Beehive (BeeHappyNyc.com)

Rose Cross

2009-11-29T18:53:00.001-05:00

Effective Meditation

2009-08-15T14:28:00.000-04:00

Spirituality

2009-07-28T11:21:00.001-04:00

"Spirituality is a particular term, which actually means, our dealing with intuition. In the theosophy tradition there's a notion of clinging into a word. A certain act is regarded as displeasing to divine principals and certain act is regarded as pleasing for the divine... whatever.

In the tradition of non-theosophism, however, it is very direct that the case history [sic] are not particularly important. What is actually important is the "Here" and "Now".

"Now" is definitely now. We try to experience what is available there, on the spot. There's no point in thinking that the past that exists, that we could have now.

This is "Now".

This very moment.

Nothing mystical, just "Now", very simple straightforward.... and from that "nowness" however, arises a sense of intelligence, always, that you are constantly interacting with the reality, one by one, spot by spot, constantly. We actually experience fantastic precision, always.

But, we are threatened by the "Now" so, we jump to the past or the future. Paying attention to the materials that exist in our life; such a rich life that we lead.

All these choices take place all the time but none of them are regarded as 'bad' or 'good per se. Everything we experience are unconditional experience(s). They don't come along with a label by saying "this is regarded as 'bad', this is 'good' but, we experience them but, we don't actually pay heed to them, properly. We don't actually regard that as we're going somewhere. We regard them as a hassle, waiting to be dead.

So that's the problem.

And that (problem) is not trusting the 'nowness', probably, but is actually experienced. "Now" possesses a lot of powerful things. It is so powerful that we can't face it therefore, we have to borrow from the past and invite the future all the time.

Maybe that's why we seek religion. Maybe that's why we march in the street. Maybe that's why we complain to society. Maybe that's why we vote for the presidents'.

It's quite ironic though and very funny indeed."

- Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Lecture in Los Angeles (1983)

Chakra Clearing Meditation

2009-07-18T15:45:00.000-04:00

Kundalini - Breath of Fire.

2009-07-15T10:58:00.000-04:00

Kundalini 12

2009-06-01T09:45:00.000-04:00

THE ELEMENTS AND ENERGY

One of the goals of yoga is to balance the five tattvas. The tattvas are the elements that make up our human existence and indeed all life - AIR,
WATER, FIRE, EARTH AND ETHER.

The elements are related to the chakras. Each chakra embodies the energy of one or more elements.

The astrological signs each embody the energy of one of the elements. When we work with the energies that are available at any specific time, it is
easier to tune into, align with and tap the energy of that element.

CULTIVATING CONSCIOUSNESS

The practice of Kundalini yoga will automatically facilitate our alignment. However, the actual performance of the exercises or asanas is only half of our practice. The other half is the development of our awareness. We must practice focusing our mind on what we are feeling, thinking and experiencing in order to cultivate a deeper experience of reality and ourselves. It is through our mental focus that we develop our sensitivities to energies. It is through our attention that are able to participate in the process of our own alignment, healing and relaxation. It is by listening that we hear the voice of our soul, our intuition and receive the answers to our prayers.

I practiced Hatha and then Kundalini yoga for many years before I realized that I must sit still and be with what was going on with my thoughts, body, and emotions in order to make conscious shifts especially in my mental and emotional states. The Buddhists call this attention mindfulness. The experience of being with our fears and resistance in our bodies is not comfortable. We have trained ourselves to avoid feeling uncomfortable at all costs. Unfortunately the price we pay is very high. We lose our power to what remains unconscious.

We often think that we just have to do more yoga or more chanting and all our disfunctions will all go away. Our issues do not simply all disappear. Some do. And that is wonderful. But many require our conscious awareness, and choice, in order to be changed and transmuted. Kundalini yoga and meditation bring our issues into the light so we can choose to release them and move on.

Beyond releasing negative patterns, resistances and thoughts, there are infinite possibilities of consciousness. The more we cultivate our awareness, the more we experience and the richer our lives become.

THE INNER JOURNEY

I am integrating the knowledge of astrology with the Kundalini Yoga Training because it gives us guidelines on how to focus our awareness and expand our consciousness.

For those of you who do not have teachers and classes in your area, the guidelines on how to tune into energies will be especially valuable. Remember many yogis in the past went to a teacher to receive one meditation and then went away by themselves for up to 12 years to practice and perfect it before returning to the teacher. The spiritual journey is an inner journey. All the techniques are to coax us to go within and find the universe within ourselves.

In the last two New Millennium Being Newsletters, I have set out guidelines for tuning into Taurus and Earth energy. I have also given a meditation by Yogi Bhajan to practice during this time. The Har Har Gobinde meditation is actually a warrior meditation that was used to prepare soldiers for battle. Below I am including the Tune in to Taurus and the Meditation again. After practicing it for 11 minutes, simply sit or lie quietly and tune into and feel the energy as it pulses through your body. Listen within. And enjoy the moment.

Life is rich, elegant and beautiful. May you be blessed to enjoy every moment of it.

Sat Nam,
Guru Rattana

TUNING INTO TAURUS

The energy of each sign lives within each of us and awaits (or demands) activation and alignment. During the month of May, when the frequency of Taurus is so abundantly available, we are both obliged to learn Taurus lessons and blessed to receive her gifts. Tuning into the energy of the Taurus is the best way to take full advantage of the opportunities available at this time.

How do we tune into Taurus energy? It is going to be hard not to this year. It is so all-pervasive. Taurus makes us slow down. Stopping is a great start! Taurus energy also grounds us and helps us be very present in our bodies and aware of the sensations in our bodies. Slowing down, being present and feeling the sensations in our bodies will help us further refine our sensitivities to Taurus energy. By anchoring our awareness in the strong, steady and sensuous Taurus energy, we synergize with it. The more we can make this a meditation and a non-verbal experience, the more we will get to know Taurus within ourselves.

To help tune into Taurus energy we simply be present to the effects of gravity on our body. We can also recall some of the main attributes of the Bull, which include stable, loyal, patient, sensual, indulgent, stubborn, resistant, immovable, lazy, slow and attuned to the natural world. Our goal is to allow ourselves to experience these energies and then to work with them and allow them to nurture, sustain and teach us. The above attributes are all expressions of the same primal Earth and desire energies that bring substance to our existence.

EARTH ENERGY

Taurus is the Earth element, so during your meditation be sure to bring your attention to your root chakra. You may even feel the energetic roots from your first chakra connecting to the Earth. We want to establish an experience of rootedness and a secure foundation in our body. This is accomplished by simply being present TO the sensations in our body.

The use of symbols can be useful--like relating to yourself as a tree or rock-- stable, solid, immovable. I like meditating with a heart-shaped rock I found on the beach near my feet. If these props actually facilitate tuning into the solid, peaceful, totally accepting nature of the Earth energy, they can be very useful. Visualizations that keep our attention in the mind and out of our bodies are distractions. Of course, meditating or walking in nature is the best.

DESIRE ENERGY

Taurus is also desire energy. To tap it and make the best use of it, we have to experience it in its most primal form before it becomes an emotion or a commotional story. Meditating on yourself as a flower can help stimulate a feeling of self-love. Taurus teaches us that one of the highest forms of healing is available through self-love.

In its purest form, desire energy translates into charisma and magnetism. To cultivate desire energy we again have to focus on the sensations in our bodies and practice loving what we are feeling. This helps us contain our energy, which makes us a magnet. Being present to the peaceful Earth energy and indulging in how wonderful it feels to be at peace in our bodies is a great way to cultivate presence and power.

TUNING IN

Uranus and Aquarius specialize in surprises and serendipity. Although fortuitous events may appear as good luck and misfortunes may seem like bad luck, there are no simple coincidences in the universe. Every event, every person and every breath are connected in the cosmic web. The connections are usually invisible to our untrained eye and escape our attention because we live behind the cosmic veil and are unconscious of how the universe works and even how we ourselves impact everything with our actions and thoughts.

Earthy Taurus energy gives a chance to slow down and be silent so we can intuitively tune into the intricate and awesome interconnections that link us with universal energies.

When we slow down, we can get in touch with our true values and what we really want. Like the Bull, we can chew and digest life. And then we can simply be present and enjoy it.

MEDITATION FOR PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS

The New Moon always begins a new annual cycle in one of the twelve signs. Joined by the Sun and this year Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, we definitely have a chance to initiate a new cycle in relationship to Taurus energy, issues and opportunities. The New Moon is the best time to start a project or spiritual practice. Yogi Bhajan has given the following meditation to do during this period of time-while the Planets are in Taurus, to be able to deal with the intensity of the energy and the challenges during the shift to the new millennium and the Aquarian Age, and to be successful.

This meditation has 40 sounds. It effects the 5 tattvas (air, water, fire, earth, and ether), the 7 chakras and the arch line. This mantra can penetrate into anything and help avoid misfortune. It has the power to break through any resistance or obstacles. It is sacred but it is not secret.

HAR, HAR, HAR, HAR - repeat before each of the following mantras
Pump the navel center (below the navel) with each Har. Use the tip of the tongue. Chant in a monotone, enunciating clearly each syllable or chant to a tape.

GOBINDE - Go bin day--Sustainer

MUKUNDE - Mu kun day--Liberator

UDARE - Oo dar ay--Enlightener

APARE - A par ay--Infinite

HARING - Har e ung--Destroyer

KARING - Kar e ung--Creator

NIRNAME - Nir na may--Nameless

AKAME - A ka may--Desireless

Choose one of the following mudras (hand positions) and do for 40 or 90 days for 11 minutes.

Thumb touching Jupiter finger (index) - to remove all obstacles

Thumb touching Saturn finger (middle) - for inner purity

Thumb touching Sun finger (ring) - for health, prosperity and friendship
All the resources that you need will come to you.

Thumb touching Mercury finger (little) - for clear communication

A great version of this mantra can be obtained from Yoga Technology - contained in the Blissful Spirit CD by Gurunam

Kundalini 11

2009-05-30T09:42:00.002-04:00

Food, diet, weight loss, eating disorders, and other addictive substances and behaviors-whatever our specific issue, everyday we are all confronted with what to put in our mouths and how the decisions we make affect our well-being. My approach is to use our addictive tendencies as a path to empowerment. In the process we can claim "the gifts from the garbage."

3rd Chakra: Yoga and making and breaking Habits

The ability to make and break habits is associated with the navel center or third chakra. When our navel center is strong we have the will to make decisions and to keep them. There are many navel exercises and sets. Many of these can be found in my manual Transitions to a Heart-Centered World. Breath of fire is a great navel breath as is 4 part energizing breath. You will find the instructions for the 4-part breath on the Yoga Technology website -
http://www.yogatech.com/kysets/44breath.html
Do this 3-5 minute exercise 3 or more times a day, especially at moments when you are being pulled to a compulsive, addictive behavior.

(Remember the navel center is slightly below the navel, approximately
1-2" below the navel itself, where many nerve centers converge. You can identify it by a pulse which gets stronger after navel exercises like the 4-part breath, leg lifts and stretch pose.)

Many addictions, especially smoking, drugs and alcohol are related to the fire element. Navel breathing, especially breath of fire and 4 part breath, give us the fire energy we crave. As the energy we create begins to satisfy us, we are released from the hold of the addiction.

A strong navel center is a requirement for being able to commit and keep your commitments to yourself. Daily practice to strengthen the navel center is the first commitment we need to make to ourselves.

2nd and 3rd Chakras: Digestion and Power Center

There are MANY things going on in our body that we can connect with if we tune into and are present to our energy. The second chakra, which is located in the lower abdominal area, is where much of our additive and "food" issues reside. Whereas the third chakra can be identified by a pulse at a specific point, the second chakra is a space which generates rhythmic movement.

The abdominal area is our power center. Women especially learn to hold in their stomachs. The result is a constant tension and continual blocking of our internal source of power. This is the area where our digestion and elimination is regulated. When we create stress by holding in our stomachs and have a negative attitude toward this part of our body, we interfere with our normal biological functioning.

When the belly is relaxed, digestion and elimination can occur in a natural and peaceful matter. Imagine you were a large or small intestine and that you had to carry out your job under the adverse circumstances that we create by holding in our bellies, blocking the energy flow and cutting off the breath. You wouldn't get the job done properly, so matter how hard you tried.

EXERCISE--One way to cultivate a relaxed abdominal area is to practice long deep abdominal breathing. Lie on your back, place your hands on your belly, let your inhale push your hands up and exhale relax the hands back down. Many women in classes I have taught have experienced dramatic increases of energy with this simple breathing exercise.

Our goal is to befriend our bellies and to consciously allow our energy to flow. Overtime our peaceful relationship with our energy and our body will supercede any programming of how our bodies should look. As we make friends with our bodies, HOW OUR BODIES FEEL BECOMES OUR COMMANDING TOUCHSTONE.

Security is our Greatest Asset

SELF-LOVE on an energetic level is our goal. For self-love to be real, we have to enjoy being in our bodies. This is of course a process that takes time. We have to be willing to feel uncomfortable and to experience our emotions. If we are willing, we will over time experience inner power and peace.

Yogi Bhajan taught us years ago that "A woman's greatest security is herself." This summer he reminded us again that a woman's greatest asset is her own security. And in fact, a woman can not really function as woman, i.e. use all her innate gifts, until she feels secure within herself. Can you feel the power of those statements? Just writing those words again
makes me sit up straighter and breathe deeper. I think the same is true for men. For both men and women, it is our inner connection that is our source of true power.

Maybe the core issue is not food or addictions. Maybe the core issue is our own security, our own self-love, and our dedicated commitment to living our own lives.

EXERCISE--The practice of long deep abdominal breathing as described above can be used to cultivate a feeling of security in your body and love of your physical form. Allow yourself to experience that the energy you bring in with the breath is feeding your body (because it is). This can produce a very satisfying feeling that replaces the addictive cravings. Another variation is to initiate the breath at the navel center. The focus on the navel center will help you consciously create the flame and the fire in your "lower furnace". The fire energetically builds your will power on a very organic level.

Feel Good

My most powerful driving force is to feel good. Almost everything I do is in one way or another related to the fact that I want to feel good all the time. This does not mean that I do, but it does mean that I do the best I can to cultivate a state of well being. Admittedly, it is a continual, lifetime task. I must be vigilant at all times. But feeling good is so important to me that it is worth all the time and effort. I do yoga everyday to feel good. And what I eat is mostly (not all) determined by how I will feel after I eat.

I remember several years ago I attended a class with about 40 women on habits, diet and eating. The teacher asked us, "Who considers how they will feel 3 hours later before they eat?" Only 3 women raised their hands. Wow.I was shocked. These were all spiritually committed women. So don't feel bad if you wouldn't have raised your hand. But do consider that making it a priority to feel good is something to consider. It could change your life and be a key to dealing with eating disorders and weight.

Actually, I believe that everyone is driven by the desire to feel good. We just need to make this desire conscious and learn habits and behaviors that make total well-being possible.

1st Chakra: Identifying Needs and getting them Met

Finding solutions to all our human challenges is actually a question of identifying our needs and figuring out how to get them met. Security and satisfying needs are first chakra issues. Some of some our basic needs that relate to food and addictions include the following-

To feel secure
To feel a sense of well being
To feel nurtured
To be nourished

Please add to the list.

I operate from the premise that we all have needs and that our lives are organized around how to get them met. We may sabotage ourselves by doing things that don't really get our needs met or are harmful. But we are still internally driven to attempt to satisfy our basic needs. In fact, I believe that eating disorders, drug, alcohol and tobacco addictions are unsuccessful attempts to get our needs met.

In dealing with any challenge, the first step is to identify the need. The second step is to embrace it, NOT deny it or try to suppress it. The third step is to figure how we can satisfy these needs, without hurting ourselves, but instead by promoting our health and happiness.

Substitutes -vs- Deprivation

Food is often used an inadequate substitute for the above and other needs. Something is missing in our lives so we try to placate our craving with food.

The problem with bad food is that none of our needs are satisfied including the one for food. In fact we just crave more food. This is a serious problem even for those of us who try to eat a healthy diet.

Ingesting "food" that does not have its natural, complete vitamin-mineral content not only does not satisfy our bodies, it also creates cravings. This is because the body needs the complete vitamin-mineral structure to properly digest its food. If something is missing, the body will try to find it by depleting the rest of the body of those particular vitamins or
minerals and by sending out "hunger" signals demanding what it needs.

The problem today is that most of our foods are severely deficient in vitamin-mineral content. Genetically engineered foods are even worse because the natural crystalline structures of plants are simplified. As a result the cells cannot absorb what is left of the nutrients from the food.

This is the same for the water we drink. Pollution, purification, chemical additives and processing of water has debilitated our water to the extent that it cannot be fully absorbed by our cells. We are born with 98% water content in our bodies. Our cells are dehydrated down to about 75% by the time we are 40 or 50. And no matter how much water we drink, if it does not come from the few vital sources left on the Planet, our body's thirst for water is not totally quenched.

Now all this is rather depressing except for the fact that we do have some very effective vitamin and mineral supplements available to us that can satisfy our bodies. And recently there have been some major discoveries that help us revitalize the water we drink.

In addition, there is a lot that we can do immediately by choosing healthier foods. We can eliminate processed sugar, processed foods, fried foods, red meat and caffeine from our diet. The trick is substitution. Depravation does not work.

Sugar

Our bodies need natural sugar and foods of the Earth element. Fruits contain natural sugar. And there are many "health food junk foods" that are sweetened with honey and natural sugar from fruit. Although these are not as nutritious as a piece of fruit or carrot juice, they are not harmful like refined sugar and flour. I say minimize the damage and do your best to keep your body at peace without ingesting the known addictive foods-refined sugar being on the top of the list.

Refined sugar is addictive because of what I explained above. The natural nutrients have been extracted and the body craves more in an attempt to get the minerals and vitamins it needs to carry out its digestive and eliminative functions. Caffeine from coffee, coke, chocolate also dehydrates the body.

Since sugar is addictive, any amount of it generally provokes the craving and reestablishes the addiction. This is why it is recommended to eliminate it completely. If you have the guts to do this, I suggest having a good supply of substitutes on hand. Remember the need must be satisfied. Deprivation does not work. As the body gets accustomed to more complete foods, the sugar craving will subside. The need for natural sugars will remain because the body needs some of this food. Over time (and it may be a while) more natural sugars will be the only ones that satisfy you.

