~ Diwali ~ Diwali ~Beautiful Diwali ~

Diwali Lamps Burning

Diwali as the Festival of Lights. They light diyas—cotton string wicks inserted in small clay pots filled with oil—to signify victory of good over the evil within an individual.

On the day of Diwali / Deepavali, many wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

While Diwali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant spiritual meaning is “the awareness of the inner light”.

Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Diwali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace). *

So for this wonderful new beginning I practiced this musdra during meditation:

Mukula Mudra

The Mukula Mudra’s appearance resembles the bud of a lotus flower. Represents new beginnings or start up a new enterprise.

This is a beutiful mudra to practice on this day!

Namaste!

Diwali as the Festival of Lights. They light diyas—cotton string wicks inserted in small clay pots filled with oil—to signify victory of good over the evil within an individual.

~ Anjali Mudra ~ Pranamanjali

I have covered various mudras prior to this post, however I wanted to cover this mudra since it the Mudra that is used most often.  At the begining of a Yoga class at the end of a Yoga class.  But I personally try t use it throughout the day.  Most of the time when someone had made a purchase at the store, when I meet a wonderful soul or when I am in silent mediation within.

(Sanskrit) “Reverence gesture.” Also called pranamanjali. A gesture of respect and greeting, in which the two palms are held softly together and slightly cupped. Often accompanied by the verbal salutation “namaskara,” meaning “reverent salutation.” The anjali mudra has various forms, including held near the chest in greeting equals, at eye level in greeting one’s guru, and above the head in salutation to God. One form is with the open hands placed side by side, as if by a beggar to receive food, or a worshiper beseeching God’s grace in the temple.

What is a mudra? ~ (Sanskrit) “Seal.”  Esoteric hand gestures which express specific energies or powers. Usually accompanied by precise visualizations, mudras are a vital element of ritual worship (puja), dance and yoga.

Among the bestknown mudras are:

1)    abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness), in which the fingers are extended, palm facing forward;

Abhaya Mudra

2)    anjali mudra (gesture of reverence); The gesture is used for both greetings and farewells, but carries a deeper significance than a simple “hello” or “goodbye”. The joining together of the palms is said to provide connection between the right and left hemispheres of the brain and represents unification or “yoking”.  This yoking is symbolic of the practitioner’s connection with the divine in all things. Hence, performing anjali mudra is an honouring of both the self and the other as the gesture acknowledges the divinity of both practitioner and recipient.

Anjali Mudra

3)    jnana mudra (also known as chin mudra and yoga mudra), in which the thumb and index finger touch, forming a circle, with the other fingers extended;

Jnana Mudra

4)    dhyana mudra (seal of meditation), in which the two hands are open and relaxed with the palms up, resting on the folded legs, the right hand atop the left with the tips of the thumbs gently touching.

Dynana Mudra

At the end of Anjali Mudra you say eiether Namaste or Namaskara.  Below is the definition of the word Namaskara.

namaskara: (Sanskrit) “Reverent salutations.”  Traditional Hindu verbal greeting and mudra where the palms are joined together and held before the heart or raised to the level of the forehead. The mudra is also called anjali. It is a devotional gesture made equally before a temple Deity, holy person, friend or momentary acquaintance.

Yoga philosophy keeps me interested in my practice and keeps me wanting to learn more!! More and More and More!!!

Mudras and the Power of Meditation Info #1

So – Today I would like to talk about Mudras.  They are so powerful.  Here is a bit of History on Mudras:

A mudrā [muːˈdrɑː] (help·info) (Sanskrit: मुद्रा, lit. “seal”) is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. While some mudrās involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. A mudrā is a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity employed in the iconography and spiritual practice of Indian religions and traditions of Dharma and Taoism.

There are few different types of Mudras.  Actually from what I have read there are over 200 mudras.  Mudras to help the energy flow, cleanse the blood and body.  Mudras when there is a cold, etc.  Below is a small explanation of the few that I have been trying to learn and adapt in my mediation.

GYAN MUDRA

This is Gyan Mudra.  The effect is to help with a wandering mind, stimulates happiness, memory is sharpened, and the intellect develops.  This is the Mudra you see in most art when studying/admiring art from India and various Buddhist representations.

Shoonya Mudra

This for releif in any kind of disease and earaches/ear issues.

*(I have found that a neti pot session followed by a 24 minute continuous meditation is quite healing to an earache.)

Apaan Mudra

This mudra is helpful in the elimination of waste from the mouth, ears, eyes, nose, etc.  It also helps when urine is obstructed and when there is some constipation.

(All of the senses have a reaction in the body that only meditation and yoga can help control)  Each body has physical reactions that correlate with the senses.  The book “Autobiography of a Yogi” explains it really well.  (Refer to Chapter 45.)

Prana Mudra

This mudra is specific to pumping life force into the body.  Hence the name “Prana”.  This mudra is also known to be beneficial to the eyes.  It is said to impart special powers.

