The Problem with Surrender

In yoga we call surrender Ishvara Pranidhana. In the Christian tradition, they say "Thy will be done." But no matter what term we use, it's inarguable: the practice of surrender can be a powerful tool to support us on our spiritual journeys—and in our daily lives. Although that's true only if we use it right.

Episode 27: "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." These words from the American poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau reveal an open secret to accessing the state of wholeness, ease, and fulfillment we yearn for. Join me in this episode for an exploration of that secret together with a custom meditation experience to open the door to your own fullness of being.

Episode 26: "Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." This verse from the Tao Te Ching reminds us of the importance of one of yoga's key practices: Santosha or contentment. Join me in this episode and learn why this nectar of spiritual development remains so elusive for many—and how to invite it into your life.

Episode 25: The old Swami had blessed me with some of the most powerful spiritual advice I had ever been given—and since that time, it's changed my life. Join me for a surprising exploration of the power of yoga's practice of Saucha, or purity and I'll share that advice with you too.

Episode 24: "To the keep and intent practitioner, spiritual success comes quickly." These are the words of the great sage Patanjali. In this episode, we'll be exploring this Sutra and how it subtly points to one of the many ways modern yoga practitioners unwittingly sabotage their yoga practices and their spiritual progress.

Episode 23: "To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by the 10,000 things." Could these words from the great Zen Master Eihei Dogen be the key to your shortcut to freedom and everlasting joy? In this episode we find out.

Episode 22: Spiritual wisdom and practices are designed to bring us to the experience of our truest, Divine Selves. Sadly, so many of us stop short of that most precious of gifts owing only to an invisible force that lies only in our minds. And it's one that can be easily conquered.

Episode 21: So many are quick to dismiss addiction as something that only affects other people. But could more subtle forms of addiction be keeping millions of us trapped in habits and behaviors that have devastating consequences for ourselves as well as those we love? You might be surprised.

Episode 20: Self-control. It's a precious skill that can radically improve every area of life. From leaving behind unhealthy habits to being more loving toward our children, and even breaking free from addiction.  In this episode, we'll be exploring one of yoga's little-known secrets to taking back our power from cravings, urges, and emotions of all kinds.

Everyone knows: Negotiate with terrorists at your peril. By giving into their demands, you're only ensuring you'll be subject to more terrorism. Even so, most of us give into the demands of the never-satisfied mind, the terrorist within, without a moment of thought about the dangerous consequences. In this episode, we'll explore the dangers of giving our power over to the terrorizing mind, and how to enjoy more calm, joy, and freedom in life.