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The Mind Now that you have worked on the physical poses, you are ready to move to the next step, understanding the philosophy behind your practice. Yogic Philosophy Yoga originated about 5000 years ago in India but only recently has it reached western societies. Today more than six million Americans are regularly practicing. Unfortunately the focus of many Yoga programs especially those associated with the health club are focused on the body. It is very important to understand the concepts that are the foundation of Yoga. Yoga after all is the union of body mind and spirit. It is a lifestyle that incorporates the following concepts into daily practice through Yoga, meditation and service to others. Many people talk about “out of body experiences”, the real focus of Yoga is to put you back in your body, in the moment, in touch with your feelings and emotions so you can face the normal stresses of life with a firmer footing. It also enables you to become better at communication,
especially listening so that you can be more effective in
relationships and in the professional world. Overcoming the Control of the Ego (Manny wrestling his head to the ground…Get out of my head he shouts) The ego is what keeps us attached and locked to the prison of our senses. This attachment arises from the survival instinct. As we move our awareness beyond the level of the fight or flight response into heightened states of consciousness, we can more easily identify with the universe and take a more detached view of events. In this way we can become the masters of our emotions, instead of being a victim of emotions. Meditation and contemplation are useful ways we can escape the confines of our ego and approach problems from a more enlightened vantage point. At work, this might mean challenging the directives of a superior if you believe you are right. It could mean listening rather than wailing against constructive criticism that a superior is sharing with you. Going beyond the confines of your ego means owning your own power and staying centered at all times. It also means being humble, as all beings are equal. If the executive staff gets to know the cleaning and maintenance people on a first name basis, everyone in the organization is made to feel important. By reducing the hierarchy of command in the organization you empower your human capital and raise the potential of the organization to become co-creators. At home this may mean giving your children the opportunity to discover their own unique talents and not forcing your belief systems upon them. In your relationship with your significant other this may mean taking a step backward from an argument that is repetitive and unproductive. Perhaps using one of the breathing techniques we learned in the earlier chapters. Ultimately this may help you to understand that you do
not need to control others and to honor the differences that
make your relationships meaningful. Beyond Dualism (picture of Oscar as Devil and Saint) The “Western Mind” is very focused on opposites, good and bad, right and wrong. The need to label everything as right and wrong and defend our point of view makes us all warriors. Sometimes we wage war when we should be giving love and compassion. Instead of having to label everything as right or wrong Yoga asks us to view things in terms of cause and effect. For example it might not be inherently evil to modify the genetic make-up of corn so it is resistant to insects, however since Monarch butterflies are insects they will be affected by the action and biodiversity of the planet will be effected. Divorce is never a pleasant phenomenon especially when there are children involved and it takes a tremendous toll on the family, however there are times when it is appropriate. For example, if one spouse is preventing the other from evolving because they fear change, a dysfunctional marriage is inevitable and would cause a host of other problems in the family. We spend so much of our energy defending our point of view. If we could just free ourselves of the need to convince everybody of our point of view we could unleash positive energy that could be channeled into more productive pursuits. By understanding cause and effect we take a detached view
of things. Being detached doesn’t mean not being
concerned. In fact when you are detached your responses are
more compassionate and they come from higher states of
awareness rather than your habitual emotional reactions. By
incorporating non-duality you’re your thought process
you will be better able to make more rational decisions
without having to wage battles. You will gain a better
appreciation of all sides of the story. How Can I Serve, How Can I Help? One of the most important concepts in Yoga involves service. Ultimately every business organization exists to fulfill a purpose. Encouraging volunteerism amongst employees is one of the best ways to build an excellent customer service team. If you encourage employees at the individual level to exhibit positive behaviors they are likely to turn around and exhibit these in the service of your customers. Thus a chain reaction of positive behavior has begun and can extend beyond the workplace. Before you meet with a potential client/customer try to perform a “Loving Kindness Meditation”. It will help you focus on their needs as opposed to you Ego, which is telling you that you must close the deal. By focusing on how you can help and serve you instantly change the exchange of energy from receiving to giving. The pressure is taken off both parties and your potential client/customer will respond accordingly. The key is to focus on giving without the expectation of something in return. You will find that you become a better listener and the potential client/customer will immediately sense that you are dialoging with her not at her. It is very empowering to replace the burden of having to close a transaction with “how can I help, how can I serve”. You may also find that you are actually coming up with more effective solutions that will create a greater degree of loyalty in the long run. In this way your business relationships will survive ever shortening product life cycles and by opening communication with the customer you will continue to refine your product or service to meet their ever-changing needs. Another example is Mary Kay cosmetics, a Christian Based company. There motto is God first, Family second and company third. The key to their success was to develop a culture where values, especially to family community and spirit were respected. The Marriott Hotel Chain, a Mormon based company uses a similar approach to develop excellent customer service skills. In our era with the blurring of the demarcation lines between personal life and business, organizations that create a balanced life approach will maximize their human capital and outperform their competitors. I have founded a company called Yoga for Business that
helps companies train employees and executives to use
spiritual practices to improve motivation, customer service
and encourage change. Currently we are in the process of
developing a study to determine the benefits of this type of
motivation on sales, turnover, healthcare costs, etc. The
results of this study will be published in the fall of 2002.
