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The Nitty Gritty of Life

August 29th, 2011

QUESTION: Why am I experiencing such intensity in my career - what is it that I am to learn from all of this?

OFFERING: The intense times of our lives seem to bring to the surface such stress and feelings of being overwhelmed that it is only in “hindsight” that we understand them. But does it have to be this way? Can we come to a way of life that allows us to move through every moment with enough clarity and awareness that even during the intense times we can see the grace and the beauty that is being bestowed?

Its like the sand in the oyster shell, its uncomfortable, irritating, foreign, and often down right scary, but at the end of the day, in hindsight, we see that it was this nitty gritty that was creating a pearl.

Right now the key word for the entire earth experience (every life-form - humans, Gaia, plant, animal, insect etc) is INTENSE! Collectively we are in a pressure-cooker of evolution that is demanding that we wake up, step up, learn and shine right NOW! What aspect of our lives that this intensity is shining on depends on our astrological charts, our karma, and where our life lessons lie. Yours apparently is in the house of career.

We only open to new ways when we have exhausted all the old ways of being… when we feel exhausted, overwhelmed, on the floor, wiped out… this is good. It means your ready to learn a new way… Intense times of our lives are fast tracked lessons that we need to learn in order to step forward on our path of evolution. Whenever we are being asked to step up our game, also known as experiencing a shift of core vibration within our human experience it is a time to LET GO, SOFTEN, SLOW DOWN, BREATHE and eventually INTEGRATE this new way of being. Just keeping these words in your mind during the periods of intensity will help you create a different relationship to the process.

The key tool to use for these kinds of shifts is WITNESS. Witness your mind every moment of the day. Likes, dislikes, when you feel full, when you feel empty, when you are going against the grain, when you are flowing with the abundance of Divine energy. Let go of all you have known, enjoy the process of the new, be PLAYFUL with it… you don’t need to get it right, you just need to be fully present in the process.

When we master the technique of becoming the witness to everything we experience here on Earth then we get to embody one of my favorite quotes from Paramahansiji Satyananda (a great Yogic visionary) “We should be like the shadow which passes through water without getting wet or through the fire without getting burnt.”

Much love!

Shivani is available for private sessions to help and guide you through life from a Yogic perspective. Either face to face in Kimberley BC, or via Skype for those at a distance, sometimes shining a little light on your situation can make all the difference to how you move through and experience your LIFE! please contact Shivani on info@puraluna.com or see her website www.puraluna.com for more details and rates.

Tags: let go, nitty gritty, soften, Trust, vibration
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Maintaining Clarity In The Chaos

August 29th, 2011

QUESTION: I am working so much right now and I accept that this is my temporary reality. How do I maintain clarity and connectedness until things calm down for me?

OFFERING: Have you ever seen a chicken running around without a head? Its life force energy is still running, but it has no direction, it doesn’t know what to do because its its mind is somewhere else.

Maintaining clarity and connectedness in times of chaos is rooted in your ability to BE PRESENT. Right here and now. Only focusing your mind and life force energy on the present task. The sense of being exhausted and overwhelmed is often because while we are trying to complete one task, our minds are using a good chunk of our prana (energy) on things that still need to be done, or have already been worked on but need to be attended to again. This doesn’t leave allot of energy to actually finish the present task with the mastery that it needs to be done. Thus resulting in often having to double handle tasks and going back over details. EXHAUSTING!

So what to do? People needing to tap into their super human abilities rarely think that adding something to their ”to do” list is going to help. But what if i told you that 5 mins, 3 x a day, could give you an extra hour or two of energy and clarity to fulfill your list? Tri Yogic Breathing is one of those gems that gets looked over because of its simplicity. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SIMPLE! It is our egos that want everything to be complicated. Take the time in the morning to sit down, in a quiet spot. Maybe light a candle and then put one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest. Take 5 big inhales and exhales THROUGH YOUR NOSE into your belly (till your like 5 or 6 months pregnant) keeping your chest as still as possible. Then take 5 inhales and exhales THROUGH YOUR NOSE into your chest, keeping your belly still. Then tie it together by breathing into the belly, then filling up your chest, and finishing by inhaling into your neck. Then exhale neck, chest and belly. repeat until your 5 mins is up. WITNESS YOUR BREATH. Slow, deep and energizing.

