Posted on

This is all you need to know about yourself

The horse-drawn chariot is a metaphor for you:

  • The chariot is your body.
  • The horses are your senses – drawn toward the objects of desire.
  • The reins are your sub-conscious mind – the part of you responsible for acting.
  • The driver is your conscious mind – the part of you responsible for thinking.
  • The passenger is your consciousness – your awareness, without which you wouldn’t be aware of the ride!

Here’s the reality:

  • Just like the chariot, the more fit your body is the more efficiently it will function, the more comfortable you’ll feel, and the longer you’ll live.
  • Just as the horses are drawn toward open pastures, your senses naturally draw you towards the objects of your desire; however, it’s your senses – not the objects – that energetically stimulate your body to act.
  • Just as the reins enable the driver to direct the horses, your sub-conscious mind links your conscious mind’s thoughts to your actions.
  • Just as the driver uses the reins to control the horses, your conscious mind can override your sub-conscious mind’s natural impulses.
  • Just as the passenger witnesses the ride without controlling the chariot, driver, reins or horses, your consciousness is aware of your every sensation, thought, word and deed – but doesn’t affect them.

Here’s the cure for what ails you (since most of what bothers us are consequences of our own behavior):

Don’t be driven by unfettered senses to pursue external desires; true serenity is found deep within you. Notice the distinction between these three invisible parts of you:

  • Your sub-conscious mind constantly multitasks silently; functionally, it’s responsible for sensory processing and bodily movement (i.e., you don’t have to consciously think “breathe”, “smell”, “feel”, “circulate my blood”, etc.).
  • Your conscious mind continuously thinks single, consecutive thoughts; it rationalizes and analyzes; it’s evidenced by the voice in your head; you listen to its running commentary throughout the day as it makes decisions and judges.
  • Your consciousness is the uber-subtle awareness OF whatever you’re experiencing or thinking.

Learn to distinguish between your ever-changing thoughts (evidence of your conscious mind), and your quiet, still, immutable awareness OF those thoughts (evidence of your consciousness). Your awareness is the only “thing” that exists that literally never changes – certainly not during your lifetime; thus, it’s virtually eternal and “unearthly” (i.e., essentially divine). This is the aspect of you that religion calls your soul or spirit. Yes – you have one. THAT is the crux of yoga.

Spend time focusing on your consciousness. When you realize its true nature, whatever the objects of your desire, they’ll begin to lose their hold and attraction over your senses.

“The undiscriminating can never rein in their mind; their senses are like the vicious horses of the charioteer. The discriminating ever control their mind; their senses are like disciplined horses. The undiscriminating …do not reach their goal.” (Bhagavad Gita, chapter III, versus 42-3).

 

God bless, Skip

Posted on

Bliss is within you. The trick is to realize it.

Mindfulness (observing without judgement what’s happening in the present moment) is a good first step. We all know that life is fleeting, and if we’re paying attention to the past or future, we’re not really living.

But true bliss comes from a deeper place – it comes from recognizing the miracle that gives rise to our ability to be mindful. There are a couple ways to get there. Perhaps the easiest is simply to contemplate the statistical miracle of what’s unfolding right in front of you: whatever it is, it’s a consequence of literally everything that’s happened since the dawn of time. Period. Full stop.

Quote of the day, “A long line of creatures marched out of the sea so I could hold you right now.” – from a play by Will Eno [translation: cherish every moment.]

 

To truly see the miracle of this moment, it helps to realize and appreciate the nature of what you (and the rest of the universe) are made up of: various combinations of matter, energy and consciousness.

While matter and energy are in a perpetual state of flux, consciousness (i.e., your awareness) NEVER changes. Obviously, WHAT you’re aware of changes constantly, but your awareness OF those things never does.

What’s the subtlest thing you can think of? A dream? A thought? Even those are tangible in the sense that they are generated and can be manipulated. Consciousness, however, doesn’t “exist” in the same sense; it can’t be measured or affected in any way; it’s literally intangible (yet without it, you wouldn’t realize you’re alive). Consciousness isn’t like anything else known to man; it’s essentially divine; it’s what modern religion refers to as our spirit or soul – the part of each of us that isn’t born and doesn’t die in a physical sense.

How do you go beyond tangible mindfulness and appreciation, to experiencing spiritual reverence and humility – to finding faith? Why would you want to? While our physical, energetic existence is often explained away as biological or scientific, that’s not the case with consciousness. Once you realize its “unearthly” nature, it begs questions like, “Where does THAT come from?!”, which gives rise to faith in the existence of something beyond human comprehension.

