What are you known for? Extended practice

This post originated as a newsletter to my weekly subscribers. However, the question really struck a chord in my heart, so I wanted to expand on the topic here and offer more depth to the analysis.

What are you known for?

I recently received this question in the context of marketing and entrepreneurship (which is a totally valid context to contemplate it in), but in my current practice of unlearning capitalism and fully embracing the boons of Uranus being in Taurus for the next 7 or so years, I’m more interested in playing with this question outside of the money-making realm. It feels really wholistic and almost therapeutic to apply the question in spheres like: the home-unit or family, close friendships, neighborhood, casual friend assemblages and even looser ties.

Before we delve into the heart of the question, let’s sketch out these spheres of relationship. I like to use (always) the Koshas as the map or model of human experience. The Koshas are described in the Upanishads and are one way of understanding the interplay between and among aspects of the self in place.

• Annamaya kosha is our gross, physical body in relationship with the environment. It is the most dense of the elements of the person.
• Pranamaya kosha is the realm of prana, life force, or the *feeling* of vitality. The most gross aspect of pranamaya kosha is the breath.
• Manomaya kosha is the aspect of self that receives and processes sense data. Mental processes live here. It’s more subtle than Pranamaya kosha, but if you’ve ever spent a day in front of a computer, you’ll know how far-reaching the reach of manomaya kosha is.
• Vijñamaya kosha is the wisdom body. This is where information becomes integrated as true, felt wisdom.
• Anandamaya kosha is the aspect of experience that is bliss (literally, ananda means “bliss without opposite.”)

This is (of course) a rough sketch of this highly experiential model of experience or self. When I’m checking in with myself, I like to organize my inquiry around the Koshas. I think they’re helpful here, and I’ll explain the connections as we go through the process.

So really feeling into it now, what are you known for?

Some of you reading this email now are known for making delicious soup, hosting thoughtful baby showers, exquisite dance moves, the uncanny ability to find the very best cat memes on the internet, always having a song-lyric at hand for the occasion (hi Mom!) and truly amazing listening skills.

If the Kosha model appeals, here’s a way to apply it:

• Physical presence: how are you known in the communities where your physical presence is strongly felt– with your children, your partner, your housemates, your neighbors?
• Your vitality: how are you known in the communities where your blood and your breath are connected– your family of origin, your old stomping grounds, your gym, your running partner?
• Your mind: how are you known in the communities where your mental energy and impressions are expressed– in organizations where you volunteer or vote, where you go to school, where your children attend school, professional organizations, work, in your writing?
• Your wisdom: how are you known among those who look to you for wisdom, guidance and mentorship?
• Your bliss: how are you known among those with whom you express some of the indescribable aspects of being human?

Now think of what you want to be known for?

How do you want your neighbors to remember you? What feelings do you want to evoke when people step into your house or garden? What’s one thing you can do today to set that in motion? That feels like a beautiful seed to plant on this new moon and beginning of eclipse season.

Tell me all about it! I think I’m known for my ridiculously amazing air-guitar skills, my book recommendations, taking really good care of my new-mom friends, holding grudges against people who mess with my friends (this is obviously a double-edged sword, but I want to be honest with you…I’m not perfect!). I’m also known for bringing art supplies to any gathering or trip.

With all love & appreciation,
Kelly