What makes you happier: sitting completely still and focusing on your breath or gorging on a plate full of (vegan) nachos? If you’re like most people, it’s certainly the latter, even though we’ve been told time and again that meditation is the key to happiness. But according to one Tibetan monk, eating vegan food may be the better of the two choices when it comes to sustaining your happiness. Really. (And pass the vegan nachos.)

According to the Evening Standard, Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk who lives at a monastery in Nepal, is considered the happiest man in the world. Like, scientifically.

Ricard participated in a 12-year study observing how meditation affects his brain. For monks, meditation is a daily practice–hours more than those few minutes you sit still at the end of a yoga sesh.

Over the course of the study, the researchers noted spikes in Ricard’s brain waves, namely elevated levels of gamma waves linked to consciousness, attention, learning, and memory, “that had never before been reported in scientific studies,” reports the Standard.

This discovery led the scientists to dub him the “happiest man in the world”—a moniker you’d think would be enough to stop his search for things to boost his happiness. But, no, Ricard did not stop there.

While most Tibetan monks avoid gorging on chicken wings and ribs, they’re not exclusively vegetarian or vegan, if for no other reason, at least in Ricard’s case, because Nepal isn’t exactly the Beyond Burger capital of the world. But the food is largely plant-based–think a delicious mix of Asian (Chinese) and Indian cuisines, heavy on the rice and dal, etc.

But despite his already clean and conscious diet, Ricard says choosing to go full vegan is his number one recommendation for finding true peace and happiness. He even wrote a book about it.

“I am extremely concerned by the fate of the 8 million other species who share this world with us, and who, like us, wish to avoid suffering and live out their lives,” Ricard reportedly  told PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

And since most of us in the West can’t meditate for hours every day while breathing in the fresh Nepalese mountain air, cleaning up our diets is a logical next best step–or, if Ricard is right, the first, most crucial step before we even tackle meditation.

“True happiness can only be attained when we avoid causing pain to others,” he said. And vegan nachos. I’m sure he said that, too.

Find Jill on Twitter and Instagram

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Do you ever feel like your day is just one long marathon of stressful situations?

One of the worst things about that feeling — and we all know it well — is that it can seem like you don’t have even an hour to yourself to take a break and find some ways to destress. Meaning that things continue to pile on top of each other, making you less and less able to cope.

But while there are some days when an hour is impossible to find, anyone can take five minutes to destress during a busy day, especially if you know how to make the most of them. Here are five of our favorite ways to relieve stress in five minutes or less.

1. Meditate

If you barely have the time to devote to eating a sandwich, how on earth could you have time to meditate?

According to Constantin Bisanz, founder and CEO of Aloha, it’s actually not that difficult. Bisanz meditates for 20 minutes a day twice a day, but you could even do it for less using his techniques.

“I meditate on the way to the airport in the taxi, I meditate in the office; I just put earplugs into my ears,” he says. “I just carve (the time) out — it’s like a meeting with myself. I love to do it in fancy places, but my daily life is not in fancy places.”

Make a playlist with five minutes of peaceful music. Make a daily appointment with yourself — literally, add it to your planner — so that you can close your eyes, plug in, and zone out.

2. Get In a Loving Mood

Sex is one of our favorite ways to destress, but even we have to admit: it’s tough to play hooky for some midday nooky, especially if it’s only going to last five minutes. But you can definitely put love on your brain — and the brain of your partner — by sending a quick, sexy text.

Just putting the effort into composing a message (and thinking about making that message a reality as soon as you get home!) can take your mind off your work and onto something a bit more enjoyable. Plus, you’re far less likely to cop out because you’re too tired if you’ve both been looking forward to it all day.

3. Call Someone You Love

When you’re totally stressed, call someone — your husband, your mom, your best friend, your brother — and have a five-minute chat. But here’s the rule: no talking about work (or whatever the source of your stress).

Talk about a book you just read, a show you can’t wait to watch with them, the next time you’re going to get lunch — anything except what’s currently stressing you out. It will get your thoughts off the problems you may be facing at work and remind you of the more important things.

4. Take a Brisk Walk

Step away from your desk — leave your phone behind! — and walk around the block for five minutes.

Walking briskly will not only help increase your heart rate, which will better your mood thanks to your body’s release of endorphins, but it will also give you a chance to get away from your screen for a while. It’s amazing the good that being outdoors in the sunlight can do, particularly in parts of the world with shorter days.

