we are fortunate enough to retreat to nature, the sun and moon will guide us back to a healthy circadian rhythm. With enough time away from distractions, we will begin to notice how our bodies feel and return them to their natural state of vibrant health. Keeping with these returning natural rhythms, we can build a LOVING ROUTINE of SELF-CARE0. Taking more time for brushing and bathing, walking, and incorporating strength-building routines such as yoga (which requires no equipment and can be done anywhere.)
We must build a routine of feeding ourselves as well. Babylon has not nurtured this simple but crucial necessity. Society keeps us so busy there isn't time to grow our food, meal prep, cook, or even feed ourselves. In Babylon, we choose high sugar and high fat foods, because we are literally starving by the time we get to Starbucks or McDonalds, at noon or 1pm, momentarily released from our overlord for a lunch break.
Here... we vow to listen to our bodies and to listen to each other. We vow to support one another in establishing healthy routines that heal the body and return us to a more peaceful, healthy, and joyous state. Be strong, be healthy, and B.U. And so it is. Namasté