In my definition of consciousness, consciousness is the same thing as life. What wisdom traditions also call spirit.

When we meditate, we go beyond the swirl of thoughts, memories and emotions that tend to keep us stuck in our ego's story of who we are. We enter an expanded state of awareness and discover our own inner fountain of joy, a source of happiness that isn't dependent on anyone or anything.

The more you expand your awareness, the more naturally you will be present without effort.

Throughout your day, when you notice that your thoughts have drifted away, come back to where you are. You'll instantly see why you drifted away, whether because you were bored, anxious, dwelling on the past, or anticipating the future.

You only have to gaze around you at the natural world to see the proof that beauty, form, order, and growth have survived for billions of years. In dealing with your shadow, you are aligning yourself with the same infinite power. The shadow isn't a fearsome opponent but a worthy one. Powerful as it is, the power of wholeness is infinitely greater, and by a miracle of creation, it is within your grasp.

We have a pharmacy inside us that is absolutely exquisite. It makes the right medicine, for the precise time, for the right target organ—with no side effects.

Yoga has moved from relative anonymity in the West to a well-recognized practice offered in thousands of studios, community centers, hospitals, gyms, and health clubs.