If Not You

Episode 4: If Not You, Who?

It's time to step into the exploration. Today, we are in search of our true self. But first, we prime the mind and the body. It begins in a sacred place free of life's noise. Sit yourself down in a comfortable but alert position, with posture that lets the air flow easily in and out of your lungs. Put your hands together. Rest them gently on your knees. Close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose and slowly out through your mouth. Continue with patience. Match my flow. Feel every inhale and every exhale. Flow in. Flow out.

Today we want to reach inside and uncover the fullest version of ourself. When I was young, I did just this. It lead me to my chosen name, The Divine Prince Rakeem. I chose a name that I had to live up to, a prince in the ghetto. It gave me strength and it forced me to be original. I later on became the RZA: Rakeem Zig-Zag-Zig Allah. Always reaching. Always growing. Now it's time for you to look deep down within yourself and visualize your true self. This begins with altering your physical stance, which has a tremendous impact on your mental state. The right pose can help you think in deeper, more abstract ways, and encourage you to take risks.

Rise up with me now. I want you to take on the stance of a warrior. Take a lunge-like position with your back leg straight and your front leg bending forward at the knee. Now slide your back foot a little big and feel the strength in your balance. Place your hips and shoulders forward so that they are parallel with each other. Keep your breath steady. Make sure your feet remain rooted to the ground. Now become the warrior. Extend your arms as if you're ready to attack. Breathe. Hold it. Even when it gets hard, let your muscles generate with each other. Life is hard, but only through great struggle come ease. Push. Push yourself harder.

Since the first day we entered this world, we had to push ourselves out of a tight situation. A warrior has the ability to push through. Laser beam focus. Our goal is for the body to act in unison with itself. In unison with the mind. If your body knows that every other part is working as one, you can uncover a greater power. You can push that boulder up the hill. Feel the strength in your stance. Feel the confidence that it creates. Visualize yourself in this warrior stance. Now name it. This is you. From this pose, you can take on anything. Remain here as you call to mind the next obstacle that you must overcome. How will you approach it differently with the strength you now possess. Repeat this exercise with a variety of obstacles. Like a kung-fu master, there's great power within you. Now how will you use it?

As you move towards the exit of our exploration, I want you to remember this stance and the confidence that comes with it. Return to it any time you feel overwhelmed and ask, "how will this version of my warrior self respond to this challenge?"

Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Again. Focus on the flow. Inhale and exhale. Slow. Smooth. And return to your day and carry with you what you have learned.