Zooming Out

Why Focusing on Values Leads to a Fulfilling Life

The purpose of life has puzzled philosophers and theologians for centuries. It’s a deeply personal matter that varies from person to person, shaped by cultural, societal, and individual values and beliefs.

As humans, we set goals constantly. But achieving them is often much more difficult. It can be hard to stay motivated when progress feels slow or non-existent. When this happens, we have a few options:

1. We could give up on the goal (“It wasn’t that important to me anyway”),

2. We could blame ourselves for not being good enough (“If only I had more willpower, I’d be able to lose weight or quit smoking”),

3. We could blame others (“All the men in my age group only want to date younger women”), or

4. We could step back and reflect on our values - what truly matters to us.

We often define success by the goals we achieve, but there’s an alternative way to look at it: success as living according to your values - something you can do in any moment, regardless of external outcomes.

When we think about how we want to live, we’re focusing on values. Values act like a compass, guiding us in a desired direction and distinguishing themselves from goals. Every step in our life we fix some goals and move on to the next goal, but what does not change is our values – the way we handle the ups and downs of that every step. Goals are specific targets we aim for and can check off once completed. For example, responsibility is a value; owning a home is a goal. You can engage in responsible behavior every day, which may help you achieve your goal, and you’ll continue to live out that value even after the goal is reached.

Goals aligned with values are inherently more meaningful and more likely to be achieved than those chosen randomly or pursued out of obligation. Take the goal of losing weight, for instance. What’s behind it? Is it driven by a value like fitness, self-care, or embracing challenges? Or is it simply because the magazines at the checkout line make you feel bad? Understanding the value behind a goal allows you to make choices and take actions that align with what’s important to you. Without a value backing a goal, the only measure of success becomes whether or not you achieve it.

So how do we begin identifying what we value? Imagine your 80th birthday party, with all the people who matter to you in attendance. How do you want them to speak about you? What would they say you stand for? How would they describe your impact on their lives? Would they say you were an assertive, encouraging, and hardworking leader? An authentic, caring, and respectful friend? A compassionate, loving, and supportive parent? An adventurous, creative, and curious free spirit?

Values focus on how you want to be as you move through life, not just what you want to achieve.

If you imagine your life through a camera lens, sometimes we get overly “zoomed in” on our goals, fixating on whether or not we’re achieving them. This can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, overwhelm, or self-criticism. Connecting to your values, however, is like “zooming out” to see the bigger picture. You are more than your goals. Like a camera, we need to zoom out to capture the full landscape - acting in alignment with our broad values day by day - and zoom in on the details, continuing to pursue and evaluate our goals. There’s beauty and power in both perspectives.

And remember, at your 80th birthday celebration, those around you are unlikely to focus on the 10 pounds you never lost or the promotion you didn’t get. Instead, they’ll toast to how friendly, fun, courageous, and kind you were.

Purusharthas

What if there was an ancient system that offers a roadmap to live a fulfilling, meaningful life - one that accounts for both material success and spiritual well-being?

The Yoga tradition gives us such a system in the form of the Purusharthas, the four aims of life. These are timeless principles, and when we apply them to modern living, we can find a clearer sense of direction, purpose, and balance.

The study of Purusharthas - the four guiding aims of human life:

• Artha (material prosperity),

• Kama (emotional fulfilment and desire),

• Dharma (righteous duty and ethical living), and

• Moksha (spiritual liberation) -

offers a timeless framework for living a balanced and purposeful life. By aligning with these foundational aims, we cultivate harmony both within ourselves and in our interactions with the world, providing a valuable lens through which to assess our choices and make wise, aligned decisions.

Understanding and embracing these Purusharthas brings deeper meaning to our spiritual practices and enriches our relationships with the world around us. In the context of yoga, acknowledging and honoring these pursuits is essential for personal development, teaching, and resolving inner conflicts. This session will explore human needs and aspirations through the wisdom of yogic philosophy, guiding us toward greater alignment and fulfilment on all levels.

Let’s explore each of the four Purusharthas – the yogic solution for a balance in life and how they fit into our lives today in our next online session.