5. Get a Massage

OK, a five-minute massage isn’t exactly on the menu at most massage parlors, but you can definitely do the deed yourself: take a minute and give yourself a head, knee, or forearm massage to reduce the pent up stress in your muscles and to give yourself a breather.

When the massage is over, we guarantee you’ll be feeling much better — you can even give your masseuse (aka… yourself) a tip to spend on a drink at the end of the week!

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Between all of our obligations and the countless hours spent on social media, life can quickly leave us feeling burned out. Slowing down is important, which is why inner peace is so vital to our sanity. And although it may seem next to impossible to attain amid our hectic schedules, it’s officially time to shift your thinking. Karma Bliss founder and CEO, Devi Brown is here to share her tips, and offer you the tools you need in order to change your life for the better.  

Imagine going to bed with a clear head, a full heart, and feelings of satisfaction and gratefulness. Now imagine waking up with a smile on your face, feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to conquer the day. Picture this becoming more than just coincidence, but a real habit that purposely weaves itself into the fabric of your life; something you make a conscious decision to welcome into your heart and mind.

Finding and attaining inner peace isn’t just a far off fantasy. In fact, it’s well within your reach, and Devi Brown, Karma Bliss founder, CEO, and iHeartMedia radio host, has the tools and know-how to help you meet your personal goals.

Even the individuals who look like they have it all together, who have the most lavish lives, and the best social media presence, can be suffering inside. In other words, no matter your place in life, it’s okay to seek self-improvement while on the path to finding inner peace and, ultimately, happiness.

Brown, who also happens to be a successful radio personality, is a great example of how a humble journey can reap major rewards. Thanks to her own trials and triumphs, she was inspired to help others find their happy place, too. Because of her desire to share her successes, Karma Bliss was born. And boy, are we glad it was.

I had the pleasure of getting to know this inspiring woman, entrepreneur, and someone who I’ve dubbed the “Inner Peace Guru.” As we chatted about her personal transformation, and all of the great things Karma Bliss has to offer, I realized that this is more than just a business – it’s her passion. Take a few moments out of your busy day to read her story, and hopefully learn a thing or two about how to improve your own life. I just know you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I was so inspired after talking to Devi, that I couldn’t wait to begin my own little journey to finding balance and inner peace. Fortunately, the company has all the tools to help me along the way. Karma Bliss really says it best: “When life moves too fast, it’s time to slow down.” You owe it to yourself!

Jamie Duncan: How did you get into this line of work, helping people connect with their inner selves?

Devi Brown: Something I refer to as the “gateway drug.” Choosing to work on myself first, and then wanting to share that peace with others is how I got started. I was pretty stressed out, but after discovering meditation, that changed everything for me. What the journey entails is different for everybody, but by inviting in more peace, patience, and synchronicity, I was able to get there. Eventually, my radio listeners, friends, and family were asking about my transformation, inspiring me to share with others.

JD: You’ve been described as a “powerful changemaker.” Where do you find your inner strength to influence so many?

DB: I think we all are. I think that’s the thing about each of us – we don’t always recognize our own power. Kindness, love, resilience, and personal change influence the people who are watching. For me, it’s just that my biggest, I think, goal for my journey, is to constantly evolve, learn more about me, and exist in the world in a way that serves others better.

JD: What does a typical day in your life look like?

DB: I’m super drawn to meditation. When you kinda realize you can be both meditative and career oriented at the same moment, it’s a good feeling. I wake up around 7:30 in the morning, spend time meditating and getting centered about the day — you know, what to manifest, and how to maintain peace and balance. I head into work, and then when I leave, I try to have at least 15 to 30 minutes outdoors without my phone. Maybe take my shoes off. I meditate again later in the afternoon, then I work on Karma Bliss and fulfill orders. I make it a habit of journaling before bed. Lately I’ve been into writing a couple pages on what I’m grateful for, but I also like to journal about any and everything that’s on my mind. Then I squeeze in a little reading before going to sleep.

I find that my sleep is improved thanks to journaling. You have things on your mind that you don’t even realize you’re thinking about. The second that pen hits the paper it kinda takes you to a meditative place. It can be very telling, plus it’s a great way to unplug and disconnect. There’s just something about paper journaling — the nostalgic longing for that pen to paper feeling. It’s such a humanist, tangible way to unwind.

JD: How can others incorporate your practices and products into a daily routine?

