What are we really doing here?

Why are you doing yoga? Why are you participating in an Ayurvedic Cleanse? What are we really doing here?

We are getting happy. Getting happy is a process...a technique. It isn’t that hard. It is simply an everyday disciplined practice. This is how happiness works. First, you must be physically comfortable. If you are ill, in pain, or suffering from life’s stressors like lack of sleep, poor digestion or fatigue, you cannot be happy. Not only can you not be happy, but you can’t grow spiritually because you are mired in misery that is physically tangible. This is why we do Asana or the movement of Yoga. So, go to a yoga class or go for a walk or both. Make good nourishing choices for food and routine. Go to bed.

Second, you must breath. I guess that should be first, but I’m talking about Pranayama. Focused attention on breath. This will relax you. It will focus your mind so that your thoughts begin to slow. You will become aware of tension that you are holding in your physical body and be able to release it and manage it in the moment. If you are unaware of your breath, if you are rushing through your day, you cannot be happy. Not only can you not be happy, but you can’t grow spiritually because you are mired in stress and rushing and not taking the time to connect to your soul. So, breath. Just be aware that you are breathing. In the moments of stress and anger, pause and breath.

Third, you must meditate. Now this really should be first because it is the foundation, but I’d like to get you through the door in a more mainstream way. The Asana of yoga is widely accepted. It is readily available. Meditation is a little more work. Additionally, if you are not physically happy and if you have no focus, you cannot meditate. Meditation is the process of becoming aware of your thoughts and finally of becoming without thought. Meditation is not visualization. Meditation is not listening to soothing music. That is called relaxation and it is very important, but it is not meditation. So, do a little asana to make your body comfy, breath for a few minutes to focus your attention and relax and then meditate. Just sit, close your eyes and bring your attention to any one thing. I love mantra and “so hum” is the perfect mantra to connect to your breath. Translated, it means “I am”. And that means “I AM” I AM the whole entire universe. I AM the reason for all that is here to be here. I AM the center of the world. I AM the co-creator of my existence.

Through meditation, we create a door to our soul. Before that door opens, you have to let go of a lot of things keeping you attached to this world. You must process your past. All the aches, pains, grievances, betrayals, bad thoughts and bad deeds of the past must be released. You must find compassion and forgiveness and ultimately blessing in everything that has come your way. Once the past is gone...and this is a process...you start to shift to present moment awareness and ultimately happiness.

But wait...we still have to deal with the future. Get clear about what your intentions and desires are for your future. Know that you, as the co-creator, truly can manifest anything that you desire. Know what you want. Ask for it. Know that you will get it. Through this process you can stop worrying about your future and living in the future. This facilitates present moment awareness.

Living in this present moment, through meditation you will be aware of your thoughts. When you start to worry, you can stop yourself. When you are being critical, judgmental, unforgiving or harsh, you can choose a different path. You will become compassionate, loving and helpful.

At some point in your practice of meditation, once you are done thinking about the past and worrying about the future, you will meditate. You will enter a zone of total peace and connection. You may or may not remember anything that happens during meditation. What does happen? I have no idea. For me, I come out of my meditation relaxed, focused and HAPPY!

What are we really doing here? We are getting HAPPY.