Editor’s Note:  As 2012 begins, David’s words of wisdom on the subject of setting intentions feel particularly relevant. On behalf of David and the Chopra Center, may you and your loved ones enjoy a beautiful new year and the spontaneous fulfillment of your greatest intentions and dreams.
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7 Keys to Empower Your Intentions (from the Chopra Center Newsletter)

The essence of a spiritual journey is relinquishing our attachment to a particular outcome, yet each of us has intentions and desires we’d like to see manifest in our lives. The wisdom traditions offer guidance that can help us increase the probability that our good intentions will translate into the outcomes we seek.

1. One-pointedness
The Vedas tell us that purity of thought and fixity of purpose are the secret to a life of fulfillment. Ask yourself, “What do I really want?” Consider, to the extent possible, how manifesting your desire will influence and enhance the quality of your life. Then, make a commitment to take the first step along the path to fulfillment.

2. Discipline.
Discipline is the commitment to learning and practice. The word discipline derives from the same root as the word disciple, which means “being open to receive.” The fruit of discipline is grace – the universe adds its power and creativity to your capability, and you manifest something that at one point seemed beyond your reach.

3. Timing
Mastering the power of intention includes honoring the rhythms of life. There is a time to act and a time to practice forbearance. Staying tuned in to the synchronistic clues around you enables optimal results with minimal effort.

4. Discernment
Attention is the most powerful force in human awareness. Whatever we place our attention on grows stronger in our lives. Apply your attention with conscious discrimination, and nature will support you in the fulfillment of your desires.

5. Surrender
We have control over our next choice, but no control over the consequences of our choice. Knowing this, focus your resources on the choice in front of you, set the desired trajectory, and then let go, observing the outcome with curiosity and amusement. Like an accomplished archer, become clear on the target, pull back your bow to a point of stillness, release the arrow, and see what happens.

6. Oneness
Return to the state where all desires arise and are fulfilled. Bringing silence into your daily practice through meditation and yoga cultivates a state of abundance consciousness. Whatever you are seeking to accomplish in the world of form and phenomena, you can access the feeling you are striving to generate by quieting your mind and entering into the state of timeless awareness.

7. Reflection and Lightheartedness
It is easy to waste life energy taking credit for our accomplishments and casting blame for our failures. Instead of focusing on self-importance or self-pity, this energy would be better invested in making use of the lesson learned to make more evolutionary choices. Spiritual warriors practice sobriety without taking themselves too seriously. In this way, we align our personal wants and desires with universal intent. Nature then supports the fulfillment of our desires, as the line between individual and universal becomes nearly indistinguishable.

Have faith that the universe will help organize your intentions and hope that the consequences of your intentions will bring peace, happiness, love, and meaning to you and all those affected by your choices.

Best wishes for an evolutionary New Year.

With love,
David

Enjoy David’s article from the Chopra Center’s December newsletter . . .

Think of someone you love with every cell in your body. It might be your child, a parent who always encouraged you, or your spouse. Or maybe your beloved pet or a life-long friend. If you can feel or envision this expansive state of lovingness, you will recognize that it is possible to care for someone so much that your only desire is for that person or being to be happy. Now consider how you would feel if you could embrace this level of love for yourself.

If you loved yourself as much as a mother loves her children, what choices would you make?  You might imagine that, like a devoted mother, you’d want your kids to take good care of themselves. You’d hope that they would eat healthy foods, get enough rest, and avoid self-destructive behavior. You would encourage them to associate with intelligent, creative, and compassionate people. You would encourage them to find their passion in life and develop skills that would allow them to create material abundance while doing those things they enjoy the most. You would want them to have a life of happiness, health, love, and freedom.

These are experiences that we all would like, and my hope is that if you aren’t already treating yourself as the magnificent, lovable being that you are, you will begin today. You can start by asking yourself how you are currently nurturing your body, heart, and mind.

Here are some questions for reflection:

Body

• Am I nourishing my body with healthy food?

• Am I generally getting plenty of restful sleep or do I need to make this more of a priority?
• Do I take time each day to quiet my mind in meditation or another mindfulness practice?
• Am I giving my body the opportunity to move consciously through activities that enhance my flexibility, strength, and endurance (such as yoga, walking, hiking, sports, etc.)?
• Am I taking advantage of the healing power of the senses by surrounding myself with nurturing sights, sounds, tastes, touch, and smells?
• Do I need to let go of any non-nurturing habits or addictions, such as overeating, smoking, or overspending?

Heart

• Is there anything I’m holding onto from the past that is causing me pain in the present? If the answer is yes, am I taking steps to release emotional toxicity and heal my heart?

• Am I able to maintain healthy boundaries and honor my own needs?

• Do I practice conscious communication with the people in my life?

