Dr Dosti Regmi Blog

     Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness found in both the  Majjhima Nikāya  (MN 10) and  Dīgha Nikāya  (DN 22). “Ekāyano ayaṁ maggo…” “This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for overcoming sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of pain and grief, for the attainment of the right path, and for the realization of Nibbāna.” The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta outlines four domains of mindfulness ( satipaṭṭhāna ) as the direct path to liberation. Practicing these develops deep insight into the nature of impermanence (anicca) , unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) , and not-self (anattā) . The Four Foundations (Satipaṭṭhāna) 1.   Kāyānupassanā – Mindfulness of the Body Breathing: Observing inhalation and exhalation with awareness. Postures: Awareness while walking, standing, sitting, lying down. Clear comprehension: Mindfulness in all daily actions. Parts of the body: Contemplation of 32 body parts to red...

Step-by-Step Traditional Yoga Nidra Practice rooted in classical texts and Tantric–Vedantic principles , particularly the kosha model from the Taittiriya Upanishad and the states of consciousness from the Mandukya Upanishad .  A sacred journey from body awareness to pure consciousness ( Turiya ), traversing the five koshas and waking the inner seer ( sākṣin ).  This version aims at spiritual awakening (moksha) , not just relaxation. Traditional Yoga Nidra – Step-by-Step (Kosha-Based) PREPARATION Posture : Lie in śavāsana (corpse pose), supported and still. Close the eyes gently. Sankalpa (Spiritual Intention): Silently affirm your deepest life vow or soul desire . Keep it short, positive, and present-tense (e.g., “I abide in truth.” ). Common Ground : All aim at freedom from identification with the conditioned self and cultivation of non-reactive awareness ( sākṣī bhāva / sati-paññā ). Yoga : Sankalpa arises from dharma , the soul’s truth. Buddhism : C...

Silencing our inner critic with self compassion: Each of us carries within us an inner voice —a running commentary on who we are, what we do, and how we fall short. Sometimes this voice is gentle and discerning, helping us reflect and grow. But often, especially under stress or failure, it transforms into a harsh inner critic —a relentless judge that magnifies our flaws, replays our mistakes, and whispers that we are not enough. This inner critic doesn’t arise out of malice. In fact, it often develops early in life as a misguided form of self-protection. It tries to push us toward achievement, perfection, or social acceptance, fearing that without its control, we might become lazy, unworthy, or unloved. Yet paradoxically, the critic’s harshness can make us anxious, ashamed, and disconnected from ourselves. The antidote to the inner critic is not silence or suppression—it is self-compassion . Self-compassion, as defined by psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, involves three ...

Recently, I took the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). At first, the questions seemed   deceptively simple—things like ‘Do you notice the sunshine?’ or ‘Can you identify when you’re feeling sad or angry?’ These centered around observing and labeling emotions, and I scored well. It gave me a sense of confidence, even a quiet pride in my awareness. But as the questionnaire progressed, it became more revealing. The later questions probed deeper—asking whether I stay truly present during routine actions, whether I judge myself harshly for my thoughts and feelings, or whether I get carried away by them. These touched on acting with awareness, non-judgment, and non-reactivity. And that’s where the cracks showed. It was humbling to realize that while I might notice the sunshine or name my emotions, much of my inner life still runs on autopilot—often reactive, self-critical, or entangled in thought loops. The FFMQ became a mirror, gently but unmistakably showing me ho...