Please visit our website www.yogaforbusiness.com
In our personal lives the focus on “how can I help, how can I serve” can be extremely beneficial in our sexual relationships as was discussed earlier. I suggest using the Loving Kindness Meditation before lovemaking. When you are focused on how you can serve your partner, you will be released from performance anxiety. In addition changing the focus away from your gratification will paradoxically bring you more gratification as your partner will sense the energy exchange and will feel a heightened sense of arousal. In addition, by focusing on how you can serve you will find yourself slowing down and enjoying the moment. Service is also key to raising children. Instead of feeling burdened by the demands of your family you can rejoice and participate in activities with a more positive attitude. The emotion of love is very powerful and should be used frequently. Children also need to be taught compassion skills in the
same way we teach math or science. In order to have
successful relationships, children need to understand how to
give to others. I had started a Kid’s Care Club in my
hometown where I got children involved in helping out in
nursing homes and homeless shelters. I recommend these
activities for all children four and older. Understanding Karma or Past Actions (Picture of Manny at the $6.99 buffet special. Picture of expanded Manny leaving the buffet) The term Karma means action. Each action you make generates a reaction and a memory associated with that action. The objective of Karma Yoga is to accept the fate of your Karma from previous actions so that you don’t generate any new Karmic debts. Ultimately we want to be able to transmute our past Karma for the benefit of ourselves and others. We are a bundle of cosmic software, which according to yogic tradition is called Karma. We are made of the same atoms and molecules that existed as a point of light in the beginning of the universe. We are not separate or distinct from it. Likewise our brain carries the memories of all life forms that exist on earth. We are a walking Hologram of creation. Science has shown us that we have a mammalian, reptilian, and amphibian structures in the brain. From a physiological perspective we also carry the memories of creation and who we really are. In addition we carry the memories of past incarnations, memories of our race, our species, etc. Yoga and meditation helps us understand our software so that we can begin to understand what makes us tick. It is possible to advance to the state where you can use memories vs. allowing memories to use you. When you understand your Karma you will no longer be a victim of it. You can then work on the more important task of transmuting your Karma into your Dharma, which is the reason, your soul made this life’s journey. For example if you had a past incarnation whereby you made your living by selling unhealthy addictive products to others, in the current incarnation you might be a victim of that addiction. To free yourself of that Karma you may start a Smoking Cessation Business. By transmuting your Karma you will not only help yourself, but also repay past debts to others. In doing so you will alter the flow of energy in the universe, the contribution you can make, will also be the most economically beneficial use of your talents. This is the hidden force behind many successful business enterprises. As we progress through various incarnations we are accompanied by other souls with whom we have shared past Karma. Yoga and meditation helps us to understand relationships with family, friends and co-workers from a broader more universal perspective and may help us to develop more compassion for others who are struggling in their journey. We don’t have to solve everyone’s problems and we certainly do not have to take responsibility for the actions of others. We can however become a better listener and can lead by example. This may mean letting our children make mistakes, even though we want to shelter them from the pain. By focusing on how you can serve others you will generate
good Karma. An abundance of good karma will make it easier
to accomplish your goals and move toward Dharma. If you can
take a painful experience and turn it around, by helping
others in the process you gain positive Karma. With
Meditation and contemplation you will begin to uncover your
Karma and begin to devote attention to living a life of
purpose. The Right Season (Synchronicity) (Picture of Oscar giving Annie a Valentines Day Card on Labor Day) The regular practice of meditation will increase and enhance the synchronistic moments of your life. The dictionary defines synchronicity as a coincidence of events, where there is a simultaneous action, which is related. For example picking up the phone to call someone and finding him or her on the other line. Synchronicity can be used in many areas of your life…It can be used to build a business, form an advisory board, find a strategic partner, or meet your soul mate or experience wonderful vacations. Consider that every person you meet offers you an opportunity to learn and grow. By staying alert and in the moment you can capitalize on opportunities when they arise. Daily Yoga practice will help you to refine these sensibilities. I have also used synchronicity when on vacation. Vacations are the best time to practice getting comfortable with stepping into the unknown and letting go. The known is our past; there is no growth there. When you go on vacation try to go to different places and seek out adventure. There are newfound friends to be made, different countries to learn about, and interesting places to explore. In a recent trip to the Dominican Republic we dined with new friends, explored waterfalls, journeyed through rainforests and enjoyed learning about life in their country. Each day you’ll begin to let go of your judgment and