Experiment with ice cream [or substitute whatever lights you up]. Aside from nonjudgmentally attending to your senses the next time you indulge (i.e., the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings associated with eating it), also contemplate what gives rise to the experience: your intangible awareness.

Yogis ponder the distinction between, and union of, the observer, observing, and observed (or knower, knowledge, and known). It’s akin to distinguishing between, while appreciating the interconnectedness of, matter, energy and consciousness. Without the former, you and the ice cream don’t exist. Without the latter, you don’t enjoy it.

Appreciating that a HUGE part of who and what we are isn’t affected by desire (for ice cream or anything else), fear, grief, anxiety, stress, aging – you name it, somehow lessens the hold those emotions have on our tangible body and mind, making it easier to cope with things beyond our control (which is virtually everything!), to break bad habits, to look beyond life’s grievances – and to more fully appreciate the people and circumstances of our lives.

Join me in appreciating the miracle of this moment (a consequence of everything that’s ever happened), the miracle of these limbs and thoughts (a biological consequence of the chance meeting of all our ancestors), and the inexplicable miracle of our awareness – without which we can’t taste the ice cream.

God bless, Allan

Posted on

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE

“Enlightenment” is akin to being “born again”: finding an unshakeable belief in the existence of a Higher Power.

There’s a reason “Faith” comes first in “1 Corinthians 13:13”: unwavering faith in the existence of God gives rise to boundless hope and love.

Are you suffering? Do you want to find lasting relief? You have within you the ability and power to change your life.

In the Fall of 2015, I found faith and spent the next three years trying to awaken it in others; specifically, people whom I could empathize with: those tormented by anxiety, depression and addiction.

In the Fall of 2018 a master teacher explained that what I’d been trying to do wasn’t possible: that trying to awaken faith in others was like literally trying to get others to see through my eyes.

Unfortunately, faith can’t be taught or transferred; it must be individually discovered.

Faith gives rise to serenity, courage and wisdom. Patanjali outlines a path to find faith in The Yoga Sutras, but here’s the key: contemplate (until it ‘clicks’) upon the distinction between your fickle, ever-changing thoughts (evidence of your very tangible/human mind), and your immutable, never-changing awareness OF your thoughts (evidence of your completely intangible/essentially-divine consciousness).

Consciousness is the only “thing” known to man that’s not subject to the vagaries of time and space: it’s essentially eternal – and it’s inside you.

Wishing you faith, that you may know serenity, courage and wisdom.

God bless.

Posted on

Complimentary Outdoor Medical QiGong Classes This Summer!

Want some fresh air and exercise this summer?

What: Medical QiGong is an ancient Chinese discipline used to restore and improve overall health including balance, strength and energy flow.

When: Thru August 15:

  • Tuesdays 9AM-10AM
  • Thursdays 2PM-3PM

Where: 7 Beach Street, Marblehead (backyard or porch, weather depending)

Why: Learn breathing, movement and visualization exercises to improve your health!

I’ve been studying medical QiGong for two years. In order to get my 200-hour teaching certificate, I need practice teaching. Student volunteers will help me become a better teacher!

All are welcome! Sign up for one or more classes. Please let me know if you plan to attend!

Thank you, Allan (Skip) Dowds 🕉

617-599-8644

Posted on

Addiction Recovery & Prevention

Last night a panel of recovering-addicts-turned-caregivers, and parents of children in recovery was asked, “What can we do to prevent addiction?”

It’s likely that a combination of things that prompt recovery may also be used to prevent addiction in the first place – but it’s unlikely that any one of these separately is sufficient to curb addition. Whatever the solution, it will likely have to include changes at a social level to address stigma and provide resources to facilitate changes in individual behavior.

The “antidote” themes raised by the panel included:

  • Spirituality
  • Self-confidence
  • Community
  • Education

Spirituality

This may be the most difficult since it’s the least tangible, but it has been critical to my own sustained recovery. Unfortunately, while faith can be demonstrated and discussed, it can’t be taught or otherwise transferred from one of us to another; it has to come from within.

There was discussion about the role that local religious leaders play in the addressing the growing epidemic, but speaking from experience, being asked to subscribe to a belief for which there’s no tangible, scientific explanation doesn’t always work.

As a yogi I suggest that each of us learn to discern between our ever-changing thoughts, and our never-changing awareness of them. The latter is evidence of our immutable consciousness. When it ‘clicks’ that an aspect of ourselves NEVER changes, and isn’t affected by fear or desire, the realization gives rise to faith in the source of consciousness – and we begin to see and live our lives from a spiritually appreciative perspective.

