find your bliss

Have you ever experienced a failure, and felt like you just wanted to give up? Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a rut, unable to move forward?   It's natural to feel this way after experiencing failure. But it's important to remember that failures are actually stepping stones to success. In fact, many successful people attribute their success to the failures they experienced along the way.   This may seem counterintuitive, but think about it: when we fail at something, we are given the opportunity to learn and grow. We are given the chance to figure out what went wrong and how we can do things differently next time. We can use our failures as a chance to reflect and improve, rather than letting them hold us back.   Yoga in the Face of Adversity: This idea can be connected to the practice of yoga, which is all about finding balance and acceptance. In yoga, we learn to embrace our imperfections and let go of the need for perfection. We learn to be present in the moment and accept whatever comes our way. This can be challenging, as our society often places a heavy emphasis on achieving perfection and success. But in yoga, we practice letting go of these external expectations and instead focus on our own personal growth and development.   In the same way, we can learn to embrace our failures and use them as opportunities for growth and learning. Rather than getting caught up in the idea of perfection, we can let go of the need to be perfect and instead focus on the journey and the progress we are making. This shift in mind-set can be incredibly freeing, as it allows us to let go of the fear of failure and instead embrace it as a natural part of the learning process.   Yoga can be a helpful tool for coping with failure in a number of ways. Here are a few ways in which yoga helps us to;   Cultivate mindfulness: Yoga can help us to approach failures with a more balanced perspective. When we are mindful, we are more aware of our thoughts and emotions, and we are better able to approach challenges with a sense of clarity and calm.   Let go of perfectionism and embrace our imperfections: By practicing yoga, we can learn to let go of the need to be perfect and instead focus on the present moment and the progress we are making. This can help us to approach failures with a sense of acceptance and self-compassion.   Foster self-awareness and self-acceptance: By practicing yoga, we can become more aware of our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and we can learn to accept ourselves as we are. This can help us to approach failures with a sense of self-acceptance, rather than self-judgement.   Manage stress and regulate our emotions: Through the practice of yoga, we can learn to manage stress and regulate our emotions in healthy ways. This can be particularly helpful when we are facing challenges or failures, as it can help us to stay centred and focused.   So next time you experience a failure, remember that it's not the end of the road. It's just a stepping stone on your path to success. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward. And remember, the practice of yoga can be a helpful tool in cultivating this mind-set of acceptance and growth.

Human life is a very temporary phenomenon-more temporary than we can often conceive. What you and I hold as very important holds no real importance in the vast eternity of time.   It’s like a dew drop that appears in the morning and disappears as the sun sets. What is “ego”? Ego is the feeling that “I” am a special entity separate from the universe. “I” am “someone” who has his or her own private goals to manage and accomplish. “I” always have an individual journey that stands apart from the “whole.” This “I” has been called “ahankara” in the Indian system of philosophy, and it is this “I” that is attributed as the root cause of all misery. Maharshi Patanjali , the father of modern yoga, explicitly calls this “ahankara” the root cause of human misery.   The concept of us being an island cut off from the rest of the universe and life inspires various attachments and aversions.These attachments and aversions lead us to constantly hunt for pleasurable experiences and avoid those that we don’t want to experience, which we find undesirable.   Speaking again of the great Maharshi Patanjali, who spoke of the five “kleshas” (miseries), the cause of ego, or “ahankara,” is “avidya.” Apparently, the term “avidya” seems to mean lack of knowledge. However, if we look a bit deeper, the lack of knowledge here does not refer to what we normally consider and understand knowledge to be. Knowledge, as we normally refer to it, fundamentally means information. However, Patanjali used this term in a very specific reference. “Lack of knowledge” here means a state of non-awareness.  Non awareness of what? It's a lack of understanding of our true essential nature. This needs a little discussion.   