Yoga Psychology
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Pandemic Panic: The Science of our Fear Response
I've found myself feeling weird amid the COVID-19 crisis. I use this vague and understated label “weird” because I’ve yet to find a more specific adjective to properly encompass what’s happening internally. As a yogi, I’m supposed to be all zen during a crisis, right?...
How to Analyze Your Anger
When anger arises, the mind becomes deluded. The Bhagavad Gita has two beautiful slokas about this: From brooding on sense objects, attachment to them arises. Out of that attachment, personal desire is born. And from desire, anger appears. Anger confuses the thinking...
In the World, but Not of the World
You can be in the world but do not be of the world. Then, you are free. The mind has to be in the world and that is why we try to have a detached outlook. Of course, this is very difficult to achieve. And, many people misunderstand the idea of detachment. They might...
What Happened When a Buddhist Monk Asked Me to Imagine My Own Death
Yesterday I finished “Dracula,” a limited series by Netflix. I was amazed by the unanticipated plot twists, the ingenious script, and, above all, the ending. Throughout the three episodes, we see that Count Dracula fears the cross, direct sunlight, and can’t step into...
All Knowledge and Wisdom is Available to You
All the knowledge and wisdom is available to us in this world. The world is a university without walls. If you become a good student, any time you feel a need to know something, the answer will appear. In the early days when I would give talks, I used to wonder, Where...
Self-nurturing or Renunciation?
Question: Because I had a difficult childhood, my therapist tells me I have to nurture myself to become whole and balanced. You teach that renunciation is the key to peace. Is there a conflict between self-nurturing and renunciation? Is there a way to reconcile these...
How to Know the Truth
We all talk about realizing “the Truth.” If you want to realize the Truth, you should know what the Truth is. Otherwise, you might have it right here and not even recognize it. Whatever it is that you want to experience, you should have an idea in your mind what to...
Yoga Psychology: Addressing the Root Causes of Dis-Ease
When emotions such as loss, fear, anger, rejection, abandonment, or depression strike, what can you do to return to your center of peace and equanimity? You can look within. When you look within, answers come. Question yourself: Why am I angry? Anger is caused by your...
Seven Spiritual Practices to Reduce Seasonal Affective Disorder
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is over, which means the days will soon get darker and our energy will start to plummet. The thing is, it doesn’t necessarily have to go that way yet again this winter. We may be able to salvage some of that summer feeling through...
The 12-Step Yogi
Yoga, combined with 12-Step principles, enhances the recovery process, as both systems complement one another. The additional benefits of a Yoga practice include philosophical and physical components to help guide the practitioner to lifestyle changes that ultimately...