DON'T BE CYNICAL

Conan's Final Thoughts - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

I know it's a week after the fact, but Conan O'Brien's farewell speech about not being cynical has special resonance today - the day I'm giving a workshop on regulating your mood with yoga.

(For anyone who cares, I have used yoga practices, diet and Bollywood fillums to successfully taper off antidepressants).

Also, Rosie O'Donnell spoke about Conan's speech earlier this week on her Sirius radio show (where Howard Stern made a surprise appearance on Tuesday. Talk about awesome radio! They both speak such truth (Satya)....Howard has practiced Transcendental Meditation for years (Dhyana). And goes to therapy (Svadhyaya). And is kind to his staff (Ahimsa). Rosie does the same, plus she has a great attitude. After listening to her show for three months, I am convinced that she is a yogini. (NOTE: A person who does asana is not necessarily a yogi).

Anyway. Cynicism is defined as:

"a skeptical, scornful or pessimistic attitude; an emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people."

Here's what Conan said about cynicism:

"It's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere," he said. "Nobody in life gets exactly what they want. But if you work hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."








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I find it interesting that Conan has some idea of ahimsa - non-harming. Indeed, Dharma is always saying to be kind to others - which is one of the hardest things to do in yoga. Although, from a yoga point of view, amazing things may or may not happen, according to your deeds from the past. But cleaning up your act in this lifetime - and visualizing positive things and practicing ahimsa, rather than dwelling on the past hurts and negative outcomes and acting like a victim - can indeed have a positive effect. The trick is to actually do it. Kudos to Conan for going beyond the obvious hurt and using the final minutes of his platform to do good. That's what a yogi would do.