Dive deep with spiritual teacher and author Lex Ferrier as she geeks out on Eastern philosophy, the path of Yoga, and other relevant teachings all pertaining to our psychological wellbeing, the fulfillment of our hearts and ultimately, enlightenment. www.
This is part of a series taught by Lex during "Stay at Home" due to Covid-19. Her intention is to offer teachings directly applicable to the current situation we are all facings across the world. True leadership isn't a great "Ra ra ra!" cheerleader mentality but rather staying open under pressure and being open enough to allow the moment to call forth in you whatever is needed. Lex draws inspiration from watching governors in the US lead us through the pandemic, and takes note of how we all can step up to the plate in our own homes and "lead by example" of the teachings. www.lexferrier.com
This is part of a series taught by Lex during "Stay at Home" due to Covid-19. Her intention is to offer teachings directly applicable to the current situation we are all facings across the world. What is really essential? This seems to be a current hot topic of conversation in our day to day lives, while many of us may be watching what we thought was essential to our lives (and to the world) fall apart by the seams. Lex reminds us how essential it is for us to be willing to fall apart individually to hold the world together during this time. www.lexferrier.com
This is part of a series taught by Lex during "Stay at Home" due to Covid-19. Her intention is to offer teachings directly applicable to the current situation we are all facings across the world. In this episode, Lex continues to speak to the importance of facing one's limitations during this time, and how important it is to fill the openings we experience by doing so with that which we are deeply passionate about. www.lexferrier.com
This is part of a series taught by Lex during "Stay at Home" due to Covid-19. Her intention is to offer teachings directly applicable to the current situation we are all facings across the world. In Auspicious Openings Lex speaks to the "exam" we are all currently in due to the pandemic and how important it is for us all to face our limitations head-on as they arise because facing our limitation IS THE PROCESS to realizing our limitlessness. www.lexferrier.com
Who hasn't experienced the crushing feelings of rejection? Because of these experiences in the past, most of us will do just about anything and everything to avoid facing our fear of rejection. Lex draws inspiration from the popular Ted Talk, "What I Learned from my 100 Days of Rejection" and parallels the teachings to the asana practice emphasizing the importance of staying engaged and being willing to ask the question, "WHY?" www.lexferrier.com
We feel we should meditate but the mind says, "Later...there's plenty of time." Yet whenever we want chocolate the mind says, "NOW!! NOW!!! Get it now!" Lex explains the importance of spiritual practice and how it supports us in finding our center and keeping our hearts open. This helps us live as more compassionate and selfless individuals with both the people closest to us and also strangers. www.lexferrier.com
There is a longing inside of us to have a powerful revelation - to clearly see if the "right" answer is "yes" or "no," to shift drastically in our perspective of how we view ourselves, someone else or even life itself, or to find that missing puzzle piece we've been searching for for years. Inspired by Lex's recent experience during a silent meditation retreat in Hawaii, she gives listeners a glimpse into what being in the bliss of one's mantra is like and how mantra mediation can help anyone drop into the magic of the moment. www.lexferrier.com
Things take time. There's a process to respect and allow to unfold without our interruption. Yet there are times where we end up treating the process of yoga and meditation like rush hour - we are rushing to get somewhere, most likely to the peace and happiness oftentimes delivered at the end of a practice, yet in the the "rushing" we end up missing the whole point of spiritual practice. In this episode Lex emphasizing the importance of non-doing to create the space needed to respect the process of nature and allow our lives to unfold without pushing or forcing things to happen. www.lexferrier.com
No matter how blissful and beautiful our relationships are, sooner or later we will have to face the "relationship mirror." The moment when once we looked at our lover or child and saw only the things we loved about them, to then facing the reflection of all the areas in which we ourselves need to grow, change and evolve, the ways we are showing up completely unenlightened. Lex talks us through how it is essential not to look away from this mirror to recognize there is no separation between us, to see ourselves in another and to catch a glimpse of our shared beauty. www.lexferrier.com
Have you ever asked yourself, "What is spirituality? What does it mean to be a spiritual person? What does it looks like?" Lex points listeners towards the source of finding their own inner answers to these questions, as she highlights the importance of spirituality in the formless rather than the form. Drawing inspiration from her own personal encounters and the story of Hanuman, Lex highlights that "true spirituality is being in service to others." www.lexferrier.com
We are all headed to the same place - death. Most of us live ignoring this truth and allowing the mind to create varying degrees of suffering as it resists the impermanence of life itself. Lex closes out our exploration of the Kleshas with the final way the mind creates suffering by it's fear of the unknown and it's refusal to accept the changing condition of the nature of life. Tune in to embrace your fear of death, to finally embrace life itself. www.lexferrier.com
