REVIEW - What are Character and Qualities?

To overcome obstacles and challenges, one must develop specific characteristics and qualities. These traits or attributes define an individual's personality, behavior, and outlook on life. Everyone possesses unique characteristics shaped by their life experiences, environment, and culture. Recognizing and cultivating positive characteristics and qualities in oneself can lead to personal growth and success in various aspects of life. The first five characteristics are to stay calm, self-disciplined, withdraw and reflect, be tranquil and observe, and have a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life. To have a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life, one must develop understanding and respect for the natural world, human relationships, and oneself. Appreciation means recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and understanding that what happens to one of us happens to all of us. Today, let's find calmness, self-discipline, reflection, observation, and appreciation. END: To bring harmony into your life, align yourself with and focus on developing honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility. Remember: what you think, say, and do reflect the characteristics and qualities you have created. You have the power to change 84 percent of who you are: your looks, your name, your career, and where you live, but you cannot change your individuality or your family of origin. However, you can change your beliefs and attitudes, especially if they do not align with what brings health, happiness, and peace to your life. EGO: Flip your palms up and stick out your index finger, the symbol of the ego. According to karma, our characteristics and qualities are not our true nature but rather a set of patterns and tendencies we have developed throughout our lives. These are attached to the ego. The ego gives us a sense of individuality and separates us from others. Still, it can also lead to attachment and suffering, preventing us from achieving self-realization and soulful growth. The ego is the false sense of self that identifies with righteousness, importance, and attachment. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath, surrender to your soul. Karma teaches us how to detach from the ego (if only for a moment) by recognizing that our characteristics and qualities are not who we truly are. They are byproducts of our experiences. How we develop and use these characteristics determines the outcome of our lives. We are here on Earth as curious souls to learn and understand life, and with that comes characteristics. If the need to be right or self-importance should arise, take a breath, step away from the ego, and connect with your soul. It will encourage you to control the four great passions of deceit, greed, anger, and pride and replace them with honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility. These characteristics will make your life harmonious and peaceful. Who wouldn't want that? Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes, consults, and more http://www.doctorlynn.com

The Sixth Characteristic… karma yoga Suffering and Hardship

The sixth characteristic is to be able to endure suffering and hardships. Life is filled with suffering but is also full of wonder, offering us numerous opportunities to endure and rise above it. There will always be suffering, hardships, losses, pain, anguish, and fear. To endure suffering and hardships means to persist through challenging circumstances without giving up. It involves facing and overcoming adversity, even when it is painful or uncomfortable. This requires mental and emotional strength, resilience, and perseverance. It involves recognizing that challenges and struggles are a natural part of accepting life and may be necessary for personal growth and development. For example, karma teaches us that if someone hurts us, causing suffering and hardship, we should accept this as an opportunity to find inner peace and liberation within ourselves. By emotionally detaching from the pain of insults, abuse, and suffering, we have the opportunity to cultivate compassion and understanding within ourselves. In this, we learn to work our karma. Once, a man sought to anger a saint by insulting him and using abusive language. The saint sat quietly and still. The man screamed, “Don’t you understand what I am saying about you?” The saint answered, “Yes.” And then the man yelled, “How can you sit there so quietly and still?” The saint answered, “Suppose you brought me some fruit, and I refused it. What would you do?” “I would take it back,” said the man. “In the same way, I refuse to accept the things you have called me so that you may take them back,” he replied. END: Karma yoga is a holistic approach to addressing suffering and hardships by integrating physical, mental, and soulful energy. This approach requires finding balance, strength, flexibility, and peace in a chaotic and sometimes challenging world. Even though life can be complex and full of suffering and hardships, we must focus on the good, the lessons, and the growth. To endure suffering and hardships, you must develop great courage, patience, and determination. Draw on your inner resources, such as faith, hope, and a sense of purpose, to help you through difficult times. Life is chaotic. Sufferings and hardships are part of human life. They will not disappear. Like the saint, practice liberation; refuse to let them destroy your inner sense of peace. In this, you will know what it means to work your karma. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index fingers, the ego symbol. The ego is our psyche. It is our sense of self and identity and can play a significant role in dealing with suffering and hardships. The ego sometimes identifies with suffering, a fundamental aspect of our identity. This can lead to victimization or self-pity, and this may intensify suffering. The ego may compare suffering to others, either to minimize our pain or to magnify it. Victimization creates a feeling of superiority or inferiority. The ego seeks to control difficult experiences by attempting to fix or resolve them. While taking action may be helpful, the ego can get overly attached to control and may struggle to accept a situation that cannot be changed, intensifying the suffering and hardship. Pull your index fingers in and place your thumbs on top, the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. The soul is the deepest aspect of our being. It is the source of meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than our ego self. The soul responds to suffering with compassion and understanding by recognizing that all of life is interconnected and that we all share the joys and sorrows of life. Rather than being a victim, the soul finds meaning in suffering and hardships, using them for personal growth, learning, and transformation. The soul draws upon a deep sense of faith to endure suffering and hardship and find peace. This characteristic will help you emulate the saint and refuse to accept anything that disturbs your inner peace. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes consultations, and more http://www.doctorlynn.com

