Professional Documents
Culture Documents
What is Blissology?
2
eoin, wednesday yoga routine, bali
Contents
1. My Life Mission pg 4
2. The Upward Spiral pg 6
3. Four Modes of Being pg 8
4. Commit to Bliss Four Week Lifestyle Program pg 9
5. Blissology Commitment #1 Yoga pg 13
6. Blissology Commitment #2 Meditation pg 16
7. Blissology Commitment #3 Nature Appreciation pg 19
8. Blissology Commitment #4 Food Awareness pg 21
9. Blissology Commitment #5 Gratitude pg 25
10. 'LVFRYHULQJ'HQLQJ<RXU/LIH0LVVLRQ pg 26
11. Blissology Project DVD Yoga + Meditation pg 29
12. Blissology Project Workbook pg 30
13. Lessons from the Hammock pg 64
3
eoin, YES retreat, sayullita mexico
I am free to see the deepest calling of my heart become manifest in the world,
letting all other forces in life; social pressures, economic pressures and
competitiveness fall silent. What remains is my life mission, my ultimate reason for
being here.
It propels me. It is my ultimate guide. It is the lens that converges my actions when
I am off track or misguided so I can readjust my course. Whether I am successful or
fail in the eyes of others doesnt matter. What does matter, is bringing my life
PLVVLRQRXWLQWRWKHZRUOG$WWKHHQGRIP\OLIHLQWKRVHHHWLQJVHFRQGVZKHQLW
is all passing, I can have a smile on my face, knowing that I tried wholeheartedly to
bring my inner vision out into the world.
So, what is my Life Mission? To tune into this huge, vast and powerful force that
lights us up and makes us feel connected to the concerns of other people, other be-
ings, and all life. I describe this force as Love. My Life Mission is to be a conduit
for the force of Love and allow it to be expressed in as many interactions as
possible, from how I talk to a small child, to teaching yoga classes, to even ordering
a coffee.
4
eoin, at home in ucluelet, bc
This Life Mission is at the heart of the movement I call Blissology. In launching
the Blissology Project, I combat all fears. I have no corporate sponsors, no trust
IXQG,QVWHDG,SXWWKHPRQH\,ERUURZIURPEDQNVRQWKHOLQH:LOOLWEHDQDQFLDO
success? I dont know. I trust that it will because all I have experienced before in
life is that when I get out of my own way and let something come through me like
a radio channeling music, there is a power to these offerings that is beyond my full
understanding.
In this case money is not the motivator, it is a deep-seated calling to bring this Life
Mission out into the world that is. This is what wakes me up in the morning and
fuels me all day.
I hope this offering lights up something in you that allows us to create an Upward
Spiral in our own lives and in the lives of all those we touch.
This offering via my Life Mission is called the Blissology Project. Welcome to it.
We are going to have fun in the next 30 days and I hope your inner Blissologist
becomes so open that you feel more love, awe, wonder and joy than one body can
possibly contain!
5
Actions affect Habits
Habits affect Attitudes
Attitudes Affect the World
We have an argument which makes our bodies and mind feel tense - we lose
sleep, its hard to wake up, we get late, when we arrive where we are going there is
no parking so we take a chance on a parking spot that is illegal, our car gets towed,
this costs us money and makes us even later for other meetings. When we get to
them, our perspective is off and we dont cinch a deal we were hoping for.
Few people talk about the opposite paradigm, the upward spiral. The upward
spiral is central to the Blissology Project. It occurs when we attract things into our
life that start impacting us in a more positive way. Its like the domino chain, except
ZLWKDEHQHFLDORXWFRPH
Picture the same scenario: We have an argument with someone so our bodies
feel tense. We breath and concentrate on exhaling tension out as we practiced in
Blissology Commitments #1, Yoga and #2, Meditation. We eat a delicious meal high
6
insiya, thursday yoga routine, bali
on the Pranameter as per commitment #4, Food Awareness and after the meal
take some time to experience commitment #3, Nature Appreciation, reaquainting
ourselves with how good life is by stepping outside, observing the stars or smelling
the scent of trees in the air. We get our minds off of what has gone wrong and
practice commitment #5, Gratitude, feeling three things we are grateful for. The
tension may still there but our zest for life is back. Our mind is more clear and there
is a sense of deep joy within us. We arrive at our meeting refreshed and smiling.
People like what we have to say, we love talking and sharing what we do, a work
GHDOLVIXOOOHGDQGOLIHIHHOVIXOORISRVVLELOLWLHV
In Power vs. Force David Hawkins points out that there is reason to believe that
we actually set up attractor patterns for the events that transpire in our lives. Our
state of consciousness has an impact on our happiness and the events that
transpire. We actually attract events into our lives by our state of mind and, I would
add, by our state of body and heart. (For more on this try reading Wayne Dyers
Power of Intention or Deepak Chopras Seven Spiritual Laws of Success).
The Blissology commitments help us to develop a state of mind, body and heart
where we set up attractor patterns for life, thereby creating an Upward Spiral. This
is not a magical formula for a life where things only go right. There will be
continuous challenges in life; some of them very hard, but we will gain the tools to
create the best life we can in all circumstances.