DB: Don’t overthink it. That’s one of the things that I did so much. I felt like I wasted so much time thinking and not doing. I held myself back thinking about all the reasons why I didn’t have time, why I wasn’t starting. I realized that your spirit tells you what you need and where you need it. You’re not going to get it perfect, and you’re not supposed to. Practicing everyday is more important than always mastering. Just spending 30 minutes twice a day is all you need, but even if you don’t get that, 15 minutes, is great, too. Do what you can where you are.

JD: What makes your products so special and unique to Karma Bliss?

DB: For one, the whole thing about KarmaBliss is that we have awesome and really beautiful pieces, but the whole basis of the business is about self-discovery. Not only does Karma Bliss offer a ton of info on how to get started, but we also help you utilize the tools, and unlock those pieces of you. Giving the how-tos and the guidance to maximize your purchases is what sets us apart. That way, rather than put your items (and your goals) on a shelf somewhere and forget about them because you don’t know where to begin, you now have that much needed direction.

One special feature that we’re really proud of is our curated Bliss Bags. People are getting into stones and crystals, but they don’t know what would be good for them. We’ve taken the guesswork out of all of that. Right now, we have five: Dharma, Emotional Healing, Friendship, Love, and Vitality, and each one has stones that will attract those elements into your life, plus instructions on how to use them.

JD: Can you tell us a little about the Meditation Tools and Vision Boards that are coming soon to your website?

DB: In the fall we’ll be introducing two new products – a signature vision board and a beautiful meditation chair. The vision board will really take things to the next level. Sometimes we have a tendency to hide it away – our vision boards and dreams, but I’m a big believer in getting everything out there, so we created a board that you’ll want to see everyday and be proud to make a part of your daily life. The meditation chair is beautiful. It’s really low to the floor, enhancing the grounded feeling that meditation often brings.

And, coming summer of 2017, we have workshops pending. I’m certified in primordial sound meditation, which will be an integral part of the workshops and retreats that Karma Bliss has in store.

JD: If someone is struggling to find inner peace while reading this article right now, what advice would you give them?

DB: I would really love to share the idea of just accepting yourself now, right here in this moment. Sometimes we resort to suggesting that people focus on self-love, and self-love is great, but the only road to self-love is self-knowledge. That can really take some time to dig deep into the pieces of yourself that you’re not always proud of, which is why I like to suggest focusing on acceptance as a starting point.  

Don’t shy away from asking yourself the difficult questions – if you feel a negative emotion, ask yourself why you feel this way. Continue to ask why, why, why, and what do I need to combat these feelings. Ask yourself questions, and then ask yourself questions about the answers – be straight with yourself. Happiness is a natural byproduct of self-discovery, and so is love.

JD: What else can you share with our readers?

DB: Just that we have to adjust our thinking sometimes about what it takes to be who we want to be and not be scared to do that. Let’s not trick our minds into thinking that we can’t change and evolve, because it’s literally built into our DNA. It’s who we are. It’s why we’re alive. Change is a constant, and something that can be absolutely amazing for all of us.

Where do you think your life could use improving? Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Image of Woman Meditating via Shutterstock

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If life is a game of focus and what we focus on grows, then what happens when 100,00 people come together to meditate for world peace?

On November 29, 2015, more 100,000 people (in-person and online) joined the Naam Yoga Superclass dedicated to Love, Peace, and Light in Mexico City’s Angel of Independence.

With so many disturbing headlines today, can group meditation on peace truly create an impact in our world?

Meditation experts and yogis answer with a resounding yes!

EcoSalon caught up with Alyssa Gaustad, a leading member of the Naam Yoga Therapies International Teacher Training Team to discuss why group meditation is important today and the huge difference it makes.

EcoSalon: What happens when 100,000 people come together to focus on peace? For the individual and the world?

Alyssa Gaustad: Sometimes we think that the problems of the world are too big for us to make an impact. But each person and each thought do make a difference! According to The Institute of Noetic Sciences, “There is data to suggest that it takes only the square root of 1 percent of a population to align their thinking for mass consciousness to change.” Imagine then, what the impact is with 100,000 people coming together as we do in the Superclasses. The impact of 100,000 people gathered together and focused on peace affects the equivalent of 1 trillion people!

ES: Why specifically is meditation so important?

AG: For our world to change, we ourselves have to be willing to change, and that is why we meditate. Naam meditation causes us to be more universal and to let go of the conditioning that causes us to feel that we are separate from each other.  It helps us to face ourselves and to change with grace.  How can we expect the world to change if we ourselves are not willing to change? Meditation cleanses the mind and frees us from the shackles of this conditioning, making us more tolerant, flexible and compassionate. We work with breath, rhythm, and sacred words to shift our nervous system out of a state of stress and reaction, into a place of calm and peace. By shifting out of a state of automatic behavior to a state of consciousness and awareness, our perception shifts. We become more creative in the way we face the various challenges in life. We move into a state of creating our reality through the lens of positivity and our life changes for the better.

