Combining yoga asana (postures) and meditation is a fantastic way to practice.

The meditation works from the inside out and the asana works from the outside in.

Yoga classes focus primarily on the body and the breath – learning how to let the breath guide the body; making the body stronger and balancing the breath . When we add meditation to the mix we are now working with body, breath and mind.

Of the three, mind has the most influence and can affect the most change. Positive emotions and thoughts balance the breath and influence the body.

Thanks for sharing.
YeShey

Great question – where do all the thoughts come from?

To be honest it does not really matter. The thoughts are not the problem. There are two problems:

1. We do not have control of the thoughts, they are in a constant state of flux and flow. They interrupt and distract us all the time.
Shamatha meditation helps us to calm the mind and teaches how to keep the mind focused and balanced resulting in physical and mental well being.

2. We tend to grasp onto the thoughts and view them as something solid. One thought leads to another and another and gives rise to emotions and memories. From there we have one of three reactions – positive, negative or neutral. If is positive, we want to hold on to it, make is last longer or re-create it, if it is negative, we want it to go away and if it is neutral we do not notice it. All three options cause an imbalance in the mind and we feel uncomfortable.
Our goal is to merely observe. When we are able to do this, the grasping subsides, and the balance of the mind increases and lucidity and awareness in each moment increases.

It is important to note here to not have any expectation, they clutter the mind with a critical view.
Just relax and observe. The technique will do the rest.

Yeshey

Absolutely loving this journey with your guidance and the group consciousness…

with Gratitude, Coco

At first I thought that I did not agree that thoughts are an addiction – it is the nature of the mind to think. So I looked up the word addiction in the dictionary definition:

“the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma”

And now I am quite sure I do not agree.

Thoughts are not a habit, thoughts are only a segment of the mind (which we explore in depth in Step 3). Thoughts are not the enemy. The way that we respond to the thoughts is what causes us to create habits and result in trauma.

The whole point is HOW we react to the thoughts.

When we react to anything we create a seed that will give fruit. If we do it over and over again we create habits. If our reactions make very light impressions, they are easily eradicated, and do not create habits. When our reactions are strong they make deep impressions, and habits that are difficult to overcome.

It is true that we would love to have respite from the constant barrage of thoughts that Maggie refers to. This brings great peace to the mind and spirit. It is also true that the thoughts are incredibly difficult to control. The good news is that we are learning how to overcome this constant barrage of thoughts and when they do come, to not react to them so intensely.

During meditation, treat thought like wind that blows through a house that has the front and back door open. No harm, no foul. Just the wind, just thoughts.

Thanks for your help,

Maggie Rose