Topic One – “Are you wearing a shock collar?”

In Buddhist teachings, we often explore the concept of conditioned responses—our automatic reactions shaped by past experiences and attachments. Much like the dog with the shock collar, we learn to limit ourselves based on perceived boundaries. The dog walks to the edge, feels the pain of the shock, and over time, even when the collar is turned off, it becomes conditioned to believe it cannot go beyond a certain point. The boundary is no longer real, but the dog’s mind has been trained to accept the illusion of limitation.

We, too, carry invisible shock collars—patterns of thought and behavior that convince us we are stuck, unable to move forward. Perhaps it’s fear, doubt, or old wounds that keep us from exploring new possibilities. We are conditioned by past hurts or failures, believing that if we venture beyond our comfort zone, we’ll experience pain again. But just like the dog, this boundary exists only in our minds.

In Buddhism, the practice of mindfulness helps us recognize these conditioned responses. By observing our thoughts without attachment or judgment, we begin to see that many of our limitations are self-imposed. The collar isn’t real. The boundary isn’t fixed. The more we practice awareness, the more we realize that we can walk beyond the illusions our mind has created.

Today, as we move through our practice, let’s consider the places in our lives where we may have become conditioned—areas where we believe we cannot go further. Through mindfulness, we can begin to gently remove the collar of fear or doubt and step beyond our self-imposed boundaries, finding liberation in the realization that we were free all along.

Supportive quotes:

“No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this, we become free.” — Buddha

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” — Buddha

“Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.” — Buddha

“One is not bound by the chain of circumstances; one is bound by the chain of their thoughts.” — Swami Vivekananda

Topic Two – Living unattached to outcomes

“You have the right to work, but for the work’s sake only. You have no right to the fruits of work. Desire for the fruits of work must never be your motive in working. Never give way to laziness, either. Renounce attachment to the fruits. Be even-tempered in success and failure: for it is this evenness of temper which is meant by yoga. Work done with anxiety about results is far inferior to work done without such anxiety, in the calm of self-surrender. Seek refuge in the knowledge of yoga. They who work selfishly for results are miserable.” – Bhagavad Gita

Let’s explore a timeless teaching from the Bhagavad Gita, which beautifully aligns with the principles of yoga and mindfulness. The verse reminds us that we have the right to work, but only for the sake of the work itself, not for the fruits it may bring. Often, we find ourselves consumed by the outcomes of our efforts—whether in our careers, relationships, or even on the mat. We get attached to achieving certain poses or hitting particular milestones. But yoga teaches us to let go of this attachment, to be fully present in the action without grasping at the results.

Imagine planting a garden. You carefully tend to the soil, sow the seeds, and water them daily, but you cannot force the flowers to bloom. You trust the process, knowing that you may or may not see the flowers you envision. Your job is to nurture the garden, not to demand the outcome. In this way, yoga asks us to do the work and let go of the expectation of reward, finding peace in the effort itself.

This teaching also speaks to even-temperedness in both success and failure. Just as the waves of the ocean rise and fall, so do the results of our efforts. Sometimes we achieve what we set out to do, and other times we do not. The key is to maintain a sense of calm through both—knowing that neither defines our worth. In today’s practice, let us focus on the work we do in each pose, not striving for perfection or a particular result, but simply showing up, doing the work, and surrendering the outcome. This is the essence of yoga: finding balance, not in external achievements, but in our own peaceful presence.

Quotes to support:

“The journey is the reward.” — Chinese Proverb

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” — Rumi

“Let go of the attachment, keep the intention.”

“Attachment leads to suffering. You can only lose what you cling to.” — Buddha

“When you let go of what you are, you become what you might be.” — Lao Tzu

“Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.” — Rumi

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer

Topic Three – Regrets during old age

In her book The Five Regrets of the Dying, Bonnie Ware, a Hospice Nurse, shares insights from those in their final days, and their reflections often reveal the wisdom found in Buddhist teachings. These regrets are powerful reminders of the importance of living mindfully and authentically, without letting life’s fleeting nature slip away unnoticed.

