November Musing

In September I was quoting one of my favorite piece of wisdom from the Upanishads.

" Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny." - Upanishads

It is still a profoundly true and humbling quote. Focusing on our thoughts is not easy. The pre-requisite to it, to quiet the mind is even a larger challenge. I hope that you all were able to find some time in solitude and quietude. As we are turning into Fall and Winter it is time for some introspection. 

Finding our more peaceful, more content ways of being could never come at a bad time, but with Thanksgiving approaching it is even more relevant. Families and friends come together around a dinner table to share time, laughter and a meal together to remember and be reminded what is truly important. This month, follow a simple gratitude practice. Every nite, before you go to sleep write down three things you are grateful for that day. They can be from big things, such as your family, peace, your general health, to small things such as the lentil soup you got the chance to experience that day... or a smile you received from a stranger. Just notice by the month's end your heart will be filled with so much love and compassion. Sitting at the Thanksgiving table, it will be difficult to select only a few things you are thankful for to share with your loved ones.

And if you feel so inclined share your blessings, thoughts on gratitude with the Quiet Mind Community on our Facebook page or on our Blog. 

This month is a big one in other ways as well. Many people on the East Coast are recovering from the devastation Hurricane Sandy brought upon them. Our hearts go out those greatly affected. I hope all of you are safe and back to mostly normal routines by now. 

It is also the month of the presidential elections. The future of this country and the world depends on all who can practice their democratic right to vote. In the Western world, the USA has the record of one of the lowest voter turn out of all countries. As a citizen of a former Socialist country, where democratic rights were not granted, I encourage you to get out there let your voice heard. And I am not alone. On this day when there is a great divide in this nation, yoga unites. On Election Day, Nov 6th, the Washington DC area yoga community stands for unity by bringing people together in complimentary yoga classes all day, including Quiet Mind. Please come early with a mat to ensure a spot at class. For information on this effort and also on other participating studios, visit  

www.electiondayyoga.com .

Finally, this month and the next are filled with many wonderful events at Quiet Mind that can help you find that inner peace, formulate your blessings and just to connect, connect, connect with like minded people. To list all the upcoming events here briefly would be impossible so just scroll down in the Newsletter to our November Events (and beyond) section or go straight to the website. We are always excited to see you at the studio. One of the true blessings that we all feel here. Thank you :)

Namaste.

Rita and the Quiet Mind Tribe

October Musing

Last month I was writing about beginnings and intentions. September being the start of the school year, we associate that month with beginnings and resolutions. I hope you all had some fun beginnings, set some meaningful intentions, and now are ready to settle into October and the rest of the Fall. 

This month, circling back to intentions, I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes I not only use in yoga classes but I try to live by as well:

" Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny." - Upanishads

It is a profoundly true and humbling quote. Our mind is full of unfiltered thoughts every minute of the day as we are surrounded by "noise" in our lives. We worry constantly, as expectations weigh us down. From family, friends, and society. There is an image out there what happy, accomplished, successful is and we thrive to achieve it no matter what. We study, we work hard and once we reach one goal, suddenly there is something else out there that family, friends, and society tell us we need to maintain happiness and satisfaction. And it becomes a vicious circle of "overscheduling", "overworking", "overdoing" and "overworry" unless we are able to pause and quiet the outside world down to check out what truly makes us a success in this life. Then focusing our energy fulfilling those dreams.

"Watch your thoughts; they become words...". But how can we even attempt to watch our thoughts when there is so much noise out there and in our minds?  We need to set aside time to reflect and contemplate, to find mental stillness. We need to cultivate silence. There is too much chatter in our minds so we need to unplug at times from the TV, iPad, smart phones, newspaper, the radio, family, friends and society. We need to learn to be comfortable with silence, which is another way saying to be become more comfortable with ourselves. Yoga and meditation help us with quieting the mind and finding this comfort.

Once we start to deepen our understanding of our true Self, our deeper rooted intentions and desires, the chain of actions described in the Upanishads quote will bring us that happiness and contentment. Just think of a situation from the recent past when you were reacting to something negative, and you reacted too fast... Maybe you thought of anger, you perhaps chose hurtful words and upset someone you love or respect. Then try to imagine how the situation would have been if you were operating from that deeper understanding of your Self, and the sense that everything links together. You probably would not have gotten angry so fast, used different words and the situation could have been resolved in a more satisfying manner. Does it sound familiar?

That is what this quote and yoga teach us. Finding our true intentions within our hearts is not easy. But once you do, your words, actions, habits will reflect it and you will have a bright destiny.