
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]

Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]

By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]

Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]

Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]

Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]

Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]

Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]

Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]

Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]

Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]

Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
connection

My spiritual life shifted after I lost my mother to brain cancer in 2009. Before she left the physical world, I hardly believed in God. After her passing, I had even less evidence to believe in a power greater than myself. However, soon thereafter I experienced a moment of clarity one evening when I looked into the bathroom mirror and asked myself what I planned to do with the rest of my life. I decided to choose life over addiction, love over fear, and service over selfishness.
A Higher Power guided my journey, and my life forever changed. Now, connection to what I choose to call God is most meaningful to me. I maintain this relationship through recovery, service, and yoga.
After my mother passed away, my yoga mat became a magic carpet upon which I found the ability to transcend space and time. I soon discovered and developed a deep breath-body-mind-Spirit connection. Conscious contact with God then became possible.
My connection to God becomes severed when I entertain selfish thoughts, think of past mistakes or future scenarios, or am not being of service to others. Prayer and meditation are the spiritual tools I use to reestablish my connection to God. Yoga is the discipline I use to reaffirm my faith and remain present.
The Dalai Lama wrote that spirituality “corresponds to the development of human qualities such as love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, or a sense of responsibility.” Spiritual practices such as yoga cultivate these virtues and help us find a deep connection with life in a meaningful way.
I believe we live meaningful lives when our thoughts are inherent and in service to the welfare of all beings everywhere. I will continue to pray, meditate, practice and teach yoga, and connect with God as I understand Him, so that if we connect in the future I can share experience, strength, and hope. Namaste.
– Brian Hyman
Comments