The Four Paths of Yoga: A Guide to Holistic Living in Modern Life

In today’s world, yoga is often seen as just physical postures, meditation, or relaxation. However, at its core, yoga is a holistic system for personal growth that connects us to our true nature. It works on four main levels: the physical body, emotions, mind, and energy. These elements shape our experiences, and each one influences how we engage with life. Yoga offers four distinct paths to bring these levels into harmony, guiding us toward balance, fulfilment, and self-realization.

The Four Paths of Yoga:

1. Karma Yoga – The Path of Selfless Action

2. Bhakti Yoga – The Path of Devotion and Love

3. Raja Yoga – The Path of Meditation and Self-Mastery

4. Jnana Yoga – The Path of Knowledge and Wisdom

While each path appears distinct, they are deeply interconnected. By integrating all four, we can cultivate a balanced life and achieve spiritual growth.

Karma Yoga: The Art of Selfless Action

In today’s world, we are often driven by the desire for success, recognition, and material gain. This pursuit can lead to stress, attachment, and burnout. Karma Yoga, however, offers a refreshing perspective. It teaches us to engage fully in life - performing our duties and taking action - without attachment to the outcomes. The essence of Karma Yoga is acting with purpose and selflessness, letting go of the need for approval or success.

By focusing on the process rather than the result, we find peace in action. Whether it’s washing dishes or completing work tasks, if done with mindfulness and dedication, even mundane actions can become opportunities for spiritual growth. Karma Yoga reminds us that we are not the sole doers of our actions; many factors beyond our control shape the outcomes. This shift in perspective reduces stress and helps dissolve the ego’s grip.

Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Love and Devotion

Humans have an innate desire to love and be loved, but often we seek this love in external things - people, possessions, and experiences. These attachments can bring joy, but they also lead to suffering, as all material things are temporary. Bhakti Yoga addresses this by guiding us to develop a deep connection with the divine or sacred essence in all things.

Bhakti Yoga invites us to recognize the divinity present in everything, whether we direct our love toward God, Nature, or the divine within. This practice transforms how we view ourselves and others, fostering gratitude, compassion, and a sense of unity. In its highest form, Bhakti Yoga leads to the realization that the divine love we seek outside is already within us. This profound shift brings inner peace and dissolves the boundaries between self and other.

Bhakti also offers psychological benefits. Practices like chanting, prayer, and devotional meditation have been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance mental health. Bhakti Yoga encourages a heart-centred approach to life, nurturing love and connection beyond ego-driven desires.

Raja Yoga: The Path to Self-Mastery and Inner Peace

The mind is often compared to a restless monkey, constantly jumping from thought to thought. In today’s world, we are conditioned to multitask and overthink, leading to mental chaos and disconnection from our true nature. Raja Yoga, the "Royal Path," offers a systematic approach to mastering the mind through meditation and mindfulness.

Raja Yoga is outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, consisting of eight stages (or limbs) that guide us toward inner transformation:

1. Yama – Ethical guidelines, like non-violence and truthfulness

2. Niyama – Personal disciplines, such as cleanliness and self-study

3. Asana – Physical postures to stabilize the body

4. Pranayama – Breath control to calm the nervous system

5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses to turn attention inward

6. Dharana – Concentration, focusing the mind

7. Dhyana – Meditation, where the mind is absorbed in a single object

8. Samadhi – The ultimate state of union with universal consciousness

Raja Yoga is about mastering the mind, leading to inner peace and clarity. By quieting the mental chatter and focusing our energy, we transcend the ego and experience our higher consciousness.

Jnana Yoga - The Path of Knowledge that Leads to Liberation

Many of us accumulate knowledge about the world, others, and ourselves, yet a sense of dissatisfaction often remains. This feeling signals the need for Jnana Yoga, the path of wisdom and self-inquiry. Jnana, meaning “knowledge,” is not just intellectual understanding- it is the ultimate goal of all yogas, revealing the truth about our true nature.

The mind is often scattered, floating on the surface of thoughts and experiences. Meditation can help still the mind, but restlessness often persists due to the accumulation of mental clutter. The root cause of this is ignorance - the misunderstanding of who we truly are.

