Summer Solstice: A Midpoint Reflection

Happy summer solstice, dear ones.

The summer solstice marks a transition in the sun's journey, when, after the exact moment of peak daylight, the natural world prepares to slow down and turn inward. In nature, this is the time of full bloom, where the architecture of the earth is vibrant, lush, and fully expressed.

This gives us a potent midpoint to reflect on our actions six months ago and how we’d like to move forward six months from now. After this point, the vibrancy will last a little more, before we welcome Autumn and Winter.

Today, I’d like to share with you my midpoint reflection and how I’m taking SOL House forward.

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At the beginning of this year, I proclaimed it to be A Year of Sovereign Spirituality, dedicating this season to offerings and collaborations that shape the way we nurture and harness our inner clarity, meeting our highest Self.

Revisiting a snippet of what I shared in my January newsletter: “This coming year, I feel strongly about the direction of intentional sharing and studies on Yogic philosophy and practices, and how ancient scientists (Rishis) have devised and embodied these teachings for us to drink from this eternal fountain of wisdom.”

Today, we have arrived at the midpoint. Six months is a grand time for me to look back on the steps taken to be here, well and alive.

A well-meaning friend asked, "What are you doing these days?"

The vessel of SOL House has morphed, and it can’t quite be pinned down at this intersection. I like to think I have a streak of rock star syndrome in me, where in my bones, I don’t really feel the need to speak much about superficial details. It feels too black and white, leaving no room for possibilities to emerge.

I simply say, "I’m living my best life."

You see, it will always be a work in progress, yet it is the best version to date. My life itself is a work in progress. My pursuit of what brings me joy is often fuelled by my study of the Self. As I shift towards a clearer grasp of my inner clarity, my work changes too. Through which I learned how I can best contribute within my capacity, how I can show up for people, spaces, and causes close to my heart. This constant movement fuels me to keep participating in life, as a curious seeker and student.

As we arrive here, I am reflecting too, on the steps it has taken for me to honour the theme of Sovereign Spirituality.

The first step is finding stability in a constantly fluctuating world.

For five years, running a business where monthly paycheques were never a given, but a bonus, was a willing exchange I made. The learning and experiences as an entrepreneur felt so much more rewarding. Now, pivoting towards a new way of sharing my work has directed me to relook at money as an influential stabiliser, and not just a means to get by each month’s overhead.

I’ve learned to receive money as what I truly deserve, whilst challenging myself in a new profession, which I wouldn’t have had the headspace to dream of a year before. These, to me, are pursuits of Sovereign Spirituality too. Spirituality doesn’t have to look like a certain white-washed or esoterically plastered mould. Sovereignty derives from the dedication to taking care of my needs well and first, and fluidly applying spirituality to all facets of life.

In fact, I haven’t felt more at ease than I do now. I’ve increased my interactions with people—kids, mainly, in the education field I work in. I see my time with them as a meaningful exchange, and I have grown to be more lighthearted. The stability in one aspect of my life has brought me closer to the force field of creative expression beyond what I had limited myself to before.

Left: A romantic sight on my morning walk. Right: Ganesha’s steady presence in my heart. Center: Witnessing the beauty within and around me.

The second step is choosing quality over quantity.

I have begun to reduce my communication on social media and fleeting exchanges, as I’ve learned I needed time to establish a steady headspace for myself while adapting to a new work environment. In turn, it has also helped me pay less attention to engagement in the virtual world, and focus more on the students, seekers, and friends whom I meet through the yoga classes and spiritual circles I facilitate.

Now that there’s no urgency to fill up daily bodywork slots, I have given myself more sovereignty to rest (without guilt). Ample downtime for me to listen to this body of work that tells me when to move forward and when to dial down. I’ve learnt that with my limited resources, I want to devote time to building relationships that mattered to me most. They are the weekly yoga classes, the monthly Sangha hangouts, the term practices—people whom I cherish and want to spend time with because I truly enjoy their company.

It is absolutely freeing to know that I am not bound by the urgency of time or the fear of lack. I say this now with deep gratitude to the people who have been quietly supporting me by reflecting my value back to me, be it through a paid class, a review, or even a note of kindness.

Sangha Gatherings by the park, Term Practice and Circles at Fang Studio.