When I was young my mother made the most outrageous refined sugar-flour based desserts imaginable. It took me several years to eliminate my desire for refined sugar. The dessert habit, however, is still in my genes. Now I am satisfied with a couple of bites of Golden Temple Ginger Snap Granola.

To help break my refined sugar addition, I ate millet almost everyday for several years. Millet is one of the few grains that is an Earth food. All sugars are Earth foods. By eating millet, my body was able to have its need for Earth foods satisfied. I eat millet once in a while now. Amazingly I still like it.

I am not saying it was easy. But I am sharing that it was possible and it was worth it. I feel so much better without refined sugar. And as I said, feeling good is a priority for me.

Collective Addictions

Addictions support each other. A stop smoking course recommended giving up coffee, teas with caffeine and alcohol at the same time. Each one increased the craving for the others. They recommended substituting vitamin C, dried and fresh fruit. The vitamin C helps replace the nutrients lost and rebuild the substance in the body that is replaced by nicotine.

When to Start

The best day to begin any regime or Sadhana to break or make new habits is the New Moon. I have personally experienced that it is much easier to keep up and actually succeed when I start a fast on the New Moon. Yogically, forty days is the amount of time it takes to break a habit.

Oils

Somehow because of the cholesterol scare, we have gotten the message that oil is bad. Refined, fried oils are not easily digested by the body. Natural oils are needed by the body for optimum functioning. Olive or almond oil (not canola) in your salad dressing or added to your grains after they are cooked can satisfy these needs.

It is very important that women do not eliminate oil from their diets. No oil speeds up the aging process and makes menopause more difficult.

The Box Technique

Someone shared with me the idea that I now call the box technique. This is one way to deal with the psychology of what we eat and don't eat. We all actually use this technique all the time. There are things that we do not do and do not eat. We have them classified in a box. We do not eat food out of a trash bin. We don't eat rotten food. We wouldn't even think about it. We can choose to expand our box and put other foods in that box. This works if we keep the item in the box. And it circumvents a lot of mental anguish of trying to decide "to eat or not to eat." Over time the sides of the box will grow stronger and we won't even question our initial decision.

When I was young, I often ate much more than I needed. I was of course uncomfortable after I stuffed myself. I worried about getting fat, which did not happen, but I did waste a lot of mental energy and made myself uptight. One day, after college, I decided that I did not want to live like that. I made the decision to eat only until I was full and then I would stop. It took me about 2 months to get into the habit and integrate the strategy into my psyche. I am so much more comfortable mentally and physically that to do any differently is not even an option. I have gotten better over the years too. I look at my food, appreciate what I am eating while I am eating, even try to chew more. It all helps.

We have built in survival strategies. The trick is to discover your own version and use them to your advantage. As Yogi Bhajan taught us, the Universe is set up for us to win. Life on Planet Earth is to discover how to win our own game of life. We were all born with the innate wisdom to succeed and be happy.

Divine Addicts

Maybe weight and food problems are not really about food and weight. Maybe the issue is self-love. Maybe we should start out by loving our bodies as they are. After all everyone is different and therefore special. Maybe addictions are about taking back our power from those forces and "authorities" who we have let manipulate us. Maybe every issue we face is a spiritual issue between me and myself and me and the Divine.

My hypothesis is that we all have addictive personalities. We just have different addictions. Actually the addictive power is a spiritual necessity and gift. I believe we were given this quality to be able to hold on to our experience of God.

I propose getting high on Kundalini Yoga and using this addictive power to hold on to the experience. This sounds easy, but this reorientation is a challenge too. Holding on to the feeling can be as challenging as breaking an addiction. What we are doing is breaking an old habit and creating a new one. We are training our mind to reorient our focus. We are reversing an energy pattern that has been in place for a long time. We are challenging an old belief system and creating a new one. The trick is to patiently train yourself and to keep up until you are addicted to God.

You can cultivate an addiction to God with any Kundalini yoga set, breathing exercise or meditation. The important point is to do something to change your energy and then to focus on the feeling and satisfaction that you have created. Have fun feeling good and please share your results with us.

Many blessings and Sat Nam,

Guru Rattana, Ph.D.

Send comments or questions to
Guru Rattana@kundaliniyoga.org

Kundalini 10

2009-05-29T09:37:00.001-04:00

The practice of Kundalini yoga will open you up to lots of new experiences. You may feel tingling in your body. You may have experiences related to cleansing of your physical body and subconscious mind. Your awareness will expand and you will be aware of more thoughts, insights, feelings and sensations.

I get letters asking my opinion about what someone has experienced. I do not give my opinion or interpretation of what someone else has experienced. My advice is to be with your experiences. They are yours for that moment and they will change. KY is about self discovery. Enjoy and savor your own journey.

My generic answer to "What's happening?" is one or more of the following --
(1) movement of energy,
(2) energetic alignments and adjustments,
(3) releasing of old programs and clearing of the subconscious mind,
(4) physical and emotional cleansing,
(5) expansion of conscious awareness of your true identity and
(6) establishing connection with the divine.

Stay Tuned In and Listen

My general advice is to be present to what you are experiencing without analysis. Many people write that they had this wonderful experience and then when they tried to process it in their mind, it went away. They were so disappointed. You will notice that as soon as you try to figure out what is happening the experience disappears. Notice that when you stay in your body your experiences last longer. You want to savor these precious moments. Insights come later.

As many spiritual writings tell us, "Understanding is the booby prize."

The truth is that everyone knows what they need to do, receives answers to their own questions and is internally guided. Practicing KY opens us up to this awareness. Yogi Bhajan used to tell us, "Go sit in your bedroom and be your own counselor." If we listen to our own intuition, it is easy to tune in enough to receive answers to your own questions. This is what I do. I ask and then I wait until the answers come through. They always do. Could be during meditation, could be while I am walking, driving or sleeping.

It could come sooner or later. But the answers are there if I pay attention.

Your most important job is to stay present. Answers will come if you stay tuned and listen. Healing will happen as you release your resistance to change. Gifts will appear as you align with your soul. The energy will teach you. The experience will awaken you. Enjoy your unfoldment. Kundalini yoga allows you to savor your life and live to the fullest. What a gift!

Opening Up to Experiences

Here are a few more comments on experiences.

(1) Everyone has his or her own experiences. The more we acknowledge and appreciate our own experiences, the more we develop our own sensory awareness system. Sensory awareness is what KY is all about. One of the principal goals of this training is to guide you in expanding your awareness.

(2) Change and variety are the norm in meditation. Our individual experiences vary according to our current stage of growth, what we are going through at a particular time, our moods, the stars, who else is in the house, if we are meditating in a group, and on and on. There are so many factors that influence us at each point in time, which eventually leads us to realize that the best thing to do is to tune into the moment and be present to ourselves, our feelings and our reactions. There are so many ways we get reminded to "Be Here Now." In the now, the infinite is available to us.

(3) What we experience can range from pain and anguish to joy and bliss. There is a myth that meditation is the mindless experience of bliss. Well, eventually we hope to have these experiences. Sometimes we do. Most of the time we don't. A lot of students wonder what is the matter with them when they don't automatically pop into a state of ecstasy. Nothing is the matter. It takes time to clear our subconscious and conscious minds of garbage accumulated for eons of time and added to daily. I always laugh when I read meditation exercises that start out with "first clear your mind." Actually I used to get mad when I read these words. If I knew how to clear my mind I wouldn't even need this silly book! Tell me how please! The lessons in this course are devoted to teaching you how.

(4) What needs to be cleansed, must be released. As one student shared in her experience of chanting Kirtan Kriya (SA TA NA MA Meditation) for 120 days, we may have to consciously remember and reencounter our fears and past traumas. (This meditation will be explained in Lesson #15.) The good news is that as we process our negative emotions with the cleansing power of a divine mantra, they get cleared out. We can free ourselves by going through the pain. Better 120 days of 31 minutes of anguish, than a deep ennui controlling your whole life.

(5) We also become aware of how our subconscious fears create our reality. This is why we need meditation and mantras. Mantras penetrate to the subconscious mind and clear the programs that we cannot consciously access. If we could, our naïve affirmations would work. How many of us have repeated some form of "I attract the perfect partner into my life", and then actually met our Romeo or Juliet? Or repeated prosperity affirmations and won the lottery? Life is not that simple. Life is a complex, rich and elegant game and hard work. Fortunately if we have the effective tools like Kundalini Yoga and meditation, life can also be fun, rewarding and empowering.

(6) The possibilities of what we can experience are infinite. One time a friend had a very powerful and blissful experience during meditation. He was so pleased. He went to Yogi Bhajan and recounted the whole thing, expecting to receive some positive response. Yogi Bhajan simply looked at him and said, "Son, there's more." Even when our experiences are pleasurable and "far out," there is still more to experience. There is always more. Our experiences are always changing. Don't try to repeat the same experience. Just be with the current one and enjoy it while it lasts.

(7) The gift of infinity is that there are no boundaries. The more we free ourselves of expectations and stop trying to recreate the same thing, the more we open ourselves up to unlimited inner and outer possibilities.

(8) Tuning into different qualities of energy is fun and useful. In a previous lesson I asked you to experiment with white and gold light. One person from Germany explained his experience, which from my experience corresponds very accurately to the nature of gold and white light. This is an example where I will say no more. I don't want to spoil your fun and delight as you cultivate your own internal knowing.

(9) Visualization is manipulation. Feeling is knowing. We may have visions, but they are spontaneous, not contrived by our minds. The less we try to control reality, the more we can tune into reality.

(10) One way to measure the effectiveness of your meditation practice is the changes and quality of your life. Can you sleep better? Are you happier? Are you less afraid? If so, you are making progress. One student reports that he got a job and can now support his family. His meditation is working for him.

(11) Someone mentioned in a letter that her sensitivity to soul connections is starting to open up. When she talked to me on the phone an awareness of knowing me before was very strong. This is also a result of meditation. We get beyond our mind chatter about our daily routines and tune into how we are connected to each other. Many of us were probably in monasteries together in past lifetimes. I know that everyone I work and play with I have met and interacted with before.

(12) We are connected to each other on so many levels. When we start to do KY, we become aware of these connections. Many of them are non-verbal. It is exhilarating to experience these feelings and awarenesses. Healing is taking place. And many things are being communicated at the soul level. The more we allow these experiences into our consciousness, the richer and more fulfilling our lives become.

(13) Be present to and get into what you are experiencing. The vastness and the richness are gifts from the universe. Bring them into your body and they will be yours for this precious moment on Planet Earth.

Kundalini 9

2009-05-28T08:35:00.000-04:00

Yogi Bhajan teaches that the seat of the Kundalini is in the navel center. Reflecting on my experience over the last 22 years of practicing Kundalini Yoga (preceded by 8 years of Hatha yoga), I have often had an intuitive urge to return to the navel center. The answer to the question at hand, whether it is about me or a student, is often "strengthen your navel center."

The navel center is the focus of many spiritual disciplines. The Taoists start and return to the navel center while practicing the microcosmic orbit. (Internal circular breath that starts at the navel, goes down the front to the base of the spine, goes up the back to the crown and back down the front to the navel.) *(1) The internal martial arts initiate moves from the navel or don tien, which is 2-3 inches below the navel.

Where is the Navel Center?

In the very early Kundalini lessons taught by Yogi Bhajan, he said that the navel center is actually approximately 2-3 inches below the umbilicus. In these lessons, therefore, when we say navel center we are referring to a point 2-3 inches below the belly button. This is the center of energy that is the gravity balance point in the body.

When we pump our navel energy or move from our navel center we are actually pumping and moving from a center where thousands of nerves come together. Each person can find this center in their own body by doing the Kundalini yoga exercises given by Yogi Bhajan. As you practice the exercises, the nerve endings will be stimulated and the energy will coalesce at this point. Practice of any of the martial arts will also help you find and align this center of gravity in your body.

One way to know is by feeling the pulse at this point. You can also feel the pulse right at the navel or umbilicus. Either way, a powerful pulse will indicate that your third chakra energy is aligned or "set."

There are different schools of thought about the location of the navel center. I thought that all the martial arts taught that this center, called the don tien, was 2-3 inches below the physical navel. However, several years ago I studied with a Chi Gong master who taught that it was right at the umbilicus. The man was certainly a master of chi and his techniques worked. Kundalini yoga has been taught using both locations. It all seems to work. Individual practice will help you find and cultivate your power center. Might have guessed that the Masters would give us just enough information so we would have to practice the techniques in order to experience the truth for ourselves.

Opening the Heart Center

When Yogi Bhajan came to the West and Los Angeles in 1969, the strengthening and balancing of the navel point was one of the main focuses of his classes. His yogic message was that in order to get and stay in the heart center we first had to cultivate a powerful and stable base or the "lower triangle." The lower triangle is the lower three chakras - root, sex and navel. The major theme of my first book Transitions of the Heart-Centered World (1988) is how to build the lower triangle as a base for moving into the heart chakra.

It is interesting to look back and observe the different spiritual paths in the 70's and 80's. The message of the flower children of the 60's was "All we need is love." Yogi Bhajan attracted many of these flower children to his classes. We certainly need more love. The question is how do we get it? Yogi Bhajan essentially said, "If you want love, you have to prepare your mind and body to give and receive it." So while other paths were concentrating on opening the upper chakras to receive universal Love, Yogi Bhajan was teaching us breath of fire, stretch pose and other strenuous abdominal exercises. There was no time to sit around and love each other.

We were instructed to get up at 3:00am, take a cold shower and do 2 1/2 hours of Kundalini yoga and meditation. And then there was the rest of the program, which included seva (selfless service), devotional chanting, and teaching, setting up restaurants and ashrams. Who had time for love? We were exhausted!

Yogi Bhajan is a "Saturn" teacher. He teaches through discipline, lessons and committed action. We don't contemplate our navels. We pump them until they are activated and our internal energy moves spontaneously and dynamically.

From Anger to Action

One of the reasons for following a spiritual path is our desire to be more spiritual. However, we can't be spiritual if we are filled with anger and fear. We have to clear out or transmute our anger and fear in order to make room for Spirit and Love.

Anger is navel chakra energy. I like to think of navel energy in terms of "anger into action." When our navel chakra is strong, we have the energy to take action and accomplish things. When it is weak, we have difficulty taking action for ourselves. When we can't act, we feel like victims of external forces, outside authorities and political or economic systems. And indeed, when we do not take action to get our needs met and do what we want and need to do, we usually are victims. Those with a weak will, or navel center, are easy prey to those who live off the manipulation, control and exploitation of others through personal intimidation, guilt trips, advertising, political, financial and brut power. Not taking action on our own behalf and falling prey to the manipulation of outside forces, breeds inner anger and rage.

With rare exceptions, we all carry unresolved anger in our body and psyche. Everyone has experienced some injustice or abuse, which when triggered or remembered, sets them off. Our goal is not to get rid of this reaction all together. Anger is a normal and useful emotion. Emotions are the way our Soul speaks to us. When we experience anger, we are receiving information from our Soul that we must translate into messages that pertain to the situation at hand. Some messages anger tells are-"This situation does not work for me." "Don't waste your energy. Gracefully leave." "I need to take action." "Something needs to be done, and I better do something about it."

The problem with all our "negative" emotions-anger, fear and sadness-is that these emotions are too often not evoked in response to a current situation. What typically happens is that current life situations evoke unprocessed abuse and reactions from the past. One of our major life goals is to process unresolved emotions, so that our responses, instead of being automatically controlled by our past, give us accurate information about moment to moment circumstances.

Unprocessed emotions are stored on our body. Kundalini yoga is a powerful tool to help dislodge these emotions from our body and transmute this energy into higher frequencies. Anger is eventually transmuted into Light.

One of the most powerful ways to move out of the state of disempowerment into empowerment is to cultivate our own internal power. Yogically, the navel center is the place to begin.

As we work on the navel point, we will also work on the first two chakras. Yogi Bhajan used to tell us that a cup without a bottom is not going to hold much tea. In building the lower triangle, we are building our foundation, or the bottom of our cup, so that we can hold the universal tea of Love. Creating a bottom for our cup and clearing out the past hurtful memories from our cup are two important steps in making our "Transitions to a Heart-Centered World."

A Fast Path - "In Your Face" Yoga

In the yogic scriptures it is said that Kundalini yoga is 16 times more powerful than Hatha yoga. On the one hand, that seems to be good news. The Catch 22 is-- How do we make such quick progress? We are confronted with our issues 16 times faster! Kundalini yoga is "In your face yoga." Spirituality can be a rough ride. A lot of things get better and some things certainly seem to get worse! No spiritual journey is a free lunch. We are obliged to deal with our issues in order to set ourselves free.

I remember how some of us naively thought that everything would be blissful on a spiritual path. Many of us used to think that enlightenment was just a few meditations away. At one Ladies Camp many years ago, Yogi Bhajan responded to this fanciful interpretation of spirituality. He said, "I never told you that you would not have problems. I told you that you would be able to get through them.!"

Therapy and Group Healing

Kundalini yoga is a powerful tool that helps us unleash our vital energy. Regular practice unblocks and transmutes energy that is being held as stress, pain, anger and fear. Combined with the meditations, the breathing, movement and positions help clear our psyche, cleanse our subconscious and balance our emotional energy. However, the dynamics of the healing process often require outside support and interaction as well.

I used to believe that I could just do Kundalini yoga and meditate and everything would be taken care of over time. Kundalini yoga and meditation does much to purge us of the emotional charges of past traumas. However, to achieve lasting empowerment and inner peace, we must look at and consciously resolve our inner wounds. Kundalini yoga and meditation help us become aware of our wounds and give us the strength and perspective to consciously deal with them.

What is often referred to as our inner child issues (the wounds that we received or perceived that we received while we were very young) must be "healed." In addition to a spiritual discipline, this task is expedited by working with a competent therapist and working with a group such as a Twelve Step program. Interaction with a trained counselor who can identify our patterns and with a group that can support and accept us as we are, are invaluable parts of the human growth process. They complement and speed up our results. Realizing that we are not alone and identifying our common human problems and solutions as we move through the human experience can be a welcome relief and powerful asset to our healing. Bonding with others is not only comforting, it opens up our hearts.

Our individual process is a very personal part of the empowerment game. However, as we practice Kundalini yoga together, the Yahoo Groups system, for example, gives us the opportunity to share our results with each other. It is fun to monitor our progress. What issues are in our face that we can no longer relegate to our inner cave called denial. How have our lives changed? What is happening internally and externally? What different situations and new opportunities are we attracting? As you practice Kundalini yoga, keep track of your progress and share them with the group as you feel inspired to do so.

