Yanni's Blog

This is Part II of an eight part blog.

As the New Year begins, I would like to offer a series of some of my favorite quotes. These quotes are meant to be read meditatively. In other words read each one slowly, then read it over a few times and then just sit and reflect on it either mentally or by journaling.

Some people find it difficult to just sit and meditate. Others of you can sit and meditate most of the time, but some days your minds are just too much on overdrive. So, this method of meditation, I have found, is a perfect way to slow the mind down and find peace and repose even for the most hyper of individuals.

It is called passage meditation. As well, it is great food for your Soul! You feel uplifted and inspired after doing this for 5 to 10 minutes a day.

So, for this whole month I will be offering you a series of quotes for this purpose. This is a great way to get your New Year started off on the right foot.

The foundation for all success and joy in life, from my point of view, is the quiet mind and the open heart.

So, let start these next few weeks with our hearts leading the way!

We are going to give you a very simple formula for health. It is this, to live thankfully. When a heart beats with thankfulness for its creation and for all life’s experiences a light shines from the very center of the being, which illumines the whole life. Life itself, the very zest of living and experiencing the simple gifts we enjoy through the five senses, should evoke an outpouring of thankfulness from the child of God.

This is Part II of an eight part blog.

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

This is Part I of an eight part blog.

As the New Year begins, I would like to offer a series of some of my favorite quotes. These quotes are meant to be read meditatively. In other words read each one slowly, then read it over a few times and then just sit and reflect on it either mentally or by journaling.

Some people find it difficult to just sit and meditate. Others of you can sit and meditate most of the time, but some days your minds are just too much on overdrive. So, this method of meditation, I have found, is a perfect way to slow the mind down and find peace and repose even for the most hyper of individuals.

It is called passage meditation. As well, it is great food for your Soul! You feel uplifted and inspired after doing this for 5 to 10 minutes a day.

So, for this whole month I will be offering you a series of quotes for this purpose. This is a great way to get your New Year started off on the right foot.

The foundation for all success and joy in life, from my point of view, is the quiet mind and the open heart.

So, let start these next few weeks with our hearts leading the way!

Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"How to De-Stress and Relax During the Holidays” Part III Podcast"


Click Here to Download MP3/Audio

(length 16:43 minutes)


Subscribe to Feed Below:

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

Now, in terms of how you sit or what you do when you meditate, the most important thing is to make sure you are physically comfortable. If you have the flexibility to sit in the yoga half-lotus or full lotus position, then certainly do so. If you don’t have the flexibility, then I would not recommend you try. You can meditate very effectively sitting comfortably in straight backed chair. This is the way I do it all the time. Just sit up straight with you spine erect, but not rigid. It is best that your feet lie flat on the floor and are not crossed. Your hands are in your lap, palms up or down, whatever is most comfortable for you.

As we proceed with the meditations, if at any point you are physically uncomfortable, then shift your body. Move around a bit. If you need to cough, then do so. Don’t spend your time suppressing a cough or being physically uncomfortable and then at the end conclude that you can’t meditate.

Again, the most important thing to remember as you start is to make sure you are comfortable while you are in meditation. I might add, though, not so comfortable that you fall asleep. By the way, I do not recommend that you lie on the floor or on a bed or on a lounge chair when you meditate because you are very likely to fall asleep. Lie down only if you have a significant physical problem that necessitates lying down. So, again, the idea is to be as comfortable as possible, yet still alert and then you will really enjoy and get the most out of the experience.

Also, please note that not all of your meditations will be blissful and calm. Sometimes when you sit down to meditate your mind will be like a wild, untamed horse. But that’s ok and to be expected at times! When this happens just do your best to observe rather than get caught up in the content of your mind’s madness and it will gradually dissipate. Eventually you will learn how to calm down even this kind of an overly stimulated mind. Be patient and persistent and you will with practice reach your goal of being peaceful and calm.

Lastly, please note that at the end of each meditation, I will leave you with a little extra time with just the music playing. This will allow you to gradually and slowly come up and out of the meditation and then you can resume your normal activities.

