Kalani Das

The EVOLVE Podcast

an exploration of mindfulness, spirituality, and conscious living.
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A Natural Practice

June 26, 2016 by kalani

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mindfulness-kalani-meditationHold what is but do not hold it to be anything.
Work with all that comes from Heaven, but do not seek to hold it.
Just be empty.

The perfect man’s heart is like a mirror.
It does not search after things.
It does not look for things.
It does not seek knowledge, just responds.
As a result, he can handle everything and is not harmed by anything.

- The Book of Chuang Tzu

They tell us to clear our minds, to empty the space in our heads, to focus on non-thinking. What tool will you use to reach this state, your mind? Will you think your way out of thinking? Will you clear your thoughts with different thoughts? How will you suppress the parade of images that seem to flow freely? Even if you could press a button and reduced the chatter in your mind, how would you guarantee that only the most useful thoughts remain?

If your mind is busy, active, and creative, isn’t this obviously its natural state? If you take the position that your mind is over active, that is should be less active, aren’t you also implying that there is something fundamentally wrong with the way you are? If your position is that you have a fundamental flaw, you will likely spend a vast amount of time and energy trying to change your very nature. This type of approach to creating inner peace and a quality life experience is sure to pose constant challenges, and in many ways, puts you at odds with nature.

How can you expect to create mental harmony when you refuse to accept your fundamental nature? The human design is the product of millions of years of evolution. Is it realistic to take the position that it’s somehow not what it is supposed to be–that we should all be different than we are? Even when taking the view that we are designed intelligently, is seeking a workaround to this design respectful or appropriate?

If your goal is greater mental clarity, harmony, and contentment, then you first need to gain a realistic view of the conditions, challenges, and resources you have to work with.

There’s a better way to create harmony within yourself and between yourself and others–a way that accepts your nature and embraces your ability to move beyond confusion into clarity, harmony, and contentment.

First: Accept the nature of your mind. Rise above the need to view your design as flawed. You are not flawed–you are human. You have a special type of mind that requires an insightful approach to creating inner peace and harmony. Accept your mind as creative, imaginative, busy, and prolific. Celebrate these qualities. Enjoy the richness of your imagination.

Second: Become an observer of your mind. Become curious. Watch your mind like you would the weather. Everything you observe is natural. Accept every thought and feeling as they move through your awareness like the weather moves across the land. Resist the temptation to think of it as anything but natural. Resist the temptation to label thoughts and feelings as good or bad. Resist the temptation to suppress or clear your thoughts. Simply watch the parade with a sense of wonderment.

Third: Choose and use the thoughts that serve your values, leaving the rest behind. Know that most of your thoughts are nothing more than repetitive displays of your imagination, creative possibilities, and improbable scenarios. Be amused, but not annoyed. Be surprised, but not afraid. Be intrigued, but not irritated. Be curious, but not confused. Your mind is trying to help you by showing you possibilities, giving you choices, offering you options. Let it make these offerings, then choose the thoughts you want to use to help you reach your goals. Not all thoughts are created equal with regard to usefulness. This topic will be discussed in greater detail in a future episode.

This is your thoughtfulness practice.

There is nothing wrong with your design you only need to become more skilled in using your mind, just the way it is.

  1. Accept the nature of your busy mind.
  2. Observe your thoughts without judgment.
  3. Choose to follow those thoughts that serve your values.

Take this practice with you anywhere and cultivate it anytime. Use it to create more harmonious relationships, both inside yourself and between yourself and others.

When we choose this approach for ourselves and cultivate our practice, our relationships and communities will reflect the changes. All positive change begins with you. It’s easier than you think.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and know that–You Are Loved.

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Music by Layne Redmond, Greg Ellis, and Azam Ali. Cover art by Cameron Grey.

See the Credits Page to find out more about our partners.

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Filed Under: EVOLVE, Mindfulness Tagged With: beingness, clarity, contentment, happiness, harmony, health, kalani, Love, meditation, mindfulness, Mindfulness-based stress reduction, neuroscience, peace, practice, Presence, Spirituality, stress reduction, thoughtfulness, wellness

Judge Not

January 31, 2016 by kalani

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Artwork by Cameron Gray.
Artwork by Cameron Gray.

All this talk of purity and impurity –
These are just opinions. Beyond them are the astonishing energies of creation.
Rays of light from a trillion suns you illumine the alter of your sky.
Rolling blue-green oceans sanctify the air you breathe.
In this moment, you are inhaling their blessing.
Who are you to call any of this pure or impure?
Find the center around which everything revolves– stand here and be flooded with joy.
- The Radiance Sutras

Are we separate, or are we part of the great oneness of the universe?

