By Meghan Rabbitt
We all want to evolve. That desire is what drives most of us to work toward becoming better versions of ourselves. Year after year, we painstakingly peel back the layers to get to the heart of who we really are and who we aspire to be. But as anyone who has ever spent time feeling down in the dumps or had a conflict with an irate co-worker knows too well, it can be tough to stay cool, calm, patient, and kind on a regular basis, especially in the face of discomfort.
That's why we turned to the experts -- psychologists, yoga teachers, and meditation masters -- for their thoughts on the best practices for getting to the root of negative emotions, taking a look at yourself when you're blaming others, naming your role in what's not working in your life, and more. Of course, it's not easy work. "Your quest for improvement will invite tests for your self-destructive doubting aspects," says Elena Brower, a yoga and meditation teacher in New York City and author of the newly re-released Art of Attention. "However, if you can see these tests and lessons for the blessings that they are, every new understanding can help you grow."
Linda Mainquist, co-director for the Center for Leadership Performance at the David Lynch Foundation, agrees, though cautions that it can be tempting to get into a not-very-helpful "self-help" mentality. "These days, we seem to make ourselves eternal self-improvement projects, always trying to be better at something and pointing a finger at ourselves," she says. "When we do this, we are ultimately telling ourselves we're not good enough."
Enter these mindful practices, all of which focus on helping you usher in a mentality of loving-kindness toward yourself and others as you continue to walk your own path.
Related: What's Your Personality Type?
1. Focus on your relationship with you.
"In order to be the best version of yourself, you have to create an ideal relationship with yourself. Cultivating this kind, close relationship with the heart of who you are takes time and is an ever-evolving process, but it is the most nourishing relationship you'll know. To start, write down your dream for this relationship with yourself. Think of this vision as your root system, which will help you to question and release negative inner dialogue that's possibly plagued you for years." -- Elena Brower, yoga and meditation teacher in New York City
2. Put together a purpose statement.
"Slapping a smile on your face and thinking happy thoughts isn't going to make you a nicer, happier person in the long run. To really thrive, it's crucial to create inner well-being, which will help you exude genuine gratitude, kindness, and joy. Start by asking yourself if you're living 'on purpose.' Are your resolutions for change in line with your gifts, passions, and values? Often we go right to thinking about 'the how' of personal change without thinking about 'the why' we want to improve. Creating a purpose statement and keeping it front and center in your life will help you focus on fulfilling time, not just filling time." -- Christine Whelan, Ph.D., a professor at the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
3. Stay the course.
"Remind yourself that magic takes guts. If you start wondering, 'Where's my spiritual awakening?' Remember that effecting change takes stamina, especially when you're not seeing the desired progress right away. Give that loud, noisy voice saying 'I can't' to God, so that you can drop into the quieter and more loving voice that reminds you 'I can.' Obstacles are inevitable, but they make you stronger and connect you to your tender heart. This is a process alright, but there's magic in the repetition." -- Dana Flynn, a yoga instructor at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in New York City and Brooklyn
4. Hone your ability to see yourself in others.
"Take a moment to consider the Laws of Karma. All of us have passed through the same things in the past -- perhaps even worse than what we are trying to deal with and seeking to understand now. We have to accept that whatever is happening is perfect, and we have to be patient. Then, with a little bit of compassion (which means to see yourself in others), ask yourself, how can you hurt anyone? How can you criticize anyone? There is no room for this." -- Sri Dharma Mittra, legendary yoga teacher and the model and creator of the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures
5. Turn around negative energy.
"Practices that uplift and elevate you can undercut the power of negative emotions and destructive habitual patterns. Such practices might include an inversion--any, from Headstand to Bridge Pose, will do. Flipping your perspective of yourself, others, and the world around you can bring awareness to the base of the pelvic floor by activating mula bandha, which gives rise to a feeling of weightlessness and possibility. Another powerful way to flip perspective is to practice the ancient technique of Skull Shining (kapalabhati), whereby the forceful exhale lifts the diaphragm muscle upward as if it is knocking on the door of the heart, igniting the dormant areas of the brain and, as a result, awakening you to your highest potential." -- Rima Rani Rabbath, yoga teacher at at Jivamukti NYC who leads teacher trainings for Jivamukti Yoga around the world
Related: Yoga Tutorial: Headstand
6. Meditate to mediate your emotions.
"Oftentimes when you're not acting like your better self, you are being reactive rather than responsive. Reactions are quick and usually thoughtless; being responsive is when we're able to take a step back and ask yourself, 'How do I want to deal with this?' There are many ways to create this gap -- to get hold of yourself and not react -- and meditation is one of them. A meditation practice creates that greater connection with your non-reactive, silent witness and enables you to rise above old scripts, patterns, and injuries, and be better able to choose a new response." -- Linda Mainquist, Co-Director for the Center for Leadership Performance at the David Lynch Foundation
-----------
HuffPost's GPS for the Soul app is based on two truths about human beings. First: We all have a centered place of wisdom, harmony and balance within us. Second: We're all going to veer away from that place, again and again and again. What we need is a great course-correcting mechanism -- a GPS for the Soul -- to help us find our way back to that centered place, from which everything is possible.
Because no one knows better than you what helps you de-stress and tap into that place of peace inside yourself, it's important for you to create your very own GPS guide -- a personalized collection of whatever helps you course-correct. Email us at GPS@huffingtonpost.com and we'll set you up with your very own HuffPost blogger account to share your guide on the site. If you're already a blogger, we encourage you to upload your personal guide today. We can't wait to see what you have to share.