THE TROUBLESOME FOUR – 1. ENVY – 2. JEALOUSY

Jealousy is a morbid emotion that looks for anything that will cause suffering. Jealousy is different than envy in that with envy we want something someone else has. Still, with jealousy, an individual feels threatened by losing control over another person or situation. It is a feeling of suspicion and mistrust. Jealousy corrupts and destroys everything it touches. Jealousy is a feeling of being unlovable and in constant danger of losing. It is based on uncertainty and fear. The opposite of jealousy is trustworthiness. It means trusting your ability to rely upon yourself to feel loved, honored, and worthy. Trust always has the advantage because trust seeks to create goodwill and does not seek to destroy. Replace jealousy with confidence in yourself and give up trying to control others or other situations. Find your balance and strength, and be flexible to the ever-changing nuances of life. Trust in yourself. END: Love yourself by focusing on your wonderful qualities. Use your trustworthiness to make the world better, and watch as jealousy is replaced with prosperity. Remember, even love focused entirely on another person cannot bring long-term fulfillment. Instead, focus on your self-worth. When you recognize your own value, you'll find the fulfillment you seek, and jealousy will no longer have a hold on you. Your self-worth is the key to overcoming jealousy, empowering you to take control of your emotions and your life. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger—the symbol of the ego. Jealousy comes from the alter ego, our inner self, which we often hide from the world. The underlying truth is that the ego's interest is not about you. It only seeks to preserve itself by avoiding vulnerability. When we feel vulnerable, we begin to compare; when we do this, we feel less than or lack control, creating jealousy. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. By transcending jealousy, we discover divine and eternal love. This liberation allows us to rejoice in the joys of others without envy or jealousy, even as we navigate our own disappointments and problems. It's a state of peace and freedom that comes from trusting in ourselves and our worth rather than succumbing to the destructive force of jealousy. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness and peace Doctor Lynn For classes, books, consultations, and more http://www.doctolrynn.com

ENVY NO ONE - The Troublesome Four

Life will present you with the troublesome four: envy, jealousy, resentment, and revenge. It will require discipline, strength, balance, and flexibility to master them. Envy, a prevalent emotion in today's society, is not confined to the business world. It often surfaces on the spiritual journey, where individuals may secretly compare their progress with others and feel a sense of conflict. This conflict arises when an unhappy soul wishes ill upon others, contradicting the guiding principle of karma-do no harm. Envy is a negative desire centered on someone who has something you do not. Envy means feeling inferior to others and having a desire you have not earned. Just remember the material world does not represent what a soul has earned, is valued, or worth. Refrain from getting caught up in what appears to be material success. Many people are good at acquiring things but not at achieving true success. Achieving success requires effort, courage, and skill; with this comes realization, fulfillment and happiness. Envy no one; a calm sense of peace will soothe your soul. The opposite of envy is admiration. Admire others and then seek to become your unique aspect of those qualities. Be content with what you have, take pleasure in your life, count your blessings, and then reach out for more as a happy soul. Everything you desire will be yours. You will have earned it. You must work to gain balance, flexibility, strength, and peace – let's get to work. END: Envy means to feel inferior to others and to desire that which you have not earned. Just remember the material world does not represent what a soul has earned, is valued, or worth. Refrain from what appears to be material success. Many people are good at acquiring things but not at to achieving true success. Achieving this requires effort, courage, and skill; with this comes realization, fulfillment and happiness. The opposite of envy is admiration. Be content with what you have, take pleasure in your life, count your blessings, and then reach out for more as a happy soul. Everything you desire will be yours. You will have earned it. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger – the symbol of the ego. The ego can get caught up in seeing success as acquiring material things. Many people spend their lives acquiring material things to overcome a sense of inferiority. But remember, material things come and go. True contentment, once found, lasts forever. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to your soul. Instead of envy, admire others. We are all unique with unique talents. Be content and at peace with what comes into your life, and then build upon this with an actual state of contentment and peace, and you will achieve what many cannot achieve: true happiness. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness and peace. Doctor Lynn For books classes, consultation and more http://www.doctorlynn.com

