Walking Dharma

What is Intuition and What is Fear? This week's podcast examines two central concepts: how to differentiate between fear based thinking and intuitive guidance and the concept of pratipaksha bhavanam (do the opposite of the initial thought) as a means to help overcome fear based patterning that hinders our ability to move forward and trust life (and our intuition).

"When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite, positive ones should be thought of, this is pratipaksha bhavanam." - Yoga Sutras 2:33

Pratipaksha bhavanam (to do the opposite of the original reactive thought) is a yogic technique used to shift one's thoughts from a negative, detrimental state into a more positive, neutral state.

Our thoughts/belief systems have a direct influence on our reality. If we believe the world is a scary place, it will be. Wheras if we believe the world is always conspiring in our favor and choose to trust the process of life, we will more often than not see this to be true in our manifest reality.

What we think and believe is what our reality eventually becomes. Differentiating between intuition and fear is about moving into a trusting, receptive state so that we may receive the subtle yet potent guidance of our intuition. Fear-based thinking 'screams' and is abundant in reactivity, however intuition often whispers and is totally neutral.

When we find ourselves trying to decipher what is the 'right' decision/path/move it is helpful to understand the difference between fear based thinking and our intuitive guidance. This episode unpacks how to tune out the noise of fear and tune into the resounding inner knowingness of our own intuition.

The outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Call On' and is orginal music produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast joins us on the road driving West to Los Angeles. It is raw and real and dives into the idea that we must rebel against the ready-made societal recipes for life and take a look at our deepest longings with an open mind and heart. From our heart prompts, we then create our own recipe for happiness and fulfillment.

To do this we oftentimes must rebel against the ready-made recipe for life that we've been told brings fulfillment (go to college, get a good job, aquire material possessions, get married, have children, etc.). This rebellion comes in the form of questioning if the path we are following is actually in alignment with what our heart desires. The idea that rebellion is your birthright is the idea that we all deserve to live a life rooted in our own creative power. If we always are following the herd this creative faculty becomes stagnant and leads to a disconnect from our innate power to be autonomous and empowered within our own inner knowing.

When we live life from our creativity and heart prompts, we are more likely to be inspired, activated and fulfilled. Essentially, we are all born with the ability to create the life of our dreams, the question is, are we willing to do the work to go against the grain, to rebel against the mass marketed idea of what happiness is, and create it for ourselves in a totally authentic and undiluted way.

The outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Call On' and is orginal music produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast focuses on embracing the unknown by becoming deeply present with simply being as we are in every moment.

"Sweet hearted one, meditate on knowing and not knowing, existing and not existing. Then leave both aside that you may be." - Vigyan Bhairav Tantra via The Book of Secrets by OSHO

When we let go of control and surrender to not needing to know all of the answers we become free of all worry, free of all burdens, and deeply peaceful within ourselves.

This episode uses real life experiences to teach the art of how to embrace whatever scenario life brings us and sit with the Great Mystery of existence whether we have control or not, it invites us to understand that no matter what, everything always works out.

The outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Call On' and is orginal music produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast explores what it takes to move from a reactive state to a response-able state of being. When we are reactive we are triggered and allow strong emotions to overtake our awareness.

When strong emotions such as anger, guilt, sadness, or fear arise we are thrown off center and act from a place of past conditioning (we re-en-act a behavioral pattern that we have witnessed and been conditioned into). Reactivity is almost always rooted in keeping our awareness stuck in auto-pilot. We have been shown by others from a young age that certain things should produce certain emotional responses, which has conditioned us into the same belief systems and behavioral tendencies.

When we react, we also project. Meaning, when a strong emotion is triggered, we project that strong emotion onto others, believing that the outer stimulus (person, event, or place) made us feel that way. The truth is, nothing can make us feel angry unless we choose that for ourselves (subconsciously). No one is guilty and nothing can make us feel guilty unless we are already imprinted through cultural conditioning that we are guilty, which we then continue to project guilt out into the world. Being in a reactive state robs us of our internal peace and oftentimes creates suffering in others.

To demystify and unpack our reactive tendencies, we begin with mindfulness. Mindfulness of our thoughts, feelings, words and actions. Just because our intial response is to get angry doesn't mean we would actually choose that for ourselves if we were totally present and centered within our heart in the present moment.