The Fifth Characteristic for a Successful Life is…

The fifth quality or characteristic is a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life. Intellect and appreciation are integral to karma yoga, as they help cultivate gratitude, selfless actions, and detachment from outcomes. We do something because it is suitable for all, not just for us as individuals. To have a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life, one must develop understanding and respect for the natural world, human relationships, and oneself. Understanding and respect mean recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, understanding the impact or effect of one's actions, and striving to contribute positively to the world. A sincere and intellectual appreciation for life means thoughtfully and authentically recognizing and valuing the significance of one's existence and the world. It involves being aware of and grateful for life's opportunities and experiences, and acknowledging the difficulties and challenges that come with them. To practice karma yoga means to take actions motivated by a desire to serve others and contribute to the greater good of humanity. It all begins with your ability to find balance, strength, flexibility, and peace in a chaotic world. Let's get started. END A sincere and intellectual appreciation for life means approaching life with an open mind, seeking to learn and grow from our experiences, and embracing the uncertainty and impermanence of existence. Ultimately, having a sincere and intellectual appreciation for life is about finding meaning and purpose in one's life and contributing meaningfully to humanity. Intellect and appreciation for life are essential to karma yoga, a soulful practice emphasizing calmness, soulful reflection, discipline, and tranquility. Appreciation means recognizing the value and significance of every moment and every being and cultivating a deep sense of gratitude for life's opportunities and experiences. By appreciating our experiences, we gain a sense of purpose and joy, which leads to a prosperous life. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index fingers, the ego symbol. The ego plays a crucial role in how we perceive things, including our attachment to people, objects, and ideas. Attachment can influence how we conduct our lives, such as identifying with our emotional attachments even when they are unhealthy. Fear of losing our attachments can cause us to over-identify with our emotions. For example, when we feel jealousy or rejection in response to a friend or relative spending time with someone else. We overly invest in these emotions, which causes us to cling to them and have difficulty letting go. Pull your index fingers in and place your thumbs on top, the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. Appreciation cultivates wisdom, and wisdom teaches us that the true nature of reality is that everything, even our emotions, is impermanent and constantly changing. When we sincerely and intellectually appreciate life, we cultivate selfless action, gratitude, and detachment from outcomes. Sincerely and intellectually appreciate all of life. It is here for your evolution. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For books, classes, consultation, and more, http://www.doctorlynn.com