Self-confidence

Faith gives rise to a sense of purpose, confidence, and appreciation. We come to love and respect our neighbors and ourselves; specifically, we take better care of our own temporal body and mind (fostering health, strength and determination) in part to better serve others.

Community

Almost without exception, and certainly in my case, addicts are masking a deep sense of emptiness, loneliness, and/or worthlessness for which there may be no readily apparent explanation. Without exception, each of last night’s recovering panelists spoke of coming from loving homes. Addiction is a disease which some are biologically more susceptible to than others. We all need to feel appreciated, accepted and valued, and a sense of inclusion, belonging and love; these emotions foster serenity and courage.

Education

It’s critical that we all understand the nature, pitfalls (denial), dangers and consequences of addiction, though rather than traditional PSA-type educational programs, last night’s panelists unanimously agreed that the source and voice of the message makes all the difference; kids are more likely to be receptive and to heed the warnings of peers whom they can relate to, rather than school authorities.

Habits (good and bad) occur at the intersection of desire, availability and knowledge. Communally, we need to provide a safe space where those in distress or at risk feel welcome, that facilitates their emotional, mental and physical development, in a manner they want to participate in.

No one proposed specific solutions last night to what’s obviously a HUGE cultural problem [Salem Hospital sees 2-3 overdoses a night, of which 1-2 patients die each week], but we left somewhat more hopeful knowing there are heroes among us, people who devote themselves to fighting this scourge and relieving the suffering of others.

Last night’s panel was moderated by Michelle Simons of Prevention Werks: https://preventionwerks.com/

Prevention Werks is a resource for prevention, addiction and recovery that was created from the awarding of a grant to the City of Lynn, which provides presentations and set up resource tables at events in the community to educate the public about substance use.

The program, sponsored by 3Voices.org, was recorded by MHTV.

Posted on

Still think yoga is principally about developing strength and flexibility?

The most famous line from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is the second one, in which Patanjali provides a succinct definition of Yoga [the first line of Patanjali’s outline merely orients the listener/reader to what’s about to follow, akin to a airline flight attendant announcing, “This flight is going to Arkansas; hop off now if that’s not where you want to go!”]

1.2 yogash chitta vritti nirodhah

 

Here’s how a handful of Patanjali’s enthusiastic students translate that Sanskrit:

Swamij.com

Yoga is the control (nirodhah, regulation, channeling, mastery, integration, coordination, stilling, quieting, setting aside) of the modifications (gross and subtle thought patterns) of the mind field.

Shyam Ranganathan

Yoga is the control of the (moral) character of thought.

BKS Iyengar

Yoga is the restraint of mental fluctuations, or suppression of the fluctuations of consciousness.

Bernard Bouanchaud

Yoga is the ability to direct and focus mental activity.

Sri Swami Satchidananda

The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.

Edwin F. Bryant

Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind.

Allan (Skip) Dowds

Yoga is mind control.

Want to learn how your mind works? How to control your thoughts, in order to live a healthier, happier, more productive life? Read – and practice – Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras!

Blessings, Allan 🙏❤️🕉

Posted on

Finding Faith

I found faith and purpose in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras:

Faith in the existence of something much greater than myself, something otherworldly, something divine: the unknowable source of our intangible, immutable consciousness.

Purpose in a sense of responsibility to help others who are suffering find it too, because faith is the most powerful healing and motivating force there is.

Patanjali tells us this about the source of our own consciousness:

  • It’s unaffected by emotion, thought, action, and the consequences thereof;
  • It’s the source of all knowledge;
  • It’s unaffected by time and space.

My philosophy teacher takes the point of view that the source of consciousness isn’t so much something external to ourselves, as it is an archetype of humanity to aspire to emulating; holding that the actual discipline of Patanjali’s Raja Yoga (Kryia and Ashtanga practices) guides us to “relate to the world in an ethical manner”: to take responsibility for our behavior in the tangible world we currently exist in.

Symantics? Perhaps, but the bottom line is that within each of us is something immutable, something unaffected by fear, desire, or physical distress: our awareness OF those things.

Learn to distinguish between your ever-changing thoughts and body, and your never-changing awareness of them, and contemplate the difference. May doing so give rise in you to faith in the source of your own intangible consciousness, and may doing so lead you to live a happier, healthier, more faithful and purposeful life.