Jnana Yoga teaches that freedom comes not through action but through self-knowledge. It is the process of peeling away the layers of illusion and discovering our true self, which transcends thoughts, emotions, and identities. The practice of self-inquiry - asking “Who am I?” - helps dissolve the ego and brings clarity. Through this process, we realize that we are not our thoughts or bodies; we are the pure consciousness that witnesses them.

Jnana Yoga reveals that we are already whole and complete, and happiness is not something to attain but an inherent part of our true nature. Once we realize our true essence, we stop seeking fulfilment outside ourselves. Instead, we experience the peace that comes from recognizing that we are already complete.

Integrating the Four Paths in Yoga

The beauty of yoga lies in its ability to address all aspects of our being. Each path - Karma, Bhakti, Raja, and Jnana - offers a unique approach to life, and together, they provide a holistic system for personal and spiritual growth. By embracing these paths, we can cultivate balance, peace, and self-realization in our lives.

Beyond the Physical: Exploring the Three Bodies in Yoga

In our journey through life - and on the yoga mat - many of us focus on our physical bodies. We aim to stretch, strengthen, and improve, hoping that more flexibility, a toned physique, or freedom from pain will grant us lasting happiness. But despite these efforts, how often do we find ourselves feeling limited or still searching for something beyond what the physical body can offer?

The system of yoga offers a powerful shift in perspective. It teaches us that we’re not just our physical body; instead, our true self is layered, multifaceted, and far more complex. Each layer of our being, or “body,” plays a unique role in how we experience life and move through the world. The yogic concept of the three bodies - the gross, subtle, and causal bodies- invites us to step beyond the limitations of the physical and into a fuller, more harmonious existence.

Three bodies doctrine provides a map to understanding ourselves on a deeper level, helping us break free from the narrow focus on physical limitations, align our lives with greater purpose, and overcome the sense of “stuckness” that often holds us back.

The Gross Body: Our Physical Foundation

The gross body, or sthulaśarīra, is the physical form we can see, touch, and feel. It’s what most of us focus on in our daily lives. This body is made up of the five elements - earth, water, fire, air, and ether - and is our vehicle for interacting with the material world. It’s here that our senses come alive, allowing us to experience sights, sounds, tastes, textures, and smells.

The physical body is both essential and finite. It has boundaries; it grows, ages, changes, and eventually dies. We invest a great deal of time, energy, and resources into caring for and improving it. This is valuable and necessary, but when we rely solely on the gross body for fulfilment, we can find ourselves feeling limited, as if something’s always missing. No matter how flexible, strong, or beautiful the body becomes, we may still feel a persistent longing that these physical achievements don’t satisfy.

Yoga teaches that to truly address this yearning, we must look beyond the body alone. Our physical experiences are just one layer of who we are, and when we become fixated on this layer, we miss out on a more complete understanding of ourselves.

The Subtle Body:  Our Energy, Emotion, and Thought

Beyond the physical lies the subtle body, or sukṣmaśarīra, also known as the energy or astral body. While we can’t see or touch it, we feel it directly through our emotions, thoughts, and energy levels. The subtle body is made up of the senses, energy channels (nadis), and mental faculties, creating an energetic template of who we are.

In our subtle body, emotions, memories, and impressions from our life experiences are stored. This body shapes our personality, our preferences, and even the way we respond to life’s challenges. Unlike the gross body, which interacts with the world outside, the subtle body engages with our inner experiences.

When we encounter stress, for example, our subtle body absorbs and reflects it. This might manifest as a racing mind, overwhelming emotions, or the sense of being “on edge.” Similarly, positive experiences like a deep meditation or fulfilling connection can bring us peace and clarity within this energetic layer. Through pranayama (breathwork), meditation, and mindfulness, yoga helps us bring this subtle body into balance, creating emotional resilience and a steadier mind.

In many ways, this layer holds the key to transcending the limits of the physical. By understanding the energy and patterns within our subtle body, we can access greater mental clarity, calm, and freedom from reactive patterns. But even the subtle body isn’t the full picture. To truly understand and overcome our deepest challenges, we must journey inward still further.