This is something very interesting and peculiar to Indian philosophy (in its varied forms). Indian philosophy is not a system of thought. It is rather an outcome of a direct encounter with life and the subsequent vision. Surprisingly, various sages and seers arrived at the same fundamental vision,  and that vision is that man, as he is naturally born, is unaware of his true inherent nature. This is what Patanjali refers to as “Avidya.” It is this ignorance, this lack of awareness of our true inherent nature, that is being talked about. This lack of awareness leads us to impose a fictitious identity that we label “I.” No one knows what this “I” fundamentally is, and yet the whole of human life revolves around this central idea of “I.”   The great Indian seer, Maharshi Raman, when asked as to the basic cause of human misery, said that: the basic cause of human misery is the fact that he is not aware of his true nature. One can see that Ramana  is perfectly aligned with Patanjali. Maharishi Raman suggests one fundamental solution to get out of perpetual human misery, and that is to question this very “I.” One needs to ask oneself, “Who am I?” What is this “I” that we take for granted?   The second, most striking and unanimous discovery of all the great seers that happened in India is the fact that the true nature of a human being is the eternal, pure, undifferentiated consciousness. Different seers used different labels for it, but all of them without exception agreed on this one thing that-the true nature of man is not “limited” but “eternal.”   This is a mind boggling discovery indeed! In this sense, a human being is not a temporary phenomenon that is apparent. A human being, on the other hand, is "God" personified. This is a very striking observation and it is not easy to come to terms with it. How can a human who is a bundle of miseries come to realise that he  is, in fact, God personified, that he is “God” or “eternity” having a human experience!!!   The whole journey of yoga and the entire science of meditation are an effort to realise this fundamental mystery. One has to validate this fundamental hypothesis: You are not the petty “I” that you believe yourself to be; you are “eternity” itself. Believing this does not help, blindly accepting it does not help, realising this is the only way out. Realisation needs inquiry, realisation needs effort, and realisation needs a pathway. Fortunately, the great seers have provided different pathways. All that is needed is an open mind, an honest curiosity and the desire and will to learn and find out!

As we approach yet another New Year, it’s time to reflect on the year gone by and set new intentions and directions for the future. There are many things we might have achieved in the past year and many more that we still desire to accomplish. Life is a beautiful journey, because it always presents us with new experiences, learning and growth opportunities. There is always the option of starting fresh if we put our minds to it. When it comes to developing new habits and modifying old ones, it can sometimes seem challenging. However, the start of a new year gives us the opportunity and inspiration to make fresh resolutions and set intentions for the coming year. Yoga can be a very helpful tool for self-purification and transformation and the Yama and Niyama of Patanjali can be excellent intentions for creating lifestyle conditions for yoga to accelerate our journey.  So, for the Yogi in you, here are 6 intentions  to consider;   Put the Yogic Principles into Action: Enlightenment, which means experiencing and expressing one's truth, being one with nature, and practicing ahimsa, is a stepping stone on the yogic path. Additionally, the yoga philosophy promotes unity, human values, and service toward others. The world would be a better place, overflowing with peace and happiness, if we made a decision to live by this idea.   Embrace New Challenges: For yogis, performing routine yoga Asanas are equivalent to getting out of bed and cleaning their teeth. This New Year, experiment with some new asanas or physical routines like walking,trekking, dancing, playing a game or even running, to challenge your body in a pleasant way. It will not only increase the variety of physical postures and maneuvers, but it will also surprise your body as you push it to its physical limitations. You'll be surprised by what you're capable of.   Include Pranayama in Your Daily Routine: Whether you go to a yoga studio or practice yoga at home, make sure to make pranayama a habit of yours. Pranayama is essential to all yoga practices. Because different pranayamas affect the body differently and might enhance your experience. They also work well as a tool for enhancing meditation and mindfulness.   Start with Short Meditations Yoga is the gateway to meditation, and meditation is an essential skill to gradually decondition our minds. Once we are through our physical postures, activities and pranayamas, we can try to sit still for a short duration and just be mindful of our own breath. This practice will help us to build our ability to go within ourselves and gradually develop an environment where mediation will start happening and we will be able to go into the state of non-doing very easily. This can do wonders for our health and also bring out our hidden creativity.    