SIX WEEKS of GRATITUDE – week two - your health

Gratitude improves health by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and calming the mind. When healthy, we think more clearly and tend to be more friendly and generous with others. Gratitude then brings good fortune back to us. What goes around comes around. The three pillars of health are diet, exercise, and sleep, and yoga supports the balanced effort of all three to bring about holistic health to the body, mind, and soul. Yoga, a practice that encourages positive physical and mental health, is a powerful tool for connecting with the soul and achieving perfect balance. It is a reminder that ideal health is not just physical, but a harmonious balance of body, mind, and soul. Keeping the body healthy allows us to be no longer divorced from the mind and soul; it becomes the vehicle for growth and soulful development. When the mind is centered and the breathing is quiet, we can direct our energy into constructive solutions rather than waste it on anxiety and helplessness. Remember, your health is a precious gift. Be grateful for it, as this gratitude can inspire a positive mindset and a healthier life. Let’s get started End: be grateful for your health; without your health, everything else is meaningless. Remember, when the mind is centered, and the breathing is quiet, we can direct our energy into constructive solutions rather than waste it on anxiety and helplessness, which harms the immune system and thus does harm to the body, mind, and soul. Karma yoga reminds us not to harm, which means also not to harm our health. Be grateful for your health. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend the index finger, the symbol of the ego. The ego often measures health by its success and accumulation of money and material things. But once you lose your health, these things are meaningless. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to your soul. The soul has one mission – to enhance your awareness of the true nature of life, and the only way we can complete this mission is with the help of the body and the mind. Honor your health. Be grateful for your ability to walk, breathe, and be alive. Your health is your wealth and the most essential thing in your life; be grateful for your health. 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

WEEK ONE – GRATITUDE - FAMILY

Gratitude means to give appreciation and thankfulness for the beautiful things that come to us; one of those wonderful things is your family. Every family is unique with its quirks. Family is a part of us and something to be grateful for – without our family, we would not be here. Karma teaches us that we choose our family of origin as the best way to work through our karma. So, when someone in your family hits a nerve, remember it is an opportunity to practice letting go and acquiring the chance to be a better person. Feeling gratitude affirms the goodness that surrounds us and recognizes and appreciates the source of this goodness. It is a powerful human emotion that arises spontaneously and can be actively invoked, learned, and strengthened. The more we practice gratitude, the more we invite positive emotions into our lives, uplifting our souls and inspiring us to improve. Let us practice END: As we move into the holiday season, especially this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, be grateful to be surrounded by those you love. Yoga means unity; ideally, no social unit is more united than a family. Yoga symbolizes physical, mental, and soulful unity and a more profound sense of togetherness and connection that a family embodies. EGO: Flip your palm up and extend out the index finger—the symbol of the ego. When someone, especially in our family, says or does something that hits a nerve, our first reaction is to ignite the ego. Tension mounts, and we feel stressed. Pull the finger in and place the thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. When tensions arise, pull yourself back to this place and give a breath of gratitude for your ability to let go and let be. Be grateful for sharing time with those you have chosen to help shape your life—your family. Happy Thanksgiving! 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 TROUBLESOME FOUR: ENVY, JEALOUSY, RESENTMENT and now REVENGE

Revenge is wanting to conflict, hurt, or harm someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands. You want to even the score by one-up-man-ship. Retribution in the form of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is the focus of Revenge. The worst thing about Revenge is that it gets inside your head and hijacks your focus. Once Revenge occupies the space within your head, fighting is like fighting yourself. Be careful with what you let occupy your mind; it will occupy you. It has been said that "revenge is sweet." The problem with Revenge is that it can falsely make us feel good and powerful. It stimulates an area of the brain called the dorsal striatum, which gets excited when we anticipate pleasure and reward. However, studies have shown that the focus on punishment overshadows the feeling of joy and reward. Punishment usurps our ability to focus on reward. Revenge does not make us feel better. The desire to get Revenge is a powerful force. But if you redirect that energy towards improving your life, you achieve the greatest Revenge: you prosper. Let's direct our energy towards balance, strength, flexibility, and peace. This redirection empowers us, giving us control over our lives and responses. END: "Revenge is never a straight line. It's a forest. It's easy to lose your way…to get lost…to forget where you came in." Hattori Hanzo (played by Shinichi Chiba in Kill Bill Vol.1 Mastering the Troublesome Four requires balance, strength, flexibility, and the ability to be content and at peace with your life just as it is. Circumstances happen. You cannot un-happen them. Accept what happens, learn from it, and then focus on using what you have learned to prosper. This acceptance brings a sense of calm and reassurance, allowing us to move forward with peace of mind. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend the index finger, the symbol of your ego. The ego is not who you indeed are. It is your defense mechanism, and with the defense often comes the troublesome four. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to your soul. Your true self is your essence. Envy, jealousy, resentment, and Revenge become irrelevant once you know who you are (the infinite capacity to be) and why you are here (to discover this infinite capacity). To master the troublesome four, admire others, detach and let things come and go, remove expectations, and remember two wrongs will never make a right. This self-awareness brings enlightenment, helping us navigate life's challenges with clarity and understanding. Change how you see things, and how you see things changes. Doctor Lynn 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 TROUBLESOME FOUR ENVY, JEALOUCY, RESENTMENT.?

Resentment is a negative state where an individual blames everybody and everything but themself for the state of their life. We often see life as unfair and full of disappointments. Resentment results from expectation. We expect something, and when it doesn’t turn out as expected, we experience resentment. We then begin to see ourselves as hapless victims when the responsibility for our destiny and happiness has to do with how we see things and not what another person does or does not do. Expect something, and you will surely be let down. With expectations happiness is falsely measured not by inner experience, but by outward appearances. In a positive state, one realizes that they are the architects of their own destiny and that the human mind, and thus the soul, have unlimited possibilities. Realizing that limitations are self-imposed, the individual is able to lift the veil of illusion (Maya) and master one’s own fate. You can now see the forest for the trees. Changing your perspective liberates you from the constraints of resentment and opens your mind to new possibilities. END: Unreal and unfulfilled expectations are the foundation of resentment. With resentment we feel disappointed, sad and even angry. Take responsibility for your expectations. Let each experience of your life come and go without attachment, but don’t be indifferent, and you will avoid disappointment, and thus experience the awareness and knowledge that brings the joy of pure happiness. You cannot change what happens, but you can change how you view it. Let go of resentment and focus on your potential energy, and you will prosper. Forgiveness is the key to personal growth, inspiring us to let go of the past and move forward with a positive outlook. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger – the symbol of the ego. Everyone has been mistreated at some point, and everyone has mistreated others. Resentment seems to spoil many relationships, especially loving and enduring ones. With resentment, we cannot forgive misconduct from the past in the present. Both parties remain stuck in a timeless present without a chance for grace and forgiveness. The ego defense mechanism, protection, is not who we are. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top – take a breath and surrender to the soul. Grace and forgiveness are the mechanisms the soul uses to remind us that we cannot change things once they happen, but we can change how we view them. Forgiveness frees us from the shackles of resentment and allows us to grow. Just remember everyone is doing the best they can. We all have weak moments. Forgive and then change how you look at things, and how you look at things will change. 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

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