Podcasts about yoga sutras

Hello everyone, who knew and loved Bart,This is Renata Gregori, his wife. My beloved husband left this earth plane on July 27, 2026, due to pneumonia and infection - complications from conditions he was dealing with since the end of last year.He was the best man I've ever known. He was my teacher, my confidant, my best friend, the love of my life and my touchstone for all that is good and righteous. I could always count on him to put things in perspective for me and check me, when I was off base. We had a celebration of life at our house in Mexico yesterday and it was so beautiful. Music, laughter, tears and beautiful people. Bart has been laid out at our house for two days. As per his wishes, he will be cremated today.Please continue to contemplate his teachings, read his books and watch his videos. I send my Love to all who knew and loved him and all whose lives he touched. Bart Marshall described his spiritual path as “self-guided eclectic.” It began with a death experience in Vietnam in 1968 and ended in 2004 on an airplane at 30,000 feet over the Atlantic as he returned from a workshop with Douglas Harding. In those intervening years he “turned over every rock” in his quest for a final answer, but counts three teachers as the most influential: Richard Rose, Nisargadatta Maharaj, and Douglas Harding.He founded Self Inquiry Group (SIG) in Raleigh, North Carolina and for many years held weekly meetings before stepping back in 2013. Sometimes called “the reluctant guru” by those who know him, Bart nevertheless traveled widely to speak when asked, and teaches retreats and intensives with Deborah Westmoreland (Conscious TV interview) events that proved to be highly transformative for participants.Bart was the author of The Perennial Way: New English Versions of Yoga Sutras, Dhammapada, Heart Sutra, Ashtavakra Gita, Faith Mind Sutra, and Tao Te Ching, and Christ Sutras (Fall 2014), which contains the complete sayings of Jesus from all sources arranged as topical sermons. Interview recorded 11/8/2014

Yoga ist weit mehr als Sonnengruß, Atemtechnik und Beweglichkeit. Das zeigen die rund 2.000 Jahre alten Yoga-Sutras, die Patañjali zugeschrieben werden. Ihr Ziel ist nicht körperliche Fitness, sondern innere Freiheit: Wir sollen lernen, den ständig beschäftigten Geist zu beruhigen, uns weniger mit unseren Gedanken, Begierden und äußeren Zielen zu identifizieren und dadurch wieder näher zu uns selbst zu kommen. Der Weg dorthin führt für Patañjali vor allem über zwei Dinge: Übung und Loslassen. Albert und Jan sprechen in dieser Pudelkern-Folge darüber, warum Patañjalis Philosophie erstaunlich aktuell wirkt und was sein achtgliedriger Yoga-Pfad mit einem guten Leben zu tun hat. Es geht um Gewaltlosigkeit und Wahrhaftigkeit, Selbstdisziplin und Maßhalten, Konzentration und Meditation. Aber auch um die fünf Ursachen menschlichen Leidens: Nichtwissen, Ich-Verhaftung, Begierde, Hass und die Angst, das eigene Leben zu verlieren. Und um eine Frage, die Patañjali heute vermutlich mindestens so dringlich fände wie vor 2.000 Jahren: Wie bewahren wir unsere innere Ruhe in einer Welt, die permanent um unsere Aufmerksamkeit kämpft?

A conversation on spiritual awakening, svadharma, character strengths, service, and why yoga is so much more than movement.What if yoga was never meant to be something we only do on a mat?In this episode of The Midlife Spirituality Project, I'm joined by yoga teacher, writer, and spiritual seeker Marissa Guerra for a beautiful conversation about yoga philosophy, purpose, spiritual awakening, and what it means to live the practice beyond the mat.Marissa shares how yoga found her during a season of burnout, depression, and identity change. What began as a physical practice during the pandemic eventually led her to yoga teacher training in Sri Lanka, deeper study of the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, time in India, graduate study in psychology and spirituality at Columbia, and a growing devotion to helping others understand themselves more deeply.Together, we talk about yoga as a path of self-knowledge, service, and transformation. We explore svadharma, character strengths, the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern psychology, and how following what fascinates us can become a way of finding our purpose.We also talk about gratitude, spiritual strength, karma, meaning-making, and why yoga is not just something we do in class. It is a living practice that helps us come back to love, presence, and the truth of who we are.In This Episode, We Talk AboutYoga philosophy beyond asanaMarissa's journey from corporate life to yoga and spiritual studyBurnout, depression, identity shifts, and spiritual awakeningThe connection between svadharma, character strengths, and purposeWhy self-development is really self-knowledgeHow ancient wisdom and modern psychology overlapTurning difficult life experiences into meaning and serviceGratitude as a daily practice for retraining the mindYoga as a living practice, not just something we do on the matWant to see Marissa's gorgeous visuals and join the deeper conversation? Follow her on Instagram!Want to dive into deeper readings? Follow Marissa on a Substack!About Katie FarinasKatie Farinas is a midlife coach, yoga teacher, and spiritual guide who helps women navigate midlife with clarity, peace, purpose, and empowerment. Through yoga philosophy, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and energy-based practices, Katie supports women in reconnecting with themselves and stepping fully into their most aligned and authentic lives.✨ Ways To Go Deeper:If you're ready to feel less overwhelmed and more connected to your body, needs, and inner voice, explore my 4-week private coaching experience for midlife women: Reconnect With Your Body and Yourself. Learn more here.Record your question here and I will answer it on the show!! https://www.speakpipe.com/KatieFarinasJoin the Monthly Satsang. A space to reflect and grow together in community.Visit Katie's website to see all her services.Join the newsletter for soulful insights and to receive weekly practicesRead and watch on SubstackBook a reflective Insight Seat to come on the show and receive live coachingSchedule a Clarity Call to see if my coaching is right for you.

Change, Initiation, and Jiu Jitsu as a Modern Mystery with Professor Jason Hawkins The host of The Jiu Jitsu Mindset welcomes Professor Jason Hawkins, promotes the My Jiu Jitsu Journey app's new weight-loss component, and mentions Submission Coffee's wholesale program for gym owners. They discuss change as deep transformation rather than habit tweaks, framing growth as transmuting suffering into consciousness and using a marathon "pain is inevitable, suffering is optional" story plus the Yoga Sutras' "now" as a call to seriousness when ordinary coping fails. They explore initiation as guided "death, burial, resurrection," historically tied to near-death clarity, with compassion distinguishing it from abuse, and note women are "initiated by nature" while men often need imposed rites. They relate initiation to martial arts as modern mystery schools: sacred space, gi/belt symbolism, told-shown-done learning, humility, trust, and moving from technique to principle and "no habit." They cover Nietzsche's camel-lion-child, three paths (hardship, self-study, surrender), boredom as a gatekeeper, devotion vs outcome-seeking, and responsibility as the warrior ethic.   00:00 Welcome and Updates 01:08 Meet Jason Hawkins 01:50 Why People Change 03:04 Pain vs Suffering Story 03:59 Yoga Sutras and Now 06:02 Transformation Not Habits 10:02 Gross to Subtle Path 13:32 What Is Initiation Today 16:35 Near Death and Rites 21:59 Pete's Grandfather Lesson 25:57 Mysteries and Three Steps 31:27 Nietzsche Camel Lion Child 36:21 Iron John Colors and Jiu Jitsu 38:22 Pick Your Moment 38:33 No Habit Mastery 38:46 Rolling With My Son 40:33 Skill Stages Explained 42:01 Mystery School Question 45:05 Sacred Space Rituals 48:13 False Danger Real Growth 52:00 Practice Reverence Discipline 54:16 Warrior Responsibility 01:01:03 Mystery Cannot Be Told 01:04:03 Miracles And Attention 01:05:57 Boredom Gatekeeper 01:08:16 Devotion Over Discipline 01:11:50 Closing Reflections

Episode OverviewIn this thoughtful and grounded conversation, Amy Wheeler sits down with Marlysa Sullivan, a physical therapist, yoga therapist, and educator working within the Veterans Administration and at Notre Dame of Maryland University. Together, they explore the Niyamas from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as living practices—less about rigid rules and more about ongoing self-inquiry, ethical reflection, and alignment in daily life.Rather than presenting the Niyamas as fixed ideals, this episode invites a more nuanced approach: one that considers context, relationship, and the evolving nature of what it means to act with integrity. The conversation weaves together classical yoga philosophy, modern clinical experience, and real-world application, offering a grounded pathway for both practitioners and clinicians.Key Themes ExploredEthics as a Living Inquiry Ethical practice is not static. Marlysa emphasizes that what is “right” depends on context, relationship, and discernment. This requires ongoing reflection: What is most relevant, kind, and supportive in this moment?Śauca (Clarity and Inner Cleanliness) The discussion reframes purity away from moral judgment and toward clarity. Rather than “fixing what is wrong,” the practice becomes one of noticing what clouds perception—habit patterns, past impressions, and emotional residue—and gently clearing space for more skillful action. Santoṣa (Contentment as Stability and Action) Contentment is explored as a steady inner ground, not passivity. True contentment allows for both acceptance and meaningful action. The conversation highlights the balance between deficiency (chronic dissatisfaction) and excess (avoidance or spiritual bypassing).Tapas (Right Effort and Friction for Growth) Tapas is described as the willingness to meet discomfort in service of transformation. It is the moment where inner clarity meets outward action—often requiring courage to move beyond familiar patterns.Svādhyāya (Self-Study and Honest Reflection) The practice of self-study calls for humility and relational support. Amy and Marlysa emphasize the importance of trusted relationships that can reflect blind spots and support deeper self-awareness.Īśvara Praṇidhāna (Surrender and Letting Go of Outcome) Surrender is presented as an essential counterbalance to effort. One does the work with integrity, then releases attachment to results. This is especially relevant in complex systems, where control is limited and trust becomes necessary.Integrating Kriyā YogaThe final three Niyamas—Tapas, Svādhyāya, and Īśvara Praṇidhāna—are explored as Kriya Yoga, a practical pathway for transformation.Together, they form a cycle:Act with intentionReflect with honestySurrender the outcomeThis dynamic process supports both personal growth and therapeutic presence.Clinical and Real-World ApplicationDrawing from her work in the Veterans Administration, Marlysa highlights how these teachings translate into practice:Healing is not one-size-fits-all; each individual responds differentlyCuriosity supports humility and clinical effectivenessRelationship and co-reflection are essential for growthYoga therapy must move beyond biomechanics to include meaning, perception, and lived experienceThe conversation reinforces that how we approach a simple movement—like stretching a hamstring—often reflects how we approach life itself.Practical ReflectionFor those beginning to work with the Niyamas:Start with the one that feels most relevant or meaningfulReflect on where you tend toward excess or deficiencyUse curiosity as a guide rather than judgmentEngage trusted others in your process of reflectionClosing InsightThis episode reframes ethics not as obligation, but as an enlivening and relational practice. When approached with curiosity and sincerity, the Niyamas become a guide for living with clarity, integrity, and connection—to oneself and to others.Learn MoreVisit Marlysa Sullivan: www.marlysasullivan.comExplore the foundations in The Yoga Sutras of PatanjaliContact Amy Wheeler:www.TheOptimalState.com Optimal State App for iPhone:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804 The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 School of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool Our new book-  https://www.amazon.com/Applying-Therapeutic-Yoga-Integrative-Health/dp/1032888628/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RFZ3L5MCCNPH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.I7harQDOLulfRbd3dx2vVa5VUZa840PHcWB7dDiT3_bB2nravzO7_9Xs9shMhcy2Iwu0wtTA1PxeUG4TTugEQJuK_OEpvzQ-OyVvtsUkXsc.ViqLrL-EQPX7s09wZF6_2eCpLCimHa7Ohfbw-F7Yuk4&dib_tag=se&keywords=applications+in+therapeutic+yoga+wheeler&qid=1775224796&sprefix=applications+in+therapeutic+yoga+wheele%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