We stand at the alter of the night sky, Often feeling small, insignificant, and separate from all that is. But isn’t the opposite the truth? Are we not also part of, and connected it to that which the Greeks called the Universe? - the One Song.

Is the flowering plant separate from the ground in which it grows? Uproot any plant and you will have the answer. The seed provides the idea and the earth takes on a new form. What we see, label, and categorize as separate, are in reality, part of the same. The seed asks the earth to express itself as the flower. Everything that grows up from the earth IS the earth in a unique expression of celebration.

“I am not a tree!” You say. “I don’t have roots stuck into the earth. I’m an individual. I’m not dependent on the earth like a flower.” When we believe that we are something separate from the source of our being, we turn towards a path of suffering, of feelings of separateness, of insignificance, and powerlessness.

When we admit to ourselves that we are, in fact, part of the Universe, part of the Earth, and nurtured by the same creative Spirit that sways the oceans and illuminates the night sky, then we turn ourselves towards the path of limitless love, feelings of strength, and connectedness.

Rumi once wrote:

“These forms we seem to be are cups floating in an ocean of living consciousness. They fill in sink without leaving an ark of bubbles or a goodbye spray. What we are, is the ocean, too near to see, though we swim in it and drink it in. Don’t be a cup with the dry rim, or someone who rides all night and never knows the horse beneath his thighs, the surging that carries him along.”

 Have you ever paused to observe the divine power of creation that flows with in your own body?

What a miracle it is, the Gift of Life–to be animated, expressive, a self-aware expression of the Earth!

Take time to sit and be still enough to experience the sensation of being. Feel the hum of universal energy inside your body. This energy came from a star, traveling millions of miles, nourishing plants and all the creatures of the oceans and the land. You are blessed with life!

Spend time each day in appreciation and gratitude for this life experience. This is your time. Know that you are a unique expression of the earth, nurtured by the same force that drives a tree to grow and flowers to bloom.

Let go–and allow the One Song to be witnessed through the earthly expression you call your life. Your heart is the heart of the universe.

Jesus said, “Judge not, least ye be judged.” The ego judges while the heart loves. The mind tries to solve puzzles, while the soul dances freely. The body experiences sensations. It is up to you, the Observer, to create your life from the inside out. You are everything you need.

Your practice for today and beyond: See yourself and others as unique expressions of the earth, different notes in the same melody of the One Song.

 

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Filed Under: EVOLVE, Mindfulness, Self-Esteem, Spirituality Tagged With: being, beingness, happiness, health, joy, lowering anxiety, mindfulness, miracle, peace, Personal Development, Presence, sleep, Spirituality, stress reduction, thoughtfulness, wellness, Yoga

Calm in the Storm

January 10, 2016 by kalani

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Splash11Kalani discuss the idea of the Holographic Mind - the idea that all thoughts, feelings, and emotions are linked together through the mind's network of neuro-connections. Having a human mind os having a busy mind, but thoughts don't need to become runaway trains of thinking. Kalani provides some simple practices to help  you create a functional and productive relationship with your mind and actually enjoy the process.

Share this PODCAST with anyone you think would benefit.
Send your questions and comments to Kalani by using the contact form.

This podcast features music by Azam Ali, Greg Ellis and Layne Redmond & Tommy Brunjes.

 

 

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Filed Under: EVOLVE, Mindfulness, Spirituality Tagged With: being, beingness, happiness, health, joy, Love, mindfulness, miracle, peace, Presence, Spirituality, wellness, Yoga

Experience Being

August 31, 2014 by kalani

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Splash17When we suspend labeling, categorizing, associating, and judging, we open up the possibility for greater awareness of being. Being or "experiencing the now" is one of the goals of a medication or mindfulness practice. Wherever you are, you always have the potential for experiencing the world as it is and fastening feelings of wonderment and connectedness to all that is. In this episode, Kalani discusses ways to deepen your life experience by using your senses and managing thoughts that can distract you from reaching this simple and profound goal. Share this show with anyone you think could benefit.

Music for this episode by Layne Redmond, Greg Ellis, and Azam Ali. Used with permission.

 

 

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Filed Under: EVOLVE, Mindfulness, Spirituality, Stress Reduction, Thoughtfulness Tagged With: being, beingness, happiness, health, Love, meditation, mindfulness, miracle, peace, Presence, stress reduction

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Categories

Teachings

  • Everlasting Contentment
  • Good News and Neurons
  • Associations
  • A Natural Practice
  • Surrender to Beauty
  • Staying Centered
  • The Truth
  • The Enlightening Path
  • Ohana – The Key to Kindness
  • Life is Sensational
  • The Sacred
  • Anger
  • Judge Not
  • Life Is Now
  • Calm in the Storm
  • Experience Being
  • Liberating the Soul
  • The Nature of Thought
  • Peace of Mind
  • Seeing as New
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