It is natural in the human experience to gravitate towards the things we like and steer away from the things we wish to avoid. Yet this dance of attachment and aversion is never-ending and actually only reinforces the misperception that we are not okay in this moment just as things are. Lex explains the difference between attachment and aversion and how it is necessary for us to learn to stay engaged in our lives without becoming attached, which she refers to this quality as "affectionate awareness." www.lexferrier.com
Contrary to popular psychology, strengthening our sense of self by standing up defiantly for what we need, want and deserve, the yogic path reaches a point when doing so takes us in the wrong direction. Lex breaks down how strengthening the concept of "I-ness" inevitably leads to suffering, and how at any moment - no matter what is going on in your life - you can drop the I-ness and gain the IS-ness of who you really are and directly experience it's intrinsic qualities of peace, joy, fulfillment and satisfaction. www.lexferrier.com
How we perceive things matters more so than what is actually unfolding before us. In this first of 4 episodes exploring the Kleshas, Lex discusses "avidya" and how perceiving in error creates suffering on some level of our existence. Listeners learn how to start calling BS on their own stories and why this is an important part of walking the path of the Yogi, for we must learn to see the Truth in moment to moment if we are to ever know the Truth of life and our own existence. www.lexferrier.com
People are falling in love with this person and that person, this thing and that thing, yet no one is ever reaching the reality of Love itself. Lex offers listeners a fresh perspective on viewing relationships as the playground of opportunity to discover the Truth of Love itself, as the fabric of our own existence. Lex invites us into discovering the beauty in all people and situations by focusing on acceptance as a primary pillar in all our spiritual practices. This commitment to acceptance relieves us of our suffering and keeps us digging in the same hole - one person, one practice, on path - until we reach the reality of Love. www.lexferrier.com
We all will struggle with moments of feeling unworthy, separate or incapable. Lex explains that this is the effect of the "malas" the stains that cover the mirror within our hearts that when clear reflects the Truth of our existence. This episode Lex talks us through how life and yoga will inevitably bring us situations that "unenlighten" ourselves and to view these moments that we wrestle with the voices of unworthiness, aloneness and fear as opportunities to cleanse the mirror within our own hearts so we may catch our glimpse of our resplendent true nature. www.lexferrier.com
We can all agree that "attitude" is a pretty fundamental part of life. Psychology states that attitude is the filter in which we experience our life through, and Lex digs deep into the wisdom of the Upanishads to back up this point and to inspire us all to make a necessary attitudinal shift. Tune in to learn how to adopt the "sacred attitude" both on and off the mat, helping us all to live in the acceptance of what is. www.lexferrier.com
Yoga teaches us that in any moment there is no way for us to truly not belong, that home is where the heart is, and our most sacred home is within our heart of hearts. Lex talks about her recent travels abroad and her realization that no matter the time or space between us, we are always connected because there is really only one of us here! This podcast is about seeing past the illusionary boundaries we perceive between us, and by believing in this seperativity we only feel disconnected and alone. However, the truth remain that no matter the distance between us, our hearts our connected and that we genuinely belong to each other. www.lexferrier.com
How many of us have given up on meditation because we have concluded that we absolutely suck at "quieting the mind?" In this episode Lex eases our worry about our unproductive attempts at stilling the mind by reminding us that no one can actually sit and meditate, the practice is one of sitting and preparing for meditation to occur. Lex speaks to the power of the mind - matrika shakti - and teaches listeners a few tricks to help the endless mind chatter disturbing our meditative moments. www.lexferrier.com
One thing we all have in common is that we will inevitably make a mistake somewhere in our lives. It's called being human! While it's important to hold compassion around this tendency for "human error" with ourselves and with others, Lex reminds us to be very mindful about continuing to make the same mistake over and over again in our lives. She asks us to look at where we are breaking the promises we've made to "never do that again" and how acting in human error over and over again will inevitably lead to tearing little holes inside of ourselves. www.lexferrier.com
Whenever we communicate with a "strategy" it actually never works out for us the way we think it's going to. Whether this agenda is running unconscious strategies such as the silent treatment or super aware strategies such as non-violent communication, we will inevitably reach a point where we realize that running any type of strategy blocks true communing. Lex talks about how we are always communicating something whether we are speaking or not, and how choosing the middle path of clear and direct expressions is at the root of a yogi's goal of congruency and integrity. www.lexferrier.com
There is an aspect within the mind that is always fighting to gain control. This control freak within us plays the mental game of constantly shapeshifting one's mental stance to find the one that produces the "illusion" of being in control. This game can oftentimes become disguised as a seeker's quest for "acceptance." True acceptance has zero to do with control and everything to do with allowance, and would be found in any moment when one is willing to live exactly as things are NOW for the rest of their life. Lex talks us through an easy way of identifying whether we really are in a direct experience of acceptance or if we are still caught in the control freak's mind games. www.lexferrier.com
