| We are often taught to scorn doubt and fear, but | | | | is to discard the "self-doubt chip." |
| some may claim this is the age of doubt. After so | | | | Much like computers, we are programmed; but it |
| many political, banking, and business scandals, | | | | is time to look at self-doubt for what it is. |
| what is left to believe in? Many sports icons, | | | | Self-doubt is only a hurdle, but it can be so |
| movie stars, musicians, and religious figures have | | | | formidable that people freeze in their tracks. It is |
| fallen from grace. Who are we to believe in? | | | | the little voice within that says: "I can't do it." You |
| In Yoga, we are taught to look within and believe | | | | can listen to that little voice all of your life, or find |
| in ourselves. If the sky falls tomorrow, the | | | | the inner-strength within each of us. |
| people, who work to solve the problem, will have | | | | Remember that even a mouse will bite, if it is |
| to look deep within to find the solutions. This is | | | | cornered. This reaction is not by choice, but it is |
| the gift of humanity today: People can create | | | | primal behavior we call "survival instinct." If a |
| positive solutions during the worst of times, and | | | | mouse can muster up some inner fortitude, we |
| these are not the worst of times. | | | | can too. Does this mean we need a dose of |
| This is the timeless gift of Yoga: This ancient | | | | faith? |
| system can help anyone grow mentally, | | | | In each time period, spiritual leaders had made |
| emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Your initial | | | | statements about the need for more faith. While |
| exposure will likely be through a physical system | | | | faith is a wonderful quality, blind faith has caused |
| like Hatha Yoga, but there is so much more in | | | | senseless violence, Holy wars, holocausts, and |
| terms of holistic benefits. | | | | witch hunts. Faith, with a careful dose of |
| Yet, there are doubters who believe there are no | | | | understanding, compassion, and loving kindness, |
| solutions to depression, anxiety, stress overload, | | | | toward one's neighbors, is a powerful formula. |
| and poor health. The same people will tell you | | | | Therefore, we must move forward with |
| there are no solutions to poverty, hunger, global | | | | compassionate faith and realize that doubt is |
| warming, or the current global economic crisis; but | | | | often the driving force behind innovation and |
| there are solutions if we seek them. | | | | creativity. Yogic philosophy is consistent. In the |
| At this time, new world leaders are being elected | | | | higher forms of Yoga, such as Bhakti, Raja, Jnana, |
| for their abilities to lead us out of the darkness. | | | | and Karma, an aspirant learns to find the good |
| We can shake, panic, and cry, but we cannot | | | | within. |
| afford to stand still. The change within each of us | | | | |