What is Dharma?

Lately I've heard a lot of talk about Dharma. Most of the people I encounter talk about dharma as our life's purpose or even our primary profession. Patanjali gives us the yamas and niyamas as a guide for living well, which is dharma. 

According to Google, in Hinduism, dharma is the cosmic principle, virtue, righteousness, and duty, especially social and caste duty in accord with the cosmic order, and in Buddhism, dharma is the teaching or religion of the Buddha, one of the fundamental elements of which the world is composed.

Have you ever thought about:

•  why you're here on Earth

•  why you have your unique set of skills

•  your family and the circumstances you grew up in

•  why particular types of people or relationships keep showing up in your life?

I've worked through many practices, read lots of books and articles, participated in workshops and hired various helpers to find these answers.

Truly, though, no one knows about you or me. Our answers are found within each of us if we become still enough to hear the answers.

Take some time to be quiet each day--maybe in the morning before things become to busy or take a few moments around your mid-day break and then again, some time before you sleep.
Ponder the answers to these questions. The answers are within. 

Most humans do think about these things often. Some of us think about them more than others. Some of our religions or spiritual teachings discuss aspects or give us directives regarding these questions. There are also people, teachers, guides, mentors, coaches who are available to help us gain clarity. The answers are within. Guides are just that.

What is your dharma? What is the cosmic reason for your existence? If we are headed on a positive path, is that enough? 

This discussion barely scratches the surface; I'd love to continue this conversation below.

Isvara Pranidhana: Surrender

White Tara

Over the last 4 weeks I have discussed the niyamas, the second limb of Patanjali's ashtanga yoga. The 5th Niyama, ईश्वर प्रणिधान: Isvara Pranidhana, which means surrendering to a power greater than yourself. 

Some students struggle with the term God. I remind them that it can be nature (look at the power of the ocean, lightening, wind), it can be the class or a group of people (any number greater than one is greater than our ego flying solo), or you can think about being the best that you can be (greater than who we might be on a stressful day).

According to TKV Desikachar, isvara pranidhana means, "Reverence to [a Higher Power] promotes the ability to completely understand any object." By giving ourselves or surrendering to something greater than ourselves, we are able to understand ourselves, others and situations that we might have struggled with in the past.

We develop focus and faith. Sometimes it seems that we do not reap the benefits of a practice as quickly as we'd like. Yoga is a gradual practice. As we cultivate our practice, our lifestyle and our lives, change is many times subtle. 

Yoga is not a band-aid, at least not for very long. Continued practice brings us to a deeper, subtler place. We must also be diligent. If I let a practice go, my old ways eventually show up. I am not suggesting that our practices don't change over time because they certainly do and should.

How can you begin to connect to your Higher Power and let go of your ego?

• If you have a spiritual practice, you might begin there.

  

  happyubloggityblog.files.wordpress.com

• Sitting 5-10 minutes per day and focusing on your breath. If you're not sure of how to sit and you live in the SLC, UT area, join me for an introduction to meditation, June 3rd, 6-8 pm, Bliss and Baklava.
• Reading spiritual or inspiring literature first thing in the morning or right before bed.
• Recite the mantra ॐ OM (according to TKV, OM means isvara). The more you recite OM, the closer you will come to your Higher Power.
• Focus on a picture, statue or image of your Higher Power or something that has the qualities of your higher power (moon, ocean, mountain).
• Use a word or sound, a mantra, from your religious or spiritual upbringing that has meaning to you. Repeat it aloud or silently.
• Dedicate your asana practice to your Higher Power.
• Let go of judgement and criticism in your life and in your practice.

Thank you for reading about Surrender. For many of us, surrendering makes us vulnerable. A dear friend told me many years ago that to be vulnerable, makes us stronger. It has taken decades for me to understand and feel her words.

I would enjoy reading about your practices and experiences with surrender and with a Higher Power.

Svadhyaya: Self-Study

JJ-reading on beach, my fav place to be

My journey within actually began before I started my yoga practice. I was stressed and self medicated, and I was looking for a way to move through life more peacefully.

Without substances of course...

The fourth niyama of Patanjali's 2nd limb of ashtanga yoga, svdhyaya, self study, is a practice, a deeper look within, that takes time. The movement within can take on a variety of patterns and no one way is wrong.

When I found Richard Hittleman's Yoga 28 Day Exercise Plan, I started to have glimpses of peace inside my body. It would be many years before I found some peace of mind.

