May 2026 Week 2

Today in class we focused on detoxifying twists and softening our bellies to support our intention of releasing the Ama in our bodies, minds and hearts. In addition we opened up the heart chakra to open up the pathway of compassion in this cleansing process. Our intention - We Are What We Repeatedly Do - has been an invitation to take inventory of ourselves. What are we repeatedly doing? We are not forcing or purging, we are simply softening enough to notice: What feels stuck? What feels heavy? What are we ready to release with compassion?

“Value the Power of Clear Thought - Value your mind, and the power of conscious, clear thought. All this talk about opening your heart has not been to discount or devalue the power of conscious clear thought, or of opening our minds and expanding our consciousness. A gift, a benefit, from opening our heart is increased clarity of mind and thought.
As we clear the pathway to the heart by feeling, expressing and releasing old emotions, we will clear the path to the mind. Just as the body is connected to the mind, so is the heart. To attempt to think clearly and consciously with the heart closed may not work. It may even prove frustrating and difficult.
Don’t think so hard, the wise old man gently instructed me. You’re hurting your head and your thinking isn’t becoming clear. Relax. Stop trying so hard. Open your heart. Then your thinking will clear. The mind, he reminded me, is connected to the heart.
If you’re feeling cloudy and confused and can’t get the answers, stop trying so hard. Move your body and clear your physical energy. Then try opening your heart. You may see a delightful result. Without trying or forcing, your thinking clears. And it becomes clear without the frustration of trying to force thoughts, ideas, or thought patterns. It happens almost magically, and quite naturally.

The mind is connected to the heart.
Value the power of conscious clear thought.
Value your mind, and its power, by valuing
the power and wisdom of an open heart.” Melody Beattie

Don’t think so hard, you are hurting your head and your thinking isn’t becoming clear lol.

Ok now I am going to try to explain why I shared that meditation……
Last week I led my cleanse and we dove deep into identifying and then trying to move the heavy, undigested parts of ourselves out. I used the opportunity for a purge of thoughts and feelings, a look at old behaviors once again. I have done this time and time again with my spiritual running buddy and she has listened and guided me. This time she told me she was sad, she actually hurt for me. She wanted me to stop identifying so strongly with these darker parts of myself that played out in my past. I have used a tremendous amount of Agni (fire) of desire to identify and break up my Ama multiple times and now she said it is time for me to stop identifying with those parts of myself so strongly. For certain survival reasons that was a part of who I was, but I am no longer that person and can I move on? After speaking with her I started typing this meditation as I had it ear marked for this weeks dharma prior to our conversation. And yes - I am thinking too much, my head is hurting and I am not thinking clearly about these parts of myself. Class today, without me knowing it, was perfect for me to open my heart and soften my belly. Along those lines, I was in meditation last week quietly sitting with the God of my understanding and I have always been kind of jealous of people who say I clearly heard God talk to me. Well last week I had my first encounter with this….as I sat quietly I heard a voice say soften Karen, soften.
I have done a tremendous amount of work on myself over the last 3 decades and more recently last week during the cleanse. Now it is time for me to stop thinking, analyzing and soften.
Where are you at in this journey of self discovery, owning your Ama, moving it out and then softening into yourself on the other side?