So, happy meditating! Peace be with you!

This is Part II of a two part blog.

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

For the next three weeks as we navigate through the stresses, challenges and joys of the Holiday season, I wanted to offer as a gift to all of you a series of guided meditations that will help you to relax and enjoy the season.

So, for the next three weeks my blog posts on Mondays and Wednesdays will consist of instructions on how to meditate and my podcasts on Fridays will be three different guided meditations from my Meditation CDs.

So, on my podcast on 12/14/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “Abdominal Breathing Meditation” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is a Breath Away: Breathing Free Meditations.

And on my podcast on 12/21/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “Breathing Compassion Meditation” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is a Thought Away: Mastery Meditations.

Lastly, on my podcast on 12/28/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “The Light Within and Without” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is an Image Away: Visualization Meditations.

If you are interested in finding out more about my Meditations CDs, please go to the following link: http://www.learnmastery.com/AudioTapesByYanni.htm

Below are instructions on how to meditate. These instructions are broken up into two parts and will be repeated each of the three weeks on my blog: 12/10, 12/17 and 12/24.

EnJoy and Relax!

The natural mind: non-extremist, un-dogmatic, sensitive mind-set is produced by meditation.

How to prepare to meditate?

Before you start to meditate, it is very important to settle yourself, to slow yourself down and to prepare an internal and external environment for relaxation. So, begin by creating a quiet, comfortable place for you to sit and meditate in. Dim the lights; close the door, and turn off the phones.

Also, it is preferable that every time you meditate it be at the same time and in the same place, but don’t be too rigid about this. It is more important that you actually meditate rather than that you adhere to a rigid schedule. But do know that by establishing a regular time and place for meditation, you are more likely to do it consistently because you are then creating a very clear new habit/pattern and intention that this is my time and my place to meditate.

As well, make sure that all significant others know that this is a quiet, private, undisturbed time just for you. This is your time to be with yourself, to meditate and to do nothing else. Also, pick a time that works for you, a time when you are usually not too busy. And, if the time you first choose doesn’t work for any reason, then change it and experiment until you do find a time and setting that works.

Please note, too, that it is most ideal to meditate every day, but don’t get too rigid about this either. Just start meditating as often as you can and then gradually build up to meditating every day. The more you meditate, the more you will want to, so let the frequency grow on its own.

Also, start off with whatever length of time you feel most comfortable with, even if it is only five minutes. Let the timeframe, as well, gradually become longer. It takes time, practice and patience to build up your meditation muscles. Don’t force any of this. But do be consistent and clear in your intentions.

If you have never meditated before and decide that you will now meditate for twenty minutes, two times a day, everyday, you are more than likely setting yourself up for failure, for self-sabotage. You will most likely go on overload and will quit in a few days. Just as you can’t run a marathon unless you have gradually built up your endurance, so, too, with meditation, let yourself gradually build up your endurance. So, go slow and get there fast!

Meditation is a life-long skill that you step by step integrate into your life. Don’t try to rush or push it! Let it all be easy and fun!

This is Part I of a two Part Blog

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"How to De-Stress and Relax During the Holidays” Part II Podcast"


Click Here to Download MP3/Audio

(length 15:48 minutes)


Subscribe to Feed Below:

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

Now, in terms of how you sit or what you do when you meditate, the most important thing is to make sure you are physically comfortable. If you have the flexibility to sit in the yoga half-lotus or full lotus position, then certainly do so. If you don’t have the flexibility, then I would not recommend you try. You can meditate very effectively sitting comfortably in straight backed chair. This is the way I do it all the time. Just sit up straight with you spine erect, but not rigid. It is best that your feet lie flat on the floor and are not crossed. Your hands are in your lap, palms up or down, whatever is most comfortable for you.

As we proceed with the meditations, if at any point you are physically uncomfortable, then shift your body. Move around a bit. If you need to cough, then do so. Don’t spend your time suppressing a cough or being physically uncomfortable and then at the end conclude that you can’t meditate.