The Causal Body: The Seed of Our Individuality

At the heart of our being lies the causal body, or kāraṇaśarīra, the most refined layer of all. This is often referred to as the “seed” body, as it is the source from which the gross and subtle bodies arise. The causal body is intangible, often described as the blueprint of our existence, carrying the imprints of all our past actions, memories, and patterns - our karma and samskaras (deep-seated impressions).

Unlike the other two bodies, the causal body is unchanging and serves as a vast reservoir of potential. It is here that our most profound desires, fears, and purpose lie dormant, shaping the trajectory of our life, often unconsciously. As we deepen our awareness of this layer, we begin to understand the roots of our thoughts, actions, and reactions. Connecting with this body requires deep inner work, as the causal body is beyond the mind and intellect.

However, even the causal body is not our true self. While it is the deepest of the three bodies, it is still conditioned and subject to change. The causal body defines the underlying script of our lives, but in essence, it is not who we are. When we go beyond even this layer, we encounter Atman, our true nature, which exists free from limitations, karma, or conditioning.

Beyond the Three Bodies: Discovering Atman, the True Self

At the heart of yoga lies the journey beyond all layers of body and mind. Our true self, Atman, exists beyond the gross, subtle, and causal bodies. Unlike these three, which are temporary and bound by experiences and limitations, Atman is unchanging, pure awareness. It is consciousness itself, untouched by karma or conditioning, and serves as the silent witness to all our experiences.

Practices like meditation, self-inquiry, and reflection help us peel away the layers that obscure our true nature. Through this work, we come face-to-face with our inherent potential, free from the conditioning and limitations imposed by our experiences.

We learn to see the gross body as our temporary vessel, the subtle body as our energetic interface with life, and the causal body as the storehouse of past impressions. This inner work frees us from the mistaken belief that these layers are our true self, guiding us toward the profound realization of Atman, a state of being beyond ignorance, patterns, or misconceptions.

Living from Our True Nature: Embracing a Life of Wholeness

Yoga, at its core, invites us to live beyond the limitations of body, mind, and karma. The three bodies help us understand the layers that shape our experiences, but ultimately, yoga is about realizing Atman - our true self that transcends these layers. By embracing this profound understanding, we break free from the cycle of reactive living, aligning with a sense of purpose, clarity, and inner peace that endures beyond any external circumstance.

For the modern yoga practitioner, this knowledge reminds us that yoga is not just about the physical postures or even calming the mind - it’s about aligning every layer of our being, moving toward a state of wholeness.

By integrating awareness of all three bodies and, finally, transcending them, we discover a life of lasting freedom and joy - a life that reflects the boundless potential of our true nature.

Meditation as Medicine

A Journey into the Subconscious to Restore Balance, Clarity, and Heal the Mind from the Inside Out

In today’s hyper-connected world, our minds are constantly bombarded with information - from emails and notifications to social media updates and endless responsibilities. These relentless inputs fragment our attention, fuelling feelings of anxiety, inadequacy, and overwhelm. Conditioned since childhood to operate in a state of pressure and reactivity, many of us feel caught in an invisible loop of chronic stress.

The long-term impact of stress is well-documented. It activates our body's fight-or-flight response, flooding us with cortisol and other stress hormones. When this state becomes constant, it weakens our immunity, disrupts sleep, fogs our clarity, and leaves us emotionally exhausted. Yet, amid this chaos, there exists a profound and time-tested practice that gently reclaims our inner balance: meditation.

Meditation: A Gateway to Wholeness

Meditation is not just a relaxation technique; it is a radical act of returning to ourselves. It offers a deep retraining of the mind, guiding us inward toward clarity, calm, and insight. It is through meditation that we begin to untangle the patterns of thought and emotion that silently govern our lives.

At the core of these patterns lies the subconscious mind  - a vast realm of beliefs, memories, and impulses formed in early life. Most of our reactions, fears, and even self-defeating habits arise from this hidden domain. Through meditation, we begin to access this inner world with awareness. We learn to observe our thoughts rather than identify with them, creating the space to reprogram old conditioning and build a more conscious, empowered inner life.

