Saturday, June 23, 2012

Why Mind Matters Most

Essay assignment from 200 hour LifePower Yoga teacher training

If you don't control your mind, then your mind will control you

Whatever we think, feel, crave, enjoy and do, it is our mind that processes the impulse or action and assigns a reaction and impression to it. So, if one can control one's mind, one can essentially control one's destiny!

Through meditation and yoga, I have become increasingly self-aware; of my actions, patterns, cravings, thoughts, impulses, doubts and my ego. Initially, just stilling the crazy monkey chatter and learning to focus on my breath and be present was my greatest challenge! It literally took years for me to be able to be still and focus for even a few minutes before and after a yoga class! Oftentimes I would arrive late and leave during sivasana - that's how ignorant and blind I was to the true purpose of yoga.

Through increased self-awareness, I began to be more cognizant of how impulsive and reactive I was, and most importantly, how these actions affected those around me and those I care about. It also brought to light my negative thought patterns, self-destructive behaviors and the role my ego plays in virtually every aspect of my life.

The mind is such a complex system; if one does not know one's true nature and true mind, you can end up fooling even yourself! The idea that the mind matters most is that we CAN learn to focus our thoughts in a positive fashion and thus control the quality of our lives, regardless of physical circumstances. Throughout history, humanity has suffered unbelievable atrocities and inhumane hardships - circumstances outside of one's control. While our ego likes to pretend that we can control our environment and circumstances, it has been proven wrong time and again. The one thing that we can control is our attitude and perspective, and that truly makes all the difference.

Buddha Says...

"To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others"


Sunday, June 10, 2012

If I only had 24 hours left to live

If I only had 24 hours left to live

I would savor every breath, enjoy each second, connect with everyone who crossed my path, spark a revolution, make people smile, eat whatever I wanted, not worry about how much I weighed, how I looked, who liked me and who didn't. I would make people sparkle, and smile, and laugh, and feel loved, and appreciated, and help them understand how beautiful and amazing and unique they are. I would tell everyone I met to forgive themselves and others that have hurt them. To be kind, loving and compassionate, especially to themselves. That they are not alone. That it's ok to be YOU!! I would give away every last penny I had to those in true need. I would tell each child I met that God has given him or her a special unique gift to share with the world. I would teach yoga and meditation and tell people it's a great path to true happiness and peace, but it's not the only one. I would encourage people to let go and let God! To stop worrying and obsessing and competing and clutching; to open up and let people in, even if may end up hurting you. I would tell every person in my life how much I love them and how their love and support has made all the difference in my life. I would hug my son Julian and never ever let him go!!! And I would not spend one precious second worrying about the past, the future or money!!!❤❤❤