Many people today and over all of our human existence have wondered why we are here on this planet, at this time, under these circumstances? What it my purpose? Is there life after death? Why does it matter? Self study gives us an opportunity to answer these questions for ourselves. 

"The mind's first step to self-awareness must be through the body." George A. Sheehan

I have had many amazing teachers throughout my life. Some I've paid for, some where young, some had four legs...Teachers guide us, yet we still need to do our work.

"People need to know that they have all the tools within themselves. Self-awareness which means awareness of their body, awareness of their mental space, awareness of their relationships-not only with each other, but life and the ecosystem." Deepak Chopra

Many of us begin on our yoga path with asana. The body is tangible. It follows our commands more readily than our mind does. Some whom begin on the path desire to move deeper. Some move on. Grow or go.

What are some ways to begin a practice in svdhyaya?

• reading inspirational material-religious, inspired, spiritual
• mantra, repeating a mantra (my favorite)
• meditation-focus
• journaling
• studying
• any type of mindfulness practice--staying in the present moment

Some other things to consider as we venture into the self:

We must observe our behavior and our thoughts.

Reflect on what we see. 

Seek counsel when needed--when we cannot see what we need to see.

Change what does not work for us.

Evaluate the change; does it make a difference?

Synthesize all that we learn.

Be the person we were called to be.

One of the tools I've used most recently for self discovery is Desire Mapping. If you are interested in learning more or joining me for a retreat, read on.

I'm interested in hearing about your stories of self-study. Yes, they are personal and those are the ones we learn so much from.

#niyamas #svdhyaya #desiremapping

Tapas: Heat Generated by Discipline

Continuing our discussion with the 2nd limb of Patanjali's ashtanga yoga, the 3rd niyama, tapas, which literally translates to discipline from the sanskrit root tap or heat, is the niyama most of my college students connect with. When they first read TKV Desikachar's description of tapas in The Heart of Yoga, they tell me they can relate to working their bodies.

It's much more than working your body, tapas is creating heat or fire through discipline. When we commit to a practice, be it asana, meditation or eating clean, we are transformed by following through and getting it done. Patanjali tells us that we can burn away impurities through practice, which then makes room for a spiritual connection to ourselves, to others, to a power greater than us.

Discipline is not beating ourselves up because we skipped a day or fell out of practice. Discipline is picking up where we left off, supporting another in their practice, and showing up. Practice is not perfect. TKV Desikachar also warns against using tapas a denying the self or as punishment. Tapas is a choice that we make to be healthy and to rid our bodies and minds of impediments to moving ahead.

Through our discipline we create change. This change propels us forward to want to do our best in the moment. I see it often in my students who are so inspired through their yoga practice that they want to teach and share with others what they've learned.

Setting up routines and doing them repeatedly is discipline. As with any skill, the more we do it, the more we want to do it. Discipline sets us free. Think of brushing your teeth. Most of us could not leave the house with if we have not brushed. It's much easier to continue with a practice than to stop and start repeatedly.

I've worked with successful athletes and professionals in my practice. One thing that is common in them all is the commitment to do what they need to do. Many times they come to me because they are challenged with committing to other aspects of their life especially focusing the mind. One might think if you are disciplined in one area, it will transfer to other areas in life. For some this is true, for others, this is not the case. 

The body for some is more tangible and easier to manage. The mind, well. We all know they are intimately connected--you cannot change one without the other. 

What can you do?

• Observe your habits-I like journaling for this.
• Choose 1 or 2 habits you'd like to change.
• Start slowly-meditate for 5 minutes a day, give up soda, take a 15 minute walk or yoga practice at lunch each day.
• Commit to a time period-one month.
• Do it.
• Evaluate how you feel. 
• Continue with the practices that serve your body and mind.
• Slow and steady is the way to create lasting change.

I'd love to hear about how tapas -- transformational heat generated through discipline -- has changed your life! If you are interested in support for changing a habit, sign up for a 20-minute complimentary wellness chat.

#tapas #niyamas

Santosha: Contentment

Today, let's explore the 2nd niyama from Patanjali's 2nd limb of ashtanga yoga, santosha or contentment.
Happiest with some sweet treat in each hand as a child, I wonder how much I've changed in my search for joy and fulfillment. 

What is it that makes us content? Being okay with how we how things are in our lives? Spending time with loved ones, nature, ourselves? Accepting our lot? Each of us yearns for inner peace.