7
eoin, insiya, christy friday yoga routine, bali
1. Ho-Hum: Theres not much vitality here. We exist with a fair bit of comfort but it
is not to our potential capacity. This is what I call being on Autopilot.
2. Poor Me: This is the feeling we get when we believe that life is dealing us bad
cards. We view ourselves as victims and spend much time in conversation with
ourselves and others about the wrongs that have been done to us.
:LSZO!Here our thoughts and actions involve looking at any situation from the
perspective of how can this further my wants and desires? We ask only whats
in it for me? A little of this attitude is healthy and necessary for survival but when it
gets out of balance, our relationships suffer.
4. Blissologist: Here we are in a full life embrace. Full of awe, joy and
wonder - the commitments of Gratitude, Nature Appreciation and Meditation ensure
this. Physically, we feel great, because we practice the commitments of Yoga and
Food Awareness; mentally and emotionally we feel ready to embrace whatever life
places in our path. We understand and embody what balance feels like.
8
Happiness is best when shared!
See if you can take a moment to determine when you inhabit these various
SHUVRQDVLQ\RXUOLIH7KHUVWVWHSWRPRYHIURPWKH+R+XPRU3RRU0HVWDWHV
of being towards the Blissologist, is simply awareness. Journaling is a valuable
exercise here.
7KLVOHGPHWRUHDOO\SUREHP\OLIHWRQGRXWWKHVRXUFHRIWKLVKDSSLQHVV:KHQ,
examined it, I realized that there were a few simple, but powerful habits I practiced
daily that had a big effect on my attitude.
If we could commit to these habits, I thought, not only would we be happier but we
would also healthier relationships and take better care of our planet. Habits after
all shape our attitudes, attitudes shape our actions and actions are what
ultimately shape the world we live in.
What are these Habits? Yoga, Meditation, Nature Appreciation, Food Awareness
and Gratitude. I call them the Blissology Commitments. The great thing about the
Blissology Commitments, is not only are they powerful but they are easy! People
9
EHHVRZHUVGRLQJWKHLUPDJLF
saltspring island, bc
think that being happy is complicated, but nothing could be more simple. In fact, I
think BLISS is an acronym: Beautiful Living Is So Simple.
The Blissology Project is simple. Practice the Five Blissology Commitments daily
with a community of people over four weeks. And create an Upward Spiral.
1. Journal: For non-digitally inclined people, you can use the Blissology Project
Journal provided at the back of this booklet. Just check off that you have done
the commitment and record your notes for that day.
2. Join our Global Community: Connect with people all around the world on
the Blissology Project section of our website. Each commitment has its own
page and you can login using facebook and comment about each Blissology
Commitment every day. Its a fun way to log your insights, to stay disciplined
and to inspire others! Go to blissology.com and stay inspired!
3. Participate at a Yoga Studio: There are studios across the globe running
these 4 week programs. Share your insights and practice Yoga and Meditation
as a group. Studios are listed at blissology.com
4. Purchase the Blissology Project Downloads or DVD: You can practise
the yoga and meditation at home or in at your local yoga studio or with our 6
disk DVD set or downloadable video series.
10
nature appreciation, hollyhock, bc
The Ho-Hum way of eating honey is to grab a jar from your cabinet and spread it on
your toast without much thought.
The Blissology way is something like this: start by taking a jar of honey out from the
cabinet and pause to look at it. Doesnt the color just want to make you smile? How
could nature make something so beautiful and golden?
Think about how many centuries bees have been doing this. If it wasnt for bees
SROOLQDWLQJRZHUVWKHQLWLVOLNHO\WKDWRZHUVZRXOGKDYHQRFRORURUVFHQW
,PDJLQHWKDW",QVWHDGWKHVPHOORIRZHUVKDVLQVSLUHGSRHWVIRUFHQWXULHVDQGZH
ORYHRZHUVEHFDXVHRIWKHLUIUDJUDQFH
:KDWVPRUHLVWKDWPDQ\RIWKHRZHUVEHFRPHIUXLW$VLIEORVVRPVDUHQWHQRXJK
11
eoin, insiya, christy: friday yoga routine, bali
of a gift, think of how miraculous fruit is. And there is always a part that we and
other animals cant eat, so we eliminate the seeds and create other trees, which
KDYHPRUHEORVVRPVDQGPRUHVFHQWDQGPRUHRZHUVDQGRIFRXUVHPRUHKRQH\
The whole thing is just so mind-blowingly beautiful that you just want to make a
bee shrine right there beside your morning toast and honey. This is the way to go
through life as a Blissologist. To be in Awe.
Can you see that in this simple act of observation, all the Bliss Commitments are
also present? To practice Yoga is to feel the interconnection between you and
honey; Meditation is to eat it mindfully; Nature Appreciation is to acknowledge the
web of life we are part of; Food Awareness is to think about your food and feel what
LWGRHVWR\RXDQG*UDWLWXGHLVWREHWKDQNIXOIRUWKHRZHUVDQGEHHVDQGIHHOD
deep sense of reverence that will help us ensure that our actions do not interfere
too much with this amazing cycle of nature.