From Anger to Forgiveness

For your own personal processing, I recommend a book called From Anger to Forgiveness by Earnie Larsen. It is short, concise, to the point, easy to work with and cheap (only $6). For me, one of the most interesting and liberating lessons of the book was the revelation that past anger is often disguised as problems that we do not often associate with anger-depression, having the fidgets, being secretive, feeling victimized, being a workaholic, undefined agitation and smoldering rage.

I personally found that simply identifying a situation that made me angry as a child allowed me to become calmer in my daily activities. I discovered that my fidgety agitation and tendency of my mind to jump from one activity to another was linked to the expectation of over responsibility as the oldest child. The combination of the revelation of this understanding, sharing with a friend who was also working with the book and the practice of Kundalini yoga catapulted me to a more peaceful state of consciousness.

Identity in the Lower Triangle

The basic problem with unresolved anger is that this vital energy is consumed and unavailable for living our lives and creating our dreams. Unresolved anger creates blind spots in our psyche, which results in indecision, the inability to commit and even the inability to know what we want in the first place! It is my experience that when I know what I want, go for it and achieve results, I experience a sense of satisfaction in my life. I believe that this is true for all of us.

It is in the lower triangle that we achieve a sense of our own identity. The first three chakras are where we experience our individuality. It is in our uniqueness that we identify not only who we are, but also what we want and how to accomplish our goals. It is the FIRST CHAKRA and our connection with the Earth that gives us the power to manifest, to bring into being our desires, and to achieve results. The SECOND CHAKRA gives us the power to create. The THIRD CHAKRA gives us the energy to take action.

So let's take action to strengthen and activate our navel center and build our lower triangle.

Setting the Navel Center

The navel center is the easiest chakra to monitor. You know your navel center is "set," when you feel a pulse at or around the rim of the umbilicus. You can also monitor this pulse at the don tien or navel center 2-3 inches below the navel and in the line between these two points. Although you can check the pulse sitting or standing up, the easiest position is lying down. The best times are before and after the navel exercises.

Simply take the middle finger of either hand, place it on the navel or navel center and search for a pulse. If there is no pulse, the pulse is weak or it is not in or around the navel, your navel needs "to be set." When there is a strong pulse on or near the center of the navel, it is "set." You will experience that after the exercises, the pulse is stronger and the position may have also changed.

After a few leg lifts, one woman had her pulse jump from the lower right corner of her abdomen to the center of her navel! So do not be alarmed if you cannot find your pulse. The Kundalini yoga works.

It is normal to have a weak pulse in the morning after sleeping. That is why it is strongly recommended to set your navel center before you start your day. Also during the day, if you feel off center, pump your navel center or do breath of fire to come back to center.

Footnotes

(1) Sexuality and Spirituality by Guru Rattana, Ph.D. and Ann Marie Maxwell, pp. 153-7.

Nabhi Kriya to Set the Navel Center

The following set NABHI KRIYA was taught by Yogi Bhajan in 1971 and remains one of the classical sets to set the navel center.

Nabhi Kriya - Navel Power

Taught by Yogi Bhajan June 1971

(A) Lie on your back, arms by your side, palms down. Or hands under your buttocks to protect the small of your back. The small of the back is remain touching the floor during these exercises. Placing the hands under the buttocks helps make this possible.

Inhale as you lift your right leg up to 90 deg. or perpendicular to the ground. Exhale as you lower it. Inhale raise your right leg. Exhale lower it. Continue lifting alternate legs with deep, powerful breathing. The original directions were 10 minutes. Begin with 1-2 minutes. Stabilize your practice at 3-5 minutes and work up to 10 minutes if you can.

(B) Without pause, lift both legs up to 90 deg. on the inhale, and lower them on exhale. Arms are stretched straight up over the heart center, palms facing each other. Continue for 1-2 minutes and work up to 5 minutes.

(C) Bend your knees and clasp them to your chest with the arms below the knees. Press the small of your back to the ground. Allow your head to relax back. Rest in this position for 5 minutes. (No need to shorten this time :+)) Make sure you are warm enough.

(D) In the same position as #3 inhale, open your arms straight out to the sides on the ground and extend your legs straight out at a 60 deg. angle above the ground. Exhale and return to original position. Repeat and continue for 1-3 minutes. This exercise was originally given for 15 minutes. Again work up to that amount of time if you can. (#3 and #4 are known as Pavan Sodan Kriya.)

(E) On your back, bring your left knee to your chest, hold it there with both hands and rapidly raise the right leg up to 90 deg. and down. Inhale up. Exhale down for 1 minute. Switch legs and repeat for 1 minute. Repeat the complete cycle one more time.

(F) Stand up straight, raising arms overhead, hugging ears, and press fingers back so that palms face the sky/ceiling. Exhale as you bend forward from the navel center to touch the ground, (if you can) Keep the arms straight, hugging ears, and inhale up VERY SLOWLY with a long deep breath. On the exhale (as you bend forward and especially while you a fully forward, apply Mulbhanda or Root lock. Continue at a slow pace for 2 minutes, then more rapidly for 1 more minute.

(G) Totally relax or meditate for 10-15 minutes.

BENEFITS

This set focuses on developing the strength of the navel point and build a powerful base in the lower triangle (chakras 1, 2 and 3). The full times indicated are for advanced students. To begin practice, start with 1-5 minutes on the longer exercises. (1) is for lower digestive area. (2) is for upper digestion and solar plexus. (3) eliminates gas and relaxes the heart. (4) charges the magnetic field and opens the navel center. (5) sets the hips and lower spine. (6) is for the entire spine, unleashes spinal fluid and expands the aura. Together, these exercises get the abdominal area in shape quickly!

This exercise set is found in Transitions to a Heart-Centered World and Introduction to Kundalini Yoga.

TUNE IN

Be sure to tune in before doing the set by chanting the mantra

ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO at least 3 times.

See Lesson Three.

To warm up the spine and ground your energy first see Lesson Six on the Flexibility of the Spine.

CONCLUDING

Conclude all Kundalini Yoga sessions by singing

May the long time Sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on.

Then chant
Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Nam 3 times

For one or more minutes ground yourself by being present to all the sensations in your body.

Kundalini 8

2009-05-27T08:30:00.001-04:00

Activating the Kundalini
Each of us in our own way is charming, creative and alive. We are each born with the innate capacity to able to both master and accept our circumstances. If we use our gifts wisely we can accomplish much and achieve happiness. The human path is about learning to connect with our soul essence, tap our vital energy and discover our gifts so that we can successfully navigate our life.

The Kundalini is this dormant potential in each of use. The Kundalini is the internal fire that ignites our Soul. Raising the Kundalini is about activating our internal flame, unleashing our passion for life and taming our fiery emotions so that we can use our energy to live an exciting and fulfilling life.

The spirit of our soul is always available to us. Kundalini yoga was created to help us

Tap the magical powers of the Divine within
Cultivate our internal fire
Build our charismatic presence
Unleash our will to act and create
Transmute fear into prana and vitality
Enliven ourselves with the breath of life
Awaken our Kundalini - the power of your Soul

How do we tap the fire, the passion, the magnetic presence and the unlimited energy that the Kundalini represents?

The Awakening Process

The Kundalini is the boundless energy of our Soul. it lies dormant, ready and waiting to be awakened. The awakening process involves 3 complementary principles.

(1) Activation
(2) Allowing
(3) Alignment

(1) Activation is the conscious effort or the masculine aspect. Activation is associated with practicing a discipline involving techniques designed to shift energy. Activation involves some form of action or "doing."

(2) Allowing is the conscious acceptance of what is occurring. Allowing is the feminine aspect. Allowing involves simply being, doing nothing, but at the same time being very aware of what is happening.

(3) Alignment is the integration or the result of activation and allowing. The goal is two fold (1) to align our energy with universal energy, so that universal energy effortlessly flows through us and (2) to align our body, mind and emotions so our infinite potential is unleashed within us.

The practice of Kundalini yoga incorporates these 3 principles.

(1) Activation takes place with the practice of asanas or yoga exercises. When it is properly functioning, the release of the energy of the Kundalini is facilitated. The power of the exercises is enhanced with the breath and the internal recitation of mantras. The exercises strengthen the nervous system, stimulate the glands to secrete, loosen up the muscles and align the skeleton. The body is the temple of the Soul.

(2) Allowing happens when we relax, let go and stop trying to make something happen. We are programmed to try to control ourselves, the events in our lives and our environments. Yet perhaps 90% of what happens within ourselves and in our lives happens beyond our control. Ideally we would spend equal time simply being aware of what is happening and tuning into the reality of what IS. By simply allowing, we not only expand our awareness of what is transpiring within about outside ourselves, we release the resistance that prevents our energy from flowing and things from happening in our lives.

(3) Alignment has both and active and a passive component. The active component involves "applying the locks" or performing subtle internal movements in the chakras and along the spine. The passive component happens naturally when the blocks in the body have been released. The physical and energy bodies automatically align when the resistance to the natural state and flow is gone.

Energy Flow

Our goal is to access, activate and increase the energy flow in our bodies. There are several ways to do this. The practice of Kundalini yoga incorporates the following principle techniques.

Movement or exercise which opens channels in the body and causes the glands to secrete.
Receiving the energy contained in the breath
Allowing our innate energy to flow by releasing resistance and blocks
Opening ourselves to receive Divine energy by opening our chakras and our mind.

Locks or "Bhandas"

Locks or "Bhandas" create a posture that is maintained while the breath is held out or in. The slight movements in the muscles align the body so the energy in the spine can flow upward, not downward. Lock refers to the action performed by the locks before a dam, which prevent water, or in this case energy, from being released in a backward or downward direction. The term locks should not be interpreted as a forceful constriction. The idea is not to block the energy but to open up the spine so that the energy can flow easier and be released upward. A more gentle way to relate to the locks is to view them as ways to open up the flowers or the pedals of the lotuses along the spine.

When to Apply the Locks

Relaxing while holding a posture (after the exercise is completed), creates a dynamic space for movement of energy. In general, the locks are applied while holding the posture after completing a yoga exercise. This direction is not always specified. It assumed that the student will gently apply the appropriate locks to anchor in the internal effects of the asana.

ROOTLOCK OR MULBHAND
Rootlock or mulbhand closes the lower three chakras so that the energy cannot be lost or leaked out through the base of the spine. As a consequence the energy stays in the body and can flow up the spine. As with all the locks, rootlock is done either while holding the breath in or holding the breath out.

The complete rootlock is done by slightly contracting the muscles of the rectum or anal sphincter, and the sex organ and pulling the navel center in toward the spine. To identify and work with the muscles of each of the chakras, practice working with them separately.
When the mulbhand is applied while retaining the breath, the two major energy flows, prana and apana are united. This generates psychic heat which triggers the release of Kundalini energy.

DIAPHRAGM LOCK OR UDDIYANA BHANDA
Diaphragm lock works with the solar plexus and the heart chakra. It is actually easier to apply this lock while holding the breath out. The diaphragm muscles are pulled in and up. Start by sucking in the solar plexus, pull the muscles toward the spine and then pull them up. The chest will expand and the spine will straighten.

Diaphragm lock massages the heart muscle and causes the thymus to secrete. It is also used during chanting. Rhythmically applied, it enhances the effect of chanting.

NECK LOCK OR JALANDHARA BHANDA
The neck lock involves a very subtle movement. Move the chin down slightly and pull the head up. The chest will open up. You will move from a slumped posture and caved in chest to a straighter posture and open heart center. The shoulders should relax, drop and release downwards. The tongue and throat should relax.

Straightening the cervical vertebrae allows the free flow of prana to the brain and opens the connection between the head and the heart.

TONGUE AND EYE LOCK
Yogic texts stop with the neck lock. However, to complete the stimulation of the 6th and 7th chakras, what we will call the tongue and eye locks are also applied. The tip of the tongue presses gently to the roof of the mouth. The eyes look up as though looking out the top of the head. You may feel the pulse at the crown chakra (the soft spot on a baby's head.)

MAHABHANDA
Mahabhanda is the application of all the locks at once. When all the locks are applied, the nerves and glands are rejuvenated.

Bhanda Exercise

Sit on the heels with the knees spread wide apart, palms on the thighs
Apply rootlock and relax it
Apply diaphragm lock and relax it
Apply neck, tongue and eye locks and relax them
Pull the locks while holding out the exhale
Repeat in rhythmic alternation for 3-11 minutes
Stay very present to the energy movement along the spine
Notice how the slight movements and adjustment to your position effect the flow of energy
Apply the same concepts as above - ACTIVATE, ALLOW AND ALIGN
and, make sure to take the time and attention to really enjoy with is happening in your body!

This bhanda exercise is also an excellent preparation for tantric sex. It allows the sexual energy to move up the spine instead of being expelled.

Kundalini 7

2009-05-26T08:29:00.000-04:00

Why do we choose to practice Kundalini Yoga?

Why do we decide to follow a spiritual path?

Regardless of the path or the practice, one of our primary motivating factors is that we want to change something in our lives.

We want to reduce our inner anxiety and experience peace of mind.
We want to feel better, to be happier, to be healthier.
We want more vitality, more passion, more joy.
We want a better life, loving relationships, meaningful and prosperous work.
We may want to lose weight, sharpen our intuition, or be more in control or our own lives.

The human journey is about change, transformation and evolution.
To change we must understand where we are and how we got here.
To transform we must transform our inner and projected energy.
To evolve we must actively engage in the creation of our own reality.

So how do we create the changes that we desire?
How do we transform our energy?
How do we become more conscious participants in our own lives?

Assumptions

My approach to change, transformation and evolution is based on the following assumptions.

1. Everything in the Universe is made up of energy, including ourselves.
To make changes in our lives, we have to shift our energy.

2. Our inner reality creates our outer reality.
As we shift our mental, emotional and physical states, we create changes in our circumstances, environments and relationships.

3. Whatever the problem, challenge or situation, "It's all about me and my life."

4. Free Will is the gift that we humans were given to make changes in our lives.
The evolutionary nature of the Universe, ensures that we will grow and be transformed. Free Will gives us an opportunity to participate in the process through conscious choice. Free will is what makes change, co-creation and choice possible.

How do we Shift our Energy?

The practice of Kundalini yoga shifts our energy. It does so through a combination of (1) Movement, (2) Breath, (3) Sound, and (4) Rhythm

(1) MOVEMENT
Many of the Kundalini yoga exercises or asanas involve rhythmic movements.

(2) BREATHING OR PRANAYAMA
Rhythmic breathing is incorporated into the exercises as well as done as a meditation in itself. Pranayama exercises also produce effects through attention and pace.

(3) SOUND
The chanting of mantras tunes us into and aligns us with the universal sound current. The effects of mantra meditation include the clearing of the subconscious mind, the creation of divine thoughts and the ability to listen to the sounds of the Universe.

(4) RHYTHM
Rhythm is an integral part of the physical Asanas, the Pranayama and the chanting.
Rhythm is key to establishing identity, stability and health.

How do we Create?

Kundalini yoga is based on the following understanding of how we create our reality--

The body, mind and emotions respond to movement, rhythm and sound.
The body, mind and emotions follow the breath.
How we feel physically, mentally and emotionally determines how we vibrate.
How we vibrate determines how we project into the world and the Universe.
What we project determines what we attract and create.
What we attract and create influences how we feel about ourselves and our lives.
If we do not like what we are creating, we can choose to shift our attitudes, our perceptions and our energy.

The scenario continues and intertwines.

Model for Transformation

This course in Kundalini Yoga is based on the following model of transformation:

Change yourself - your thoughts, your energy, your projection and your life will change.
Our touchstone is - Every situation and challenge is all about ME, my energy and my life!
We live in the question - What can I do, how can I be today to align and resonate with the life I choose to create for myself?

Kundalini Yoga is About

(1) Experience
(2) Activation
(3) Alignment
(4) Evolutionary Change
(5) Awareness and Consciousness
(6) Responsibility, and
(7) Self-empowerment.

Below is a brief explanation of each of these concepts and guidelines on how to focus your attention during your practice of Kundalini Yoga to maximize your transformation.

(1) EXPERIENCE
Life in physical reality is about experience.

Beliefs define the parameters within which we limit or allow ourselves to experience life.

Experience is the extent to which we actually feel life.

Our goal is to experience our energy and a sense of ourselves in our body.

(2) ACTIVATION
By moving and stimulating the body, we keep it healthy--
we build a strong immune system and nervous system
we keep our glands, circulation and structure vital.

The body is the temple of our Soul. As we cleanse, relax and systematically move our body we revitalize and maintain our temple we activate our dormant potentials we invite more aspects of our Soul to become known to us.

(3) ALIGNMENT
By raising the frequency of our energy, we move into greater alignment and resonance with our higher Self, i.e. our Soul, the Universe, what we wish to attract into our lives, our destiny path.

(4) EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE
As we change our energy, we change our lives.

Change happens incrementally.

Permanent change requires shifts in all aspects of our being-

mental, emotional, physical, spiritual.

The practice of Kundalini yoga creates changes in all aspects of our being.

(5) AWARENESS AND CONSCIOUSNESS
Consistent practice of Kundalini yoga wakes us up and keeps us awake.

We become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and how they create our internal and external realities.

We become more aware of opportunities and are able to take advantage of them.

(6) RESPONSIBILITY
Within each of us in the power to create.

We are creating at every moment.

When we take responsibility for what we create:

we release ourselves from victimization
we establish our own identity
we develop a sense of our own individuality
we become a powerful independent force.

The root of self-esteem is taking responsibility for one's own life.

(7) SELF-EMPOWERMENT
Self-empowerment is both a feeling and an experience.

The feeling of self-empowerment has two aspects:

1. The inner experience that we are the creator of our own life
that what we do, think, and say has an impact that we are connected to and a part of the creative Source.

2. Witnessing that as we change, our life changes--
that we can actually create a different reality by altering our thoughts, words and actions.

Self-empowerment comes from consciously participating in creating our own life.

Guidlines for Practicing Kundalini Yoga

(1) HOW TO EXPERIENCE
We experience energy as NON-VERBAL sensations. If we are thinking we are not feeling!

Focus your attention on what you are experiencing in your body.