संतोष santosha literally means completely satisfied or content. In fact, in this state, we are so content that we desire nothing else. According to TKV Desikachar, when we are focused on what we have, we are in the moment. When we are focused on what we don't have, we are not in the moment.

If we yearn, we are not fulfilled. Society tells us do, strive, more, bigger, faster, keep moving, never settle. 

Overcoming through Mindfulness: What can we do?

• Do the footwork towards a goal and let go of the results.
• Maintain an attitude of gratitude.
• Being calm and content does not mean we are bored.
• Literally, stop and smell the roses.
• Focus on your breath. Breathe deeply again and again.
• Listen to children, partners and older people.
• Look into people's eyes when you are talking to them.
• Don't text or read your phone while walking or driving.
• Show appreciation for small kindnesses.
• Greet your postal worker, bagger, and others you might overlook.
• Spend time in nature.
• Turn off your phone in the evenings or during meals.
• Sit quietly for 5 minutes each morning.
• Schedule your day so you don't have to rush.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 2.42  संतोष अनुत्तमः सुख लाभः santosha anuttamah sukha labhah tells us that if we are content with what we have, we will be joyful. From this state of mind, we will be able to move on to deeper yogic practices. It is possible as a yogi entrepreneur, mom, partner, friend, daughter, etc. to be and feel gratified in each and every moment.

I'd love to hear what you do to be mindful, in the present moment and content. Thank you for reading.

Seeing is Believing: the Teacher-Student Relationship

Last night I was gazing at the beautiful moon and I thought of one of my students. She's been a student of yoga for quite a while-think years. Through our Desire Mapping work, she chose the word luminous, and she is amazingly luminous and beautiful. Now I can't  look at the moon without thinking of her. 

I love and appreciate the trust that people give me in my teaching. I take that very seriously. Patanjali tells us in the very first Yoga Sutra-1.1 अथ योगनुससनुं atha yoganusasanum that when we begin the study of yoga, both teacher and student commit to the practice, the teachings and to each other. It is a sacred vow that both are to honor.

Through this commitment I get to experience the change my students' have over time and they get to experience my growth and learning as well. Some of them stay for a short bit and some stay for a very long time. The teachings must resonate with us. We build trust and faith and over time, our kavaca, (pronounced-ka va cha), our protective shield starts to lift and our true selves are revealed--teacher to student and student to teacher.

#truthbomb

I pulled this card out of my truthbomb deck about a week after my first Desire Mapping workshop. How appropriate, "I see you." I realized that the work I have been doing my whole life is about learning and teaching people about uncovering their true selves. Even all of my years as a school teacher, it was more about helping young people connect with who they were more than learning the facts about wellness or science.

The point of this post is to say thank you for those students who have been or are along for the ride willing to lift the veil between human beings as well as to share that I don't always love what I find when I go digging for truth. It doesn't always feel good, and it's not usually easy. 

The same holds true in working with others. 
Some people run away at the first peak behind their protective shield (kavaca) and some stick around for the real work. Thank you to those of you who stick around for the heavy lifting, the deep excavations, the intense stuff. The miracle is that once you peel a few layers away and shed a few tears, there're often times joy, peace and a new sense of self-love. 

A dear friend who was pivotal in my growth through my early 20's and 30's told me that I had to trust and feel the bad stuff so that I could one day feel the joy as well. I didn't believe her right off. I am grateful that over time, I remembered her words and was surrounded by people to guide me through many of those layers. By the way-it isn't always painful; I've done some work that was quite humorous and uplifting as well.

So if you're looking to "to attain what was previously unattainable," according to one of TKV Desikachar's definitions of yoga, then I want to work with you. If you want to make some lifestyle changes, connect with your deepest desires and live the life you've always dreamed of, I want to work with you. I am so enjoying the magnificence I see when I truly get to see people. Have a great day! 
I'd love to hear your thoughts about change, seeing people, the masks we hide behind...

#truthbombs #desiremapping #Patanjali

One-pointed focus: Meditation

quiet space

"Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind." Patanjali

We are so busy that many of us cannot fathom stopping to "just do nothing." Yet, what we need most is peace and quiet to nourish our deepest selves. 

When did we move so far away from being into doing? I don't know. I spent a lot of time with my brothers and cousins outside, in nature, pretending, looking at stars and fireflies. Now there is fear attached to not being busy. Are we afraid of our potential?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” ~Marianne Williamson

I invite you to join me in 5 minutes of quieting your mind by focusing on your breath. If you like this, you might want more with my 28-day online meditation course and challenge to build a home practice, "Spark your Creative Genius."

