In this meditation there is contemplation on some of the conditioned habitual thinking. What excess baggage is weighing us down, preventing us from getting where we need to go.
Happy Circle March 16, 2018: Rippling Thought Modifications
Last time we discussed the second of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. Yoga is stopping the thought formations or modifications (vritti) in the mind space (chitta). There are residual waves as that is the nature of the mind space—like an ocean or lake. Yoga is the liberation from the push and pull of all the waves, not being... Continue Reading →
Happy Circle February 20, 2018: Push and Pull Lake
We are all under the sway of four pairs of opposites: pulled by pleasure, perceived material or mental gain, fame, and praise; and the push away from displeasure, perceived loss, notoriety, and blame. There is constant tension between getting what we want and avoiding what we do not want. This is the root cause for discontent, scattered minds, and the shadow of unhappiness.
Happy Circle February 9, 2018: Chariot of Yoga Meditation
Learning to rein in, train the unruly horses, and keeping the chariot on track through all the rough and smooth patches is the process of yoga. The word "yoga" has multiple meanings--it is used as a term to describe the training process, the path, as well as the goal which is a particular state of being.
Happy Circle January 23, 2018–Chariots and Mountains
Welcome to our circle! We have two analogies today--chariots and mountains. One is active and the other is passive. My purpose is to broaden our perspective on awareness, meditation, yoga, and to cultivate objective curiosity (sakshi bhav/witness). Links to meditation using the allegory of a mountain are posted below. Imagine yourself riding in a glorious... Continue Reading →
Yoga Nidra: With Chakras and Bija Mantras (7/7)
This Yoga Nidra is a guided yoga meditation to purify the body through chakras (energy centers) and their individual sound vibrations. The meditation systematically locates important chakras. Each chakra is associated with an element and has a bija mantra (seed sound vibration). Mental and emotional blockages at each center are cleared by focusing on the... Continue Reading →
Yoga Nidra: Candle Flame Trataka (6/7)
The word trataka means a steady gaze. The yogic practice withdraws the senses from the external environment to the internal space within. It clears the mental space and uses an external flame to trigger the vision of the internal flame. Trataka is a soothing and comforting yoga meditation. Cancer patients and people with chronic illnesses... Continue Reading →
Yoga Nidra: Roles Played (5/7)
This is the fourth meditation in our series. We first became familiar with the process of witnessing. Then we began to look objectively at the programming and conditioning of the mind. The third meditation was about discarding negative conditioning and connecting with an inner source of strength. This fourth meditation is about looking at various... Continue Reading →
Yoga Nidra: Up to the Summit (4/7)
A mountain is a universal, spiritual symbol, just like light. It implies many aspects of existence. Temples, churches and mosques have mountain or hill-shaped domes and steeples. Ancient Egyptian pyramids, Aztec and Mayan temples, mimic mountains. Sometimes the entire structure is built like a mountain as in Egyptian pyramids as well as Mayan and Aztec... Continue Reading →
Mahasri Yoga 