God bless, Allan 🙏❤️🕉

Posted on

TOXIC MASCULINITY

[Written in response to a 5/19/19 solicitation from Yoga Journal: how yoga helped me reconnect with others and myself].

Yoga has positively affected my emotions, thoughts and behavior; through it I’ve found confidence, faith, purpose and a sense of connectedness with others.

I was raised in a house devoid of love. Where there should have been joy and happiness, there was resentment, judgment and condescension.

I grew up feeling unlovable. Nothing I did, no matter how hard I tried, was ever good enough. Nothing elicited verbal, let alone physical demonstrations of affection from either of my parents.

A sense of dread, worthlessness, and emptiness followed me everywhere – and only fueled a desperation to please my parents. Not being particularly physically fit, I excelled in art and academics – and later at work – all to no avail.

I lived a life of virtual solitude. I built emotional walls to block out the pain, and developed obsessive behaviors in hopes of winning approval and masking my perpetual angst. I typically had one or no male friends, and only seemed to have slightly better luck with the fairer, more intuitive sex because of an undying desire to please and win affection.

But sex was always a double-edged sword: while it temporarily satisfied a need for intimacy, I remained emotionally withdrawn, defensive, and rarely emotionally satisfied. Sex was often passive-aggressive and almost always a selfish endeavor.

I developed coping habits. I lived a life fraught with obsession and addiction. I discovered the numbing affects of alcohol at 15, and drugs a few years later – until that means of escape culminated in a nervous breakdown during my sophomore year of college.

Work and sex largely distracted me thereafter from a deep sense of depression, though few people, other than immediate family, noticed anything outwardly other than economic success – a consequence of working seven days a week.

I dragged on, largely sustaining but emotionally failing in my few personal relationships until I was in my mid-forties when I discovered yoga – ostensibly for the exercise, but subconsciously seeking answers, a solution or remedy for my mental hell.

My first yoga instructor, Jessica, gave me her own rather dog-eared copy of Bouanchaud’s “The Essence of Yoga” (which is hard to find now, though a good starter book), and while I’d been sober for almost 30 years, she said “A lot of people in AA find this helpful.” No wonder: Patanjali’s Kriya Yoga, from the beginning of chapter two of the Yoga Sutras, is the source of the Serenity Prayer.

Jessica and subsequent teachers taught me the physical aspects of Patanjali’s discipline. Over the next ten years I was introduced to scholars who have devoted their lives to sharing insights into Patanjali’s work, which became a personal obsession (go figure).

Slowly, steadily, I developed physical and emotional strength, and learned acceptance, courage and wisdom, becoming more comfortable in my own skin. And then three years ago, while sitting on the floor of our living room half watching TV, I had an epiphany: a simple insight into Patanjali’s science of human nature.

After years of trying to decipher the concept of our multiple mental layers surrounding our “atman” (our essence or consciousness), it ‘clicked’: there’s literally a world of difference between our ever-changing thoughts (evidence of our mind), and our never-changing awareness OF them (evidence of our consciousness).

Consciousness is unlike anything else on earth; that’s the premise (Sankhya) upon which Patanjali based the discipline of Raja Yoga, incorporating Kryia and Ashtanga Yoga practices. Sankya is the observation that consciousness (our awareness) is unlike anything else in the known universe; it’s the only “thing” that doesn’t function, age or fade away; it’s the only thing unaffected by time and space. Biological science can’t explain it, yet it’s very much a part of each of us.

While the origin and scope of consciousness are literally beyond human comprehension, we can readily verify its existence, since without it, we wouldn’t realize we’re alive!

That realization (the existence of something within ourselves that science can’t explain) gives rise to faith, not just in oneself but also in the unknowable, intangible source of consciousness – and faith in the latter is the most powerful, motivational, purposeful power there is (“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death….” – that level of confidence is life altering).

Faith shines light where previously there was only darkness and despair; it brings out confidence where there was none; it makes empathy and sympathy for oneself and others possible.

Yoga (“union”) provides a sense of community, belonging, love, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, courage and wisdom that nullify the demons within that otherwise affect our emotions, thoughts and behavior; specifically, our perceptions and interactions with others. We learn to truly put the needs of others before our own.

Yoga has made me a better husband, father and friend. I wish it for everyone.

Allan (Skip) Dowds

Posted on

A HANDBOOK FOR HUMANITY

I think of the Yoga Sutras as sort of a handbook for humanity: an experiential discipline intended to reduce human suffering – and if we’re lucky, to find the most powerful, purposeful force on earth: faith.

