Mantra – “I am balanced in giving and receiving.”

Topic 1 – Yoga: The Balance of Union

Reflection:
The word Yoga means “to yoke” or to connect—originally referring to the yoking of oxen, but for us, it’s about linking body, mind, breath, and spirit. Yoga is the art of balance: effort meets ease, strength pairs with surrender, and giving flows alongside receiving. When one side pulls harder or dominates, we lose harmony and feel the strain. Our practice today is a reminder: true peace comes when we honor both sides of life’s equation equally.

Metaphor:
Think of riding a bicycle. To keep moving forward, you need two things: you must pedal (effort) and you must balance (awareness). Pedaling is like giving—it’s your outward action, your contribution to life. Balancing is like receiving—being present, adjusting, and allowing yourself to be supported by the flow around you. If you only pedal without paying attention to balance, you fall. If you focus only on balance without moving, you stall. Both are essential to keep the journey smooth and steady.

Quotes:
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – Bhagavad Gita
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony.” – Thomas Merton
“To keep the lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.” – Mother Teresa
“Give, even if you only have a little.” – Dhammapada
“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” – Jana Kingsford

Topic 2 – The Two Seas: Flow or Stagnation

Reflection:
Both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are fed by the same Jordan River—life-giving water flowing into both. The difference is that the Sea of Galilee receives water from the north and then gives it back by releasing it to the south, continuing the river’s journey. The Dead Sea, on the other hand, only receives; it has no outlet. What happens? One becomes vibrant and full of life, the other becomes toxic, stagnent and lifeless. This teaches us: when we take in love, wisdom, or energy, but don’t share it or pass it on, we become stagnant. When we let life flow through us—receiving and giving back—we stay fresh, alive, and connected to the greater whole.

Metaphor:
Think of a circle of dancers passing a flowing scarf between them. The movement keeps the dance alive and beautiful. But if one dancer clutches the scarf and refuses to pass it on, the flow breaks—and the dance loses its magic.

Quotes:
“It is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi
“Generosity brings joy at every stage.” – Buddha
“Holding on is believing there’s only a past; letting go is knowing there’s a future.” – Daphne Rose Kingma
“When you let go, you create space for something better.” – Anonymous
“The gift of Dharma excels all gifts.” – Buddha

Topic 3 – The Mirror of Relationships

Reflection:
Our connections with others reveal much about ourselves. In Buddhist teachings, right speech and right intention are critical for balanced relationships. When we stifle our voices just to avoid conflict, we create imbalance—just as if one spoke and the other stayed silent, the dialogue would collapse. Healthy relationships thrive on mutual respect, honesty, and care. Think of your closest connections: do both sides feel seen, heard, and valued? Balance comes when both hearts are open and both voices are true.

Metaphor:
A balanced scale works when each side holds its rightful weight. If one side keeps taking while the other gives endlessly, the scale tips and becomes unstable—no longer able to serve its purpose.

Quotes:
“True love is born from understanding.” – Buddha
“Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.” – Buddha
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” – Carl Jung
“A relationship is like a house. When a lightbulb burns out, you don’t buy a new house; you fix the lightbulb.” – Anonymous
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

Topic 4 – Tuning Your Energy

Reflection:
In Buddhism, we practice wise effort—being mindful of where and how we direct our energy. Just like a musician tunes their instrument before a concert, we need to tune our energy so it flows smoothly and harmoniously. When we overextend ourselves or invest in situations that drain us, we become like an out-of-tune string: brittle, stressed, or dull. But when we care for ourselves wisely, our energy resonates—and harmonizes beautifully with those around us, creating not just personal peace, but collective harmony.

Metaphor:
A well-tuned string on an instrument not only sounds pure—it vibrates in harmony with the other strings, enhancing the entire song. One discordant note can throw off the whole melody, but when each string is balanced, the music is rich and full.

Quotes:
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
“Do not waste your energy on things you cannot control.” – Buddhist teaching
“Guard your energy like you guard your home.” – Unknown
“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.” – Buddha
“A well-tuned heart brings harmony to the world.” – Unknown

Topic 5 – The Circle of Generosity

Reflection:
Have you ever felt obligated to give or do something, and noticed how heavy that felt? Or received a gift and felt pressured to repay it, not out of joy but out of duty? That uneasy feeling comes from attachment and expectation—and it interrupts the natural flow of generosity. True giving is unconditional, and true receiving is open-hearted. Generosity is a beautiful cycle that keeps kindness, wisdom, and energy moving through us and around us. The Buddha taught that real generosity arises from joy and compassion, not obligation. It’s like the breath—we inhale to receive life and exhale to share it. When we give freely and receive graciously, we keep that circle vibrant and alive. Today, let your kindness flow outward, knowing that everything you offer returns in its own time and way.