Feel the energy in your body

where it is blocked
how it moves
when and how it changes.

Be present to the different sensations of the emotions-fear, anger and sadness.

The emotions are the force field of the soul.

Each communicates in a different way.
Alignment with and transformation of emotional energy happens through

allowing
accepting
loving.

It is through gentle experience and acknowledgment that tightness, restriction, resistance and pain are gradually transmuted into openness, vitality and pleasure.

Be aware of the energy sensations in your spine.

Each chakra manifests a different kind of energy.

Be aware of the different qualities of energy along your spine and in your body.

(2) HOW TO ACTIVATE
The purpose of Kundalini Yoga is to activate all parts of our body, so that it can function optimally.

Our goal is to enjoy being in our physical form.

It is counter productive to strain or to over extend yourself.

Kundalini yoga is not a competitive sport.

Do each exercise with the intention of stimulating, freeing and opening up your body, energy and breath.

(3) HOW TO ALIGN
Be aware of what feels comfortable and what feels out of alignment.

Let the movements bring you back into alignment.

Establish your own comfortable rhythm.

Between exercises, simply be still and aware. Let the energy align your body.

Be present to the rhythm of your breath in your chest.

Our being as expressed in our energy has its own intelligence.

Our energy automatically goes where it needs to go to create healing and alignment.

Our goal is not to interfere, but to simply let it happen.

(4) HOW TO CHANGE
Change is guaranteed when we practice Kundalini yoga.

All we have to do is to DO IT.

We can simply enjoy the practice and trust that it will work its magic.

Monitor changes in your body, energy level, attitudes, feelings, and emotions.

Release
Negative thoughts and emotions must be experienced to be released.

We often try to avoid this stage because it can be painful.

The good news is that if beliefs and emotions are close enough to the surface to be experienced, they can also be released.

The easiest way to release is through loving acceptance, without resistance and judgment.

Permanent release can be facilitated by thoughts and decisions, but the mental aspect is only one dimension.

Release must take place in the physical body at the sensation level.

Positive Results
Acknowledge, give yourself credit for and enjoy the positive shifts in your inner and outer realities.

(5) HOW TO BECOME AWARE AND CONSCIOUS
Be aware of what is happening in your body, mind and emotions.

Mindfully train yourself to turn your attention from external stimuli to yourself.

Be attentive how external stimuli impact how you feel to yourself.

Practice focusing inside instead of outside yourself.

To shift our attention within is one of our most difficult challenges.

Inner focus is one of the most important requirements for spiritual growth.

(6) HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE
Own your feelings and emotions. Make them about you, not about someone else or outer circumstances.

This does not mean that you must try to pretend to like everything.

You won't! Guaranteed! You are not supposed to. Life doesn't work that way. Only denial works that way.

Being responsible means that you take responsibility for how you feel, react and respond.

Eventually we come to a point where our reactions are not automatically controlled by unconscious programming

where we are internally at choice in our responses

where we are in charge of our inner reality.

Only then we are able to act, speak and project responsibly.

(7) HOW TO BECOME SELF-EMPOWERED
Inner focus is one of our most rewarding and empowering achievements.

Once we realize what we are doing within, we can alter our inner habits and thus change both our inner and outer realities.

Monitor, acknowledge and thoroughly enjoy how you shift within the results you produce without and the relationship between the two.

Enjoy Your Process - This is Your Life

Choose any aspect of the above guidelines and bring your attention to it during your practice of Kundalini Yoga. Definitely do not try to do all or even several at once. Enjoy your process-how you change, what you create and how your choices make a difference in your evolutionary unfoldment.

This is your unique life. May each of you be blessed to experience the wonders of your own being!

Send comments or questions to
gururattan@kundaliniyoga.org

Kundalini 6

2009-05-25T08:27:00.000-04:00

The yogis say that a person's age is determined by the flexibility of his/her spine. The most basic goal of Kundalini Yoga is to take care of the spine. This lesson offers a series of exercises to activate, align and loosen up the spine. You should refer to the set entitled "Exercises for Maintaining a Flexible Spine"

This set is taken from the excellent book -
Relax & Renew, from Yoga Technology.

Focus and Attention

Focus and attention are important tools to achieve optimal results. While you are doing these exercises, put your attention on the part of the spine that is moving or being activated. The energy originates in the spine and flows out through the body and into the energy field.

The spine is where you will feel the flow of energy. Notice which parts of the spine feel warm or even hot and where there are no feelings or numbness. This information will indicate where your energy is flowing and where it is not. For the Kundalini to flow, the whole spine must be open. Kundalini is our vital, creative energy that flows through us all the time. The amount that flows through us determines our aliveness and awareness. The goal of practicing Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is to GRADUALLY increase the flow of energy. Many people who practice Kundalini yoga do not experience huge rushes of uncontrollable energy. Rather they experience a gradual expansion of consciousness and increase in vitality that evolves over time.

Goals of Spinal Exercises

The goals of the spinal exercises are:

to develop an AWARENESS of your spine
to establish the spine as a FOCAL POINT for your attention
to ACTIVATE and open the energy flow in the spine
to ALLOW the energy to move and align itself.

In later lessons we will experience the specific energies of each of the chakras. First we want to establish a baseline of spinal awareness.

Active and Passive Practice

The moments between exercises which should be at least 15-30 seconds and up to 1 minute if you choose. Executing the exercises is the activation part of the practice. The exercises stimulate the glandular system, loosen up the spine, massage the muscles and strengthen the nervous system. Between exercises is the passive part of the practice. DO NOTHING, simply be aware of what is happening. Let the energy flow. It will adjust what needs to be adjusted and go where it needs to go.

Daily Practice - How Long?

This set of exercises can take from 20 to 40 minutes depending on how long you do each exercise. The deep relaxation after the set is an additional 5-10 minutes. The silent meditation is also between 3-11 or more minutes depending on the time you have. Tailor your practice times so that you do not feel rushed. The more relaxed and present you are to what you are doing and what is happening, the better the results and the more awareness you will cultivate.

Many people who have signed up for the training have indicated in their questionnaires that they have 1-2 hours per day to devote to the practice of Kundalini yoga. You will achieve striking results with a 1-2 hour daily practice!

For those who have less time, consistent practice produces positive results. I always tell people PROGRAM YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS. If you can do 5 minutes a day, do 5 minutes EVERY day. Then increase your time as you can. Do not start out with the false hope that you can do 2 hours, do it for one day and then stop your practice.

40 Days

Once you have established a program that works for you, continue practicing this set for 40 days. 40 days is the yogic time for breaking a habit. 90 days of practice creates a new habit. 1000 days establishes mastery.

The optimal time to begin a new set or meditation is on the New Moon. You should set your intention on the New Moon and start as soon as you can after that date.

My intention is to build our practice one step at a time. Kundalini yoga and the spiritual path are so rich. When we take one step at a time we can make a lot of conscious progress.

Sat Nam and have fun!

Guru Rattana

Kundalini 5

2009-05-24T09:25:00.000-04:00

MANTRAS
Mantras are sounds that connect us with different levels of intelligence. SAT NAM is the most basic mantra used in Kundalini yoga. (pronounced like "but mom") SAT means the truth. NAM means name, identity, to identify with or to call upon. SAT NAM can be translated as "Truth is God's Name. Truth is my (your, our) identity." It is used as a greeting to acknowledge the Truth in each one of us and as a personal mantra to express or tune into one's infinite identity.

SAT NAM is an invocation of our divine consciousness. Its vibration links us up to our true identity, which is our divine soul. SAT NAM is called the seed or bij mantra. By chanting this mantra we plant the seed of universal truth in our consciousness.

We all know the axiom "The truth shall set you free." The question is how do we link up with the Truth. SAT NAM is one mantra that links us up with the Truth. SAT NAM has the power to set us free by waking us up to our infinite identity.

SAT NAM has the power to clear the subconscious mind so that old wounds and programs no longer get in the way of Self-realization. It does so by changing the projection of our minds. Mantra means the projection of the mind. "Bij" or seed mantras use universal sound currents to rearrange the habit patterns of the mind. They do so by accessing the part of the mind that regulates habits. The sounds erase patterns that vibrate at lower frequencies or do not resonate with the Truth or our true essence. They establish new habits by replacing the old frequency with the higher frequency of the Truth. SAT resonates with universal Truth. NAM "is the vibration which creates what it names." *(1)

BREATHING -- PRANAYAMA
The science of breathing is called pranayama. Pranayama is an integral part of Kundalini yoga and meditation. In this lesson we will offer a few basics that will help you begin to be aware of your breath and to integrate conscious breathing into your daily life and yogic practice.

The breath and the state of the mind are intricately linked. We can control our minds by controlling our breath. Most of us breathe very shallow breaths and take from 15 or more breaths per minute. Breathing more that ten breaths per minute creates a state of stress. People who suffer from panic attacks not only breathe quickly and shallowly. They also often breathe through their mouths.

To create a state of peace and relaxation we must breathe less than 10 breaths per minute. Breathing four or less breaths per minute induces a state of meditation. We must also inhale and exhale through the nose.

Whenever you want to calm down, paying attention to your breath is the first step. Notice if you are inhaling and exhaling through your mouth or nose. Notice where you are breathing in your body. How far down do you breathe? Do you breathe in the belly, chest or neck? How many times do you breathe per minute? Time yourself.

One Kundalini Yoga technique is to link the breath with a mantra. The most basic mantra is SAT NAM. A powerful pranayama technique is to mentally link SAT to every inhale and NAM to every exhale. In this way the breath and the mantra work together to calm us down, energize and purify us and link us to our true identity. With practice you may naturally hear SAT on your inhale and NAM to your exhale. It is very profound to realize you are breathing your truth with every breath.

THE CALL OF THE SOUL --
LONG SAT NAM'S TO NEUTRALIZE TENSION
The simplest and most basic meditation in Kundalini yoga is chanting long SAT NAM's.

Sit with a straight spine, either in easy cross-legged easy pose, in your preferred meditation posture or in a chair with the feet on the floor, sit bones carrying the weight of the body.

Bring the hands to the heart, palms facing the chest, left hand on top of right. Place the left thumb in the center of the right palm. The fingers of both hands are together and straight. The hands gently rest against the chest, arms are relaxed on the body.

Eyes are 9/10 closed to begin with. As the meditation progresses, they may close completely.

Inhale with a long deep breath. On the exhale chant out loud SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT At the end of the breath say NAM. Notice that your breath gets longer and deeper. You may slow your breath down to 2 per minute.

SAT is the liberator and the cleanser. Let yourself relax and release with the AAAAAAA. NAM is like the anchor. Feel the sound anchor you in your body. Then inhale deeply again and continue.

Feel the sound of the AAAAAA come from the heart. Experience your throat as the mouthpiece of your heart. This practice will help you locate, consolidate and open up the fourth (heart) and the fifth (throat) chakras. SAT NAM is the call of the soul. As you chant call out to your soul, sing to your soul. Singing to your soul creates a very peaceful feeling. It takes us out of duality for a moment as our personality and soul merge as one in the sound current of our infinite being. Feel free to express any emotions that come up. This is a good way to release and balance the emotions. The emotional energy will gently merge into soul energy.

At the end of the meditation, inhale deeply, hold the breath as long as you wish. Listen inside and be one with the experience. Do this 3 times. Then sit quietly or lie down and completely relax. Begin with 3 to 5 minutes and build to 11, 15, 22 or 31 minutes.

BENEFITS
This is a very relaxing meditation. It completely neutralizes tension and brings you to a very peaceful state. It is good to do if you feel overwhelmed with your daily activities or have too much intense energy in your body. Do it for 40 days and you can revitalize your glandular system and re-establish your glandular equilibrium. This is a good meditation to do at the end of a busy day. Do it when you get home after work before dinner and you will be able to enjoy your evening. Do it before you go to bed and you will sleep like a baby.

SOURCE: Relax and Renew, with the Kundalini Yoga and Meditations of Yogi Bhajan, by Guru Rattana Ph.D. and Ann Marie Maxwell, Yoga Technology Press, page 98.

*(1) Kundalini Yoga: The Flow of Eternal Power, by Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa, Berkeley Publishing Group, p. 105.

Kundalini 4

2009-05-23T07:24:00.000-04:00

Our Inner Journey

One of the goals of silent meditation is to discover and connect with our inner state of being. Our inner state is complex, has many levels and is ever changing. When we first begin our inner journey, our first encounter is with our mundane thoughts-about what we have to do, our plans for the day, our opinions about what we are doing at the moment.

I remember my first attempt at "meditation" which must have been about 1973-4. I had been practicing hatha yoga daily for 3-4 years. I decided I would sit still for a few minutes after my asanas. Wow. What an effort that was to actually sit "still" for the eternity of three minutes! I certainly wasn't still and my mind certainly wasn't silent. But I did sit there for three minutes and that was a great accomplishment for me at that time.

I was very pleased with myself for actually attempting this heretofore impossible feat. The point is we have to start sometime and somewhere. Sometime could be now. And somewhere is where we are at at this moment. Needless to say I have made a lot of progress since that first day, but it has taken a long time and I am still at it.

Meditation is the tool for getting in touch with what is really happening inside our psyche, beyond the flow of thoughts that initially clutter our inner terrain. One of the things I have discovered is that there are many things going on and they are often contradictory. I can feel happy and sad at the same time. I can access feelings of anger and detachment simultaneously. I notice that I am both afraid and excited. There is an inner anxiety that seems to be a curtain that covers a dynamic peace.

I have drawn two simple conclusions from all of this:
(1) This is the way things are, within me and in the universe. Realities that appear to be opposites or even conflictual exist simultaneously.
(2) At every moment I am at choice. I can choose which reality I wish to give my attention to. It is as simple as making a choice.

Sometimes making specific choices is difficult. In making choices I have the following touchstone facilitates my decision-making process --What will make me happy, more peaceful and feel good?

Make One Decision

I have found out that making one decision and letting it guide my life is a good strategy. Here is my most dramatic example. I remember when I first started getting up for Sadhana (morning meditation and yoga). In the ashram I had to get up at 2:50am (!!) to get to the Sadhana room at 3:45am. Those were cold, dark winter days in Boston. I was living in a cabin that was much colder than my warm bed. In fact, sometimes there was ice on my shower floor! Talking about a cold shower.

I realized that if I were to make the decision "to get up or not to get up" each morning, I would subject myself to unbearable torture on a daily basis. So when I was feeling good, I made the decision ONCE to get up at this "divine" hour. For years, I never had to make that decision again. And that is my secret. That is how I did it. I turned off my mind and my feelings as much as I could when the alarm went off and got out of bed. After the cold shower, it was all downhill for the rest of the day.

Because there will always be pressing reasons and valid excuses to distract us from our spiritual practice, we may need to make an all-encompassing choice that will serve as a foundation for our daily choices.

Making Choices

There is a myth that when we meditate, we can stop our minds and tune into this place of inner bliss. Yogi Bhajan tells us that the mind processes 1000 thoughts at the wink of an eye. So don't even consider stopping your mind. We can however change channels. I find that one of the tricks to meditation is accessing the neutral channel and being able to stay there long enough to experience that there is some place else to hang out besides in the chatter of the rational mind. Knowing that we do in fact have a choice of where we operate from is a critical first step toward inner sanity.

We can know all of the above intellectually. And the concepts are probably familiar to many of us. The real challenge is to experience in your own meditation the existence of the different feelings and realities in your psyche and body. This is the goal of silent meditation at this point in your process. Get in touch with the agitation, the fear, the impatience and the anger. Also get in touch with the peace, the contentment, the ability to be detached and not react and the desire to simply be.

It is the actual experience of the different energies within you that will allow you to make a choice between the two. Sensory experience is a necessary for training yourself to use the energies that initially appear as "bad" for action, energy and motivation. It is the acceptance and honoring of all our energies that is the energetic foundation of self-love.

Meditation to Switch Channels and for Emotional Balance

Yogi Bhajan says that it is good to do this meditation when one is worried or upset and doesn't know what to do, or when one feels like screaming, yelling or misbehaving.

This exercise will produce quick release of stress, foster emotional balance and help create a quiet space within. It will help you switch channels, or tune into the channel of peace and silence—the neutral mind. Use it:
(1) to access the cosmic channel,
(2) distinguish between the "peace zone" and the rational mind or "conflict zone", and
(3) to train yourself to choose the "peace zone."

Before practicing this meditation, drink a glass of water. Water imbalance in the system, which creates pressure in the kidneys, can cause worry and upset. When out of focus or emotional, attention should be given to the body's water balance and breath rate. Humans are approximately 70 – 90 % water. Our behavior depends upon the relation of water and earth, air and ether.

Breath represents air and ether and is the rhythm of life. Normally we breathe 15 times a minute, but when we are able to rhythmically slow down the breath to 4 (or less) breaths per minute, we have indirect control over our mind. Calm, slow breathing eliminates unbalanced behavior and promotes a calm mind regardless of the state of affairs.

Sit in Easy Pose or full lotus if you can comfortably. Place your arms across the chest and lock hands under the armpits, palms open and against the body. Raise the shoulders up tight reaching toward the earlobes Apply Neck Lock by tucking the neck in toward the chest with the spine straight. Eyes are closed. This position may be uncomfortable, but it does not hurt. Concentrate on how the breath changes automatically in this position.

The breath will automatically become slow. Continue for 3-5 minutes. You can gradually increase the time to 11 minutes.

Drinking water, pulling the shoulders up toward the ears and tightly locking the entire area creates a solid break to the four sides of the brain. After 2 or 3 minutes, thoughts will be there, but one does not feel them. This is a very effective method of balancing the brain.

To end, relax the hands down, sit quietly and enjoy your inner space of peace. You will notice that you have created a space independent of your rational mind. Your mind will still have thoughts and you can observe them, but you can choose to be in your peaceful space or neutral mind.

A Story About: What Will You Choose?

The following is one of those Internet stories that is related to our lesson. It might inspire you to make attitude choices that help you create a reality of aliveness, joy and peace.

Read this and let the message sink in. Then choose how you want to experience the rest of the day and how you want to start your day out tomorrow. Remember life is a series of choices that we make ourselves at every moment. Here is the story --

Michael is the kind of guy you wonder "How does he do it?". He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Mike you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time Something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to
learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied. "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Michael continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.' Iknew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity."

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead'."

Michael lived, not just due to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. As always, the choice is our own.

End of story.

