SACRAFICE – Motherhood

Whether you are a mother or not, every one of us has or had a mother. Motherhood is often seen as the supreme sacrifice that brings with it great joy. Yoga reminds us that sacrifice performed without faith is of no value. This means having the faith to free the mind from any personal gain and just do the work for the sheer feeling of joy is the practice of sacrifice. If our minds are free from selfishness and we give without expecting a return, the world becomes a better place – an abode of peace and bliss. But this is not easy in a world full of greed. Everything in life sacrifices. It is the law of life. Everything in nature -trees, birds, animals – they all live for the sake of others. Why does a candle burn and melt away? To give light. Why does a stick of incense burn to ash? To give a fragrance. Why does a tree grow? To give fruit and flowers. Is there anything in the world that lives for its own sake? No. All sacrifice. We are here to give, give, and give, and in turn what is due us will come to us. You are here today, sacrificing an hour of your time, and, in turn, it will bring health to the body, quietness to the mind, and peace to the soul. What goes around comes around - That’s Karma. Let’s get started END: You might ask if I am here to give and make sacrifices, but how can I take care of myself? Just like the tree, if it doesn’t attend to the roots, it cannot give. So first, take care of your roots. You must live a healthy life by eating healthy food, exercising, and getting a good night's sleep so that you have the vitality to give to others. The practice of yoga is a sacrifice of your time; if you do it to bring health, happiness, and peace to your life, that sacrifice will bring you joy. If done to find peace, it will bring peace to your life, allowing you to extend that peaceful energy out into the world. Yoga reminds us to live our lives without attachment. Let things come and go as they will. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, take a moment to honor motherhood as a supreme sacrifice that gives for the betterment and continuation of life. Give from the heart without expectations, and you will discover what all the saints, prophets, and sages discovered – everything in life gives – sacrifice is the law of life. With it comes great joy. EGO. Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger – the ego. Because of egoism, there is attachment to things for the ego’s pleasure. But sometimes the things we are attached to do not come or are taken away, and this causes us to pull back and greedily hang on rather than let go and give. The greatest gift a mother can give to your children is the strength, flexibility, balance, and ability to stand independently. It means detaching and allowing them to grow and become their own person. In return, a mother will receive great joy. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. The soul reminds us that everything in life requires sacrifice. All of life gives, and in turn, what is due comes back. So this Mother’s Day, without expectations, give thanks for the sacrifice of motherhood; without it, life would not continue. Everything in this life gives. Sacrifice is the law of life. Happy Mother’s Day. Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn

To Be Truly Humbled

• At its core, humility is the fundamental respect for all living beings and the acknowledgment that, in our essence, we are all divine beings with the inherent capacity for greatness. Recently, I found myself experiencing a totally humbling experience. It brought tears to my eyes, made me bow my head, and made me say to myself. “ I am truly humbled. When you experience this, you feel your own limitations in the face of something so much bigger or better. It's about recognizing "Wow, there's a whole world I still need to learn about," or "These people are on a whole other level!" Let me share the story that humbled me with you. Oksana Masters – world champion Paralympics – Four Gold Medals - Her story is truly humbling. Google her – the story is amazing and truly humbling. • END • Humility is the opposite of arrogance, pride, and conceit. Humble people are self-aware, honest about their limitations ( and we all have them), and open to learning from others. At its core, humility is the fundamental respect for all living beings and the acknowledgment that, in our essence, we are all divine beings with the inherent capacity for greatness. To practice humility, listen to others, look to the bright side of life, accept disappointment as a part of life, and ignore negativity. • Humility is not about diminishing oneself but about shifting the focus from oneself to others. This shift in perspective strengthens bonds with others and broadens awareness of the world, enriching one's well-being in body, mind, and soul. • • EGO: Flip your palms up and extend ut the index finger – the symbol of the soul. Humility in karma yoga is the counter-emotion to the great passion of pride. Pride misdirects, causing the ego to rise, and everything associated with the ego begins to increase. Arrogance, righteousness, and superiority control one's life and cause the ego to rise. • Pull your finger in a place and thumb on top of the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to your soul. With humility, the ego begins to subside. Kindness, generosity, acknowledgment, and admiration control one's life. The more profound the humility with which we conduct ourselves, the better for our health, body, mind, and soul • Humility softens the ego and acts as a powerful stress reducer. Humble individuals are more open to learning and problem-solving, leading to personal growth and a more profound sense of compassion and empathy. Their gratitude and fulfillment in life establish a profound inner peace. • Remember Oksana Masters – she is truly a cause to pause and be humble. • Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. • Doctor Lynn