The first step is to accept that we are perfect! And then accept that we might just have one itty bitty character flaw. Most of us do. A neurotic tendency. It's the axle that the wheel (vicious circle) of our false self rotates around. If we don't acknowledge this flaw and transform it, it's a downpour on our parade. And if we do? It's a catalyst for Spirit rising, the master key to Victory!

Our chief feature is truly a blind spot because, like sub-atomic particles, it can only be observed through interactions with other particles (people). (A gifted Spiritual Teacher will often push your buttons and go right for your blind spot).

So here are some of the most common "hidden agendas." Remember, the good news is that if you know the name of your demon you can command it. If you are brave enough and honest enough to identify your chief feature (through feeling, not thinking) you know where to put your efforts and the battle is already half won. You are poised for a Destiny.

1. The most common neurotic flaw is thinking that we don't matter, and what we do doesn't matter. This is the limbo, the twilight zone, between never having been validated for who we really are and not yet having truly validated ourselves. Usually this self-validation takes place in adolescence, but most people are funneled into a societal mold that doesn't make a lot of room for uniqueness and true self expression. So, rather than feeling like a schlub, feel like the hub (of the Universe). You do have a say in how reality presents itself! What to work on? First stop: Navel Power! Navel Power gives us confidence and personal power. Chakra means wheel, but without navel power, we are just spinning our wheels.

2. Another popular flaw is the need to be perfect before we can begin to live. This takes the form of setting impossible standards for ourselves. It often means also setting impossible standards for everyone else in our life! This is all about control. It's also giving ourselves an exemption from having to be human (vulnerable). We need to be humble enough to come down into life. Trying to be impeccable is a good thing, it hones our spirit, but if we try to be obsessively perfect it's a neurotic tendency that has no resolution. The obvious antidote for this is to recognize that life is a sticky wicket, there are no absolutes and we have to make peace with some bad hair days. Unless we are able to embrace some "messiness" in our lives we can never evolve. This evolution takes the form of love for everyone in the sweep of our radar and love for ourselves as well.

3. Holding onto a past that never existed. If we weren't present then, we won't be present now. Not wanting to be present is a sign of trying to rewrite history. Sometimes we hold tenaciously onto a past that exists only as a legend in our own mind. This stems from deep insecurity. A fear of going forward. The antidote? The willingness to surrender certainty and be safely uncertain. It's a matter of cultivating trust. Trust that the Universe will give us what we need to safely go forward.

4. The need to restrict our life within narrow borders. Sometimes we live so constricted that everything is predictable. An analogy would be that if we eat the same things everyday we get sensitized to them and develop allergies. If everything in our life is predictable, doing the same things the same way everyday, we become  allergic to life! Sensitized to any deviation from the norm. Not a good thing. We need to be flexible. Life is a bell curve and we want to move out from the center and spread our wings! How? Try some things that are completely out of the ordinary. How about Sadhana? Get up early and rock your practice. Or, take a swim in a cold lake and jump start your liver and your life! Abide a shock to the system in a good way. A positive shock to the system spurs quantum leaps!

5. A state of perpetual rebellion. This rebel without a cause has one binding clause in their contract with the world.  They won't accept any responsibility. This state is usually locked in in adolescence and becomes their life script. The thought of responsibility and commitment is the scariest thing.  Anyone or anything that tries to "box you in" sends you running! The cure? Work hard and commit to commitment itself. Man or woman up. If you were a butterfly flitting from one passion flower to the next, become an iron butterfly. Be solid. Turn scared into sacred. Transition from no boundaries to no limits!

6. Planning our whole day around getting attention, approval, food, drugs, money, sex, or emotional drama. This is the primary neurotic tendency of our time. People do this to have a reason for being and to feel something. Their core has flamed out and they feel empty inside. They are numb. This empty feeling results from living in reactive mode and staying on the surface. How to rekindle the fire from within? Do Kundalini Yoga to get your inner organs circulated to and realize that we are here not for diversion, but immersion. You can use that addiction to the thing you need so desperately and turn it into its positive pole. If you are approval seeking, seek approval from the Universe. If you need a drug, rock your mantras, and find the source of your inner nectar. If you need  an emotional fix, help people fix their emotions. It's high drama all the way! If you need food, feed your soul. Go from being empty to being open. Through this alchemy we are gathering discreet packets of Awareness until we become the instrument of Awareness itself. This is a very high teaching, the essence of all Spiritual paths and processes.