When we become willing to take a good look at ourselves and realize that we are fully capable of responding (the ability to be response-able) in every encounter we have, we become capable of seeing through reactive emotions that if acted upon, create mush upheaval and pain out in the world. To be responsive is to consciously decide how we wish to be/act/communicate in the moment at hand, and then follow that higher prompt from within ourselves. Just because we are triggered doesn't mean we need to take it too seriously or allow it to rule us.

Finding emotional freedom is about allowing emotions to be just that, emotions that we perceive within the lucid realm of our own internal awareness. Certain emotions are appropriate to be acted upon and expressed, whereas others would be better left processed through breathwork, physical activity, connection with nature and support systems. This podcast moves step by step through the four phases from reactivity to responseability and gives applicable techniques to help process through challenging emotions.

The outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Call On' and is orginal music produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast explores what it takes to cultivate authentic self confidence. Authentic self confidence is something that arises when we learn to fully trust ourselves, our abilities, and our ability to learn and grow accordingly.

When we live life from an ego-based construct, we will always be hyper-critical of ourselves. For when we function primarily from the egoic mind we will continually feel inadequate and with that feeling comes the almost neurotic focus on self improvement and ways in which we need to be 'better' before we can feel genuinely confident.

When we choose to live life from our heart/love based construct our attitude becomes focused on gratitude for what we have and the life force that dwells within us. From that gratitude we find self worth which naturally translates as self confidence. Self confidence that is based in self love and a strong sense of self worth is the type of confidence that cannot be robbed from us. When we have self worth we realize that the opinions of others do not make or break us, but rather can become fuel for the fire of our motivatoin to shine our light out into the world without needing other's validation.

"The Supreme Spirit in the body is said to be the one who is the Witness and the Approver, the Supported and the Enjoyed, and who is the Sovereign Lord and the Highest Self."- Bhagavad Gita

The special outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Trust' (feat. Mitch Brady) and is produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast dives into the concept of unattachment.

"Attachment is that which follows identification with pleasurable experiences." -Yoga Sutras

"Aversion is that which follows identification with painful experiences." - Yoga Sutras

Attachment and aversion are both rooted in fear of pain and a longing for pleasurable/pleasant experiences. When we are willing to understand that nothing in this life is permanent, not even feelings of discomfort, we become capable of practicing unattachment.

Not even our bodies withstand the test of time. Unattachment (vairagya) is an invitation to embrace every experience with an open mind and open heart, devoid of clinging and fully present to what is unfolding. Practicing unattachment is a way to acknowledge the impermanent nature of existence and embrace change and let go. Rather than cling onto stories of how life should be and hold onto resentment and disappointment when things don't go our way, we can choose to graciously let go and open our hearts to the way things are and gratefully keep flowing along our path.

When life invites us to let go, we have two choices, one is to leap and fly, the other is to hang on and be dragged. Change is inevitable. How we deal with change determines how aligned we are with the higher unfolding of our life path.

When we choose to willingly embrace the flow of our life and surrender our attachments over and over, we become fully present and immersed in the flow of existence. In this, we will always feel as if we are leaping and sure enough every single time, our wings catch us in the free-fall.

"Let go or be dragged."- Zen slogan

The special outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Trust' (feat. Mitch Brady) and is produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast dives into the concept of how to truly love everyone, even those we don't see eye to eye with.

"He who sees the Supreme Lord abiding alike in all beings, and not perishing when they perish- verily he alone sees."

When we realize that the same Divine essence is contained within every living being's heart of hearts, we begin to recognize the interconnectedness of all of life. Even if on the surface we disagree with someone or have different belief systems or cultures, on the deepest level we are all comprised of the same Divine spark that animates us and gives us life. Yogis call it the Self, or the spirit incarnate (the soul).

The Self carries on long after the body has passed away. When we get in the habit of seeing others as Divinity incarnate, we become capable of putting ourselves in their shoes simply through recognizing that on the deepest level of existence, we are one and the same. Our external actions and preferences may vary greatly as that is the nature of an embodied experience. If we attach our love for someone based on whether we agree with them or not, our love is conditional and fleeting.

When we realize that all living beings are lovable simply because they are an emanation of Divine origin, we begin to allow unconditional love to be the foundation for all of our relationships and interactions with others (and ourselves). Loving kindness breeds compassion which invites reverence for the life force within all beings, respect for self and others, and inner strength to stay in a loving vibration no matter the circumstances.