Understanding Self-Alienation

Modern life often creates a deep psychological rift between who we are and how we live. We become alienated from our true self, mistaking titles, achievements, or societal roles for identity. This self-alienation expresses itself in many ways:

·       Seeking worth only through external success or approval

·       Feeling disconnected from nature, others, or even our own bodies

·       Reacting to life from stress or fear, rather than from clarity

Meditation gently dissolves this alienation. It reconnects us to our intrinsic wholeness - to the peace that is not dependent on external validation. In stillness, we see clearly the false identities we have built, and return to our authentic self, grounded in presence.

Twelve Steps to Establish Your Meditation Practice

1.     Set Up Your Meditation Space
Create a quiet, dedicated area for practice. Keep it clean, simple, and inspiring. A candle or image can help focus the mind.

2.     Choose Your Time Wisely
Meditate during quiet periods - early morning or evening are ideal. These windows align naturally with a calm mind.

3.     Make Meditation a Daily Habit
Start with 15-20 minutes. Regularity matters more than duration. Let it become part of your daily rhythm.

4.     Find a Comfortable Sitting Position
Sit with your spine upright but relaxed. Use a cushion or chair if needed. Stability in posture brings stillness to the mind.

5.     Begin with Breath Awareness
Gently observe your natural breath. Let it anchor your attention, calming both body and mind.

6.     Quiet Your Mind
Set your intention. Let go of past and future. Come into the now with openness and ease.

7.     Choose a Point of Focus
Use a focal point - such as the heart center or space between the eyebrows - to build concentration.

8.     Select an Object for Concentration
Mantras like "Om" or the breath itself help train the mind. Repeat them with awareness and rhythm.

9.     Allow the Mind to Wander Initially
Don’t fight distractions. Gently return your awareness when it strays. Progress comes with patience.

10.  Observe the Mind from a Distance
Watch thoughts pass like clouds. This non-reactive awareness weakens their grip and reveals deeper truths.

11.  Experience Pure Thought
With time, the practice deepens into pure awareness - a seamless flow of presence and peace.

12.  Samadhi: The State of Unity
Ultimately, meditation leads to samadhi - a dissolving of boundaries between self and all. This is not an escape, but a homecoming.

The Journey Within

Meditation reconnects us with the wholeness we forgot. It offers clarity amidst confusion, stillness amidst noise, and joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances. The more we practice, the more we dismantle inner patterns of fear and stress, and awaken the dormant potential of the subconscious mind.

Start small. Be sincere. And let each breath guide you home.

The Three Gunas

Understanding the Forces That Shape Our Thoughts, Actions, and Emotions

Have you ever noticed how some days you feel focused and energized, while on others, you just want to escape under the covers and not face the world? Or, perhaps, you’ve experienced rare moments of peace and calm where everything seems to be perfectly aligned. Yoga philosophy explains these fluctuations through the concept of the Three Gunas - the three fundamental forces that drive everything in the universe, including our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

But the Gunas aren’t just an abstract theory. They are the living forces within and around us, constantly shifting like the turning of a wheel, influencing how we feel and behave in every moment. Let’s explore the Gunas in a way that’s relatable and useful, so you can start recognizing them in your daily life and learn how to bring more balance into the way you live.

What Are the Three Gunas?

Imagine life as a wheel in constant motion. Like the spokes of a wheel, everything moves - up, down, and around again. One moment, you’re full of energy, and the next, you’re exhausted or at peace. These movements are not random. They are the play of the Three Gunas - Sattva (clarity), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia) - working together, creating the dynamic motion of life.

Much like how a vehicle moves, the Gunas are always rotating within us. One moment, you may feel calm and balanced (Sattva), while the next, you’re overwhelmed by stress (Rajas) or feeling sluggish and unmotivated (Tamas). This constant shifting is why no day feels the same as the one before, and why our minds are always on the move, rarely finding a still point.

The Gunas represent three basic qualities of nature that are always at work, influencing everything from our environment to our minds and emotions.

SATTVA: THE QUALITY OF BALANCE AND CLARITY

Sattva is often associated with light, harmony, and clarity. It represents a state of equilibrium, where things feel calm, peaceful, and aligned. When Sattva is present, our minds are clear, and we experience life with greater calm and peace. It manifests as a deep sense of contentment, a connection with nature, or the ability to stay centred during life’s challenges.