Not everyone is as outgoing as Michael, but we all are at choice how we experience life. The inner subtle choices are the ones that determine our happiness and our destiny. Meditation gives us the chance to make these choices at deep, impactful levels.

Have a grateful day, if you choose!!

Kundalini 3

2009-05-22T04:23:00.000-04:00

Mantras

Everything in the universe is made up of energy. All energy vibrates. Differentiation happens because energy vibrates at difference frequencies. Each frequency has a sound. (Actually every frequency IS a sound.) Everything in the universe has a sound which vibrates at its particular frequency.

Mantras are the sounds of the language of the universe. Mantras are tuning instruments. If we want to tune into and access a particular universal frequency, we chant the mantra that vibrates that frequency. For instance, chanting MAAAAAAAAAA tunes us into the frequency of the Divine Mother and Feminine. If we want to tune into the frequency of the sun, we chant RAAAAAAAAAA.

When we chant a particular sound, our body and energy field resonate with that frequency. The connection is established and maintained through resonance. Our energy matches and synchronizes with the energy of the sounds we make and the thoughts we think. It is the nature of our energy that attracts to us and creates events, circumstances and environments around us.

Much of what we create and attract is produced by our subconscious automatic-pilot programming. Mantras are a powerful tool to "de-program" ourselves, to create new programs and to influence our thought patterns. Mantras are also ACCESS CODES to different channels in our mind. Mantras help us open channels that we often cannot access consciously or reach by rational thoughts, or even intent, i.e. our higher consciousness and higher spiritual connections.

Mantra for Tuning In

ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO is the mantra we use in Kundalini yoga to tune us to the frequency of our higher self or inner master. We begin each practice of Kundalini yoga with this mantra. This sacred mantra opens us to our spiritual channel. It also links us to all the spiritual masters who perfected this sacred science. By establishing a link with the Masters of Kundalini yoga, we are protected as we practice this sacred technology, as well as guided in our practice. The transmission of information and consciousness to students from Master teachers who have preceded us is referred to as the GOLDEN CHAIN. Yogi Bhajan, Master of Kundalini Yoga, who is the first to openly share this technology with the world, is a living connection to the golden chain.

Connecting with the Master is of additional importance to those of you who are learning and practicing Kundalini yoga on your own. By chanting ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO, you can be guided in your practice. Actually once you chant the mantra you are guided. The more you are willing to receive and pay attention, the more you will be aware of this guidance.

By the way, if you ever dream of Yogi Bhajan, it is not a mere dream. You have tuned into him and his subtle body is coming to assist you in some way. Years ago at a Winter Solstice White Tantric course, a student was very ill from food poisoning. He desperately needed help and tried many ways to get Yogi Bhajan's attention through calling his various names and prayer. He finally chanted Ong Na Mo Guru Dev Na Mo. Five minutes later another student approached him with a bowl of rice and told him "Yogi Bhajan told me to tell you to eat this and you will be better." And sure enough, he ate it and started feeling better almost immediately.

How to Tune In

Tuning in opens the channel in our mind that receives the highest spiritual frequencies. The mantra that we use is ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO. Although this mantra is used specifically for tuning in before practicing Kundalini yoga, it can be chanted at other times. You can chant it during the day, simply to reconnect with your higher self. You can do it alone as a preparation for silent meditation. Or you can chant it as a meditation for as long as you like.

When I taught history and philosophy at International University in San Diego, I also taught a Kundalini yoga class. The students made up their own harmonic version of this mantra and chanted it walking around the campus.

Sit with a straight spine, either in a comfortable cross-legged position on the floor or in a chair with both feet on the ground. A pillow under buttocks prevents slumping and helps keep the spine straight. Sit on natural fabric.

HANDS are in prayer pose. Lightly press the palms together flat at the center of the chest, under the breasts, thumbs resting on the sternum. Fingers are pointing up, at a slight angle outward. The pressure on the sternum stimulates the "mind nerve" that connects to the brain. Pressing the palms together balances the two hemispheres of the brain. Both help us concentrate and stay focused. l.

The CHIN is slightly down and pulled back, which straightens the spine, expands the chest and opens the heart center. This is called NECK LOCK.

MEANING OF THE MANTRA

ONG - the active, creative aspect of the universe
NA MO - to call upon
GURU DEV - divine wisdom

THE BREATH

The mantra is optimally chanted all on one long deep breath. It is OK to take a short sip of air through the mouth between the first NA MO and GURU DEV. But it is not permissible to take a long breath through the nose.

TO PREPARE

To prepare, center yourself with your hands in prayer pose and take several long deep breaths. When you are present to your breath in your body and fairly relaxed, you are ready to begin.

TO CHANT

Inhale deeply and chant.

ONG - Vibrate the sound in the nasal passages, upper palate, back of throat and in the center of the head. Ong is extended and forceful. It is a nasal sound incorporating o, n and g, not oooooong. If properly vibrated it stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands to secrete, which actually opens us up to our higher channels.

NA MO - Na is short and Moooo is extended. (Rhymes with NO. Not the sound of a cow.) :+)

GURU DEV - Gu is short almost G. Roo (as in Runes) is also short. Deeeeeeeev is extended. Pronounced like the E in Evan.

NA MO - the same as the first.

THE TUNE

CLICK HERE for a Real Audio clip of the mantra, courtesy Sat Jiwan Singh
(you will need RealAudio player installed on your system to listen to this)

Chant at least 3 times, inhaling deeply through the nose before each sequence. The purpose of chanting is to "Tune In." So do it as many times as it takes for you to feel that you are connected to the place and frequency that you need to be in to practice Kundalini yoga. Chanting this mantra is not a ritual. It creates a specific effect when done properly.

After chanting, inhale deeply and hold the breath as long as you can do so comfortably. While holding the breath, go inside and focus on your inner space. This is a powerful moment to be savored. Then exhale. Repeat several times if you wish and then sit silently and turn your senses inward, i.e. look and listen inside.

Connect with the Breath

After chanting ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO, connect with your breath and experience the breath in the body. There are two basic ways to do this.

PASSIVE

One is to simply be with your breath as it breathes in your body. You do not consciously try to change the breath in any way. You are simply with it. After tuning in and after doing each exercise it is best to simply be with your breath. The breath is in sync with the energy in your body and will equalize your energy, come back to your normal breathing pattern or establish a new one.

ACTIVE

When the breath has stabilized, which often means that it has slowed down, it is appropriate to control or direct the breath. Directing the breath is the second way to use the breath. We modify the natural flow in intensity and duration.

After tuning in, is a good time to consciously slow down the breath and deepen it to move it through all parts of your body. Breathing in the abdomen and kidneys is are particularly beneficial.

The mind follows the breath. The slower the breath, the more the mind calms down. If we are breathing more than 10 times a minute we are creating stress. (Not true of breath of fire. To be discussed later.) When we slow our breath down to 4 or less breaths per minute, we enter a calm, meditative state.

Connect with your Body

The breath is the perfect tool to help us connect with our bodies. Use the breath to consciously open up energy in your body, to feel the different parts of the body and to stimulate activity. As a culture we are too often in our minds and not in our bodies. One of our goals is to use Kundalini yoga and meditation to help us re-establish a vital connection with our bodies. We are often "out of our bodies" because it is uncomfortable to be in them. We are going to use Kundalini yoga to cultivate feeling comfortable in our bodies. Our end goal is to enjoy being in our physical form!

Sat Nam - Seed Mantra

One of the features of Kundalini yoga that makes it so powerful is that we do several things simultaneously. We (1) breathe, (2) internally chant and (3) move (4) in a particular posture or Asana.

The internal chant that we mentally vibrate is SAT NAM. As we breathe, we mentally inhale SAT. As we exhale we mentally vibrate NAM. Listen to the sound Saaaaaat and Naaaam in your mind.

SAT NAM is a Bij Mantra or a "seed sound." Chanting Sat Nam is like planting a grain of sand in an oyster. Our truth gathers around the grain. Over time, as we accumulate our gifts and gather our true essence into our consciousness, we become the pearl of Self.

MEANING

SAT means Truth, unchanging universal truth. It is the vibration that is ever-present.

NAM means name, identity, to name, to call upon, to identify with.

SAT NAM means "Truth is my identity."

When we chant Sat Nam (out loud or internally), we resonate with our true identity, with our own truth.

Greeting others with the salutation Sat Nam, we acknowledge the other's true identity and our mutual divine identities. 3

Sat Nam is a potent affirmation and a powerful way to cleanse the mind of negative programming. Over time our minds tune into and resonate with who we really are and believe our soul instead of our limited ego. Sat Nam is inner psychology at work.

Cultivating Awareness

Kundalini yoga is the yoga of awareness. Our goal is to cultivate greater and greater awareness of our own identity and our relationship with our body, others, our environment and the universe. The practice of Kundalini yoga opens our consciousness so we are able to receive more information and be more present and alert. Simply doing Kundalini yoga facilitates greater awareness. Optimal practice includes silent, "doing nothing" (passive) periods between exercises, and after tuning in (active) where we pay attention. We sit and sometimes lie down and bring our attention to what is happening without trying to influence it in any way. For maximum benefit, we cultivate awareness by monitoring our energy, how we feel, the sensations in our body and subtle changes that are taking place.

In our second lesson on Silence and Intuition we talked about the importance and power of silence. We gave several exercises to cultivate the art of silence. In our next lesson we will discuss Meditation and Choice. The point is that when we learn to be silent, we can actually hear our intuition and make choices that lead us to peace and freedom.

Lesson Three

Hopefully you have practiced (or tried to practice) silent meditation without preceding it with any tune in techniques. Now try it again but precede it with "tuning in" as subscribed above.

For 11 minutes total do the following sequence.

Center yourself in your body with your breath.

Tune in with the mantra Ong Na Mo Guru Dev Na Mo.

Passively be with your breath.

Actively slow down your breath to 4 or less per minute.

Sit calmly and be silent. Look and listen within.

To end-Anchor and consolidate yourself in your body by feeling all your sensations simultaneously, especially places that feel calm.

Give thanks.

Observe any differences in you ability to focus. It is valuable to monitor the effects of the different techniques, to keep track of what works for you and how you can get the maximum benefits from your practice.

And if you want to meditate with another powerful mantra, do the meditation I recommended for the Eclipse. Here it is again.

SPECIAL HEALING MEDITATION

In addition to morning sadhana, as a part of it, or as an evening meditation here is a meditation that can be done for 11, 22 or 31-minutes. This is a very blissful meditation that keeps you in your body. When you need help chant this mantra. Vibrating with this mantra produces healing, magic and miracles. Now that is a handy channel to tune into! Enjoy!

Sit in easy pose, with hands on the lap, right on top of left. Sit absolutely still for this meditation for the full effects. Chant very quietly, in monotone, almost, but not a whisper, with the lips, so you feel a vibration in the lips:
GURU, GURU, WA HE GURU, GURU RAM DAS GURU.

Chant the words in each of the chakras. Bring your attention to the specific chakra, but do not move your body. (Tip-Guru is vibrated in every chakra except 3rd and 6th.)

Guru - 1st base of spine

Guru - 2nd sex organ, abdomen

Wa He - 3rd- navel

Guru - 4th heart

Guru - 5th throat

Ram Das -6th third eye

Guru - 7th top of head

Stay tuned!!

FOOTNOTES:

1. page 15, Kundalini Yoga: The Flow of Eternal Power by Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa, Berkley Publishing Group, 1996.

2. Ibid., page 16-17.

3. Ibid., page 24.

Kundalini 2

2009-05-21T07:22:00.000-04:00

Yogi Bhajan

Yogi Bhajan is an endless source of inspiration. Here are a few paraphrased quotes from one of his classes I attended.

(1) We need mental security. Our intuition is our security. If we seek the satisfaction of our ego, our third eye (seat of our intuition) will not open up. If we give up our ego, the vacuum is filled with our intuition and we are uplifted….It is easy to access our intuition when our chakras are open.

(2) Doubt and duality are the main causes of disaster…. We forget that God is with us.

(3) Let God work. Watch God work. Understand the play of God. Give God a chance. This life was given to you as a gift. Let God take you on this journey.

(4) We are in the cusp (transition) to the Aquarian Age, which will begin in 2012. Until then, do your best, enjoy your life, have faith and let God take care of your life.

Explanation

(1) Good ideas! How do I do that?! Kundalini Yoga is one of the spiritual disciplines developed by saints and sages to accomplish these goals.

(2) Ego is one of those misunderstood words with many meanings. Defined as our conscious awareness, an ego is necessary to think, operate, make decisions and take action in this world. The problem is that we usually operate from a "limited ego" and narrow view of ourselves and the world. It is this "false ego" that we are trying to give up or transcend.

An important task of our "aware ego" is to train ourselves to listen to our intuition, instead of reacting to random thoughts that are set off by our wounded emotions and inappropriate training. We need our "aware ego" to tune into God (universal energy) and join forces. As we do so, we experience "My will is God's will." And "God in me, me in God are One."

(3) "God" also has so many meanings and is a very misunderstood concept. A spiritual path is about experiencing the reality of this concept. Yogi Bhajan always tells us that our biggest problem is that we think God is outside ourselves. The purpose of a spiritual practice is to experience the Infinite within our own being and to connect our individual psyche with the universal psyche. (one definition of God) (Lesson 20 "Surrender to the Zone" discusses in detail this concept and how we can cultivate a direct experience of the Infinite.)

Silence and Intuition

Silence is core to all spiritual practices. The Buddhists are masters of silence. Or at least they recognize its value and practice the discipline. One must be silent to "hear" the Divine. Silence is an art that we cultivate. Your experiences will be more profound and your KY practice more effective if you incorporate silence into your spiritual practice and into your daily life.

The purpose of silence is to turn our attention inward. As we tune into our inner space we are able to identify and stop relating to what is called "excess personality" or "externalized ego". We begin relating to our Essential Self or Soul. It is our Essential Self that accesses our intuition and finds the Infinite within.

One of the goals of the meditative techniques in the KY tradition is to tune into the neutral mind, where we can access higher states of consciousness. If we try to be silent without accessing our neutral channel, silent meditation often gets stuck in watching our thoughts and replaying our neuroses. After preparing the body and mind and balancing the emotions with KY, we are able to sit quietly and enjoy our inner space.

Meditation for 40 Days

In the yogic tradition, meditations practiced for a certain number of days have a certain effect. Forty days is the minimum to break a habit and set the stage for an internal shift. One student asked me once-"Forty days in a row?!" The whole class laughed. Yes, forty days in a row! And if that seems like a long time, in the past many spiritual masters have taken 40 years to achieve enlightenment. I imagine that all of us on the KYList have done that path in other lifetimes. This lifetime, we are attempting to get quicker results, so that we can enjoy peace and happiness while still in the body.

Types of Meditation

There are many types of meditation. The most common used in KY practice are (1) Chanting mantras out loud (2) Reciting mantras silently (3) Pranayama with and without silent mantra and (4) Silent meditation. Silent meditation usually comes at the end, after we have practiced a technique to open our minds to experience higher levels of awareness. Yogi Bhajan recognized that it is impossible for most of us to tune into the "silent" neutral channel without clearing the way first with Kundalini yoga, pranayama and mantra meditation.

It is useful to begin each daily session with silent mindful meditation so that we can monitor our progress and the effectiveness of our meditative techniques. Actually silent, mindful meditation is our first, last and on-going lesson. We use silent meditation as a touchstone overtime to review our inner evolution and to assess our goal of achieving inner peace, contentment and a richer, fuller inner life.

Yes, you can continue on to the next lessons. You do not have to wait 40 days. Actually please do not wait 40 days. But make sure that you incorporate silent meditation in your daily practice. Once you have done so for 40 days, you will realize the benefits of being still with yourself and will continue to incorporate this practice in your daily routine.

The Art of Silence and Listening

Below are three exercises to help cultivate the art of silence and listening. To be silent requires being able to listen. There is a silent channel in our mind. First we have to access it. Second we have to listen to the silence and be with it. The silence is always there. Our challenge is to train ourselves to pay attention to it.

EXERCISE ONE
Everyday be silent and practice listening within. Do this for a few minutes before and after your KY and meditation practice. We need to spend this silent time with ourselves, every morning before we start our workday. Simply sit quietly be with your breath, feel the sensations in your body and find your neutral channel. Gently and silently be with yourself. Start with 3 to 5 minutes and work up to 11 minutes. If you have time, you may want to work up to 22 or 31 minutes.

EXERCISE TWO
During the day, practice listening to yourself before you interact with others. Listen inside to what you want to say before saying it. Do your best to get your own answers before seeking advise. Process your own thoughts and feelings before sharing them with others. Share only those thoughts and feelings that inform and inspire others. Do not dump your emotions on others as a way to avoid processing them yourself. Keep your own personal issues and process to yourself. (Unless you are working with a counselor or therapy group.)

EXERCISE THREE
Once a week practice silence with a partner or with a group of friends. Observing silence, go for a walk together, be together at home, eat a meal together or partake in another activity. Agree on the process beforehand, so you can relax and enjoy the experience. Have a notepad handy in case the need to communicate arises.

You might also want to check out silent Buddhist evening and day meditations or week retreats.

RESULTS
The above practice makes us aware of how much we turn our attention outward and look for cues outside ourselves. We realize how much we say that is unnecessary and a waste of energy. We start to see how much we try to fill in "empty" spaces to feel comfortable or make the other person feel comfortable so we will feel comfortable.

We find our intuition and "hear God, the Infinite" in the open spaces of our minds. I am always reminded that I have to listen to myself, if I want to hear my intuition. It is not that our intuition is not working. It is dormant through inactivity or is buried by all our mental noise. We are not listening, trusting and following our intuition. When we don't listen to our intuition, our Soul screams at us in other ways-accidents, stress, fear, and anger. (You must have noticed! :+))

Preparing for the Aquarian Age

As Yogi Bhajan has shared with us, our intuition is our security. When we tune into our intuition, we know what to do. When we know what to do, we can trust ourselves and our universe. When we trust ourselves, we are in charge of our own lives. On the other hand, if we don't listen to ourselves, we have nothing to trust. The best we can do it operate from blind faith. But doubt ends up getting the upper hand. We turn to external authorities and become a victim of forces outside ourselves. As we move into the Aquarian Age, our goal is to empower ourselves from within (there is no other way) and to extricate ourselves from all forms of victimization.

