Seeds are a useful metaphor for understanding the relationship between our present actions and future outcomes - including the concept of 'karma' in Yoga philosophy. Every thought, word or deed is a seed – it sprouts a consequence for ourselves and often others. Some of those seeds eventually bear fruit, shaping our lives and those of us around us.

I try to attend to the many details of this human life with as much skill and grace as I can muster - while not losing sight of the big picture. The truly important stuff. There’s a saying Bill and I often repeat to each other: “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” (Stephen Covey).

How to sustain a yogic mindset amidst the drama and challenges of life? Practice.

One of the more well-known sutras in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras describes the need to live your yoga with such commitment that it becomes completely established in you. Towards the end of our program we discussed at length the importance of maintaining our daily Sadhana – our practices. Our amazing teachers did not mince words – to teach yoga from a place of authenticity and skill, we need to live our Yoga. Learn to prioritize our inner world over the external world.

A tall order in this busy life.

Tom Thompson’s life is about waking up from the trance we live.