What if the world itself could become your meditation object? In this episode, we explore Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita, known as Vibhuti Yoga — the yoga of divine manifestation and sacred seeing. This chapter explores how to train our perception and helps us stop dividing life into "spiritual" and "not spiritual." The sunset, the breath, the body, the mountain, even impermanence, all can become doorways back to the sacred. It also marks a turning point in Arjuna's relationship with Krishna. Until now, Arjuna has known Krishna as his friend, cousin, mentor, and charioteer. Here, he begins to realize that Krishna is not just wise, but divine reality itself. Inside this episode, I explore:

"Yoga Sutras of Patanjali The Book of the Spiritual Man version 3" presents Charles Johnston's insightful translation and commentary on the foundational yogic text, emphasizing the transformation of the spiritual man from the psychical. This interpretation delves into the profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, making it a timeless guide for those seeking deeper understanding and connection to their inner selves. The themes of personal evolution and the quest for spiritual enlightenment remain relevant today, inviting listeners to explore the enduring wisdom of Patanjali's teachings. Engaging with this work offers a chance to reflect on the nature of existence and the path toward a more enlightened life.

Raja Yoga is the path of willpower — Patanjali's 8 limbs that lead from a restless mind to stillness. Akshay Bhat maps the whole way. What if real peace isn't found on a mountaintop, but in the stillness already inside you?This episode explores Raja Yoga, the king of yoga: the path of willpower that Patanjali lays out in his eight limbs (ashtanga). The guest, who has studied these teachings since childhood, walks through the whole journey in plain language.Raja Yoga isn't about escaping life. It starts with how we live (the yamas and niyamas), then works through the body and breath, slowly clearing the old patterns, the samskaras, that keep the mind restless.From there the conversation moves inward, deeper into Raja Yoga, through the limbs: asana as steady ease, pranayama as the art of watching the breath, and pratyahara, drawing the senses back from a noisy world. Everyday examples make it real: a turtle pulling in its limbs, the calm after a hard pose, why coffee at night keeps the mind racing.Then come the three most people blur together: dharana (focus), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). You'll hear why most "meditation" is really only the first of these, and how deep sleep already gives us a taste of samadhi, a joy that comes from within rather than from anything outside.The episode closes on a simple, powerful idea: the highest practice in Raja Yoga may not be doing anything at all, but being fully present. If your mind feels like a restless lion, this is the path to taming it, and this conversation is your map.Continues the previous episode on the Yoga Sutras and the five kleshas.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:43 Recap: Kriyas & the 5 Kleshas00:02:38 What Is Raja Yoga?00:03:46 Ashtanga: The 8 Limbs (Not the Asana Series)00:05:21 Yamas & Niyamas: The Foundation00:06:08 Clearing the Samskaras00:07:56 Prakriti & Purusha: Energy vs Stillness00:12:15 Om / Pranava: Tapping Into Consciousness00:19:35 Asana: Steadiness & Ease00:23:13 When Effort Becomes Effortless00:28:59 Pranayama: Patanjali's Definition00:34:13 Pratyahara: Withdrawing the Senses00:38:46 The 3 Gunas & Diet00:46:23 Ramakrishna & Yoga Beyond Religion00:50:56 Dharana: One-Pointed Focus00:57:59 Dhyana: Becoming the Flower01:00:35 The Mind Tamer & Chitta Vritti Nirodha01:02:39 Samadhi: Deep Sleep & Inner Joy01:07:13 Surrender & Endless Bliss01:10:27 Presence: The Highest Teaching01:13:09 Recap & Closing MantraMentions & Resources:Michael Henri's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Akshay Bhat's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akshaybhatyoga/The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Texts & philosophy: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali; Samkhya (Prakriti and Purusha)Teachers: Ramana Maharshi (Arunachala; years of silent meditation); Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (devotion beyond religion — the Kali story)Other paths referenced: Bhakti Yoga (devotion); Jnana Yoga (self-enquiry)Concepts: the eight limbs (ashtanga); chitta vritti nirodha; the three gunas (sattvic, rajasic, tamasic); pranava (Om); Ekadashi fasting; Vipassana; polyvagal theory (modern nervous-system parallel); the Patanjali invocation mantra (closing)