One of the most common regrets is the wish to have lived a life true to oneself, rather than living up to others’ expectations. In Buddhism, this speaks to the idea of dharma—the path we are each meant to walk. When we conform to others’ desires, we stray from our own path, often losing sight of who we are. Imagine a river trying to flow along a path not its own, diverted by rocks and barriers, never fully realizing its natural course. It becomes turbulent, restless. But when the river flows freely, following its true path, it moves with grace and ease. So too do we, when we live authentically.

Another regret is wishing they hadn’t worked so hard. We often become attached to the idea that productivity and success define our worth, losing sight of the present moment in the process. The Buddha teaches us the importance of right livelihood—working in a way that does not drain our spirit or keep us from what truly matters. We are reminded that our time and energy are finite resources, and that it’s not about how much we accomplish, but the quality of our presence in each moment.

Expressing feelings, staying in touch with friends, and allowing oneself to be happier—these regrets show us that connection and joy are integral parts of a meaningful life. Buddhism teaches us about metta, or loving-kindness, the act of extending compassion to ourselves and others. Like a plant that only thrives with water and sunlight, we too need to nurture our relationships and our own well-being to flourish.

So, as we move through our practice today, let’s take a moment to reflect on these lessons. Ask yourself: Am I living in alignment with my true self, or am I being swept along by expectations that aren’t mine? Am I making time for joy, for connection, for the things that truly matter? Like the river, we can course-correct and flow along our authentic path, creating a life without regret.

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” — Buddha

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” — Steve Jobs

Jimmy Buffet sang “I’d rather die while I am living, than live while I dead.”

“The trouble is, you think you have time.” — Buddha

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest and let your soul catch up with your body.”

“What is true happiness? It’s when your words, your thoughts, and your actions are in harmony.” — Mahatma Gandhi

“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” — Shannon L. Alder

“A true friend is someone who is there for you when they’d rather be anywhere else.” — Len Wein

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” — Buddha

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” — Elisabeth Foley

“Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are, it solely relies on what you think.” — Buddha

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Elliot

“20 years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.” – Simon Sinek

What passion is your favorite today?

“You can only control two things your attitude and your activity.”

“When you’re different, sometimes you don’t see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn’t.” – Jodi Picoult

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian Larson

A goal is a dream with ACTION behind it! Tamara Rasheed, Breaking Free

“Dreams mean nothing if they are not followed by action.” Jason Harvey

“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” – Golda Meir

“Tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are.” – Chinese Proverb

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal;’ nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson

We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action. – Dr. Henry Link

Goals point to where you want to end up, not where you are today. Catherine Pulsifer

The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self. Dalai Lama

“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” – Seneca

How do you react to what frightens you? Do you allow fear to paralyze you, or instead do you use it as a rocket to propel you? “A WOUNDED deer leaps highest.” Emily Dickinson

Rumi said, “Find you wound and you can find your purpose. The wound is where the light enters.”

“We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in.” – Ernest Hemingway

The person that falls and gets up, is stronger than the person that never experienced falling.

“I’ve learned more from pain than I could’ve ever learned from pleasure.”

“People treat you the way you teach them to treat you.” – Jack Canfield

“One of the hardest decisions to make in life, is to know when to “walk away” or when to try harder.”

“God is still trying to write your story, Quit trying to steal the pen.”

“She was unstoppable, not because she did not have fears, or doubts, but because she continued on in spite of them.”

“One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.” Chinese Proverb

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Quote

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Mayu Angelou

“A gentle reminder, that your heart is a muscle and it needs to be exercised, so love often and love deeply.” Beau Taplin

“I’m not looking for somebody who will whisper sweet nothings into my ear to feed the ravenous ego of my heart. But someone who can look me straight in the eye and say, I love you, whether you fail or fall, just as you are.” – Beau Taplin

“We’re all so desperate to be understood, we forget to be understanding.” – Beau Taplin,

“I want somebody with a sharp intellect and a heart from hell. somebody with eyes like starfire and a mouth with a kiss like a bottomless well. but mostly I just want someone who will love me. when I do not know how to love myself.” – Beau Taplin

There are a few things in life so beautiful they hurt: swimming in the ocean while it rains, reading alone in empty libraries, the sea of stars that appear when you’re miles away from the neon lights of the city, city streets after 2am, walking in the wilderness, all the phases of the moon, the things we do not know about the universe, and you.