So Blissologists, build your personal Shrine to many things in your life. This is the
sense of awe, joy and wonder we want to cultivate.
Many cannot see the connection between the bending, breathing, and
strengthening aspects of the physical (hatha) yoga practice and a spiritual life.
They seem to be pointing towards two different aims.
7KLVLVQRWQHFHVVDULO\WUXH,WLVP\UPEHOLHIWKDWWKURXJKWKH%OLVVRORJ\DQG<RJD
approach, physical yoga can become a powerful tool for setting the mind at ease.
To understand one of the major gifts of Yoga you have to try to answer this
question: :KHUHLV\RXUPLQG"2XUSRSXODUVFLHQWLFEHOLHILVWKDWWKHPLQGDQG
brain are the same. But many of my teachers* along with time on the yoga mat
have made it clear to me that the mind and body are not two separate units. Every
thought we have exists somewhere in the body as a physical manifestation. Take
13
eoin: nature appreciation moment ocean beach, san diego
a moment to really observe your thoughts. You may begin to notice that our fears,
worries and anxiety all show up as tugs, pulls and sensations in the bodys muscles
and organs. Every cell exists only in connection to others. When I show up on my
mat to practice, I may feel a lot of things; lethargic, scattered, tense, worried, or
simply not as open to the radiance of being alive as I could be. Then I begin to
move. I tune into my breathing. I release tension from my muscles, I focus on the
activity at hand, feel where my hip bone is in space, determine if my forehead is
relaxed or not, experience the sensation of release in my I.T. band.
Every breath is a profound act of kindness even in the midst of challenging poses
and effort. I marvel at the interconnection in my body. The actions of my big toe
connect to the pelvis; pelvis connects to rib cage; rib cage houses the lungs; the
lungs set the tone for my state of mind. It feels outright ecstatic to have them
harmonize with each other, as though all these parts of my body are playing their
orchestral melodies, instead of the cacophony I feel when I am not in this state of
presence and aliveness.
I am subtly re-patterning my mind to realize that the kindness with which I treat my
own body is the way I will treat all my relationships - my personal relationships, my
relationship with my communities, and Nature itself. This realization is the heart
of the Blissology approach to Yoga. Slowly I wind my practice down. It may be 25
minutes or it may be an hour, but by the time I lie on my back in the most important
pose of all, savasana, the deep relaxation at the end, I am transformed.
14
nature apprecitation, ucluelet, bc
No longer is there any tension in my body. My mind is clear and luminous. I am truly
content, happy and at ease. I feel amazing. This is what I call the Big Reset.
I hesitate to name this force, but when pushed, I would call it Love. I dont know
what Love is, if it is just physical chemicals in the body as modern science tells us,
or if it is a force like Gravity or electro-magnetism that exists in the universe
independent of us as the mystics tell us, but what matters is that it feels so good.
When it is in us, we can spread goodness and be a positive force in the world.
What matters more than that?
Yet beneath these thoughts lies a quiet observer. There is a calm, still place that
PHUHO\ZLWQHVVHVWKHHEEDQGRZRIOLIH
Meditation is the art and science of connecting with this part of our consciousness.
Most people think meditation is hard, and it can be, but here are some tips to
access this beautiful state of mind with more ease.
7RKHOSQGWKHPHGLWDWLYH%OLVVRORJLVWVWDWHRIPLQGPDNHVXUHWKHEUHDWKLVORQJ
VORZDQGGHHS7U\WRQGSODFHVLQWKHERG\ZKHUHLWIHHOVOLNHWKHUHLVQREUHDWK
or movement. Notice when you are feeling the breath long, slow and deep that the
mind and body responds with a state of calmness. This is the key way in. Breath,
Body and Mind are intimately connected.
16
friday meditation setting, bali
Meditation often happens not by trying hard, but by letting go. Letting go of what?
Attachments. Attachments to what? To the constant stream of thoughts in our head.
A lot of people, myself included used to think this meant not thinking which seems
so impossible. And it can be. Not thinking is at best achieved by serious meditation
practioners. When we are beginning this practice, why set the bar so high? Why
IHHOOLNHJRLQJIRUDKLNHLVRQO\GHQHGE\FRQTXHULQJ0RXQW(YHUHVW"
Relax more. Instead of aiming at not thinking, aim to let go of our attachments to
our thoughts by cultivating a feeling of relaxation and ease. Focus on merely
witnessing the thoughts in our head without tension.
7KHW\SHRIUHOD[DWLRQZHDUHORRNLQJIRUQHHGVWREHFODULHGKHUH
Many people might feel relaxed while being couch potatoes, or watching six
straight hours of mind numbing T.V. But this dull, inert state, allows us to
experience little vitality (prana) in our bodies. We are not present to the deep joy in
life. The yogis called this state of being Tamas.
What we are looking for is a state of relaxation and harmony that yogis term
Sattva. This means that we are both relaxed as well as in touch with a deep-
seated sense of contentment. We have less attachments to our thoughts, which in
WXUQVORZVGRZQWKHLUFRQVWDQWVXFFHVVLRQ/LIHLVLQDRZ
17
monday meditation setting, bali
If being present is hard, then use more brain hammock and let the heart take over.
