Overcoming the EGO With Illi Stovall Mental and Spiritual Abundance

Written By Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation

We learned just recently that, “Once we (the part of us that is the small “s” self) starts to take over, we Edge God Out. It’s the part of us that tells us who we are by what we have. The more you have, the more you feel others are trying to take it away from you. So many spend so much time striving that they never get to arrive,” as Dr. Dyer says.

The EGO becomes what I do and what I do = an achievement, and believing what I do, we become obsessed with ideas of success, self-worth, and value of oneself. The human in turn is based upon what I have accomplished which is the EGO. 

Let’s layer in our Mental and Spiritual mindset…. 

We discussed 3 main points that Illi brought to light that impact our abundance and growth. These are:

External - that which are the circumstances, environment, and energy that surrounds us and what we take in. These can also be the limitations that hold us back.

Internal - that which we are working through within ourselves and how we are processing the external through the internal.

Eternal - that which will provide the growth into the higher states of our wholeness through the external and internal processing.

When we “take control of ourselves, we hold ourselves back from our highest potential” as Illi says. He continues by mentioning, “what’s comfortable for the EGO is destructive for the Soul.”

Sometimes it is a matter of redefining what our values are. How many times have you used external values to qualify your internal connections? Here is where you and I fall short of the abundance that is truly meant to be. Getting caught up in the story of the external. What is the “self-talk” that you are telling yourself? How is the true Self responding?

These are questions that take us into a rabbit hole of introspection. Maybe this is the time to “get into nature, to reveal your nature,” as Dr. Dyer says. ( Join me in Costa Rica to experience this in its entirety)

Journal Prompt: How rooted are you in the depth of your values?

Yoga is a tool that is used to navigate and assess the internal values of ones' innate being. It leads to eternal transformation. “Ignorance is bliss to the EGO,” as Illi says. In yoga, there is a path known as the Eight Limbs. Within them, the first two are Yamas and Niyamas that are composed of 10 points that govern our human experience and spiritual evolution. When we begin the path of the physical asana practice, we experience the internal growth of better understanding who we are and what our true purpose is. This is nurtured through the 5 yamas. in the same breath, we also begin to nurture the spiritual growth of redefining our values, self-worth, and inner strength. These are practiced within the 5 Niyamas. Throughout the journey of yoga, which literally means “union,” we “surrender to the present,” as Illi says. Source is always with you, is in everything, and apart from no thing.

The discovery of our true nature, known as “Prakriti” in Sanskrit, is revealed in what we call the Doshas in Ayurveda. (the science of life). Take the Dosha Quiz here, to learn what yours is.

When we come to understand our true nature, that is when the true abundance begins to flow. We stop going against the current, and we start to go with the flow of life. Having a clear understanding of this nature provides the clarity we need to step into our purpose. To fully immerse ourselves in the ocean of consciousness that has been there all along. Illi always says, “have a clean slate every morning and every night.” To do this, one must come in tune with themselves. This is discovered not just through yoga practice, but through mediation.

What is that feeling you feel when you take time to go outside and bask in the sun, go for a walk, or pause to look at a beautiful sunrise or sunset? What is that inner silence that awakens when you look out into the vastness of the ocean and are flooded with a peace that surpasses all understanding? It could be quite emotional for some. “One can not attain abundance without clarity. Meditation provides the clarity we need, as Illi says.”

The Soul Wins because of the Release. - Illi Stovall

There are many forms of meditation. T.M, known as Transcendental Meditation is my favorite of all of them, but you have guided meditations (which I provided a playlist of some for you here), yoga nidra, and pranayama to name a few. Many other forms of meditation can be walking a labyrinth, walk on the beach at sunrise or sunset, sitting on the porch and gazing at the sky, knitting, fishing, scuba diving, playing a musical instrument, or the various types of art that unplug you from the daily hustle and bustle of the electronic world. Whatever cultivates clarity and inner peace with a repetitive motion is your meditation.

“Investments are built on emotion. When you know your eternal values, you invest into the integrity of where you put your attention towards,” says Illi. He continues, “crazy positivity = eternal peace.”

Patience comes because Peace is Present. - Illi Stovall

Once you begin to get in alignment with the mental, spiritual, and emotional values, what once was a struggle becomes smooth. “Abundance is subjective to what your values are.” - Illi Stovall

How do you align yourself to redefine yourself and your values? How do you value your self-worth? Are you entering into your true abundance?

When we focus on Divine value, we discover that “pain is a byproduct of the external world,” (Stovall). True abundance is the culmination of living your truth, knowing who you are, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and discovering your Prakriti. Your dharma (purpose), is the very nature of your abundance. Once you invest in yourSelf, the rest is sure to follow.

Start to “Plant Seeds of Eternal.”

Meditate with Illi and I at the end of our podcast around (49:30) to get into the headspace and use the below Maharishi Yoga Asana Flow, just before you meditate, to enliven the inner intelligence of your physiology to prepare you to enter into higher states of consciousness.

Scientific Research on Yoga Asanas

(optional readings)

Sites for a General Audience:

Morehead, P. (2020) PowerPoint Slides (from the MIU First Course on Yoga Exercise): Recent Research on Benefits of Yoga Asanas.

Here is a NYT article (Links to an external site.) summarizing a study on yoga and back pain.

Here’s another NYT article  (Links to an external site.) on a recent study looking at the benefits of yoga for the brain.

Here’s an NBC news article (Links to an external site.)Aug. 22, 2017, 2:25 PM CDT / Updated June 21, 2018, 4:02 PM CDT By Jessica Migala, on the benefits of yoga for the brain. 

On this Business Insider page  (Links to an external site.),Why you should practice yoga regularly David Anderson and Shira Polan Apr 21, 2020 there is a great summary of the benefits of yoga, both video and in print

Specific Studies on Yoga:

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Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation
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As You Think So Shall You Be, Planting the Seeds of the Eternal
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Generating Abundance Through Conscious Intention