Slowing and bringing more awareness to your breath at the beginning of your day (or at any time when you feel overwhelmed) is going to “start your day on the right foot”. When we are running around our breath gets shallow, which means we don’t transfer oxygen and CO2 effectively enough for our brains to keep up with us. We get tired, irritable, we make mistakes and the rest is history… doing this practice 3 times a day (its great while sitting on the loo) morning, lunch and before bed will really help “reset” your energy body and keep the nervous system cool, calm and collected. Giving that mind of yours more opportunity and strength to BE PRESENT!

Ultimately, in yoga, we come to the realization that this life force energy runs through us, not from us. If we step forth in our day with the thought that “we are not the doers” we allow all the “doing” to run through us, thus tapping into an unlimited supply of energy and Light to draw from. When we believe that we are “doing this, doing that” then we (the ego, “i”ness) gets tapped out and exhausted. Resulting in crashing, and sometimes illness.

So drink lots of water, keeping the emotions (energy in motion) flowing, breath deeply, laugh wholeheartedly and LOVE every minute of it!

I hope this helps!

Shivani is available for private sessions to help and guide you through life from a Yogic perspective. Either face to face in Kimberley BC, or via Skype for those at a distance, sometimes shining a little light on your situation can make all the difference to how you move through and experience your LIFE! please contact Shivani for sessions or questions for her column via info@puraluna.com or see her website www.puraluna.com for more details and rates.

Tags: be present, breathe, Love
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Soft Heart, Open Hands - The Freedom to Change without Violence.

January 29th, 2011

As the dawn breaks on North America this morning, I cannot help but wonder if light will be cast upon Egypt and its people?

Speaking as a mother, a woman, a yogini, I cannot help but contemplate the micro (someone’s children being hurt, someone’s brother being beaten, someone’s husband doing the beating) and the macro of the group consciousness both within Egypt and Globally that will effect the outcome of this stand of the people.

When, with a heavy heart, I asked “why” this morning in my daily practice, this is what was given to me… “As we birth into a new consciousness, there must be labour pains. For at this time it is not possible (in earths dimension) for the new to come through without the journey of labour. Even at the beggining of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna expresses resistance to engaging in the battle that was about to start, yet Krishna assures him that what is to be done, is already done. We must stand up and change the patterns of ‘non-love’. We must act, but we must, we must, find a way to act without violence if we every truly want to live in peace.

When I think of people who inspire me, it is not Hitler, Stalin or the guy across the street who used to beat his wife that come to mind. It is the likes of Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa to name only a few. People who amongst turmoil, violence and oppression stood up in their full power with a soft heart and open hands and said… no more. These people fully rooted into an energy which transcends the Earth plane, stood in full courage, in non-violence and have influenced, and some would say, single handedly changed the world.

In reading Force Vs. Power by David Hawkins he clearly states that force will never win out over power. Power will always (albeit sometime in the long run) pervade. To stand in ones power, is to dissolve the “identification of the micro” and embody Sprit, fully, courageously, without fear.

Never has violence against another or the Self brought about Peace. To stoop to the vibration of force only creates more force. It is very hard for someone to be angry with you if you refuse to get angry back. Darkness cannot stay in a room with the light on.

We saw after 911 how group consciousness when fed specific details, or “mis details” still root for an “eye for an eye” and answers the call to patriotically “fight back”. (ever pondered the coincidence as to why Patriot has Riot in it?) But whose eye are we really poking? If we are all one, if we are all connected, then who are we hurting?

I will never forget the footage I saw on TV post 911 of Richard Gere getting booed at a Gala for the Firefighters when he encouraged us not to retaliate out of revenge but turn our energies to love. The concept to the audience that more violence was not going to make their pain go away was just too absurd to be heard. Are we still there? Or have we learnt?

There is a huge opportunity that we as a human race have at this time. And that is to really see, to really bring a deeper awareness to our own actions of Ahimsa (non violence). If there were riots in your town right now, if someone was coming towards you welding a baton what would you do?