Episode Description:This is a From the Archive episode with one of my favorite guests: Steven Pressfield.Steven Pressfield has spent his career writing about war, creativity, discipline, storytelling, and the inner battle every artist faces. In this archive conversation, James and Steven explore how stories work—and why the same structures that power novels and movies also show up in real life.They begin with The Legend of Bagger Vance, which Pressfield built from the structure of the Bhagavad Gita. James connects that idea to his own writing, where ancient texts like the Yoga Sutras became frameworks for modern essays about entrepreneurship. Their point is simple: if a story has survived thousands of years, it probably contains a structure worth studying.From there, the conversation moves into the hero's journey. The ordinary world. The call to adventure. The refusal of the call. The mentor. The threshold. The extraordinary world. The tests, allies, enemies, ordeal, return, and gift.But Pressfield pushes the idea further. In real life, people do not always answer the call. Some people refuse it for years. Some cross the threshold and then run back. Some sacrifice security, status, money, family expectations, or even relationships to follow the deeper pull of their lives.James shares his own story of walking out of a finance job after three days, leaving his coat on the chair, taking the elevator down 40 floors, getting on a train, and never returning. Pressfield recognizes it immediately as a real-life threshold moment.The conversation then turns to The Artist's Journey. Pressfield explains that the hero's journey ends when the hero returns home with a gift. The artist's journey begins when the artist asks: What is the gift I am meant to give? What is my material? What is my voice? What am I here to make?They discuss Resistance as the real villain in every story, why the question “Who am I?” often drives the inciting incident, why villains often do not change, why opening and closing images matter, and why genres have rules that writers ignore at their own risk.This episode is a masterclass in story, but it is also a meditation on identity. The deeper question is not just how to write a story. It is how to recognize the story already trying to live through you.Editorial Note:This is a "From the Archive" episode. References to “new” or “upcoming” books, projects, or events reflect the timing of the original recording.What You'll Learn:Why Steven Pressfield built The Legend of Bagger Vance on the structure of the Bhagavad Gita.How ancient myths and spiritual texts can become frameworks for modern stories.Why the hero's journey begins only when the hero answers the call.What separates the ordinary world from the extraordinary world.Why Resistance appears immediately after the call to action.Why crossing the threshold changes how other people see you—and how you see yourself.How the artist's journey begins after the hero's journey ends.Why the artist's real question is: What gift am I bringing back?How to go deeper into theme instead of just telling a surface-level story.Why success, awards, money, and status can become forms of Resistance.How dreams, intuition, and recurring ideas can point toward a person's real work.Why every strong story creates a first pole and second pole: the question and the answer.Why the villain may be a person, a force, or Resistance itself.Why genre conventions matter, even for experienced writers.How opening and closing images can reveal the full emotional transformation of a story.Timestamped Chapters:[02:00] Steven Pressfield and the Ancient Structure of StoryJames introduces Pressfield through The Legend of Bagger Vance, The Authentic Swing, and the Bhagavad Gita.[03:33] Ancient Wisdom in Modern WritingJames explains how he used the Yoga Sutras as a hidden structure for one of his most popular entrepreneurship essays.[04:42] Stories That Have Been Tested for Thousands of YearsWhy myths, sacred texts, and ancient epics still work as storytelling engines.[05:00] Pressfield's Small Books on StorytellingJames introduces Pressfield's mini-books on how stories begin, what they are about, and how artists find their material.[05:31] Are You the Hero or the Red Shirt?James asks whether everyone is really the hero of their own story—or whether some people refuse the call.[07:13] The Call to Adventure and the Refusal of the CallPressfield walks through Joseph Campbell's structure: ordinary world, call, refusal, and threshold.[08:31] It Is Never Too Late to Answer the CallThe hero's journey can begin late, and people may have more than one journey in a lifetime.[09:08] Ordinary World vs. Extraordinary WorldLuke Skywalker, Star Wars, Christopher Vogler, Blake Snyder, and the moment a story crosses into Act Two.[10:45] Resistance at the Edge of the ThresholdWhy no one enters the extraordinary world without hesitation, fear, or circumstances forcing the break.[11:23] Mentors, Books, and Virtual TeachersJames questions whether every hero needs a mentor and describes books and podcast guests as his own collective mentors.[12:32] What Steven Gave Up to Become a WriterPressfield recalls sacrificing security, a marriage, and stable advertising jobs in order to keep writing.[13:25] The Temptation to Stay SafeThe boss offers the title, the office, the raise—and the artist has to decide whether to cross the threshold anyway.[14:15] James Walks Out of the Ordinary WorldJames tells the story of leaving a finance job after three days, taking the elevator down 40 floors, and never returning.[15:36] Real Life Follows the Hero's JourneyPressfield explains that threshold moments happen before we understand them as story structure.[16:44] The Books That Made Steven Pressfield a Creative MentorJames names The War of Art, Turning Pro, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sht*, The Knowledge, and The Artist's Journey.[17:36] How the Hero Becomes Known DifferentlyPressfield explains how crossing the threshold changes the hero's identity in the eyes of others and themselves.[20:26] Breaking Bad and the Discovery of the Real SelfWalter White becomes an example of a character realizing who he really is inside the extraordinary world.[21:08] What the Audience Sees Before the Villain DoesJames explains how the hero, villain, and audience may recognize transformation at different moments.[22:13] Crossing the Threshold Means Losing PeoplePressfield and James discuss how entering a new life attracts new people and repels old ones.[23:38] Real Life Is Messier Than StoryUnlike a focused screenplay, a life can contain many themes at once: parenthood, business, art, family, and identity.[24:36] Ignorance, Arrogance, and FaithWhy artists and entrepreneurs need enough irrational confidence to begin before they know whether they have anything to say.[26:53] Peeling Back the OnionJames and Steven discuss how artists move from surface ideas to deeper themes over time.[29:04] The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Artistic EvolutionHow great artists begin by imitating what they love and eventually discover what they are really trying to express.[32:08] What Are We Actually Talking About?Pressfield pauses the conversation to ask whether a theme is emerging from the discussion itself.[33:25] The Calling Is Already Inside YouPressfield argues that each person is born with a destiny, identity, or inner pressure that eventually wants to surface.[35:21] The Hero's Journey Across GenerationsJames and Steven discuss World War II, the Greatest Generation, the boomers, and social movements as mass threshold moments.[39:48] The Full Shape of the Hero's JourneyOrdinary world, call, mentor, inciting incident, trials, return, and the gift brought back to the people.[41:17] When the Artist's Journey BeginsPressfield explains that the artist's journey starts when the hero's journey ends.[42:33] What Is the Gift?The artist asks: What is my act? What is my material? What is my medium? Who am I?[44:20] Good Will Hunting and the Beginning After the EndingWhy the end of one story often marks the beginning of the artist's real work.[45:17] Catch Me If You Can and the Artist After the AdventureJames uses Frank Abagnale as an example of a hero's journey followed by a less cinematic but still meaningful artist's journey.[47:00] The Return Home and the Embedded SelfPressfield explains that the person at the end of the journey was already hidden inside the person at the beginning.[49:05] Who Am I?James identifies the core question behind the inciting incident: am I ordinary, or am I extraordinary?[51:28] Who Am I, Why Am I Here, What Do I Want?Pressfield connects story structure to Stanislavski's dramatic questions and real-life identity.[53:37] Taken, Jason Bourne, and the Hidden SelfThe extraordinary world reveals the self that was always there but could not appear in the ordinary world.[55:00] Why Stories Let Us Practice the ExtraordinaryJames describes storytelling as a safe space where people in ordinary life can rehearse crossing the threshold.[55:45] Steven Pressfield: Servant of the MusePressfield answers James's question “Who are you?” by describing himself as a servant of the muse.[56:31] Success, the Muse, and the Second Half of LifePressfield discusses process, hierarchy, status, Richard Rohr, and why chasing awards can become Resistance.[01:03:00] Becoming a Second-Half Person at Any AgeJames and Steven discuss moving past external goals earlier in life and clearing the channel for deeper work.[01:05:25] The 10,000-Hour Rule and Cross-PollinationWriting, advertising, finance, comedy, podcasting, and entrepreneurship all become grist for the mill.[01:07:16] Inventing Yourself as You GoPressfield tells James that he is creating something that has never existed before: the James Altucher version of the artist's journey.[01:08:20] How to Find the Extraordinary WorldPressfield advises people to listen to their dreams, journal them, and pay attention to the signals coming from the deeper self.[01:10:40] Inner Work and Learning to Hear IdeasSteven recommends Robert A. Johnson's Inner Work and describes creativity as the skill of noticing what is already arriving.[01:11:49] The First Pole and the Second PoleThe inciting incident creates a question the audience needs answered, as in The Bourne Identity: Who is he?[01:13:31] The Villain Is EverywhereJames and Steven discuss why villains keep returning and why Resistance may be the real villain in every story.[01:15:05] Does the Villain Ever Change?Darth Vader becomes an example of a character who may look like the villain but is really on another journey.[01:16:16] Opening Image, Closing ImageThe Godfather shows how a story can begin and end in similar places while revealing total transformation.[01:17:19] Why Everyone Can't Just Write a ThrillerEven with formulas available, genre rules and obligatory scenes still have to be understood and honored.[01:18:24] Rules, Genres, and Why Audiences Feel CheatedPressfield explains that if a genre's necessary beat is missing, the audience may feel the story is hollow.[01:18:42] Romance, Tragedy, and The Way We WereJames and Steven discuss romance structure and why a love story can still work when the couple does not end up together.[01:20:54] No One Is Born a ProJames reads a Pressfield line about falling before hitting bottom and connects it to the artist's journey needing the hero's journey first.Additional Resources:Steven Pressfield Official WebsiteSteven Pressfield BooksThe War of Art by Steven PressfieldTurning Pro by Steven PressfieldThe Artist's Journey by Steven PressfieldNobody Wants to Read Your Sht* by Steven PressfieldThe Authentic Swing by Steven PressfieldThe Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield“How Does a Story Start?” by Steven PressfieldThe Writer's Journey by Christopher VoglerSave the Cat! by Blake SnyderInner Work by Robert A. JohnsonFalling Upward by Richard RohrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when you stop practicing grounding techniques one at a time — and start weaving them together? Welcome to Day 6 of our 7-day grounding meditation series. Today, we don't learn anything new. Instead, we layer everything you've practiced this week — visualization, breathwork, mudra, affirmation, and chakra work — into one flowing, integrated meditation. This guided practice blends neuroscience with ancient yogic wisdom to show you why balance isn't about mastering one technique perfectly, but about letting several small practices support each other. Download this week's free Daily Reflection Journal → Receive Mary Meckley's weekly meditation journal, created to help you reflect, reset, and realign with each new series from The Daily Meditation Podcast. What You'll Learn in This Episode How to layer visualization, breath, mudra, affirmation, and chakra work into one integrated practice The neuroscience behind why multimodal meditation can be more effective than single-technique practice An ancient teaching from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras on why balance comes from integration, not perfection How to weave this week's practices into a single, sustainable daily ritual Who This Episode Is For Anyone who has practiced meditation techniques individually and wants to experience how they work together — and anyone searching for grounding meditation, present moment awareness, or a guided practice that blends ancient wisdom with modern science.

Hi everyone, Today we spend some time discussing the concepts of Puruṣa, Prakṛti, and Avidyā. These are three foundational teachings that help us better understand our true nature, the material world, and the causes of human suffering - according to Sanātana Dharma. As we deepen our awareness of these principles, we can cultivate a more conscious relationship with our thoughts, emotions, and experiences.For the philosophers: The concept of Avidyā is clearly described in the Yoga Sutras. Puruṣa and Prakṛti are articulated in Sāṃkhya philosophy (though have roots well beyond such as in the Rig Veda and Upanishads). To my knowledge.We also review some key upcoming transits: Final Vortex before Eclipse SeasonMercury Direct: July 23rdOuter planet line up: Now through July 29th Guru Purnima: July 29thChristine Characteristics of Your Spouse:https://youtu.be/i_cOvdSbjy0Soulmate Astrologyhttps://youtu.be/ExnDysvjzUwChristine:website: innerknowing.yogainstagram: astrologynow_podcastpatreon: patreon.com/astrologynowpodcast  

Join us on The Free Radical Podcast for a reflective and deeply human conversation with artist, author, Vaishnava scholar, and astrologer Vraja Kishor. Having joined ISKCON in 1990, Vraja Kishor pursued formal studies at the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education and spent several years immersed in devotional life and study. His path has also taken unexpected turns—most notably through his time with the Krishna punk band 108, where he helped integrate devotional themes into alternative music culture. Alongside his spiritual and artistic work, he has built a diverse professional background spanning software development and language teaching, before dedicating himself fully to Vedic astrology. He is also a translator of key Vaishnava texts, including work on the Bhagavad-gita, four cantos of the Srimad Bhagavatam, and ongoing translation of the fifth canto as well as the Yoga Sutras. In this episode, we explore themes drawn from his memoir Train Wrecks and Transcendence—including the arc of spiritual life, relationships, early enthusiasm and later grounding, and the challenge of integrating depth with simplicity. The conversation moves through questions of responsibility, devotion, friendship, family, and the evolving relationship between rigidity and maturity on the spiritual path—arriving at a vision of wholeness that finds the profound within the ordinary. Tune in for a thoughtful and open exchange that traces a life lived at the intersection of devotion, creativity, and lived experience.

The sage says: Tadah drastuh svaroope vastanam — Yoga Sutras 1.3 In the moment your mind becomes still, you abide in svaroopa, your own Divine Essence. Here you are, revealed in the space between your thoughts. This means your thoughts are usually hiding you from yourself. This is why all the yoga practices are for your mind, to quiet your mind, so you discover who you are. The you that is svaroopa, your own Divine Essence, aka Shiva. In the pause. — Gurudevi Nirmalananda   Watch Gurudevi's full discourse “The Space Between" here: https://gurudevi.vhx.tv/products/the-space-between-6-28-26   #meditate #meditation #gurudevi #yogamysticism #spirituality #divine #yoga #swaminirmalananda #blissyoga #svaroopayoga #siddhayoga #muktananda #gurudevinirmalananda

What if the very thing you've been trying to avoid is the thing that would make you feel more alive?In this episode, Blaine explores tapas, one of the Niyamas from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Often translated as discipline or inner fire, tapas is the willingness to choose growth over comfort, even when the easier option is to walk away.A year earlier, Blaine had signed up for a duathlon. As race day approached and life became busier than expected, she seriously considered backing out more than once. Instead, she decided to keep her commitment and show up.The race became more than a physical challenge. It was a reminder that some of the most rewarding experiences in life happen when we're willing to be uncomfortable. Confidence grows when we do hard things. Life becomes more interesting when we stop choosing only what's familiar.If you've been tempted to back away from something because it feels difficult or inconvenient, this episode is an invitation to consider what might be waiting for you if you keep going. Now available wherever you get your podcasts!Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:56 Duathlon Backstory02:56 Quitting Then Reconsidering04:57 Choosing Discomfort09:34 Race Day Recap11:28 Purification And Growth13:13 Fire Transforms14:58 Your Tapas Challenge16:14 ConclusionEpisode Resources:EMYoga Online Courses: emyoga.thinkific.com/collections/emyoga-coursesShop our EMYoga Store: emyogastore.com/Sign up for our FREE weekly Newsletter: www.energymedicineyoga.net/Listen on Spotify: Energy WorksListen on Apple Podcasts: Energy WorksFollow us on Instagram: @EnergyMedicineYogaFollow us on Facebook: @EnergyMedicineYoga#EnergyMedicineYoga #EMYoga #EnergyWorksPodcast #WellnessPodcast #Tapas #YogaPhilosophy #PersonalGrowth #ConsciousLiving #Resilience #Transformation #ChooseGrowth 