Cultivating inner peace through meditation creates peace in our outer world and this has an incredibly positive and healing impact on the planet. It also helps us to see the universality of all teachings and embrace the fact that we are all interconnected so that we may see the divine in every teaching, in every person and in ourselves.

It doesn’t matter what language you speak or what your religion is, at the Superclass prayers and meditations are performed from many backgrounds and in many languages such as English, Spanish, Hebrew, Latin, Gurmukhi and Sanskrit for instance.  Everyone can feel at home.  It is a beautiful reflection of unity and universality.

ES: Is this just a once a year event? Or can we keep the positive energy going in our daily lives?

AG: An event like this opens the door for what is possible for us to create in this world.  Dr. Levry the founder of Naam Yoga says, “It has never been more important than it is right now for the world to envision peace and create it.” It is important for us to take responsibility individually and collectively to help heal our planet. Each of us can make the world a better place by becoming softer, more tolerant and more compassionate, not only toward others but also toward ourselves.

We can focus on peace everyday, in each moment. We can make it a daily practice. Every thought, every word and every feeling is a prayer and every day we have a chance to uplift others. By consciously directing and redirecting our thoughts and words to focus on love, peace and light each day, we keep the positive effects of the Superclass flowing and have a powerful influence on the planet.

Reciting the Prayer of Love Peace and Light given to us by Dr. Levry is a beautiful way to focus on peace and it is the prayer that we close all Naam Yoga classes with. This prayer is a simple, universal and practical way to keep contributing to the movement of peace on this planet. 

ES: How does meditation change us?

AG: We have the power, through the Superclasses for Peace, to meditate with hundreds of thousands of people at the same time in order to generate a magnitude of high pranic energy that can affect the minds and hearts of everyone.  In so doing, we positively change our molecular vibration and raise our frequency to new heights of compassion and tolerance. Through the principle of resonance, the lowest vibrations in a group naturally attune to the highest vibrations, thus we are collectively transformed.

Today science has accepted the health benefits of meditation and there is a rise of studies on the direct affect group meditation has on reducing violence and war.

Peter Oppermann, founder of the Future Self Meditation Method adds that “If our mind is at peace, we see peace all around us. If our mind is angry and agitated and ‘at war’, we see war all around us. Our perception of the outer world is colored by our own state of mind. In (group) mediation, we drop into a unified field that dissolves the sense of separations, we feel more connected to others. A sense of natural loving awareness arises which is the opposite of being at war. We literally become the peace we long to see in the world.”

While there are different types of meditation, the goal is the same: to unify beyond the individual ego to help create a tangible high vibration of peace that proliferates. And it’s not just for the world’s benefit but also for the individual. Suze Yalof Schwartz Founder/CEO of Unplug Meditation says, “The group energy when meditating- you feel it – and it elevates you.”

Are you inspired to help create world peace? Do you want to start now?

With meditation, it’s never been easier to be part of a positive tipping point in the world. You can even do it your pajamas. Turn off the news, close your eyes and turn your attention to a unified vibration of peace that always is available to us through meditation 24/7.

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Images courtesy of Naam Yoga 

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If meditation benefits aren’t on your radar yet, they may soon be–and at the urging of your doctor.

Meditation has long been my stress reduction tool. When life begins to move to fast it causes tension and a lack of flow in my body. And while yoga was helpful at first, it wasn’t long before I noticed that truly settling the mind called for sitting in meditation.

Stress causes the release of cortisol, a hormone that’s a coping mechanism. Cortisol isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s the hormone that helped us to survive in the caveman era when we were being chased by a lions and tigers. But in our more modern existence, unless you spend your days being chased by lions and tigers, it’s likely that you’re not often in life of death situations. But even still, the release of cortisol can be artificially caused when we’re late for meeting, get pulled over for speeding, or are unable to meet a work deadline. An overproduction of cortisol from these small, routine triggers, can have an impact on our health increasing rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death.

That’s why science is taking an interest in meditation. Its unique ability to stave off stressors makes it a versatile treatment for a host of ailments from post traumatic stress disorders in soldiers, cancer survivors, and those suffering from depression. Companies like Google, General Mills, and Goldman Sachs are using the benefits of meditation on their workforce as well to improve focus and help manange stress.