• Am I part of a loving community of like-minded individuals who share core beliefs and intentions.
• Do I have a light-hearted approach to life? Am I able to be responsible yet not take myself too seriously . . . allowing me to engage with others from a more expanded sense of self?

Mind

• Each day, do I set my intentions with the mind-set that either my desires will be fulfilled or I will learn something of value?

• Am I open to seeing the world from new perspectives, even those that seem in opposition to my usual point of view?

• Am I continuing to learn new things that expand my mind and increase my enthusiasm for life?

• Am I cultivating an internal dialogue that supports unlimited possibilities for myself, my loved ones, and the world?

As you read these questions, notice if any of them resonate with you as something you want to shift in your life. Then choose just one area to begin with and write down the smallest possible step you can take to begin to give more to your body, heart, or mind. In reality, they are inextricably connected, so the benefits of nurturing one aspect will ripple out into all areas of your life – and beyond. Have fun and see what you can create!

With love,
David

The Chopra Center wishes our friend and co-founder, Dr. David Simon, a happy birthday. It’s a crystal clear morning here this December 7 in San Diego, and we’re having a meditation at the Center in his honor in just a few minutes (9:30 a.m. Pacific time).

We invite you to join us wherever you are in celebrating a man who helped bring such powerful teachings for inner peace, healing, and love to so many people around the world.

We love you, David.

Note:  Each month  the Chopra Center Newsletter features a new article from David Simon (you can read the entire issue here).

Here is David’s message for September . . .

We are all part of an infinite ocean of vitality, love, and joy. Yet when we’re caught in the turmoil of an agitated mind or heart, our access to that unbounded source is obscured.  While it’s natural for our emotions to ebb and flow, if we are consistently feeling depleted, stuck, depressed, or even “comfortably” numb, then it’s very likely that we are holding onto something that is no longer serving us. We migh t be hanging onto a painful memory, a toxic relationship, or a negative belief that drains our life energy and prevents us from experiencing our inherent happiness.

The classical psychoanalytic description of depression is “anger turned inward.” Someone caused you pain but you were unable to express your feelings because the consequences of showing your hurt and anger seemed too great. A caregiver neglected or abused you but you feared that showing your distress would provoke further abuse.  A lover betrayed you but you were afraid that setting an appropriate boundary would lead to abandonment. You tolerated your supervisor’s demeaning behavior because you were worried about losing your job. In all of these scenarios, you were unable to find an appropriate outlet for your legitimate emotions, so you most likely turned them against yourself.

Finding Emotional Freedom
Inherent within any problem is its own solution. By taking some time to tune into your inner wisdom, you will find the guidance that will help you release your stored emotional toxicity and rediscover happiness – even if you have been carrying your burden of pain for quite some time.  Here is a simple but powerful process that you can use:

Tune into Your Inner Wisdom
Begin by taking a few minutes to quiet your mind, then ask the question What am I not dealing with in my life?  Consider each of your important relationships and listen to the messages of comfort or discomfort your body is sending.

If the message is one of distress, ask yourself What do I need to do to reduce or eliminate this distress?  The answer usually lies close to the surface and will rush into your conscious awareness simply by asking the question. For most non-nourishing relationships, you have three choices: change it, release it, or continue to suffer. Once you’ve made your choices conscious, it is much more difficult to choose to suffer.

Gain Clarity
The next question to ask yourself is What is preventing me from making the changes I know are necessary to restore my balance, energy, and joy? Listen to the responses that occur to you and be aware that this is the point at which excuses and rationalizations tend to come up. The voice of justification tends to use the word but – “I know I need to set clear boundaries with my neighbor but . . . ” or  “I would be better off ending this relationship, but . . .”

You can always find plenty of reasons to stay with the known rather than exploring the unknown, yet if your current choices aren’t bringing you happiness and fulfillment, it’s time to change your direction or accept the consequences. Envision the event lines that flow from the choices you’re considering. Remember that as the author of your life, if you don’t like the old script, you can write a new one.

Release and Forgive
Release the burdens that are constricting your heart. While you can’t  change the past, you can reinterpret it and use what you’ve learned to move towards greater expansion. Stop torturing yourself with recriminations and resentments. Instead, begin forgiving anyone whose actions have created pain for you –  including yourself.

As we’ve experienced at many of the Chopra Center’s emotional healing workshops, creating a release ritual can be profoundly beneficial. You can write a letter, draw a picture, or choose an old photo to serve as a container for the toxic feelings you are going to release. After expressing your emotions, tear up the object, burn it, or flush it down the toilet, consciously letting go of the noxious energy that has been limiting your happiness and creativity.

Feelings of pain and disconnection are warning signals from nature that something needs to change. If you fail to listen to the message that the pain is carrying, it will likely get more intense until you are forced to pay attention. I encourage you to listen carefully to the signals your inner being is sending and trust that your soul is guiding you to greater truth, wisdom, love, and peace.