Again, the most important thing to remember as you start is to make sure you are comfortable while you are in meditation. I might add, though, not so comfortable that you fall asleep. By the way, I do not recommend that you lie on the floor or on a bed or on a lounge chair when you meditate because you are very likely to fall asleep. Lie down only if you have a significant physical problem that necessitates lying down. So, again, the idea is to be as comfortable as possible, yet still alert and then you will really enjoy and get the most out of the experience.

Also, please note that not all of your meditations will be blissful and calm. Sometimes when you sit down to meditate your mind will be like a wild, untamed horse. But that’s ok and to be expected at times! When this happens just do your best to observe rather than get caught up in the content of your mind’s madness and it will gradually dissipate. Eventually you will learn how to calm down even this kind of an overly stimulated mind. Be patient and persistent and you will with practice reach your goal of being peaceful and calm.

Lastly, please note that at the end of each meditation, I will leave you with a little extra time with just the music playing. This will allow you to gradually and slowly come up and out of the meditation and then you can resume your normal activities.

So, happy meditating! Peace be with you!

This is Part II of a two part blog.

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

For the next three weeks as we navigate through the stresses, challenges and joys of the Holiday season, I wanted to offer as a gift to all of you a series of guided meditations that will help you to relax and enjoy the season.

So, for the next three weeks my blog posts on Mondays and Wednesdays will consist of instructions on how to meditate and my podcasts on Fridays will be three different guided meditations from my Meditation CDs.

So, on my podcast on 12/14/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “Abdominal Breathing Meditation” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is a Breath Away: Breathing Free Meditations.

And on my podcast on 12/21/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “Breathing Compassion Meditation” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is a Thought Away: Mastery Meditations.

Lastly, on my podcast on 12/28/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “The Light Within and Without” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is an Image Away: Visualization Meditations.

If you are interested in finding out more about my Meditations CDs, please go to the following link: http://www.learnmastery.com/AudioTapesByYanni.htm

Below are instructions on how to meditate. These instructions are broken up into two parts and will be repeated each of the three weeks on my blog: 12/10, 12/17 and 12/24.

EnJoy and Relax!

The natural mind: non-extremist, un-dogmatic, sensitive mind-set is produced by meditation.

How to prepare to meditate?

Before you start to meditate, it is very important to settle yourself, to slow yourself down and to prepare an internal and external environment for relaxation. So, begin by creating a quiet, comfortable place for you to sit and meditate in. Dim the lights; close the door, and turn off the phones.

Also, it is preferable that every time you meditate it be at the same time and in the same place, but don’t be too rigid about this. It is more important that you actually meditate rather than that you adhere to a rigid schedule. But do know that by establishing a regular time and place for meditation, you are more likely to do it consistently because you are then creating a very clear new habit/pattern and intention that this is my time and my place to meditate.

As well, make sure that all significant others know that this is a quiet, private, undisturbed time just for you. This is your time to be with yourself, to meditate and to do nothing else. Also, pick a time that works for you, a time when you are usually not too busy. And, if the time you first choose doesn’t work for any reason, then change it and experiment until you do find a time and setting that works.

Please note, too, that it is most ideal to meditate every day, but don’t get too rigid about this either. Just start meditating as often as you can and then gradually build up to meditating every day. The more you meditate, the more you will want to, so let the frequency grow on its own.

Also, start off with whatever length of time you feel most comfortable with, even if it is only five minutes. Let the timeframe, as well, gradually become longer. It takes time, practice and patience to build up your meditation muscles. Don’t force any of this. But do be consistent and clear in your intentions.

If you have never meditated before and decide that you will now meditate for twenty minutes, two times a day, everyday, you are more than likely setting yourself up for failure, for self-sabotage. You will most likely go on overload and will quit in a few days. Just as you can’t run a marathon unless you have gradually built up your endurance, so, too, with meditation, let yourself gradually build up your endurance. So, go slow and get there fast!