Enjoy! I'd love to hear about your experience; any questions you have about meditation or more that you'd like to see.

Aparigraha: Letting go of greed

Do we need to live without any possessions to reach enlightenment or to be spiritual? I think not. It's more about having what we need and not taking more than our share.

When we are little, we learn that we need to share. Patanjali explains to us in YS 2.39 अपरिग्रहस्थैर्ये जन्मकथंत संभोधः aparigrahasthairye janmakathamta sambodhah. "One who is not greedy is secure. He has time to think deeply. His understanding of himself is complete," translated by TKV Desikachar. 

Does this mean that we can't have nice, pretty or expensive things? No. Alistair Shearer says, "When we are established in nonattachment, the nature and purpose of existence is understood." We can have what we need and want, whether it's a relationship, a car or a job, yet we need to remain unattached to possessing it. 

When a loved one passes, we are sad, hurt, and angry, but we go on. When our car is in a wreck, we get it repaired. When the job changes, we change with it or we move on.

Aparigraha- non-attachment, non-greediness, non-covetousness, generosity

If we can remained unattached to our possessions, only gather what we need, and share with others our bounty, we will begin to understand ourselves, our nature, our purpose and our connection to the universe. 

What can you let go of in your life? Maybe clean out a closet and donate what you don't use. Do you give when the urge arises or when you see a need? As a family we make regular donations. I still have places where I don't want to share. 

Recently when visiting my sister, she pointed out that I wasn't sharing my favorite crackers with the kids. While I was embarrassed to be confronted, she was right. I always tell my children to share, and I need to practice what I preach.

Where can you make a change?

Brahmicharya: Moderation

Tanzanian sunset by Laurel Steele

Moderation is not a word that most people like to hear or adhere to. Especially in the West, I am surrounded and some times find myself consuming way more than my share of food, space, and energy.

Of course science explains that Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, yet how we use our energy is key to how we feel.

Patajali's fourth yama found in Yoga Sutra 2.38 ब्रःमचार्यप्रतिस्थायं वीर्यलाभः brahmacarya-pratisthayam virya-labhah is translated, "Vitality appears in one who is firmly set in moderation," according to Bernard Bouanchaud. Many times this sutra is translated as meaning abstinence from sex or not using your sexuality inappropriately, yet I agree with many yogis who have translated this on a grander scale to include how we use our energy in all endeavors--not just sex.

How in our hyped-up, fast-paced world do we live in moderation?

• eat until we are 3/4 full
• limit our use of electronics
• honor our commitments in sexual as well as non-sexual relationships
• think before we speak
• exercise moderately (we tend to over or under do this one)
• use products we NEED not just want
• reuse, renew, recycle
• pay attention to ALL substances we put into our bodies including the amounts

There are many ways to live moderately. They are good for our health, our relationships and the health of our planet. How do you live moderately? If you don't, what changes can you make in this moment?

Asteya: Cash-register honesty, abundance and more

Some of my favorite jewels

One of the important things we learn early in life is to not take things that don't belong to us. 

I remember taking a package of Sugar Babies from the drug store when I was little--maybe 5 years old. When we got out to the pick up, my step-father asked me where they came from and I told him. There was some part of me that knew I shouldn't have taken them, but i really wanted them. I've had a sweet tooth since I can remember. He made me return them and pay for them out of my very small stash of cash. I'll never forget it!

Asteya means non-stealing and that is the third principle presented by Patanjali in Yoga Sutra 2.37 अस्तेय प्रतिस्थायं सर्वरत्न उपस्थानं asteya pratisthayam sarvaratna upasthanam. "When we are firmly established in asteya (non-stealing, truthfulness), people will trust us and all jewels [jewels of character as well as valuables] stay near." When I am honest and think and act in a way that I use material and intellectual things that only belong to me, an abundance of riches (material and spiritual) are drawn to me. Give credit for using someone's photos, ideas, materials and information and you will have all that you need. 

Charlotte Bell refers to this Sutra as "practicing abundance" in her book, "Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life." When we think and act correctly, good things come to us.

Today we can access tons of data and information. Personally, I find it challenging knowing where I have acquired all the information I have in my head. The translation for this yoga sutra came from a workshop I did with Kausthub Desikachar years ago and can be found on the internet and in various books by various authors. Who gets credit for it? Is there an agreement that says we can use the material? 