When we have more love and kindness within us, we become more present in life.
This is an important tool for accessing the radiant state of mind we are looking for
in meditation.
18
nature apprecitation, bali
In fact, someone once asked me once, You seem like a pretty spiritual person,
ZKDWLVWKHUVWVSLULWXDOH[SHULHQFH\RXHYHUKDG"
0\UVWPHPRU\LVRIEHLQJDVPDOOER\ORRNLQJXSDWWKHVWDUVRXWVLGHP\KRXVH
on the lake in Canada where I grew up. There were so many. Even at that age I
was trying wrap my head around the size of the universe, the immense distances
light travels, etc. To be honest, I still dont fully grasp it. It is a mystery that my mind
will never fully get. What I do get however, is a sense of reverence, of awe and of
wonder. I feel so small, but so lucky to be alive even for a second. Every moment is
a precious gift. In other words, I am open to the Big Picture.
Spirituality is an elusive concept for most people. It can be something very lofty.
Like you have to go to Church or to Mecca or to a shrine to feel it. And when you
get there, you will become enlightened and capable of levitation. Oh, and only
gurus or holy people can open the door.
19
When there is awe and wonder there is respect
for the preciousness of life.
We protect what we revere.
So many of us now live in cities. In fact, after 1996 we passed a threshold where
more people live in cities than in rural areas. Even so, there are still countless
mysteries of Nature that can be observed in dense urbanscapes. I have seen this
in places as crowded as Tokyo and Mumbai. When we make this a habit as per our
Blissology Commitment #3, we will see an amazing shift in our state of mind. When
there is awe and wonder there is respect for the preciousness of life. We protect
what we revere!
To take it one step further, this is the key state of mind we all need to make saving
the planet not just a cerebral commitment but one informed by the heart. Enjoy
Bliss Commitment #3. Share your observations with others. Feel the mystery of life
often.
20
high pranameter, salt sping island, bc
There are two major problems with how we eat food in our modern society. Firstly
we have bought into the idea that nutritionally compromised, industrialized food
JURZQIRUPD[LPXPSURW is normal. Secondly, we have a tendency to allow what
and how we eat to be determined by external factors and not by how we feel after
eating.
21
The term Health Food should
redundant. Healthy Food, high
on the Pranameter should never
be an exception to the rule
/HWVORRNDWWKHUVWLVVXHDERXWPRGHUQVRFLHW\VODUJHO\XQTXHVWLRQHGEHOLHIWKDW
industrial food is the norm. Not so long ago before the dawn of chemical fertilizers,
pesticides and technology that allowed for massive yields of crops and meat, there
was simply food. There was no such thing as health food or organic food.
It was only in the mid 20th century that we learned how to grow more food cheaply;
LQWKHVDPHZD\WKDWZHOHDUQHGKRZWRPDNHEHUVRXWRIV\QWKHWLFPDWHULDOVVXFK
DVSRO\HVWHULQVWHDGRIFRQWLQXLQJWRXVHQDWXUDOEHUVOLNHVLONDQGFRWWRQ
Take a look at most of the food sold in an average supermarket, almost anywhere
in the world. It is full of chemicals and has been processed in a factorys large-scale
production lines. This is true of a variety of foods, from meat to cereals to
vegetables.
Lets make the term Health Food redundant. Healthy food should never be the
exception to the rule. Lets drop the terms health food or organic food. There
22
eoin: hammock enlightenment, santa monica, ca
should simply be food and the special category should be: Nutritionally
compromised, industrialized food! Words have power!
To get what I am talking about you have to take a look at what the yogis call
3UDQD3UDQDLVW\SLFDOO\GHQHGDV/LIH)RUFHEXWOHWVJHWHYHQPRUHVSHFLF
about this.
Prana is the experience of something that we can recognize but cant put under a
microscope. Its like the word mojo - you cant dissect it in a lab, but we sure can
tell when people have it or not.
Lets view the basic components of organic matter, the cell. Cells are continuously
dying, being maintained and reproducing themselves. In the process of
maintenance or creation what do the cells need? Fuel. Prana is the factor that
increases the ability of organic matter to reproduce itself in a healthy way. It
encourages growth.
To understand Prana even more, lets look at life experiences that decrease our
Prana like Jet Lag or being sick. In either case, we feel that there is not much
growth happening but merely survival. We are alive, but there is not a lot of passion
or zest for being alive. Our cells are protecting themselves and have to overcome
more hurdles than when we are healthy or well rested to grow.
I am not suggesting that we should start measuring cell growth to test Prana, it is
ultimately a feeling and fresh, healthy food without chemicals makes us feel it more.
23
The Blissology Prana-Meter: Logging the
Prana in your food!
How do you determine the Prana in your food?
+HUHDUHYHTXHVWLRQVWKDWZLOOKHOS5DWH\RXUGDLO\IRRG3UDQDRQWKH
Prana-meter from 1 to 10. Note this in your Blissology Project Journal and share
your insights with our online community at blissology.com.