The special outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Trust' (feat. Mitch Brady) and is produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast dives into the yama (abstinence) of aparigraha (non-greed; non-covetousness).

"When non-greed is confirmed, a thorough illumination of the how and why of one's birth comes."- Yoga Sutras 2:39

When we stop striving to achieve certain experiences, states of being, or material items, we become established in non-greed. Non-greed is essentially to have gratitude for all that IS here with us currently, without longing or hanging onto what isn't there. This can apply to material items, relationships and power struggles. The more we become capable of letting go of needing to have something, even answers about our purpose in life, the answers arrive on their own accord.

Life takes it's natural course towards our spiritual destination. There is no need to rush the process or search for answers. Rather if we become patient and humble, the answers and our higher purpose become apparent. Basically,

If we allow greed (desires) to rule our lives, our desires end up robbing us of our internal peace and our purpose becomes muddled with chasing external experiences to be ok. The more desires drive us, the more unsatisfied we are when those desires are not being fulfilled. When we step into a heart space of non-greed, we no longer covet certain experiences and no longer require those experiences to justify our self-worth or validate our happiness.

To let go of coveting (experiences, people, things) is to simultaneously be able to embrace the freedom that comes along with not allowing our desires to determine our happiness. To become established in non-greed, we must also establish ourselves in the attitude of gratitude.

When we become truly grateful for all that we currently have, we can then also let go of needing certain fleeting 'securities' and therefore become self-sustaining. Meaning, our joy is generated from within and shared outwardly with the world, rather than needing the world to generate a false sense of joy that leaves when the outer stimulation is no longer present.

Non-greed = gratitude, acceptance, letting go of attachments to certain outcomes....

Special outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Trust' (feat. Mitch Brady) and is produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast dives into the yama (abstinence) of brahmacharya (continence).

"To one established in brahmacharya, vigor is gained." Yoga Sutras 2:38

Brahma: Creation; God.

Brahmacharya (continence) is the ability to remain moderate and balanced in all areas of our life. Traditionally translated as 'abstinence,' brahmacharya also is a concept used to convey middle path mentality. To live life from a middle path mentality is to willingly and consciously be moderate in our intake of all things, including: sexual contact, food, extreme emotional states (addictive emotional states), work, play, substance intake, physical exercise, etc.

When we become open to and integrate the idea of living life from a balanced, moderate state, we become more directed, potent and efficient in all undertakings. The ability to know when to move forward and know when to rest and surrender things as they are temporarily to build up our energy allows us to build momentum so we can efficiently propel ourselves in the direction of our dreams and aspirations.

When we consciously preserve our energy we gain a tremendous amount of vigor and strength which allows us to live life at full potentcy. Whereas when we live life from extremes (too much or too little) we disperse our vital energy (prana) and therefore may unintentionally render ourselves ineffective.

Why water yourself down when you can be concentrated? For when you are concentrated you become capable of fully directing your attention and intention where it is most beneficial for you and the ones you love.

Special outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Trust' (feat. Mitch Brady) and is produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.

This week's podcast dives into the yama (abstinence) of asteya (non-stealing).

"To one established in non-stealing, all wealth comes." Yoga Sutras 2:37

Non-stealing is the art of cultivating a gracious, generous, abundance-based attitude towards life and others. The opposite of stealing/taking is receiving/giving. Rather than stealing and taking with an attitude of entitlement, we can receive and give with an attitude of gratitude and an aim to elevate all through sharing our own gifts and fully receiving other's gifts as well.

When we attune ourselves to an attitude of abundance we become capable of realizing we don't need to take from others on the physical or energetic level to achieve success and abundance. For when we take from others it only leads to destruction of relationships, our reputation, and eventually even our own dreams dissolve in the illusion of lack and seperation from others.

What we would want or envy in others is actually a potential within ourselves that we are searching for externally rather than cultivating it from inside out. Once we align ourselves to the infinite abunance and potential that dwells innately within each and every one of us, we naturally receive the gifts the Universe has to offer us (as opposed to needing to take what we feel is owed to us).

Through our ability to graciously receive and live from an abundance based mentality, we naturally magnetize everything we desire to us, for the way we look at the world is the way the world looks to us.

Special outro music at the end of the podcast is called 'Trust' (feat. Mitch Brady) and is produced by DJ Karishtan. It is available for download via iTunes and Spotify.