Cultivate You

The Dalai Lama says there are two basic conditions from which we can hope to derive genuine happiness. The first is our basic attitude, the second being the actions we undertake in our pursuit of happiness. No external factor can create it. At first glance this seems far oversimplified but the more time I've had to ponder and put this advice into practice, the more it has come to truly resonate with me. 

How we wake up each morning and choose to approach the day is perhaps the single most decisive factor of how well that day will turn out. It's remarkable how going through the day with an optimistic, open, and compassionate state of mind allows you to continue to attract that energy. Even more significant perhaps is consciously making the decision to pursue actions which will contribute to long-term, meaningful happiness, consisting of peace and genuine satisfaction; not transient and fleeting bouts of pleasure and escape. The hectic lifestyle of Los Angeles can make it very easy to forget the lasting joy and contentment that comes along with cultivating a true sense of self. For myself that foremost includes cultivating compassion, patience, and discovering my genuine sources of happiness. In this city it is very easy to seek happiness in all the wrong places, but I believe it doesn't take more than a few years here before you begin to seek more wisely. Whether it be appreciating the fortune of having the beach and mountains minutes away from my home, enjoying the calm and mental silence I obtain from my yoga practice, or reveling in gratitude over the truly incredible group of friends I am lucky to be surrounded by, I am constantly reminded of what I value most in life.  

Realizing that our day-to-day habits play such a huge role in a lasting sense of contentment, and ultimately that it is our habits and thoughts which ingrain deeply to form our character is what lead me to this idea of "Cultivating You." One of my favorite quotes which has grounded me in this belief is the following: “Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.”

"This World is but a canvas to our imagination." -Henry David Thoreau

Having been among one of my more recent destinations, my trip to Peru still serves as one of my most distinctive experiences. This surreal South American adventure proved to remind me of the tremendous fortune I have been granted to live a life of comfort in the developed world. The trip also served to show me the beauty of a strong, healthy body.

Cusco City, deeply engrained with the rich cultural history of the Peruvian people and their resilient way of life, is where I initially witnessed the widespread pollution and poverty found within this still beautiful cultural mecca. It's near impossible not to feel grateful for the ease of the modern American life in stark contrast to the very real hardships found here. I quite clearly remember feeling embarrassed that my principal source of discontentment at that point in my life was being bored at work...what an incredible wake up call that was for me! The four day trek of the Inka Trail was without a doubt the most remarkable part of the trip for me. This ascent into the Andean mountains, reached points of over 13,000 feet above sea level, and spanned a wide array of eco-systems, from cloud forests to stone-paved trails over the rocky terrain. The trek included up to 7 hours of tough hiking on some of the days. Having the clarity of mind granted along with these lengthy days of wandering through paths of what truly felt like the very top of the world, was were I came to realize the marvel of the strength and sheer power of the body. Since that incredible trek through the Sacred Valleys of Peru, I returned with a pure focus in my day to day exercise of increasing my strength and power, which in turn has led me even deeper into my wonderful power yoga practice!