As humans we become habituated to certain things within our environment, social structure, and interpersonal relationships. As a direct result of this, we develop certain boundaries around our experience of enjoyment and satisfaction; these are called preferences. So the human prerogative to choose amongst our preferences, in many cases, is equivalent to the human prerogative to choose amongst our fetters. In the yogic understanding these preferences can be experienced in two forms; Raga: likes and Dvesha: dislikes. 

According to Swami Sivananda:

“Raga-Dvesha in the mind is the real Karma. It is the original action. When the mind is set in motion or vibration through the currents of Raga-Dvesha, real Karmas begin. Real Karma originates from Sankalpas (desire) of the mind. It is the actions of the mind that are truly termed Karmas. External actions manifest later on. It is desire that sets the mind in motion. When there is a desire, Raga and Dvesha exist side by side in the mind. Desire is a motive force. Emotions and impulses co-exist with desire.”

Take, for example, the case of thirst. If you have the habit of drinking soda when you are thirsty, the brain habituates to the soda, creating a preference for soda. Then, when you experience a feeling of  thirst, you will more than likely reach for a soda instead of an alternative. Consequently, when soda is unavailable, forcing you to choose a less preferable alternative, dissatisfaction occurs. Essentially, the habit has limited your capacity to enjoy. 

So, we learn how to enjoy life through our habits; binding ourselves through repetition and precedent. We derive a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of security from indulging our “likes” and rejecting our “dislikes”. Unfortunately, this indulgence only provides us with a “sense” of satisfaction and a “feeling” of security. And, as Swami Sivananda so aptly points out, this process is deeply interwoven with our emotions and impulses. Therefore, the indulgence of raga (likes) presumes the presence of fear and anger. This, because in the absence of the object of our desire, we are bound to become angry and dreadfully fearful of being without. 

So, although it is not immediately obvious, detachment from our creature comforts, our status symbols, and our expectations of others is a more direct route to a truly enjoyable and satisfying life. Furthermore, and most fortunately, we never have to try to detach ourselves from anything. Trying to detach doesn't work and can, in fact, be counterproductive. Instead, focusing our attention in this moment on gratitude, abundance, and love will attract those same qualities to us. Where your attention goes, your energy flows. And the more you do it, the more you'll do it. 

For more information on how to implement this process, come to a yoga class with Heather Promise.  

Dinner at my place! SRI is home. Come together with the family for a potluck dinner. Wander through the little garden, sample the variety of yummy dishes and drinks, tour the facilities, and certainly ask questions about solar energy, composting, sustainability, and more. Heather Promise will be at SRI tonight to discuss our upcoming project, Insight: Critical Thinking for Kids. Meet the author, Patricia Pfetsch, and find out how you can help further the cause. Remember that today is AZ Gives Day, so get online and donate to your favorite charity, Sustenance Research Institute. 

Go to the site. Click "Donate". Search for us by name...and Thank you for your help!

AZGives.org

The fountain of youth flows through an expanded mind.

Space (akasha)

Wherever there is space, there is expansion. You can see it happening in every direction, not only in the natural sense (trees growing, rose buds blooming, the deltas of every river), but also in the ways that humans interact with their environments. For example, a skyscraper expands into upper space, and a metropolis sprawls into suburban space. A man occupies some space on the moon. And with each expansion into a new space, a new perspective emerges. 

So, what happens then, when you look inside? The space of the mind, internal space, is as vast and as potent as, what we call “outer space”. And just like “outer space”, the more we explore internal space, the more capable we are of seeing a new perspective of our world. Fortunately for us, we were born with all the equipment required to access the deep space of the mind. And it is free. 

Energy (prana)

Energy emerges in space. For example, in clearing a corner of the kitchen, energy emerges, often in the form of a lovely, nutritious meal. Stretching and clearing space within the body (joints, muscles, organs) results in the emergence of energy in the form of more range, comfort, and good general health (and also more “energy”). Furthermore, when we shed the extraneous layers of mental “stuff” (anxieties, stressors, old conversations, dilemmas, etc.) and clear the mind-space, energy emerges in the form of a new, unlimited perspective.

An expanded mind is more capable of rich experience, more receptive of life’s possibilities, and more imaginative. An expanded mind is a marker of youth. 

Try this:

Get comfortable and close your eyes. Take a few slow, deep breaths through the nose and relax. 

Affix your gaze (under closed eyelids) as if to see beyond your thoughts into vast and empty space. Whenever a thought or pattern of thoughts disrupts your view, push past those thoughts and look more deeply into the vacuum of the mind. 

This technique cannot be performed incorrectly. Therefore, let go of any expectations, moving beyond even those thoughts into the spacious, unlimited mind.  

Thank you to everyone who participated in our event last weekend. Together we raised enough money to redesign our website and begin our campaign for Arizona Gives Day on April 7th.

Also, Congratulations to Kenna Walker, the winner of our Prize Raffle!

Finally, we are proud to announce our affiliation with Fry's markets and their Community Rewards Program.

Stay tuned for more info on these and many other ongoing projects at SRI.

View full newsletter here.

Join us on January 17 and 18 for an Open House at SRI. Events include: Rummage Sale, Raffle Drawing, Dead Yoga, Tantra Vinyasa, and two workshops on how to write your yoga classes off on your taxes next year.

Rummage Sale begins at 7:30am both Saturday and Sunday.

Register for the raffle drawing on site. You could win a Bodywork Package valued at $270

Dead Yoga begins at 2pm on Saturday and Tantra Vinyasa begins at 11am on Sunday.

View full newsletter here.

Please consider giving your end of year donation to our cause. We are a local start-up nonprofit organization whose goals include: Introducing and implementing mindfulness training into local elementary schools. As you may know, our public education system is underfunded and in dire need of a diversified curriculum. Our children deserve to understand the import of taking care of their minds and bodies in the face of ever-growing environmental stressors. Our program will help to increase self-confidence, ensure better academic performance, and enhance the education experience for children in our community. We thank you!
Click the "Donate" button on our Website: www.VisitSRI.org


Heather Promise presents Yoga Classes. In appreciation for your donation, Heather Promise is offering 5 weekly yoga classes at her home-studio in Chandler, AZ. No registration is required. Come as your are to learn techniques that will provide your mind and body with the tools necessary to maintain your health, vigor, and positivity. Click the link below for the most current class schedule.

We are pleased to announce that our non-profit application has been accepted by the IRS and that our research and training institute has been officially formed.

Please join us in celebration of this event and to learn more about our organization at our open house on

Saturday January 10, 2015 5pm-8pm

Visit SRI.org

1216 W. Straford Dr.

Chandler, AZ  85224

(480) 370-7405

www.VisitSRI.org