Are you interested in spirituality, yoga, and new age philosophy, but are concerned that you'll lose your edge, end up living a sexless, monastic life in a cave? Or perhaps you have avoided exploring the metaphysical side of life because you think that everyone in that scene is a flakey woo-woo nut job?

In this episode, I sit down with Desiree Pais, one of NYC's favorite Kundalini yoga teachers and thought leaders on the local scene. And guess what? She lives a conscious, spiritually-centered life but still creates great art, loves boys, Instagram, fashion, rap music, and (almost) ever other earthly pleasure just like the rest of us ordinary folk.

We talked about so many random, yet fascinating topics that I struggle to write an adequate description of this episode. In the interest of simplicity, I'll tease some of the general territories we covered: Enjoying material success and possessions without letting them possess you, overcoming your ego by doing embarrassing shit, curing acne with Chinese medicine, how being a raw vegan almost killed her, why cockroaches are a superfood in some Taoist traditions, the power of mantras, and how to get over feeling awkward when you sing them.

The overall takeaway from this raw and intimate talk with Desiree is that you can live a healthy, spiritual life in the big city, yet have fun, thrive, and continue to pursue your enlightenment at the same time. Desiree proves that you can fully immerse yourself in the spirit world while keeping your two designer-clad feet firmly planted on the ground. As long as you keep a sense of humor about it all, you can help other seekers on the path do the same along the way.

Please pass this episode along to someone you know who could use a little spiritual boost, but needs that boost powered by down-to-earth realness.

To your path,

Luke

TOPICS DISCUSSED ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

• How she cured herself of cystic acne, depression, eating disorder and even low self-esteem using Chinese medicine, yoga, and mind control
• How she uses kundalini yoga kriyas, sexual energy, and rap music to build her confidence
• The dangers of self-obsession
• Overcoming your own ego and self-consciousness by doing embarrassing shit
• How to be a yogi and not lose your edge
• How meditation feeds creativity
• The hidden inspiration behind high fashion
• How becoming a raw vegan destroyed her health, and how hard it is for some people to digest raw food
• Why cockroaches are considered a superfood to some Taoist masters
• How what you wear effects your mood and energy, and the value of high fashion as art
• Overcoming attachments to materialism
• The theory behind the chakra system, and how the first three relate to and control your primary instincts
• The power of singing mantras, and how rough it is when the mantras are sung in English
• Overcoming the awkwardness of dancing in yoga class
• Lifestyle recommendations