Archives for 2026

[Pictured: Fabulous Feathered Pipe Dessert]

Yoga Sutra Book I: 36

Visoka va jyotismati

By meditating on the inner, sorrowless light within the heart, the mind develops stability

At my recent workshop at Feathered Pipe Ranch we started out by adding to our introduction, one quality that we each associate with the heart. What struck me is that no one had to “think about it”,  we all simply knew what was so when it came to identifying these qualities.  We use phrases like, “speaking from the heart” to mean that the words touched into something meaningful, universal and connected in us.  I have had times when words have literally silenced my analytical mind due to the note they struck in my heart.  Speaking from the heart can pierce through argument and conflict more directly than analysis or logic can convince the mind.

Meditating on the light within the heart is to FEEL its energy.  Not by observing it from the head but by consistently placing our attention/awareness in it, we experience the heart qualities as truths to be embodied, not ideas to analyze.  Having said that, it is exciting to me that the heart is being identified by science as its own information processing center.  Recognizing that we are fundamentally energy, not matter, researchers at places like the HeartMath Institute use highly sensitive SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) technology to record the heart’s electromagnetic field.  They now know that the heart’s electrical field (ECG) is 60 times greater in amplitude than the brains (EEG) and that the heart’s magnetic component is 100 times stronger than the brain’s magnetic field.  The heart’s electromagnetic field is measurable 3-5 feet outward in all directions from the physical body, and probably further, but the instrumentation is only accurate to this distance at present.

I believe that Sutra I:36 is referring to what science now calls Heart Coherence.

Heart coherence is when, through practices like slow, deep, rhythmic breathing that develop easeful feelings in the heart, the brain matches the heart’s ease by releasing chemicals of well-being and anti-aging hormones.  This state is correlated with deep intuition and highly enhanced immunity.   Jyotisa means light in Sanskrit.   Light packets, or photons, are discrete indivisible units of energy that carry information.  If focused upon consistently, as in the slow breaths referred above, the light energy of the heart reveals itself as our joyful inner being with all of the qualities listed and more.

When the mind becomes stabilized in the heart qualities, these qualities take the lead.  Our individual and collective vision for leadership can be truly transformed when we choose to take the hero’s journey from head to heart.

Namaste,

Lynne

Namaste Friends,

Yoga cosmology refers to a Unified State of Consciousness from which we all individualize as sovereign minds that are creative by nature.   We create, or draw to ourselves, what we believe and feel and act on, on a consistent basis. Our creations reflect our most often repeated thoughts and words empowered by the emotional state in which they arise. These thoughts and words may be conscious or subconscious but either way, they are powerful influences in our lives. The closer that we align our thoughts and feelings to the state of Oneness, the more we overcome conditioning from influences of separation and fear.

A quote from a course I’m taking on the Science of Mind and Spirit mentions that, “We cannot INDIVIDUALLY (my emphasis) override thousands of years of collective belief or systemic oppression.  However, we can use this teaching (and our practices) to transform the systems from within, through our awareness, choices, actions, and love.”

Belief systems are fundamental to the choices we make and how we behave.  I believe that we have the ability to open ourselves to a state of Oneness that, by its nature offers solutions and inspiration to act for the highest good of all.  Because, it IS all, so it is acting in its own Self Interest.  I see evidence of this movement toward a new paradigm of connecting with Oneness to heal our collective trauma (we have to see it before we can heal it!) everyday and everywhere.

It is not the loud, in your face, media driven distraction, but rather quieter gatherings of like minded souls taking small and large actions to bring forward a kinder and more generous world.  If we have the intention to help birth a world that works for everyone, we will start to draw to us the opportunities to help in whatever small or large way that is perfect for us.

We were recently at the wonderful retreat center north of Puerto Vallarta called Mar de Jade, where I have held 4 annual retreats to date.  The owner, Dr. Laura Del Valle, had the vision to start the center over 40 years ago to in part, help fund a medical clinic for the local community.  Today, she has made manifest not only a medical clinic, but also a school, an organic farm, a trade school for sewing and trades and a cooking school.  Her vision is the antidote to the violent options that many young people turn to when they see no other future.  The result of the lack of vision was seen on February 22 across Jalisco State.  My retreat group flew out of PV only two weeks prior and it is the first time that I can truly say that we may have “dodged a bullet”, not metaphorically.

This year Mar de Jade’s educational foundation started a program called, “One Retreat, One Child” whereby each participating retreat group can make donations to sponsor a local child for a year at the school. 2000.00USD funds one child for one year.  My group has surpassed this amount so now we are sponsoring more than one child!   I know that you are all generous people and that you may not be able to give more at this time, but if it is within your reach, it is a wonderful opportunity to  help build upon a positive uplifting vision for the young people of this region.

DONATIONS 

NOTE:   I noticed that the fees for the platform were quite high but there is a button to “opt out” of paying the fees.  There is also a place that says “leave a tip” and is set at 15% .  You can customize the amount by clicking on the 15% symbol and change or eliminate the tip if you choose.

Thanks for reading this.  I love and appreciate you all,

My class offerings are found here: Zoom Yoga Classes

Also:
Weekend Workshop at Tyee Arts
Feathered Pipe Ranch Retreat
Mar de Jade Winter Yoga Retreat

Namaste,

Lynne

Two wonderful books/resources that I have come across recently that have impacted my life:

Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elron
There is also a youtube documentary by the same name that is worth a watch, watch to the end.  This is someone who I believe was brought here to show us that no obstacle in life is insurmountable!