Svadhyaya is the study of Self. In that four word definition we have a lifetime, or fifty, to undress the little self from the big Self. The little self is who we think we are, the big Self is who we really are. This is a worthy study considering here we are, in these bodies, breathing this breath, speaking, acting, and being with ourselves all day everyday. Yet, how much time do we actually spend reading the instruction manual on the operating systems we have been given and then, objectively observing our thoughts, words, and actions, and reflecting on our ability to operate in this world? We spend much more time learning to do jobs that don’t matter, manage our social media accounts, scanning Netflix, and filling our Amazon shopping carts.

Read More

I have heard myself claim that my purpose is to evolve my consciousness and while this seems to be truth at face value, it is still a belief posing as the truth because I have been sold, from the spiritual world, that this is what a “real” yogi would aspire to. When in truth, I really just want to be happy, as me, not for you, not for evolution, not for my Instagram or for the moon or for my ancestors. I want to wake up and exist with myself, as myself, in peace with my body, with my mind, and with my emotions. If I can be honest about this, then I can debunk all of the dysfunctional desires that have resulted in behaviors and habits that are not in service to my happy.

Read More

This is like when the chalkboard has been erased, and what was once busy with the sound of chalk tapping, filling the space with copious amounts of words strung together into memories and interpretations and opinions, is now empty. No words, no tapping chalk, just space for the object of observation to become illuminated. When the object is illuminated from this place of purity, an understanding outside of perception is available. Perhaps something like the view from the backseat of a car window expanded out to the view from a space station.

Read More

Recognizing your individual interpretation of any object will most certainly contain aspects of your past, emotions from the time that memory was stamped, what your parents told you about it, what your society told you about it, your acceptance or rejection of those tellings and so on. Savitarka Samapatti is not about any of that. It is about seeing the process your mind goes through when focusing on an object. When we can objectively observe the rising of this process and allow for the falling of this process, we begin to attain a new kind of clarity that opens up a previously unseen space, to take us beyond the bondage of our own minds’ limitations.

Read More

Sutra 1.41 presents us with the concept of samapatti, considered a lower stage of samadhi. This is when the mind is totally stilled and it no longer colors the experience with past impressions. This could also be considered a letting go and a coming together. When we are able to detach or “let go” from our strong opinions, our preferences, and our distastes, a mass amount of space becomes available for a divine union to occur, a coming together of body, mind, and spirit. This space is pure and untouched by emotion and reactivity.

Read More

Imagine you are feeling a way about something that is upsetting to you, and all you had to do was blink three times and click your heels, and total understanding would wash over you, including compassion for all parties involved. Imagine if our real mission in life was not to get all the degrees or all the monies or all the stuffs, but to discover and develop our own superpowers of which will make this roller coaster of life with its’ guaranteed hardships and miseries way, way, way, more joyous infused with the grace of insight and outsight that relieves all the stress, worry, depression and doubt.

Read More

When we consider the observer becomes the observed, perhaps asking yourself, what do I want to feel more of? Is a great place to start. Once you’ve gained that clarity, then you can remember when or how or where you have felt that. For me, this rules out all generic physical objects and starts to highlight memories of transcendental encounters which have happened in nature, and when immersed in sound, song, and images of Gods and Goddesses. So my suggestion, meditate on God. Your version of course which may have another name, but God, holds the most universal understanding for a power beyond oneself as Love itself.

Read More

When it comes to dreams, there are a many of metaphors we could use to fashion a mirror for ourselves and reflect upon their significance. Like the fact that we “awaken” from the fabrications of our minds every single morning or that we give up identification with our bodies and minds each and every night, yet we do not cease to exist. But, what I think might be quite simple, yet most profound would be be to examen the quality of our rest, our sleep, and our dreams with the quality of the majority of our thoughts.

Read More

Gurus and Gods and Saints and such have gotten a bad rap. It seems all too often our focus turns to condemnation rather than admiration. Let us consider this practice beyond even admiration, for admiration keeps us on the outside looking in, and this is a practice of going inside and looking out. This is a practice of nurture and attunement. Our work here is not to take the position of judge or juror, but to enroll into our day as devotee to our own divinity. This devotion is to an attribute that you witness in another such as loyalty or compassion or generosity, is to activate it within your own self.

Read More

Our flame only feels foreign because most likely we have ignored its presence for all of our days and years and maybe even lifetimes. Not only have we ignored it, we have most likely layered so many likes and dislikes, wants and wont’s, reactions and retaliations on top of it, that for sure, our ember needs some stoking.

Read More