What can you do? What can we all do? Egypt is ‘over there’ we are ‘over here’. Remember that time, space & distance is an illusion. We are all one, So stand up, yes, you, right now, where you are, breathe, soften your heart, open your hands, and send, everyone, everywhere the courage and the clarity to stand up, together, in Love and be free.

Tags: Ahimsa, Egypt, Free, Krishna, Love
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THE LIVING YOGA CHALLENGE!!!! Raise your vibration in 6 weeks!

August 1st, 2010

THE LIVING YOGA CHALLENGE!

Stage ONE:

Read all NINE Living Yoga articles on the Hridaya blog.

Stage TWO:

Commit to one week of intense transformation through the exploration of each Jnanendriya. EACH DAY JOURNAL YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE TRANSFORMATION.

Week 1: Stop and smell the roses every day! watch how much of your day is spent in perpetual movement towards or away from somthing. Through the Jnanendriya of Smell, Stop and Smell the roses to bring a sense of saftey and groundedness into your day.

Week 2: Taste your emotions! While continuing to stop and smell the roses till the end of the challenge. Watch how many times in a week you eat to quell an emotion inside of you. eat to nourish the body, not satiate the mind. and then let the emotions that are coming up for you flow rather than quelling them with food.

Week 3: See the light! its simple. Don’t wear ANY black clothes. While continuing to stop and smell the roses, and tasting your emotions till the end of the challenge. Experience the difference for yourself.

Week 4: Connect your Heart to the Unconditional. Do 10 mins of the following meditation every morning. Inhaling the energy from the Mother from the earth up your body to your heart (while silently saying SO to yourself), and then exhale the energy from Father sky through the top of your head into your heart (while silently saying HAM* to yourself). Feel the two connect at the heart. See your body filling with this light. Then step forward in your day GIVING this energy to people, and watching how when you embrace people you are instead receiving from them. And watch how many people take from you, rather than give to you. (Ideally there would be a overflowing of giving between two people with no need to receive from either) (While continuing to stop and smell the roses, tasting your emotions and not wearing black till the end of the challenge.)

Week 5: Speak your Truth with Love. Spend the whole week in awareness of the sounds and words you surround yourself with and subsequently the words you use yourself. (While continuing to stop and smell the roses, tasting your emotions and not wearing black and doing your 10 minute mediation every morning till the end of the challenge.)

Stage THREE:

WEEK 6: Take what you have experience from the last 5 weeks, and commit to ONE WEEK of AHIMSA. to not engage or subject yourself to ANY VIOLENCE in anyway. That means, don’t read the paper, watch the news, go to any movies with any violence. If you fall off the wagon, thats ok just start your week again… When you have finished a whole week of non violence, while continuing to raise your vibration through the Jnanedriyas THEN you will have completed the living yoga challenge.

SUGGESTION! get some friends together to complete the challenge. that way you will have a support system when things come to the surface for you.

IF YOU COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE i want to hear about it! write me a letter to tell me about your experience. the 3 top letters will be posted on the blog to inspire and encourage others to shine their light also.

GOOD LUCK!

*Thats like HUM not ham (pork)

Tags: aspire, breathe, Celebrate, Love, shine, transform, vibration, Yes!
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Living Yoga #9 - The Sound of Truth.

August 1st, 2010

In Living Yoga #8 we took a look at how touch and energy are intricately woven together as the language of the heart.

Here we shall examine the final Jnanendriya - the sense of hearing and its relationship with Vishudhhi Chakra.

While I believe that the conscious awareness of ALL the Jnanedriyas are very important, it is our sense of hearing and subsequently the Karmendriya (the organ of action) of speech that can show us where we are and effect us very quickly in our vibrational journeys.

It is said that “In the beginning was the Word” the sound of the Universe coming into manifest or AUM (OM). So it is no surprise that hearing, sound and speech are directly connected to the energy centre of our throats, Vishuddhi chakra. Its the home of purification, the home of Truth, and is the portal from all the other chakras to the “command centre” of Anja chakra at the third eye.

