Wisdom from Buddha, Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, and Carl Jung. Jack Kornfield, in his book The Wise Heart, quotes the Jungian analyst Robert Johnson in saying, “We more easily take our worst fears and thoughts to be who we are, the unacknowledged traits called our “shadow” by Jung. Curiously, people resist the noble aspects of their shadow more strenuously than they hide the dark …
Gas Light Confessional AKA Running On Empty
I almost fell out when she said, “You wouldn’t let you car run on empty, would you?” Was she kidding? I never got gas until the gas light had been on long enough that I was mentally planning what I would do and who I would call if I ran out of gas before I could find a gas station. …
The connection between your stomach and your intuition
I have a question for you: What would happen if you learned to trust your gut instead of trying to starve it, empty it, flatten it, suck it in, or hide it? Chances are you would experience a huge transformation. Learning to trust your intuition is huge. Choosing to stop hating your body is huge. Doing both at the same time …
Are You Tired Of Holding Things Together?
It’s okay to fall apart. Most of us spend such a large amount of time and energy trying to get okay and stay okay, even when – perhaps especially when – times are tough. The pursuit of pleasure is just as much a hindrance as the avoidance of pain. Both lead to suffering according to the Buddhist Noble Truths. So …
What do your weight, job title, net worth, and snack choices have in common?
The answer may surprise you. How do you measure your value? Get super honest with yourself for a minute. Do you base your value on the number on the scale, your work, your bank account, or what you choose to snack on at 3 pm or before bed? Maybe it’s not an obvious moment of self judgement but a more …
Tropical Storms & Not Drowning
Once upon a time I surfed overhead waves. I had just moved to Folly Beach after a Summer in Nantucket. In Nantucket I had the benefit of fairly consistent gentle waves. Surfing there was full of ease and enjoyment and when I moved back to South Carolina I had very little fear around being in the water. My first paddle out …
The Part Of Freedom That We Don’t Want To Talk About
So you say your want a revolution, well you know… To get free, you have to let go. Each night during my initial yoga teacher training we practiced the same chant: “Make me and instrument for Thy Will, Not mine but Thine be done Free me from anger, jealousy and fear, fill my heart with joy and compassion” Each night I cringed as …
Stopping The Mental Spiral And Broken Record
That dreaded feeling recently came back. **This is a super personal story, but I am sharing it with you, because I often get comments and questions from students and readers who are struggling with a tendency to get caught in a downward spiral when triggered by uncomfortable feelings.. After the story I share my path back to peace of mind.** In our practice of yoga …
Wisdom From RENT aka Baggage Reframe
“I’m looking for baggage that goes with mine.” ~ Mimi Marquez The rock musical RENT was the first piece of art that influenced my life in a major way. I was obsessed with the show as a teenager. Through the years my love of the show has remained and my perception of the wisdom in Jonathan Larson’s lyrics has morphed and …