Metaphor:
Breath is the perfect teacher. You breathe in to nourish yourself; you breathe out to nourish the world. If you only inhale, you suffocate. If you only exhale, you empty out. Life depends on this continuous exchange.

Quotes:
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.” – Buddha
“Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion.” – Dalai Lama
“The fragrance remains in the hand that gives the rose.” – Hada Bejar
“Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have.” – Jim Rohn
“A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things that renew humanity.” – Buddha

Meditation the dance between oposites:

SMELL:

The sharp scent of fresh Christmas Tree – The warm scent of vanilla.

The earthy smell of wet garden soil – The crisp smell of freshly laundered clothes.

The pungent aroma of garlic – The delicate fragrance of jasmine.

The bitterness of fresh-cut parsley – The sweetness of cotton candy.

The salty air by the sea – The smoky scent of a campfire.

The fresh smell of rain – The dusty scent of an old book.

The clean scent of a fresh cut lemon – The deep musk of sandalwood.

The smell of new leather – The airy fragrance of lavender.

The metallic scent of cold coins – The sugary smell of a bakery.

The tang of fresh paint – The mellow aroma of warm milk.

TOUCH:

The coolness of a marble floor – The warmth of sun-baked sand.

The prickliness of pine needles – The silkiness of a rose petal.

The roughness of tree bark – The softness of a fleece blanket.

The firmness of a yoga block – The squishiness of a sponge.

The stickiness of honey – The crisp dryness of paper.

The slick feel of polished glass – The grainy texture of beach sand.

The bite of winter wind – The hug of a cozy sweater.

The snap of a rubber band – The fluff of a feather pillow.

The sharp edge of a crystal – The rounded smoothness of a pebble.

The pressure of a handshake – The flutter of a butterfly landing.

SOUND:

The crash of ocean waves – The whisper of a light breeze.

The honk of city traffic – The hush of a quiet forest.

The ring of a temple bell – The muffled thud of footsteps on carpet.

The chirping of crickets – The creak of a wooden floor.

The sharp crack of thunder – The faint tinkling of wind chimes.

The pop of bubble wrap – The swoosh of flowing curtains.

The strum of a guitar – The hum of distant engines.

The roar of a crowd – The quiet drip of a faucet.

The whirr of a fan – The rustle of leaves.

The sharp clap of hands – The gentle lapping of water.

TASTE:

The tartness of green apple – The creaminess of melted chocolate.

The saltiness of ocean water at the beach – The sweetness of ripe mango.

The bitterness of black coffee – The smoothness of honey.

The spice of chili pepper – The cooling of mint.

The sourness of lemon – The blandness of plain rice.

The zest of orange peel – The mellow flavor of steamed potatoes.

The crunch of celery – The melt-in-your-mouth softness of ice cream.

The smokiness of grilled vegetables – The freshness of cucumber.

The astringency of unripe banana – The juiciness of watermelon.

The richness of avocado – The lightness of lettuce.

SIGHT:

The brightness of a full moon – The inky black of a starless night.

The vibrant chaos of a market – The stillness of an empty field.

The shimmer of sunlight on water – The matte finish of chalk on a board.

The fiery glow of a sunset – The dim light of dawn.

The colorful swirl of a carnival – The monochrome of a snowy day.

The flicker of candlelight – The steady shine of a streetlamp.

The glint of a polished gem – The dullness of an overcast sky.

The dense green of a forest – The barren expanse of a desert.

The soft haze of morning fog – The crisp clarity after a rainstorm.

The intricate lines of a spider web – The smooth sweep of a sand dune.

TEMPERATURE:

The sting of icy air – The caress of a warm breeze.

The heat of a cup of tea – The chill of an ice cube in your hand.

The warmth of sunlight on skin – The coolness of a shaded garden.

The crispness of autumn air – The heaviness of humid summer.

The blast of a hot shower – The splash of cold spring water.

The icy touch of frost – The radiance of a campfire.

The lukewarm wash of a tide pool – The searing heat of a metal chair in the sun.

The brisk wind on your face – The steaming mist of a sauna.

The tingling cold of snowflakes – The baking warmth of desert sand.

The draft from an open window – The still heat of a closed room.

Theme – Maintaining balance between receiving and giving.

My dad would often say that in order for a relationship to work, both people had to pull equally together. It was like two oxen pulling a heavy cart. If one was doing all the work and the other being lazy, the cart would go in circles. Both need to pull their weight.