expectations and each day enjoy yourself even more. Yoga
will help to open the mind so you can experience the full
potential, unlimited possibilities in life so you will find
that your desires are fulfilled with less effort. Understanding Hidden Motivations and Meanings Yoga when practiced in a group can be extremely powerful in improving the relations within an organization or a family. It can help members of the group to: a) Get in touch with their emotions and feelings and
empathize with others In the family setting these principles can help us avoid hurt, which can become anger. For example your parent may be confrontational and grumpy. Perhaps it is that they are in pain, or maybe they are
not happy with the way their life was lived. Try to use the
Loving Kindness Meditation the next time you are with a
difficult family member. Smile at them and send them love.
Remember that it is not your responsibility to solve their
problems. It is your responsibility to be compassionate and
to send love. Focus on the Process (Picture of Manny eating dinner while thinking of desert) When a runner trains for a marathon they will tell you that they do not focus on the entire task, they take one step at a time. By staying in the moment you can become much more effective in accomplishing goals. When you focus only on the outcome you lose the spontaneity and the flow of creative energy dries up. You can practice using the stuff of your daily life as fertile ground for your meditation. The Yoga for Healthy Living Program is all about applying the principles of Yoga to your daily life. The other books which are entitled “Human Resource Initiatives Present: Firm Footing, Enough is Enough and Soy Diversity” help us to work, make economic decisions and eat more mindfully. Ultimately all of your actions can part of the meditative state so that you will be walking in the light divine energy at all times. This is what it means to be enlightened. In business we should consider all problems as potential business models because the represent opportunities for creative thinking. The key is not to force one solution on a problem, which only creates new problems, but to construct several possible solutions. By looking at multiple solutions, we’re much more likely to reach a positive result. This is in fact the methodology nature uses to promote evolution and progress. In evolution nature attempts to solve problems by trial and error. All great inventors have had many false starts before they made their discovery. The key is to suspend judgment and not consider false
starts failures but opportunities for further growth. By
keeping an open-mind we submit ourselves to many learning
experiences and opportunities. Dharma or Purpose in Life Just as every business has as a mission or business model, each individual has their own special purpose in this life. As a Yogi, the most important thing we can do is to discover our mission or purpose for this life. Often it is the one thing we can do better than anyone else and when we are doing this activity we are in a state of timeless awareness, bliss. For a business organization, helping employees to discover their purpose can be extremely beneficial for improving productivity and enhancing creativity. This approach is tied into the “how can I help, how can I serve” concept.] If the employees truly believe that the organization wants to help them grow and develop, they will respond by giving their all back to the company. In addition the company will be more willing to evaluate employees strengths and facilitate job transfers and retraining. It is a win win situation for everyone. If you are on a path to pursue your Dharma your spouse or significant other may be helpful in your journey especially if they are open to exploring their own path. Where your spouse or significant other feels threatened, they will become an obstacle, the relationship may have to be terminated so that you can proceed with your evolution. In the family, it is very important to help children discover their Dharma. Often times we either push our children to pursue our dreams or use fear to get them to choose a “secure occupation”. Much of our unhappiness in life stems from being unfulfilled in our jobs. The key t raising happy and healthy adults is to allow
children to find their own path and provide guidance when
