Episode 2 - Tools for Living your Dharma

Episode 2 - Tools for Living your Dharma

Chara and Maria talk about their “tools” for living a good life! Influenced by yoga, Ayurveda and many bright and beautiful teachers, the two discuss the values and emotional qualities that have helped them navigate the bumps in the road to becoming their best selves.

Show Notes:

Principles and practices that help Chara and Maria navigate life.

Yamas and Niyamas: Donna Farhi writes beautifully about the first two limbs of yoga in her book Yoga Mind Body Spirit: https://www.donnafarhi.co.nz/product/yoga-mind-body-spirita-return-to-wholeness-amazon/

They can be accessed here: https://healthy.net/2005/07/13/the-ten-living-principles-yamas-and-niyamas/

Honesty, Truth, Satya, the second yama: A nice read on Yoga International here: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/satya-a-practice-of-truthfulness

Judith Lasater, “the truth is such a relief”: read how she talks about satya here: https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/to-tell-the-truth

Alice Walker on truth: https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/10/06/alice-walker-lying-eleanor-wachtel-interview/

Adrienne Rich on truth: https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/11/13/adrienne-rich-women-honor-lying/

Sam Harris on lying: https://www.brainpickings.org/2012/08/03/sam-harris-lying/

Simplicity/Elimination: when you are unwell, not asking what do I need, instead asking what I can I let go of. Some quotes to inspire simplicity: https://www.doyouyoga.com/yoga-formula-15-quotes-inspire-simplicity/

Jack Kornfield on letting go: “To let go does not mean to get rid of. To let go means to let be. When we let be with compassion, things come and go on their own.” – Jack Kornfield

Nice little piece on letting go: https://www.madeirabeachyoga.com/2018/12/04/what-are-you-carrying/

Courage: to step out of security and into possibility - to be guided by your inner compass

Brene Brown on courage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVynHlI1fac

Brene Brown on vulnerability: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en

The courage to teach yoga: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/5-things-ive-learned-as-a-new-yoga-teacher-so-far

Compassion:

Brene Brown asks, “Do you think that people are doing the best they can?

Great conversation with Russel Brand on his podcast, Under the Skin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5TkA7d7eTw

“I know my life is better when I work from the assumption that everyone is doing the best they can.” – Brené Brown, Dare to Lead

Stephen Porges on the connection between the vagus nerve and compassion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntgKn54jX4

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”Brad Meltzer

Obstacles to Connection: Avidya: forgetting that we are all manifestations of the same essential life force.

Comprehensive definition of avidya: http://www.adishakti.org/_/avidya.htm

Karma: fast karma helps you remember your best, most intentional self. Teaching yoga puts you in touch with your best self.

Curiosity: the curiosity for self reflection (svadhyaya), to fuel growth and learning.

Bessel van der Kolk on how trauma can dampen curiosity and connection: https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/06/20/the-body-keeps-the-score-van-der-kolk/

Identify your own tools for living - the process of reflecting on what helps you and what hinders is valuable. We both enjoyed the process and hope you do too.

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