“We know that it causes changes in the brain and we’ve seen people change their behavior, but we don’t necessarily have a firm grasp on the connection between those two yet. But there is definitely solid evidence that these (meditation) practices do impact the brain,” Dr. Steve Hickman, director of the University of California, San Diego, Center for Mindfulness said to the Las Vegas Review Journal.

There are a number meditation methods from which to choose like Vipassana meditation and Transcendental Meditation. Vipassana is a form of Buddhist mindfulness meditation that uses a focus on the breath to bring meditators into the present moment. By focusing on the present moment, you’re better able to let go of worries for the future and regret from the past. Transcendental Meditation is practiced two times per day for 20 minutes. The meditation uses a repeated mantra to improve focus.

“Everybody comes through the doors because they want something more out of life and that, quite often, is under the category of health in some fashion, whether it’s, ‘I want to sleep better’ or ‘I want less stress,’ whatever that category contains … but it’s also about developing the whole individual,” a meditation practitioner said to the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Perhaps the best part of meditation is that it taken be taken with you where ever you go, and for the most part, it’s free and easy to do.

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Image of a people meditating from Shuttershock

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You know how a good dream makes you feel great? And a bad dream does the exact opposite? So what do dreams mean, and how can they help you kick negative thoughts to the curb and improve your life?

Sometimes they are seemingly random. Other times they are obviously about a life event or struggle. Have you considered what your dreams are telling you?

Some psychologists put a lot of stock in dreams, considering them higher forms of contemplation. Makes sense if you think of dreams as distraction free thought that is much more intuitive than our ordinary daily thoughts.

Not only are dreams interesting, but may be tools to a better life. By paying attention to what your mind is mulling over while you catch your Zs, you can unveil what’s troubling you, working for you, and even gain help in making decisions.

Carl Jung may have been one of the original believers, but dream symbolism is becoming increasingly popular. While dreams are as individual as the dreamer, there are certain themes that seem to run true. Jung disciple and psychotherapist, Carder Stout, recently did a fascinating interview with GOOP that went further into the dream/reality connection.

Stout says not only do our dreams connect with our subconscious, but with universal archetypes. For instance, those naked in public dreams that crop up from time to time? You may be feeling vulnerable or unprotected in some way. Dreaming of a scary woman, maybe even someone you know? This isn’t so much about them as you, representing a part of our own personality that we aren’t so crazy about. And every mother out there is likely familiar with the misplaced child nightmare. Guess what, that one is not a premonition of bad parenting, but a signal that you may be denying the childlike qualities in yourself and need to have more fun. What a relief!

Ready to delve deeper into your own psyche? Start by making notes on dreams in the morning and see if you can come up with real life connections that speak to you. Or type your dream character or symbol into DreamsCloud, a free app that shares insights and scenarios on dreams. Read up on dream interpretation with “Your Mind at Night: Dream Interpretation Guide for Beginners” by Frances Long and “Beginner’s Guide to Dream Interpretation: Uncover the Hidden Riches of Your Dreams with Jungian Analyst“.

Think of dreams as meditation while you sleep, opening up greater insight into the true you. What do you think? Interested in dream analysis?

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Are you in a constant state of stress, possibly without even realizing it? Could be due to that endless chatter in your head. Time to tame the monkey mind.

Hey, you are not alone. Most of us have some repetitive thoughts going on in our minds most of the time. It’s a state often called “monkey mind.”

Some say this metaphor came from Buddha, others claim it is of Chinese or Hindu origin. Wherever it began, the term monkey mind does a good job of summing up incessant and racing thoughts.

This mental chatter could be causing worry, anxiety, distraction, lack of creativity, and other negative emotions. There are ways to tame these beasts and gain control over your mind.

6 Monkey Mind Taming Tips

1 Strike a Pose: You probably aren’t surprised to see yoga on this list. Why does practicing yoga have a calming effect on the mind? The intentional breathing done while practicing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers blood pressure and  heart rate, and slows breathing. Calmer body, calmer mind. Try these yoga poses for instant calm.

2 Get Om: Another usual suspect on getting centered. Sick of the meditation revolution yet? As we’ve said here before, there are many ways to meditate beyond the crossed-legged om-chanting posture. Try guided meditation or get yourself to a meditation studio. And I love this list of fun ways to meditate, especially number two.