Be Kind and Spread Happiness: The power of kindness is so great that its usefulness is limitless. All of us are seeking happiness in our lives, but there is no greater happiness one can achieve than the joy of giving. A simple task of giving, whether we share our knowledge, skill, money, food or even a smile can bring long-lasting happiness to us as well as others. The greatest gift of the enlightened person is kindness. This is a stand-alone resolution that emphasizes how every single one of our feelings and actions may help create a better world for everyone. Every time a yogi steps onto their mat, they are working toward this purpose.   Make Time for Yourself: Does your to-do list resemble an infinite cycle? It’s time to take a step back and enjoy the little things in life. Make a date with yourself and everything that inspires you to feel amazing on a daily basis. That may be doing some yoga, playing with our friends, meditating, taking a stroll through the park, or just taking some time to unwind.   While the above resolutions will help you embark on your new journey, you will also benefit immensely by embracing Patanjali’s Yama and Niyama in your New Year’s resolutions. The Yamas and Niyamas are often referred to as the moral code of yoga or the moral commandments of yoga.   A short outline of these ideas is provided below, along with recommendations for how you may apply them to accomplish the desired result in 2023;   The Yamas: The Yamas are a set of moral pledges that are traditionally defined as "restraint." They enable us to operate more intelligently both toward ourselves and the outside environment. These are the five Yamas and some suggestions for how you can incorporate them as part of your New Year’s resolutions;   1. Ahimsa (Kindness): We can start this practice by being kind to ourselves. Let's say five kind things to ourselves in the mirror at the beginning of each day. Once we can develop kindness toward ourselves we can also be kind toward others.   2. Satya (Truthfulness): Consider whether what you are about to say is true, polite, and essential before you speak to others. Don't say anything if it isn't.   3. Asteya (Non-Stealing): Non-stealing means so much more than merely not physically taking something from someone else. It is also hoarding and collecting more than our needs. The need to steal essentially arises because of a lack of faith in ourselves to be able to create what we need by ourselves.   4. Brahmacharya (Moderation): The word Brahmacharya actually translates as ‘behaviour which leads to Brahman’. It's not just celibacy as defined by popular culture. Brahmacharya essentially means the right use of energy. A Yogi uses the energy to go inward and not waste it on negative thoughts or destructive behaviour. Every week, dedicate one day to practicing silence.   5. Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness):  Aparigraha is about letting go of attachments to things, people, emotions, and outcomes. This is a gradual practice that can lead to immense freedom. One can start small by letting go of our likes and dislikes and being open to life.   The Niyamas: The Niyamas, which are practices focused on taking care of oneself, our spiritual practice, and our inner world, are frequently translated as "positive duties." These are the five Niyamas and some suggestions for how you can incorporate them as part of your New Year’s resolutions;   1. Saucha (Sanitation/Purity): Keep yourself and your surroundings clean. Start each day by making your bed, grooming and taking care of your body, and letting go of unnecessary clutter, both physically and mentally.   2. Santosha (Contentment): Each morning, list five things for which you are thankful in your journal. This practice will gradually develop an attitude of gratitude within us, and gratitude can fill us with positive energy.   3. Tapas (Endurance): Tapas is our willingness to do something that is not easy. By doing so, we train our body and mind to follow our will. The higher the willpower, the greater the flow of energy. Consider the challenge you've been holding off on due to your fear. Begin implementing it this year.   4. Svadhyaya (Self-study): By studying ourselves and our tendencies, we will slowly start realizing our own inherent patterns and issues. We would also start distinguishing between what's real and what's not. They say, "Study thyself, discover the divine." Svadhya is only possible with regular meditation practices. Therefore, make meditation a daily habit. Start with 5 minutes per day and gradually increase.    5. Isvara Pranidhana (Surrender): Surrendering (pranidhana) to a higher source (Ishvara). Ishvara pranidhana is a “big picture” yoga practice. It initiates a sacred shift of perspective that helps us remember, align with, and receive the grace of being alive. Whenever we are doing our yoga practice we can develop a genuine feeling of gratitude towards simple things like being well fed every day, being healthy and being able to do our practice or any other thing we are blessed with in this life.   Yoga can help you figure out what to do and how to accomplish it, whether it's a "New Year's Resolution" or simply an approach to making changes in your life. If you make an unwavering and steadfast commitment, there is no force that can stop you from being the best version of yourself.   Happy New Year!!

