Let’s look at the anatomy of spiral. There is an entry point. A dot from where it originates. The dot grows into a line in space. The line curls somewhere in the distance. Before it curves it hits a plateau. It takes a breather there, withdraws into the center before it swirls infinitely through the dimensions. From the swirl of galaxies to the double he- lix of DNA to a baby just learning to roll over, the spiral is essential to life. The body itself is wrapped into a spiral cocoon of myofascial meridians that bundle the whole assemblage of bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles and skin into a unified whole

Our life goes through these junctions of emergence, growth, action, momentum sustenance, and leap before we hit the next learning curve, and transform quantity accrual into a qualitative leap. Our spiritual growth has the gravitational potential of a spiral galaxy. It can be compared to a giant, spiral-grooved, funnel. The gravity of the spiral arms creates the grooves in the potential. A star near the slowest part of its orbit, will tend to fall into a groove and then follow the groove toward the center of the spiral, picking up momentum as it goes. Eventually, the star gains enough momentum to jump free of its groove. It crosses over the next-highest groove, then falls back to a higher point in its original groove. At the same time, the funnel rotates slowly backwards due to orbital precession.

In order to come to that point when the momentum in our lives picks up and we can be catapulted into the next octave of our evolution, we have to make sure whether we are on the right track to invite change.

The most fascinating concept about change is found in Vedic Astrology. The term for change is “Parivartan”, which in fact means “exchange”. The ancient astrologers believed that in order to bring change into one’s life, you first need to exchange energy, information, and knowledge. They believed that rather than positive or negative change, a person needs transformation in their life. And transformation comes from the act of communing and sharing. The theory of mutual inclusiveness states that constellations share entry points and merge through dimensions before they disperse to form new galaxies. That translates into the need to commune, rather than communicate with others in order to transform your life. This concept takes after the Eastern thinking in which everything is seen in relationship to everything else. In fact, when we feel the urge for change we are exchanging the past and the present in order to transform the future. But how does this elusive theory of “exchange” apply to the stages of change in our lives?

Well, we ought to check in with the 5 stages of the spiral: emergence, growth, action, momentum, sustenance, and leap.

In the first stage of inception we are just seeding the idea for change. We are inviting change in our life and waiting for the right timing and place for it to happen. In Yoga this stage is called “brahmajnana”. It is the stage of self-discovery when you allow yourself the luxury to work on your soul retrieval. This stage is intentional, rather than action driven. It is important once we invite change to brew in it for a while before we take any action.

The second stage of growth happens naturally because the foundation was laid correctly. This is the stage of building upon what you erected. In Yoga this stage is known as “prasuuti” or the growth of the vital self. It is important to let things unfold seamlessly point the right direction in which you should be heading. This stage requires observing your intention crop up and blossom.

The third stage is a call for action. You have planted the seed on a fertile ground and have observed its growth spurt. Now you are ready to direct the energy generated form the growth into the right lane so it proliferates. In Yoga this stage is called “dharma” – duty or rightful action. Our duty is to be in the right place at the right time for our good and all those around us. When our actions are in sync with the greater whole we get propelled very fast. Things just move unimpeded and we can enjoy the ride.

This stage naturally transitions into the next curve of the spiral – momentum. Here we don’t do much. We just ride the wave. We try not to push upstream, but we go with the flow. It is a moment of non-action. In the Bhagavatgita, this stage is known as “akarma” – or no reaction. This hints that when we get into the stage of akarma we should no longer react impulsively to situations, but marinate in non-action, until the right decision arises from within.

Once we are in the zone there is a stage of sustenance when things just flow in the right direction without interference. It is the stage of preserving what we have built. In Yoga this is the stage of “sthiti”. The word denotes strong and steady, and at ease. Once we have made the right choices from the heart we are fully centered. We no longer need to grasp for things, but instead invite things to fall into our lap.

If we have completed all the staged of change correctly and have moved through all the sections of the spiral we are naturally catapulted into the next curve. This is the learning curve or the moment of illumination. The ancient Vedic texts connote the word “lampha” as a jump into the light or a leap in consciousness. We grow in consciousness only when we have walked the talk. Only when we have discovered how our path merges into the highway of the universal soul. That brings us back to the Sanskrit word for change “Parivartana”, which means exchange.

As we change the world changes, as we grow we contribute to the growth of all. Are you ready for change? Walk the spiral into the heart of your galaxy.

Yogea kinetic meditation: Spiral Of Change (advanced level)

This form of kinetic meditation blends asana with mudra and mindful walking. It takes the form of sacred dance linking movement with breath in a garland of asanas that invoke transformation and change. A brief Vipassana practice allows you to tune to the present moment. The mudra of acceptance coupled with conscious breathing invites change to sweep through you and catapult you into a new level of awareness. A series of purging asanas flow intuitively into a devotional dance that renders your limbs like brush-strokes painting your soulscape in the air. The body moves gracefully through the full spectrum of poses, reaping all psycho-physical and spiritual benefits. The seamless sequence spirals like a compass and allows you to give reverence to the four cardinal points of the Earth. The organic design cultivates a sense of fluid transitioning and teaches you how to transition elegantly from one pose to the next, from one stage of life to the next. Like a shape-shifter in space and time you transcend the confines of the mind and body to access higher levels of embodied mindfulness.