Just For Now

Just for now, without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness. Just for now, lay down the weight
you so patiently bear upon your shoulders.

Feel the earth receive you, and the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider as your awareness reaches
up to meet it.

Just for now, allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience. Breathe out whatever blocks you from the
truth.

Just for now, be boundless, free, with awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet. Drink in the
possibility of being who and what you really are - so fully alive that the world looks different, newly born and
vibrant, just for now.
~ Danna Faulds

NEW

A NEW year, a NEW month, and a NEW day. Most people, this time of year, have made lists of resolutions they will work to accomplish within the next twelve months. Some may even dig deeper and make their goals S.M.A.R.T (Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Time frame) to achieve a higher chance of accomplishing them. In the end the pressure of ending one calendar year to the beginning of another is inevitably gonna to cause this.

It is good to reflect and plan ahead, and it is also good to feel the freedom to do this any particular time of the year and not just because it's the "new year."


So I will continue living in gratitude now. Where I am right now, giving thanks. I will continue working on being a person with qualities that will help me grow and nurture what lies within. I will keep educated about things that contribute to a healthy mind, body and soul. I will focus on my energy, to give and receive positive energy. I will love my family and consider them first with my intentions. I will embrace and support my genuine friends. I will volunteer my time for helping others. Most importantly, I will pray and keep faith that my goals will be continuous and magnify to a higher platform as I grow.

I believe that my goals will lead to that weight loss challenge, financial freedom, a strong portfolio, a successful career, a beautiful house (and many property), a new vehicle, family vacations and all other wonderful things that put the frills on living the "dream". And that would be because I first looked within. xox

So what goals do you have? And why? Feel free to comment because I care and want to hear about you... plus I feel nauseous blabbing about myself.

Cheers to 2011! Let's make it count!


"Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner." ~Les Brown

Waking Up

@CamNatural -- Something in you is waking up to something more! Congrats! (by @crystalandrus)

Have you ever ran into someone that you haven't seen for a long time and they say something light to you that leaves you shaken to your core? Ever read a blog post, a Facebook status message, or a tweet and you feel that it's speaking directly to you? What about just spending time in a quiet place with no distractions around, and hearing the still voice of your inner being giving you answers to the questions you may have asked externally only to come up short of no solution. Have you?

I was scrolling through my Twitter timeline this morning and was able to have a brief connect with an inspiring professional who knows what she's talking about. She 'tweeted' to me, "Something in you is waking up to something more.." that little tweet left me with goosebumps. It addressed some concerns and thoughts I've been having about my future, especially after facing an adverse situation at work this past week. Another snippet and reminder that God will send people to give you a message that you need at the right moment. So I am thankful that I'm able to pay attention to those messages and be ok. I know that I am on the right path.

I am sharing this inspiring video (above) with you by Crystal Andrus, hope you enjoy :)

Cheers!

Fundamentals of Yoga

YOGA is usually defined as "union". Put simply, this refers to the process of the mind-body integration. However, yoga is also the set of practices that yogis use to achieve this integration.

Yoga as Union
Yoga is the integration of mind and body. You can think of this as a two-part process of self-integration. Internally, it is the union of your own physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects. Yogis frequently refer to these as the four aspects of human self. Externally, it is your union with the rest of the universe.

Regardless of our philosophies of life or religion, most of us have had moments when everything becomes clear. For an instant, or more, you feel connected to everything and everything is o.k. We might call these moments of clarity, self-actualization, enlightenment or "aha" moments. They are moments of yoga. The actual practice of yoga exist to promote these experiences.

When you focus effort on mind-body integration, you acquire benefits such as..

It's good for your physical health

• Practically every one of your body's systems grows stronger from bringing mind and body together

It's good for your mental and emotional health

• You'll gain better understanding of yourself and you'll decrease your stress level

Your relationships will improve

• It's easier to deal with those difficult situations when you've got a better handle on what's going on inside you

Peace of mind will help you find your way in the world

• We all wonder sometimes if we're doing all we can with our lives. Unfortunately, there's no final answer, but easing doubts and worries for a few moments here and there can truly help you find direction

Here's what some people had to say..

