Mantra – “Stop Feeding the monkey.”

Topic 1 – Riding the Waves of Emotion

Reflection:
Today, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the truth of our emotions. Just like cycles in nature, our feelings rise and fall — sometimes gentle, sometimes intense. That’s completely natural. Happiness is not linear — it moves in rhythms, not straight lines.

We aren’t doing anything wrong when we feel sadness, frustration, or fatigue. It’s just part of being human. On the mat, some poses might feel open and blissful. Others might challenge us. Neither is better — they’re simply part of the flow.

Breathe it all in. Celebrate the joy when it arrives. Soak it in like sunlight. And when it passes, trust that it will return, just as nature always does.

Metaphor: The Wildflower Bloom
In mountain meadows, wildflowers bloom for only a short time — bursts of vivid color, then fading back into the earth. But the roots remain, alive and waiting. Our joy is the same — it may fade, but it never disappears. It’s part of us, always gathering energy for the next beautiful bloom.

Quotes:

“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” – Pema Chödrön

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” – Thomas Merton

“Emotions are like visitors. Let them come and go.” – Mooji

“This too shall pass.” – Unknown

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

Call to Action:
Notice the moments of lightness today. Don’t rush past them. Let them soak in. And when they fade, breathe, and remember — this is the rhythm. Trust it.

Topic 2 – Not Every Guest Gets a Seat at the Table

Reflection:
Our minds are busy homes — full of visitors: thoughts, feelings, reactions. Some are welcome. Others? Not so much. But just because something shows up doesn’t mean we have to invite it to stay.

You don’t have to believe every thought. You don’t have to act on every emotion. This is the heart of mindfulness — seeing clearly, without attachment. The Buddha taught that we can let mental guests come and go without letting them run the house.

On the mat today, if resistance shows up — or judgment, or fear — don’t serve it tea. Don’t feed it. Just breathe. Just observe. Return to center.

Metaphor: The House and the Unexpected Guests
Your mind is a home. All day, guests knock. Some bring warmth, others bring chaos. You don’t have to slam the door, but you also don’t have to entertain them. Just let them pass through. You are the host, not the servant.

Quotes:

“You don’t have to believe everything you think.” – Unknown

“Feelings are just visitors. Let them come and go.” – Mooji

“Our life is shaped by our mind, for we become what we think.” – The Buddha

“Don’t invite the negative voices in for a long conversation.” – Jack Kornfield

“Watch the thought, but don’t get on the train.” – Tara Brach

Call to Action:
As you move through the day, notice who’s knocking at your mind’s door. Ask: Do I want to entertain this? If not, breathe. Return to now. Let it go.

Topic 3 – The Space Between Effort and Surrender

Reflection:
There is a deep peace in recognizing that not everything needs to be solved. If it can be changed — change it. If not — maybe it’s not a problem, but a truth to hold gently.

On the mat and in life, we often meet resistance. Our bodies, like our emotions, have edges. Not every tight hip opens right away. Not every feeling clears instantly.
Today, we practice knowing the difference between effort and surrender. Wisdom is learning when to soften instead of striving.

Metaphor: The Mirage on a Hot Road
Driving a long, sunlit road, you see a shimmer ahead — it looks like water. But as you approach, it vanishes. It was never real.
Some struggles are like that — illusions of what we think should be. Peace comes when we stop chasing the mirage.

Quotes:

“If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good.” – Shantideva

“Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.” – Eckhart Tolle

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is.” – Michael J. Fox

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – The Buddha

“Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose.” – Eckhart Tolle

Call to Action:
As you practice today, notice where you’re pushing. Is this a moment to try — or to trust? Let go when you can. Let it be.

Topic 4 – Stop Feeding the Monkey: Listening Beneath the Mind’s Noise

Reflection:
Our thoughts often swing wildly — past, future, judgment, fear. This is the “monkey mind.” It’s loud. It’s clever. But it’s not always wise.

The monkey isn’t the enemy. But we feed it — every time we chase thoughts, cling to emotion, or spiral into reaction.
Pema Chödrön reminds us: when we witness our emotions without reacting, we begin to free ourselves. Rumi says the soul has its own ears — but it can only hear when the monkey quiets down.

Today, in every pose, every breath, listen deeper. Let the monkey swing… but don’t give it another banana.

Metaphor: Stop Feeding the Monkey
Imagine a monkey tugging your sleeve all day. The more you feed it, the louder it gets. But if you stop — if you sit, breathe, and stay still — it eventually settles.
The mind is the same. You don’t have to fight it. Just stop feeding it.

Quotes:

“The soul has been given its own ears to hear things the mind does not understand.” – Rumi

“The more we witness our emotional reactions, the easier it is to refrain.” – Pema Chödrön

“Rule your mind or it will rule you.” – Buddha

“Do not feed your distractions. Starve them with silence.” – Anonymous

“Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, but recognizing we are more than our thoughts.” – Eckhart Tolle

Call to Action:
Today, if your thoughts get loud, pause. Smile. Don’t react. Don’t feed the monkey. Come back to the breath. Come back to the stillness where your soul is listening.

Mantra “Stop Feeding the Monkey.”