With love,
David

Dear community,

After David’s recent surgery, he has been recovering at home as well as taking the opportunity to travel to his hometown of Chicago  – and to Maui to spend time with his family in that beautiful natural setting.  He is now back in San Diego, continuing on his healing path and occasionally speaking at Chopra Center events.  On behalf of David and his family, we thank you as always for  the incredible  support and love and messages you send each day.  We are grateful for this loving community of  compassionate souls from all around the world.

Namaste,

The Chopra Center Staff

David’s son, Max,  shares good news about David’s surgery Wednesday:

Yesterday, my dad had his SECOND brain surgery to attempt to remove as much of his glioblastoma tumor as possible.

There was a surprisingly calm energy amongst my family and the doctors . . .  almost as if to communicate, “We’ve done this once before so we’re good to go.”

It’s strange how life-experience can quickly give you the impression that you know how to handle a situation . . . isn’t it?

The Surgery Went Well

It only took 2 hours instead of the expected 4 . . .  and the doctor came out of the room with a positive energy.

He said, “We took a lot out. I’d say about 90%. And doing this surgery again was definitely the right thing to do.”

We felt a wave of relief . . . followed by an outpour of tears. The tension and pressure inside just needed a release . . .

Read the rest of Max’s post here.

Dear friends,

As the saga of my life continues, I wanted to let you know that I will be undergoing a second surgery this Wednesday to hopefully improve the quantity and quality of my life. My physicians are optimistic that this process will be helpful to me, my mind, and my body, and I’m actually looking forward to benefiting from this next step in my treatment. If you are so inclined, please send your love and best wishes.

As always, I enjoy your messages, funny stories, and jokes, which you can continue to share here on this blog.

With love and appreciation,
David

On behalf of David Simon and his family, the Chopra Center would like to thank everyone for their support, love, and well wishes.  It’s hard to believe that it has been almost a year since our beloved friend, teacher, leader, and doctor was diagnosed with a gliablastoma.  He is still undergoing treatment and has been happy for the opportunity to participate in quite a few Chopra Center events. Most recently, he was able to give several talks and Q&A sessions at the Seduction of Spirit retreat in Atlanta. We were excited to be able to broadcast his talk live from the sweet spot in Carlsbad, California, and many guests reported how much the experience meant  and that it felt like David was right in the room with them.

A couple of weeks ago, David hosted a staff satsang for the Chopra Center staff and family. As if to honor the occasion, the  unusual rain and cold weather we’ve had this spring in San Diego gave way to a perfectly serene and clear evening.  We gathered outside on David’s large patio overlooking green hills and valleys. As the sun grew softer and colorful hot-air balloons drifted by in the distance, David shared some his recent reflections about the gifts this illness has brought into his life, including the opportunity to grow closer to his family and a much deeper appreciation of life’s spiritual essence. He also shared that he is writing a new book called “The Five Awakenings,” in which he’ll share the awakenings he has had since his diagnosis on five themes: silence, nature, love, dharma, and healing. We’re looking forward to the words of wisdom from a man who has given so much to so many.

Thank you for being part of our extended family, and know that while David isn’t able to respond to all the emails and kind words, they are deeply appreciated.

with love,
The Chopra Center Staff

More than 800 participants came together on for a special community healing event created in honor of Dr. David Simon, who was diagnosed with cancer last June.  The event was an opportunity for the extended community to support as well as all those coping with difficult health challenges. Some people traveled from other states and countries participate in the evening of prayer, laughter, meditation, and inspiration, which included a beautiful talk from David; a message from David’s neuro-oncologist and friend Santosh Kesari, M.D.;  a traditional Tibetan healing ceremony; a message from Deepak Chopra; and a guided meditation led by the Chopra Center’s lead educator, davidji. Participants also enjoyed a video preview of the documentary about David’s story that is being developed by his son, Max Simon.

“In his work as a doctor, healer, and teacher, David Simon has touched the lives of thousands of people throughout the world for more than 30 years,” said the Center’s event coordinator, Amanda Ringnalda. “In the past few months since his diagnosis, so many individuals have reached out to David through emails, blog posts and phone calls, offering their prayers of healing and gratitude and blessings. Our intention for this event was to create a way for the extended community to come together with the collective intention for healing.”

Donations for the event are going to the U.C. Foundation Brain Cancer Research Fund. Contributions are still being accepted here.

We will be  posting videos and photos from the event as they become available.

This January 22 a healing ceremony and Tibetan prayer ritual in honor of David Simon is being held at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. Learn more here. While we have reached our maximum capacity for this event, we invite you to join us in spirit by meditating at home during the same time that we will be having the group meditation in Carlsbad. The group meditation will take place from approximately 5:45 to 6:15 p.m. (PST).

On behalf of David Simon and his family, thank you for all of the love and support you have offered during these past eight months.

In gratitude,
The Chopra Center Staff