Yoga is a tool to cultivate our connection to our true self, the part of us that, regardless of the constant flow of life, remains the same.

  When you look in the mirror you may see a different face than you saw a few years ago. The reflection probably belongs to someone who has a new job, value system or is simply in a different mood. So who is the person who looks through our eyes and watches these changes? Isn't there a sense of wonder as part of you feels no different regardless of your location on life's road map?

  Humans have such an unnerving tendency to identify and cling to the temporary, an inevitable path to suffering. When engaged in a practice of self discovery we examine the aspects of our lives and realize that "I am not my pain, car, job, etc …" We find there is a place inside of us that is eternal and slowly we can develop a gratitude for what psychologist Viktor E. Frankl coined our "Naked Existence."

  A great example of this phenomenon would be prisoners of concentration camps or soldiers on a battlefield. There are those who are still capable of life and laughter even in their darkest moments -- proof that joy is inherent not in the fruits of life but in life itself, and until we are gone for good this divine life with all of its peace, calm and confidence is within us just waiting to be accessed.

Take the bypass

  Bypassing the constantly shifting emotional states and our set of circumstances, such as financial or relationship security, takes practice. Of course, just finding out that you have the option to jump off of the hamster wheel is a stellar first step. Awareness of a greater set of possibilities is incredibly liberating and rarely is our life unaffected by revolutionary new information. The call to action becomes exciting and vital.

  One of my favorite analogies is to imagine you are on the road of life and in a traffic jam, stuck behind a huge semi. You cannot see a thing ahead of you and have no idea if you will wait minutes or hours or if you are behind two cars or 200. How frustrating until you realize you can turn the radio on, tuning into the station picking up reports from the helicopter overhead.

  We all have access to the helicopter overhead. All the information about our unique and lasting purpose in this life is waiting to be revealed by getting to know the silent part of you that has weathered the victories and failures and remained steadfast.

  The part of you that is connected to all sentient beings has the ability to provide you with the peace of mind to reach your highest potential for happiness. The next time you brush your teeth, glance in the mirror and see who is really looking back.