Yoga for Happiness - Some Tips

herbalremedies asked:


How can Yoga help you find mental and emotional balance during a crisis situation? It is so easy to become upset over current events, a traffic jam, or a domestic dispute. How can Yoga help us "keep our cool," when we are being tested by real life situations? One realization that each of us should come to is that we can create a state of anxiety from within. If you watch a flock of birds, the birds who feel the most anxiety, create a state of panic within the entire flock. Humans are just as guilty of creating a state of fear within groups.

You can witness this behavior first-hand by watching any stock exchange, on any given day. Some forms of mass hysteria have caused violent behavior in the form of witch hunts, genocide, and lynch mobs. Fear can take on a sense of reality, when we collectively anticipate the worst. If we know that unjustified fear can only make a crisis situation worsen, why do we adopt it? The average person's natural viewpoint of life is to see it on the outside.

In bad economic times, people worry about food, clothing, and shelter. In truth, worrying is the problem. Many of us look for something to worry about the moment we wake up from bedtime. In this case, it is a matter of focusing the mind on what is truly important. Some people refer to this as envisioning a goal, an achievement, or success.

Some of my colleagues argue against teaching students about abundance and success. The general consensus is that Yoga students might abuse these techniques and become greedy. However, the world is in need of innovative and goal oriented people, right now.

My feeling is this world needs success more than ever. If we have enough people, who become prosperous, many of them will be charitable, as well. Here are a few ideas for envisioning your success in life. You can reflect on them, meditate on them, or visualize them, but you must act on them. Be very specific about your goals. See yourself as successful. Feel what it will be like to give to others who need your help. Write your aspirations down and be clear about what you want to accomplish. There may be some "twists and turns" in life, but do not let it bother you.

Keep your "eyes on the prize." Too many people get caught up in worrying about each hurdle in life. Let God take care of the details. Life is a big picture, not a brush stroke. If you make a mistake, do your best at repairing it and move forward.

Be ready to "turn on a dime." If you visualize a path of success, be prepared for a "long and winding road." Do not let the changes bother you, because you are navigating through unfamiliar territory. Imagine how Christopher Columbus felt when he saw "all that land." Lastly, look at an ethical example of success. If possible, do some research into how he or she made the achievements you desire.

Do not wait for someone else to show the first act of loving kindness. If you show acts of kindness, happiness will follow you wherever you go. For every action you take, there is always an equal reaction, which comes back to you.

You may ask for nothing in return for acts of loving kindness, but the Law of Karma will always bear fruit. Everyone deserves happiness. If you find yourself in the middle of a surplus, make sure you are always generous.