The third step is owning my seat in the room.

This is a big leap, and the most transformational shift I’ve felt this year. As you know, I enjoy sharing my thoughts through words, for I speak less in groups. I, too, tend to play small and downplay my worth. Last month, hosting my first retreat was a major turning point in my personal growth, where I came to accept my role as a teacher. It may sound silly and absolutely mind-boggling. There is a part of me that wholeheartedly shows up to serve others and share passionately, but there is also another part of me learning to give myself the value I deserve and receive the acknowledgement from others.

When I say accepting my role as a teacher, it means acknowledging that, by God’s grace, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of teaching others. Honouring the role wholeheartedly sanctifies the teacher-student relationship.

For a long time I stood on the sidelines, but now I’m bravely facing my fears of being labelled as a yoga teacher, shoving aside the ego talk of not being good enough to own this seat. I am reclaiming this seat as a teacher, because I believe and recognise now, the teacher that is blossoming in me. I am a teacher, as I am a student, as I am a seeker.

This breakthrough wasn’t anything I had done on my own. It was the grace, love, and patience of my Guru who has been directing me to see myself for my worth as I Am. It is he who has sharpened and strengthened me. It is he who has challenged me to see that there is no fear or shame required to be in the spotlight. This is part of karma yoga, where we show up when duty calls.

Pause & Reconnect Retreat at Pahang, Malaysia. Co-facilitated with my dearest teacher, mentor, navigator, rock — Prasad Rangnekar.

“A master’s divine love is not that of human love but is something which only the heart, and never the mind, is capable of understanding. In a true spiritual tradition the teacher gives so much to his student that the student’s life is overwhelmed and transformed.” — Living with the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama

With that, I’ve also found myself taking up roles I would have easily passed on to other professionals in the past. Being on the panel for Vogue Wellness Day was one of the ways I allowed myself to shine. It was a revealing moment for me to receive the abundance of the experience, understand where I stand in a room of diverse backgrounds, what the overall sentiments are of a certain profile and profession whom I might not get to interact with daily, and yet, still find some threads of resonance and inspiration for me to seek clarity within.

Where I lack in skills, I humbly receive it as an opportunity for growth. And where my body trembles (in a good way) and heart beats valiantly, I feel even more fuelled to take rightful actions. This opportunity has seeded the expansion of my Ayurveda offerings, which I’ve let lie low for a while. I now see the role I play—my niche, my unfair advantage, my responsibility as a custodian of this ancient wisdom, my alliance towards those who have been oppressed and silenced—and I want to make these changes happen.

Participating in Vogue Wellness as a panelist for Asian Remedies: Traditional Medicine in a Modern World

Leaning into the sun’s sovereignty on this iconic day of the year, I’ve learned not to dull mine. I’ve learned that really nothing can hold me back, except for my own fear and limitations. The more I give with unflinching faith, the more this fountain of life force provides. It never lacks; it never dries.

“The time has come for us to begin by taking action to rehaul our perspectives, reclaim our voices, and return to our hearts.” I shared this in the January mailer too, as if it was for present-Candice to hear. And now I repeat myself, aloud and to the folks whose hearts are still wavering.

“The Atma (the Soul) is like the sun: it does not seek to shine; it simply shines. It is the witness of all actions, remaining untouched, radiant, and eternally sovereign.”

In the coming months, I will be curating a few programmes for us to tap into our Sovereign Spirituality.

Some of which are re-runs of foundational workshops and study club for us to receive and embody True Well-being.

I know that is a whole lot of vibrancy and outward movement. And I know there is a limited time before Autumn’s shedding and Winter’s inward calling arrive. So wherever these months lead me, I will be moving along. Tentatively, these are the special events/ workshops for summer. I will be sharing more information in the days to come. For now, if any of these speak to you, write to me, and I’ll be happy to chat.

Summer schedule alongside weekly Grounding 90 classes at Yoga In Common, and monthly Sangha Gatherings.

Note: Grounding 90 on 28 July will be shifted to 6pm.

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Thanks for reading this far, dear one. May this solstice sun shine upon the path ahead for you, illuminating whatever is ready to amplify and shedding light on your own sovereign truth.

I’d love to know what is blooming in your world right now. Write to me anytime x

With warmth and gratitude,

Candice