Real Yoga

In yoga we call surrender Ishvara Pranidhana. In the Christian tradition, they say "Thy will be done." But no matter what term we use, it's inarguable: the practice of surrender can be a powerful tool to support us on our spiritual journeys—and in our daily lives. Although that's true only if we use it right.

Episode 27: "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." These words from the American poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau reveal an open secret to accessing the state of wholeness, ease, and fulfillment we yearn for. Join me in this episode for an exploration of that secret together with a custom meditation experience to open the door to your own fullness of being.

Episode 26: "Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." This verse from the Tao Te Ching reminds us of the importance of one of yoga's key practices: Santosha or contentment. Join me in this episode and learn why this nectar of spiritual development remains so elusive for many—and how to invite it into your life.

Episode 25: The old Swami had blessed me with some of the most powerful spiritual advice I had ever been given—and since that time, it's changed my life. Join me for a surprising exploration of the power of yoga's practice of Saucha, or purity and I'll share that advice with you too.

Episode 24: "To the keep and intent practitioner, spiritual success comes quickly." These are the words of the great sage Patanjali. In this episode, we'll be exploring this Sutra and how it subtly points to one of the many ways modern yoga practitioners unwittingly sabotage their yoga practices and their spiritual progress.

Episode 23: "To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by the 10,000 things." Could these words from the great Zen Master Eihei Dogen be the key to your shortcut to freedom and everlasting joy? In this episode we find out.

Episode 22: Spiritual wisdom and practices are designed to bring us to the experience of our truest, Divine Selves. Sadly, so many of us stop short of that most precious of gifts owing only to an invisible force that lies only in our minds. And it's one that can be easily conquered.

Episode 21: So many are quick to dismiss addiction as something that only affects other people. But could more subtle forms of addiction be keeping millions of us trapped in habits and behaviors that have devastating consequences for ourselves as well as those we love? You might be surprised.

Episode 20: Self-control. It's a precious skill that can radically improve every area of life. From leaving behind unhealthy habits to being more loving toward our children, and even breaking free from addiction.  In this episode, we'll be exploring one of yoga's little-known secrets to taking back our power from cravings, urges, and emotions of all kinds.

Everyone knows: Negotiate with terrorists at your peril. By giving into their demands, you're only ensuring you'll be subject to more terrorism. Even so, most of us give into the demands of the never-satisfied mind, the terrorist within, without a moment of thought about the dangerous consequences. In this episode, we'll explore the dangers of giving our power over to the terrorizing mind, and how to enjoy more calm, joy, and freedom in life. 

Episode 18: Desire. It's one of the most powerful forces on the planet. And yet, so few of us truly understand what it is—or how to control it. In this episode, we'll be taking our first steps to taming desires of all kinds: from subtle impulses to the out-of-control cravings of addiction.

Episode 17: There's a reason so many struggle to find deep and lasting happiness in their lives—and it's one that hardly anyone is talking about. In this episode, we'll explore the reason lasting happiness can seem so elusive and discover the secret to inviting it effortlessly into our lives. 

Episode 16: Scripture from the world's great spiritual traditions contains powerful guidance to help lift us to the lives of freedom we were meant to live—but only if we are able to interpret its sometimes obscure and dense wisdom. In this episode, we'll be exploring how to avoid the top three mistakes that hold us back from enjoying the true power scripture has to fill our lives with joy and wonder—regardless of tradition. 

Episode 15: With 36 million Americans practicing yoga, this ancient science of transformation is more popular today than ever before. But is what so many people practicing really yoga? And should you care? Join me for an exploration of why millions of people are practicing yoga, but are still not getting the amazing benefits they deserve.

Episode 14: It was St. Francis who said that "in giving, it is that we receive." And while there may be much truth in that, there is also a hidden danger that awaits those who give too much. Join me for an exploration of the magic of service—and just as importantly, how you can avoid the trap that leads millions into lives of exhaustion, overwhelm, and worse.

Episode 13: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." Join me to explore Goethe's words and how we can use them to tap the great power that lives dormant within us all; a power that can literally to change the trajectory of our lives and deliver us the joy and abundance and freedom we yearn for.

Episode 12: "The purpose of a spiritual friend is to insult you." In this episode we use Trungpa Rinpoche's words to explore the hidden gift that lives embedded in all of life's difficulties and how we can use a specific type of practice to create ever greater measures of inner peace and joy, despite what life brings our way.

Episode 11: "Don't be lonely, the entire universe is inside you." These words, written by the poet and Sufi mystic Rumi, point to an overlooked truth about the nature of who we are. It's a truth that can bring great joy and freedom into our lives. Join me as we explore.

Episode 10: What if nothing outside of you could ever disturb you? No matter what you saw, what you heard, or how you were treated? This alluring fantasy might be closer than you think. In this episode, we'll explore the true source of the disturbing feelings we call emotions, and the simple steps we can take to live with more ease, clarity, and joy.

Episode 9: "I see only what you see, it's just that I notice what I see." With these words from the enlightened master Ramana Maharshi, we explore how quite often, things are not as they seem, and we'll learn how, with the right effort, we can pierce through the illusion to find ever greater clarity, joy, and our most essential identity.

Episode 8: "Let come what comes, let go what goes, see what remains." In this episode we use Ramana Maharshi's sage advice to explore our most essential nature and consider how we may already be free, whole, and perfect without even noticing it.

Episode 7: "What in this moment is lacking? And to answer, look, don't think." The words of my Zen Master spoken to me some 30 years ago continue to serve me and my students in profound ways. Join me in this episode and learn how they can help you reconnect with the nourishing simplicity present in each moment of your life. 

Episode 6: Desire is a powerful force in our lives, and it's one that can too often lead us down a path that damages our health, our relationships, and and even career success. In this episode, we'll be exploring how cravings and desires are able to exert such control over us, and we'll learn how ancient wisdom can help us take back control once and for all. 

Episode 5: "You thank God for the good things that happen to you, but not for the bad. This is where you go wrong." These words were spoken by a great sage, Ramana Maharshi. In this episode, we'll be using them to investigating an invisible habit that can overwhelm our lives with unnecessary suffering, and then look at how to skillfully use the practice of surrender to enjoy more calm, more joy, more often.

Episode 4: In this episode we'll be exploring the answers to three listener questions. You'll learn about how happiness can lead to enlightenment, how yoga relates to Biblical teachings, and how you can find peace and joy right in this moment—even if you have a full and busy life.Learn more about Eric and the life-changing benefits of yoga, meditation and the mind-body arts at www.ericwal.com.

Episode 3: The Taoist Master, Chuang Tzu, invited us home to wholeness with his famous words "Come with me to the palace of nowhere, where all the many things are one." In this episode, we'll explore why the fullness of being can seem so elusive, and we'll look at techniques from yoga, meditation, and other spiritual traditions you can use to relax into the experience of your truest essence.

Episode 2: The Buddha taught that "your worst enemy cannot hurt you as much as your mind unguarded." In this episode, we'll explore how it is that your mind can work against you, and more importantly, how you can win it over to your side making it our greatest ally for creating a life of happiness, clarity, and ease.

Episode 1: The great Zen Master Eihei Dogen taught "if you cannot find the truth where you are now, you will never find it." In this episode, we'll explore this teaching to understand how these century-old words can have a dramatic impact on our lives today.