Patanjali outlines the nature of the environment we exist in, the science of how the human mind functions, and most importantly, the distinction between mind and consciousness – all of which we can readily verify.

Behind the empirical “here’s how it works, and here’s a path to mitigate your suffering”, there’s an implied hypothesis and proof. The hypothesis is that there’s a part of each of us that’s essentially divine. The proof is in the physical and mental practices he lays out (kriya & ashtanga yoga practices).

In short, he challenges us to accept that there’s an aspect of ourselves (consciousness) that:

  • is completely intangible, timeless, immutable, and unalterable;
  • doesn’t function or age;
  • can’t be explained by science the way our tangible, functioning body and mind can be;
  • is not subject to the vagaries of time and space;
  • is utterly, infallibly, eternally perfect.

There’s literally a world of difference between the awareness OF our thoughts (evidence of consciousness), and our thoughts themselves (evidence of our conscious, thinking mind).

Patanjali implies: Skeptical? Fine. Prove it to yourself; here’s how: tie your body and mind in knots for as long as it takes; eventually, you’ll recognize that your consciousness can not be affected by anything; that it’s literally indestructible (yet without it, we wouldn’t even realize we’re alive).

Patanjali says “When that realization ‘clicks’, you’ll know it – and your life will forever change.” Life changes because that realization gives birth to complete faith in the existence of something else “unearthly”: the source of consciousness, or what I refer to as “God”.

To me, Patanjali’s Yoga isn’t a philosophy as much as it is a path to salvation from suffering. Unfortunately, that perspective can’t be taught, gifted or in any way transferred from one of us to another. As one of my teachers says, trying to do so is akin to literally trying to get someone else to see through my eyes. But faith won’t let me stop trying!

God bless, Allan 🙏❤️🕉

Posted on

PATANJALI’S RECIPE FOR A HAPPIER LIFE

I. Introduction

In 2016, I stepped away from a 30-year accounting career to teach meditation to people suffering from depression, anxiety, stress and addiction. This blog post introduces the source, science and methodology behind meditation.

To reduce mental angst, it helps to understand human nature and how our mind works.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras offers insights into:

  • our physical, mental and spiritual constitution;
  • the distinction between mind and consciousness;
  • the difference between conscious and sub-conscious mind;
  • the natural states of mind which color our thoughts;
  • the types of thought we think;
  • the cyclical codependency of our thoughts and behavior; and
  • physical and mental exercises to promote lasting peace of mind.

II. Five things that affect our thoughts

There are five natural states of mind or “emotions” that color our thoughts; the first is the most impactful, and gives rise to the other four:

  • Conflating our thoughts with our awareness OF them – the essence of who we are is not our tangible, functioning mind; rather, it’s our much more subtle, intangible awareness of what our mind is thinking or doing.

Thoughts are evidence of our mind; the awareness OF our thoughts is evidence of our consciousness.

Consciousness is the only thing known to man that science can’t explain. While what we’re aware of changes constantly, our awareness never does. Our awareness isn’t born, doesn’t function, age or die in a tangible sense the way everything else in life does. Our consciousness is constant, perpetual, timeless; it’s unaffected by the vagaries of time and space; it’s still, quiet, and benign. Meditation draws us closer to this deep unalterable aspect of ourselves.

  • Ego – herein ego is the belief that we are only our body and mind (the parts we see in the mirror and hear in our head); specifically, not realizing that without the most miraculous part of us – our awareness of everything we think, say and do; which never gets hungry, bored, tired, sick, old, and isn’t affected by temptation or fear – we wouldn’t even realize we’re alive! Our consciousness is literally, utterly, always, and infallibly perfect.
  • Desire and dread – these polar opposite states of mind are fueled by our bipolar (yin/yang or positive/negative) energetic constitution; to varying degrees, we’re either attracted to or repelled by literally everything tangible (people, places, things) around us.
  • Fear – herein fear is stronger than dread, and specifically refers to our natural fear of dying.

Realizing the world of difference between our mind and consciousness, and the essentially divine nature of the latter, lessens the affects of the other four natural states of mind on our thoughts.

How do we overcome ego, desire, dread and fear? Patanjali suggests that we strive to constantly a) identify with the intangible, timeless, immutable aspect of ourselves (consciousness), and b) adhere to the Serenity Prayer, practicing Faith, Acceptance, Courage, and Wisdom.

