Ayurveda, Stoicism and The Great Minds!
Published: Mon, 12/21/20
A few years ago, Tim and I were invited to a very unique conference in Austin, TX. We met some really interesting people (such as the founder of Whole Foods), engaged in quite a few surreal conversations (we were invited to Guatemala by the creator of the Utopian Experiment), witnessed cognitive performance scientists have a highly heated discussion at the dinner table and found out that my brain cannot be monitored. The latter is something Tim could have told the Heart Math people which could have saved them quite a bit of time and frustration. :-) :-)
One of the most memorable moments during this conference was a talk given by a very young looking person (late 20s). The talk was on stoicism and the person giving it was Ryan Holiday. I had to try really hard to take it seriously. I just couldn't accept listening to some one so young talk about how to deal with life when he couldn't even stop and take a breath while talking. The whole presentation reminded me of high school oral exams in history and philosophy.
However, after listening to Tim (yes, Tim was right :-) ) and accepting to talk with Ryan and giving him a chance, I became a little less apprehensive. We ended up getting a signed copy of his book, The Obstacle is the Way which both Tim and I read several times. You have probably heard us talk about both Ryan and his book during our podcasts and trainings, and this is a great reason.
The Obstacle is the Way is a perfect example of how Ayurveda for the Mind works at the cognitive level. One of the main principles of Ayurveda is
"Similar qualities increase each other and Opposites balance" aka "Like Increases Like and Opposites balance"
This is very empowering and liberating. It teaches us how to break any cycle of weakness, failure and frustration. All we have to do is, identify the weakness, failure or frustration that we experience and act using the opposite emotion or thought instead. This is not wishful thinking or positive thinking or any of that fluffy stuff that perpetuates the vicious cycle of misery. This is telling us how to ACT.
Ayurveda is all about action. Ayurveda says, identify the emotion or thought that you don't like and do something about it by harnessing its energy, and replacing it with the opposite one. Only when you replace it with the opposite you can restore the dynamic balance in your emotional and mental world.
The bigger the impediment, the weakness, or the failure that you experience, the greater the acceleration, the strength, or the success that it will render when you act upon it with its opposite.
Listen to Ayurveda and The Great Minds (it will only take 10 minutes of your time) for specific examples of the "replacement with the opposite": Ayurveda & The Great Minds
In the long run, it will end up saving you a lot of time After all, ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said: To be even-minded is the greatest virtue.
Until next time, here is our updated studio class schedule and other happenings (that also make awesome holiday gifts :)
Yoga Energy Studio Class Schedule
We are currently adding private training. You can register here: Personal Training Package
Private online 200-hr Yoga and Ayurveda teacher training - click here
Private online 300-hr Yoga and Ayurveda teacher training - click here
Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice and Happy Holidays!
-Tim and Vie
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