Vedanta vs. Christianity: Bliss, Grace & the Divine in Two Spiritual Paths
Release Date: 02/18/2026
Vedanta vs. Christianity: Bliss, Grace & the Divine in Two Spiritual Paths
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
We recently completed Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — a raw and honest moment where Arjuna admits, “My mind is more restless than the wind.” But before we dive into Chapter 7 (where everything shifts), I want to pause and explore an important question that naturally arises right here: How do the yogic teachings on Ananda (bliss) compare to the Christian understanding of grace — and why do these two paths feel so different in the body? This episode is a bridge — between effort and surrender, empowerment and comfort, self-regulation and devotion — as we explore this question from a...
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Half-Dead & Fully Alive: Dissolving the Ego at Midlife with Elena Brower
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
What if thinking about death wasn't morbid—but liberating? In this conversation, Elena Brower (author of "Hold Nothing") and I get real about turning 40, 50, and beyond. We talk about why ego dissolution might be the greatest gift of aging, how meditation is actually an act of service to others, and why certainty is killing your relationships. Elena shares why she's ready to let all her accomplishments dissolve, the difference between prayer and meditation (spoiler: maybe there isn't one), and a simple exhale practice that serves humanity. This isn't your typical "graceful aging"...
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What If I Fail? Krishna’s Answer to Your Inner Critic (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6)
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
It’s Chapter Six of the Bhagavad Gita, where everything starts to get real. After five chapters of philosophy and frameworks, Krishna now turns to practice—specifically the challenges of meditation, discipline, and staying steady on your spiritual path. If your mind feels too restless to meditate... if you wonder whether your practice actually counts... or if you've ever feared you’re "doing it wrong"—this chapter will soothe your soul. 🔹 Krishna reveals why inner discipline > outer rituals 🔹 Arjuna expresses the doubts we all have on the path 🔹 Meditation becomes the core...
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The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s your foundation. Today, we explore why self-care can feel so uncomfortable (especially for those of us used to being the strong one), and how to start building your tolerance for pleasure, rest, and receiving. These are the same micro-practices that have transformed my relationship with myself and my energy over time. Here are the truths I keep learning again and again: 🔹 You can’t give from an empty cup 🔹 Self-care isn’t something you check off once — it’s ongoing 🔹 Honoring your tiniest desires builds self-trust 🔹 Slowing down unlocks...
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How Chakras Relate to the Nervous System + Your FAQ
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
SURPRISE!! I’ve got a bonus episode for you this week. I’m going to explore three of the most commonly asked questions I hear from students about the chakras — especially how they relate to the nervous system, your fascia, and lived experience. 🔹 Are the chakras literal locations, archetypes, developmental stages — or all three? 🔹 Do chakras actually open and close? 🔹 What’s the relationship between chakra patterns and nervous system regulation? If you’ve ever wondered how these energy centers show up in your posture, behavior, and emotions — this quick breakdown...
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Stop Asking “What Should I Do?” — The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Has a Better Question
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Today, I take you into Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna shifts the spotlight from what you do to how you are being when you do it. This is the heart of Karma Yoga — acting in the world without clinging to the outcome. We unpack the powerful metaphor of the lotus leaf (living in the world, untouched), explore the nature of witness consciousness, and look at what it really means to "renounce" in a modern world. 🔹 What it means to act without attachment 🔹 Why the question is no longer “What should I do?” 🔹 How inner renunciation leads to clarity and peace 🔹...
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Who Has Your Attention? Attention Economy vs the Ancient Path
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Let’s be real — our attention is under attack. Between scroll culture, constant notifications, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s hard to focus on what actually matters. In this episode, I’m inviting you to pause and reflect on where your precious energy is going. We’ll explore how ancient yogic and Vedantic texts can help us reclaim our attention — not just as a productivity tool, but as a sacred spiritual practice. If you’ve been feeling scattered, stuck, or overstimulated, this one’s for you. We’ll look at how: 🔹 Attention is energy — what you focus on creates your...
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Build Your Yoga Retreat Center with Kayla Nielsen
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
What does it really take to build your dream yoga retreat center—from scratch? In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Nielsen, who shares the raw, inspiring truth behind building a yoga retreat space from the ground up. From buying land abroad to pricing retreats and navigating local logistics, Kayla opens up about the entrepreneurial journey few yoga teachers talk about. We cover: 🔹 How to navigate land ownership and logistics in a foreign country 🔹 Smart strategies for planning, pricing, and co-teaching retreats 🔹 Why patience and community are the foundation of a sustainable...
info_outline![[Meditation] Vagus Nerve & Nervous System Reset show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/39093770?height=50&width=50)
[Meditation] Vagus Nerve & Nervous System Reset
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
No talk. No theory. No to-do list. Just you and 20 minutes of deep nervous system reset. This New Year’s Eve episode is a guided Somatic Release Meditation—designed to help you let go of trapped emotions, soothe your system, and make space for what’s next. It’s also a beautiful primer for what’s coming in the Evolve Somatic Challenge, which starts January 1st. (If you haven’t signed up yet—go do that!) ✨ A few important notes: 🛋️ Lie down, get comfy, and please don’t do this while driving. 🧠 This practice also helps soothe the vagus nerve, release tension, and bring...
info_outline![[Meditation] Taking in the Good show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/39093660?height=50&width=50)
[Meditation] Taking in the Good
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Okay, this isn’t our usual episode. There’s no philosophy, no Gita breakdown, no talk of funnels or energy anatomy today. Instead, I have a gift for you—a guided meditation designed to help you do something surprisingly hard: feel good and stay in it. If you’ve been through trauma or long-term stress, your nervous system might default to worry, numbness, or waiting for the other shoe to drop—even when things are actually going well. This practice gently helps you expand your capacity to receive joy, compliments, connection, and peace without flinching. ✨ A few important notes:...
info_outlineWe recently completed Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — a raw and honest moment where Arjuna admits, “My mind is more restless than the wind.”
But before we dive into Chapter 7 (where everything shifts), I want to pause and explore an important question that naturally arises right here:
How do the yogic teachings on Ananda (bliss) compare to the Christian understanding of grace — and why do these two paths feel so different in the body?
This episode is a bridge — between effort and surrender, empowerment and comfort, self-regulation and devotion — as we explore this question from a comparative, academic, and curious lens.
This is not to prescribe belief, but to deepen understanding and set the stage for what’s coming next in the Gita.
🔹 Why yoga teaches bliss is uncovered through discipline
🔹 Why Christianity emphasizes grace and relationship
🔹 Effort vs. surrender — and how both live in the nervous system
🔹 How this sets the stage for Bhakti Yoga in Chapter 7
📚 Get your copy of my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG
FREE Practice: 10-Min Easy Yoga For Spine and Neck Flexibility | YOGA FOR BACK PAIN
Relevant Blog: How To Create An Everyday Yogic Lifestyle
Relevant to Today’s Episode:
📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book
✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training
🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training
🎧 Also Listen to:
#297 – What is Samkhya Philosophy and How is it Different from Yoga?
#358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas?
#387 – Book 4 of the Yoga Sutras: The Mystical Path to Liberation Explained
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