The Yoga Sutras name 5 hidden blocks to your inner peace — and 3 kriya practices to dissolve them. Akshay Bhat makes Patanjali simple.What if the joy you keep chasing is already inside you, and only five hidden blocks stand in the way?This conversation goes deep into the second chapter of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The guest, who started studying the Yoga Sutras at just 11 years old, makes this ancient text simple and easy to follow.He begins with the three habits Patanjali names before any real practice: discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender (ishvara pranidhana). Together these form kriya yoga, the inner preparation. Without them, even strong practices can push your energy the wrong way.From there he opens the five kleshas, the inner blocks that hide our natural joy: forgetting who we really are, getting stuck in the ego, chasing pleasure, pushing away what we dislike, and the fear of death. Using everyday examples — a morning coffee habit, a stuck elevator, a frightening mountain drive in Nepal — he shows how the kleshas shape daily life, and how to loosen their grip.Still inside the Yoga Sutras, he explains the difference between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga (the king of yogic practice), how to clear the energy channels (nadis), and shares the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for meeting the fear of death.If your life looks fine on paper but you still feel lost, the Yoga Sutras offer a clear map. This episode is your starting point, and the doorway to the kriyas themselves.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:01 What Are the Yoga Sutras?00:02:11 The Four Chapters of Patanjali00:03:48 The Second Chapter & Kriya Yoga00:04:18 Tapas, Svadhyaya & Ishvara Pranidhana00:09:49 What Are Kriyas?00:11:59 Cleansing the Nadis: Ida, Pingala, Sushumna00:14:55 Hatha Yoga vs Raja Yoga00:16:27 Building a Daily Practice00:21:01 The Five Kleshas, Introduced00:23:13 Avidya: Forgetting Your True Self00:26:30 Impermanence & Growth00:35:03 Asmita: The False Ego00:41:40 Raga: Attachment & Desire00:45:21 Dvesha: Aversion & Resistance00:48:44 Abhinivesha: The Fear of Death00:54:23 The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra01:00:48 The Eight Limbs of Yoga01:03:09 Posture for Meditation01:07:02 Recap: The Five Kleshas01:09:41 Closing & What's NextResources:Michael Henri's InstagramAkshay Bhat's InstagramThe IN Movement InstagramTexts: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (196 sutras, four chapters — Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, Kaivalya Pada); Bhagavad Gita (Krishna on sukha and dukkha; sitting straight for meditation)Teachers / lineage: Thich Nhat Hanh (impermanence — the flower growing from the earth); the Buddha (desire as the root of suffering); Mahavatar Babaji (Kriya yoga lineage)Practices / concepts: Mahamrityunjaya Mantra; Shambhavi mudra; the three nadis (Ida, Pingala, Sushumna); the eight limbs; VipassanaPlaces: Annapurna Circuit, Nepal (the mountain-drive story); Uluwatu, BaliPrior / upcoming episodes: earlier episode with Akshay on mantras (referenced — link it for topical authority per Practice 3); next episode teased on Raja Yoga, "the king of yoga"

Kriya Yoga teacher Donelle Mason from New Zealand joins Ryan Kurczak for a thoughtful conversation on insight, Self-realization, lineage, Sanskrit, renunciation, ritual, and spiritual maturity. This episode explores the difference between genuine spiritual insight and mental understanding, the gradual or sudden recognition of Purusha, and how to understand the many branches and variations of Kriya Yoga after Lahiri Mahasaya. Ryan also discusses Sanskrit study, householder life, renunciate ideals, tapas, brahmacharya, desirelessness, kaivalya, and the role of ritual in yogic practice. The conversation concludes with reflections on what Ryan wishes he had known at the beginning of the path and how students may deepen from recognizing the Self to seeing the Self in all beings, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita. For students of Kriya Yoga, meditation, Yoga philosophy, the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Self-realization, and sincere spiritual practice. -

In this Yoga practice, we explore Buddhist slogans to offer kindness to the Kleshas, our mental-emotional afflictions. At our core, we possess a basic goodness and desire for joy, but we inevitably face pain, change, and loss. These challenges can feel like the warmth of a fire, sustaining yet painful when we get too close. Through Yoga, we learn to make peace with ourselves, embracing our internal and external struggles. The five Kleshas... ignorance, egotism, attachment, aversion, and fear of loss... shape our habits and behaviours. By understanding their origins, we weaken their hold. Yoga Sutras guide us to move inward, focus on the present, and cultivate loving awareness and compassion. Through practice, we can address our pain with kindness, transforming suffering into healing. This practice helps us release attachments, embrace self-acceptance, and expand compassion for ourselves and others, fostering peace and connection.To read more and to practice with Zephyr Wildman, click here. To support Zephyr Yoga Podcast, donate here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you tired of running on pure adrenaline, battling chronic overwhelm, or trying to manage a demanding schedule with an empty battery? Welcome to Day 1 of our master series, Pranayama: Cultivating and Controlling Your Life Force Energy. Today, our developmental arc is Release. In this session, we move past the modern misconception of pranayama as simple breathing exercises and look at it through the lens of the ancient sage Patanjali and the sacred lineage of Mahavatar Babaji and Paramahansa Yogananda—as the precise, scientific control of internal energy. Through a powerful, evidence-backed somatic practice, we actively reverse the outward flow of attention that drains your inner battery. By turning your awareness inward and regulating your life force, you will instantly clear stagnant tension, lower cortisol levels, and claim your absolute right to sovereign peace right in the middle of a high-velocity lifestyle. In This Episode, You'll Discover: The Fourth Limb of Yoga: How Patanjali's Yoga Sutras position pranayama as the vital bridge between physical stability and mental clarity. The Lineage of Energy Mastery: The fascinating teachings of Babaji and Paramahansa Yogananda on how to reverse sensory depletion and recharge your internal battery. The 4-4-8 Pranic Release: A step-by-step guided somatic breathing protocol to flush adrenaline, dissolve upper-chest tension, and ground your body fast. A Message for Your Heart Dear Friend,  You may be holding the reins on so many moving parts, balancing timelines, and holding up a truly grand vision. It is incredibly easy to let your life force bleed outward into a dozen different directions just to keep up with the day. Today, I want to remind you that your system was never designed to operate in a constant emergency state. You do not have to finish everything on your plate to deserve a moment of absolute, sovereign stillness. By intentionally slowing your breath and turning your energy inward today, you are performing an act of supreme self-care. You are telling your body: 'I have you. We are safe here.' Trust this single stream of prana. You are doing an extraordinary job." With love, Mary With love, Mary This is day 2 of a 7-day meditation series, "Somatic Energy Mastery," episodes 2528-3534.   THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEY YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE:  "The Adrenaline Alchemist"

Do you often feel like you're running on pure adrenaline, battling chronic overwhelm, or trying to manage a demanding schedule with an empty battery? If so, you're definitely NOT alone! This series is your ultimate biological and energetic reset. Today, our developmental arc is Release. We move past the modern misconception of pranayama as simple breathing exercises and look at it through the lens of ancient sage Patanjali and the lineage of Mahavatar Babaji and Paramahansa Yogananda—as the precise, scientific control of internal energy. In This Episode, You'll Discover: The Fourth Limb of Yoga: How Patanjali's Yoga Sutras position pranayama as the bridge between physical stability and mental clarity. The Lineage of Energy Mastery: The teachings of Babaji and Paramahansa Yogananda on how to reverse the outward flow of energy and recharge your internal battery. The 4-4-8 Pranic Release: A step-by-step guided somatic practice to instantly clear stagnant tension, lower cortisol, and claim your inner sovereignty. A Daily Message for Your Heart Dear Friend, It is incredibly easy to let your life force bleed outward into a dozen different directions just to keep up with the day. Today, I want to remind you that your system was never designed to operate in a constant emergency state. You do not have to finish everything on your plate to deserve a moment of absolute, sovereign stillness. By intentionally slowing your breath and turning your energy inward today, you are performing an act of supreme self-care. You are telling your body: 'I have you. We are safe here.' Trust this single stream of prana. You are doing an extraordinary job." With love, Mary This is day 1 of a 7-day meditation series, "Somatic Energy Mastery," episodes 2528-3534.   THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEY YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE: 

