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Meryl Davids Landau

Meryl Davids Landau

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7 Shortcuts to Daily Bliss

Posted: 05/21/11 01:55 AM ET

Sure, the ancient yogis found inner bliss by stretching in their yoga poses and sitting on their cushions for hours on end. But we live in the real world -- too busy treading water to spare that kind of time! Fortunately, after digesting tons of spiritual books and attending myriad workshops, then experimenting with what works for me, I've created my own "Reader's Digest"-ish shortcut to daily bliss.

My best intention is to practice these steps daily, although I often fall short. Like many spiritual seekers, I have to resist beating myself up when I'm not perfect. But it's okay to fall off our daily spiritual path -- nearly everyone does. Still, when I find myself racing around directionless, I try to remember my seven simple steps, because they always send me where I want to go: up.

To connect to your own elevated interior, try (as best as you can) to sprinkle these steps throughout your day:

Sing In The Shower
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One thing the ancient yogis were right about: Set a good tone first thing in the morning and you float through the day. That's why at the crack of dawn at a yoga ashram you'll find everyone meditating. But hard as I've tried, I can't drag myself out of bed with time to spare, what with packing school lunches and getting ready for work. My solution: I sing in the shower. Rather than fixate on problems and to-dos, I send my thoughts skyward via song. It doesn't take any extra time, not to mention that even bad voices like mine sound magical against the tiles. I learned this technique from a healthy and joyful 99-year-old man, whom I'm convinced got that way because he belts out "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning" with every shampoo. I prefer Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." Any song that feels happy to you is perfect.
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Sure, the ancient yogis found inner bliss by stretching in their yoga poses and sitting on their cushions for hours on end. But we live in the real world -- too busy treading water to spare that kind ...
Sure, the ancient yogis found inner bliss by stretching in their yoga poses and sitting on their cushions for hours on end. But we live in the real world -- too busy treading water to spare that kind ...
 
 
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Meryl Davids Landau
author of Downward Dog, Upward Fog
10:53 AM on 05/24/2011
Interesting to see how readers have rated these tips. It seems that fantasize, stretch, and appreciate come out on top. I love that fantasize is first, since I do believe what you think about throughout the day plays such a huge role in your overall mood and your experience.

Since sing in the shower didn't fare too highly, I guess you're in good company, Judy! Although I have to admit I have an awful voice, and it sounds really good in my shower--which makes singing there in the morning an extra-special treat for me!
10:40 AM on 05/24/2011
I love 6 out of 7 of the Bliss tips...but not even wild horses could get me to sing in the shower!!
Judy, South Africa
02:20 PM on 05/26/2011
How about jamming out to your favourite tunes? I'm not one to sing, even in the shower but I've got a playlist I put on during my morning shower full of upbeat songs that I love. It definitely starts my day on a good note.
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Meryl Davids Landau
author of Downward Dog, Upward Fog
06:02 PM on 05/26/2011
Great idea--although I still think if you have a full shower (and not a tub with a curtain) everyone's voice sounds good.

Kath, I'd love to hear what you listen to! I'm always looking to expand my singing repertoire!
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french queen13
my beloved is mine and I am his
08:11 PM on 05/22/2011
What precisely do you mean by "your life should transform"? I'm very dubious about the whole Law of Attraction business, because it seems to imply that if you're suffering, it's your own fault. "Transforming" your life here seems to suggest outward things - or do you just mean your outlook will change? Somehow I don't see fantasising about being employed or wealthy doing a lot of good ON ITS OWN for someone who's out of work and broke.

The one about "don't vent" also seems dubious. Sure, it's no good getting into the habit of complaining about every little thing, but when someone is distressed, angry, fearful or whatever, it helps a LOT to have someone sympathetic to talk to, get support and maybe ideas from. Bottling up isn't good at all. If this meant "don't sweat the small stuff" perhaps it should have been more explicit.
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Meryl Davids Landau
author of Downward Dog, Upward Fog
03:19 PM on 05/23/2011
Thanks for weighing in! How you envision that your life can transform if you spend more time fantasizing about what you want depends on your beliefs. Even if you don't think there's merit to law of attraction, though, I suspect you'll agree that you can't get to where you want to go if you don't even know where that is. If you're unemployed, to use your example, it's only when you know what kind of work you'd really like to be doing that you'll feel inspired enough to take the steps that can lead you to that.

In a similar way, "venting" about all the things you hate about your current situation also blocks you from moving towards what you really want. I think on this point we're more in agreement than you think, because you talk about getting support and ideas from others, which implies talking to them in a way that's solution-oriented, rather than simply complaining about the problem. That's a great approach, and it's far different from venting.
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Kristin Talbott
One should always be a little improbable.
06:10 PM on 05/23/2011
"I'm very dubious about the whole Law of Attraction business, because it seems to imply that if you're suffering, it's your own fault."

I'm confused. Do you honestly not believe that, at the very least, people actually do take actions that result in negative and unpleasant outcomes for themselves?
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LifeChangeStartsNow
I am love, discernment, confident, resourceful, as
09:00 AM on 05/22/2011
MERYL, absolutely fabulous tips. All well worth doing and easy to do as well. thank you!
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Meryl Davids Landau
author of Downward Dog, Upward Fog
03:10 PM on 05/23/2011
Thanks! Having the advice be easy is crucial to me, since if it's not easy, I (and I think most people) won't do it. Glad it resonated with you!
02:13 AM on 05/22/2011
Hey, who couldn't use a little more bliss - these are really great tips, simple things to bring more peace and joy into your life.