Essence of the Bhagvad Gita
24 May 2012 3 Comments
in Metaphysical, Spiritual, Yoga Tags: essence, Gita, summary of Gita
Below is the essence of the Hindu text, The Bhagvad Gita – a revered philosophical and spiritual guide. I personally find, the study of this text bestows upon me a sense of clarity, centering and grounding.
Whatever happened happened for good. Whatever is happening is happening for good. Whatever is going to happen, will also be for good.
What have you lost for which you cry? What did you bring with you that you have lost? What did you create that has been destroyed?
You did not bring anything when you were born. Whatever you have, you have received from Him. Whatever you will give, you will return to Him.
You came to this earth empty handed and you will leave empty handed. Whatever belongs to you today was somebody else’s yesterday and will belong to someone else tomorrow.
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Root Chakra
15 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Chakras, cleanse, Healing, Kundalini, Kundalini Awakening, Metaphysical, Paranormal, Yoga Tags: chakra, Root Chakra
This article has been contributed by Georgiy Onyschuk at www.mindvalley.com
Root Chakra: the Foundation of One’s Life
Many people fail to notice the significance of managing their chakra in order to for the body to receive the maximum energy needed to get the most out of their lives. Those who are focused on enhancing their upper chakras to achieve wholeness tend to overlook their lower chakras because they are scared that they might lose the established energy that they already have. It is vital that an individual enhances all his chakra points in order to have balance. Once a body has a well-balanced chakra, a person will feel peaceful, whole, and fulfilled in his life.
Nurturing the root chakra will allow one to realize his way of life can be more pleasant and will prepare him in receiving more energy needed to survive. Before nurturing the root chakra, one has to understand what a root chakra is.
The Basics
A root chakra produces a Red aura and is located at the end of the spine. A healthy root chakra can work very well with the crown chakra in generating positive energies for the body. These energies can assist an individual in increasing his creativity and in communicating with his Higher Self. When there is balance from the root, there will be a feeling of security, protection, and ground; the communication with the external surrounding is also improved. Generally, one will learn to empathize, be sensitive and have self-awareness of things that do not belong to them.
The root chakra is physically connected to our spine, adrenals, kidneys, immune and skeletal systems and sex organs. We may have emotions and diseases that are linked to it as well such as stress and fear, nervousness, high blood pressure, lower back pain, obsession, problems with the feet, legs, and hip, impotence, depression, and lack of control in one’s own life. It also promotes different rights such as the right of existence and protection.
Connecting with and Analyzing the Root Chakra
The simplest way to connect to the Root Chakra is through breathing meditation. Concentrate on the location of your root chakra. Breathe in, feel the root elevate. Hold your breath for a few seconds and direct the energy to the root area. Once you exhale, release all the tension. Repeat the process until the right amount of energy is achieved and sealed on the root.
Once the Root Chakra has been opened, one may start the visual analysis. Study the color, the spinning movement, the direction of the movement, and the images it produce.
Viewing the images of the root chakra may not be good at first. Most of them are negative images that you might hate. Just remember that these images are from your mind and you have the power to control it. You can make them stop and try again some other time.
Communicating with the Root Chakra
If a root chakra is imbalanced or blocked, one can heal it to restore the balance. There are recommended questions that can be used especially when one is doing guided chakra meditation. One has to calm his mind and let the chakra talk on its own. Listen to its voice and don’t contradict even if it’s saying something negative. The messages may not be clear at first but once you have listen very well, it will reveal interpretations that can be life-changing.
If you think you can’t take it anymore, you have the option to stop and calm yourself again. Allow yourself to absorb and understand what you have heard.
- When you are young, do you feel protected? How about now?
- As a child, did you feel you are important? How about now?
- What do you feel about your body? What are your pains? (List all that are related to the root chakra.)
- Do you like what you’re wearing? Explain it.
- What are the beliefs that you have learned from your family? From other people? Are those beliefs able to protect you? Why and why not?
- Are you always seeking for appreciation?
- Are you showing the real you now? Why and why not?
- Do you think God loves you? If not, why?
- Do you have enemies? What stops you from being friends with them?
- Do you feel grounded in your body? If not, what makes you keep running away from yourself?
Healing yourself requires a strong will and determination. Love yourself and be proud if you’re able to create balance on your Root Chakra. The Root Chakra is part of your foundation from the day that you were born up to this very moment.
Mindvalley is one of the world’s fastest growing online publishing companies. Through a unique blend of conscious marketing, technology and a fun and quirky work culture, the Mindvalley team spreads enlightened ideas across the Internet and beyond.