Yoga teaches us to cure what need not endure and endure what cannot be cured. ~ B.K.S Iyengar

Sun salutations can energize and warm you, even on the darkest, coldest winter day. ~ Carol Krucoff

When the breath wanders the mind is also unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath. ~ Svatmarama, Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind. ~ Patanjali, translated from Sanskrit

So consider striking a 'sun salutation' and smile. Embrace the possibilities you can be offered.

This is the aim of Yoga: the elevation of the narrow, fear-ridden and desire-tormented human consciousness to a state of indescribable beauty, glory, and bliss.

~Gopi Krishna

Be Still

To still your mind, sit down each day, close your eyes, and just watch your thoughts. Don't resist the thoughts, but just watch them come into your mind. As you watch each thought, it will disappear. Practice this each day and you will get better and better. You will find your mind will be without thoughts for five seconds, and then ten seconds, and then twenty seconds.

When you can command your mind to be still and have it obey your command, just imagine the power you will have to create what you want.

Shivapuri Baba

Shivapuri Baba was a Hindu saint who reportedly lived from 1826 to 1963, making him 137 years old at the time of his death. Shivapuri Baba was born in the Indian State of Kerala in 1826 and became a seeker of truth at the age of 18. He joined his grandfather in the forest of the upper Deccan, near the banks of the river Narbada. His grandfather insisted that after his own death, the boy should meditate until he obtained God-realization, then make a pilgrimage on foot not only through India, but also around the world. After the death of his grandfather, the young man received initiation as a sannyasin and took the name of Govindananda Bharati. He then retreated to the Narbada forest and spent 25 years in absolute seclusion. At the age of 50, he achieved the beatific vision and became aware of the divine as absolute, beyond name and form, which in Hinduism is considered the highest and most difficult stage of Godrealization. He then undertook his great pilgrimages.

He visited all the holy places of India, meeting Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Aurobindo. He went on to travel through Afghanistan and Persia, then made a pilgrimage to Mecca. After this experience of the Moslem shrine, he next traveled to Jerusalem, the holy city of Judaism and Christianity. He went on to Turkey, through the Balkans into Greece and then through Italy to Rome, so that he might better understand the Christian religion. After visiting most European countries, he was invited to England by Queen Victoria's Indian Secretariat and had 18 private visits with the queen.

That enlightened soul continued his pilgrimage on foot, covering countries of Greenland, Canada, United States, countries of South America, Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, etc., and finally reached back in India via Tibet and Nepal. He traveled more than 25,000 miles, eighty percent on foot. Again he took a final pilgrimage of India. During this time, he visited Kerala and his own ancestral house where he found that nobody of his generation was living.

He, then decided to spend the rest of his life in the forest of Sivapuri, near Kathmandu, Nepal. Thereafter, Govindananda Bharathi became Shivapuri Baba. Even after the age of 100, he often used to undertake pilgrimage to Kasi and other places, on foot. At the age of 120, he shifted to Dhruvasthali - another forest retreat - nearly 1.5 km from Pasupathinath Temple, Kathmandu, due to cancer which he himself later cured with Yoga, after medical advice failed.

Being a man who had realized the "Absolute Truth", Shivapuri Baba had astral vision and omnipotent power. But he was extremely calm and serene, and never felt tense or anxious. Very rarely did he use his powers, believing that it may create reactions and disturb the serenity.

Babas' Teachings to realize GOD is simple. His teaching is Right Life (SWADHARMA) which means Devotion And Discrimination.
Right Life comprises following Physical, Moral and Spiritual Disciplines.

Physical Discipline

• Take care of the Body.
• Decide how much to eat, how much to drink, how much to Sleep, how much sex and extra activity.
• Have a professional duty.
• Earn money to maintain Life and family. Look after your dependents.