3 Do What You are Doing: Sounds easy enough, right? But how ‘in the moment’ are we when folding clothes, doing dishes, making dinner, and other daily tasks? Chances are, not very. These mundane duties give us a chance to plan, contemplate, and make decisions–and fret, worry, and obsess. Eckhart Tolle, master of living in the present moment, maintains that being in the here and now is the route to peace and happiness. It may take some getting used to, but give mindful tasking a try. Need some inspo? Eckhart shares with Oprah two ways to get present.

4 Talk With the Monkeys: Okay. I admit this one sounds a little crazy. But this is an important exercise in confronting your fears. Trying to avoid problem thoughts often makes the issue seem much worse than it is. Ask yourself what it is that’s truly bothering you or that you can’t quit thinking about. What’s the worst that will happen if this thought happens in real life? Can you handle that? Most likely, you can. It’s amazing how addressing fear can abate worrisome thoughts.

5 Step Away From the Device: Yes, the cell phone, tablet, or laptop. What’s the big deal? Manoush Zomorodi, host of WNYC’s New Tech City podcast, found that less screen time can free up mind space. Through her seven day Bored and Brilliant campaign, Zomorodi put participants through daily tasks aimed at awakening awareness. The biggest take away from the campaign: people felt less distracted and more inspired when they stopped multitasking and allowed their minds less distraction.

6 Gaze in the Right Direction: You may be surprised to learn that what we look at and for how long affects how focused or distracted we are. Duke University researchers studied monkeys’ eyes (I know, again with the monkeys) for links to the brain’s focus. The study distracted monkeys from a task by showing them pictures of other monkeys. By monitoring brain activity, scientist found that a set of neurons were only active when the monkeys were trying to do two things at once, complete a task while being distracted by pictures. The neuron sets were inactive when the monkeys were doing just one task at a time. The theory goes that when humans are trying to pay attention to two different things, it triggers a “conflict” circuit in a region of the brain called the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). The dACC is part of a larger brain structure that controls rational thought and emotions. Moral of the story, try concentrating your focus on one thing at a time for better productivity and peace of mind.

Quieting the noisy mind is something we all deal with. Do you have other tips to taming your inner monkeys?

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While they may not say so, most people visit Hawaii in order to heal. Different words might be used: “relax,” or “escape.” They’re all synonymous, though, with the fundamental idea of healing. It only seems fitting that the islands are home to ho’oponopono, an ancient ritual of forgiveness and conflict resolution.

Hawaii may very well be my favorite place in the world: A lofty statement, especially from a New Yorker. I’m always seeking an excuse to visit, and when I do, I often go alone. It seems a perfect fit for the solo traveler: Safe, beautiful, quiet when I want it to be, and, if I just need a damn mai tai, there’s never one too far away. But my connection to Hawaii is more profound than cocktails garnished with plumerias. It’s a spiritual, restorative sensation that I experience only when I visit there, and the reason why, when I’m at my emotionally weakest points, I try to educate myself about Hawaiian approaches to mental health. Ho’oponopono is one of them.

I first began reading about ho’oponopono shortly after I graduated from business school, when I picked up Ulrich E. Duprée’s short, lightweight “Ho’oponopono: The Hawaiian Forgiveness Ritual as the Key to Your Life’s Fulfillment.” In the book, Duprée defines ho’oponopono as “love in action.”

“You forgive yourself and others for having inflicted any sort of hurt,” he writes, “or for having failed to help when needed.” It carries a mantra of, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you.”

Forgiveness, for many of us, is a rather tall order. There’s an observable tendency in American culture to lean toward blame, whether asking, “Where did I go wrong?” of ourselves, or, “What the hell is the matter with you?” of others. We are not a society to whom grace and compassion come easily. We body-shame. We yell. We’re always in a hurry. No wonder Hawaii is an escapist’s dream.

One of the most common situational instances of fault and blame’s prevalence can be found during a breakup. Often, a relationship’s end is rife with anger, bitterness and resentment; forgiveness is, much of the time, the last thing felt by either party. I should know; I’ve been through enough failed relationships to be an expert. (See what I did there? “Failed.” No self-forgiveness here!) In fact, during my most recent visit to Hawaii, another solo trip for which my original purpose was to write about farmers markets, I experienced what is likely my most difficult breakup thus far. Here’s the weird part: In this particular situation, there was no anger. There was no blame, or bitterness, or resentment. There was only pain, and a lot of it. I wasn’t sure if even Hawaii could heal me.