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Mind Control
07 May 2012 Leave a Comment
This article has been contributed by Georgiy Onyschuk at www.mindvalley.com
The Benefits of Learning Mind Control
Over the years a lot of religions, sects, and organizations have been using mind control. They use it for self- meditation and manipulating one’s own thoughts or re-channeling the thoughts of another individual. A lot of people believe that meditating and doing mind control allows them to achieve a higher state of consciousness and well being. It also fosters creativity, focus and relaxation.
This might make some wonder how such simple exercises can give a lot of benefits. To get a better grasp of the concept, it helps to be able to understand some basic mind processes. The mind, consisting of the conscious, unconscious and subconscious works a lot of wonders. Mind control works more with the subconscious part of the brain. And when mind control succeeds in manipulating the subconscious, voila you reap all the benefits.
Concentration-Concentration is one of the essentials in mind control. Concentration does a lot more than just making mind control more effective. Concentration and focus are beneficial to all people. Higher concentration and focus will help employees do their job well. Students can also learn faster if they develop their skill in concentration.
Inner Peace- Mind control and meditation helps a person find peace of mind- inner peace that a lot of people seek but often fail to find. It is something that cannot be found anywhere else but within a person. And once a person finds this inner peace it will radiate to the outside.
Self Discovery-Mind control needs deep meditation focus and concentration which would allow your real self to surface. Those who practice mind control are able to get to know their inner self very well. It works for mind, heart and spirit, creating a deeper sense of being.
Along with self-discovery is self-awareness. Through this you are able to have a clear idea of who you really are. Every aspect of your self is developed: personality, thoughts, feelings, beliefs and motivations. Self awareness is often linked to emotional intelligence. Knowing you self well is a key not just to improve your self but to develop better relationships with other people as well.
Mindfulness-A person who learns mind control does not only get to know himself well. He also gets to know others better. More than just sympathy, those who practice mind control can empathize to other people. Most of those who learn mind control are able to sense other people’s feelings.
Sensing another person helps you know how to deal with them. This will lead to having better relationships. Better relationships would mean a less stressful environment and a happier disposition that would boost self-confidence.
Mindfulness also entails sensitivity to the environment. A higher form of awareness and concentration means that you can sense the things going on around you. This keeps a person alert to certain events or eminent dangers.
Control of Emotions-People who learn mind control can also get a better grip of their emotions. And controlling one’s emotion is very essential. It prevents conflict and resolves one if it arises.
Mind control and the control of your emotions would make you gain more composure. Whatever situation you are placed into you can easily adapt to it. You can remain calm and composed even in the most difficult situations. A calm mind is an open mind that can think clearly. This can help you with problem resolution and make you cope better with life’s challenges.
Health- The mind controls the body. Many practitioners believe that mind control and meditation helps improve one’s health. There are also some studies that link mind control to longevity.
Mind control can be used to help patients who are battling serious illnesses. It can develop a more positive outlook for the patient and increase will power. The will to live and survive has been proven to be very effective in helping the body’s healing process. A healthy mind makes a healthy body.
These are just some of the many other benefits that learning mind control can give you. All of these benefits would make you become a happier person with a healthy mind and sound spirit. Mind control can be the key to living a healthier and happier life.
Although mind control has a lot of benefits, it is still prone to misuse. Many forget that it is a gift that needs to be used wisely. It should be used to create harmony and peace not to control other people’s lives and take advantage of it.
Mindvalley is one of the world’s fastest growing online publishing companies. Through a unique blend of conscious marketing, technology and a fun and quirky work culture, the Mindvalley team spreads enlightened ideas across the Internet and beyond.
How to have a simple Out of Body Experience
25 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Breath, Breathing, Metaphysical, Paranormal, Uncategorized, Yoga Tags: astral travel, out of body experience
Todays Guest Post is by Georgiy Onyschuk at http://www.mindvalley.com/
Keep it simple
For many people, the idea of full astral travel – with your astral body escaping your material one and flying to unknown and familiar places – is not what they are looking for. The reasons for this are many; perhaps the idea of projecting yourself so far from your physical body is unnerving, or scary. This is understandable in principle, but thankfully, it isn’t possible to become disconnected from your material form. Nonetheless, many people are uncomfortable with the idea of it, and as such, hold themselves back from experiencing full astral travel, as worry and discomfort are two of the things which can really prohibit a full projection. Other reasons for people wanting something simpler from their astral body may be to do with the idea that, for many, the thought of full astral travel is a little far-fetched, a bit unbelievable. You’d be surprised at the amount of people out there whose imaginations can stretch as far as out of body experiences and remote vision, but face a brick wall when it comes to anything more extravagant. This too, is understandable. It cannot be expected of everybody to accept the wonders of the astral world without hard evidence, and the only way really to appreciate what is possible and what can be achieved through full astral travel is to do it… a cycle is created of disbelief preventing evidence materializing to the unbeliever. However, if you are looking to achieve a simple out-of-body experience, there are many ways you can do it so that it remains comfortable, easy and rewarding without pushing yourself too far.