When you find yourself in a situation that is totally stealing your peace, more important than all the details of the drama (which is really just creating a drama of the details) is WHY you would lose your center with that particular person, situation or circumstance. The truth is no one can actually "steal" your peace because peace is an intrinsic quality of who you really are inside. Lex talks us through a simple shift in perspective that can help you keep your peace instead of lose your shit. www.lexferrier.com
Wouldn't it be awesome to have a remote in your hand at all times that allowed you to literally control the thoughts in your mind? Catch yourself thinking thoughts that make you miserable? No problem...change the channel! Feeling depressed and helpless? A happy-go-lucky mood is just a click of a button away! While there's no magic remote such as this found on Amazon, Lex explores the next best thing, the yogic practice of samadhana. She teaches us that being impeccable with the practice of single pointed concentration can help to free us from the miseries created by mind by delivering us to the realization that we all absolutely have the ability to decline the offer of getting sucked into the drama unfolding in our minds and lives. www.lexferrier.com
We most likely view commitment as an energy that moves outside of ourselves. Committing to another, to our path, to our children, to our family, to our dreams, etc. In this perspective the energy moves out, while this podcast dives in deep into the belief that all commitment first begins with a movement "in" and is demonstrated in a type of self-embrace. Lex breaks down "niralambaya" which is a term that describes the essential Self and means "independent without any external support." Tune in to fine tune all your commitments in your life. www.lexferrier.com
The ultimate non-reactivity is when you are able to stay perfectly still on the inside when someone is pressing your button, you know that one button you have that makes you fly off the handlebars. Lex breaks down "non-reactivity" and how the question to ask ourselves in any moment isn't "what should I do" but rather "how can I get back to my center." www.lexferrier.com
For those yogis that thrive off of a challenging physical practice, it's important to remember that things don't necessarily need to be "difficult" for them to be embraced as a challenge. Sometimes the most challenging thing to do is the most simplest and basic act, such as listening without waiting for your turn to talk. Lex guides listeners through some of the reasons we are drawn to challenges, and also the benefits one gains through embracing them, regardless of whether of not one would consider themselves triumphant in the end. www.lexferrier.com
Most of us admit we are identified with the main character in the movie of our lives, which isn't a problem unless the movie is unfolding in a way we wish it wouldn't. When we get sucked into the drama of our lives we experience resistance, anxiety, fear, suffering you name it. Lex offers a Vedantic approach to bypassing the drama and returning to the seat within us of the "one who is always watching." She points listeners back to the witnessing consciousness that is untouched and perfectly preserves regardless of whether one is watching a romantic comedy or a tragedy. www.lexferrier.com
We live in a world were most people have resorted to comparing their "behind the scenes" moments to everyone else's "highlight reel." As a result of this comparison, we have failed to accept the fact that we are all just normal human beings, doing the best we can on the wild up and down rollercoaster ride of life. Lex speaks to the supreme quality of humility and how this is an essential quality to align ourselves with as we navigate through our days, and how staying humble in our own behind the scenes moments (as well as witnesses others) helps us to extend grace and acceptance to ourselves and others in these not so pretty moments. www.lexferrier.com
We live in a society that is focused on "improvement." If we aren't trying to improve the moment somehow someway, we adopt a more enlightened approach to getting what we want by focusing on improving ourselves. Lex highlights that true Yoga is the exact opposite of improvement, and instead it is allowing all the supreme innate qualities of the Self to unobstructedly flow into each moment. Lex offers us a practice to implement into your life that will help you drop the monkey mind chatter of meaningless and polluting thoughts and drop right into the moment with a "mantra mind." www.lexferrier.com
When we feel unsatisfied with what's happening in our lives - whether it be with our partners, our friendships, our job, etc - it's typical for us to focus solely on what other people should and should not do so that we can become satisfied again. Lex talks us through how navigating like this is actually out of integrity, a grand manipulation to get what we want, and that it never turns out to provide us the lasting and ultimate satisfaction that we all yearn for. Dive deep with Lex as she reveals the teachings of the word "tripti" and that true satisfaction lies within you regardless of what the hell is going on in your life. www.lexferrier.com
We all find ourselves in moments when we know that we should "let go" but a part of us is clinging (maybe even death-gripped) to the job, the relationship, the city, the experience, etc. Lex offers a fresh perspective on letting go by unpacking the truth that letting go is something that happens inside instead of outside ourselves. She highlights that we are never actually called to let go of the job, the relationship, the person, the money, but that we are only required to let go of one thing and one thing only..."the one inside of us that is clinging." This realization will help us let go of the "monkey mind" driving us bananas and instead delivers us to a "monk mind," non-attached, present and holding all we cherish with an open hand instead of a clenched fist. www.lexferrier.com
