Consider Your LIfe

Changes in life are bound to happen.  There is a quote that says, nothing is constant but change.  There are times when I have embraced change, and others when the change seems to come when I don't quite feel ready.  Usually it's for the better, but in the moment of sudden changes, it can seem very overwhelming.  Some changes in life have thrown me off my feet, while others seem like a gentle tap into a new direction.  A dear friend of mine has a simple saying, "you want to move towards something, not run away from something."   It's at those times where I feel overwhelmed with wanting to change, but feeling stuck, that I remember this.  Keeping myself grounded in my practice of yoga, breathing and prayer, helps me to stand in the eye of the storm when all I want to do is run away.  Of course having supportive people around you is also a great source of strength, but finding that inner strength that comes from the Source is the anchor.  As you get older, or are faced with a challenging situation in life, it seems natural to contemplate the direction life has taken you.  I found a wonderful quote from the Dalai Lama that reminds us to ponder this without the "gentle nudges" that life often swings our way, and to be true to ourselves.  I'd like to share it with you:

"There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide.  No matter what people call you, you are just who you are.  Keep to this truth.  You must ask yourself how it is that you want to life your life.  We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone.  No one can help us, not even the Buddha.  So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?"

Doubt the Doubt

Over the weekend I was listening to a lecture by Baron Baptiste.  He's a very well known national yoga teacher.  He was talking about self doubt and mentioned the phrase, "Doubt the Doubt."  I really love this!  Everyone, from time to time, has some self doubt, myself included.  I personally think that self-doubt can sabotage you from getting what you really want in life.  The key is to believe in yourself.  It's not always easy, especially if past circumstances have not gone as planned, but it's better to take a risk and have faith than to let self doubt keep you prisoner of the past.  Trust your intuition and learning to hear that "voice" is an ongoing lesson.  Most spiritual teachers that I know of say meditation is the way to find that inner knowing.  Reminds me of a quote that the ashtanga master, Pattabhi Jois is so famously quoted as saying, " Practice and all is coming."  So I plan to use "Doubt the Doubt" as my slogan for conquering self-defeating patterns of thinking and keep practicing.  Try it and see what manifests in your life!

More wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda

I read this quote to my yoga classes and have requests to post, so here it is.  It's another great reading from Paramahansa Yogananda's How-to-live Series, "To Be Victorious in Life."  Please enjoy!

The Antidote for Can't Consciouness
I have seen persons who, despite ill health, have made up their minds to achieve something.  Their ailing body was always trying to divert their attention, but they overcame that physical barrier and undeterred went on and on, realizing their goal by sheer strength of mind.  And I have seen others with wonderful health, but peanut brains.  No matter how you try to convince them, they say, "I can't do it."  They are stopped by the mental barrier of feeling inadequate.  And some people have both health and intelligence, but they do not succeed because they have spiritual barriers of bad habits.  Whether from physical, mental or spiritual causes, failure starts with the avowal, "I can't do it."  Such is the force of the mind and the vibratory power of words.  When you say to yourself, "I can't do it," no one else in the whole world can change that decree.  You must destroy that paralyzing enemy: "I can't."
There is an antidote for "can't consciousness": the affirmation "I can!"  Create that antidote with your mind and administer it with all your will.

I really love this quote from Paramahansa Yogananda and would like to share it with you.  Please enjoy!

"Break out of the mental cell of ignorance that has you confined.  Think differently.  Refuse to be limited by thoughts of weakness or age.  Who told you that you are old?  You are not old.  You, the soul, are eternally young.  Impress that thought on your consciousness: "I am the soul, a reflection of ever-youthful Spirit.  I am vibrant with youth, with ambition, with power to succeed."  Your thoughts can limit you or they can free you.  You are your worst enemy, and you are your best friend.  You have all the power to accomplish what you want, if you motivate yourself, if you remove the mental kinks that are blocking the flow of conviction."

Anniversary

On November 19, 2012 I celebrated 25 years of being clean and sober.  It is amazing to me that it has been so long.  Back on that first day when I made the decision to change my life, I had no idea that my life could get so good.  At that time, I was so afraid, but also grateful to have found a ray of hope, and have caring people around me who were my strength when I had none of my own.  To this day, I am thankful for all the loving souls along my path that have helped me on my journey to health.  I have a blessed life.  I thank God for the wonderful second chance that I've been given and never take for granted how precious this life is.  My hope is that anyone who suffers from addictions can find the courage and help that they need to turn their life around.  Believe me, I know it's not easy but it is so worth the fight.  Never give up on yourself. 

Compassion

I live in a fairly large city and find that driving can really provide an opportunity to learn a lot about yourself.  I often find myself feeling a bit disturbed when stuck in traffic, or when trying to get home through rush hour.  One thing that has helped me is the Buddhist view of compassion.  The Buddhist interpretation, according to the "Dalai Lama's Book of Wisdom," states that "genuine compassion is based on a clear acceptance or recognition that others, like oneself, want happiness and have a right to overcome suffering.  On that basis one develops some kind of concern about the welfare of others, irrespective of their attitude to oneself."

This little piece of wisdom really helps me when I'm battling the emotional chaos that traffic can bring.  If I remember that everyone on the road wants to get somewhere, and everyone wants to relieve the suffering of stressful driving, then I can deal with my own stress over the situation much better.  What do I want?  To get home and relax after a long day of work.  What does everyone else on the road want?  Probably the same thing, or perhaps they want to get to the gym or take some type of class to relieve their workday stress, or pick up their kids.  We all want to get somewhere, right?  We all have things in our lives that we see as important.  Let's practice a little compassion and see if it makes the journey a little more enjoyable, or at least bearable.

Take time to get quiet

There is a nice reading from Yogananda that says that we need to let go of always being excited.  Meaning, let go of the nervous energy and rushing around.  Take the time each day to be quiet and contemplate, meditate, or just get outside and take a walk without any distractions.  Unplug for just a few minutes each day.  It's a great gift to give yourself and it will allow you to be more in tune with your heart's desire.