This morning I woke up early to watch the sunrise, it’s raining. Last week I planted basil and tomato seeds in cute pots outside my front door, they were stolen. Two days ago I was cleaning my beloved bong, it broke… I could easily spend time thinking; Why? Who? HOW!? Or I could laugh a little, repeat a mantra (maybe swear a couple times, thanks Mom, I owe that habit to you) and move on with my life. Everything in this life is fleeting and I believe that the moment we forget how incredibly blessed we are to inhale + exhale, right now, is that moment we start to lose ourselves. The rain may be falling, but the birds are still singing!

Question, have you ever had that feeling where you just can’t get a certain thought out of your head? It keeps coming back, shows up daily, before bed, on the toilet… When thoughts begin to take up territory in our mind space (chitta), we must hold them with awareness and personal responsibility. When “real” things happen in life we are quick to think “Why me?” or “I hope that doesn’t happen again…” and may even adapt our behavior for self-protection (be gentler when you’re cleaning the glass slide of your bong). Meditation + yoga philosophy tell us to treat our thoughts, our mind, the exact same way. In fact, that’s the first step (ahimsa), non-harming thoughts, actions and words.

In Buddha’s Brain* by Rick Hanson PhD, we use the simple conclusion that “the mind is what the brain does.” Our highly developed human brain is capable not only of controlling the things we do + say, but also the content + quality of our own thoughts and mental patterns. “Only we humans worry about the future, regret the past, and blame ourselves for the present… This kind of suffering – which encompasses most of our unhappiness and dissatisfaction – is constructed by the brain. It is made up. Which is ironic, poignant – and supremely hopeful.”

Try this simple practice:

· Think of something that bothers you. Replace that thought with something that makes you smile or warms your heart.

· Even now, again, you may find negative, or I like to call them “grumpy”, thoughts coming to mind… Replace them immediately with positive thoughts.

· Repeat.

· Forever.

I would like to be clear that this is a practice, not a state of perfection. We all have grumpy thoughts sometimes and now we know it is the nature of our human brain. We also know that we have control over our human brain should we choose to accept this huge personal responsibility (yoga). I’ll also be the first to admit that sometimes it is most challenging to find a positive thought in the darkest of times; ENTER: mantra, asana, pranayama and every other meditative practice that’s out there. These practices help focus the mind, soothe the nervous system, increase overall health and bring about positive sensations (body, mind + spirit). That’s just science.

If you’ve been watching my experimental online classes, or if you’ve ever been to class with me, you know how much I love experiments! So in the name of science why not try this experiment for yourself:

· Experiment with some yoga + meditation techniques (if you’re not sure where to start ask me or a trusted friend/family member!)

· When you decide to try a technique and then think, “Nevermind, this is stupid” or “WTF” or “actually I’m going to sweep the floor”, DO THE PRACTICE.

· Substitute this practice for even just 5 minutes of screen time. Maybe practice outdoors!

· Remember the first practice, change your negative thoughts to positive. When it’s difficult, practice again.

A great Ashtanga teacher and amazing human, David Williams**, says “The key is being able to continue practicing Yoga for the rest of your life. From over 40 years of observing thousands of people practicing Yoga, I realize that those who continue are the ones who are able to figure out how to make it enjoyable.” Keep that in mind. Find teachers who inspire you, read books you can’t put down, try new techniques, do the work and enjoy practice.

When we train the brain to first recognize thoughts and actions that are truly non-harming to ourselves or others, the light begins to shine. The choices we make for ourselves (internal + external) have a profound connection to something bigger than ourselves, this is the Yoga. That one day we are here, and the next we’ll be somewhere else. Enjoy this inhale, that exhale. Turn up the music, dance in the rain, smile more often and seek the joy in every moment.

*The full title is worth reading (if not the whole book!!!): Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom by Rick Hanson, PHD with Richard Mendius, MD. This book is great because it is written by western medical professionals who also practice meditation + loving kindness.

**David Williams also has a new book out, My Search for Yoga, which is available on his website: www.ashtangayogi.com where you’ll also find his Open Letter to Students which I quoted above. I could gush about how much I love David or you could just visit his website and fall in love with him yourself (personal responsibility). He’ll also be at Yoga Vermont this Summer, CLICK HERE for details.