The energy on the planet is becoming more and more intense. (I am sure you have noticed!) Many people feel out of control and they probably are. The only way to deal with the energy is match it, join it, go with it and use it! To do so, we must intuitively sense it and flow with it. The good news is that the intensity of the energy also speeds up our desire and our ability to
tap our spiritual roots.

Our goal over time is to integrate the above silence practices into our daily lives. To do so, we have to train and monitor ourselves. You may find it useful to keep a journal of your experiences. I find it therapeutic and encouraging to watch my progress. Training ourselves to connect with the divine within and maintain this connection during every hour of the day is the purpose of all spiritual disciplines. And with the energy available, we could witness some quick results.

Baseline and Ongoing Process

Although silent meditation may seem simple, its mastery is not. Students take years and even lifetimes to perfect it. Fortunately, there are Kundalini yoga techniques that facilitate the process and speed up our progress. The purpose of this Kundalini Yoga Training Course is to share this technology. Our first step is to simply practice mindful silent meditation and watch our results. It is important to monitor your experiences so you have a baseline of comparison as we add the Kundalini exercises to the process.

Practice silent meditation at least one day before moving on to tuning in and the other lessons.

Get started today, have fun and share your results

Kundalini 1

2009-05-20T08:20:00.001-04:00

Alone and Together - Do I Need a Group?

We are alone from the reality that we are the one that has to do our personal work. Identity, healing and self-love are personal journeys. To quote Yogi Bhajan,

"You can find your true identity within yourself. Nobody can find it for you. You must get up in the morning and find your true identity. You need time to be all by yourself, where there is nobody else. It will bring prosperity. Your radiant body will become brighter. There is no make-up that works to make you brighter, or for your character. You can try anything you want, but for character, you have to work with yourself. You must make your own path in your own life for your own prosperity and richness, and you have to be beautiful, bountiful and blissful. This the way God made you." (Yogi Bhajan class lecture, December 1, 2001.)

At the same time that we are alone in our connection, the power of universal love exists in everyone. The more we tune into the reality of oneness, the more we realize that we are not alone. The more we allow this force to flow through us, the more we can take advantage of group consciousness and prayers. A powerful force field of love has been created and is ever expanding through the spiritual practice of individuals like yourself from all over the world. Those in the KY discussion group and this KYTraining class have shared that they experience the support of this group, even though they practice alone.

Do I Need a Teacher

We live in a revolutionary period of history -- the democratization of spirituality. Yogi Bhajan is one of several masters to come to the West and give freely the technology of yoga so that this sacred science of awakening can no longer be reserved for an elite few.

Sharing with all those souls who choose to awaken requires a new set of guideines and information. Among the ancient teachings is the mantra ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO. We were given this mantra so that we could tune in directly to the masters of this science and be guided by their subtle bodies.

The future of the planet depends upon the consciousness of its inhabitants. We could self-destruct at any time. The more people who wake up and vibrate at the heart center with love, the greater chance we have to survive as a species. This is serious business. We are all participating in this process. We must be awakened and self-empowered to change the structures that exploit and manipulate people out of greed. Asleep people support the corrupt system.

Of course, it is wonderful to be in the physical presence of a teacher, but many great souls are now willing to do the work without this luxury so that we can shift the morphogenetic field of the planet to the vibration of love. They (we) have had teachers and been teachers in past lives. What is required now is that we wake up and stay awake to God-consciousness.

Thank you everyone worldwide for doing your daily Sadhana (spiritual practice) and making your personal contribution to love and light.

Tuning In to the Teacher Within

We always tune in with ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO. (Lesson #3) This links us to the golden chain of teachers from Yogi Bhajan on back. They are always there to serve and guide us. We are the ones who have to be patient and quiet enough to receive their guidance. Cultivate this subtle awareness and it will be more valuable than you can imagine.

Kundalini Yoga in the West

Before Yogi Bhajan came to the West in 1969, Kundalini yoga was a secret science taught only to a few selected students. The significance of the open sharing of this technology is monumental and revolutionary. For the first time in known history, the democratization of spirituality is possible. Everyone can wake up and stay awake. And we can get a yoga set and meditation to do so over the Internet!!

Most of what was available when I discovered Kundalini yoga in 1976 was in the form of hand written notes. I kept thinking someone else was going to put them all together. However, destiny decided that I would be blessed with an enthusiastic student who would help me assemble four manuals from the early notes. These four books are still classics and are available on our website http://www.yogatech.com/

The first and the most popular worldwide is "Transitions to a Heart-Centered World." The next was "Relax and Renew," followed by "Sexuality and Spirituality." "Introduction to Kundalini Yoga" adds some new material and includes the best sets from the first three books.

If you acquire my three basic books, you have enough sets and meditations to last decades or longer.

My destiny path is to help people like you practice Kundalini yoga. Knowing the technology is the essential first piece. The second piece is HOW we actually train our minds and bodies to achieve higher states of consciousness. This is the current focus of my writings.

"Beginning" and "Advanced" Mantras

Beginners often ask if a mantra is appropriate for them or if it is an advanced mantra. We don't teach KY in terms of beginning mantras and advanced mantras. It is more the case that you choose the mantra, meditation and KY kriya that fits your need at a certain time and space. You practice it for 40, 90, 180 or 1000 days – until you feel you have achieved the results you desire.

In other words, you begin your practice and over time you achieve greater levels of self-mastery, expand your awareness, connect with deeper levels of who you and establish your relationship with universal forces. Practice or Sadhana is an on-going, evolutionary process with no fixed end goal. Of course, we are all going for eventual enlightenment, but there are even different levels of enlightenment before liberation.

Unconsciousness is Dangerous

Periodically we get asked if the practice of Kundalini yoga is dangerous. First, many of the people who advance this opinion are not talking about Kundalini Yoga. When you hear an opinion about KY investigate if the person has actually practiced the ancient technology of Kundalini Yoga. They often have not and are talking about spontaneous Kundalini awakenings of someone who has never practiced KY. Second, spreading fear and negativity perpetuates the current paradigm and system.

Personally, I have learned not to engage in conversations trying to prove ideas based on different opinions with the goal of convincing or proving an idea right or wrong. Everyone has their own reality and experiences, which are true for them. Some also have opinions not based on experience. I avoid this territory. I was in academia for decades and intellectual conversations based on speculation hurt my head.

There is no denying that people have had spontaneous kundalini awakenings with severe side effects. Also some people have raised their kundalini through meditation and visualization. When the techniques used are primarily mental and do not include the physical preparation and training, the body cannot handle the energy. In both cases the body is not prepared to receive the high levels of energy. It makes sense that if your body is wired for 100 volts and you receive 1000 or 10,000 volts, there could be negative reactions. We practice Kundalini yoga to avoid these situations.

Kundalini yoga is the yoga of consciousness. We systematically train our mind and attune our body to hold higher frequencies of energy associated with Kundalini and consciousness energy. People in the past who have not strengthened their nervous system or prepared their bodies and psyches to hold these vibrations have had problems. The evolution of consciousness is a universal reality. It is certainly wiser to prepare oneself for awakening than to live in denial and try to remain asleep.

The most dangerous thing in this world is to live unconsciously. The state of the world is a stark testimony to this fact, as is the condition of the lives of most human beings. When we are not conscious, we are not only ruled by our subconscious programming, we are a puppet of the global unconscious. Now that is scary!! We all have examples in our lives where we have created turmoil and conflict without consciously choosing to do so. Who wouldn't choose prosperity, loving relationships, vibrant health, joyful living and rewarding work? Then why are so many people suffering from poverty, painful relationships, depression, illness and unrewarding work? Why do we create so many problems and then have to spend so much time and energy dealing with them? The answer is lack of consciousness, which links us to the cycle of karma and struggle.

There is only one way out. Wake up and stay awake! And we have to do this for ourselves. We are most fortunate to have the gift of Kundalini yoga to help us in this process. This doesn't mean we will automatically live in utopia. But as Yogi Bhajan used to tell us, "I didn't tell you everything would be perfect. I said you will be able to make it through to victory."

Your Contribution

Take care to appreciate your own struggle, knowing that your efforts are being recorded on the side of light. The light you bring into your own mind and being is helping others unknown to you who are struggling with the same issues. Did you ever wonder why it takes so long to have breakthroughs in consciousness? If it is any consolation, you are bringing others along as well.

Where to Start

Beginners also ask if they should start with Lesson 1 first and move through the lessons in numeric order. The answer is yes and no. Lesson #2 on Silence is a touchstone for all future practice. You will probably find that sitting and tuning into silence is difficult. Then move on. Tuning in will make silent mediation easier. The Spinal Energy Series and all KY sets facilitate silent meditation. Each lesson helps us cultivate the ability to sit quietly and tune into the eternal sound of the Universe. Connection with the universal sound current is one of our primary goals. The lesson on Surrender to the Zone covers this in detail.

Someone mentioned that he still has to sit in a chair to meditate. This is not a problem. Our goal is not the position. Our goal is the inner cosmic connection. Some people meditate standing up. Some connect with the Infinite in a waking, walking state. Our goal is connection.

You will be guided to pick what sets and meditations work for you. The most important thing is to do something! And establish a regular, committed practice. The second important thing is to do what you do with awareness. To get the most out of your practice, train your mind to be present to yourself and what you are experiencing. One of your major goals is cultivate and follow your inner guidance.

Getting Started

Some have mentioned that it is hard to get started. During a class in Palo Alto I encouraged everyone to practice five minutes a day and then increase their time as they could.

The next week this talented artist lady (who had never practiced outside of class before, had lots of emotional issues and just couldn't get around to doing her art work because of many excuses including health problems) greeted me with her success. She had had the best week ever, felt very energized, got lots of painting done in the nearby hills and felt great.

I asked her what she had done. She said, " I set the kitchen timer for 5 minutes, ran into the bedroom, did 5 minutes of yoga and stopped when the timer went off." She was delighted with her success and the immediate impact of her glorious 5 minutes Sadhana. I was impressed too! Five minutes! I was humbled. It takes me two hours.

A great way to start is to do the "4 Part Breath Meditation" one or two times a day. (http://www.yogatech.com/kysets/44breath.html) You will feel the effects of this powerful pranayama exercise and want more.

We all start out as beginners and we all advance as we practice. Our progress is determined by our commitment, attention and intention.

So get started with five minutes every day. Program yourself for success. Establish your connection and enjoy your life!

Please remember that the power of our group energy is available, needed and effective in creating changes for those who participate.

Thank you for joining us and for sharing your love and your light with all of us and with the world.

Love to All.
Light to All.
Peace to All.

Sat Nam,

Guru Rattana

Breuk to Ella

2009-05-17T17:17:00.003-04:00

on Manifesting:

Why have we manifested some things and not others?

1) Your personal power predominantly operates through your subconscious!

Your conscious thoughts and actions are in part controlled by your previous subconscious programming (previous experiences, past traumas, blah, blah, blah...). Consciously you'll want to re-program it and it takes time and discipline. Holding onto to "what you want" without being attached to the outcome is the way. Meditation, yoga, nutrition etc... are all well and dandy and part of a good physical foundation.

I'm still sorting out this first step but, here's what I am sure about:
"Watch for subconscious intent! Allow it to move through and out".

2) The belief that "Money is the root of all evil."

This is why even lottery winners spend it all within year and in some cases are as worse off and more in debt than they were before winning. Weird!

It's not really paper money that you want, it's time and freedom. Most people that have a lot of money "don't want it or need it". That's a point.

[book to read: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand]

3) Program the mind.

Emotion + Imagry + Action = Results.

Emotion is a feeling. Imagry or visualization of the end result. Action is guided by inspiration. Result is what you want and actually getting it. Time happens quickly (very quickly) when you let it go and surrender. Staying in the present slows it down. Use this to observe (without judgment, feelings or emotions) happenings and events around you. It's not easy. Naturally, remain detached from them.

4) Awakening:

4 stages: (there is an specific order to it)
1 - Victimization - no blame for anything or anyone including yourself !!!
2 - Empowerment - Beehive objectives (no need to explain this to you)
3 - Surrendering - after intention, releasing all attachment and watch
life like a movie.
4 - Dissolving into the Divine - Universal mind. This is the final stage.

5) Clear out negative, limiting beliefs.

This is done through asking a series of questions in a very particular way. Be sure to ask these questions lovingly and curiously and without judgment.

Here's a sample subconscious belief that many have:
Money is the root of all evil.

Questions to ask:
Do I believe that?
Why do I believe that?
Do I want to keep believing that?
Do I believe that now?
Does it serve me?

Back Massage

2009-02-12T09:22:00.002-05:00

2009-02-09T11:35:00.001-05:00

Make this the year that you get back into your favorite jeans and finally shake off the winter fat from your hips and waist by following 6 Tips.

1. Eat more protein

Protein is the fuel your muscles need to become firm and toned. It also fools your brain into thinking your stomach is full, making it easier to control your hunger. Always opt for whey protein which is better than soya or casein at giving you that pleasant “full” feeling. If you’re too busy to cook protein-rich meals, use fruit bars or a shake to boost your protein intake.

2009-02-08T11:34:00.001-05:00

2. Eat little and often

Instead of eating just once or twice each day, spread your calorie intake out so that you’re eating 5-6 times per day. Rather than eating 1-2 big meals, eat 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks (such as a yogurt, or apples) during the day.

2009-02-07T11:34:00.000-05:00

3. Cut down on the junk food

Avoid eating sugary junk foods such as cakes, sweets, fizzy drinks, and chocolate. If you need a snack, eat some quality food, like a piece of fruit or a Promax Diet bar.

2009-02-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

4. Eat more good fats

Not only is fat vital to your health, eating more of the good fats helps your body burn fat faster. Healthy sources of fat include extra virgin olive oil, avocados and salmon. There’s another type of good fat, known as CLA, which can play a vital role in supporting your weight loss goals.

2009-02-05T11:32:00.000-05:00

5. Drink more water

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. If you’re well hydrated, fat loss becomes both faster and easier. Drinking plenty of water also gives your skin a healthy glow and will leave you feeling healthier and more energetic.

2009-02-04T11:30:00.001-05:00

6. Use a fat-burner to increase results

A popular method among women to increase fat loss yet further is to use a research-supported herbal fat burner supplement, such as Green Tea.

Good Mood Food

2009-02-02T09:42:00.000-05:00

Foods must be easily digested in order to be beneficial to health. Cold foods tend to be harder to digest than warm or hot foods. Cold beverages can slow down the digestion process and can make your meals harder to digest. It is also very important that food be chewed very well before swallowed as the mouth is the first stage in digestion journey.

Keeping the intestinal tract healthy is essential to proper digestion and your overall health. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that contribute to intestinal tract health. Many traditional foods such as miso, pickles, sauerkraut, yogurt, and beer or wine provide probiotics.

An adequate diet will provide enough vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for energy used during the course of the day. Try to get adequate amounts of energy from food high in nutrients rather than from supplements unless your nutritionist tells you differently.

A balance in the diet must be achieved by eating a variety of foods daily. Try not to fill up on foods that are high in one vitamin or mineral and ignore others that are equally important. Remember that a diet that is balanced for one person might not be balanced for another person. Experiment and find what balance of foods is best for your health. Modern advances in DNA swipping or hair sampling now allows you to know exactly what and how your system is digesting foods. These companies charge up to $300 to give your a 30 page report that specifies what exactly your body needs for optimal health.

There are certain foods that must be used in moderation such as high fat, cholesterol, and sugar items. Processed foods and foods with a lot of sugar substitutes such as as all refined sugars aspartame and neotame should be avoided as much as possible. Not only are they full of dangerous toxins that are detrimental to your health, they are hard to digest and eliminate.

Two types of essential fatty acids are important to our health. Linoleic acid is provided in sesame seed oil, sunflower seed oil, hemp seed oil, and safflower seed oil. Alpha Linoleic acid is found in hemp seed oil, organic soybean oil, flax seed oil, and ground flax seeds.

Changing a diet for the benefit of health is always a challenging endeavor. No need to go exteme or be hard on yourself for making "mistakes". Slowly begin to change your diet and notice the way you feel. Have fun experimenting with different foods. Enjoy making a healthier you.

February is the month that Beehiver blog will cover nutrition and massage. Come back when you want. Comment as you wish.

Are you using your LEFT OR RIGHT BRAIN?

2009-02-01T04:26:00.003-05:00

If she spins counter-clockwise:

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

She spins clockwise:

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

ALL Solfeggio Hz CHAKARA TUNE

2009-01-30T10:31:00.002-05:00

Clear, Clean, Shine those Chakras!

Intro to Kundalini Yoga with GURMUKH

2009-01-29T10:56:00.000-05:00

This woman is 58. Wow.

HOW TO HAVE AN ENERGY ORGASM

2009-01-28T11:41:00.000-05:00

1. Lay down on a firm surface, i.e. hard bed, carpet, sandy beach, grass. Bend your knees up. (You can also try it standing or sitting.)

2. Take a few relaxing breaths. Empty your mind. Let go of tension. Let go of ego. Settle in.

3. Begin to take deeper breaths. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth like you are blowing out birthday candles. Make it completely "circular" with no pauses between inhales and exhales.

4. On the inhale, rock your pelvis, arching your lower back and flattening on the exhale. Squeeze the pubococcygeus muscles (the muscles you squeeze to stop the flow of urine) on the exhale (also called Bundas). These squeezes can actually stimulate the clitoris and G-spot, penis and testicles, while pumping up energy throughout your entire body. In other words, inhale while filling your belly like a balloon, exhale and flatten your back while contracting the PC muscles. Repeat continuously. Your legs may open and close like butterfly wings. Let the breathing and contractions be erotic.

5. Energy follows thought, so use your mind to begin to pull in energy from the earth/atmosphere into the perineum. Build fire in the sex center (1st and 2nd chakras). Circulate the energy back and forth. When this area is well "lit," go up to the belly area and start circulating from the genital area to the belly, around and around (2nd and 3rd chakras). Circulate until the fire is burning stronger.

6. Go to the next level - the heart. Circulate from belly to heart, belly to heart (3rd and 4th chakras).

7. Now try the throat. Circulate from heart to throat, heart to throat (4th and 5th chakras). When the energy moves up, you may automatically make some sounds. If not, you can consciously make sounds, as this helps to open the throat for the energy to move up. Keep circulating between the heart and throat, until you feel the energy move up to the Third Eye.