7. The need for prestige. Ahhh the age old foible. Who cares about being good. Its all about looking good! These people fool everyone for a time but in the Aquarian Age this type of subterfuge is no longer viable because everything will be exposed (Hello Real Housewife Teresa Giudice!). This type of person flies first class even if they can't afford it because they can't bear the thought of being seen "skulking" to coach! The cure for this one is to find richness in service and self. The true prestige is in the eyes of the Universe.

8. The need for power. Who wants to be a petty tyrant when we can be true Kings and Queens.The need for power stems from a feeling of powerlessness. How to empower yourself? Yogi Bhajan said that a prime Aquarian maxim is:JUST START. The Universe is becoming increasingly malleable. The coast is clear for amazing accomplishments. Every day in every way, Keep Up!

9. Not listening to our own voice. Oh this is a tragedy, some of the biggest talents we know just don't trust their own brilliance! They assume everyone knows better than they do. They ask advice about everything but never listen to the voice inside even though they suspect it has some pretty good input on how to succeed and dazzle. These people tend to select role models who they try to emulate instead of developing their own fierce inner uniqueness. Its good to have a role model for awhile but every fledgling needs to find its own wings because other people need their wings and we will never soar high on another's. The cure? You gotta go deeper. Find your soul because that's what makes you unique and gives you expression. All of Kundalini Yoga from your first Sat Nam is designed to help you activate your soul. Of course, this isn't a one time thing. You have to grow that relationship until you and your essence are one. Doing Kundalini Yoga and Meditation is really important but there is more than that. You have to carry it over into your life by honoring that quiet inner voice that you know is authentic.

10. Procrastination.  We hear from so many people who feel frozen in place due to a tendency to dither, waffle, and vacillate. This is the law firm of not doing!There are two aspects to procrastination. Indecision and laziness. Indecision is a product of our mind's circular logic. What's called for is an overview, the will to simply decide, and the sense of urgency that prompts us to go for it - NOW! There is no tomorrow, there is only today. Tomorrow is a product of your today, not an excuse. Often in life the information available to us isn't a guarantee of a sure thing. That describes most of life. The thing to do is to decide and whatever you decide, make that work. If you believe in yourself, when there is risk there is always reward. Procrastination due to plain old laziness? This calls for a new relationship with energy. We recommend Breath of Fire to put your devotion in motion! (See the "Motivation Required" question in the Questions of the Month section below.

This list could go on and on, but you get the idea. These are quite a few of the major ones. If we missed your favorite, let us know and we will include it in a future list!

I was curious to know what you would recommend for someone who is going to have an MRI done.  I know this particular procedure can expose a person to a lot more magnetic resonance than is probably a good thing.  The MRI that is being done is a brain scan. Do you have any tips for what someone might do before, during and after the test to help the body cope with this?

First, worrying too much about this can cause more stress than the procedure itself. It is true that constantly being subjected to magnetic fields can compromise cellular integrity. But an MRI once in awhile is not going to be harmful. We suggest as much Breath of Fire as possible, in any way, shape or form. This will help to re-harmonize your cells and put you back in sync with your own magnetic field. We also suggest Ganpati Kriya before and after. You can read about it under "G" in our Health Archive on raviana.com.

I've been spending a lot more practices with Journey Through the Chakras. This is one dvd I under-valued when I first got it. I have a cognitive dissonance with the dialogue though. Early on Ravi talks about being able to patiently watch your life unfold. When the dvd gets to the 3rd chakra they talk about self determination and being an active player in events. There's a balance between these two that's very hard for me to strike and I've struggled with the balance my whole life. I'm wondering how others view this. Maybe I should send my question into the newsletter...

Thanks for your great question!  A great way to decide "How to Be" is through the willingness to do what hardest for us. Life is a dance between the chakras and their polarities. In this case the Third Chakra is imposing one's will (not always a bad thing) and the Fourth Chakra is about letting what will be be. If you are a person who retreats to the sidelines of life when any kind of confrontation is called for (mostly with yourself) then you need to invoke Mr. Navel Power. If you need action, even if it's counterproductive you need to step back and learn how to simply abide. Kundalini Yoga will give you the situational Awareness to know what to do when. Keep up a regular practice, trust yourself and you can go wrong!