The Most Nourishing Root
Could it be the humble carrot, the earthy beetroot, or the Scottish neep (called swede or rutabaga in other lands)? Maybe it’s celeriac or skirrit or even dandelion. As important as good vegetables are in our diet, it’s not just food that nourishes us. We might all ask ourselves, what helps me to thrive? What helps me to shine brightly in the world so I can be of help to others?
And if we don’t know, perhaps we would like to find out...
I seem to hear some readers ask, should we really be thinking of ourselves in a time like this, when so many others are suffering? The short answer is, ‘yes, absolutely!’ If we don’t include ourselves in our care for the world, we’re missing out a very important part. Each of us is just as important as anyone else. Perhaps radical self care is the most nourishing root of all.
(For those who may not know, the word radical comes from the same Latin word as radish - radix - meaning “root”).
Eating well, sleeping well, making time for those hobbies and pastimes that fill our hearts, being with friends and loved ones, walking or simply sitting in nature, revitalising our bodies and minds with yoga and meditation … all of these things and more help us to live well so that we have energy to spare for others in need.
If we want to live in a more equal world, we can begin by recognising that we matter just as much as anyone else. Not putting ourselves above or below others can be a challenge in a world that tells us that hieararchy is both natural and necessary. Through practice we can discover that this has never been true. We humans are capable of relating freely as equals. We humans are capable of thriving in cooperative communities.
But the thing is, it does take practice. By helping ourselves to become deeply rooted in our own bodies, rooted in the living earth, rooted in community, we can help to heal our world, one heart at time.
I’m very grateful to my heart teacher, Padma Devi, for encouraging us all to practice radical self care, to nourish ourselves so that we can nourish others. And I’m honoured to share the teachings of Heart Of Living Yoga alongside the heart wisdom of permaculture and the insights I have gained from many years of study in storytelling, sociology and psychology.
