Embrace Your Inner Designer: Finding Joy and Health Through Tea and Kundalini Yoga

Welcome to the very first episode of "Happy Cult"! This show is all about exploring how we can live healthier, happier lives by looking at different practices and ideas. In this first episode, we're chatting with Myrah Peñaloza, who calls herself a "designer of life." She shares how things like drinking tea and practicing Kundalini yoga have helped her find health and joy.

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Myrah really believes that we are the main characters in our own lives, like co-writers and producers of our own movies. If things aren't feeling right, we have the power to rewrite the script. She points out that in today's world, we're often distracted and disconnected from our inner selves and from nature. It takes a conscious effort to reconnect, and she sees tea as a really old and simple way to do that.

The Ancient Wisdom of Tea

Tea has been around for ages, and Myrah shares a story about how it might have been discovered in China. A leaf fell into boiling water, and someone drank it, experiencing a taste of something new – maybe even spirit. It makes you think about how we connect with nature, whether it's an apple reaching out to us or us reaching for the apple. We're all energy, and we're all connected.

Myrah explains that our thoughts create our reality. By using practices like meditation and affirmations, we can understand our beliefs and thoughts better, which helps us grow and achieve what we desire. She also shared a saying from her teacher: "The deeper you go looking for something, you know you are going to kind of find that the more you know, the more responsible you are." This means we have a duty to work on ourselves. Tea, in its simplicity, can help us do this by bringing us into the present moment, washing away the subconscious mind, and instilling a sense of presence.

Key Takeaways from the Tea Ceremony Discussion:

• Tea ceremonies can wash away differences between people, opening hearts and fostering receptivity, humility, and acceptance.
• The practice of preparing and drinking tea encourages a neutral mind, allowing us to be present and remember our true essence.
• Tea can be a conduit for forgiveness, mirroring the selfless act of the tea giving its life away.

Kundalini Yoga: Moving Beyond the "Dark Matter"

Beyond tea, Myrah and her husband find deep love and joy in practicing Kundalini Yoga. She describes it as a way to move "dark matter" in the brain. Kundalini Yoga involves complex, sometimes sporadic movements inspired by ancient meditation practices. These teachings have been passed down through a long lineage, and Myrah emphasizes that we can integrate them into our modern lives as "householder yogis."

She draws a parallel between managing our subconscious mind and mastering technology. Just like tech needs updates and reboots, we need to do the same for ourselves. Kundalini Yoga is one way Myrah does this, helping her system function at its best. This is especially important for women, who have complex bodies and endocrine systems that need to be in balance to make clear decisions aligned with their life's mission.

Myrah also touches on the idea that men need feminine energy to support them and help them be their greatest selves. She references ancient stories where the weakening of a man's empire coincided with issues in his relationship with a woman, highlighting the power of feminine energy.

The Power of Partnership and Self-Love

Myrah views relationships as the truest form of yoga. It's not just about the postures or meditation, but about how we relate to others, especially the opposite sex, with longevity, authenticity, and unconditional love. A good relationship should inspire you to be better. She shares advice she received after getting engaged: "Build your world, give him the space to build his own world, and then build your third world together." This helps maintain individuality within the partnership.

She also extends this to motherhood, advising not to lose oneself. Finding balance is key. Myrah's own mother taught her to find someone who brings out the best in you and makes you want to be better, a principle she applies to all relationships.

However, Myrah had a realization: we don't need to rely on external forces for this. By cultivating our best selves internally through practices and following our passions, we attract similar vibrations. The key is maintaining this vibration through consistent work and self-reflection, especially when external challenges arise.

Trusting the Process and Embracing Nature

Myrah talks about how we often get caught up in thinking "that's not it" when trying to manifest something. Instead of forcing our will, she suggests allowing space for things to happen, trusting in the mystery of life. She uses the example of knowing what you don't want as a gateway to understanding what you do want. For instance, not wanting dishonesty points to valuing honesty and integrity.

She encourages us to decide if we're living a romantic comedy or a tragedy in our lives. Asking empowering questions and trusting divine guidance can help us overcome challenges. In a world often paralyzed by technology and a disconnect from nature, Myrah stresses the importance of making space for nature. Even small acts, like watching a stream or lying on the grass, can reconnect us.

Tea, for Myrah, is nature herself, embodying water, fire, earth, and spirit. It helps her remember who she is and where she comes from. She believes we all come from an "indigenous soul" and encourages finding personal pathways to connect with this essence, whether through tea or other practices.

Myrah shares a personal story about her lifelong connection to tea, starting with a childhood tea set and later discovering Yerba Mate. Her journey led her to Los Angeles, a hub for spirituality and self-fulfillment. A profound experience with a man named Aaron during a tea ceremony in an old church chapel deeply impacted her, showing her the power of stillness and presence.

She emphasizes that when we step back and allow signs and nature to guide us, we collaborate with something greater. Nature is resilient, and understanding the law of non-resistance is key. Setting intentions and then getting out of the way allows divine intelligence to work. The subconscious mind, if tainted by unprocessed grief or trauma, can trap us in illusions and habitual patterns. Forgiveness is a vital medicine, though often difficult, especially when dealing with childhood influences.

Change can be scary, but Myrah reminds us that fear is an opportunity for courage. By living with this mindset, we can accomplish anything. She concludes by expressing gratitude for the conversation, highlighting Myrah's inspiration and wisdom.