Day 33: Yoga Sutra 1.3 - Abiding In True Nature
Seeing the World With Love
Day 33: Yoga Sutra 1.3 - Tada Drastu Svarupe Avasthanam
Then the Seer Abides in His True Nature.
One of the greatest joys in my life is facilitating Yoga Sutra Study classes. At any given time, I usually have four or five different groups diving into this ancient wisdom. There was a moment when I considered turning this into an on-demand course, where students could simply watch videos. Yes, that would be less work on my part. But the real value comes through teaching it live—returning to the subject material every day with different students, allowing the teachings to reveal new layers of truth about ourselves.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali can be seen as one of the earliest mental health guides, offering a roadmap to understanding the mind, calming it’s fluctuations, and ultimately reaching liberation. Sutra 1.3 reminds us that when we quiet the mind, we return to our true nature. And through teaching these classes, I find that I return to mine.
A Lightbulb Moment
Today, I walked into a class feeling irritated because someone gave me unsolicited advice—again. As I shared my frustration, one of my students reminded me of a discussion we had last week about karma.
“You taught us last week that you only get bad karma if your intention is bad,” she said. “So his intention probably wasn’t to annoy you. He was probably just trying to connect with you.”
Wow. Lightbulb moment. (I’ve taught my students so well that they are now MY teachers too! lol).
These people giving me unsolicited advice aren’t trying to bother me. They’re trying to connect with me. And how nice is that - that they want to connect with me and make me feel welcome to their group! (And realistically..if my biggest problem is people giving me advice, then I really don’t have problems at all.)
All of a sudden, my heart was no longer in a state of contraction. It was in a state of expansion. All of a sudden, I realized that people weren’t trying to annoy me - they were trying to connect with me.
Spiritual Practices for Returning to My True Nature
I realized this month when I read The Power of Now by Echart Tolle that I was addicted to being in pain and suffering. The pain and suffering for the last five years has been self created. I made my business as chaotic and stressful as possible so that I could constantly be under stress. Because otherwise life could be too simple. To easy.
Now that I’ve implemented systems and practices, life feels too good. Too easy. Too simple. So I’m creating problems for myself. Like letting people annoy me. So that I have something to ruminate on in the back of my head, rather than enter into my new default: which is joy, peace and bliss.
When I notice my mind is entered into that contracted, slightly annoyed, ruminating state, there are a few spiritual practices I am implementing right now to try and come back to my true nature.
BIG. From The Craving Mind by Judson Brewer. When my mind starts ruminating on something annoying, I interrupt it by saying BIG—reminding myself to expand my heart as much as possible, to make my heart as BIG as possible.
Love or a Call for Love. From A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson. Every human action is either an expression of love or a call for love. If I feel triggered, I ask: Are they offering love, or are they asking for love?
The Most Generous Intention. A lesson from one of my students, who learned it from a doctor. Instead of assuming someone is trying to frustrate me, I assume they’re acting with kindness and connection in mind.
These practices are reshaping my reactions, helping me break free from the cycle of pain and suffering, detaching from the triangle of drama (learned from How to Die Happy by Martin O Toole), and choosing love instead.
The Seer Abides in True Nature
When I return to my true nature, I see everything through the lens of love. I move through the world with a softer heart, seeing connection rather than conflict.
And here’s a new mantra/English song mashup I came up with today on this theme:
Show Me Love
Don’t let me show cruelty though I may make mistakes
Don’t let me show ugliness though I know I can hate
And don’t let me show evil though it might be all I take
Show me love, show me love, show me love.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.
May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
We ended the night with a New Moon Ceremony for The Mindful Life Practice Members, anchoring into these intentions as we move into February. I can’t wait to begin The Bhagavad Gita course tonight (!!). If you’d like to join, you can sign up here.
In service and gratitude,
Alexandra
Upcoming Online Courses
Bhagavad Gita Studies
The Bhagavad Gita offers timeless wisdom for navigating life’s challenges with grace and purpose. This program is designed to make the Gita’s teachings accessible, relatable, and transformative.
*Two timings, one for North America and one for Europe*
Dates and Details: Link
Module 1:
Group A: (North America): Sunday February 2, February 9 and February 16 at 6:00pm EST (Bali): Monday February 3, February 10 and February 17 at 7:00am AWST
Group B: (Bali) Tuesday February 4, February 11 and February 18 at 6:00pm AWST (London) Tuesday February 4, February 11 and February 18 at 10:00am BST
Module 2: March 30/31, April 13/14, April 27/28
Module 3: June 1/2, June 8/9, June 15/16
Pranayama & Meditation Yoga Teacher Training
This 100-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training focuses on pranayama and meditation techniques, particularly for mental health. By the end of the training, you’ll have a solid foundation to lead these practices with confidence.
*New Timing Offered*
Dates and Details: Link
Starts Feb 10th
6:00pm-7:30pm AWST (Bali Time) on Mondays
10:00am London
2:00pm Dubai
Upcoming Retreat
One spot in a shared room left on the Adventure to India March 9 - 19, 2025.
One room left on the United Arab Emirates Retreat February 21 - 23.