Somewhere along the way, I realized that, despite my excitement around my travels to the beautiful island, I had largely lost my regard for ho’oponopono. There I was, in the ritual’s birthplace, and I hadn’t even thought to further educate myself about it, or truly put it into practice. My pain became an opportunity. After all, in his book, Duprée notes, “Ho’oponopono is a spiritual-soul method of purification that cleanses us from fears and worries, destructive relationship patterns, and any religious dogmas and paradigms that oppose our personal and spiritual development. It cleans out the blockages in our thoughts and cell structure, for our thoughts are made manifest in our body.” That was it! Even though I hadn’t expected to spend my time in Hawaii on the breakup process, the island was already working on the healing process before I even got there, by clearing my mind enough to acknowledge the truth about a relationship that simply was no longer working.

In the introduction of his ho’oponopono book (which, yes, I highly recommend everyone pick up), Duprée explains the role of Hawaiian kahunas as “guardians of this ancient teaching,” noting that “to know something without then using it really makes nonsense of it, because wisdom is revealed by what a person does, not by what they know.” Meditation is, ultimately, a practice. Perhaps putting forgiveness into practice is the revelation of such wisdom: To others, but just as critically, to ourselves. Viewing pain as an opportunity is a powerful phenomenon: One that allows us to operate with something other than a sense of our weakness and suffering.

It’s as if Hawaii says to us, “Hey! Look around you! It’s pretty beautiful, isn’t it? Sit down, and let it heal you.” Of course, not everyone can physically visit Hawaii when such crises occur, and we never know when one will hit.  That doesn’t mean we can’t rely on the lessons of ho’oponopono, or learn that its regular practice benefits us in a broader sense, and not just when we are in trouble.  If we realize how important it is to forgive, both ourselves and others, and how self-destructive it is to constantly seek blame when things go wrong, each day of our lives can be richer.

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Always trust your gut. It knows what your head hasn’t figured out yet. ~Unknown

We are programmed, here in the West, to run to our physician whenever we aren’t feeling well. Of course, there are times this is warranted. But many times our gut is trying to tell us something.

By gut I mean our intuition. You’ve heard the term trust your gut? Listening to our bodies and inner wisdom can go a long way toward maintaining balance and good health.

What is Intuition?

So how do we tap into this inner wisdom? What if ours isn’t speaking very loudly? What if we can’t hear it at all?

You know how you just knew that your aunt was going to call, or were thinking about an acquaintance only to run into them later the same day? That’s not a coincidence, it’s your intuition. Sure, some are more open to their inner wisdom than others. But the good news is we all have to ability to get in touch with our intuition.

How to Tap Into Your Intuition

You likely won’t be surprised to learn that meditation is one very effective way to get in touch with your inner wisdom. Remember, this does not have to be a rigorous practice. There are many ways to meditate. The idea is to get quiet and listen to your inner voice.

Another way to get in touch with your body and intuition is by balancing your chakras. Intuitive, Jill Willard, offers a great chakra balancing breakdown on GOOP. Read it to find out how to open your third eye.

And finally, just do it. Stop writing it off as a coincidence or imagination. If you feel strongly about something it is likely for good reason. That stomach keep nagging you or just feeling off? Pay attention, dig into it, see if you can put your finger on what’s happening in your body or if your aches and pains are physical signs of stress.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Health

Did you know that our emotions can play out in physical ways? Louise Hay’s book “You Can Heal Your Life” has a super useful and comprehensive list of physical ailments and their emotional counterparts, along with healing mantras for each. I refer to this list regularly and it is amazing how often it is spot on. For instance, say you have lower back pain. The probable emotional cause is fear of money or lack of security. Have an earache? This represents anger and not wanting to hear what is going on around you.

Our emotions are ruled not so much by what is actually going in our lives as our perception of what’s going on. Our thoughts. This quote by my favorite Ayurvedic, Monica Bloom, tells the whole story — If you want to change your body, you must first change your mind.

Whoa! That’s deep. But what, exactly, does it mean?

Monica explains that our health is largely due to the decisions we make. What we eat, how much we exercise, our stress patterns, are all governed by our thoughts. Which, though it sometimes seems otherwise, we have control over.

Reigning in our thoughts and making good choices leads to better health. Sure, none of us are perfect and we all go overboard in one area or another. That’s where balance comes in. Have a margarita and three cupcakes on Saturday? Clean up your act on Sunday. This is life after all, and if cupcakes make you happy, then have one once in a while. Just remember, cupcakes everyday won’t make you so happy.

Go deep, get in touch with your intuition and what it is telling you, stop ignoring your own inner voice. What it has to say is important to your health, wellbeing, and happiness.

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Do psychedelic experiences really benefit us? What if they could spur on a healthy lifelong meditation practice?