The Fourth Characteristic for Successful Life ~Tranquility

The fourth characteristic is tranquility, which means having the stature or poise to hold still and contemplate before speaking or acting. Tranquility is a state of calmness, peacefulness, and serenity. It means to be free of agitation, anxiety, and chitta, or fluctuations of the mind. Tranquility might be experienced in a peaceful natural environment, through meditation, or by engaging in activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction, such as yoga. Physically, tranquility lowers the heart rate, decreases muscle tension, creates a sense of lightness and ease in the body, and mental and emotional calmness. We move without effort and with ease. Tranquility involves contemplation, a mental practice focusing on a particular subject or idea to gain a deeper insight. It can come from meditation or be used for secular purposes such as solving problems, making decisions, and creative inspiration. Karma yoga describes tranquility as the ability to hold still, quiet the mind, and contemplate (think calmly) before speaking or acting. It’s not easy; it takes work—that’s karma! END: Taking time to cultivate tranquility and engage in contemplation can positively affect your mental and physical well-being, such as reducing stress and preventing burnout. It can be a valuable practice or characteristic to incorporate into your daily routine. Tranquility makes problems easier to solve and decisions easier to make. Some obstacles to achieving a successful life are stress, burnout, lack of focus, poor decision-making, and lack of self-worth. When you practice tranquility and contemplation, you can reduce stress, gain the ability to focus, make better decisions, become more self-aware, increase creativity, and generally improve your health in body, mind, and soul. Tranquility would be a good characteristic to develop. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index fingers, the ego symbol. The ego runs here and there, always looking at external things. Without going inward, it can never know its true self, so it feels anxious, stressed, and exhausted. When we stop, get tranquil, and quietly connect ourselves to the world we occupy, we have an opportunity to realize that our view of the world is not necessarily the only or right view. Pull your fingers in, place your thumbs on top, take a breath, and surrender your ego to your soul. Sitting quietly, remember that contemplation can help you recognize your limitations. Tranquility can foster a sense of humility, improving our relationships with others and allowing us to be more open to gaining new knowledge. We are here to master our lives and make peace within us. Tranquility and contemplation would be good characteristics to have. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness and peace Doctor Lynn

The Third Characteristic of a Successful Life

Karma yoga views characteristics and qualities as ways to progress towards soulful growth and self-realization. (First, be calm, and second, self-disciplined) The third characteristic is the ability to withdraw and reflect. To withdraw means to remove oneself from a situation or to disengage from one's surroundings, both physically and mentally. Reflecting involves introspection and self-examination. It means reflecting upon one's thoughts, words, and actions to gain insight and understanding. In yoga, we call this sense withdrawal, which means turning inward to quiet the mind, creating a sense of inner calmness, and then making positive changes in our lives. Withdrawal and reflection allow us to get in touch with our feelings. Karma reminds us that one of the obstacles to a peaceful, successful, and happy life is blocking our feelings. When we block our feelings, we block our self-awareness. Let's work on withdrawal and self-reflection. END: Withdrawing and reflecting means controlling the senses. The senses are like a mirror. By themselves, they are pure and innocent. Turn them outward, and they reflect on the turbulent and chaotic world. Turn them inward, and the mirror reflects our state of being. The world is a battlefield. Looking outside, we must be prepared to fight against deceit, greed, anger, and pride. When we withdraw, reflect, and look inside, the battles of life will also challenge us, but if we practice calmness with self-discipline and inner reflection, we can find quietude, peace, and happiness. Look inward, withdraw, reflect, and create a state of being that reflects your ability to be calm and disciplined, and you will build strong and worthy characteristics. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index fingers, the ego symbol. The ego easily deludes itself by comparing itself to others while believing it has control over itself, even while putting in minimal effort. But at any minute, there can be a slip-up, the mind can lose control, and the ego will find itself on the battlefield of life fighting for survival. Pull your fingers in and place your thumbs on top, take a breath, and surrender to the soul. The soul knows how to withdraw and reflect. Reflect upon your pure state of being, it's like a mirror turned inward, reminding us that if we find and cultivate the quality of peace within, we will find peace wherever we go. Good characteristics to have are calmness, self-discipline, and self-reflection. Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn

The Second Characteristic for a successful life

The second characteristic to develop is self-discipline. Our world operates in a regulated and disciplined way. Without discipline, nothing is achieved. If everything were chaotic, life could not progress. If the sun, moon, and Earth did not rotate in a disciplined manner, we would not have the calculations to send rockets and satellites into space. Nature is disciplined; it does not try to be something it is not. Only humans think they can do anything they want without consequences, and this creates chaos. Self-discipline doesn’t mean living an austere life. It means knowing your limits and stopping before you cross over and lose your balance. Karma yoga is more than an exercise for the body. If you practice with self-discipline, you will find that it affects your entire body, mind, and soul. Self-discipline is needed when you are attempting to improve your life. Self-improvement begins by doing the best you can with what you have. Start where you are and watch your attitude; it is tied to self-discipline. END: Regular practice is required to achieve anything, and this requires self-discipline. Failing to continue any discipline or practice is one of the obstacles to success. You can’t succeed at anything unless you commit the time and energy to it, which takes discipline. When you practice discipline, you experience a greater sense of happiness, contentment, and wisdom. Self-discipline brings calmness, structure, and order to your life. Everything in the universe must be fed. If a dream or a goal is fed daily, eventually, it will become a reality. But we must have the self-discipline to feed it, or it will die. Everything born within the world carries the seed of (process) dissolution. If not fed, it will dissolve. So, if you hope to achieve anything in life, you need the quality of self-discipline. EGO: Flip up your palms and extend out your index finger, the ego symbol. The ego loves instant gratification. Sometimes, it thinks it is smarter than nature and doesn’t need to implement self-discipline. Sometimes, it takes pride in its false sense of discipline and believes nothing is left to improve. Bring your finger in and place the thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. Self-improvement begins by doing the best you can with what you have. To achieve anything, you must have self-discipline. You are what you think, say, and do, so watch your attitude; it closely relates to your sense of self-worth and self-discipline. Self-discipline is a good quality to have. Even good deeds will bind you if you do without discipline and for egotistical gratification. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn For more information: http://www.doctorlynn.com

To Overcome Obstacles -The First Characteristic

The first characteristic karma suggests we work to develop is the ability to be calm. Calmness refers to having tranquil and balanced energy in our body, mind, and soul. It involves being free from stress and anxiety, enabling one to think and act with clarity and composure. Calmness is considered an essential part of inner growth, clarity, and a quiet mind. It enables you to think and act more rationally, overcoming the obstacles of distraction and carelessness. Being calm helps you to make better decisions, solve problems, and handle stress more appropriately. With less tension, stress, and anxiety, we can connect more effectively with others and the world around us. Consider for a moment what it would be like if, all around you, there was chaos, stress, and overload, yet you could remain calm. This, of course, would require a lot of conscious effort, and that is karma: being aware of your thoughts, words, and actions and how they can influence an outcome. END: Developing the characteristic of calmness through yoga is a quality that helps us to overcome life’s obstacles without losing our balance. We are here to develop punja, or virtuous characteristics that enhance our lives. We have the power to choose who we want to be. We do this by building character and qualities such as calmness. As the body releases tension, the mind becomes quiet, and when we do this, we bring a sense of calmness to our lives. If we continue this practice, over time, it will have a profoundly positive impact on our daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being, both physically and mentally. Look for those moments where you encounter problems, chaos, and stress as opportunities to be calm, and when you do, you will be working on your karma, and you will prosper. Just remember, all of life is simply a process of making decisions and solving problems. Calmness allows us to do a better job at both. Calmness is a good characteristic to have. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend your index finger outward; this symbolizes your ego. The ego makes decisions based upon emotions rather than logic. It wants to be in control and always be correct. It also likes to feel superior or entitled. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to your soul. Free of agitation and disturbance, calmness is associated with inner peace, self-worth, and self-acceptance. On a soulful level, calmness is believed to be the result of connecting with a higher power and allowing the universe to take its course. It is a reminder to trust in ourselves, the path we are on, and be open to all the possibilities that come our way. Be calm, it will serve you well. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn http://www.doctorlynn.com