We live in a world were we have decided to treat "TRUTH" as a luxury. What is a luxury? Something we can live without, something we don't absolutely need to survive, and it's something we treat ourselves or others to every once in awhile. This mentality absolutely creates chaos in our lives because, as Lex will explain, Truth is the foundation of our existence. It isn't a luxury but is essential and fundamental! Tune in to dive deeper into how important it is to follow the road less traveled and be "Truth-Tellers" in all the moments of our lives. www.lexferrier.com
While most of us are pros at disciplining ourselves in the physical world - getting to work on time, picking up our children from school, exercising a certain number of days a week - we are typically more willing to discipline ourselves in the physical world long before we are willing to discipline the mind. This episode draws inspiration from bowling and archery helping to teach us that we must discipline anything in the mind that leads us into the gutter or makes us miss our mark. www.lexferrier.com
We must learn to be strong at heart when we are put under pressure. The philosophy of Tantra is one we can adopt to support us in opening up beyond body and mind when we're over the discomfort created by prolonged periods of “pressure” - whether that's pressure to perform, pressure to provide, pressure to stay or pressure go. Lex helps listeners by providing a new perspective to adopt the next time they find themselves under the pressure of transformation and awakening. www.lexferrier.com
Joseph Campbell said the secret to life is to "Follow Your Bliss." Sounds simple enough, eh? Lex points out that this "following of bliss" has much more to do with ancient Indian Philosophy than it does with sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll! Tune in to this episode to learn how following your bliss as it relates to your "dharma" will lead to living a life of ultimate fulfillment. www.lexferrier.com
The mind will constantly present to us desire after desire, encouraging us to believe that if we get what we want on the other side of it we will be happy, content and free. Except the mind will never set us free and is actually the very reason we feel trapped to begin with. Lex speaks to the teaching of mumukshutvam which is said to be the one desire that actually sets you free. www.lexferrier.com
Have you ever considered what the primary motivating force is behind the decisions you make? Lex breaks down the difference between navigating in life moment by moment choosing what will make you happy in the now vs. what will restore your remembrance of the deep realm of peace lying with you. Tune in to learn how to get off the dramatic rollercoaster of happiness and return your awareness to consistently abide in the peace within you. www.lexferrier.com
We often times think that in order to make our dreams come true, to be fulfilled in life, and achieve those things we deeply desire, that we must cultivate incredible willpower to "get shit done." Lex offers an alternative perspective to willpower and that instead of it being an "action" orientated quality, it can be an "attitudinal" quality. And then this attitudinal shift can help we balance our willpower with surrender, and drop us right into the sweet spot we're all dying to get to. www.lexferrier.com
The quality of fortitude is essential for those of us embarking on the inner path, it is what helps us to persevere through the gritty/uncomfortable moments of growing on the inside, leading us to the final "glow" moment of awakening and transformation. Lex touches upon the ancient energetic system of "the gunas" to paint a picture of what inner growth actually looks like. www.lexferrier.com
The mind is never satisfied. Never. It is the conditioning of the mind causing us to favor our personal sensitivities and preferences instead of accepting the moment unfolding before us. Lex speaks on how true freedom isn't escaping through the mind (or getting what you want!) but rather bringing to the moment whatever the moment is calling forth in you. www.lexferrier.com
All of us cherish the times of our lives when we are in "flow," when the moments unfold effortlessly and we feel aligned with ourselves, those around us and life itself. Then there are the times we experience being out of flow and we are presented with problem after problem. Lex offers a fresh perspective regarding how to view all the problems of our lives, which will actually support us all into getting back into the flow. www.lexferrier.com
We oftentimes end up clinging to our "truth" regardless of whether or not it is an accurate and complete perception of the ultimate reality. Perception is extremely important for even false perceptions create your reality and when we perceive in error oftentimes the result is some degree of suffering, tightness or disillusion. Lex dives into how we can practice "perceiving" correctly in just a simple step. www.lexferrier.com
Suffering is created by resisting what is unfolding in your life. It's that simple. In this episode Lex dives deep into the stages of the "creative cycle"and applies this cycle to the world of relationships, emphasizing what the most important part stage of the cycle really is. www.lexferrier.com
How many times have you wished you could just "let go" in an instant? Letting go is one of those mysterious things that you can't necessarily think your way through or force to happen when you want it to. In this episode Lex dives deep into four important points that will help you with letting go inside and out. www.lexferrier.com
Instead of crumbling under pressure, Lex talks us through the alternative of utilizing the pressure arising in a moment to clean and polish the facets of one's eternally flawless, diamond heart. Lex uses the analogy of viewing the True Self as a diamond, helping us to realize the Truth that no matter what unfolds in our lives, the Truth of who we are remains priceless and brilliant. www.lexferrier.com