Meditation is a life-long skill that you step by step integrate into your life. Don’t try to rush or push it! Let it all be easy and fun!

This is Part I of a two Part Blog

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"How to De-Stress and Relax During the Holidays” Part I Podcast"


Click Here to Download MP3/Audio

(length 17:30 minutes)


Subscribe to Feed Below:

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

Now, in terms of how you sit or what you do when you meditate, the most important thing is to make sure you are physically comfortable. If you have the flexibility to sit in the yoga half-lotus or full lotus position, then certainly do so. If you don’t have the flexibility, then I would not recommend you try. You can meditate very effectively sitting comfortably in straight backed chair. This is the way I do it all the time. Just sit up straight with you spine erect, but not rigid. It is best that your feet lie flat on the floor and are not crossed. Your hands are in your lap, palms up or down, whatever is most comfortable for you.

As we proceed with the meditations, if at any point you are physically uncomfortable, then shift your body. Move around a bit. If you need to cough, then do so. Don’t spend your time suppressing a cough or being physically uncomfortable and then at the end conclude that you can’t meditate.

Again, the most important thing to remember as you start is to make sure you are comfortable while you are in meditation. I might add, though, not so comfortable that you fall asleep. By the way, I do not recommend that you lie on the floor or on a bed or on a lounge chair when you meditate because you are very likely to fall asleep. Lie down only if you have a significant physical problem that necessitates lying down. So, again, the idea is to be as comfortable as possible, yet still alert and then you will really enjoy and get the most out of the experience.

Also, please note that not all of your meditations will be blissful and calm. Sometimes when you sit down to meditate your mind will be like a wild, untamed horse. But that’s ok and to be expected at times! When this happens just do your best to observe rather than get caught up in the content of your mind’s madness and it will gradually dissipate. Eventually you will learn how to calm down even this kind of an overly stimulated mind. Be patient and persistent and you will with practice reach your goal of being peaceful and calm.

Lastly, please note that at the end of each meditation, I will leave you with a little extra time with just the music playing. This will allow you to gradually and slowly come up and out of the meditation and then you can resume your normal activities.

So, happy meditating! Peace be with you!

This is Part II of a two part blog.

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

For the next three weeks as we navigate through the stresses, challenges and joys of the Holiday season, I wanted to offer as a gift to all of you a series of guided meditations that will help you to relax and enjoy the season.

So, for the next three weeks my blog posts on Mondays and Wednesdays will consist of instructions on how to meditate and my podcasts on Fridays will be three different guided meditations from my Meditation CDs.

So, on my podcast on 12/14/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “Abdominal Breathing Meditation” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is a Breath Away: Breathing Free Meditations.

And on my podcast on 12/21/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “Breathing Compassion Meditation” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is a Thought Away: Mastery Meditations.

Lastly, on my podcast on 12/28/07 you will be lead in a guided meditation entitled: “The Light Within and Without” from my Meditation CD entitled: Peace of Mind is an Image Away: Visualization Meditations.

If you are interested in finding out more about my Meditations CDs, please go to the following link: http://www.learnmastery.com/AudioTapesByYanni.htm

Below are instructions on how to meditate. These instructions are broken up into two parts and will be repeated each of the three weeks on my blog: 12/10, 12/17 and 12/24.

EnJoy and Relax!

The natural mind: non-extremist, un-dogmatic, sensitive mind-set is produced by meditation.

How to prepare to meditate?

Before you start to meditate, it is very important to settle yourself, to slow yourself down and to prepare an internal and external environment for relaxation. So, begin by creating a quiet, comfortable place for you to sit and meditate in. Dim the lights; close the door, and turn off the phones.

Also, it is preferable that every time you meditate it be at the same time and in the same place, but don’t be too rigid about this. It is more important that you actually meditate rather than that you adhere to a rigid schedule. But do know that by establishing a regular time and place for meditation, you are more likely to do it consistently because you are then creating a very clear new habit/pattern and intention that this is my time and my place to meditate.