In this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode Michael discusses Patanjali's Yoga Sutras with an emphasis on The Five Powers of the Mind (outlined in the first pada, line 20). He touches on the fundamental teaching of Right speech and subtle forms of violence, and focussing on bringing new interpretation to old lessons while appreciating our surroundings and not getting caught up in the story of it all. Recorded August 14, 2009. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Free Masterclass : Click here You've been told that to change your life, you have to change your identity: decide who you want to be, affirm it every morning, and visualise your way into the new you. So why does changing your identity so rarely work? In this episode of Starting Over, Being You, Dr. Amen Kaur explains why the identity keeping you stuck is not a flaw to fix. It is a protection your brain actively defends, long after it has stopped serving you. And why trading it for a "better," more empowered identity is just a nicer cage. Bridging neuroscience and the contemplative traditions, she walks through what actually loosens identity's grip, and the one practical lever that has nothing to do with believing in yourself.What this episode covers:Why a stuck identity behaves like scar tissue, and the one question that begins to loosen itHow identity works as a perceptual lens, so your beliefs shape the evidence rather than the other way aroundThe expectancy-value science of motivation, and why losing your motivation is rarely a motivation problemWhy the "I have to" identity of high achievers leads to burnout and contingent self-worthThe counterintuitive truth about imposter syndrome: it is created by success, not cured by itWhat the Yoga Sutras, the Buddhist teaching of non-self, and the Bhagavad Gita reveal about the self that does the perceivingThe single lever that actually moves identity: how you respond to a thought, not the thought itselfA 30-second awareness practice you can do right where you areQuestions this episode answersWhy does trying to change your identity rarely work? Because a limiting identity functions like scar tissue. It protects you from something painful, so willpower alone bounces off it. Until you understand what the identity is protecting you from, it keeps reasserting itself no matter how hard you push.Can you actually control your thoughts? No. The mind generates thoughts automatically, the way the body generates a heartbeat. What you can control is how you respond to a thought once it arrives. That skill is called cognitive defusion, from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, developed by the psychologist Steven Hayes.Is imposter syndrome cured by success? No. Imposter syndrome is created by success. It appears in the gap between what you have achieved and who you still believe you are, which means the more you accomplish while clinging to an old self-image, the stronger it gets.Why do I feel like I have no motivation? You are almost certainly not unmotivated. Expectancy-value theory, from John Atkinson and later Jacquelynne Eccles and Allan Wigfield, describes how the brain weighs how likely success feels against how much the outcome matters. When an identity says "I can't," predicted success drops, the effort registers as wasted, and you stay exactly where you are.What does the Bhagavad Gita say about effort and results? In chapter 2, verse 47, the Bhagavad Gita teaches that you have a right to your actions but never to the fruits of your actions. The invitation is to unhook your sense of self from outcomes you cannot control and return it to the action itself.Why do high achievers burn out on a "positive" identity? Self-determination theory, from Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, calls it introjected regulation: acting from internalised pressure rather than genuine value. Combined with contingent self-worth, researched by Jennifer Crocker, it means each achievement only rents a brief sense of being okay before the bar moves again.How do you stop a negative thought from running you? You do not stop the thought. You change how you respond to it. Drawing on Hebbian learning ("neurons that fire together, wire together," Donald Hebb, 1949), responding differently over time weakens the old mental pathway and strengthens a new one. Think of the mind as a garden: you cannot control which seeds blow in, but you control what you water and what you pull.Sources and traditions referencedExpectancy-value theory of motivation: John Atkinson; Jacquelynne Eccles and Allan WigfieldSelf-determination theory and introjected regulation: Edward Deci and Richard RyanContingent self-worth: Jennifer CrockerAcceptance and Commitment Therapy and cognitive defusion: Steven HayesHebbian learning, "neurons that fire together, wire together": Donald Hebb, 1949The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (vritti, the fluctuations of the mind)The Buddhist teaching of anatta (non-self)The Bhagavad Gita, chapter 2, verse 47The takeaway: You are not your identity. You are the one watching it arrive. The freedom was never in becoming someone solid. It was in realising you were never only one thing, and you do not have to defend a self that was always going to keep changing.Free masterclass: If you are in the middle of starting over and want to step beyond the labels holding you back, Dr. Amen Kaur has created a free masterclass to help you do exactly that. https://www.amenkaur.com/masterclassFollow Starting Over, Being You so the next episode finds you, and share this one with someone quietly outgrowing an old version of themselves.About the host: Dr. Amen Kaur is a coach and the host of Starting Over, Being You, where she brings together neuroscience and grounded spirituality for high-achieving professionals navigating identity, reinvention, and starting over.change your identity, personal transformation, affirmations, visualization techniques, identity protection, limiting beliefs, motivation and identity, self-image, identity and success, overcoming imposter syndrome, cognitive diffusion, awareness in psychology, self-worth, internalized pressure, spiritual identity, freedom from labels, neuropsychology of identity, emotional resilience, identity evolution, mindfulness practices

The Yoga Sutras describe two types of people on the path to enlightenment: those born with spiritual capabilities and those who need structured practice. For the latter, the path to Yoga is shaped by five essential virtues.Shraddha (Faith): Trust in the universe's support, believing everything needed for growth is already within.Vidya (Courage): Inner strength to face challenges and persevere through life's obstacles with boldness.Smirti (Remembrance): The ability to recall vital practices and stay aligned with your deeper purpose.Samadhi (Absorption): Complete awareness and absorption in your goal, cultivating stillness and focus.Prajna (Light of Intelligence): The illumination of consciousness, revealing wisdom through intuitive understanding.These virtues...faith, courage, memory, focus, and wisdom... are essential for success in Yoga, helping practitioners overcome obstacles and achieve spiritual growth and self-realisation.To read more and to practice with Zephyr Wildman, click here. To support Zephyr Yoga Podcast, donate here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Substackhttps://substack.com/@theoccultrejects?r=7auau0&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageCash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsBiblioBernardi, Luciano, Peter Sleight, Gabriele Bandinelli, Simone Cencetti, Luciano Fattorini, Johanna Wdowczyc-Szulc, and Alfonso Lagi. “Effect of Rosary Prayer and Yoga Mantras on Autonomic Cardiovascular Rhythms: Comparative Study.” BMJ 323, no. 7327 (2001): 1446–1449.Benson, Herbert, John W. Lehmann, Mark S. Malhotra, Ralph F. Goldman, Jeffrey Hopkins, and Mark D. Epstein. “Body Temperature Changes During the Practice of g Tum-mo Yoga.” Nature 295 (1982): 234–236.Benson, Herbert, Mark S. Malhotra, Ralph F. Goldman, Gregory D. Jacobs, and Jeffrey Hopkins. “Three Case Reports of the Metabolic and Electroencephalographic Changes During Advanced Buddhist Meditation Techniques.” Behavioral Medicine 16, no. 2 (1990): 90–95.Bremer, Brandon, Lorenzo Wu, Zoran Josipovic, and colleagues. “Mindfulness Meditation Increases Default Mode, Salience, and Central Executive Network Connectivity.” Scientific Reports 12 (2022).Brewer, Judson A., Patrick D. Worhunsky, Jeremy R. Gray, Yi-Yuan Tang, Jochen Weber, and Hedy Kober. “Meditation Experience Is Associated with Differences in Default Mode Network Activity and Connectivity.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108, no. 50 (2011): 20254–20259.Britton, Willoughby B. and colleagues. Research associated with the “Varieties of Contemplative Experience” project on meditation-related challenges, adverse effects, and safety considerations in contemplative practice.Crowley, Aleister. Liber E vel Exercitiorum sub figura IX. In the A∴A∴ training corpus. Relevant sections include asana, pranayama, and dharana as foundational magical exercises.Dennison, Paul. “Insights From an EEG Study of Buddhist Jhāna Meditation.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 13 (2019).Fialoke, Shantala, Helen Weng, and colleagues. “Functional Connectivity Changes in Meditators and Novices During Yoga Nidra Practice.” Scientific Reports 14 (2024).Fox, Kieran C. R., Savannah Nijeboer, Matthew L. Dixon, James L. Floman, Melissa Ellamil, Samuel P. Rumak, Peter Sedlmeier, and Kalina Christoff. “Is Meditation Associated with Altered Brain Structure? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Morphometric Neuroimaging in Meditation Practitioners.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 43 (2014): 48–73.Hölzel, Britta K., James Carmody, Mark Vangel, Christina Congleton, Sita M. Yerramsetti, Tim Gard, and Sara W. Lazar. “Mindfulness Practice Leads to Increases in Regional Brain Gray Matter Density.” Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging 191, no. 1 (2011): 36–43.Kozhevnikov, Maria, Olesya Louchakova, Zoran Josipovic, and Michael A. Motes. “The Enhancement of Visuospatial Processing Efficiency Through Buddhist Deity Meditation.” Psychological Science 20, no. 5 (2009): 645–653.Kozhevnikov, Maria, John A. Elliott, Jennifer Shephard, and Klaus Gramann. “Neurocognitive and Somatic Components of Temperature Increases During g-Tummo Meditation: Legend and Reality.” PLOS ONE 8, no. 3 (2013): e58244.Laukkonen, Ruben E., and Heleen A. Slagter. “From Many to (N)one: Meditation and the Plasticity of the Predictive Mind.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 128 (2021): 199–217.Lomas, Tim, Juan Carlos Ivtzan, and Itai K. Fu. “A Systematic Review of the Neurophysiology of Mindfulness on EEG Oscillations.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 57 (2015): 401–410.Lott, James P., Richard J. Davidson, John D. Dunne, Thupten Jinpa, Antoine Lutz, and colleagues. “No Detectable Electroencephalographic Activity After Clinical Declaration of Death Among Tibetan Buddhist Meditators in Apparent Tukdam.” Frontiers in Psychology 11 (2021): 599190.Lutz, Antoine, Lawrence L. Greischar, Nancy B. Rawlings, Matthieu Ricard, and Richard J. Davidson. “Long-term Meditators Self-induce High-amplitude Gamma Synchrony During Mental Practice.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101, no. 46 (2004): 16369–16373.Lutz, Antoine, Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, Tom Johnstone, and Richard J. Davidson. “Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise.” PLoS ONE 3, no. 3 (2008): e1897.Matko, Karin, Peter Sedlmeier, and colleagues. “Adverse Effects of Meditation and Mindfulness in Clinical Practice.” 2025.Patanjali. Yoga Sutras. Especially Book III, traditionally describing dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.Riegner, Gretchen, Fadel Zeidan, and colleagues. “Disentangling Self from Pain: Mindfulness Meditation-Induced Pain Relief Is Driven by Thalamic-Default Mode Network Decoupling.” Pain 164, no. 2 (2023): 280–291.Tang, Yi-Yuan, Britta K. Hölzel, and Michael I. Posner. “The Neuroscience of Mindfulness Meditation.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience 16 (2015): 213–225.Vago, David R., and David A. Silbersweig. “Self-awareness, Self-regulation, and Self-transcendence: A Framework for Understanding the Neurobiological Mechanisms of Mindfulness.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 6 (2012): 296.Zeidan, Fadel, and colleagues. Research on mindfulness meditation, pain modulation, attention, and the neural mechanisms of pain relief.Slagter, Heleen A., Antoine Lutz, Lawrence L. Greischar, Andrew D. Francis, Sander Nieuwenhuis, James M. Davis, and Richard J. Davidson. “Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources.” PLOS Biology 5, no. 6 (2007): e138. Use for: Attentional blink, limited attention, and meditation changing how the brain allocates resources.Hölzel, Britta K., James Carmody, Mark Vangel, Christina Congleton, Sita M. Yerramsetti, Tim Gard, and Sara W. Lazar. “Mindfulness Practice Leads to Increases in Regional Brain Gray Matter Density.” Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging 191, no. 1 (2011): 36–43. Use for: Neuroplasticity, repeated practice leaving measurable marks on the brain, and the “practice writes itself into the practitioner” idea.Laukkonen, Ruben E., and Heleen A. Slagter. “From Many to (N)one: Meditation and the Plasticity of the Predictive Mind.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 128 (2021): 199–217. Use for: Predictive processing, the brain as a prediction machine, meditation loosening automatic models, and the “veil” argument.Lutz, Antoine, Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, Tom Johnstone, and Richard J. Davidson. “Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise.” PLOS ONE 3, no. 3 (2008): e1897. Use for: Compassion meditation, loving-kindness, emotional circuitry, and training compassion as a repeatable state rather than just a moral idea.Kok, Bethany E., Kimberly A. Coffey, Michael A. Cohn, Lahnna I. Catalino, Tanya Vacharkulksemsuk, Sara B. Algoe, Marc A. Brantley, and Barbara L. Fredrickson. “How Positive Emotions Build Physical Health: Perceived Positive Social Connections Account for the Upward Spiral Between Positive Emotions and Vagal Tone.” Psychological Science 24, no. 7 (2013): 1123–1132. Use for: Loving-kindness, social connection, vagal tone, and the cautious “social nervous system” bridge.Black, David S., and George M. Slavich. “Mindfulness Meditation and the Immune System: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1373, no. 1 (2016): 13–24. Use for: Immune-system caution, inflammation markers, cell-mediated immunity, biological aging, and why this material should be framed as tentative rather than miracle healing.Burić, Ivana, Miguel Farias, Jonathan Jong, Christopher Mee, and Inti A. Brazil. “What Is the Molecular Signature of Mind–Body Interventions? A Systematic Review of Gene Expression Changes Induced by Meditation and Related Practices.” Frontiers in Immunology 8 (2017): 670. Use for: Stress biology, inflammatory gene expression, NF-kB-related language, and the cautious claim that mind-body practices may affect biology below ordinary mood.Also want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. A