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu These days, we often find ourselves constantly responding to stress due to the circumstances around us, and as our bodies become habituated to distress, our internal alarm of danger goes off frequently. But, the good news is that, while our brain may have become accustomed to being stressed, we can embrace yoga to help manage our mind and body's response. Cultivating compassion and kindness is an example of a yoga-inspired lifestyle practice that may aid us in our quest to learn how to self-regulate and lead a blissful life. The Path to Self-Awareness: Developing greater self-awareness of how our bodies feel, whether in asana while practicing breath control or even during meditation, is a consequence of practicing yoga. We are usually able to pay attention to the body's signals as a result of regular yoga practice. After which, we can discover different ways in which our bodies respond. Yoga techniques like breathing, meditation, self-study, and music can progressively alter our brains to be more compassionate and kind. The fact that compassion is a preferred choice for us and that it is a skill that can be refined with practice is supported by scientific research. For example, recalling instances of compassion and joyful emotions we have shared with others has been found to strengthen our feelings of compassion. Learning Compassion Through Yoga: Yoga Sutra (Patanjali), I.33: Maitri-karuna-muditopekshanam sukha-dukha-punyapunya-vishayan bhavanatash-chitta-prasadanam The above yoga sutra states that ‘Ekagrata’, or one-pointedness of mind, is developed by expanding our capacity for compassion. By properly focusing the mind's attention on aspects that provide a meaningful respite, such as Karuna (compassion), techniques employing ekagrata can be a way to lessen the mind's needless suffering. According to the Yoga Sutras, emotions of anger or violence can be naturally treated by practicing compassion. Through compassion, the impurity of ideas that might result in behaviors that disturb the mind is eliminated. We cannot impose compassion on ourselves. To help us develop our ability to stay focused, we might embrace the desire to build compassion. Therefore, we might just get motivated to learn how to cultivate compassion in various situations in a genuine manner. In Pursuit of Kindness and Compassion: Through yoga, we could further incorporate kindness into our ideas, emotions, and actions such that it eventually becomes a way of life. One has the opportunity to be fully present in their body and mind without being judged during a yoga lesson. This is a revitalizing and healing experience to truly connect with oneself. At least during class, we intentionally steer clear of unpleasant emotions. We continue to go back to yoga classes because we consciously recognize how crucial it is to be kind to oneself. We notice that we feel different after class and that we respond differently because we are less irritated by our surroundings. Even though we lack the words, we may already sense compassion beginning to blossom inside us. Our yoga practice goes beyond the mat in this and several other ways. The moment we adopt a yogic perspective, we actually start to grow on the yogic journey. Take a Step Towards the World of Compassion: Incorporate the following movements from Viniyoga Tradition to embrace a world of kindness and compassion through yoga; Feel the comforting warmth of your hands as you gently touch your heart with your right hand. Open your right arms and hold your hand out toward the right as you prepare to breathe in, then follow the gesture with your eyes, ready to open up and receive from the universe.  When it's time to exhale, tenderly touch your heart while once more following the motion with your gaze. Breathing repeatedly can help you connect movement, breath, and focus. Embrace the beginning and concluding rhythms of life. Being out in the world but also looking within. Open yourself up to receive something wholesome and take it all in. Breathe in and out a few times. Allow compassion to enter your heart and soul wherever you feel secure to do so. Observe how your mind and your body react to this feeling. Thus, simple yoga mindfulness practices can assist you in embodying compassionate emotions, which are a natural aspect of human behavior and the yogic tradition. Developing greater compassion helps us live more in accordance with our better selves as humans and give back more kindness to the world, which is in dire need of it. 