Moral Discipline

• Follow the 26 divine virtues mentioned in the first three verses of 16th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita..
• Do not harm people.
• Use discrimination and help people at the time of need.
• Contribute at least 10 percent of your income to the needy people, educational institutions, students etc.
• Save 30 percent of your income to use that amount at the time of need.
• Begin charity from the home, neighbors.
• Make your mind strong.The strong mind is the link between two worlds which enables human being to face their duties with serenity and to enter upon his search for God.
• Read the Books like Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Books On Buddha, Christ, Mohammad and other spiritual personalities.

Spiritual Discipline

• Devote maximum time in God worship.
• Meditate on him, in the beginning with form and try to go beyond form.
• If you go on passing your time on meditating on God, God will come in a flash.
• If you see God or Truth, all your problems will be solved and no re-birth in the world.
• After God realization also the soul immediately will not leave this gross body.
• It stays in the body so long as one enjoys prarabdha.
• Prarabdha is the accumulation of your deeds in your past life. When balance is not left, no rebirth.

Shivapuri Baba died on January 28, 1963. His final message was: "Live Right Life, Worship God. That is all. Nothing more." He took a drink of water then said "Gaya" (I'm gone), laid down on his right side and passed away. His teaching of right living involved duty, morality, and worship. The sole purpose of human life was to find the Ultimate Truth, or God, and to this end a certain code of life was required—a spiritual, moral, and intellectual order.

*reference: Bennett, John G., with Thakur Lal Manandhar. Long Pilgrimage: The Life and Teaching of Sri Govinananda Bharati known as the Shivapuri Baba. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1965.

Energy Concepts

The chakra system is a model of consciousness. Though we all understand the word, few can describe what it is. We know how to use it, alter it, enhance it or talk about it - but we cannot define it. One definition might be the structure that perceives, analyzes, stores, retrieves and creates information about any subject whatsoever, whether it is internal, external, real or imagined.

Energy, matter and consciousness intertwine to form all that we experience. Knowing the various components of the chakras allows us to achieve a greater understanding of ourselves.

Energy flows in 2 ways in the chakra system: vertically, as it passes through all the chakras, and horizontally, as it passes through each chakra. The vertical channel can be thought of as the basic source; the horizontal flow is the expression of that source.

What blocks a chakra? Generally speaking, programming from childhood experiences and cultural values cause our chakras to be blocked. A child who is physically beaten by his parents learns to shut out his body sensations. A child who is emotionally neglected shuts down the emotional second chakra. A culture that denies sexuality and promotes obedience to authority forces us to shut down our second and third chakras, accordingly. Noise pollution, unattractive surroundings or lies make us shut down our fifth, sixth and seventh chakras, respectively. The pain of unrequited love teaches us to close our hearts. Basically, past pain or stress, whatever its source, affects the healthy functioning of our chakras.

The chakras can be opened through various exercises, meditations, acupuncture points, biofeedback and general understanding. Opening chakras leads to a more profound state of consciousness. This state of consciousness is obtainable by anyone.

Chakra 1. Root, Base, or Earth Chakra. It's seated at the base of the spine. Its colour is Red. It's qualities are physical body, grounding, courage, stability and patience.

Chakra 2. Sacral Chakra. Located at the small of the back, upper lumbar. Its colour is Orange. Qualities include giving and receiving, sexual love, new ideas, harmony and creativity.

Chakra 3. Solar Plexus Chakra. Located above the navel, below the chest. Its colour is Yellow. Includes personal power, authority, energy, transformation, laughter, fear.

Chakra 4. Heart Chakra. Located in the centre of the chest. Its colour is Green. Qualities are devine unconditional love, forgiveness, balance, peace, acceptance.

Chakra 5. Throat Chakra. Located at throat area. Its colour is Blue. Qualities are communication, true creative expression.

Chakra 6. Third Eye or Brow Chakra. Located in centre of forehead between the eyebrows. Its colour is Indigo. Includes intuition, imagination, peace of mind, wisdom, intuitive centre.

Chakra 7. Crown Chakra. Located at top of the head. Its colours Violet, White. Includes Oneness with the universe, spiritual will, inspiration.

*Can-Fit-Pro NWS