Insecurity, worry and fear seem to be at an all-time high. Some of us put our trust in a relationship to make us happy, the government to bail us out, or a new doctor to have the answer to our physical ailment. These are all well-meaning but misguided attempts to place our trust in people and institutions which cannot solve our problems and cannot make us happy.

The Vedic tradition teaches that there is only one way to happiness and only one person we can trust. The source of all is within ourselves; we do not need to look outside ourselves to find what we are looking for. But when looking within, we need to take care to look to the True Self rather than the ego. The role of the ego is to protect us at all costs, even to the point of lying to us about what in life can be trusted. (Addiction, for an example, is a lie perpetrated by the ego.)

The True Self, however, resides within our bliss body. Because it has been with us from the beginning, no one can take it away. Remember to pause in the midst of every situation—joyful or sad, pleasurable and painful—and observe the enduring bliss that carries us through every moment. When you live from this center you will know the true source of happiness.

For 16 continuous days I practiced yoga nidra meditation to honor the start of the spring season. Each day highlighted a different Hindu Devi, each an expression of the Divine Feminine, each associated with a different phase of the Moon. What I learned is that the Divine Feminine lives within each of us and defines our True Self.
 
Here are just three of the Devis who spoke most eloquently to me:
Vahnivasini, the Devi of Fire, who helped me get in touch with my passion for learning and teaching, loving and understanding others and to be the one to increase positive vibrations wherever I go.
 
Tvarita who represents the waxing Moon when she is half light and half dark. She helps me to balance what I do know with what I do not know. No need to rush to judgment because if we wait, more light will arrive and we will see and know more.
 
Nilapataka, She Who Falls into the Blue. Her story is fascinating! She falls into the blue poison and transforms it into nectar. When I am aware of the “poisons” in my life I can consider how they can be turned into “nectars” that will encourage and enlighten me.
 
Just like you and me and all people everywhere, the Devis each have their own unique qualities. Something my teacher said really caught my attention: The qualities of the Devis are inside of us. Then she paused and said something even more powerful—the Devis are inside of us. She said this is not something that all of us are yet ready to see, but when we do our lives would be changed forever.
 
When you look at your True Self, what do you see?