Have you ever noticed that when humans try to talk about God, awakening, truth, or the divine we almost never explain it directly? Instead, we tell stories. We say life is a battlefield. God is a shepherd. The soul is a river returning to the sea. The self is two birds sitting in the same tree. Across cultures, centuries, and spiritual traditions, mystics don't simply define the divine, they paint it. In this episode, I take you on a kind of devotional poetry slam through sacred metaphor. We'll explore passages from the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the Psalms, and yogic philosophy to see how spiritual traditions use image, story, and symbol to help us feel our relationship with the divine. Because metaphor doesn't just help the mind understand. It gives the nervous system somewhere to rest. We'll explore:

In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores one of the most important psychological teachings in the yoga tradition: the five kleśas, described in Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These teachings help explain why human beings experience suffering even when they are sincerely trying to live well.Drawing from both Sāṅkhya philosophy and the Yoga Sūtra, Amy walks listeners through the deeper roots of suffering, beginning with the distinction between puruṣa (the witnessing consciousness) and prakṛti (the body, mind, senses, and the manifest world). When these two are confused, the mind becomes entangled in patterns of misperception, attachment, aversion, and fear. These patterns are what Pātañjali calls the kleśas.Throughout the episode, Amy explains how these ancient teachings remain remarkably relevant today. The kleśas show up in modern life as over-identification with our roles, addiction to approval or stimulation, avoidance of discomfort, fear-driven decision making, and the constant pressure to control life so that we feel safe.Rather than presenting yoga as a way to avoid suffering, Amy emphasizes that the deeper aim of yoga is to understand suffering clearly. Through practices such as movement, breath regulation, meditation, and ethical reflection, the practitioner gradually loosens the grip of these patterns and begins to remember their deeper nature.The episode concludes with a reflection on one of Amy's favorite teachings from the Yoga Sūtra: Yoga Sūtra 1.3, which describes the moment when awareness returns to its true nature and the seer rests in its essential state.In This EpisodeAmy explores:• Why human beings suffer even when they are trying to live well • The philosophical foundation of the Yoga Sūtra in Sāṅkhya philosophy • The distinction between puruṣa (the witnessing consciousness) and prakṛti (the manifest world) • How misperception leads to psychological suffering • The five kleśas described in Yoga Sūtra 2.3 • How the kleśas appear in modern life and clinical practice • Why yoga is fundamentally relational and practiced through human interaction • How meditation helps return awareness to clarity and discernment • The deeper meaning of Yoga Sūtra 1.3 and the experience of resting in one's true natureThe Five KleśasThe five kleśas are the underlying causes of suffering described by Pātañjali.Avidyā — Misperception The root kleśa. Avidyā occurs when we confuse the changing contents of experience with our deeper nature.Asmitā — Misidentification Over-identifying with personality, roles, reputation, or thoughts rather than recognizing the witnessing awareness behind them.Rāga — Attachment Clinging to experiences that feel pleasurable or validating, believing they will resolve deeper unease.Dveṣa — Aversion Avoiding experiences that feel painful or uncomfortable, which can lead to defensiveness, withdrawal, or emotional reactivity.Abhiniveśa — Fear of Loss The deep instinct to cling to life, identity, control, and stability. This fear can appear even in those who are wise and experienced.Key Yoga Sūtras ReferencedYoga Sūtra 2.3 Avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśāḥ kleśāḥ These five are the causes of suffering.Yoga Sūtra 2.5 Avidyā is mistaking the impermanent for the permanent, the impure for the pure, pain for pleasure, and the non-self for the self.Yoga Sūtra 1.3 Tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe 'vasthānam Then the seer rests in its true nature.Why This Matters for Yoga TherapyThe kleśas are not simply philosophical ideas. They describe patterns that appear frequently in modern life and clinical settings, including:• psychological distress • relational conflict • addiction and compulsive behavior • over-identification with roles or reputation • fear-based decision making • difficulty tolerating discomfortTherapeutic yoga practices—movement, breathwork, attentional training, and ethical reflection—help practitioners gradually recognize and soften these patterns.As clarity develops, individuals often experience greater nervous system stability, increased self-awareness, and a deeper capacity to observe thoughts and emotions without becoming completely defined by them.Reflection Questions from the Episode• What if the goal of yoga is not to become someone different, but to remember who we truly are?• Where in your life do you notice attachment to approval, comfort, or certain emotional states?• Where do you notice aversion or avoidance when something feels uncomfortable?• Can you sense the difference between the changing experiences of the mind and the steadiness of the witnessing awareness behind them?Final ReflectionThe teachings of the kleśas remind us that suffering is not simply a personal failure or something to eliminate at all costs. It is part of the human condition. Yoga invites us to understand it, learn from it, and gradually see through the patterns that amplify it.When the mind becomes clearer and less entangled in these patterns, the seer begins to rest in its true nature. From that place, life can be lived with greater steadiness, compassion, and freedom.School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices  https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool  Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification Amy's website:www.TheOptimalState.com Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com

Welcome to episode 74 of The Woman Warrior Podcast! Join your hosts Dr. Satyavani and Prajna Madhavi as they explore how the practice of non-greed, letting go, decluttering, mindfulness, and self-inquiry can help women create more freedom, balance, and peace in everyday life. In this episode, Dr. Satyavani and Prajna Madhavi continue their deep dive into the Yoga Sutras with a powerful discussion on Aparigraha, the practice of non-attachment, non-hoarding, and releasing what no longer serves you. This episode offers practical wisdom for living with more presence.00:00 Welcome to The Woman Warrior Podcast04:45 GLP-1 Program Launch08:02 Woman Warrior Cleanse10:00 Wellness Check26:56 Aparigraha Remedies Start28:01 Declutter Wants Vs Needs30:35 Desires And Enablers40:01 Let Go Of Triggers45:20 Identity And Presence52:17 Forgiveness And Nature57:35 Rights And Letting Go58:49 Final Thanks And SendoffBe sure to Like and Subscribe for more! For more information, please visit: https://www.womenswarriorsacademy.com Follow us on Instagram + Facebook! https://www.instagram.com/womanwarrioracademy/https://www.facebook.com/womanwarrioracademyJoin our Online Circle Community for FREE!https://login.circle.so/sign_up?request_host=the-woman-warrior-academy.circle.so&user%5Binvitation_token%5D=a26695ef6578f459ddedeafcb0093fde147b242e-1e858068-670b-46a5-94a6-dafa76efc9b2#email