Deep relaxation technique
The most important ingredient for any method of astral projection for beginners is finding a way of entering a state of deep relaxation. As with many things, the best methods for this need to be experimented with, and subjected to a process of trial and error. However, most people can quickly find a method of deep relaxation that suits them. For me, I like to practice a simple meditation technique known as ‘tracking’ or ‘following’ the breath through the body. Once you are settled in a comfortable place – either a favourite chair or sofa, or preferably, on your bed – give your body the reward of a deep, full breath. Once your lungs are full (but not uncomfortably so), hold the breath for two or three seconds. Slowly and steadily release it, feeling the pleasure of breathing move through all of your body. On your next breath, as you hold it again for two or three seconds, notice the oxygen spreading outwards from your lungs, and moving into your shoulders, arms and thighs. Release slowly, and concentrate on the feeling of relaxation that breathing awards you. Continue doing this for a minute or two until you can feel the breath all the way through your body. If you are not already lying down, now is a good time to relax, and let your body become loose and utterly relaxed.
Visualise your freedom
In order to have an out-of-body experience, you need to allow yourself to come to the realisation that there is another, more subtle body trapped inside your physical one. In the height of your relaxation, try to concentrate on that body, and allow it to rise, bubble-like, up out of your material form. Will your inner self to lift up and out, and feel yourself gradually growing lighter and lighter. Many people find some simple visualizations help at this point – the most common being some kind of ropes or threads pulling your astral body upwards. Continue concentrating on these visualizations, and focus on the sensation of weightlessness that your relaxation has allowed you to feel. As you continue to breathe lying down, each outward breath should boost the sensation that you are rising out of your body. As soon as you are comfortable enough, exhale fully, as much as you can, and pull your astral or etheric self right out of your material body until you are floating free from your heavy, physical self which will remain safely lying on the bed. Don’t panic, and enjoy the wonderful feelings of this simple out-of-body experience. Any time you want to return and start again, just remember that you are still lying down on the bed, and coax your astral form to rejoin and awake.
This article has been contributed by the Mindvalley team.
Mindvalley is one of the world’s fastest growing online publishing companies. Through a unique blend of conscious marketing, technology and a fun and quirky work culture, the Mindvalley team spreads enlightened ideas across the Internet and beyond.
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And The Dark Globe Create A World Writing Conest Winners Are!!!
23 Apr 2012 4 Comments
The Waiting is Over!!
And The Dark Globe Create A World Writing Contest Winners Are!!!
First The Reader’s Choice… This was a Very Competitive Award, and in the End, I’ve Decided to Give Out 4 “Reader’s Choice Awards”… But, there is a “Grand Poobah, and that is Harry“
Congratulations Harry, This “Customized” Version of the “Reader’s Choice Award” is Just for you…
Nectar of Youth and Immortality
20 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Beauty, Breath, Breathing, Chakras, Healing, Health, Kundalini, Metaphysical, Supernatural, Yoga Tags: immortality, jalandhar, khechari, mudra, nectar, sarvangasan, shoulder stand, viparitkarni, youth
People have been in search of the nectar of immortality since time immemorial. The truth is that the nectar of immortality resides within each one of us. This nectar flows from the moon (in the hollow above the uvula/soft palate) and drops into the sun (stomach).
According to the Shiva Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gherand Samhita, the sun resides at the navel chakra and the moon resides at the root of the palate. The sun (stomach) consumes the nectar of immortality that drips from the moon. This is the cause of aging, disease and death in human beings.
Practice of Jalandhar Bandha, Viparitkarni /sarvangasana/shoulder stand and practice of khechari mudra can help a yogi slow down the loss of this nectar.
Jalandhar Bandha: This is also referred to as the chinlock. Jalandhar Bandha involves the constriction of the vessels in the neck/vishuddhi chakra by placing the chin on the throat cavity.
- To begin with one should be seated in easy pose (sukhasan), lotus pose (padma asan) or siddhasan.
- Keep the spine straight and place your palms on your knees in gyan mudra (tip of thumb touching tip of index finger, other three fingers pointing away).