“The Leaf on the Stream of Consciousness: Embracing the Cycles of Happiness”

Once upon a time in a tranquil village nestled among lush forests and serene mountains, there lived a wise old monk named Tenzin. Tenzin was revered throughout the land for his profound wisdom and his deep understanding of the nature of happiness.

One day, a young seeker named Maya came to Tenzin, troubled by the ebb and flow of her emotions. “Master Tenzin,” she said, “I find myself riding waves of joy and plunging into depths of sorrow. How can I find steadiness in this turbulent sea of feelings?”

Tenzin invited Maya to sit with him by a gently flowing stream. He picked up a fallen leaf and placed it on the water’s surface. “Watch this leaf as it travels along the stream,” he instructed.

Maya observed as the leaf floated effortlessly, at times spinning in eddies, then swiftly carried away by the stronger currents. It seemed to dance atop the water, embracing each twist and turn of its journey.

“Like this leaf,” Tenzin began, “our happiness is not linear. It is cyclical, much like the seasons of the year. There are moments when we are carried swiftly by the currents of joy, feeling as if we are invincible. Yet, there are times we find ourselves caught in whirlpools of sadness, struggling to break free.”

Maya listened intently as Tenzin continued, “The leaf does not resist the water’s flow. It does not cling to the calm nor despair in the rapids. It simply allows the stream to guide its journey, knowing that each twist and turn is part of its path.”

“Similarly,” he said, “when you are full of joy, embrace it, soak it up, and spread your light to others. And when sadness visits, allow yourself to feel it, knowing that it is but a temporary phase. Just as the sunshine always returns after the rain, so too will your happiness.”

Maya pondered Tenzin’s words, watching the leaf until it was no longer in sight. A sense of peace began to fill her heart as she understood the wisdom in the monk’s analogy.

“Thank you, Master Tenzin,” she said, a smile blossoming on her face. “I now see that happiness is like the seasons, ever-changing, yet always returning. I will embrace each moment, whether it brings sunshine or rain, knowing that both are essential to the journey of life.”

And from that day forward, Maya walked through life with a lighter heart, embracing the cyclical nature of happiness, and spreading Tenzin’s wisdom to all who crossed her path.

OR

As we begin our practice today, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the nature of our emotions, much like the ebb and flow of the tides. Remember, “Happiness is not linear. We do not steadily become happier or sadder. Happiness is cyclical.” As we move through our poses, let each breath remind us of this cycle.

In moments of joy and ease within a pose, let’s fully embrace that bliss. Breathe it in deeply, and let it fill your entire being. This joy, this lightness, is a gift to be savored and soaked up, reminding us of the beauty in the present.

And when we encounter a challenging pose, when our muscles shake and our breath shortens, let’s gently remind ourselves, “When you are feeling down, know that this emotion will not last forever either; happiness will soon return.” Just as the sun always shines after the rain, our perseverance through discomfort will lead us back to comfort and peace.

As we hold our next pose, let’s envision the sunshine that follows the rain, understanding that both are essential to the cycle of life. It’s this cycle that teaches us resilience, compassion, and the impermanence of all things.

In today’s practice, let’s be patient with ourselves and with each other, knowing that whatever we are experiencing is part of a greater cycle. “Sunshine always reappears to those that have patiently stood in the rain.”

Let this wisdom guide our practice today, bringing us closer to understanding the true nature of happiness and suffering, and leading us towards a deeper peace within ourselves.

“Create your future today. Tomorrow is soft and pliable like clay. Your hands are the sculptor, creating your future with your thoughts and actions today.” – David Scott

March is often known for the winds of change that it brings our way. Make sure you are open to changes around; changing paths and changing energy.

In the grand flow of life, these inward moving energies are conducive for fine tuning and helping to bring greater clarity, awareness, and focus. March is the month to bring love and light into your life. Focus every day silently for at least five minutes on the word Love and think about its true meaning. Spend a few minutes just feeling the energy of the full Moon.

Spring is the Best Time to Clean Out Your Life — Start With:

Cleansing Your Spirit.

Clean out closets and drawers.

Clean off the clutter around your sleeping area.

Clean out old papers and receipts.

You can take your time and do this cleaning over the next few weeks.

“Yoga begins right where I am – not where I was yesterday or where I long to be.” –Linda Sparrowe

“Do your practice and all is coming.” – K. Pattabhi Jois

“You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.” – Deepak Chopra

“Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.” – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.” — Algernon Charles Swinburne

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” — Pablo Neruda

“When it comes right down to it, all you have is yourself. Your Self is a sun with a thousand rays…” – Pablo Picasso

“Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forwards to become the person they’re meant to be.” –B.K.S. Iyengar

“What is coming is better than what is gone.” Arabic Proverb

“If we could unfold the future, the present would be our greatest care. The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation. Do something today, your future self will thank you for.” – David Scott

“The future is completely open and we are writing it moment to moment.” – Pema Chödrön

“The soul has been given its own ears to hear things mind does not understand.” – Rumi

“The more we witness our emotional reactions and understand how they work, the easier it is to refrain.” – Pema Chödrön

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because some day in life you will have been all of these. George Washington Carver

“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the highest source. I salute that source in you. Let us work together for unity and love” -Gandhi