8. Circulate the energy from throat to Third Eye, throat to Third Eye (5th and 6th chakras).

9. Circulate from the Third Eye to the top of your head (7th chakra). At a certain point it may feel like the energy is shooting out the top of your head, like water out of a hose. Soon, you will kick into full body orgasm. Go with it. Your breathing patterns will change. You may scream, you may "melt," you may laugh hysterically, you may feel your back arch and your fists may clench. With practice you can learn to ride the waves and keep the orgasms going for a very long time....

Quote of the day

2009-01-27T11:53:00.003-05:00

"What does money like? Money likes speed. That's the secret few know about money. Money comes to those who act fast. If you think, wonder, question, doubt, plan, meet, discuss, or in any other way drag your feet, money goes to the next person in line."
- Joe Vitale

Year of the Ox

2009-01-26T08:00:00.003-05:00

Rat: A great year to enjoy family; however, be prepared to take on more responsibilities for less gain than you're used to achieving.

Ox: A good year to marry or form business partnerships, and expect children to be added to your family. Annoying delays won't ruin things, so relax.

Tiger: If you watch your temper and resist roaring over delays and misunderstandings, things will work out very well for you before the year ends.

Rabbit: The retiring nature of this Ox year will reduce the stress you'd normally experience while under Ox's influence. Plans take longer, though.

Dragon: You won't set the world on fire this year, but you seem to exist in a magical bubble, protected from others' troubles and anxieties.

Snake: Things may not run as smoothly as you like, but if you don't get distracted by delays and complications, there's a big opportunity awaiting you.

Horse: Consolidate rather than expand this year and you will be given a great deal more power. Use care with children and subordinates.

Sheep (Ram, Goat): Lay low and keep it simple this year, as challenges will be flying at you from all directions. Also budget closely and carefully.

Monkey: Rather than struggling over slowdowns at work, take the time to enjoy family and friends. Take extra care of your health.

Rooster: This is your year to recover lost ground and depleted resources! There's plenty of support on hand. Careful of sharp objects.

Dog: You may be plagued with misunderstandings and uncertainties despite good intentions. Revel in simple pleasures and avoid confrontation.

Pig (Boar): Great prospects and unerring hunches will pay off this year. There may be romantic or family complications, but small ones.

Gung Hay Fat Choy.

2009-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Prepare for Chinese New Year : Hard Working Earth Ox.

2009-01-25T14:29:00.004-05:00

Chinese New Year sets off the beginning of the spring and is popularly recognized as the Spring Festival. The Chinese follow the Lunar/Solar calendar rather than the western calender. Chinese New Year is the first day of the lunar calendar, and marks the start of a traditional celebration of the 1st day of the Lunar year and will last for the next 15 days and ends with the first full moon of the new year with The Lantern Festival.

Chinese New Year is of the utmost importance to every Chinese family as it is time for gathering. Many superstitions are also associated with the ritual and the traditions of new year celebrations. Though many Chinese today do not follow the traditions of the do's and don'ts.

Celebrations start with house cleaning prior to the New Year's Day, to remove all the old stale luck of the past year. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on the New Year Day (1/26/09) and all brooms, brushes and other cleaning equipment are put away, for they have the fear that their good fortune will be swept away.

Decorate your living room with vases of pretty flowers, platters of oranges and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit. Doors and windows are decorated with vertical scrolls, paper cuts and couplets with themes such as happiness, wealth and longevity printed on red paper.

Fireworks are the sign of getting rid of the old and welcoming the new. Wear something red as red color is considered to be auspicious and is meant to ward off evil spirits. The first thing to do on New Year's day is, they eat/drink something sweet in the morning and also say nice things to other people.

Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as these things may cut off their fortune. Do not wash your hair on that day, as it might wash away the good luck for the year. Do not use bad or Unlucky words, and even don't scold their children, though they are mischievious.

Though the celebrations of the Chinese vary with that of ours, the underlying message is that of peace and happiness for family members and friends for the whole year. Gung Hay Fat Choy.

The New Psychology

2009-01-24T09:27:00.001-05:00

Every thought brings into action certain physical tissue, parts of the brain, nerve, or muscle. This produces an actual physical change in the construction of the tissue. Therefore it is only necessary to have a certain number of thoughts on a given subject in order to bring about a complete change in the physical organization of a man.
This is the process by which failure is changed to success. Thoughts of courage, power, inspiration, and harmony are substituted for thoughts of failure, despair, lack, limitation, and discord; and as these thoughts, the physical tissue is changed and the individual sees life in a new light. Old things have actually passed away. All things have become new. He is born again, this time born of the spirit. Life has a new meaning for him. He is reconstructed and is filled with joy, confidence, hope, and energy. He sees opportunities for success to which he was heretofore blind. He recognizes possibilities which before had no meaning for him. The thoughts of success with which he has been impregnated are radiated to those around him, and they in turn help him onward and upward; he attracts to him new and successful associates, and this in turn changes his environment; so that by this simple exercise of thought, a man changes not only himself, but his environment, circumstances, and conditions.

-- Charles F. Haanel,
The New Psychology

Sacred Geometry 101 - Part 5 of 5 - Metatron's Cube

2009-01-23T10:12:00.000-05:00

http://www.charlesgilchrist.com/

Sacred Geometry 101 - Part 4 of 5 - Concentric Circles

2009-01-22T10:10:00.001-05:00

Sacred Geometry 101 - Part 3 of 5 - The Sacred Languages

2009-01-21T10:08:00.002-05:00

http://www.charlesgilchrist.com

Sacred Geometry 101 - Part 2 of 5 - The Vesica Piscis

2009-01-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

Sacred Geometry 101 Part 1 of 5- Charles Gilchrist

2009-01-19T10:02:00.000-05:00

http://www.charlesgilchrist.com

Kundalini "Breath of Fire"

2009-01-18T23:54:00.001-05:00

This two and a half minute exercise make me feel quite excellent.

Intro to Kundalini Yoga with GURMUKH

2009-01-18T10:56:00.000-05:00

This woman is 58. Wow.

Obstacles in Meditation: Thought and Detachment. Part 5 of 5

2009-01-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

Obstacles in Meditation: Thought and Yogic Sleep. Part 4-5

2009-01-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

Obstacles in Meditation: Obsessions. Part 3-5

2009-01-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

Obstacles in Meditation: Thoughts and the Senses, Part 2-5

2009-01-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Obstacles in Meditation: Motivation Part 1-5

2009-01-13T22:00:00.000-05:00

Third Eye

2009-01-12T07:54:00.000-05:00

The Absence of Suffering...

2009-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

You will experience an absence of suffering and a tremendous flowering of the heart where you’ll begin to discover states of love and compassion. In these times we are basically living for ourselves. "I live for my self and you live for yourself" is the philosophy and therefore there is really no one there at all to care for each other. It has become a planet of orphans with no parents. A planet of patients with no doctors. In this state you will begin to care for others. Not just a few loved ones here and there but for all of humanity there is deep concern and compassion.

One who is Enlightened has no suffering in his life, therefore he also does not create suffering for others or for the world around him. If you look at the world you find that happy person gives happiness to others and such of those people who are constantly mad at others, hurt others, curse others, and seek revenge are suffering within. One who is suffering spiritually and psychologically is a danger to the world around him.

Man in his natural is enlightened. Suffering is the aberration. There was a time when enlightenment was the rule rather than the exception. The seemingly "unused" space in the left cerebral cortex of the brain is a remnant of that time. It was once used to get in touch with and experience Cosmic Consciousness. Many factors went into the gross degeneration of human consciousness. Some were planetary. A star called Mulam has recently entered near proximately to the Earth. When the Earth is receiving cosmic radiation from this star, it affects the DNA of man. He naturally functions differently. His senses and the mind are affected and he opens up to the mystical realm. When the Earth is not receiving emanations from this star his consciousness becomes dull, his senses are numbed and the mystical dimension closes. He becomes more of a physical being unable to determine what is essential for life on this planet and what is irrelevant. He becomes very insecure and dangerous to the planet.

Right now the Earth is receiving radiations from Mulam. The Cosmic Energy is flowing on to the Earth. It has been approximately 24,000 years. While this phenomenon signifies Earth changes, it also means that enlightenment is available to the average being. States of consciousness once attained by just a few sages, saints, mystics, and prophets are available to any who seriously seek liberation from ignorance and its ugly spawn, suffering.

Activating Sahasrara

2009-01-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

The Sanskrit Chant that activates Sahasrara is:

Om
Sat Chit Ananada
Parabrahma Purushothama Paramathma
Sri Bhagavathi Sametha
Sri Bhagavathe Namaha

In general, the siddha has the realization of non-duality. Thought and objective are no different. What stands between energy and matter is the illusion of time. The wisdom of the relationship between energy matter and time can lead to freedom.

In the ancient sense, Enlightenment is described merely as liberation from suffering. If you consider that suffering arises from ignorance-that it is in the perception of the fact rather than the fact itself, it is easy to see the connection. It is very easy to see Enlightenment (Illumination) and Ignorance (Darkness) as opposite ends of the same spectrum..

Enlightenment can be spoken about in 3 levels, although the enlightenment experience varies greatly. At the first level it is experiencing or perception of reality as it is. You could say that reality unveils itself to you. The Mind no longer interfers with the experience. Today when you are looking at the world; you are not actually seeing it. What is happening within is a lot of chatter. There is interference from the past, so much judgment, and day dreaming about the future. Enlightenment at this stage is where the interference of the mind stops. The eyes begin to see. The ears begin to truly hear. The senses are no longer numbed or overridden by the internal dialog. You could say they spring to life.

At the second stage Enlightenment is feeling a tremendous sense of connectedness with the world around you. You feel connected to the sky, the earth, the food you are eating, the grass you are sitting on, the person you are speaking with, the birds. You can see how the entire creation went into the tiniest thing. Nothing is absolute. Nothing stands alone. There is an intense sense of sacredness and gratitude. There is a sense of belonging. All obsession is appeased.

At the third stage Enlightenment it is no longer merely a sense of connectedness but an experience of complete union with the Universe. You experience Cosmic Consciousness. You are what you see. There is no sense of separate existence.

Satyaloka (effects on the 7 chakras)

2009-01-10T18:00:00.001-05:00

Satyaloka is an ancient community of Enlightened Beings called the Siddha Purushas.

Some effects of meditation on the various chakras are as follows:

Mooladhara -"Foundation" or Root Chakra-Darduri Siddhi or Frog Jump Siddhi can occur. Can rise in the air by various degrees. Whatever one thinks will happen. There is memory of past life experiences. Security, inner purity, softness of the voice, the burning of all negative karma. The mind is conquered and success is easily obtained. Many obstacles are annihlated. When the Point of Awareness is in Mooladhara there will be great anger, and often clenched fists and tightened jaw. There may be violent or angry behavior often based on insecurity and fear. Security is of utmost importance when awareness is in Mooladhara, as is sleep and food. Discomfort is not tolerated well. Mooladhara sleeping pattern is often between ten & twelve hours, usually on the stomach.

Swadistana or "Dwelling Place of the Self" is often called the Second Chakra-Charisma, psychic powers, control of the senses is gained as is creative abilty. There is freedom from jealousy, greed, lust and anger. Relationships are perfected and there is a sense of deep inner peace- a flow. When the Point of Awareness is in Swadistana one may live in a fantasy world-thinking himself to be a king, a savior, invaluable, famous, a destroyer of evil, a reincarnation of a great being, superhuman or perhaps even an alien. He has high self esteem and is often very chivalrous. He may be artistic or love art, acting and costume. Desire for physical sensations, lust and fantasy are the obstacles as are restlessness, anxiety, confusion and delusion. Swadistana sleeping pattern is 8-10 hours often sleep in almost a fetal position.

Manipura or "City of Gems" is the Third Chakra- Patala Siddhi or the Giver of Constant Happiness may occur. Disease is conquered. The Fire of Life burns brilliantly and there is excellent health and vitality. Time is conquered and he can become very long lived. He can discover cures for diseases and medicines, and there is a deep understanding of physiology. Egotism is gone. There can be the power to create and destroy, to make gold and find hidden treasures. Obstacles when Point of Awareness is in Manipura are a great desire for personal power, fame and recognition. There is a desire to manage or control others. When the Point of Awareness is in Manipura one will generally sleep 6-8 hours a night, often on the back. Most of adult humanity dwells in Manipura.

Anahata or "Unstricken" is the Fourth or Heart Chakra-the may be knowledge of past present and future. Clairaudience and clairvoyance often occurs. There is awareness of one's karma. The effects of meditating on Anahata are considered to be esoteric. It is to be experience for oneself. When the kundalini and Point of Awareness meet in Anahata, the enlightenment experience of seeing God in everything (not a concept but the actual seeing)occurs. It is the state of a saint, prophet or mystic. There is a deep love of sound. Obstacles in Anahata are experiences of purgatory or spirit realms, restless wondering, boredom and emotional disturbance and fear. He may become a "spiritual window shopper" jumping from one tradition to anotherseeking liberation from his restlessness, lonliness or boredom. The Anahata sleeping pattern is often 4-6 hours a night sleeping on the left side.

Vishuddhi ("Pure") Throat Chakra-Calmness Serenity, Purity, great command of speech and and understanding of dreams and philosophy. Master of the entire self. No longer a slave to the mind. Reasoning rises above the heart. He has broken the knot of compassion, of attachment to spiritual orders and to ancient ways. This chakras relates to the "Chit" or Cosmic Consciousness. Only knowledge is sought. Obstacles of the Point of Awareness in Vishuddhi are negative intellect which can occur from using knowledge unwisely. The one whose awareness is in Vissudhi generally sleeps from 4-6 hours. When the Point of Awareness and kundalini meet in Vishuddhi, the enlightenment experience common to Taoism occurs. It is a state of non-judgement where the commentary of the mind ceases. There is no interference with the experience. Reality presents itself as it is.

Ajnea ("Authority" or "Unlimited Power") Brow Chakra- One receives benefits of all the chakras while meditation on Ajnea. Past life karma is destroyed and there is freedom from all conditioning. There is a freedom from attachments and appeasement of obsessions and desires. A continuous state of samadhi ( an experience of realized non-duality) may occur. There are visions of the past, present and future. Whatever is desired comes true. All internal and external changes no longer cause suffering. When the kundalini and Point of Awareness meet here, the state of enlightenment common to Buddhism is experienced. It is the state of non judgement of the previous chakra coupled with the realization of the dependently arising nature of the Universe. The entire Universe is seen in whatever is viewed. It is the quintessential "To see the Universe in a grain of sand." There is an appeasement of all obsessions. Those with the Point of Awareness in Ajnea in Ajnea sleep little. Two hours or so a night. The sound that this chakra responds to is "Aum" chanted repeatedly in a specific way. And while it is perhaps instinctive for the seeker to want to immediately start working on this chakra, as the benefits meditating on all the chakras are experienced, be aware that it has long been observed chanting "Aum" repeatedly will transform a householder (homeowner) into a sanyasi (one who has renounced the world) or a beggar. It means this practice may impact your dwelling, family and possessions.

Sahasrara ("Thousand Petaled" or also called Shunya meaning "Empty" or "Void")-The plane of happiness. There is no activity of the mind, no knower, no knowledge, nothing to be known. Knowledge, knower and known become one. There is liberation of the senses. Emotions and desires dissolve. Union is attained. There is no sense of seperate existence as long as in physical body. All siddhis are obtained, but this individual has no desire to use those siddhis. When the Point of Awareness and kundalini merge at Sahasrara enlightenment experience common to Hinduism is experienced. There is no separation between the experience and the experiencer. You are what you see. The ancients called this state "Aham Bramhasmin.", meaning "I am That" or "I am this whole process called the Universe."

AlexzaNYC - Beehive

2009-01-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

"Bee in the present and not be attached to events moving around you".
- Alexza DeCroix

Tapping for the Chakras

2009-01-08T18:00:00.001-05:00

This chap has dozens of other videos on YouTube. In the search I would put "chakra tapping" to get all his videos.

If you've never tried the Emotional Management System (aka Emotional Freedom Technique), you're living your life in black and white and NOT in high-definition. As each day passes, the decisions you are making are based off of previous experiences that don't necessarily apply to the decisions you'll make today. For more info, go to Emofree.com

Siddhis and the Chakras

2009-01-08T08:37:00.007-05:00

"Chakras are sometimes called "Wheels of the Mind". They are psychic centers that can not really be described fully from a psychological or material view in the same way a cake can not be considered to be just flour, vanilla, sugar, eggs and chocolate. There is a force that has been applied to the ingredients that makes it a cake. Chakras are energy centers that are interelated with the autonomous, parasympathetic and and sympathetic nervous systems.

Each individual perceives and understands life through the perspective of the chakra in which he feels the most comfortable relating from. This is called the "Point of Awareness". In a sense the chakra of the primary point of awareness colours the experience. It is like a filter on a camera, contributing to "Maya" which in the ancient sense of the word was not illusion but rather a faulty or filtered perception of reality as presented by the senses. Knowledge is lacking for acurate perception or interpretation. When the point of awareness-the presiding state of consciousness-and kundalini merge in the upper chakras, enlightenment experiences occur. Sometimes they are permanent, sometimes not. If the force of this merging is intense enough it will lead to a genetic restructuring of the brain and ultimately enlightenment such as that which occurs with deep and profound insight. The Point of Awareness of most humans is in the lower 3 chakras-the majority of us dwell in Manipura or the third chakra.. However there are yoga and meditation techiniques that can slowly and safely raise the Point of Awareness if practiced daily. Chakras respond to certain sounds and smells in the same manner that you respond to your name. Each chakra has sound that can be chanted while focusing upon it image that will help to move the Point of Awareness. For example, the sound that the brow chakra responds to is "Aum". This practice of elevating the Point of Awareness is best done as if one is climbing a ladder. For example if the Point of Awareness is in the second chakra, one would focus on the third chakra and raise the awareness to that level for some time before proceeding to the forth chakra. Once the awareness has stabilized in that chakra (and it will in general take at least 45 days) it is time to work on and discover the next chakra. In helping to determine one's own Point of Awareness if you cannot see or sense your dominate chakra, you can consider your temperament, desires and obstacles, and you can consider your sleeping patterns and position in which you sleep.