Ultimately, what we want to tune into, is how we feel. We want to be aware of body
feedback such as our energy level, enthusiasm, digestion, and zest for living. If
your food is providing you with these nutrients, then you are eating a balanced
diet.
By practicing the Blissology Commitments you will begin to overrule your over-
conditioned brain that tells you that you should only eat these many carbohydrates
and this much protein. Instead, you will connect to a place deep within that is
radiantly alive and realize what balance and harmony feel like. This is your inner
Blissologist. Over eating, under eating, indulging on Prana-deprived foods will not
occur when you tune into this state of being And yes, you will continue along that
Upward Spiral.
insiya, ucluelet, bc
photo: jordan junck
24
Chapter 9: Bliss Commitment #5 Gratitude
There are a million ways to kneel and kiss the ground Rumi
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be
enough. Meister Eckhardt
Gratitude is one of the quickest, easiest and most powerful ways to shift our
consciousness into a state of Happiness and Awe. It moves us from the Poor Me,
WKH+R+XPRUWKH6HOVKPRGHVRI%HLQJWRWKH%OLVVRORJLVW
Think about how different you feel when you practice gratitude. The instant you
say, and really feel, I feel grateful for something, your body, mind and heart feels
vibrantly alive. So much so that when we allow the magic of gratitude into our
consciousness, we realize that we have only been living at partial capacity.
And it is so easy. Think of times when you are in the Poor me, the Ho Hum or the
6HOVKPRGHVRIEHLQJDQGSHRSOHRIIHU\RXDGYLFHWRJHWRXWRI\RXUIXQN2IWHQLW
is easier said than done. Heres some of the things we hear a lot: Still your mind,
Lighten up, Let it go, and even Dont worry. These are all challenging. Then
consider the classic Its just money, or Love your enemy. These are even more
challenging and possibly only attainable by saints or sadhus.
Now try this. Stop what you are doing. Consider three things you feel grateful for.
7KH\GRQWKDYHWREHSURIRXQGMXVWVRPHRIWKHUVWWKLQJVWKDWFRPHLQWR\RXU
mind.
Perhaps you may feel gratitude for the warm space you are reading this in, or the
fresh air around you or how a mango grows. Three sentences, and they all start
with I feel grateful for You dont need to read anything for the next 30 seconds.
Close your eyes and feel it not just with your thoughts, but with your heart.
Now that you are back, the world seems so much more full of possibilities. Just
being here and reading this is both a gift and a miracle. This is the purpose of
Blissology Commitment # 5: Gratitude. Every night before you go to sleep, start
three sentences with I feel grateful for . It takes only a little time, yet the
effect is big and your world will never be the same.
25
When we can fulfill our Life Mission we are in touch
with one of lives greatest joys a truly purposeful life.
As important as a Life Mission is, of the thousands of people I meet every year, I
am always amazed how few have a clear Life Mission.
Goals are important. Every New Years Eve since I was a teenager I have written
down my New Years Resolutions. This is hugely valuable to give guidance to how
you spend your time, but when I look at most of these resolutions or goals, they are
manifestations of a bigger Life Mission or things that I really want to see in my life
like a trip to Peru or teaching yoga to professional surfers.
Keep making those goals or resolutions, and if you havent then start now. In the
realm of Goals, what is the Kingpin? What is the ultimate reason why you are here
on the planet? What is your life ultimately about? This is perhaps the biggest
26
Why bob around in Life,
when you can surf?
nature apprecitation,
ucluelet, bc
1) The ultimate goal. Your raison detre. If you can think of one other reason for
being alive that is more important that the one you wrote down, then keep
digging. We are talking the truest expression of what your life is really about.
2) Broad in scope. Keep it general. Long and short term goals tend to be very
VSHFLFEXWD/LIH0LVVLRQLVPRUHJHQHUDO7U\WRDYRLGWLPHVDQGGDWHV
3) Whatever is aching to come out of you and be articulated. When you
know yours, it will seem like there is so much freshness in your life.
Let me give you an example of what I mean. One year on one of our YES (Yoga
Ecology Surf) Retreats, we sat in a circle and asked the twenty intelligent and
conscious people in the group, Who knows their Life Mission? Only one person
answered. I want to have a farm, not in the country, but in L.A. County where I can
have two guesthouses for my friends to stay and we can have a table where we
can share great food and dinner conversations.
This was a great start. If you were to hear this person speak, you could taste the
LQVSLUDWLRQLQKLVZRUGV<HWLWZDVWRRVSHFLF:DVWKHIDUPLQ/$UHDOO\WKH
point? Two guesthouses? These details are amazing to manifest Goals, but after
FDUHIXODQDO\VLVDQGGURSSLQJRXWWKHPRVWWULYLDODQGVSHFLFSDUWVRIWKHYLVLRQ
27
this person could see that really his Life Mission was something like: Friends and
Family mean everything to me and I want to create as much quality time and space
to be with them as I can.
Now there is a powerful Life Mission! If this person was on an airplane that was
DERXWWRFUDVKLQZKDWHYHUFDOPVSDFHKHFRXOGQGXQGHUWKHIHDUKHZRXOG
experience a deep inner smile from creating a Life that was in line with his Life
Mission. It will be there each day of his life, animating him.