However, it's important to note that while Sattva provides us with balance and clarity, it is not a state we must constantly strive to remain in. Life is dynamic, and Rajas and Tamas are equally necessary for growth and renewal.

RAJAS: THE QUALITY OF ENERGY AND MOVEMENT

Rajas is the force behind action, movement, and desire. It’s what drives us to achieve goals, take action, and move forward in life. Without Rajas, there would be no progress, no dynamism, and no creation.

We often see Rajas in modern life - when we're busy, achieving goals, or navigating the fast pace of daily responsibilities. It's a quality that helps us accomplish tasks, bring ideas to life, and overcome challenges. However, when Rajas is overly dominant, it can lead to restlessness, anxiety, and a feeling of being constantly on the go.

While Rajas can sometimes lead to restlessness or overexertion, it’s essential to recognize that it provides the energy we need to act, create, and grow. Rajas is what propels us out of inertia and keeps us engaged with life.

TAMAS: THE QUALITY OF STABILITY AND REST

Often misunderstood as "negative," Tamas is actually a vital force for stability and regeneration. It represents heaviness, inertia, and darkness, but these qualities are essential for rest, grounding, and rejuvenation. Without Tamas, we wouldn’t have the ability to slow down, rest, or recharge.

When we sleep, relax, or simply take a break from constant activity, we are engaging with Tamas. It gives us the space to pause and reflect, allowing for restoration. While too much Tamas can lead to laziness or stagnation - feeling stuck - it’s equally important to honour it as the force that helps us recover, especially after periods of intense activity or stress.

Tamas is the counterbalance to Rajas, providing the stillness and rest needed after the busyness of life. Without it, we would be in a constant state of activity with no time to reflect or recharge.

How the Gunas Are Always Moving

The Gunas are constantly rotating, much like the spokes of a wheel. Sometimes, Sattva comes to the top, and you feel calm and clear. Other times, Rajas dominates, and you’re in full action mode, rushing from task to task. And then there’s Tamas, which brings the need for rest but can also cause inertia if it becomes too dominant.

Just as the spokes of a wheel move up and down, the Gunas are never in a perfect balance. This means that the quality of our thoughts and emotions is always changing. One moment, you’re feeling energized and productive (Rajas), and the next, you’re ready to shut down and rest (Tamas). Sometimes, there are brief moments of perfect clarity (Sattva), where everything feels just right, but those moments are rare because of the constant motion of the Gunas.

The evolution of life - both internally and externally - happens through the movement of these Gunas. Whether you’re interacting with the world or sitting quietly with your thoughts, the Gunas are at play, shaping your experiences.

How the Gunas Shape Your Inner and Outer World

The Gunas don’t just influence the external world. They are also at work within your mind, shaping your thoughts, desires, and emotions. For example:

• When Sattva dominates: You feel clear-headed, peaceful, and content. Your thoughts are calm, and you can focus on the present moment without distraction. This is when you experience harmony.

• When Rajas takes over: Your mind races with thoughts, and you feel driven to achieve, but often at the cost of peace. You might feel restless or anxious, unable to sit still or find balance.

• When Tamas takes the lead: You may feel foggy, confused, or even lazy. It becomes difficult to get motivated, and you might find yourself procrastinating or avoiding challenges.

The mind is never at rest because it, too, is influenced by the Gunas. It is part of nature, always in motion, pulled by these forces. This is why it can feel so difficult to find lasting peace or stillness - because the Gunas are always shifting.

How to Work with the Gunas in Your Daily Life

The key to living a balanced life is to observe the Gunas in action. The more aware you become of which Guna is dominant at any moment, the better you can work with them to create harmony. Here’s how:

• Cultivate Sattva: Engage in activities that bring clarity and peace - like meditation, mindfulness, time in nature, or journaling. Surround yourself with calming environments and practice conscious breathing to invite more Sattva into your life.

• Balance Rajas: If you notice that you’re caught in constant activity or feeling anxious, it’s a sign that Rajas is in overdrive. Ground yourself through slow, mindful activities like yoga or by simply taking regular breaks throughout the day.

