OBSTACLE 7

Karma Yoga gives us nine obstacles to overcome, so that we might have in our lives, vitality, happiness and peace. The first is ill health. The second is boredom. The third is self-doubt. The fourth is distractions and carelessness. The fifth is feeling heavy and burnt-out. The sixth is having cravings and desires. The seventh is doubting one’s progress. This means to question, or compare our lives to others. Here we might question whether someone is more successful, smarter, or more soulfully evolved; have they made more progress in life than we have? We live in a world where it can appear that others are more successful and moving down life’s path at a faster pace. We doubt our progress. Have you ever questions where you are, or what you are doing with your life and wondered if you were on the right path? This is a biproduct of the obstacle of self-doubt. When you doubt yourself, you doubt the progress you’ve made. Karma however teaches us that we are all on our own individual paths and the markers of the material world are not an indicator of how far we have progressed soulfully. The soul is here to turn deceit, greed, anger and pride into truth, generosity, kindness and humility. Awareness of this and taking this direction puts you farther down the path than someone who is ignorant, or unaware of what progress really means. This does not mean that you cannot be wealthy and powerful. Its’ what you do with your energy that is the true marker of progress. Regardless of where you are if you are honest, generous, kind and humble you are making progress in life. Takes work – that’s karma - Let’s get started. END: Everyone faces doubt in varying intensities—from a subtle whisper to a loud emotional shout. Doubt however, can remind us to go back to our most basic truth—love. Where there is true love, there is no doubt. Doubt can teach us a thing or two about ourselves and the world. We have an opportunity to see where we lack trust and, as such, can make a different choice. When we become aware of doubt, we connect to a deeper part of our being—a place of stillness and peace. Here we connect with the soul or our essence and it is here that we truly discover our progress along life’ path. Trust and love yourself, be honest, generous, kind and humble and you will make tremendous progress in life. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend the index fingers – the symbol of the ego. Doubt at its core is a fearful emotion. It is the ego shouting at us to take charge, as it fears not being accepted or being rejected, and not being loved. It doubts its own self-worth and questions its progress. Pull your index finger in and place your thumb on top the symbol of the soul. When we surrender to the essence of our being, our soul, we discover that each path is unique. Comparison and competition do not fit into the soul’s mission. The soul is here to help us quiet the mind and to see the world for what it really is- an opportunity to discover trust in ourselves, generosity, kindness and humility, and when we discover this we have no need to doubt ourselves, or our progress. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with healthy happiness and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes and consultations: http://www.doctorlynn.com