:KHQZHFDQIXOOORXU/LIH0LVVLRQZHDUHLQWRXFKZLWKRQHRIOLYHVJUHDWHVWMR\V
a truly purposeful life.
Besides inspiration, a Life Mission also provides focus. If the day-to-day chores of
a farm or guesthouses were really running him ragged and not allowing for quality
time with his loved ones, he could adjust his goals and vision accordingly. Maybe
being in the same city as them and having dinner with them every night would be
enough. Still the major decisions in his life would revolve around the gravity of this
Life Mission like a planet revolving around a star.
1) If you were to imagine yourself on your death-bed, looking back on your life,
what matters most to you? Make a mental list or write it down. Then sort through it.
Cross off what isnt of utmost importance and feel free to retool the words.
Remember:
Dont give up.
Dont be afraid to modify it.
Feel the power of your own inspiration + creativity.
28
Chapter 11: About the Blissology Project DVD
Two full years in the making, the Blissology Project is
a unique 6 DVD set featuring inspirational Flow Yoga
Routines and Meditation practices for every day of the
week and one for the weekend.
Daily Routines:
3OHDVHQGPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQRQRXUZHEVLWHZZZEOLVVRORJ\FRP
29
Chapter 12: Blissology Project Workbook
Now is the time for you to Commit to Bliss.
1) Create your Blissology Tribe. This is important because it takes discipline to step
up to the next level. It is easy to do any of these commitments when it suits you, but
the power of this program is making the Blissology Commitments lasting habits and
not missing a single day. It is fun and hugely powerful to do this with a group we
call a Blissology Tribe.
4) At the end of each week have a check in. See how you are evolving on your
journey into profound happiness and joy.
30
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 1
Date: _____________________ Love is the ultimate renewable resource (TM)
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
31
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 2
Date: _____________________ Do Good, Feel Good
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
32
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 3
Date: _____________________ Why bob around when you can surf?
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
33
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 4
Date: _____________________Your Upward Spiral starts with your next breath
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
34
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 5
Date: _____________________Yoga is the Art of getting out of your own way
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
35
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 6
Date: _____________________ B.L.I.S.S: Beautiful Living is Super Simple
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
36
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 7
Date: _________________ Reach for the stars, but stay rooted in the Ground
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
37
Blissology Project Check In: End of Week 1
Journaling is a key to experiencing the Blissology path. It is a time for
introspection and to chart our course. Otherwise we just bob around and dont surf..
Take a few minutes at the end of each week to answer the following questions:
HRLQVXSHURZZHVWFRDVWEF
38
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 8
Date: _____________________ Love is the ultimate renewable resource (TM)
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
39
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 9
Do Good, Feel Good
Date: _____________________ eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
40
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 10
Date: _____________________ Why bob around when you can surf?
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
41
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 11
Date: _____________________Your Upward Spiral starts with your next breath
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
42
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 12
Yoga is the Art of getting out of your own way
Date: _____________________ eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
43
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 13
B.L.I.S.S: Beautiful Living is Super Simple
Date: _____________________
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
44
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 14
Reach for the stars, but stay rooted in the Ground
Date: _____________________ eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
45
Blissology Project Check In: End of Week 2
Journaling is a key to experiencing the Blissology path. It is a time for
introspection and to chart our course. Otherwise we just bob around and dont surf..
Take a few minutes at the end of each week to answer the following questions:
46
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 15
Date: _____________________ Love is the ultimate renewable resource (TM)
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
47
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 16
Date: _____________________ Do Good, Feel Good
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
48
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 17
Date: _____________________ Why bob around when you can surf?
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
49
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 18
Your Upward Spiral starts with your next breath
Date: _____________________
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
50
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 19
Yoga is the Art of getting out of your own way
Date: _____________________ eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
51
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 20
B.L.I.S.S: Beautiful Living is Super Simple
Date: _____________________
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
52
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 21
Date: _____________________Reach for the stars, but stay rooted in the Ground
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
53
Blissology Project Check In: End of Week 3
Journaling is a key to experiencing the Blissology path. It is a time for
introspection and to chart our course. Otherwise we just bob around and dont surf..
Take a few minutes at the end of each week to answer the following questions:
54
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 22
Date: _____________________ Love is the ultimate renewable resource (TM)
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
55
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 23
Date: _____________________ Do Good, Feel Good
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
56
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 24
Date: _____________________ Why bob around when you can surf?
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
57
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 25
Your Upward Spiral starts with your next breath
Date: _____________________ eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
58
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 26
Yoga is the Art of getting out of your own way
Date: _____________________ eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
59
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 27
B.L.I.S.S: Beautiful Living is Super Simple
Date: _____________________
eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
60
Blissology Project Commitment Log: Day 28
Reach for the stars, but stay rooted in the Ground
Date: _____________________ eoin
Blissology My insights
Commitments
YOGA
MEDITATION
NATURE
APPRECIATION
FOOD AWARENESS
Blissology Pranameter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(rate the prana in your
food on a scale of 1-10)
GRATITUDE
61
Blissology Project Check In: End of Week 4
Journaling is a key to experiencing the Blissology path. It is a time for
introspection and to chart our course. Otherwise we just bob around and dont surf..
