The Power of Ritual
From the time we wake up until we go to bed, our day is filled with actions and words. We all have habitual things that we do and say. A lot of these are conscious but many are unconscious. Thoughts, whether conscious or unconscious, become the driving force of all our actions and words.
The Benefits of Mindful Eating
Has eating mindfully been lost in modern times or were we never taught in the first place? When I suggest mindful eating to clients or students, they look at me like I am crazy. As a society, we pride ourselves on the ability to multitask, and we have become accustomed to the constant stream of distraction and information. The thought of sitting, eating, and doing nothing seems overwhelming. The smartphone is a 21st century invention, but its pull on our attention is nothing new.
Eliminating Distractions with the Practice of Pratyahara
Traditionally, when we think of spring cleaning, we think of our homes. But what about taking time to clean the accumulated toxins in our minds and bodies? If you find yourself feeling sluggish, bloated, experiencing brain fog, or you have an overall sense of lethargy, then it is time to clean and polish your body, mind, and spirit. Returning to a place of radiance and bliss is not that hard—you were created to shine!
Giving Thanks: The Healing Power of Gratitude
Giving Thanks: The Healing Power of Gratitude
Samadhi: Connecting with Your Source
We have reached the pinnacle of our journey through the eight limbs of yoga according to Patanjali—the author of The Yoga Sutras. The final limb on our journey is samadhi, and the literal definition of this Sanskrit word is “to bring everything together.” It is at this point that the individual soul and the infinite spirit come into a place of perfected union. This is the culmination of the practice of yoga: to move into a place where the subject and the object merge into one. There are no words, concepts, or thoughts, as this state of being is beyond form. All the applications of discipline, practice, and internal excavation bring us to a place of oneness.
Going Deeper with Dhyana & Meditation
In recent years, conversations about the benefits of meditation, and the different types of meditation practices, have been growing. Look at any magazine and you will find articles on meditation, not only in wellness journals, but mainstream periodicals as well. Books, playlists, and podcasts are available, and the count is in the millions! And there are plenty of apps for your phone. On YouTube alone, there are 17,300,000 results for meditation. Seriously, I just checked. The business of meditation is huge. As more scientific research confirms stress as the root of many illnesses, this phenomenon is not going away. We are desperate for peace of mind, and finding calm through meditation can be key.
Pranayama & the power of yogic breathing
Pranayama is the fourth of the eight limbs of yoga, according to the ancient sage Patanjali. In the second book of The Yoga Sutras we find the description of pranayama as “regulation of breath or the stoppage of inhalation and exhalation, which follows after securing steadiness of the posture, or seat, asana.” Our breath is the external manifestation of our vital life energy, which is our prana. When we learn how to control our breath we can then control our vital life energy. According to the ancient teachings of yoga, it is our prana that keeps us alive and animates our physiology.
Yoga's Ancient Code of Conduct—the Yamas & Niyamas
One of my favorite pearls of wisdom from the teachings of Yoga is that the journey inward begins with outward actions. How we treat others is going to directly affect our mind, body, and spiritual growth. We can read all the books in the world, attend lectures to obtain knowledge, and put both feet behind our head until the cows come home, but real development begins with our actions. The reason is, our outward actions reveal what is going on in our consciousness. More than the actions others see, it is the actions no one sees that matter most. Mental activity deeply influences our overall well-being.
Applying the 8 Limbs of Yoga to Modern Day
Many years ago, an Indian sage named Patanjali wrote a now famous treatise called The Yoga Sutras. This document offers a blueprint for living a life filled with joy, peace, and satisfaction. Who doesn’t want more of these in their life? Patanjali speaks of the human condition and the desire to feel fulfilled, peaceful, and happy. Unfortunately, that is not what we see in ourselves or others much of the time. We forget that our true nature is blissful, clear consciousness.
