Entries by derik

Atmanivedana: Observations

I did not expect a big change from the few weeks of this experiment but I was wrong. There were lots of positives and lots of negatives that came from adding a daily asana practice at this time in my life. Some of the obvious positive benefits that came from this are the physical. I […]

Atmanivedana: The Unexpected

I guess you cannot have the good without the bad, however. I feel it important to point out some of these details because I have noticed it multiple times over the past ten years anytime I get very serious about my practice and a shift is occurring in my life.  There is almost a force […]

Atmanivedana: Conclusion

I do believe there is much more going on here and this is not a direct result of the experiment and would never want to discourage people from beginning this path based on these results. These three weeks have almost allowed me to create some space between me and these issues and see that it […]

SATYA

This Axis YTT student gives an insightful interpretation of the yama satya (truthfulness) during the yama/niyama experiment. Students apply a chosen yama (restraint) or niyama (observance) to their lives to better understand their role in Yoga.

SATYA: INTRODUCTION

When the time came to choose a yama or niyama, I decided I would allow my choice to choose me.  I ended up in the satya or truthfulness group.  Initially, I thought this experiment would give me the opportunity to give my supervisor a piece of my mind.  However, the more I studied, the more […]

SATYA: DESIGN

Observation I feel irritated and frustrated at work and desire to feel more at ease during the workday. Hypothesis If I memorize the Gayatri Mantra and chant it for 15 minutes at the beginning of my day and at the end of my work day, then I will feel more at ease and less frustrated […]

SATYA: REFELCTIONS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 I feel like I have to lie to myself to keep from speaking my feelings. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 If the Supreme Self who holds the Supreme Truth and resides in me has already mastered satya, why is it so difficult for me? WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 I avoided discussions that […]

SATYA: CONCLUSION

After conducting this experiment, I realize the amount of time, I waste at work talking about things that do not need discussion and the positive difference meditating on the Gayatri Mantra has made in my overall work day.  At times, when I became frustrated or irritated, I found myself repeating the words of the mantra […]

Accepting Self, Others and Life

The yama of Ahimsa can be practiced in many different ways. This Axis YTT student chose to practice “no harm” in the form of personal relationships. But as is not unusual, the journey brought insight into other areas of life as well.

Accepting Self, Others and Life: Analysis

I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life.  However, I did not realize it was such a problem until the last couple of years when insomnia started to take over my well being.  After a while, I made the connection that my insomnia was a product of my anxiety.  One of the reasons […]