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How to Deal with Change Using Yoga’s Ethical Principles

Matthew wearing a graduation gown, order of the arrow stash, boy scout merit badge stash, and lots of other silly graduation gear
Graduation season brings big emotions. As my youngest prepares to leave the nest, I turn to the yamas and niyamas, yoga’s ethical principles, for guidance. These ancient teachings offer tools for meeting change with compassion, truthfulness, and grace. Whether you're facing a personal transition or just navigating daily life, this article explores how yoga can support us through uncertainty.

What Is Ethical Living Through Yoga?

Fall leaves in the woods with a creek and a path up a hill at Kripalu

In Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot series, a tea monk and a robot wander the world asking, “What do people need?” The answer isn’t a product or a fix. It’s a feeling. A sense of being heard, valued, and whole. Many of us long for that same feeling in our lives: a way to move through the world with purpose, integrity, and care.

In modern yoga culture, it’s easy to lose sight of yoga’s roots. We see poses, wellness products, and vague talk of “good vibes.” But behind all that is something far more grounded. Yoga offers a path for ethical, purposeful living.

Pretty Good Meditation Podcast Recognition

a black circle with a gold border and gold microphone with the words top feedspot top meditation podcast
I’m pleased to announce that Pretty Good Meditation has been selected by the panelists at FeedSpot as one of the Top Meditation Podcasts on the web! As we approach the 100th episode, I'd like to thank you for your continued support and for listening. If it has been meaningful to you, leaving a review or sharing it with a friend can help others find it, too.

Meditation Creates Space

Matthew sitting in a room with a large window at a Buddhist retreat center overlooking the cliffs of Ireland
Ever notice how your best ideas don’t come when you’re trying? Meditation creates the space for insights to arise, not by thinking harder, but by allowing stillness. In this reflection, I share how sitting quietly helps me make sense of daily life and find clarity where there was once noise.

Standing with Coffee

white coffee mug with the stick figure in tree pose and the words yoga guy below

My first silent meditation retreat with Triple Gem of the North in March 2017 was a formative experience in my life. That weekend in Janesville, Minnesota was the first time I truly felt what it was like to live the practices of yoga and meditation throughout the day. Not just on the mat or cushion, but in the quiet, in-between moments that fill the day.

Transgender Day of Visibility Is a Call to Action for Everyone

The words Transgender Day of Visibility with a hand waving blue and pink ribbons

On March 31st, we recognize Transgender Day of Visibility. This day isn’t just a celebration. Today is a reminder of our shared responsibility to foster a world where everyone can live openly and authentically. It’s a chance to reflect on the lives and contributions of transgender individuals and acknowledge the challenges they face.

It’s more than a symbolic gesture. It’s about standing together, fighting for the right of every person to express who they are and live authentically.

Silly Poses, Serious Benefits

Someone with long curly blonde hair and a hoodie laughing

Do you ever have one of those really long belly laughs? The kind that leaves you nearly breathless, brings tears to your eyes, and makes your cheeks and abs sore? It’s the kind of laughter that can set the tone for an entire day, make your steps a little lighter, your smile a little quicker to appear, and a feeling, if only brief, that the world is going to be just fine. Those are great, aren’t they? Well, it turns out they’re actually pretty beneficial, too!

Revolutionary Love and the Heart of Yoga

a white line on a purple background that includes a hand and a heart
This week, I had the privilege of hearing Valarie Kaur speak, and her message resonated deeply. It felt like a yoga class without the mats. She reminded us that yoga is more than movement; it is union, truth, and action. Through the lens of revolutionary love, we are invited to see this moment not as an ending, but as a new beginning. How can we embody love in action, both on and off the mat? Let’s explore the connection between yoga and the radical, transformative power of love.

Finding Strength in Community

A group of people around a Lake Fellowship sign at The People's March in 2025
These days it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of bad news and mounting pressures. But what if the antidote to stress isn't avoidance but connection? Building and nurturing community can help you navigate these challenges and bring more peace into your life. By finding strength in each other and placing Love at the heart of our actions, we can support not only ourselves but also those who need it most. Let's dive into how you can show up for your community, support marginalized groups, and create a space for hope in troubled times.