The Story of the Dead Sea

In Israel there are two major bodies of water. One is the Sea of Galilee, a beautiful lake 13 miles long and 7 miles wide, filled with fish and surrounded by lush foliage. It is Israel’s largest fresh water lake and absolutely picturesque. The other body of water is the Dead Sea, 50 miles long and 11 miles wide and its shoreline is 1300 feet below sea level.

I have been told that seven million tons of water evaporate from the Dead Sea every day, and the saline or salt content of the water of the Dead Sea is 10 times saltier than the oceans of the world. The Dead Sea lives up to its name. No seaweed, plants, fish or any living thing of any kind live in or around or near the water. Fish accidentally swimming into the waters from one of the several freshwater streams that feed the Dead Sea are quickly killed by the toxic level of salt.

Both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are fed by the Jordan River. There is really only one difference between these two bodies of water, really only one thing that causes the Sea of Galilee to be beautiful and alive while the Dead Sea is barren and lifeless.

The difference is that the Sea of Galilee takes water from the Jordan River, and then it gives water back to the river. The water simply passes through the Sea of Galilee. As a result, the Sea of Galilee is full of life and beauty. The Dead Sea, on the other hand, only takes water, but it gives nothing back, and as a result it sustains no life. Those two bodies of water bear witness to a truth of human life. It is in receiving and then giving back that life and hope are sustained. In other words, The Sea of Galilee is a conduit, The Dead Sea is a container. The first is full of life, the second is full of death!

The same is true in our spiritual life. If you and I have spiritual input but no spiritual output, we will become stagnant, lifeless, bitter, and caustic. However, if we like the Sea of Galilee are receiving and giving back, we become vibrant, healthy and life-giving. This is the wisdom and reality of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.“

Healthy Relationships

“to be in any sort of relationship where you do not express yourself, simply to keep the peace, is a relationship ruled by one person and will never be balanced or healthy.”

“Respect, trust and kindness are the ingredients of a good relationship”

“A healthy relationship is one where you can’t wait to see that person. You love to be around that person. You can’t get enough of that person. You’re at your best when you’re with that person.” – Germany Kent

“If a person has made it into the inner sanctuary of the heart, where few enter, then I feel they are entitled to life membership which means they will always be loved. At the same time, the relationship, itself, is not entitled to life membership. It must be earned on both sides. A good relationship is a privilege; not an entitlement. One has to prove that one is worthy of the great benefits that come from a truly alive and real partnership.” – Donna Goddard, Love’s Longing

“I have to remember it is not love that has hurt me; but someone who could not love me in the right way.” – R. YS Perez

“We must not judge those whose shoes we are unable to walk in ourselves. Every human has an intuitive, guidance that is often clear to them but not to others” – Ashta-Deb

“If a house is built on an unstable foundation, cracks will begin to form as the house feels itself settling. Build a strong foundation and do not settle. The relationship we have with ourselves sets the foundation for every other relationship we have.” – David Scott

General Yoga

“You can not suffer because of the past or the future, for the time does not exist. What you are suffering from is a memory or your imagination

Be gentle towards all that remains unhealed and unfinished within you. The space between todays hurts and tomorrow’s healings is sacred ground.

Spiritual maturity is when a person hurts you and rather than try to hurt them back, you try to understand them instead.

“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

“Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to God.” – Krishnamacharya

The body follows the mind and the mind follows the breath.

“When the breath control is correct, mind control is possible.” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois

There is only one reality, but there are many ways that reality can be interpreted.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

“The hardness of a diamond is part of its usefulness, but its true value is in the light that shines through it.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

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

The major characteristic of love is the absence of conflict. When conflict is born and increases daily, true love gradually diminishes. Where conflict finds fault, love sees virtue. When love increases daily, its flower blossoms fully, spreading its sweet fragrance everywhere. ― Swami Kripalu

Understanding someone’s suffering is the best gift you can give another person. Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand, you can’t love. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit word that means “noble or awakened heart.” It is said to be present in all beings. Just as butter is inherent in milk and oil is inherent in a sesame seed, this soft spot is inherent in you and me. It is said that in difficult times, it is only bodhichitta that heals. When inspiration has become hidden, when we feel ready to give up, this is the time when healing can be found in the tenderness of the pain itself. ― Pema Chodron

“Don’t move the way fear makes you move. Move the way love makes you move. Move the way joy makes you move.” – Osho

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

A beautiful face will age and a perfect body will change, but a beautiful soul will always be a beautiful soul.

If you focus on hurt you will continue to suffer. If you focus on the lesson, you will continue to grow.

When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That is where your power is.

Sometimes things that hurt you most, teach you the greatest lesson in life.

Learn to sit back and observe. Not everything needs a reaction.

Never reply when you are angry. Never make a promise when you are happy. Never make a decision when you are sad.