Siddhi Powers are sometimes gained by focusing on various chakras causing an activation of that specific energy center. Siddhi powers are sometimes experienced as a result. . In an ancient tradition of Enlightenment such as that which has been preserved by the enlightened monks (the siddha purushas), of Satyaloka Monastery, siddhi powers as well as enlightenment were often passed down from master to seeker through diksha (spiritual initiation). The diksha can be likened to a seed. It may take effect at once or could stay latent for years. Perhaps it will never take root. There are many variables. Diksha is part of an triad employed in ancient shamanistic cultures to help thrust the seeker into a permanent state of enlightenment. This triad is diksha, sadhana (spiritual practice such as yoga & meditation), and maha sutras. Siddhartha recieved many such dikshas from his teachers in his struggle for enlightenment. Following is a listing of siddhis that may occur in the Journey to Enlightenment or in working with the various chakras.

Following is a list of 23 siddhi powers...

2009-01-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

(Warrior Siddhi Power)

1. Trikalajriatvam - knowledge of the past, present and future.
2. Advandvam: to be beyond pleasure-pain, cold-heat, soft-hard. Non-duality.
3. Parachittadyabhijnata: knowledge of dreams and the mind.
4. Pratishtambah: control of effect of fire, wind, water, poisons, weapons, and the sun.
5. Aparajayah: Victorious. Not able to be defeated.

The next are considered only to occur as the heart begins to purify and flower:

6. Anumimattvam: hunger, thirst, grief, sorrow, infatuation, delusion and confusion of the mind, old age and death do not harm the body.
7. Doorshravan: to hear, sitting at one place, speech from however distant a place.
8. Dudarshan: to see simultaneously events and things in all the realms.
9. Manojava: the body can travel at the speed of thought to any place.
10. Kaamaroopa: to assume any form. Shapeshifting.
11. Parakayapravesh: ability to enter into another's body, whether they are dead or alive.
12. Swachchandamrutyu: to die at one's own will, death having no control over one.
13. Sahakridanudarshanam: to see the sports of gods in heaven and have capacity and prowess to participate in it.
14. Yathaasamkalpa samsiddhi: to attain whatever is desired.
15. Ajnaapratihataagatih: whereby one's command and movement have no obstruction.

These are considered to be the highest siddhi powers:

16. Anima: the reduction of one's form to one atom. Invisibility.
17. Mahima/Garima: the body can be made to be very heavy.
18. Laghima: the body can be made to be extremely light
19. Prapti: abilty to acquire objects of sense pertaining to the respective organs.
20. Prakaashya: to see invisible things in other realms.
21. Ishitaa: to stimulate bodies and creatures Control of forces of nature.
22. Vashita: to have control or dominion over the senses.
23. Yatkamastadavasyati: To obtain joy by willing it so. The cessation of misery and desire. This is considered to be the highest state of bliss.

1st Chakra

2009-01-07T09:00:00.002-05:00

Chakra One ~
Mulhadara: root
Element~ Earth
Issues~ survival, money, work, grounding, health
Physical location~: base of spine, legs, feet
Allows us to have vitality and health and to survive and prosper.

1st chakra
leg lifts, tree pose, gardening, eating balanced regular meals,
massage: legs feet, leg lifts
accupressure: Joyful Sleep

1. Oh

~<((o<

2nd Chakra

2009-01-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

Chakra Two~
Svadisthana: sweet
Element~ Water
issues~ emotions, sexuality
Physical location~ abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs
Allows us to feel our emotions, experience pleasure, and accept change

2nd chakra
hip rolls, cat/cow, goddess pose
massage: lower back, stretching out hips and flexors
accupressure: sea of energy

2. Ue (as in due)

~<((o<

3rd Chakra

2009-01-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

Chakra Three ~
Manipura: lustrous jewel
Element~ Fire
issues~ personal power, will, autonomy,
Physical location~ solar plexus,mid back
Allows us to experience vitality, strength of will, be effective, and personal power.

3rd chakra
sit ups, woodchopper, belly breathing,
massage: stomach, midback
reflexology: solar plexus

3. Ah ( as in father)

~<((o<

4th Chakra

2009-01-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

Chakra Four~
Anahata: unstruck
Element~ Air
issues~ love, attachment
Physical location~ heart, upper back
Allows us to love deeply, feel balanced, and be compassionate.

4th chakra:
finger stretches, yoga mudra, chest breathing, massage upper back, sides under arm
massage: heart, upper midback
accupressure: sea of tranquility

4. Ay (as in play)

~<((o<

5th Chakra

2009-01-03T09:00:00.002-05:00

Chakra Five:
Visuddha: purification
Element~ Sound
Issues~ communication, creativity
Physical location~ throat, shoulders
Allows us to express ourselves, communicate well, and resonate with self and others.

5th chakra:
neck stretches, toning, massage neck, shoulders, jaw
massage: throat, back of neck
accupressure: gates of consciousness

5. Ee (as in see)

~<((o<

6th Chakra

2009-01-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

Chakra Six: Ajna: to perceive
Element~ Light,
Issues~ vision, intuition, imagination
Physical location: pituitary gland,eyes
Allows us to see clearly, both where we are going, and the wider big picture.

6th chakra:
meditation, eye circles, massage temples, over eyebrows
massage: temples
accupressure: third eye, between eyebrows
reflexology: master gland

6. Mmnn

~<((o<

Self Massage of the Face - Face Massage Techniques (1)

2009-01-02T04:35:00.000-05:00

http://airtravel.about.com/od/travelindustrynews/ss/SelfMassageFace.htm

Quote of the day......

2009-01-01T23:51:00.000-05:00

"I never drink water; that is the stuff that rusts pipes."
- W. C. Fields

7th Chakra

2009-01-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

In Sanskrit, Chakra translates into wheel, or disk. Chakras are energy centers; think of them as the software to the bodies’ hardware. There are seven major chakras that run down the center of the body and relate to the seven major nerve ganglia that extend from the spine. Among other things chakras correlate to elements, developmental stages of life, colors, sounds, bodily functions.

Chakra Seven: Sahasrara to know
Element~ Thought
Issues~ knowing, understanding
Physical location: brain
Allows us to experience bliss, expand our beliefs and consciousness.

7th chakra:
meditation, shavasana, seated yoga mudra
massage: -------
accupressure: governing vessel , massage head, bones of skull

7. Ngngng (as in sing)

~<((o<

Quote of the day...

2008-12-29T09:57:00.000-05:00

"My favorite animal is steak."

- Fran Lebowitz

City Acupuncture of NY

2008-12-28T21:25:00.005-05:00

City Acupuncture of NY
(link)

Who will you bee with no allergy?

2008-12-27T09:30:00.001-05:00

Dr. Rosenblum offers a revolutionary allergy testing procedure. He wanted to make sure you were aware of this incredible breakthrough in healthcare that is now available right in his office!

The BAX-3000 is an FDA-cleared system, utilizing state-of-the-art advances in technology and laser therapy to easily and quickly diagnose and alleviate the chronic symptoms brought on by allergies and other sensitivities. The result has been remarkable for hundreds of patients!

This machine is not simply an allergy system – the technology has been used effectively in the treatment of many other chronic conditions. Get complete details from our office!

. . . . . . . . . . . . ~<((o<

For only $20 Dr. Rosenblum will give you a gift card that entitles someone to their initial visit (a $175 value). This includes history, consultation, exam, and first adjustment!*
*Please purchase before December 31, 2008. The gift card can be used within three months

Dr. Leonard Rosenblum
873 Broadway, Ste. 414, buzzer 0022,
bet 18th & 19th Sts.
www.UnionSquareSpinalCare.com
(212) 254 – 4586

~<((o<

Free Face Exercises:

2008-12-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

Acupressure & Face Massage

There are dozens of acupressure points on the face, and many massage techniques. However, all you need to get started is the five common acupressure points and two massage techniques illustrated below.

How to do face acupressure

1. Locate the points with your index fingers.

2. Gently press them until you feel no more than a comfortable pain.

3. Hold the pressure while you knead the points with very small circular movements.

4. Breathe slowly and deeply and focus your mind on the points as you massage them.

5. Massage each point for 1-2 minutes several times a day.

Point 1. (known as Jingming in Chinese)

Located on the inside edge of the orbit of each eye.

Press and knead for sore, tired eyes and as a preventative against eye problems.

Point 2. (Zanzhu)

Located on the medial end of each eyebrow.

Press and knead for frontal headache, sore, tired eyes, sinus pain, and as a preventative against eye problems.

Point 3. (Taiyang)

Located on the temples behind each eye.

Use your index and middle fingers to press and knead for one or two sided headache, to calm the mind, and for eye problems. Also used preventatively.

Point 4. (Yingxiang)

Located next to each nostril.

Press and knead for nasal congestion, sinusitis, rhinitis, and to help prevent these problems.

For greater effectiveness use your index fingers to rub up and down the sides of your nose between Yingxiang and Jingming (Point 1) for 1-2 minutes, several times a day.

Point 5. (Renzhong)

Located under your nose, on the midline.

Use your knuckle or the tip of your middle or index finger. Pressing this point draws energy up to your head and helps your nasal passages adjust to weather changes. Also used as a revival point after fainting or shock.

Technique 1. (Forehead Rub)

Use your index and middle fingers to rub across your forehead, from the middle to your temples.

Massage and rub this area for frontal headache, sinus pain, insomnia, sore eyes, stress, and to help prevent these problems.

Technique 2. (Head Massage)

Use the tips (including the nails) of your fingers and thumbs to press and rub your scalp from the midline to the sides, and from the front to the back of your head.

Relieves and prevents headache, and is highly relaxing, especially when done by someone else.

http://www.chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com/free-face-exercises.html

How to use the Ahh meditation

2008-12-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

to attract what you want...

http://www.beehappynyc.com

Spirituality

2008-12-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

In the tradition of non-theosophism, however, it is very direct that the case history [sic] are not particularly important. What is actually important is the "Here" and "Now".

"Now" is definitely now. We try to experience what is available there, on the spot. There's no point in thinking that the past that exists, that we could have now.

This is "Now".

This very moment.

But, we are threatened by the "Now" so, we jump to the past or the future. Paying attention to the materials that exist in our life; such a rich life that we lead.

So that's the problem.

Maybe that's why we seek religion. Maybe that's why we march in the street. Maybe that's why we complain to society. Maybe that's why we vote for the presidents'. It's quite ironic though and very funny indeed."

- Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Lecture in Los Angeles (1983)

How to Compress Time for Manifestation (2)

2008-12-21T09:40:00.003-05:00

Part 1 of 2

~<((o< ~<((o< ~<((o<

Winter Solstice

2008-12-21T07:42:00.000-05:00

The Winter Solstice marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21, 2008 at 7:04 AM EST and 12:04 UT (Universal Time).

While the beginning of summer marks the longest day of the year, the winter solstice brings the shortest day - and the longest night! - of the year.

In the Northern Hemipshere, the gloomy winter solstice has been responsible for many symbols, ancient myths and religous beliefs over millennia.

In ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the feast of Saturnalia, while in pre-christian Britain, the end of December centered around the pagan Yule log in a fiery display to melt the heart of a cold and dreary winter. Today, a similar response to winter doldrums is the celebration of Christmas by many cultures around the world complete with twinkling lights, holiday feasts & lively festivals.

To many pre-Christian culture, however, December was thought of as the most dreaded time of year, when the lack of heat and light and a limited supply of food spelled danger. The cold was stark and the darkness seemed perpetual.

Even today, modern science points to a mental disorder that is now officially recognized as SAD, or seasonal affective disorder that results in moodiness or depression during the winter months due to the lack of sunlight.

The cure? Turn up the wattage! — indeed, the use of artificial light is the only known treatment for SAD.

Yet as the old wise man once said, it truly is darkest before the dawn. After December 21, the light slowly begins its inevitable return, and the days begin to grow blessedly longer, flipping the switch to ON for the inevitable countdown to spring ...

A Must Read if you have a Cell Phone

2008-12-20T10:42:00.012-05:00

Check out the things that you can do with it:

~<((o<> Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

~<((o< SECOND: Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare key s are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

~<((o< THIRD: Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.

~<((o< FOURTH: How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # . A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

~<((o< FIFTH: Free 411
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

Beehiver Fashion Lifestylist - Akira

2008-12-18T12:20:00.002-05:00

Somewhere in NYC....

How to Meditate

2008-12-15T15:24:00.000-05:00

There are many ways to meditate. They all seem to lead to the same place, so find one that suits you. Here I describe a classic meditation that is simple and easy.

Mantras: A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated to yourself. It could be spoken aloud, as a chant, or silently, as in meditation. Many people think that the best mantras are sounds which have no clear meaning, and are used as a way of displacing your usual thoughts and moving your awareness inward. There are many mantras ranging from words taken from Hindu Sanskrit to Christian scripture (especially when "saying the rosary," where the repetition of the prayer is meditative). If you do not already know of a good mantra to use I suggest you use "hamsa." This is a natural mantra, being the sound that one makes when breathing, with "ham" (h-ah-m) on inhalation and "sa" (s-ah) on exhalation.

Directions for the hamsa meditation:

Sit comfortably. A quiet place is preferred, but not required.
Close your eyes. Breathe naturally. Sit for about one minute before you begin thinking the mantra to allow your heart and breathing to slow.
Gently bring your attention to your breath and begin to think the mantra, gently and easily. Just let it come, don't force it. Think "ham" on the inhale and "sa" on the exhale. Allow yourself to be absorbed in it.
Allow your thoughts and feelings to come and go with detachment. Don't try to control them in any way. Just note them, and when you realize that you are not repeating the mantra, gently return to the mantra. Do not try to force yourself to think the mantra to the exclusion of all other thoughts. You may experience a deep state of relaxation but it is OK if you don't.
Meditate in this way for 20 minutes (children for less time).
When done, take about a minute to slowly return to normal awareness. Be gentle with yourself when opening your eyes or coming to stand after a meditation. It isn't good for your heart to get up quickly after the state of deep rest that is often a result of meditation. Note: It is OK to glance at a clock to time the meditation. **Don't use an alarm timer.**

I have found the following techniques deepen my experience. You will certainly find your own as well. These techniques are secondary and may be omitted entirely or added later:

Keep your spine straight, head balanced on your cervical column.
Many people like to pray or do visualization after meditating, while still in an altered state. Some teachers of meditation are opposed to this practice while others advocate it. I suggest to do it if it feels right to you. I do.
As a "pre-meditation" preparation, bring your attention to the physical act of breathing. breathe naturally and, with each cyle of the breath, bring your attention to a different part of your body, paying attention to the changes there as a result of the breathing: the rising and falling of the chest; the movement of your belly; the sensation of the air entering and leaving the nostrils; can you feel any movement of your kidney area? How about your pelvis- do you feel your pelvis tilt at all when you breathe? What do you do between breaths? Is there a pause? If you don't feel these things it is OK, just consider them, one at a time, and move on. (This can also serve as a short "centering" meditation that can be done while waiting for a stoplight to change, or as a short work or study break.)

During meditation your business is simple awareness, nothing else. It is a time to connect to your inner Source and let go of the things and roles we get caught up in: work, parenting, concerns and responsibilities. It may be that your meditation is peaceful, or it may be fretful and full of obsessive thought. Regardless, daily meditation will have a positive effect on your life.

Benefits of Meditation: The benefits are unique for each person, but both physiological and psychological balancing is common. Some of the benefits of meditation will be realized quickly, and others over many months, so don't be discouraged.

When to Meditate: I recommend that a person meditate twice a day. Before breakfast and before dinner are ideal. (The digestive system often shuts down during meditation, so a full stomach may result in indigestion.) Remember, whatever happens is OK. It's OK to fall asleep or to not become relaxed, OK to laugh or cry, OK to be, or not to be, in an altered state, OK if the mantra doesn't follow the breath as I have suggested, or even goes away altogether. What is important is that you have an *intention* to think the mantra during your meditation. In short, don't try to control it! For 20 minutes, twice a day, JUST BE!

Questions and comments: The most common question I get when I teach someone to meditate is "What do you mean by "think the mantra gently and easily"?' My best answer is an analogy. When you read you take the effort to look at the page, to focus on the page and the words. And you *intend* to discern the meaning of the words. That is usually enough and the meaning comes without much effort, yet there is *some* effort involved. Thinking the mantra is similar in that you direct a similar level of effort (which is very little, yet it is there) toward thinking the mantra. You do *not* force yourself, brow furrowed, to think the mantra to the exclusion of all else. Just let it come, and if that is not enough, then encourage your mind to think it with a small effort.

If you are tired when you meditate you may fall asleep. Regardless, do not use meditation as a sleep aid. If you have insomnia, just meditate during the day and the insomnia will probably take care of itself.

"Sitting comfortably" to meditate does not mean cross-legged. If that is comfortable for you, you can meditate in that position. However, sitting with your feet flat on the floor, erect but comfortable in a chair, is just as good. Don't lie down.

I suggest that you re-read this occasionally, it contains lots of information.

____________________________________________________

Shareware, etc.: Consider this to be "shareware." If you find the information in it valuable please distribute this document in an appropriate manner and make a donation to a worthy charity in stead of payment. I suggest:

Institute for Attitudinal Studies
PO Box 19222
Alexandria, VA 22230
which is a non-profit educational and spiritual organization which I am not affiliated with. The idea for this meditation page was inspired by the IAS text: To See Differently, Personal Growth and Being of Service Through Attitudinal Healing.

"Prayer is you talking to God; meditation is you listening to God." -Yogi Amrit Desai

Copyright 1995 by Gabriel Zappia. Permission is granted to copy and redistribute this document provided that it remains complete and unmodified, including this copyright notice.
Links to this page are appreciated.

Namaste,
Gabriel

How to Compress Time for Manifestation

2008-12-14T09:32:00.002-05:00

Part 1 of 2

~<((o< ~<((o< ~<((o<

The "AH" Meditation

A mantra is a sound such as "AUM" or "OM" is a sound(s) repeated in a meditation. "AH" is another mantra which is very powerful. "AH" is used specifically to manifest what we want in life. It is associated with "the creation process" and a is the sound of satisfaction. Many gods attributed to "Creation" have the sound ahhhhhh incorporated in their name: Buddha, Allah, Jehovah, God, Yahweh, Rah, and the list goes on...

While focusing on what we want to appear in our lives, such as wealth, health, love and family - anything we desire, we can say a long, slow "AH" repeatedly at the same time. Try it and see how it works for you. Then let us know what happens.

Cool Clock.

2008-12-12T20:08:00.001-05:00

Roll your mouse over to check the website for free clocks!