Sounds, both internal and external, have a profound influence on the vibrational food we nourish ourselves with. To even think about different sounds or words will shift the flow of prana (energy) in your body. Take a moment to think about a baby crying in distress, then think about a bird chirping on a summer morning. Take your awareness now to the sound of joyous and uplifting music, followed by music that is angry, and uses profanities every sentence. Taking to your awareness of these things when they are not there is tapping into the memory of the sound internally. When you hear them directly from the outside world they have even more an effect on us. (if you have not yet transcended being influenced by the outside world)

What we surround ourselves with is of upmost importance. If you simply listen to the quality of language in the people you surround yourself with you will start to understand the vibration to which nourish yourself with. For example, if multiple times a day you are in the presence of people who are negative, putting other people and themselves down, angry, swearing, complaining you will be absorbing those energies and need to either distance yourself or learn how to shield your energy body from receiving these (one very effective way to do this is to consciously send this person love while they are talking), and then clean your energy body at the end of the day (sage or the like). People who speak kindly, even in stressful situations, refrain from swearing, speak optimistically, and encourage people to succeed will draw you in and leave you feeling uplifted, encouraged and confidant in who you are. (even if you are experiencing ”stuff to work on” coming to the surface)

When you become a witness to your own words, it becomes blatantly obvious which words have a higher vibration than others. For example, the experience of swearing profanities while holding a new born baby just doesn’t feel right does it? To hear unconditional words of encouragement and love from a drill sergeant also doesn’t seem to fit.

In the heat of the moment often old habits and patterns come into play faster than you can keep up with. The key is to make a concious effort to RESPOND, not REACT! This often means taking alittle time between the incident at play and your interaction with it. This gives us the time to ask “To come to this from a place of love, what needs to be said? and HOW will i say it so that it is HEARD with the love intended?” Often we have hard things to say to people, but by taking alittle time, stepping away and asking yourself this question will shift the dynamic of the whole situation. This is the only way we will shift the samsakras (memories) and habits for and with ourselves and our ancestors.

As we step forth alone, together, to raise our vibrations and “Be the change we want to see in the world” (Gandhi). We need to start to consciously nourish ourselves with higher vibrations through awareness of the Jnanedriyas and the Chakras. To teach by example and step forth as living examples for change and embodying the right to shine. In fact… we need you to shine. We ALL need to shine… so we can co-create a world that our grandchildren can come to, to explore, embrace and evolve.

With much love,

In Service.

Shivani

ps. Check out your personal vibration challenge in the next post.

Tags: Celebrate, compassion, Indriyas, Love, speak, truth, vibration
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Living Yoga #8 - A Touch of Heart

June 21st, 2010

In Living Yoga #7 we saw how profoundly effected we are by the colours (especially clothes that we wear) we surround ourselves with.

Having risen the vibration of Manipura Chakra through the exploration of light it is now time to turn our awareness to the sense of Touch.

The sense of touch is connected with Anahata Chakra with the skin being the organ in which we perceive this information. It is not too hard to have a direct experiance of the connection between the infomation gathered by the skin, and the opening or closing of ones heart-space. The warmth of the sun, a warm breeze, strength of a lovers embrace are all experiences that we receive by softening our skin and letting the information of the experiance to “sink in”. This softening leads to an opening of the heart.

When we are living completely in balance with our higher selves no expression of the heart will be about receiving. For we will receive energies that nourish us from Mother Earth and Father Sky. And this is where I believe the key is.

We have come into an existence where we expect to have a relationship with “everything” from the premise that we are “all one” from the sole standpoint of being Human. The unconditional love that flows from Anahata Chakra is not about being human. Its about Being. We are all one with every drop of rain, forest creature, mass of ocean, breath of air. But we have created a gap in this understanding in the justification of killing for food, of drilling for oil. And as a result we are killing ALL for it. The earth, the animals and ourselves in the process. When are we going to realize that everything on the outside, is on the inside?!

Our skin is the biggest organ of the body. It takes in the most amount of information. And to raise the vibration of this centre. we need to come back into right relationship with what feeds us. Mother Earth, and Father Sky. It is only then that the grief of what we have gotten outselve in will heal, our hearts will open, and we will step forward in the flow of Unconditional Love.