Once we post something on our blog does anyone have the right to claim the information? This is a great article by Lisa Barone on, How Not to Get Sued for Stealing Content on the Internet. Read More. I am happy to share information with people, which is the main reason that I blog; I would like to receive credit for how I put my information together. I do my best to give credit when I know the source. Of course, you can get expelled from school for plagiarism and get sued for stealing content.

It's easy to be cash-register honest. Ideas are a bit different especially when brainstorming in a group or when that synchronicity around the planet of people getting the same ideas at the same time.

There is the concept of intent here. What was your intention when you were "borrowing" what ever wasn't yours? When I was a waitress while attending college, I filed my taxes incorrectly. I received a bill from the IRS 3 years later with some big fines. When I called them, I was told by a not very nice man that "ignorance is not a good enough reason for not paying your taxes." I was not very happy. Lesson learned though, I look things up about taxes and other items I don't know about now.

So--long story short, what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours. We can share as we like and we can ask permission. When we are clear and honest with our stuff, abundance flows to us--whether it be love, money, ideas, or jewels.

Ahimsa--what does it really mean to be nonviolent?

Ahimsa (nonviolence) is the first moral principle that Patanjali presents to us in the Yoga Sutra, and therefore, ahimsa is the foundation with which we can choose to live and build our yogic lives around. What does this nonviolence thing entail?

How we think, act, speak, treat ourselves as well as others can be respectful or harmful. Does it really hurt someone to think bad thoughts? Science tells us yes, absolutely.  Just look at the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto and how water responds to harsh thoughts and words.

Some yogis become vegetarians become because they want a lighter diet, for some it's a preference and still others want to choose a non-violent lifestyle (not eating flesh because of killing animals). I have a number of yogi friends who are committed to a life of ahimsa (non-violence) who need to eat meat because of their constitution and/or body type. They can look for animals that have been treated humanely, say a special blessing acknowledging their gratitude for the animal's life or find another protein source.

So what was Patanjali suggesting in Yoga Sutra 2.35, अहिंसा प्रतिस्थायं तत् संनिधौ ahimsa pratisthayam tat vaira-tyagah, says that, "When we are established in non-violence, those who come into contact with us will do the same [be nonviolent]." If I learn to think, speak, act and live a life without harming myself or others, those I come into contact with, over time, will do the same. The opposite who also be true. Violence begets violence and peace begets peace.

How do we become agents of peace and respect?

One thought, one action, one word at a time is the place to begin. I often think of something that seems insurmountable, "How do you climb a mountain?" Well, with lots of preparation and then one step at a time, we can do most anything. I spend a lot of time talking, writing, thinking about changing habits. Being kind, respectful and nonviolent is a choice. We can change our behavior once we become aware of what we are doing.

Pay attention to your thoughts; notice the people around you; and choose to take the least harmful action. When you find yourself speaking, thinking or behaving in a way you don't like, don't beat yourself up. Choose to do it differently.

As always, I would love to hear what you do to bring ahimsa into your life.

Satya: Speak Your Truth

"Only one thing is worse than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it." Naomi Wolf

For some of us, we were not able to speak our truth when we were young. For others, no matter how old we were, we could not speak our truth for fear there would be consequences. And, still for others, knowing our truth takes some excavation because we were not allowed to know our truth or it lived as that small glowing flame in the cave of the heart or that feeling that there was something more or else. Those lucky enough to have family that supported and coaxed their truths from them -- hurray for you! 

While I come from a place where cash-register honesty was important other truths, truths that revealed people's flaws or inappropriate behaviors, were not to be shared. So I learned to talk around the truth even though I've always been direct, and some might even say abrasive. 

The second Yama (ethical standard) in Patanjali's Ashtanga (8 limbs of) yoga, not to be confused with the type of yoga Ashtanga created by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is satya. Satya is translated to mean honesty and truthfulness.


Yoga Sutra 2.36, satya pratisthayam kriya phala ashrayatvam, says that, "when we are honest and truthful in our actions, thoughts and words, our will is fulfilled." In my words, when we live our truth, what we desire flows to us. 

You may think of some flaws here--like people who have lots of money from dishonesty actions and words to name one. Remember though that the key to practicing yoga is to lessen our suffering. If we are honest, abundance of what we desire flows to us and our suffering is lessened because we are on OUR right and true path.

I'll leave you with a poem:

ON TALKING By Kahlil Gibran

There are those among you who seek the talkative through fear of being alone.
The silence of aloneness reveals to their eyes their naked selves and they would escape.
And there are those who talk, and without knowledge or forethought reveal a truth, which they themselves do not understand.
And there are those who have the truth within them, but they tell it not in words.
In the bosom of such as these the spirit dwells in rhythmic silence.