In his book “Ayahuasca Test Pilots”, author and explorer “Medicine Hunter” Chris Kilham goes into detail about his own personal experiences with ayahuasca—the potent South American psychedelic plant brew—as well as the scientific factors responsible for the confounding introspective journey the plants offer.

What we know about ayahuasca’s effects can be broken down into its parts: chemicals in the plants combined to make the brew, trigger a rush of DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) into the brain that take us into other realms of consciousness, if not other planes of reality altogether, that we can’t normally experience without the assistance of the chemical. But it seems how the two plants that make up the mixture came to be used together will always be a mystery. Did ancient tribes experiment with thousands of plants, or like many shamans explain, did the plants “speak” to the people of the jungle and tell them of the benefits if brewed together? Either way, Kilham’s “test pilot” reference might be more accurate if described as “ayahuasca astronauts”—as journeyers of the medicine believe they’re not testing anything out, but rather exploring unchartered territories of the universe and the human mind.

Ayahuasa, Kilham writes in “Ayahuasca Test Pilots” can help us gain access to “multiple dimensions, and become suffused with absolute and complete love.”

For many Westerners, it may sound like little more than an excuse to “get high”–and while that’s flawed thinking, it’s also completely understandable. Since the Controlled Substances Act went into effect more than 40 years ago, we’ve been forced to transform our perception of plant medicines as little more than addictive, harmful products that can ruin your life, and possibly send you to jail for a long, long time. Nevermind the fact that “drugs” like ayahuasca can actually help people break their drug addiction (to substances like cocaine and heroin), or that MDMA—the active component in the popular party drug Ecstasy—is being used in clinical trials to help our soldiers recover from PTSD, or that psilocybin can be more effective than pharmaceutical anti-depressants.

The modern view of psychedelics is about as deranged and deluded as it gets—a somewhat ironic situation when we’re talking about plants that can make you think you’ve turned into a snake, or are being swallowed up by one. For the most part, our culture brushes off psychedelics as fodder for mental breakdowns, violence and hysteria, even though that’s not the case for most seekers.

Psychedelics, it turns out, may actually foster a deeply spiritual “awakening” that can encourage many positive life changes, including a healthy meditation practice, long after the hallucinogenic experience has subsided. And likewise, a strong meditation practice already in place, can help ground a seeker through the discomfort and challenges of a psychedelic journey, like an ayahuasca ceremony. “If a meditative practice can facilitate psychedelic exploration, it makes sense that the converse is also true,” Reset.Me reports on its website.

And why does this matter?

Because, if used properly, psychedelics like ayahuasca, San Pedro cactus, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA can provide deep insights and healing opportunities. And let’s be real; who among us is not in need of healing? A meditation practice can continue that work, bringing balance and presence to the seeker long after the effects of the medicine have worn off. This matters in handling ongoing grief, stress, anxiety, depression and scores of other woes of the human spirit. Life is already quite a psychedelic journey—one that can be too much for many of us to handle without daily crutches like illegal or prescription drugs, alcohol and other not-so-good-for-us tools. So is it really all that surprising that psychedelics and meditation can offer us some healthy perspective on it all?

“You can approach ayahuasca from any angle,” writes Kilham. “You can meet it open-minded, skeptical, assure of its value, doubtful or in any state.”

That’s not to say you need to take psychedelics in order to start or maintain a strong meditation practice (nor do you need one to journey with psychedelic medicines). But what is becoming ever more clear is the link between the two, and the long-term benefits. We no longer need to fear psychedelic medicines as sinister substances destined to lead us to a life of crime, nor do we need to brush off meditation as a woo-woo New Agey gimmick or question its efficacy. In fact, studies show there are significant benefits to meditation, from aiding in the recovery of physical injuries to improved concentration and performance in students.

“Ayahuasca, if you drink a working dose, will often drive you right to the edge of what you can endure in terms of energy, healing and stripping away those aspects of your psyche that do not serve you well,” writes Kilham. “Ayahuasca acts as a psychic blowtorch, with the capacity to cut through and reduce to cinders what does not work.”

It seems if we know one thing for certain about both psychedelics and meditation, it’s that we’ve barely begun to scratch the surface on the benefits and opportunities both can provide us in not only navigating our own life experiences, but in assisting others as well.

[Note: Psychedelics are illegal in the U.S. and we do not encourage their use without the guidance of an experienced counselor or therapist in an approved controlled environment.]

Find Jill on Twitter @jillettinger and Instagram @jill_ettinger

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