Take a few minutes at the end of each week to answer the following questions:
62
63
Chapter 13: Lessons from the Hammock.
Nature, Boyhood and the Mystical Experience of Unity
I wish I had a dramatic story about how I had a dark night of the soul and then
suddenly discovered a path to happiness, but the truth is it didnt happen that way.
I have always known a deep joy and happiness within. There has always been a
place inside my body and mind of quiet contentment that is in love with the ex-
perience of life. A place that ignites a deep and profound love. When I feel it, the
lines between me and the rest of the world blur. I feel a connection to all life and a
peaceful elation.
It is this part of my body-mind that has also always been clear to me. When I
attempt to dissect where it came from, my thoughts turn to my childhood when my
IDWKHUGHFLGHGQRWWRZRUNLQDFRUSRUDWHODZUPLQ7RURQWREXWPRYHGWZRDQGD
half hours north to a small amidst lakes and trees. I spent hours drifting silently in
canoes on lakes, on the edges of docks under the moon listening to the call of the
loon. In other words, I experienced a lot of time in nature.
Much of this time was in the pursuit of rambunctious boyhood activities; building
forts and playing war games with my friends, but at the same time I was also drawn
WRVLWTXLHWO\DQGORRN:KDWDPLUDFOHOLIHZDV,ZDVOOHGZLWKDZHDQGZRQGHUDQG
DVHQVHWKDW,ZDVDSDUWRIVRPHWKLQJLQQLWHO\ODUJHU
64
Enlightenment can seem so lofty. Simply sit under
a tree, breathe, relax, look around and feel the
vibrations of life. Youll be amazed at what happens
enlightenment
The spirituality of the First Nations People resonated with what I felt when I was
DEVRUEHGLQQDWXUH,ORYHWKHLULGHDRIWKH*UHDW6SLULWWKDWRZVLQDOOSODFHVDQG
beings. I admire their connection to animals and their ability to make wherever you
are in nature a sacred space. I would look at First Nations paintings for hours,
captivated by images showing how the bears and the ravens are inside of us,
through lines of connection drawn between people and animals in this art.
As life unfolded, the quest to try and understand this universal connection
LQXHQFHGP\VFKRROLQJ,VWXGLHG(DVWHUQDQG:HVWHUQSKLORVRSK\LQ8QLYHUVLW\
With great zeal, I read texts that asked questions I still contemplate today such as,
What is Enlightenment?
It is the absence of suffering, says the Buddha. In this vague description he does
not pin himself down to describe what is really an experience beyond words. He
GHVFULEHGDPLQGOOHGZLWK&RQWHQWPHQW$FFHSWDQFHDQG&DOPIUHHIURPGHVLUHV
Later I read about the way the Hindus and Yogis described being in touch with
Brahman the transcendent world soul. It was called Sat Chit Ananda; the
Consciousness of Bliss. The idea is that in all of us there is a consciousness of
Deep Bliss that is very real, but you have to get quiet to get there.
65
A peaceful mind is like a calm lake. It is in these moments that
we can see that all things are intimately connected and live from
a profound love for all life
We access this place through increasing the energy of calm in the mind what the
yogis called Sattva. The idea is that the mind is like a lake, and our thoughts
(chitta vrittis) create waves and ripples on that lake. Analyze your thoughts for a
moment. Most likely, you will observe your thoughts coming and going faster than
the speed of light. The Yoga SutrasGHQHV<RJDDVYogas Citta Vritti Nirodhah.
Yoga is the stilling of these mind waves or thoughts. When we are busy, or when
we let the mind run rampant, there is so much thinking; so much wind on the lake.
Most of the time we also identify with those thoughts.
By stilling the mind and silencing the distraction of so much incessant thinking, we
uncover that quiet place. We realize that there has been moonlight on the lake of
the mind, but the waves have been scattering it, so we didnt recognize it. By stilling
the mind, we see that this Mystical Experience of Unity exists inside of us.
I spent years in the rigorous pursuit of it though many different styles of meditation
and Yogic discipline.
Gradually, I realized that the word enlightenment seems so lofty but an enlightened
person is someone who is in touch with this place inside at all times; in low times as
well as the highs, as well as the relatively uneventful ho-hum moments of day-to-
day living.
,VWDUWHGWRLQWHJUDWHWKHVHOHVVRQVLQWRZKDW,NQHZIURPUVWSHUVRQH[SHULHQFH
66
hammock enlightenment station, san francisco
as a boy. I started to use the map of the territory but the not the exact trails of the
great yogis that went before me. When I gave myself this permission, I realized that
no Mystical Experience of Unity was more real to me than the hours I spent quietly
looking at the world of nature around me. It took a while to believe that I didnt have
to go to a monastery or a Himalyan cave to experience it and that my Nature
Appreciation Moments as a boy were leading me there. I began to integrate the
teachings of yoga with what I knew to be true.
I could see that my fascination for the paintings of First Nations people stemmed
from their honoring of the Namaste connection to the world around them.
Namaste, after all means when I am quiet and still, I recognize that we share the
same source and I bow to that.