In the space of the heart also lives our lungs. So its no surprise that the quality of air is directly related to the vibration of Anahata Chakra. Living in the city there is a tremendous disharmony in the air. Sound frequencies travel through the air, cell phone waves, not to mention the pollutants. In order to re-calibrate this aspect of ourselves to its highest potential we need to get simple.

Get back to sitting multiple times a week in the undisturbed forest, breathing in the air directly from the surrounding trees in a silent conversation of gratitude. Back and forth we feed each other and at the same time come back into harmony. Everyone would think twice about cutting down trees if they directly linked it to having enough air to breath. If you are bound to the city, consider unplugging all electronic devices (not just turning them off cause the electricity still runs to them). You can also have a bowl (or multiple bowls) of rock salt to help absorb any negative electromagnetic fields in the air that are effecting you directly. Every little bit will help!

When we have stepped into this re-calibration, how we touch each other physically will change. No longer will a hug be about receiving. Only about the giving. The giving of the highest quality expression of our hearts as it flows into the energy body of the person we are in contact with. The touch will be an expression of the fullness that you feel inside. The cup so full, that it has to give before it flows over completely. Everything you touch is effected by what is inside of you.

We must touch an nourish our surroundings, the Earth, our lovers, our family, the same way we wish to be touched and nourished. Only then will our Hearts fully open to the song of eternity, of co-creation, of Love.

Tags: Anahata, compassion, gratitude, Indriyas, Love, Mother
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LOVE by svenblack

May 23rd, 2010

Love,

of you, countless things I’ve heard.

I’ve heard your name touted in many a place,
I hear you might even permeate every inch of space.
I hear your more, more than words, and feelings,
present in every day dealings.

I’ve hoped for you,
cried for you,
and oh, how i’ve run from you.

Yet, this is what I hear… you wait for me, still….
Patiently… complete within yourself, wanting only to share…
share your most precious gifts of grace, this is your will…

Blind as darkest night has been my plight,
haughty and proud, my pain made me flee,
Now, I sense your yearning for me… to regain my sight.
That I may see… what you’ve made plain.. plain for all to see.

speaking silently… softly…. constantly….

whispering on every cool breeze to remind me,

return to thee.

I fled as a babe, into the barbarous arms of the world,
lies and illusions towards me unfurled.

Lost and confused….
I closed my ears to you and I forgot the sound of your voice.
my soul, my light, my body I let be used,
for my survival, it seemed my only choice.

Time has healed many wounds,
the screams, the gnashing of inner torment and self abuse.
no longer feeling chased by hells hounds,
no longer feeling it’s all no use.

my heart was a thrashed and tattered garment.
now your messengers flank me all around,
healing all that was torn asunder and sorely rent.
sent to remind me to listen for your voice, that sweet sweet sound….

of your love calling me home.

SVENBLACK

Tags: Love
Posted in Guest writer | 1 Comment »

Living Yoga #7 - I See The light!

May 20th, 2010

In “Living Yoga #6” we saw how our sense of taste is directly connected to Swadhisthana Chakra, our emotions and how these effect what we choose to nourish ourselves with in the way of food.

On our journey of rasing our vibration through our relationship with the Jnanendriyas, (sense organs that give us knowledge about the outside), Sight is the next in line.

Our sight is directly connected to Manipura Chakra. Which is also the home of our “I”-dentity or ego. It is the element of fire in our bodies which is why it shines a light on who we are. It speaks to the world of how we “see” ourselves. The ability to see stems from different frequencies of light hitting objects producing colour and differention. White light is the accumilation of all the colour frequences put together. On the flip side, Black is an absence of colour, an absence of light.

Whether we let our light shine, or if we try (conciously or unconciously) to hide out light, who we are, comes out in the colours (vibrations of light) that we shroud outselves in. Simply put, the colors we wear. What is your favorite colour to wear? Which chakra/s do they pertain to? Do you wear allot of black? Why? The old theory that Black is slimming is nothing but saying it diminishes the amount of light you radiate, it makes you invisible.

