I have noticed that most of us humans are quite sensitive to criticism. (Animals may be as well, but none have told me, so…) The first question to ask is: why are we upset or put off by the critical comment or email? But perhaps the more important question is whether it is true or not.

People often talk about “balance” as in “work-life balance” or “work hard then play hard.” In yoga postures after all, it is almost always appropriate to follow a stretch to one side with a stretch to the other. I’d like to suggest, however, that the idea of balance is perhaps overrated.

When I was 17 I had what was supposed to be a fatal brain tumor. They did not have PET scans and CAT scans in those days, so the diagnosis took quite a while, as I had none of the normal symptoms that one would expect (in my entire life I have never had a headache, for example — not even then). By the time it was clear what the problem was, I had to be rushed into surgery. Fortunately, I had an emergency appointment set up with a top-level neurosurgeon…

I was at the front desk when I heard a woman on her cell phone near our gorgeous fountain. She was a bit loud, but I felt to let it go for a little bit. When it became clear this was to be an extended call, I approached her. I pressed my palms together in a pranam and said, "I am so sorry, but maybe you can take this call right outside? We try to keep a quiet environment for others so they can enjoy the store.” She simply walked to another part of the store and continued her call. I gave it another minute or two and started walking over towards her—she saw me—and she hung up.

I wanted to share a significant change coming to East West. After a year of careful consideration and analysis, I have decided to dramatically shrink our events department. I consider each of you part of the East West family, so wanted to share both the news and the thinking behind this.

The world is enticing. The ups, the downs, the thrills, the spills. The ultimate soap opera to keep us engaged, whether joyous or sad. This is what has us come back over and over, tweaking the details in hopes of the perfect result. But that desire obscures what we are doing here. This planet is a school (and not a PhD program, mind you — it’s more of an elementary school!). The odd thing is that we keep trying to change the school itself rather than to learn the subject matter.

As much as we try to be secure and centered in ourselves, let’s face it, we are social animals. Friends, co-workers, life partners, family… those relationships have a great effect on us. Almost all of our most challenging situations involve something with two legs!

You pass by a flower bed on your property and see a small weed. Bending over, you pull at it. But to your surprise that little weed seems to have a three-foot-long root! Ten minutes later your clothes are less clean, you have broken off the upper part of the weed down to a stub, you are a bit sweaty, and what’s left is smiling at you (laughing?). The easy things are… well… easy. What’s left may not be.

There was a businesswoman sitting in the airport waiting for her flight. A gentleman sat down next to her. Her open bag of mini-cookies was between them. She reached in, grabbed one, and started to munch. A moment later he smiled at her and he reached in and grabbed one himself, not saying a word. She was appalled that he would be so forward, but set aside her indignation and reached in for another one…

We had a ceremony at Ananda. I live in an apartment complex that is an intentional spiritual community (we have apartments available from time to time. You can learn more about it here). As part of the ceremony we do a bit of fundraising for needed projects of various sorts. As I walked up to make my offering I looked into the eyes of the bust of Yogananda and said mentally, “All for you…” I felt a strong response, “No it isn’t! It’s all for you!”