- Inhale and exhale deeply a few times.
- Now inhale and this time hold your breath.
- Bring your chin down and place it in the throat cavity. Hold the breath and this position for few seconds or for as long is comfortable.
- Bring the chin back up and then slowly exhale.
- Repeat a few times.
Viparitkarni Asan: Practicing Viparitkarni asan (viparit means opposite) one can prevent this nectar from being consumed by the stomach. This is better known today as the Shoulder Stand or Sarvangasana. One should practice it per one’s capacity and slowly try to increase the duration.
According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika:
“The practice of Viparitkarni for 6 months destroys wrinkles, grey hair, and old age. He who practices it for 3 hours daily conquers death”
Khechari Mudra is more complex and should be learned under the guidance of a qualified guru only. It involves elongating the tongue by cutting and stretching it until it reaches the middle of the eyebrows. The yogi is then able to drink the nectar everyday by simply turning his tongue back and placing it into the skull cavity (the hollow above the uvula).
According to the yogic texts:
“When the yogi can drink nectar just by placing the tip of his tongue on his palate he is freed from the practice of all yoga. He is freed from disease, old age, death and obtains several powers. He does not feel hunger, thirst, fatigue or sleepiness. He is never reborn.”
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My Submission #30 – Create A World Writing Contest
12 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
Hello All,
Here is my submission for create a world writing contest. Thanks for informing me of it Veeh. My story is: “The Enticement of Mayoori”
Submission #30 – Create A World Writing Contest.
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Mind and Food
09 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Health, Yoga, Yoga Diet, Yogic Diet Tags: Mind and food
By Sri Swami Sivananda
“When the food is pure, the whole nature becomes pure; when the nature becomes pure, the memory becomes firm; and when a man is in possession of a firm memory, all the ties are severed.”
(Chhandogya Upanishad, VII-xxvi-2)
Mind Is Made Of Food
Mind is manufactured out of the food that we take. Subtlest part of food reaches upward to the heart and thence entering the arteries called the ‘Hita’, and thereby bringing into existence the aggregate of the organs of speech and being changed into the form of the mind, it increases the mind. And thus, the mind, being increased by food, is material and not eternal as held by the Vaiseshikas.
The Upanishadic philosophers believed that the mind depends upon the food for its formation. “The food that we take is transformed in three different ways: the gross or the heaviest part of it becomes the excrement; that of medium density is transformed into flesh and the finest part goes to form the mind.” (Chhandogya Upanishad, VI-v-1) “Just as in the churning of curd, its fine particles rise up and are transformed into butter, so when food is consumed, the subtlest part rises up and is transformed into mind.” (Chhandogya Upanishad, VI-vi-1 & 2). Later, even in the days of the Bhagavad-Gita, we find that the three different mental temperaments-the Sattvic, the Rajasic and the Tamasic-were supposed to be due to the three different kinds of food what we eat. (Bhagavad-Gita, XVII-8 & 10).
Quality Of Mind Depends Upon Quality Of Food
Food has a direct and intimate connection with the mind and plays a vital part in the make-up of the mind. Sattvic diet calms the mind. Rajasic diet excites the mind. Mark the difference in nature between a tiger which lives on flesh and a cow which lives on grass. Food exercises important influence on the mind. You see it clearly every day. It is very difficult to control the mind after a heavy, sumptuous, indigestible, rice meal. The mind runs, wanders and jumps like a monkey all the time. Alcohol causes tremendous excitement in the mind.
Food plays an important role in meditation. For purposes of meditation, the food must be light, Sattvic and nutritious. The body is Annamaya (made up of food). Bhairavi Chakra is in Annamaya Kosha. Bhairavi Chakra is Maya. Light Sattvic food, such as fruits, milk, etc., takes you to Vishnu Chakra and thence to Nirvikalpa state quite easily.
When the quality of the mind depends upon the quality of the food taken, it is natural to insist in the interest of the highest morality upon a kind of Sattvic regimen of diet for those aspirants who lead a contemplative life and householders who are attempting to lead a spiritual life in the world. It was because Narada had his impurity destroyed that the venerable Sanatkumara pointed out to him the way beyond darkness. The way which leads up beyond darkness, therefore, must be sought for in the purity of food, which involves in its train, the purity of mind.