As always, I would love to hear about your thoughts and experience. Truth be told.

“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” ~Naomi Wolf - See more at: http://www.davidji.com/blog-2/page/8/#sthash.oUm0tqlc.dpuf

“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” ~Naomi Wolf - See more at: http://www.davidji.com/blog-2/page/8/#sthash.oUm0tqlc.dpuf

“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” ~Naomi Wolf - See more at: http://www.davidji.com/blog-2/page/8/#sthash.oUm0tqlc.dpuf

Can yoga help us overcome fear?

I'm not sure when I realized this; yoga has helped me to overcome many fears--fear of being seen, speaking in front of groups, trying new things. Insidious as it sounds, the benefits of a daily yoga practice have a way of sneaking up on you. Fear stopped me from moving ahead. I have and can use my practice to move through just about anything.

Of course, for humans, fear has kept us alive historically and presently such as: fear of moving objects, not having enough food and wild animals. Fear triggers the fight or flight response whether there is or isn't a life-threatening situation. It is one of the causes of some of our stress-related habits and illnesses.

 Patanjali explains in YS 1.12 Abhyasavairagyabhyam tannirodhah - that if we do the practice [any practice], we will be able to let go of the grip of things [i.e. fear] that stand in the way, and then we will move towards one-pointed focus [our goal=no fear].  

So what practice can you do?

• Asana, yoga postures - move a muscle, change a thought
• Gratitude- each more think of 3 things you are grateful for
• Smile - even if you don't feel it at first
• Chant a soothing sound-like ah or om
• Talk to someone who cares
• Take a walk
• Write in a journal
• Pranayama, try a cooling breath practice
• Meditation
• Breathe - take 3 deep breaths, count to ten
• Spend time with positive people
• Laugh - at yourself, movies, what ever you think is funny
• Play - with animals, children, in the dirt
• Create new things 
• Participate in a sport
• Avoid people, substances and behaviors that don't support you 

Each of these things can be made into a daily practice that can move you to a better place. Some of them are better achieved with the guidance of a trained professional, yet movement towards change is mandatory. Are all of these yoga? No. Can we achieve a yogic state of mind, de-stress and start to let go of fear through them? Yes.

Tomorrow I have to meet a new group of 50 people for my new business, and I'm scared. This is probably why I chose this topic. My life has lead me here and I am ready. I will do my practice, breathe, be prepared and take the plunge. 

 I'd love to hear stories of how you've overcome fear.

The Obstacles according to Patanjali

Patanjali

According to Patanjali (the sage who compiled the Yoga Sutra-195 aphorisms about yoga-approximately 2,000 years ago), there are nine obstacles that stand in the way of us developing one-pointed focus or a state of yoga.

Yoga Sutra 1.30 says that if we have difficulty attaining mental clarity, these obstacles listed below are creating distractions [citta (mind)viksepah (disturbed mind) te antarayah (obstacles and symptoms of suffering)]:
vyadhi (illness)
styana (apathy)
samsaya (doubt)
pramada (impatience)
alasya (fatigue)
avirati (over indulgence)
bhranti darsana (distorted perception)
alabdhbhumikatva (lack of perseverance)
anavasthitavani (regression)
{This translation loosely comes from Reflections on Yoga Sutra-s of Patanjali, by TKV Desikachar}

I realize that this is a simplification of the sutra, and I am trying to make it accessible to all.

As we move into the new year, I will be looking at these obstacles as they arise in my life and in my meditations.  I am inviting you to do the same.  Svadhyaya (self study) is not always easy and may at times seem impossible.  It is so important to have a teacher and/or a sangha (community of yogis) to work with.  Without sharing who we are with others, it's unlikely, we as regular humans will be able to see our defects, grow and change.

So what can we do? Daily practice of self-reflection is a great start.
One of my favorite chants is: namah namo namah
I surrender, I surrender, I surrender or It's not me, it's not me, it's not me

You can add the chant into your asana or sitting practice.  The funny thing about a practice with chanting is that you have to remember to listen to any messages that come your way.  So after you do your practice with your chant, be sure to give sufficient time for the messages to come.  How long? In the beginning, it might be 5 minutes.  Just see what happens.  I also chant in my head and aloud as I do things in my house, outside, driving.  It brings me great peace and I hope it does for you as well.

Feel free to ask questions or comment on your experiences.