‘What ever you look for you shall find. If you believe something will not work, all you will see are obstacles. But if you believe it will succeed, you will see opportunities.’ – David Scott

This idea reminds us of the incredible power of our beliefs and perspectives. When we doubt ourselves or our path, every challenge can seem insurmountable. Our fears and uncertainties create barriers that hinder our progress. However, when we approach life with a belief in success and a positive outlook, we begin to notice the opportunities that each challenge presents.

In our yoga practice, this mindset is especially important. As we move through our poses today, let’s embrace a perspective of possibility and growth. When we encounter a difficult pose, instead of seeing it as an obstacle, let’s view it as an opportunity to learn, to grow stronger, and to deepen our practice.

Remember, our thoughts shape our reality. By choosing to believe in our potential and focusing on the opportunities rather than the obstacles, we can transform our experience on the mat and beyond.

“Breathing in, I know I’m breathing in. Breathing out, I know As the in-breath grows deep, The out-breath grows slow. Breathing in makes me calm. Breathing out makes me ease. With the in-breath, I smile. With the out-breath, I release. Breathing in, there is only the present moment. Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.” Thich Nhat Hanh

“Be at least as interested in what goes on inside you as what happens outside. If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.” – Eckhart Tolle

“Breath, the universe is taking care of everything else.”

“Silence isn’t empty. It’s full of answers. To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders and reveals itself.”

“We do not judge the people we love, we judge the people we fear.” – David Scott

Based on an examination of our DNA, any two human beings are 99.9 percent identical. Why do we focus so much energy on the .01 percent that is different?

“Some people try to be tall by cutting off the heads of others.” — Paramhansa Yogananda but in the end they are never tall.

“Often relationships only need a little space and distance in order to bloom and blossom.” – David Scott

“We only judge in others, what is uncomfortable within ourselves. As we judge others, we mirror what we don’t like about ourselves.” – David Scott

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” – Buddha

“Life comes with twists and turns. I try my best to embrace what comes my way with openness, curiosity, and kindness because I trust it’s all part of my path. I want to live it ALL – the ups and the downs – with integrity, faith, and joyful energy” – Alison Kate

“New beginnings are often disguised in painful endings.”

“Nothing glows brighter than the heart awakened to the light of love that lives within it.” – Guy Finley

“Practice is about patience, control, and breath. Enjoy the moments when it clicks and the moments when everything unravels — they are both phenomenal teachers.” ~ Kathryn Budig

“There is no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.” – Kathryn Budig

“Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.” ~ Alan Cohen

“In its highest form, not judging is the ultimate act of forgiveness.” – John Kuypers

“The highest spiritual practice is self-observation without judgment.” – Swami Kripalu

“While being uncomfortable and vulnerable is not an easy path, it’s the most direct route to becoming stronger and wiser.” – Robert Biswas-Diener

“Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons.”- Denzel Washington

“What good are wings without the courage to fly?” – Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird

“People Generally See What They Look For And Hear What They Listen For,” – To Kill A Mockingbird

“It is the possibility of a dream coming true, that makes life interesting.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

When you get tired, learn to rest and not to quit.

“Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality.”

“Life is a question and how we live it is our answer.”

“May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela

“The way to happiness is: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, give much. Fill your life with love. Do to others as you would want done to you.”

The eyes are useless when the mind is blind.

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, and the black, curious eyes of a child— our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.” – Stephen R. Covey

“Life isn’t as serious as the mind makes it out to be.” – Eckhart Tolle

“Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.”

Nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded. “If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths.”

The Dalai Lama was asked what surprised him most, he said “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” ~ Dalai Lama

“Nothing in the world can purify as powerfully as wisdom; practiced in yoga, you will find this wisdom within yourself. – the Gita

Mindfulness is Untying the Knots

Here is a beautiful way in which Buddha explained to his disciples about mindfulness and untying the inner knots:

Untying the Knots: A Story from Buddha’s Teachings

Once when Gautama the Buddha came to teach his disciples, he was carrying a beautiful silk handkerchief in his hands. Thousands of disciples were waiting and as they saw him walking towards them they were surprised to see such an article in the Buddha’s hand as it was most unusual.

When the Buddha addressed the gathering he asked “what do you see?” and they said, a beautiful silken handkerchief. Then slowly the Buddha started to put knots on the handkerchief, one after another, until he put 5 knots. Then he asked whether it was the same handkerchief. His disciples answered that it was the same handkerchief, yet different, as it was in knots now.

The Buddha said that is what I want you to understand. You are all Buddha but you cannot see the silken fine fabric because you are in knots.

I am like the same handkerchief but without knots.

Then he went on to pull the handkerchief from both sides and asked whether the knots would open this way.

They spoke in unison saying that this way the knots will in fact tighten and become more difficult to open.

Then the Buddha asked, why do you then try to open your knots by pulling? He continued to say that while your intention in doing so is good, your very doing is its undoing. It is trying too hard, taking too much trouble. You are making it more complicated.

He then further asked that if he needed to open these knots, what was needed to be done?

A monk answered that he would come close, observe and try to understand how the knots were formed. And if one saw how they were formed, one would be able to undo them.

Then Buddha said that is right and ended the sermon saying this is all he wanted to teach them. He ended by saying they needed to meditate upon their own knots.

Mother Theresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”