As we step forward in our yogic journeys, to purify, Love, live in the light we need to become acutly aware at the vibration through colour that we are absorbing. To wear black means you are not absorbing any light at all! If you are not surrounding yourself in light, then you are surrounding yourself in darkness. Wearing black is a huge magnet for negativity. In fact, esteemed yogis have been known to wear a shawl of black to attract the negativity in a space, as they are considered to have a high enough vibration to transmute that negativity into light. Now this may not seem like a big deal to you. After all, look at how many people wear black. But the fact is; you cant live in the light, and hide in the darkness at the same time. My hypothesis is that if everyone stopped wearing black, depression and low self esteem would drop dramatically. Why? Because these two conditions are directly related to Manipura Chakra, to your eyes, ego/identity, and self worth.

Your Mission:

If you are trying to consciously step into a life of light, then try it for one month. Stop wearing all black. See for yourself how people treat you differently. How many more people will notice, and smile at you. How this makes you feel differently. How the sea of black that surrounds us seems to co-inside with eyes low, and serious faces.

Two of my students took up my challenge. Here is what they had to say…

“Black was a constant in my clothing. I had never thought about why, other than I was attracted to black so that is what I wore. When my teacher suggested ‘no black’ all I thought of was, “what am I supposed to wear?” ”and why no black?!” I VERY quickly learned that the answers would arrive through the experience. Old clothing pieces made new appearaces, and items I thought I had lost mysteriously turned up in drawers ready to be reintroduced to the world. The first few days were liberating. I felt bright and alive, and was really enjoying this new experiment. Then the joy shifted and severe discomfort hit. Stuff was coming to the surface that was not so pleasant to deal with. I longed for black, but suddenly figured it out…black had been my safety net. Black was what I covered my physical body in to keep it hidden. From others, and from myself. Definitely one of those things I had to stay ‘in’ to work through. So literally, I stayed in colour. Eventually things shifted once again. I wore black shorts one day…and it felt WEIRD. I felt very off and couldn’t wait to change. Now when I feel like black it has turned into an opportunity to look at how I am actually feeling. What is going on in my life? Am I trying to hide something I don’t want to deal with? Why don’t I want to be ’seen’ today? Who knew that one non-colour would turn into such a great tool. It has also opened my eyes to others, and what their wardrobe is expressing and giving off (in an energetic sense). I have keenly observed this in a friend of mine who has also been wearing no black. Every time I see him he looks brighter, fuller, and glowing more powerfully than the last time I saw him. It truly inspires me. Removing black from my closet has brought light into my life that I didn’t know was missing.” AM

“It’s been a couple + months now since I’ve stopped wearing black, and I still have mixed feelings. I still think it looks damn sexy, but, I also see how I was really hiding that sensitive child with the bright light who loves colors. I’ve noticed peoples reactions to me, they definitely are aware of me standing out in the crowd. Which I’ve began to realize how easy that is to do when so many people are wearing a lot of black or really muted colors, like beige. I didn’t really see it before. I don’t feel like I’m hiding anymore, which I guess I really was. It has been a little challenging trying to figure how to dress all over again, which is ok, I’m having fun exploring. I haven’t thrown out the black clothes yet, they are in a pile ready to go out the door. But, but, but, they don’t seem to want to leave yet. lol. I am happy for the change and look forward to a bright future full of light and color.” SB

Tags: change, light
Posted in Guest writer, Living Yoga | 4 Comments »

Thursday’s Inspiration - Akshaya Tithi

May 12th, 2010

This Thursday’s Inspiration should more aptly be called Sunday’s inspiration. For it centers around Akshaya Tithi which is ”the third day of the bright fortnight in the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May)” which happens to be this Sunday the 16th May!

I’m inspired by this event for it reminds us how every deed, thought, action and intent that happens is felt not only on our dimension, but all all levels of existence. The ripples of our lives here, really do make a difference, EVERYWHERE. Especially on this “The Indestructible Day”. If you were to spend a day, where every action, thought, and deed was to be written in pen on the blueprint of your soul. What would you spend it doing?

Sw. Satsangananda has written “Akshaya Tithi - The Indestructible Day” a great article around what this day means and how to make the most of it.

Rikhia is also hostng a special celebration for Akshaya Tithi this year. Please see the information on it below.

So on Sunday lets all plan a day of giving, self exploration, Yoga, Kirtan, Mantras and kindness and LOVE!