Harmful Foods
Different foods produce different effects in different compartments of the brain. Spiced dishes, sour things, black gram, onions, garlic, tea, wine, fish, meat, mustard oil, etc., excite passions and emotions and should, therefore, be avoided. They should be particularly avoided by a Sadhaka. A Jijnasu (spiritual aspirant) should strictly give up meat, fish and alcoholic drinks as these make the mind coarse and produce excitement in the mind. Heavy food brings Tandri (drowsiness) and Alasya (laziness). Tea should be given up. It destroys Virya. Sugar must be taken in moderation. It is better if it is given up.
Food Items Helpful In Meditation
Milk, fruits, almonds, sugar-candy, butter, green oats, Bengal oats (Chenai) soaked in water overnight, bread, etc., are all helpful in meditation. Thed, a kind of Kandamula found in abundance in Brahmapuri, Vasishtha Guha and other parts of the Himalayas, is very Sattvic. It helps meditation. My friend and spiritual brother Swami Purushottamanandaji used to live on that for some days when he was at Vasishtha Guha, fourteen miles from the reputed Rishikesh. Sunthi-Sevana (taking powder of dried ginger) is very good for aspirants. It can be taken along with milk. It refreshes the mind and helps digestion. Yogins take it very often. Triphala water also is taken by Yogins. It removes constipation, cools the system and stops wet-dreams. Myrobalan or Haritaki (Harad of the yellow kind) can be chewed by Yogic practitioners very often. It preserves semen and checks nocturnal discharges. Potatoes boiled without salt or roasted in fire are very good.
A Note Of Caution
Evolution is better than revolution. Do not make sudden changes in anything, particularly in food. Let the change be gradual. The system should accommodate it without any hitch. Natura non facil saltum (nature never moves by leaps).
A Raja Yogin who wants to control the mind must be able to avoid the two extremes, viz., luxury and severe Tamasic Tapas. Too much fasting brings about extreme weakness. You cannot do any Sadhana. You cannot think. You cannot ratiocinate. Take any food that suits you. Do not make much fuss about it. Any food that is readily available and that agrees with your system is harmless.
When Food Can Be Dispensed With
Food is only a mass of energy. Water supplies energy to the body. Air also furnishes energy. You can live without food for very many days, but you cannot live without air even for some minutes. Oxygen is even more important. What is wanted to support the body is energy. If you can supply the energy from any other source, you can dispense with food entirely. Yogins keep up the body without food by drinking nectar. This nectar flows through a hole in the palate. It dribbles and nourishes the body. A Jnani can draw energy directly from his pure, irresistible will and support the body without food. If you know the process of drawing the energy from the cosmic energy or solar energy, you can maintain the body with this energy alone for any length of time and can dispense with food.
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“The Science of Getting Rich”, By Wallace Wattles
03 Apr 2012 1 Comment
The pdf format of the book that started it all for Rhonda Byrnes, author of ”The Secret”.
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Kapalbhati-The Detoxifying Breath
20 Mar 2012 2 Comments
in Breath, Breathing, cleanse, Detox, Healing, Health, Yoga Tags: kapalbhati
Swami Ramdev is credited for reviving the practice of Kapalbhati in India and bringing it to the masses by removing all veils of fear and false beliefs that regular people had associated with the practice of this and related esoteric practices which were once reserved only for the serious yogi.
Kapalbhati is praised as having the ability to free the practitioner of a myriad of diseases, physical or mental. Kapal means skull and bhati means glow. So crudely translated, the practice of this makes one’s skull glow or imparts radiance to one’s face. It helps get rid of phlegm related diseases, impurities, toxins and fat. Those suffering from phlegm related diseases should practice kapalbhati prior to proceeding with Pranayam (alternate nostril breathing).
Kapalbhati consists of rapid exhalation followed by a short and quick inhalation. The focus is on the exhalation part and the inhalation part becomes more of a reflex. Forceful exhalation causes the stomach muscles to automatically contract and get pulled in. This rapid exhalation helps throw out all toxins that get accumulated around the cells and tissues. One should be seated in a comfortable posture, with the spine erect and chin slightly tucked in; hands in gyan mudra (thumb and index finger touching with the remaining fingers pointing away). In the beginning one should try to do it for a count of 30. If you feel dizzy, lie down and take a break and proceed at a slower pace. As you build up, you will no longer feel dizzy. Kapalbhati may be practiced comfortably for 5 minutes, but for no more than 10 minutes. While performing Kapalbhati, it is advisable to visualize all the impurities, toxins and negativity exiting one’s body.
NOTE: People suffering from high blood pressure, heart issues, retinal problems, stroke, asthma, hernia etc should not do kapalbhati. Kapalbhati should be done on an empty stomach or at least 3 hours after a meal.
There are numerous videos online that demonstrate kapalbhati. Below is one by Swami Ramdev.
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