Yoga is the ultimate science of connecting with life, which some cultures also call the supreme, divine, ultimate, or even God. In Sanskrit, the word "yoga" means union, which can be interpreted as the divine union of mind, body, and soul.  In today's world, the term "yoga" is frequently used to refer only to the practice of postures, breathing, and a moralistic lifestyle; however, yoga is the ultimate tool for finding ever-new and permanent bliss. Working on just one thing cannot be the true path of yoga unless certain key conditions are met in our lives.  Here are some of these conditions, 1. Frustration and Disillusionment with the current state of our lives:  We are all living this life based on concepts and beliefs that are not even ours; most of it is learned through our family, culture, and educational system. The end result of all this is a life that is often out of line with our true nature, which may eventually lead to frustration and disillusionment in life. Unless one reaches this point of ultimate frustration, it is difficult to embark on the real journey of yoga. In Gita, this phenomenon is referred to as "Vishad Yoga." This is Arjuna’s (vishad) grief and lamentation on the battlefield of Dharma-kshetra, and his pure satvik desire to know the truth, which prompted the divine discourse of Gita by Shri Krishna for delightful divine Yoga for the whole world. Yoga Vashista is another important ancient text that documents Lord Rama's frustration with the nature of life, human suffering, and disdain for the world and also describes, through the character of Rama, the desire for liberation and the nature of those who seek such liberation. Sage Patanjali in the second century laid the foundation of the Yoga Sutra, and the sutras start with ….. (atha yoganushasanam)  “And now,yoga” "Now" essentially means "at the moment" or "living in the moment," but I prefer to consider Sadhguru's interpretation, which explains the significance of these words as essentially that yoga can only be approached seriously when one is ready for it.          2. Desire for Freedom & Liberation :  When one understands the circular nature of existence and the duality of life experience, where any phenomenon, e.g., darkness/light, high/low, happiness/sadness, seems to be different sides of the same coin, one develops an earnest desire for freedom from this fluctuating existence; this is the ultimate desire, which can absorb every other desire of our life. Desire for freedom is not a desire for some ultimate experience, ultimate happiness, or heaven; it's basically freedom from desire, which causes endless cycles of pleasant and unpleasant experiences. This freedom can only come when there is freedom from the desire to achieve. This is the ultimate desire and destiny of every individual being; this understanding is wisdom, and one can inculcate this desire willfully. 3. Renouncing the Suffering:  We carry unnecessary beliefs and sufferings with pride; even painful memories are preserved in our deeper being for future reference. Everyone has memories that we would rather forget. Some of us enjoy being victims and feel constantly sorry for ourselves; however, we must recognise the impact of the past on our current experience of life. Our entire experience of the present is skewed through the lenses of our beliefs and past memories. By renouncing the suffering, we can feel lighter, live in the present moment, and experience life the way it is. We must resolve to let go of all painful memories and sufferings, as well as useless beliefs. There are two key things we can do to reduce the impact of the past. One is to realise the futility of the past and the weight we are carrying in our lives. The second is to change the context of our memories; a memory is just a sequence of pictures and associated experiences. With wisdom, we can flip the context of these memories from being painful to something that was essential for our own evolution, learning, and growth. This technique may help us dissolve the net impact of these memories.  4. Turn Inward:  Most of us believe whatever experience our senses and mind are creating, but we need to realise that whatever our sense organs report—whether it's our eyes, ears, touch, or taste—is all interpreted by our mind, which is influenced by our beliefs, past experiences, and expectations. We have squandered enormous amounts of time in our lives blaming external situations for our sufferings and pain; however, when we realise that it is not external events and phenomena that cause the suffering, but our internal interpretation of these events, a drastic change can occur in our lives; our present experiences are no longer dictated by our past or future expectations, and we begin to live more in the present moment.   Yoga is about accepting life the way it is and aligning with and flowing with it. Its clear understanding, combined with physical and breathing techniques, can greatly assist us in transforming and living a life that is not just lived but celebrated, with each day and moment celebrated.