Iyanla Vanzant Quotes

In the same way that rain breaks into a house with a bad roof, desire breaks into the mind that has not been practising meditation.

Being able to control your mind is a beautiful thing.

Do not let the body be dragged along by mind nor the mind be dragged along by the body

If I'm having relentless thoughts, I just won't shut up in my head. I know that if I put myself on the mat and just focus on a flow that I will transmute or I will transform, transfer the energy into some other act or put my attention somewhere else, I'll be back. I'll feel stronger not only in my body but most certainly in my brain.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

How can a troubled mind Understand the way? If a man is disturbed He will never be filled with knowledge. An untroubled mind, No longer seeking to consider What is right and what is wrong, A mind beyond judgements, Watches and understands. Know that the body is a fragile jar, And make a castle of your mind. In every trial Let understanding fight for you To defend what you have won.

The more meditation goes deep, the more you will become master of your own thoughts. You will say, "Stop!" and the mind stops. You will say, "Move!" and the mind begins to move. Once this capacity comes to you, you will not fall down again. Unless this is achieved, if you discontinue meditation, soon every result will be washed away.

Meditation does not mean just sitting quietly for five or ten minutes. It requires conscious effort. The mind has to be made calm and quiet; at the same time, it has to be vigilant so as not to allow any distracting thoughts or desires to enter.

Yoga makes my day better as I am less likely to fall victim to my otherwise foolish & forgetful mind.

The mind is responsible for the feelings of pleasure and pain. Control of the mind is the highest Yoga.

Meditation is a lifelong process. Give it a try. As you get deeper and more disciplined into the process, you'll get deeper and more disciplined in your mind and life.

It is a challenge at times, but trying to stay centered and balanced helps me keep things in perspective.

The more externally chaotic the world becomes, the more we need sound internal logic, especially when it comes to our emotions.

My mission in life is to try and get to a point where my insides world is not affected by the outside world.

Yogis have human emotions, but the thing is not to let anger and doubt become an obsession.

Understand that thoughts are thoughts. If they are unreasonable, reason with them, even if you have no reason left. You are the observer of your mind, not its victim.

It was Helen Hunt who taught me to incorporate a consistent meditation practice. Her consistency - even when she was at her busiest and most public - was inspiration to me.

The mind has to be gradually and systematically brought under control.

The essence of practice is always the same: instead of falling prey to a chain reaction of revenge or self-hatred, we gradually learn to catch the emotional reaction and drop the story lines.

Only by practice and non-attachment can we conquer mind.

That daydreaming seemed important at the time, but when I asked my teacher Katagiri Roshi about it, he said, "Oh, it's just laziness. Get to work." But as for discipline, I don't even use that word. I think more about passion or love. What I've really learned is the way the mind moves, and how the mind works. Rather than discipline, I know how to seduce my mind.

When we meditate every morning we are putting on armor for the day's battle against our own impatience, inadequacy, resentment, and hostility.

Emotion can be the enemy, if you give into your emotion, you lose yourself. You must be at one with your emotion, because the body always follows the mind.

If you keep your attention in the body as much as possible, you will be anchored in the Now. You won't lose yourself in the external world, and you won't lose yourself in your mind. Thoughts and emotions, fears and desires may still be there to some extent, but they won't take you over.

Meditation depends upon the strength of mind. It must be unceasing even when one is engaged in work. Particular time for it is meant for novices.