Sādhanā - The Practice

We spend much of our lives moving toward the next thing: The next home. The next version of ourselves. The moment when everything will finally feel settled. But what happens when we pause… and ask: …and then what? I n this episode, Erin reflects on a simple yet profound question — one that cuts through even the most subtle forms of striving. From moving house and chasing the “perfect setup,” to the quiet effort within meditation, to navigating grief and the uncertainty of life, this conversation explores how deeply the habit of “what’s next” runs. This episode gently points us back to what remains when the chasing softens.

Erin reflects on a common challenge many practitioners face: taking spiritual practice too seriously. In this episode, she explores the difference between sincere dedication and the heaviness that can arise when meditation or yoga becomes another goal to achieve. Drawing on teachings from Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and her own recent vipassana retreat experience, Erin discusses how self-criticism, expectations, and “spiritual guilt” can show up before, during, and after practice. Instead, she invites listeners to approach practice with more lightness, curiosity, and humour. Rather than striving for special experiences, the real work of meditation is simply becoming familiar with the mind as it is. A gentle reminder to keep practicing — but not so tightly. Teaching by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo In traditional Buddhist countries, people are quite realistic and laid back concerning dharma practice. Although they have deep faith and devotion, they understand that we are all flawed human beings. So they tend to be less critical both of themselves and others. Western students, on the other hand, often try to become the perfect practitioner, to transform themselves into a Japanese or Tibetan, assuming not only the outer etiquette, but the inner attitudes of one’s adopted dharma country. Usually, however, this approach merely accentuates one’s low self-esteem and lack of confidence. To walk the path with confidence, we need to accept and befriend ourselves, to feel at ease in our own skin. Most Buddhist teachers have encountered the tendency of Western practitioners to take themselves and the dharma very seriously. Perhaps it is a leftover from the students’ traditional religious backgrounds, but there is sometimes a humourless quality to the intensity and focus on achievement. Solemnity and earnestness often prevail in Western dharma circles. One of the noticeable qualities of most Asian dharma teachers—and some Western teachers—is their readiness to laugh and joke. The Dalai Lama is a prime example of someone who spontaneously laughs when anything strikes him as funny—even in the midst of a solemn ceremony. This doesn’t mean that he isn’t deeply sincere; he’s just not too serious. Usually it is our old companion the ego that likes to take itself seriously in order to feel important. So when we become interested in the dharma, the ego happily cloaks itself with an aura of spirituality and readily agrees to undertake retreats and disciplines to become a better and more realized “me.” Rather than quietly working to change our minds, it is easy to fall into the trap of taking on the most advanced practices and empowerments long before we are ready. This creates discouragement and a sense of failure. Students sometimes ask: “What will I gain from meditation practice?” or “When will I know that I have realizations or accomplishment?” or even “What is the fastest and easiest way to enlightenment?” One of the problems seems to be making dharma practice into yet another goal to be accomplished. The texts assure us that we need energy and dedication to advance along the path, just as we would to become proficient in any skill or sport. Yet it is easy to fall into the pattern or trap of making one’s practice rigid and ambitious. We grow depressed when we don’t appear to be making any progress: when we meditate and nothing seems to happen, or when we cannot regain our initial experiences. Our very expectations create a barrier to the natural unfolding of the mind’s potential. The dharma is supposed to make our lives happier and less encumbered. “Feeders on joy shall we be,” as the Buddha said. The dharma should be like yeast in the heavy dough of our everyday existence, making our days lighter and more digestible. So when our practice becomes yet another rock in the rucksack of life, making everything seem heavier and more stressful, something isn’t working properly. In the famous simile of a lute, the Buddha explained that just as the strings of a musical instrument should be neither too tight nor too loose, likewise our practice should be well tuned—not too intense and not too lax. Like a marathon runner, we need to pace ourselves. We need to encourage ourselves and our fellow practitioners to lighten up and stop taking ourselves so seriously. Sometimes I think the seventh paramita should be a sense of humor! It is very unlikely that we will really accomplish full enlightenment in this lifetime. So what? We have countless future lives to continue the work. In this life, we can allow ourselves to relax a bit and enjoy the flowers, even as we keep walking onward. — Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

In this episode, Erin shares her reflections as she prepares to enter a 10-day Vipassana retreat in noble silence. She explores the power of noble silence as a pause from reinforcing identity, self-grasping, and habitual noise. Erin explains how Vipassana (insight meditation) invites us to steady the mind through the doorway of concentration meditation, allowing thoughts, emotions, and sensations to rise and fall naturally — revealing deeper truths like impermanence. Drawing on yoga philosophy and lived experience, she reflects on: • The discomfort and clarity that arise in extended silence • The difference between striving and softening in practice • How yoga asana and pranayama supports meditation by preparing the body to sit • Why insight isn’t about suppressing the activity of the mind, but allowing the activity to settle so you can 'seeing clearly' - that is, familiarise yourself with the true nature of the mind. She also shares her intention to co-create a new name for the podcast — inviting you into a collaboration activity - get in touch with your suggestions! For more resources head to https://themindfulyogaschool.com Get in touch [email protected] 

In this episode, we continue our exploration of Annamayakosha by turning toward asana — not as physical shapes to achieve, but as a living mirror for how we move through life. Drawing on the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and reflections from teachers such as T.K.V. Desikachar and B.K.S. Iyengar, this conversation invites us to examine effort and ease (sthira and sukha), presence over performance, and the way the body becomes a doorway into self-inquiry. This episode is an invitation to let our asana practice reveal our own tendancies, patterns and habits — on the mat and beyond it — so we can dissolve ignorance and see clearly, and make choices in life that aren't distorted, instead wise. Here's a breakdown of the episode: 1. Welcome & Community Reflection 2. Annamayakosha: The Outer Sheath 3. Why We Practice Asana 4. Sthira & Sukha: Balancing Effort and Ease 5. The Mat as a Mirror for Life 6. Asana as Presence, Not Performance 7. The Body as Canvas for the Mind 8. Yoga as Self-Inquiry 9. Compassionate Practice & Non-Harming 10. Integration & Contemplation 11. Closing Reflection  

Episode Summary The Body As A Doorway is the first episode in a Sadhana members-only podcast season exploring the layers of our being. We begin with the physical body — not as something to fix or perfect, but as a gateway into deeper awareness. Listen as you move through your day and let sensation become your guide. In this episode, we explore: What the Koshas are and where they come from The physical body as the outermost sheath of our Self (Annamaya Kosha) Non-violence, compassion, and acceptance toward the body The body as a constantly changing process Why sensation matters more than achievement in practice Modern culture’s fixation on the physical body The body as a gateway — not the destination Beginning exactly where you are, in the body you’re already in