Karma plus the Troublesome Four

Remember, as we practice Karma yoga, the key is to steer clear of D-GAP. The four great passions of deceit, greed, anger, and pride may try to interfere with your journey. But as you progress through life, working on your karma, remember that they can only latch onto your work if you allow them. Your labor can be a source of joy, not a burden if you exercise your agency and remain vigilant against the troublesome four: envy, jealousy, resentment, and revenge. This joy in labor is a constant source of hope and motivation on your journey. Each of these emotions can be toxic if not handled constructively, leading to negative actions or feelings that harm both the person experiencing them and those around them. Life and Karma yoga often present us with a conflict. We are told not to harm, yet when faced with a dilemma, we must always strive to do the greatest good for the most significant many. We kill a mosquito—that is harmful, but if the mosquito is allowed to breed, it will cause terrible illnesses and harm many humans. The key is to be aware of the great passions and the troublesome four and then handle them so that we first try not to harm and then do what creates the greatest good for the greatest many. END: The four great passions and the troubles four will always be a part of life. They will show up one by one and sometimes all at once. You cannot avoid them, but you can be aware of them when they arrive and seek to diminish them by not engaging in harmful actions. Compassion and understanding will always lead you to do what is the greatest good for the greatest many. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger. The ego’s first defense is to protect itself, and in doing so, it can often fall into DGAP and allow the troublesome four to enter its life. When we engage in these emotions, we risk hurting ourselves and those around us. Pull your finger in and place the thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. Awareness, the key to living life, creating goodness, and removing harm, is a beacon of enlightenment. Be compassionate and understanding, for in this life, everyone is doing the best they can. Some souls have evolved to a deeper level, and some lack the awareness to live a peaceful and joyful life. Be aware and then always do what is the greatest good for the greatest many. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For Books, classes, consultation, and more, http://www.doctorlynn.com

Mother Nature’s WRATH

Living through a hurricane reminds me how Mother Nature humbles us. She reminds us not to get too comfortable or complacent because things constantly change. That is the nature of life. There are two forces of energy: creative and destructive. Everything is continually changing through these two forces. Forces of nature, such as Hurricane Milton, remind us that the world is chaotic, destructive, and stressful. We cannot change natural forces, but we can control how we react. It's tough to stay calm in moments of chaos and panic. Karma Yoga teaches us that one of the best qualities we can develop is calmness, even amid chaos. It is good for the health of your body, mind, and soul. Let's take a moment to start our journey towards calmness. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let go. Experience the calmness that comes with this simple act. This is the first step towards a healthier, happier, and more peaceful life. Let's begin this journey together. END: Mother nature, in all her might, certainly humbles us. It is crucial to respect and appreciate her. She may bring destruction, but she also brings creativity, beauty, and joy. As we navigate through Milton's destruction, we must look for the creativity, beauty, and joy that emerges from people helping each other rebuild and recreate their lives. This fosters a sense of gratitude and a deeper understanding of the delicate balance of life. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out your index finger – the symbol of the ego. The human ego prides itself on its ability to control much of life. We believe ourselves to be the intelligent species. Then suddenly, something like a hurricane comes along, and we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. There is nothing we can do but wait for her to finish her destructive path. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top – the symbol of the soul. Take a deep breath and surrender to the soul. The soul understands the true nature of life. There will always be destruction and creation. A peaceful soul accepts this with a sense of calmness. Namaste~ may you walk the past of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn http://www.doctorlynn.com

Don’t Fall into the DGAP – How to Use Your Free Will

Pay attention to the four great passions: deceit, greed, anger, and pride. When they arrive (and they will), use honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility to keep you from falling into DGAP. Four things will block you from seeing your great passions, and if you block these things, you will surely fall into the DGAP. They are knowledge, feeling, vitality, and free will. Free will is essential to living a life of happiness and good health. Free will is the ability to choose between different possible courses of action independently of any prior event or state of the universe. Whether we have free will or not has never been truly settled. However, we all have choices, which karma calls free will. With every situation in life, we are free to choose how we interpret and experience it. Often, we forget and get caught up in habits that cause us to be mechanical. We act without thinking. However, if we are aware, there is the opportunity for the discriminating mind to choose various possible courses of action depending upon which action we perceive to be the most appropriate. When faced with a problem or a decision, take the time to be still and listen to your inner self. Then, take actions not based on what you have been told is right and wrong but on what you know to be right or wrong. Practice honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility to find your free will. It is about knowing that you can freely experience anything in any way you choose. Choose wisely. END: Stay open to learning, be aware of your feelings, stay healthy, and know you have the right to choose. It's called free will. But remember, do no harm and don't fall into DGAP—be honest, generous, kind, and humble. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend the index finger—the symbol of the ego. Free will is the capacity or ability to choose between different ways of thinking, speaking, and acting. We all have choices when it comes to our conduct. The ego sometimes gets stuck, believing its way is the only way, and may close itself off from the diversity of life. Pull your finger in and place the thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. In life, you always have choices. You have the power to create happiness and good health, which is the ultimate goal of karma. When faced with a choice, choose honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility. In this, you will exercise your free will and thus work your karma. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes, consultations and more http://www.doctorlynn.com