What does yoga actually mean? If you answered 'union,' Harmony and Russell have a fascinating surprise for you. In this deeply rich conversation with Sanskrit scholar and Ashtanga teacher Zoë Slatoff, the trio explores the ancient philosophical roots beneath the practices many of us do every day. Zoë is the author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga, A New Approach to Sanskrit, Associate Director of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), and a PhD candidate whose dissertation may permanently change the way you think about what yoga is for. The conversation moves from Zoë's early years in Brooklyn and a pivotal Rodney Yee VHS tape, to engineering studies at the elite Cooper Union, to teaching 16 yoga classes a week in New York City, to the magic of Lakshmi Puram in Mysore before the internet existed. It arrives, finally, at the big philosophical question at the heart of her dissertation: how did yoga go from meaning separation to meaning union? What You'll Learn in This Episode Why "yoga" in the Yoga Sutras means separation—not union—and how Advaita Vedanta changed everything The role of the Upadesha Sahasri (attributed to Shankaracharya) in bridging dualism and non-duality How Pattabhi Jois used to quote ancient Vedantic texts every single day in conference in Lakshmi Puram Why the neti neti practice ('not this, not that') is a powerful tool for modern meditators How Zoë began her Sanskrit journey in Mysore and transformed it into a published textbook and academic career What it means to teach Sanskrit in a way that actually serves yoga practitioners (not classical scholars) The magic—and the chaos—of traveling to India without the internet, using hand-drawn maps and STD phone boxes Why Zoë believes dualism and non-duality are ultimately describing the same thing, just from different angles Guest Bio: Zoë Slatoff Zoë Slatoff is a Sanskrit scholar, longtime Ashtanga yoga practitioner and teacher, and author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga—a groundbreaking Sanskrit grammar textbook designed specifically for yoga practitioners who want to read the texts that inform their practice. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University in Asian Languages and Cultures, is completing her PhD at Lancaster University, and currently serves as Associate Director (and incoming Director) of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She also teaches Sanskrit online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Resources & Links Mentioned Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga by Zoë Slatoff — available wherever books are sold (new edition coming soon) Yoga Studies MA Program at Loyola Marymount University — visit lmu.edu for admissions info Sanskrit classes online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies — check Zoë's website at ashtangayogasanskrit.com Yoga Gives Back — the charity whose fundraising gala reunited Zoë, Harmony, and Russell in LA Harmony Slater's Portugal intensives — Lisbon and Faro (end of June through mid-July); details in show links The Being Gathering festival, Portugal The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does yoga actually mean? If you answered 'union,' Harmony and Russell have a fascinating surprise for you. In this deeply rich conversation with Sanskrit scholar and Ashtanga teacher Zoë  Slatoff, the trio explores the ancient philosophical roots beneath the practices many of us do every day. Zoë is the author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga, A New Approach to Sanskrit, Associate Director of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), and a PhD candidate whose dissertation may permanently change the way you think about what yoga is for. The conversation moves from Zoë 's early years in Brooklyn and a pivotal Rodney Yee VHS tape, to engineering studies at the elite Cooper Union, to teaching 16 yoga classes a week in New York City, to the magic of Lakshmi Puram in Mysore before the internet existed. It arrives, finally, at the big philosophical question at the heart of her dissertation: how did yoga go from meaning separation to meaning union? What You'll Learn in This Episode Why "yoga" in the Yoga Sutras means separation—not union—and how Advaita Vedanta changed everything The role of the Upadesha Sahasri (attributed to Shankaracharya) in bridging dualism and non-duality How Pattabhi Jois used to quote ancient Vedantic texts every single day in conference in Lakshmi Puram Why the neti neti practice ('not this, not that') is a powerful tool for modern meditators How Zoe began her Sanskrit journey in Mysore and transformed it into a published textbook and academic career What it means to teach Sanskrit in a way that actually serves yoga practitioners (not classical scholars) The magic—and the chaos—of traveling to India without the internet, using hand-drawn maps and STD phone boxes Why Zoe believes dualism and non-duality are ultimately describing the same thing, just from different angles Guest Bio: Zoë  Slatoff Zoë  Slatoff is a Sanskrit scholar, longtime Ashtanga yoga practitioner and teacher, and author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga—a groundbreaking Sanskrit grammar textbook designed specifically for yoga practitioners who want to read the texts that inform their practice. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University in Asian Languages and Cultures, is completing her PhD at Lancaster University, and currently serves as Associate Director (and incoming Director) of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She also teaches Sanskrit online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Resources & Links Mentioned Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga by Zoe Slatoff — available wherever books are sold (new edition coming soon) Yoga Studies MA Program at Loyola Marymount University — visit lmu.edu for admissions info Sanskrit classes online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies — check Zoe's website at ashtangayogasanskrit.com Yoga Gives Back — the charity whose fundraising gala reunited Zoe, Harmony, and Russell in LA Harmony Slater's Portugal intensives — Lisbon and Faro (end of June through mid-July); details in show links The Being Gathering festival, Portugal The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

If your yoga practice keeps falling off… you're not the problem. In this episode, I share 7 simple, realistic ways to create a yoga practice that actually sticks—even in busy seasons of life. We explore how to:

What does it actually mean to practice yoga — and are any of us really doing it? In this rich and unhurried conversation, Harmony sits down with Tara Mitra: Ashtanga teacher, yoga therapist, and devoted Vedic chanting practitioner who has spent decades tracing the practice back to its roots. Tara's path moved from high-stress corporate life in Toronto to studying Ashtanga with dedicated teachers in Canada and California, then four years assisting in the Mysore shala, and finally into the Krishnamacharya lineage in Chennai — where yoga therapy, pranayama, Vedic chanting, and philosophy became her deepest studies. Today she works with everyone from cancer patients to hospice clients, with the simple premise: if you can breathe, she can teach you something. This conversation is a slow, deliberate unwinding of everything we think we know about yoga — and an invitation back to what it actually is.   In this episode you'll explore: Why 'nobody is really practicing yoga' — and what that actually means The journey from Ashtanga to yoga therapy: what made Tara go deeper How chanting and philosophy naturally shift the inner landscape Samasthiti as 'the pregnant pause' — and why skipping it misses the point The monkey mind: drunk, stung by a scorpion, and haunted — and what practice does to each layer Chitta vritti nirodha and what the Yoga Sutras actually say about the mind Spiritual bypassing: the 'good vibes only' trap and premature transcendence The radical practice of doing nothing — no phone, no tea, just thirty minutes at a window Ayurveda and the body's natural rhythms in the age of artificial light and screen time The pancha vayus and why pranayama is far subtler than it looks The breath as the great friend — and its connection to spirit in every tradition Redefining the guru: someone who isn't caught in your own distortions Sangha: why community isn't optional on the path How beginners should start: not by thinking The butterfly mind vs. the stability of genuine practice Boundaries as an expression of love, not a closing off Equanimity (upeksha) as a lifelong practice, not a destination   Connect with Tara Mitra: Website: taramitrayoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taramitrayoga/ Offerings: Yoga Sutras classes, Vedic chanting, Upanishad study, mentorship program   Resources mentioned: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — chitta vritti nirodha (YS 1.2); the nine obstacles; YS 1.33 brahmaviharas Shanti mantra: Purnamadah Purnamidam (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) Krishnamacharya lineage (Mysore & Chennai / Desikachar branch) Ashtanga trishthana — breath, drishti, bandha Ayurveda and the concept of natural daily rhythms (dinacharya) Harmony's upcoming Portugal workshops — harmonyslater.com/events The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it actually mean to practice yoga — and are any of us really doing it? In this rich and unhurried conversation, Harmony sits down with Tara Mitra: Ashtanga teacher, yoga therapist, and devoted Vedic chanting practitioner who has spent decades tracing the practice back to its roots. Tara's path moved from high-stress corporate life in Toronto to studying Ashtanga with dedicated teachers in Canada and California, then four years assisting in the Mysore shala, and finally into the Krishnamacharya lineage in Chennai — where yoga therapy, pranayama, Vedic chanting, and philosophy became her deepest studies. Today she works with everyone from cancer patients to hospice clients, with the simple premise: if you can breathe, she can teach you something. This conversation is a slow, deliberate unwinding of everything we think we know about yoga — and an invitation back to what it actually is.   In this episode you'll explore: Why 'nobody is really practicing yoga' — and what that actually means The journey from Ashtanga to yoga therapy: what made Tara go deeper How chanting and philosophy naturally shift the inner landscape Samasthiti as 'the pregnant pause' — and why skipping it misses the point The monkey mind: drunk, stung by a scorpion, and haunted — and what practice does to each layer Chitta vritti nirodha and what the Yoga Sutras actually say about the mind Spiritual bypassing: the 'good vibes only' trap and premature transcendence The radical practice of doing nothing — no phone, no tea, just thirty minutes at a window Ayurveda and the body's natural rhythms in the age of artificial light and screen time The pancha vayus and why pranayama is far subtler than it looks The breath as the great friend — and its connection to spirit in every tradition Redefining the guru: someone who isn't caught in your own distortions Sangha: why community isn't optional on the path How beginners should start: not by thinking The butterfly mind vs. the stability of genuine practice Boundaries as an expression of love, not a closing off Equanimity (upeksha) as a lifelong practice, not a destination   Connect with Tara Mitra: Website: taramitrayoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taramitrayoga/ Offerings: Yoga Sutras classes, Vedic chanting, Upanishad study, mentorship program   Resources mentioned: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — chitta vritti nirodha (YS 1.2); the nine obstacles; YS 1.33 brahmaviharas Shanti mantra: Purnamadah Purnamidam (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) Krishnamacharya lineage (Mysore & Chennai / Desikachar branch) Ashtanga trishthana — breath, drishti, bandha Ayurveda and the concept of natural daily rhythms (dinacharya) Harmony's upcoming Portugal workshops — harmonyslater.com/events The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Send us Fan MailPatanjali's Yoga Sutras: Do You Need a Religion to Wake Up?Enjoying our podcast? Please help us out and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your thumbs up goes a long way.Every spiritual tradition hands you a map. Patanjali's eight limbs. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle. The Four Noble Truths. Lojong mind training. But here's the question nobody asks: What good is the map if you don't know how to drive a car?In this episode, Stephan and Adam dig into what spiritual maps are really for, and when staring at one becomes the obstacle itself. They get into why discipline and restraint are the most skipped steps in Western spirituality, what actually happens when the surface mind quiets down (hint: it's not peace), and why the why behind your emotions matters less than you think.Topics covered:Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the eight limbs, and yogas chitta vritti nirodhaLojong mind training and transforming difficulty into the pathTeresa of Avila's Interior Castle and the non-linear nature of the journeySengcan's Hsin Hsin Ming, the Zen case for dropping preferences entirelyA Course in Miracles on forgiveness as stillnessWhy Neo-Advaita can leave you stuckQuestions, topic ideas, or books you want us to read: letterstotheskypodcast@gmail.com00:00 Back After Hiatus00:21 Lost Episode Story01:20 Do We Need A Map?02:57 What Counts As A Map?05:50 Different Destinations09:09 Map Versus Road11:04 Spiritual Stages And Ego14:13 Inner Roads Of Practice16:09 Ethics As Foundation26:54 Meditation Clicks Over Time30:48 Quiet Mind Brings Pain34:21 Therapy Versus Inquiry35:41 Why Knowing Why Fails36:51 Karma Reincarnation Context39:17 View Path Fruit Framework42:40 Mind Training Maps45:15 Shoes Frustration Practice48:54 Feel Fully Drop Resistance53:22 Forgiveness No Preferences01:00:34 Signs of Progress01:04:17 Map Question Wrap UpSupport the showCopyright 2026 by Letters to the Sky

Join us as we discuss the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book One, with author and ordained minister David McGrath based on his new commentary and exercises to integrate these teachings into your life.