OM GURUDEVA NAMAHA!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (from www.yogavision.net)

AKSHAY TRITIYA

This year, the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated at Rikhiapeeth from 14th-16th May with worship of Sri Yantra (Sri Vidya Poojan) dedicated to Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati.This special three-day anushthana will be held in the presence of Swami Satyasangananda Saraswati and Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati.The essence of Akshaya Tritiya is an indestructible force. Whatever comes into existence at this time will never die. It is said that all one’s words, thoughts and actions at this moment remain with one life after life and therefore a sincere effort to perform good deeds through japa, tapa, tyaga, daan and remembrance of the Lord is essential.

As such, this unique time played an important role in Sri Swamiji’s sankalpa of providing for his neighbours.

Everyone is invited to celebrate this important occasion and benefit from its positive vibrations.

For more information, contact:
Rikhiapeeth
P.O. Rikhia,
Dist. Deoghar,
Jharkhand 814112

Tel: 0930448889, 06432-290870
Fax: 09304799449

Tags: Celebrate, intention, Love, Yoga
Posted in Thursdays Inspiration... | No Comments »

Living Yoga #6 - Saliva-tion

May 10th, 2010

The Sense of Taste

Last week in “Living Yoga #5″ we took a look at how our sense of smell effects our overall vibration. How smell is our primal sense, it states first and foremost if we are safe or not. All other experience of the senses follow this first instinct including our sense of taste, which informs us on how we feel about it. The sense of taste is directly connected to Swadhisthana Chakra at the tailbone. Its element is water, which is why salvating and the tougne and our emotions are connected to this energy center. With as much honesty as you can muster, ask yourself. Do you eat to quell or sooth your emotions? For most of us the answer is an unequivocal yes… Very few people eat purely for sustenance. It is usually to bring in a vibration through their sense to balance the emotions. The vibration of the food you eat, directly effects the mind. And yet, its your state of mind that is usually choosing your food!

In yoga the recommended diet is a Vegetarian one. This is for a very good reason. As we are rasing our vibration, we also need to raise the vibration of our food. We spend alot of energy creating a sense of calm, safe, balanced state of being. But when we eat food such as meat or fish, we are inducing the conciousness of the animal into our system. If an animal just before it is killed for consumption is in a state of anxiety and fear (i mean, wouldn’t you be if you were about to be slaughtered?). Then the adrenals excrete adrenaline into the muscles of the beast. The animal dies, and you end up serving this meat which has been marinating in anxiety ever since that fateful moment. The best food to eat when you are working towards at sattvic (balanced) mind, is to eat food of that vibration. Anything lower is simply going to hold you back. Some tamasic (inertia) food are as follows. Meat, Fish, french fries, processed food - yes that includes kraft dinner, fast food, Genetically modified food. These foods are the friend of the depressed mind. Rajasic food are also going to imbalance the mind. Some of these foods are, refined sugar, chocolate (i’m not including 70% dark chocolate in this category), sweets of all sorts. They are the food that will give you the “sugar high”,and then the crash afterwards. They hold the mind in a state of striving and lends itself more towards frustration. The feeling that nothing is ever enough. So it is satvic food that we need to be consciously eating. Fresh vegetables, fruit (fructose or the sugar in fruit is a different vibration from refined sugar), milk, ghee, rice. Of course, home grown, or organic is the best if you have availability to it. When we start to fuel our bodies and minds with a high vibrational fuel. It gives us a good chance of being able to bring the emotions into balance as well. When we step forward as emotionally balanced people, it frees up a whole lot of space and energy within us that would usually be drained by drama.

Now the thing to also keep in mind about this whole food vibration thing. I believe, that is that it is better for you to occasionally eat something deep fried with a mind full of gratitude, than to eat a great salad while feeling guilty about the type of dressing you put on it. Your mind and your emotional state towards your food is almost as important as the food itself! There is no point of ever being guilty about the type of food you eat (guilt also lives in Swadhisthana chakra). If your going to eat it, enjoy it! But just remember, you are what you eat!

Next time we see whats going on with the vibration is sight.

Tags: change, Indriyas, sattva, Swadhisthana
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