Even though the First Nations people may have eaten the bears or deer around
them, they honored the sacredness of the animal. Contrast this with ordering a
burger at a drive thru and you can quickly see what has disappeared. We have lost
connection to the natural world and a Namaste feeling toward all living beings.
Blissology is a way to remind ourselves of the need to see this connection between
all things that is compatible with modern science and our modern sensibilities.
Was I not thinking? Was the lake of my mind truly still? Not always, I was weaving.
Weaving between thinking a lot and times of total absorption in my experience,
what yogis called Samadhi
At times I would lose the dialog and just sit in complete absorption with what I was
experiencing.
The questions ripped me open and helped me experience Awe. A deep wonder
about how indescribably lucky we are to experience even a minute of this thing
called life. Part of me was dancing inside and part of me was just being present and
still basking in this Mystical Experience of Unity and a love for life.
68
/RYHDQG6HOVKQHVV2QHIRUFHbinds us to others,
one blinds us
)HSHUJPUN3V]LHUK:LSZOULZZ[OL)SPZZVSVN`4PZZPVU
We get glimpses of feeling deeply connected to the world around us but we cover it
up. Why? Because we have another drive; another essential part of our minds that
is concerned with the attainment of experiences that make us interested in things
WKDWVWURNHRXUHJRRUIXOOORXUGHVLUHV:HDUHLQWHUHVWHGLQPDNLQJDQGVSHQGLQJ
money, making an impression on others and in the competitive side of life.
This force makes life very me-centric. It shrouds the part of us that is connected to
our body and mind to our personal relationships, to our communities and to nature.
One force ELQGV us to others, the other EOLQGV us.
<RXGRQWKDYHWRORRNKDUGWRVHHWKLVSDWWHUQLQWKHZRUOG7KHIRUFHRIVHOVKQHVV
winning out over the force of love and connection. I think the fundamental human
question and the heart of the Blissology mission is where are my actions on the
VFDOHRIORYHDQGVHOVKQHVV"+RZDUHP\DFWLRQVLPSDFWLQJRWKHUV":HQHHGWR
continuously check in and ask ourselves this question daily.
Love keeps us connected to others. The yogis taught that it was there when we
cultivated inner peace. This place helps to guide us on our life path so our actions
69
WRQRVXQVHW
are more kind to others and leads to the imperative of our generation, sustainability.
Hammock Enlightenment: Relax and breathe under a tree and you will see
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of
being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off
those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an
industrious and enterprising citizen. ~ Henry David Thoreau
It sounds easy in theory but there are so many forces that keep us desiring more
and disconnecting us from how our actions impact others. We are exposed to 3,000
ads every day. Our education system teaches us how to win in business. With
every passing year we seem to be taught more how to develop land at the expense
of developing the part of ourselves that questions the impact of these actions on
others. This is why we are often too busy to make time for Nature Appreciation.
Even one minute of it, especially in a city, is so powerful.
We need to live with this mystery and awe. To keep that place within us alive that
sees all of creation from the smallest bud blossoming to the vastness of the stars
above as a miracle. We need to quell the forces that put us on a conquest for the
constant expansion of our empire at any cost; and bring back this place of awe,
wonder and connection that children recognize when they dwell in nature.
How? We get in a hammock. It allows us to slow down and simply look up at a tree
or the light in the sky. To feel our connection to things that are simple, yet so
70
VXSHURZ
nourishing. We take the time to feel the magic of nature and let it ignite our
enlightened side; a deep consciousness of love.
In light of the busy pace we are living at, getting in a hammock is a profound act of
kindness to our own selves. Our body chemistry changes and we start to feel the
absence of tension. Slowly our conquesting side relinquishes control to what I call
the wise guideWKLVSODFHRIGHHSFRQWHQWPHQWDQGXQSDUDOOHOHGEOLVVWKLVSODFH
that is in love with the world and deeply connected to all life. It is the wise guide
that helps us to act more sustainably towards our bodies, our relationships and
toward our planet.
The hammock is a great tool but also a great symbol for the balance we need
EHWZHHQWKHWZRFRPSHWLQJOLIHHQHUJLHVVHOVKQHVVDQGORYH,IZHFDQWOLWHUDOO\
get into a hammock, then at the very least practice the effect of hammock
enlightenment: Nature Appreciation, Gratitude and Awe every day. Take at least
one minute and not just think but IHHOthe depth of how lucky we are to be here, to
be alive, and how what matters ultimately in life is love. It will be here long after we
are and knowing it even for a second is the source of the deepest bliss. Commit to
making it the centre of every action we do.
71
photo: jordan junck
Please eat only sustainable fish and help protect this vital ecosystem.
All life came from the oceans. They are shrines of interconnection.
Lets treat them well.
73
The Blissology Project is about cultivating an attitude of joy and connection
through Eoin Finns powerful 28 day Blissology Project Program. Commit to
YHVLPSOHLGHDVWKDWZLOOWUDQVIRUP\RXUOLIHDQG\RXUZRUOG7KH\DUH<RJD
Meditation, Nature Appreciation, Food Awareness and Gratitude.