What if Krishna was our financial advisor?

"Why this timidy, Arjuna, at a time of crisis? It is unworthy of a noble mind; it is shameful and does not lead to heaven. This cowardice is beneath you, Arjuna; do not give in to it. Shake off your weakness. Stand up like a man."

dialog between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita

Yoga is a balance of action and introspection, of practice and surrender. It promises a life of freedom, where through practice we find ways of acknowledging what's going without being sucked into a downward spiral of bad news. The realization that we can be responsible by being present brings us back from a sojourn into worrying land. "Only the very wise and the very fool do not worry about things". Considering ourselves very wise is usually a sign we are not; yet, if we have to choose a direction, isn't there where we are leading?

I encourage you to find ways of remembering that this is precisely what our practice has prepared us for: being a force of peace and goodness in the midst of chaos. Like Arjuna, we must fight! And that means being an unshakable source of joy and peace. If not you, then who? We need to counterbalance the negativity we receive from the media by practicing random acts of kindness, gratitude and whatever makes us happy. Sing, dance, get on the mat, make love, laugh, play with kids...

And yes, this IS business advice! Can you agree your students will be looking for something or someone who can reflect beauty for them? We are all receiving enough gloominess from other sources.

There's not much more you can do about the current situation. If all stress is either something that requires action, clarity or a change in attitude, what would you say this is? Even if you work at the FED or as a Bloomberg analyst, chances are it's the change of attitude that will lighten your heart.

Worth mentioning: look for the subtle distinction between being joyful and yet aware of what's going on, and being joyful at the expense of ignoring what's going on. Though it's "just" another manifestation of maya/cosmic illusion, overemphasizing that can feel really dishonoring to someone who has just lost a house or a job.

Last but not least: raise your hand if you have you ever criticized how materialistic and consumption obsessed our society is. Now raise your hand if you can see Kali, the benevolent destroyer behind this recession (or however you want to call it)? Throughout human history, that's how space for change is created. Let's go dig gold inside folks!

To the infinite source of prosperity within you!