The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga teach us that the ultimate cause of suffering does not come from the outside, which means anything external to us. Rather, our pain comes from the mind, either by setting up a mental environment that causes physical imbalance in the cells, which then leads to disease manifestation, or by our outlook which can feel mentally and emotionally unbearable.

 

When we see ourselves as a victim of others and life, we suffer. When we accept each experience that comes to us as something we are meant to go through to grow and evolve our humanness, we can actually increase our health, peace, and contentment in life, regardless of what is going on in the world around us or even in our own bodies. And in those opportunities to grow and evolve lies the beauty.

 

Our mind is a tool, and it can be our friend or it can be our enemy. In times where it is easy to get caught up in fear, anger, and resistance, learning to cultivate sattva (balance, harmony, and light) in the mind radically changes how we experience ourselves and life. 

 

We transform during challenging times, regardless of whether we walk through that transformation consciously or not. Doing things that calm our nervous system, connect us with our breath (which is our prana, or lifeforce), and keep us finding the joy in life reduces our suffering and helps us to consciously let go into the transformation that happens during trying times. The more we release resistance in our body, mind and energy field, the easier it is to accept life on life’s terms. And the more we accept life, the greater our health and sense of serenity.

 

Here are some practices that will cultivate calm and connection in turbulent times, and build the resiliency of an accepting, positive outlook on life: 

 

• Where we put our attention is where our energy goes. If we focus on what we perceive as negative, we’ll get more of what we perceive as negative. Keeping a gratitude journal, where you write three or more things you are grateful for each day, helps to shift the perspective of negative and positive, and uplifts the point of attraction of your energy.

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• Spend time in nature daily. Even if you have to bundle up in many layers to walk down the street in the winter, being outside and observing, touching and feeling the energy of nature is cleansing, balancing and nourishing.  

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• Fear, resistance, grief, and anger are some of the emotions that constrict our cells and deplete our energy. They interfere with the breath, which is a key to nourishing the body and clarity of mind. Take time to cultivate connection with your breath, support balanced flow of energy in your body, and calm and expand the mind with a daily Yoga practice - even a few minutes will make a tremendous impact if you are regular. We’ve posted a mind-body-breath restoration Yoga practice near the top of this page, a class that is offered monthly. Enjoy this practice weekly or as needed as a means to cultivate balance and harmony in all of your layers of being so that you can easily and naturally access your innate knowingness that all is well.

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• Cleanse, balance and nourish your energetic space and mind with our guided intuitive energy meditation, near the top of this page.