http://forums.thinkarete.com/forums/the-big-ideas/topics/russell-simmons-tapas en-us 60 <p align="center">&ldquo;<em>In the yogic tradition, this principle of using intense effort to burn through life&rsquo;s distractions is called Tapas. It&rsquo;s another Sanskrit word, roughly defined as &ldquo;heat&rdquo; or &ldquo;essential energy.&rdquo; The concept is that through a disciplined approach to work and self-sacrifice, Tapas will burn away the negativity that separates us from God. By working our hardest and happily enduring the hardships of life we are able to create a sense of peace and clarity in ourselves.&rdquo;</em></p><p align="center">~ Russell Simmons, hop-hop mogul</p><p align="center">from <em>Do You!</em></p><p>Who would have thought a hip-hop mogul would be teaching us so much Sanskrit?!?</p><p><em>Tapas</em>. The word literally means &ldquo;heat&rdquo; or &ldquo;essential energy&rdquo; and, as Simmons brilliantly articulates, as we live our life with discipline, passion and Areté, we burn thru the negativity that can separate us from God.</p><p>And that&rsquo;s a straight line to bliss.</p><p>Burn, baby, burn.</p> Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:43:20 -0000 forums.thinkarete.com:503:403:403 brian http://forums.thinkarete.com/forums/503/topics/403