What Yogic Principle Can Improve Your Work-Life Balance?

What would your life look like if you turned your smartphone off for an hour a day?

The principle of nonattachment, or "vairagya," is a fundamental principle in yoga that can be applied to many aspects of modern life, including the overuse of devices such as smartphones. In a world where technology has become ubiquitous, it can be easy to become attached to our devices and the constant stream of information they provide. This attachment can lead to feelings of anxiety, distraction, and a loss of connection with the present moment.

The principle of nonattachment teaches us to let go of our attachment to external things and to focus on the present moment. In the context of smartphones, this means becoming aware of our attachment to our devices and learning to use them in a mindful and intentional way. It means setting boundaries for ourselves, such as turning off notifications or limiting our screen time, and learning to be present in the moment, rather than constantly checking our devices. What would your week look like if you turned your phone off for an hour a day? How could you spend that time?

Where do you get your information - and how do you share it?

Nonattachment can be applied to the way we consume information from our devices. Rather than getting caught up in the constant stream of news and social media, we can learn to be more selective in the information we consume and to approach it with a sense of detachment and perspective. This means not getting overly invested in the opinions and viewpoints of others, and not allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed by the constant influx of information.

In addition, nonattachment can also be applied to how we use our devices to communicate with others. Rather than becoming overly attached to the idea of being constantly connected to others, we can learn to be more mindful of when and how we use our devices to communicate, and to approach these interactions with a sense of detachment and perspective.

The principle of nonattachment can be a valuable asset in the modern world where technology has become ubiquitous. By becoming aware of our attachment to our devices, setting boundaries for ourselves, being selective in the information we consume, and approaching our interactions with a sense of detachment and perspective, we can learn to use our devices in a more mindful and intentional way, and thus improve our overall well-being. Join our challenge of putting your smartphone off or away for 10 minutes a day - or an hour if you dare - and see what you can accomplish this month.

Did you miss the last post about how the yogic principle of ahisma, or nonviolence, can change the way attorneys practice law? Read it here.

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Did you set a goal for Focus on February? Just 10 minutes a day of walking, stretching, practicing a language on an app, or meditating can add up to big changes.

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Book Club just launched! Reading for 10 minutes is a good goal. Submit your email for monthly updates for our two picks of the month. Check out this month’s selections!


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Focus on February: What Would You Do with an Extra 280 Minutes?