necessary. Balance (Picture of Annie Manny and Oscar in balancing position.) In the Yoga for Healthy Living program I have developed a pose called “firm footing in a changing marketplace” along with other positions that are metaphors for a state of mind. In this exercise, try to balance on one foot. If you loose your balance you can catch yourself with the other foot. Okay now lets switch to the other foot. This exercise if practiced daily will help you to incorporate the belief that you can be flexible to changes in your environment and you will always land on your feet. This exercise is also useful in balancing left and right brain functions a topic we will address shortly. Try to solve problems using all of your senses. We each have a bias of using only one of our senses and subjugating the rest. We need to bring the rest of our senses into the equation and trust our gut reactions. Use all your assets. Spend time in silence each day. Through mediation and focused concentration we can improve our synchronicity. Meet the right people at the right time, be prepared when opportunity presents itself, and find what we are here to do. If a client of yours was running a business and not fully utilizing their assets they would probably go out of business. As a proactive advisor you would make sure they leveraged all their assets to achieve their business goals. Many of us are not using all our potential; we are running on one Brain Hemisphere and only using one or two senses. We rarely if ever engage in quiet contemplative thoughts. It is important to consider all the technologies that will alleviate you from certain mundane chores because the time freed up can be re-allocated to creative business building. You will be very empowered by upgrading your skill and repositioning yourself for success in the new economy. But above all imagine how secure you can feel knowing
that you are staying ahead of the changing marketplace. By
embracing technology you will remain a competitive and vital
force in your industry. Bringing Love into the Workplace Fear can be a potent motivating force, but over the long-term the effects on human capital can be damaging. If all the participants in the marketplace are using this form of motivation, then you will have is high turnover and stress-management-problems similar to what we are experiencing in today’s fast paced environment. An alternative, and more long-term solution would be to change the motivation from fear to love. Love based motivation will create a sense of loyalty and purpose and the energy levels achieved can be sustained. In your own business you can move away from a fear basis motivation to a love basis of motivation by using the Loving Kindness Meditation we discussed earlier to motivate employees and improve customer relations. By calling on your higher self, you can also tap into the “cosmic computer” and get information that will be helpful to your customers and employees. When we connect with employees at this level the dialogue becomes more meaningful. The employee will recognize the concern immediately and the results are improved performance. The employee then uses the same approach for customers, fellow employees and others. The loving kindness virus will spread quickly throughout these relationships. The core of relationships will then be built on
compassion, care, trust and respect. Developing an excellent
customer service base requires having all employees focus on
“how can I help, how can I serve our customers”.
The best way to begin to inspire this attitude is at the
very top of the organization with top-level executives and
managers. This will ensure that the organization is
committed to this philosophy. Bringing Love into the Home We are very much a touch-deprived society. The human being was designed to live in groups with a great deal of physical interaction. We have become isolated even though we live together in condensed metropolitan areas. A study was recently done among various cultures regarding the number of physical touches between couples. It is no surprise to find that our culture is at the bottom of the list. Just go to any health club and you will see people are paying large sums of money to have some interaction with their trainers. For those not in committed relationships I strongly recommend a cat or dog. Studies have shown that interaction with our pets can help us live longer happier lives. In addition any one with compromised immune systems should consider regular weekly massages. For those in committed relationships time must be made for communicating through touch. Busy couples might have to schedule a date and stick to it. Massage and gentle stroking are in fact very stimulating and can be an excellent method of foreplay. It is also a way to put the “how can I help how can I serve” principle into operation. It is most powerful when you do the meditation before and during the massage. © 2007, Bruce Eric Van Horn If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health. - Hippocrates
Author, CPA, MBA and
yoga instructor Bruce Van Horn founded Yoga for Business,
Inc., a company devoted to organizational and individual
wellness. He presents a daily Yoga Workout routine that
provides a complete physical, mental and spiritual workout.
He is the author of Yoga
for Prostate Health and
Yoga
for Men, designed for all
levels of experience with yoga.. He has renamed (Asanas)
positions in Yoga using terms from business to help you
identify with the movement and focus your attention. He is
the Chair of the Advisory Board for the Center for
Complimentary Medicine at the Cancer Institute of New
Jersey. Bruce also leads a volunteer yoga program designed
for cancer patients and healthcare workers at Beth Israel
Medical Center. He lives outside New York with his wife
Michelle who is a Reiki Master. Bruce has two daughters who
have asked that he refrain from headstands at the town pool.
His website is www.yogaforbusiness.com
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