Where is Paradise?

Daily Reflection
We have heard the question before - where is paradise? We look for paradise in external places - the sandy beaches of Florida, Pike's Peak in Colorado, the ashrams of India, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower. We travel the world in search of paradise. We hold on to that moment of peace and beauty when we see these beautiful sites, and just for a moment, we are content; we are happy. People have been searching for paradise for centuries. They have been setting out on a journey - a journey to find bliss. What we come to find as we practice yoga is that we don't need to leave, set out on a journey or travel to find paradise, to find peace, to find contentment, to find happiness. Paradise is found within. Paradise is a state of consciousness.

In your journal today, write about all of those places you have gone to in order to find your version of paradise. Maybe you didn't travel but instead associated paradise with a job, career, relationship, etc. What is your own definition of paradise? If you lived in paradise, what would that look like to you? Ask yourself why? Why have I chosen these things to define my paradise? Slowly begin to shift your thinking from external things to your internal spirit. Go within. Perhaps do a short meditation. What shifts do you need to make to your state of consciousness to create that type of paradise that is your very core, your very foundation, that paradise you carry with you everywhere?

Swami K

Holding Grudges

Daily Reflection
A grudge or a feeling of resentment towards someone else that has hurt you can block us along the spiritual path. When we hang on to this feeling in our hearts, we create a state of thinking or a state of consciousness that irritates the mind and blocks us from our own happiness and feelings of joy and contentment. While it is natural to have an immediate response of hurtful feelings when somebody does something to hurt us, it becomes a problem if we hang on to that feeling. Some of us can hold a grudge for years. A grudge can control us if it is a powerful one.

Today, in your journal, think of someone you have been holding a grudge against. Explore what happened, write it all down, explain the exact experience and how it hurt you. Think about how heavy this experience has made your heart. Think about how holding this grudge has controlled you. For your own sake of peace, do something nice for yourself and let it go.

Swami K

Focus on You

Daily Reflection
Today, I want you to focus on you. We need to set aside time in our lives to nurture ourselves, reconnect to our spirit, and soothe our souls. To live a life of happiness we need to do things that make us happy. It is just too easy to lose ourselves in the lives of others, to focus on helping others, and sacrifice our own needs.

In your journal today, I want you to make a list of those things that bring you joy, that make you feel peaceful, that fill your soul. For example, on my list would be taking a walk on the beach, taking an asana class, meeting with friends for dinner, etc. After you have your list, open your calendar and schedule time to do these things. Continue this practice. Every Sunday, revisit this list and make time to focus on you each week.

Swami K

What is Happiness?

Announcements 
We will be kicking off our new year with a focus on service work. If you live in the area and wish to join us for service oriented projects throughout the year, please join http://www.meetup.com/Volunteer-South-Florida/ Our next event, helping out at Flamingo Festival, will take place on January 25th. For more events, please check out the events page.

Starting in February there will be a weekly audio meditation and teaching available for a $5 donation. A portion of the donation will go towards a different charity organization each week. Funds raised and donated will be tracked on our giving back page.

Daily Reflections
Many philosophers, theologians, psychologists, scientists, politicians, journalists, and self-help gurus have tried to answer the question what is happiness? Gandhi thought that happiness occurs when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony. Abraham Lincoln believed that people who made up their minds to be happy were happy. What makes you happy? Is it a relationship, tasty food, money, service, etc? Are you doing what makes you happy? If not, why?

Swami K