Have you ever wondered what the original learning environment of yoga philosophy actually looked like? In this episode, I share why texts like the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads were never meant to be read alone—and how studying in community can completely transform your understanding. As I've been leading my Yoga Sutras Book Club, I've seen how powerful it is to learn this way—and why it might be the missing piece in your own practice. We explore:

I recently met someone who asked me to define my spirituality. What is Svādhyāya and are you making time for it? In this episode I'm reflecting on what ‘spirituality' is, how to grow and learn about the self in a non-obsessive way and why I think Eric Carmen has an important lesson for us in allowing for expansive moments in class. Enjoy!If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It's just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonaldREFERENCESBryant, Edwin F (2009)The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, North Point Press, New YorkLee, Jenny (2016) True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras forHappiness and Spiritual Fulfilment, Llewellyn Publications, WoodburyLeventhal, Les (2014) Two Lifestyles, One Lifetime, Yoga with Les, UbudWallis, Christopher, D (2023), Near Enemies of the Truth: Avoid the Pitfalls of the Spiritual Life and Become Radically Free, Wonderwell, Los Angeles

In this episode, inspired by what would have been Ram Dass's 95th birthday, I share a very human moment of ending up with a little egg on my beard in a business connection that was not what it seemed. Using Ram Dass's famous article as a jumping-off point, we explore how to navigate misalignment with honesty and grace. I'm also dipping into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.8 and what it teaches about aversion, and the temptation to shut down or harden after things go sideways. This is a conversation about staying open, taking the lesson, and remembering that not every path is meant to be walked together forever.If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It's just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonaldREFERENCES:Bryant, Edwin F (2009) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, North Point Press, New YorkFinger, Alan and Newton, Wendy (2018) Tantra of the Yoga Sutras, Shambhala, BoulderGoldberg, Philip (2010) American Veda: How Indian Spirituality Changed the West, Three Rivers Press, New York‘Egg on My Beard' https://www.kashiashram.com/egg_on_my_beard.pdf accessed 7 April 2026

In this episode of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, Kriya Yoga teacher Donelle Mason offers a comprehensive introduction to Samadhi, the highest state of meditation described in classical yoga. This talk was recorded during the Online Kriya Yoga Equinox Retreat and presents a clear, practical understanding of how Samadhi develops through consistent spiritual practice. Donelle explains the eight limbs of yoga, including the importance of the yamas and niyamas as the foundation for meditation. She also breaks down the stages of Samadhi, moving from concentration on gross objects like breath and mantra to subtler states of awareness, including bliss (Ananda) and the sense of “I-am-ness” (Asmita). Common meditation challenges such as mental distractions, attachment to bliss, and the experience of blankness are also addressed in detail. Listeners will gain insight into key yoga philosophy concepts from the Yoga Sutras, including abhyasa (practice), vairagya (non-attachment), and the role of disciplined effort in achieving deeper states of meditation. This episode also highlights how Kriya Yoga integrates meditation, action (karma yoga), devotion (bhakti yoga), and knowledge (jnana yoga) into a complete path toward self-realization. Whether you are new to meditation or a long-time practitioner, this episode provides practical guidance on how to deepen your practice, overcome obstacles, and move toward direct experience of Samadhi. -

If you've been feeling stuck or uninspired—whether in your personal practice or your teaching—this episode is for you. I'm sharing how I've reignited my own creativity over the years, not by pushing harder, but by allowing myself to breathe in new experiences. From Da Vinci to Mirabai, from Einstein's violin to the poetry of Lalla, I'll take you on a journey that reveals the true source of inspiration—and how you can access it again (and again). Here's what I'll explore:

Sasha and Erin dive into a foundational teaching from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: the Pancha Kleshas—five root obstacles that block our inner peace and keep us trapped in suffering.These five kleshas are:Avidya, or ignorance, the root misperception that keeps us from seeing reality clearly. Asmita, egoism, our over-identification with ‘I' and our roles in the world. Raga, attachment, the clinging to pleasure that creates endless desire and intense feelings that drive unconscious, reactive actions which in turn produce karmas. Dvesha, aversion or hatred of suffering, the push against pain and discomfort that fuels reactivity. Abhinivesha, the instinctive fear of death and clinging to life itself, which underlies so much of our anxiety. These kleshas produce duhkha (suffering) and bind the mind to cycles of desire and aversion. In other words, creating patterns and/or addictions that are hard to break.Yoga's purpose is to weaken and dissolve the kleshas, leading to clarity, peace, and liberation.We explore how these kleshas show up in our daily lives, how they influence our relationships, health, and choices, and what practical tools from yoga and Ayurveda can help us recognize, release, and ultimately dissolve these mental obstacles.Send a textFor 20% off Kerala Ayurveda products, use code OjasOasis at checkoutFor 20% off GarryNSun products, use code OJASOASIS20 at checkoutFor 20% off Ora Cacao products, use OJASOASIS20 at checkout Receive $500 off your Panchakarma retreat at SoHum Healing Resort with code OjasOasisPK2025 Register for the 2026 NAMA Conference at https://www.ayurvedanama.org/ Support the showTo learn more about working with us, please visit www.OjasOasis.com Connect with us @ojasoasis on Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube

In this expansive conversation, I got a chance to talk to yoga and Ayurveda teacher, mentor, and author Indu Aurora to explore what yoga truly is — and what it is not. We started by unpacking one of Indu's powerful statements: "The goal of yoga is yoga. Everything else is a side benefit." This conversation invites teachers to look beyond flexibility, strength, and stress relief — and into yoga as a state of realization. Indu draws from classical teachings and the commentary on the Yoga Sutras to clarify that yoga is not simply a practice — it is a state of samadhi, a realization of the unchanging self beneath the ever-changing body, mind, and emotions. We take a deep dive into one of Indu's main areas of wisdom, Yoga Nidra and then finish the conversation with some salient pieces of wisdom for all yoga teachers.  In this episode you'll hear: why modern practitioners and teachers get stuck focusing on the "fix" why Yoga Nidra is both powerful and accessible how to keep Yoga Nidra from becoming robotic why you should make nature your guru the power of unlearning how to choose a teacher why we both love confusion and doubt Learn More From Indu www.yogsadhna.com https://www.instagram.com/induaroraofficial/ This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree, an easy-to-use, all-in-one online platform for yoga teachers that provides a personal website, booking, payment, blogging, and many other great features. If you sign up at www.offeringtree.com/mentor, you'll get 50% off your first three months (or 15% off any annual plan)!  OfferingTree supports me with each sign-up. I'm proud to be supported by a public benefit company whose mission is to further wellness access and education for everyone.

What if everything you've been told about enlightenment is wrong? What if presence isn't something you achieve — it's something you already are? In this special episode, Harmony opens the doors to her Inner Circle community and invites you to sit in on the first session of a year-long study of one of the most transformative books in modern spiritual literature: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Chapter One centers on one of the most radical ideas in all of spiritual teaching: You are not your mind. The thoughts, the planning, the remembering, the judging — that's not you. You are the one who observes all of it. And the moment you truly understand that? Something begins to shift. This episode references and reads selections from The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle (New World Library, 1999). All quoted material remains the property of the author and publisher and is used here for educational discussion purposes. In this episode, you'll explore: Why yoga philosophy and The Power of Now are pointing at the same truth How attachment to psychological time (past and future) creates suffering The difference between enlightenment as a superhuman goal and your most natural state What it means to 'watch the thinker' — and what opens up when you do Why the body is always a truthful reflection of the mind Emotions as energy: why bypassing them keeps you stuck The three root baskets of human pain: safety, belonging, and enoughness How the Anandamaya Kosha (the bliss body) maps to Tolle's 'radiant joy of being' Real-life stories from community members practicing presence with teenagers, island power outages, and sick kids Your homework: How to watch your thoughts this month This conversation weaves together the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Sankhya philosophy, and The Power of Now in a way that is grounded, practical, and deeply alive. Whether you're new to Eckhart Tolle or you've read the book a dozen times, this session will make the teachings land in a new way. INNER CIRCLE — CLOSING MARCH 25TH Harmony's Inner Circle is open now and closes on March 25th for the rest of the year. Join the community currently studying The Power of Now together with live sessions, pranayama, meditation, chanting, and elemental embodiment practices. Monthly: $33/month Annual: $333/year Join here: community-harmonyslater.com | DM 'COMMUNITY' on Instagram for a personal link. RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali The Bhagavad Gita The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi Joe Dispenza — breaking the habit of being yourself Byron Katie — The Work CONNECT WITH HARMONY: Instagram: @findingharmonypodcast | @harmonyslaterofficial Community: community-harmonyslater.com If this episode resonated, please leave a 5-star review and share it with someone who needs a reminder: presence is not something you create — it's who you already are. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Big change can be exciting—and completely destabilizing, especially for autistic and ADHD adults who thrive with clarity, predictability, and nervous-system safety. In this episode of Adulting With Autism, host April sits down with Jennie Lee, a trusted personal coach to creatives, CEOs, military officers, teachers, therapists, and more. Jennie bridges spiritual self-development with physical self-expression, offering pragmatic tools for inner alignment and conscious, strategic change. Jennie is the author of Spark Change, a highly practical book built around transformational questions you can use in real time—whether you're stuck in indecision, rebuilding after burnout, unmasking, changing careers, or redefining relationships. She's also the author of True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment and Breathing Love: Meditation in Action, and she's a multi–award-winning author including the Nautilus Book Award. In this episode, we explore: Why the right questions create real change (not just "thinking about it") Turning insight into action during transitions and identity shifts Inner alignment: spiritual development that stays grounded in daily life Using reflection without getting trapped in overthinking Spark Change: 12 themes, 9 questions each—how to use it as a daily prompt or conversation starter Moving beyond self-imposed limitations and expanding creative self-expression About Jennie Lee: Jennie has been teaching and coaching in the spiritual/personal development space for nearly three decades. She's known for being fun, highly engaging, and spontaneous—while still delivering practical tools that actually help people implement change.

Gayathri Narayanan is the founder of Myndtree and a contemplative guide whose work centers on integrating deep inner inquiry with the realities of modern life. With more than three decades of sustained practice and study, she brings together the wisdom of the Narayana Guru lineage, as transmitted through her own Guru, Nitya Chaitanya Yati, with secular mindfulness and lived inquiry. Her grounding lies in Advaita Vedanta and Yoga, supported by long-term study of classical texts including the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, and key works of Narayana Guru such as Ātmopadeśa Śatakam and Darśanamālā. Over time, her path expanded to include sustained study and practice in Buddhist traditions, with particular depth in Theravada teachings through close study with Gil Fronsdal, as well as engagement with Zen through teachings with Reb Anderson. More recently, she has begun studying Tibetan Buddhism with Anam Thubten.https://www.myndtree.org/