The Four Great Passions

Combating deceit is a challenging journey that requires strength. But remember, the antidote to deceit is honesty. While the truth may be complex and difficult, it's also a reassuring guide. Like the story of the yogi, the truth is a complex path. Combating Greed requires flexibility. The antidote to Greed is generosity—not just with your money but also your time, words of kindness, and a helping hand. Combating Anger requires balance. The antidote to Anger is kindness. It takes balance to remain still amid a storm and wait for calmness to return. Pride is the fourth great passion. The antidote to pride is humility. Pride is a false sense of self-worth. It is good to be proud of yourself for your accomplishments, but when these become means for believing we are better than others, we experience the great passion of pride. Practicing humility can sometimes be difficult in a world of inequality, exploitation, and injustice. Humility is the ability to look deep within yourself only to realize that we're all the same at the core of our existence. It means to remove judgment. Humility calls upon us to question ourselves, our motives, and our actions. In this way, it teaches integrity and honesty. When we look inward and observe the workings of our minds, we don't always like what we see. Our minds can be downright infuriating, irritating, and humiliating. It takes great courage and humility to look deeply and own up to what we see. But the rewards are tremendous: cultivating honesty, integrity, kindness, and discernment. How we relate to ourselves and the people in our lives directly impacts our happiness level. Being humble requires that we trust ourselves enough to live out each day as if it were our last and, at the same time, be the change we wish to see more of in the world. Let's start working on strength, flexibility, balance, and peace. END: Be proud of yourself. There is a big difference between having self-worth and being prideful by comparing yourself to others with a sense of superiority. Remember the humble dirt of the earth. Without the dirt, we could not exist. Pride can often be seen as arrogance and conceit or believing oneself to be better than others due to status, money, or material gains. Just remember that things of the material world can come, and they can go. It takes courage and humility to look deeply within and own up to what we see. But the rewards are tremendous: cultivating honesty, integrity, kindness, and discernment. We are all different, but we are all equal. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger, the symbol of the ego. When the ego rises in self-importance, inequality, exploitation, and injustice will increase; if the ego subsides, these will subside. The more profound our humility, the deeper we connect with the core of our being. We realize that we are all the same. We should pass through this life with one mission – to master our existence by finding joy and peace. You can't find true happiness and peace with inflated self-importance and at the expense of others. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a deep breath and surrender to the soul. In mythology, Shiva is an image of the higher self, who slays the prideful ego for the sake of compassion. Through infinite compassion and understanding of the higher self, Shiva forgives the ego. How we relate to ourselves and the people in our lives directly impacts our level of happiness. Being humble requires that we trust ourselves enough to live out each day as if it were our last and, at the same time, be the change we wish to see more of in the world. Be honest, generous, kind, and humble, and remember not to fall into D-GAP – deceit, Greed, Anger, and pride. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes, consultations, and more http://www.doctorlynn.com

The Four Great Passions

Combating deceit is a challenging journey that requires strength. But remember, the antidote to deceit is honesty. Like a reassuring guide, honesty may lead us through the complex and difficult terrain of truth. It's not always an easy path, but it's a path we can trust and lead us to a better understanding of ourselves and others. Combating Greed requires flexibility. The antidote to Greed is generosity—not just with your money but also your time, words of kindness, and a helping hand. Combating Anger requires balance. Anger is probably a passion with which we can all identify. It is something we have all experienced. Although no one likes to be angry, it is easier to admit this passion than the other three. Perhaps that is because Anger is seen as a worthy passion if used to right an injustice. However, practicing the right amount of Anger at the right time for the right reason is tough. Balance is the key, for Anger will surely throw you off balance. But remember, balance means returning to the present moment, being still and calm, and acting in ways that produce compassion and understanding. It's a skill we can all learn and master. Anger is a part of human existence. We all have felt Anger from another person or within ourselves. Be compassionate and understanding. Today, let's fully embrace the transformative power of balance, strength, and flexibility. These are abstract concepts and powerful tools that can shape our lives and relationships. They inspire us to navigate our emotions and relationships with grace and understanding, motivating us to be the best versions of ourselves. END: The antidote to Anger is kindness, compassion, and understanding. It takes balance to stop and be still when the storm of Anger is brewing from without or within. Anger is like a storm. It comes and it goes. After the storm, there is also calmness. Seek to find that stillness within. It takes balance to be still, compassionate, and understanding. Remember the value of balance, strength, and flexibility as we navigate our emotions and relationships. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger – the symbol of the ego. The ego is good at placing the blame on others by projecting the emotion of Anger. Anger is often its defense mechanism, yet Anger is precisely what throws the ego off balance, and when off balance, we subject ourselves to falling and getting hurt. Pull the finger in and place the thumb on top, the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. The soul is the observer. It watches us react to life's emotions. Anger is one of those emotions. Connecting with the soul is about awareness. It is the realization that we can solve more with kindness. Be aware of the nature of existence – we are here to learn, know, and master our lives. Mastering life is best done with honesty, generosity, and kindness. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes, consultations, and more http://www.doctorlynn.com