As well, make sure that all significant others know that this is a quiet, private, undisturbed time just for you. This is your time to be with yourself, to meditate and to do nothing else. Also, pick a time that works for you, a time when you are usually not too busy. And, if the time you first choose doesn’t work for any reason, then change it and experiment until you do find a time and setting that works.

Please note, too, that it is most ideal to meditate every day, but don’t get too rigid about this either. Just start meditating as often as you can and then gradually build up to meditating every day. The more you meditate, the more you will want to, so let the frequency grow on its own.

Also, start off with whatever length of time you feel most comfortable with, even if it is only five minutes. Let the timeframe, as well, gradually become longer. It takes time, practice and patience to build up your meditation muscles. Don’t force any of this. But do be consistent and clear in your intentions.

If you have never meditated before and decide that you will now meditate for twenty minutes, two times a day, everyday, you are more than likely setting yourself up for failure, for self-sabotage. You will most likely go on overload and will quit in a few days. Just as you can’t run a marathon unless you have gradually built up your endurance, so, too, with meditation, let yourself gradually build up your endurance. So, go slow and get there fast!

Meditation is a life-long skill that you step by step integrate into your life. Don’t try to rush or push it! Let it all be easy and fun!

This is Part I of a two Part Blog

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"How to Create Health and Vitality” Podcast"


Click Here to Download MP3/Audio

(length 10:17 minutes)


Subscribe to Feed Below:

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

This is Part Two of a two part blog.

Below is an emotional/mental workout that I suggest that you do daily to feel your best on all levels:

1. Frequently, in your day, be aware of what you are feeling and if you are caught up in fear, anger, worry, etc, let them go and choose something else to focus on. Negative thoughts wreck havoc on you physiologically and emotionally as much as, if not more than, a poor diet and no exercise do.
2. Seek to experience happiness no matter what is going on. Rather than resigning yourself to “making the best of a situation:” Make it the best!
3. Appreciate all the good in your life from the littlest things to the largest. When you appreciate something, you allow yourself to fully receive it! And in doing so, you feel “rich.” And in feeling “rich,” you attract more “richness” or abundance.
4. See the Good, even in a difficult situation. Everything is leading you to your Highest Good!
5. Trust the flow of life and know that all is in Divine Order and Divine Timing and that there is a Divine Plan for your life!
6. Create thoughts, words and actions that produce happiness. The world is filled with unhappiness. Be different! “Follow the road less traveled.”
7. Let go of any of your belief systems that are narrow and inflexible. Create space so that you can learn and grow and be open to new possibilities, people and ideas. Every thing is possible!

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink

If you want health and vitality in your life, besides working out in order to stay physically fit, I would suggest that you also practice an emotional/mental fitness regimen.

A vigorous, vital body is attained not just by focusing on physical fitness. It is just as much a result of emotional and mental fitness. What most people do not realize is that every thought and emotion you have causes your body to create and secrete a series of hormones into your blood stream that are either anabolic in nature (that is they build up and repair your cells) or catabolic in nature (that is, they tear down and destroy your cells.)

On the one hand, negative thoughts such as anger, fear, worry, etc secrete catabolic hormones and as a result every cell in your body is bathed in them and is worn out and broken down by them. On the other hand, positive, happy, life-affirming thoughts and feelings secrete anabolic hormones which repair and heal all the cells of your body.

So, your daily “diet” of thoughts and feelings are no different than your daily diet of food. Just as “junk food” creates a junkie body, so, too, do “junk” thoughts create a junkie body and life. Your really can’t afford the luxury of a negative thought.

Being conscious and intentional about the predominant thoughts and feelings you have during the day is such a key to health and vitality. Negativity literally drains the life out of you. While positivity not only maintains your current level of health and vitality, but actually increases it.

We have a built in mechanism that can help us to remain healthy well into our later years, all we have to do is use it.

In my next blog post I will offer you an emotional/mental workout that I suggest that you do daily to feel your best on all levels.

This Part I of a two part blog.

Posted by Yanni at 4:00 AM | Permalink