III. Our thoughts affect our actions

Most of what causes our stress and anxiety are our own (in)actions; though ironically, most of our life experiences, starting with the time, place and circumstances of our birth, are consequences of actions beyond our control: those of other people and mother nature!

When learning to distinguish between thoughts and consciousness (we can affect the former; nothing affects the latter), keep the following in mind about your incessant thoughts:

  • We effectively have two minds: our conscious ‘thinking’ mind, and our sub-conscious ‘doing’ mind; the former is home to the voice in our head while the latter silently runs-the-ship so-to-speak without our having to think about it (e.g., our sub-conscious ‘doing’ mind is responsible for breathing, walking, talking, internal organ and system functioning). Guess which one’s the troublemaker? Right.
  • Here’s the key to controlling the troublemaker, our conscious, ‘thinking’ mind (evidenced by words or the voice in our head): it functions singularly like our heart and lungs: one beat, breath, and conscious thought at a time. It’s the aspect of our mind we use throughout the day to make decisions, analyze, and solve problems.

Skeptical that we can’t multi-think? Try simultaneously solving two math problems, or simultaneously counting and reciting the alphabet. Right. At best, we jump back and forth between tasks requiring conscious mental input.

  • On the other hand, we’re typically unaware of our sub-conscious ‘doing’ mind; it runs in the background, and is perfectly capable of multi-tasking (this is the aspect of our mind responsible for walking and chewing gum at the same time). If we’re aware of it at all, this aspect of our mind is typically evidenced by actions, images and insights, rather than words.
  • Every original thought is correct, incorrect, or imagined. Obviously, we can also recall previous thoughts as memories. The object is distinguish between these broad categories of thought in order to think correctly when its advantageous to do so.

The way to reduce depression, stress and anxiety, and relieve temptation is to think clearly and correctly, which requires that we practice a) distinguishing between our thoughts and our awareness of them, b) determining when we’re using our conscious versus sub-conscious mind (often simultaneously), c) recognizing whether our conscious mind is remembering, thinking correctly, incorrectly or imagining, and d) realizing to what extent our conscious thoughts are being influenced by ego, desire, dread and/or fear.

How do we calm our thoughts?

Practice. Practice. Practice. Calming our thoughts begins with learning to concentrate: focusing our attention. Once we can hold our attention still, we can begin to meditate: to refine our focus and hold our attention longer on whatever we chose to.

Personal opinion: the key to developing better thinking habits is to make it fun: begin by focusing on your senses individually (e.g., how many things can you hear or smell? How many physical sensations are you simultaneously aware of? Focus on the flavors of what you eat and drink – these are ways to “be present”, to hold your mind on the here and now – dampening fears of the future and regrets of the past).

IV. Our actions affect our thoughts

While our thoughts precipitate our actions, our behavior has profound, lasting affects on our state of mind.

How should we behave in order to positively influence our thoughts; specifically, to quiet our emotions, thereby calming and clarifying our thoughts? Patanjali prescribes a code of conduct and a regimen of self-care; the most impactful of which to sustained mental wellbeing is a list of ten “do’s and don’ts”:

Don’t (i.e., abstain from):

  • Harm
  • Deceit
  • Theft
  • Lust
  • Greed

Do (i.e., observe):

  • Cleanliness
  • Serenity
  • Courage
  • Wisdom
  • Faith

Additionally, Patanjali prescribes physical posture and breathing exercises to balance the muscular skeletal, and internal organ, systems of our body. It’s difficult to calm and settle one’s thoughts – to think clearly and correctly – with an agitated, aggravated, or energetically out of balance body. Patanjali’s physical exercises are the parts of the practice most commonly recognized as yoga.

V. Patanjali’s advice

 Alternatively, Patanjali suggests that we can skip right to the chase and find the same degree of lasting peace of mind that eventually results from this physical/mental discipline – by turning our life over to God. Frankly, that happens naturally upon realization of the eternal nature of one’s own consciousness.

Patanjali’s most-cited, practical advice:

  • Never give up – success herein depends on constant practice over an extended period of time
  • Always let go – attachments, including regret and resentment, are impediments to reducing suffering and lasting peace of mind

In short, Patanjali offers a recipe to lessen distress by identifying – and providing remedies to address – the three aspects of the natural cycle of our behavior that result in consequences that either increase or decrease our level of distress:

Emotions > Thoughts > Actions > Consequences

Address the first three and the fourth will fall into place.

Blessings, Allan 🙏❤️🕉

Offering meditation lessons in Beverly and Marblehead, MA and online; call or text 617-599-8644 to schedule an appointment