• Manage Tamas: Tamas is necessary for rest, but too much can lead to inertia. If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, move your body - whether through a walk, yoga, or any activity that helps shift your energy.

Remember, the Gunas are constantly moving, so balance is not about perfection. It’s about observing and adjusting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to bring in more Sattva through peaceful practices. If you’re feeling stuck, gently push yourself to engage with the world again.

Rising Above the Gunas

As you begin to understand the Gunas and their influence on your life, you may wonder if it’s possible to move beyond their constant fluctuations. Yoga philosophy teaches that while the Gunas are part of nature and essential for life, we can transcend their influence through self-awareness and mindfulness.

By cultivating Sattva and working to balance Rajas and Tamas, you create more opportunities for peace and clarity. Over time, you may find that you’re less affected by the push and pull of external circumstances and more anchored in your deeper Self.

Chakras & Kundalini: The Misunderstood Inner Landscape of Yoga

If you spend enough time observing the modern world - its pace, its noise, its pressures - you begin to sense a quiet but universal longing.
A longing not for more achievements or more stimulation, but for a deeper experience of life itself.

Even among regular yoga practitioners, there comes a moment when āsana alone no longer satisfies the inner thirst. Something deeper begins to call.

Almost every yogic tradition responds to this call with the same message: “There is an inner universe within you - more intricate than the body and more powerful than the mind. And it is waiting to be explored.”

This universe is described through two of yoga’s most profound teachings: the chakras, the subtle centers of consciousness, and kundalini, the hidden spiritual potential resting within every human being.

These are not concepts reserved for mystics in caves.
They are part of the living psychology of yoga - an ancient attempt to understand the architecture of inner life.
And perhaps, they are more relevant today than ever.

The Science of the Unseen

Modern science speaks of neural networks, hormones, and electrical circuits. Yoga speaks of prāṇa, nāḍīs, and chakras.

Two languages… describing the same mystery.

Both traditions agree on one thing: human experience is not only physical. It is energetic, emotional, intuitive, and shaped by subtle patterns of consciousness.

The chakra system arises from this understanding. It is not a theory to memorise, but a lens through which we begin to see ourselves more clearly:

• Why we feel grounded at times and unsteady at others

• Why creativity flows one month and dries up the next

• Why confidence rises and falls

• Why some truths are easy to speak while others burn in the throat

• Why intuition feels sharp on some days and completely absent on others

These rhythms are not random.They reflect the movement - or stagnation - of inner energy. The chakras offer a compassionate map to understand these shifts.

Kundalini: A Word Often Misunderstood

Of all yogic ideas, kundalini is the most misrepresented. It has been sensationalised and distorted over the years. But the classical tradition offers a simple, beautiful understanding:

Kundalini is the dormant evolutionary power within each human being.

Not a force to fear.
Not a power to chase.
Not an experience to force.

Kundalini rises naturally as life becomes aligned, the mind becomes clear, and the heart becomes open.
It is the flowering of our highest potential - not a sudden explosion, but a gradual unfolding.

When the inner system becomes purified, prāṇa moves harmoniously; the chakras begin to awaken, and this inner current rises like a river returning to its source.

It is the journey from fragmentation toward wholeness.

Why This Matters Today

In a world that constantly pulls us outward - toward performance, achievement, comparison - the chakra philosophy gently turns us inward.

It reminds us that:

• emotional patterns have energetic roots

• behaviour emerges from deeper layers of consciousness

• inner growth follows a natural order

• spiritual awakening is gradual, structured, and organic

For students navigating busy city life, careers, relationships, and uncertainty, these ancient teachings become less of a “spiritual topic” and more of a lifeline.

They help us understand ourselves with depth, purpose, and inner clarity.

A Journey Worth Taking

If you feel drawn to explore:

• why emotional patterns repeat

• why certain fears persist

• why inspiration comes and goes

• why some areas of life feel open while others remain blocked

• why spiritual longing intensifies at certain stages

…then this exploration is for you.

Not as a belief system, but as a mirror.
Not as philosophy, but as an inner experience.

In our upcoming session on Chakras & Kundalini, we will dive into the heart of this inner architecture - gently, clearly, and in the authentic spirit of the yogic tradition.