(Prana- is a Sanskrit word that refers to a vital, life-sustaining force of living beings and vital energy in natural processes of the universe.  In Yoga we are taught that our breath is our vital life force.  The breathe is what keeps our soul in our body.  Once the breathe no longer exists, out soul leaves)

Vayu Mudra

This particular Mudra is employed to those that suffer from Parkinsons.  It is said to help with the shaking that comes from Parkinsons.  However, it also helps those that suffer from any kind arthritis.

Prithvi Mudra

This mudra is said to help the body feel sturdy and strong.  It is also said to both increase and build happiness.

The amount of energy that is passed and kept within the body by the fingertips touching is an amazing thing!

Varun Mudra

This is a great Mudra.  This is to help the deteriation of the blood due to lack of water, vitamins, minerals, and general bad diet.  The mudra helps clear the blood and allows the body to replenish itself.

Our bodies are amazing instruments.  They are meant to be taken care of and cherished.

That’s all for now.  Have a great Friday to all!

Namaste!

Yoga – Meditation & My Life

Om Om Ommmm

My practice had begun to slip again.  My energy is very low these days.  My reasoning is my nutritional intake.  I beleive if I continue to seek a raw food diet I will be able to circumvent certain problems in my life and have more energy to combat those which come in the form of illusion.  Maya.

When I read Autobiography of a Yogi, they speak of this.  I have had many people mention Yogananda to me.  I have even had the pleasure of divine intervention speaking to me recently.  I feel pulled in so many directions and think that it should all work.

Thank you to the divine that has given me all that I have.  The divine who bestowed life upon me and all of the riches I have at this moment.  Bless me and keep me safe.  I want healing and love for all of those around me.  Kindness and Love.  The reassurance that it will be okay.  I was lucky to have had a mother to talk to me and tell me that it would be okay.  No matter what.  Although spiritual in her own way my mother was kind and forgiving.  Sometimes I think – “If I could have the same attitude my mother had when I was young, I may go farther in my battle with Maya!”

I keep referring to my post about Maya and Pranayama.  I truly believe in Pranayama and it’s healing of illusory and karma.  There is a Swami named RamDev who beleives Prana Yama can heal anything.  I can understand why.  WHat it is doing and why it is doing it.  My hopes is that I reach the mountain top many times.  Reach the top of the mountain where is wellness, healthy food, yoga and love.

Here is a picture of Swami RamDev

Ram Dev

You can find him on You tube, he has his own videos, spice and ayurvedic company.  He detests soda and bad nutrition.  A lot of what he has to say is quite interesting and not to be taken lightly.  In fact he just purchased an island in Scotland for a Yoga Retreat Center.  The name is Pantanjali Yogi Trust.

Here is a bit of information taken from BBC Arabic—>

“Baba Ramdev is a vegetarian and believes that people can live healthier lives if they become vegetarians like himself and use ancient Indian natural therapy called ayurvedic therapy.

He is also a yoga specialist and teaches a special kind of yoga called pranayama.

Yoga is a mix of physical and mental exercises that has become very popular all over the world.

Baba Ramdev is convinced that yoga is an excellent way to keep healthy and has even told people that it can cure diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and even cancer!”

For someone reading this who knows nothing of Yoga – There are sutras which were written 3+ thousand years ago about ones path in life.  Obstacles we face, ego, illusions, etc.  He (Pantanjai) wrote the sutras and I find that it is really significant information in the quest for enlightenment and truly find what my place is in the divine order of things.  I will post more on Pantanjali at a later date.

Learning & Experiencing The Essence of MAYA

Maya

māyā [Source: from the Monier Williams Sanskrit Dictionary]
. art, wisdom, extraordinary or supernatural power (only in the earlier language)
. illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft magic
. an unreal or illusory image, phantom, apparition
. duplicity (with Buddhists one of the 24 minor evil passions).
. one of the 4 Pāśas or snares which entangle the soul
. one of the 9 Śaktis or energies of Vishṇu

Meditation is Imperative to Success

Whenever anything becomes difficult in life I must remember that is is all an illusion.  The only truth is love.  And the only love in this world id GOD.  There is the duality in each and every space of this life I lead, the sky, even in space there is duality.  The sun and the moon.  All of the changing seasons on earth.  Life and Death.  It is everywhere.  The balance of my Yoga practice and the balance of my business is the most challenging thing in my life.

As gold smelted by fire gives up its dross and gets back its real state , so the mind by means of a systematic devotion to Me winnows off it desire for work and attains to Me.

I found this recently and it really helped.  Focus on God and I cannot go wrong.  Stay dedicated to my practice and I cannot go wrong.  I have found that the interest and fundamental foundations of Yoga are essential to the success of your life and soul.  In the here and now.  In the spiritual realm as well.

I read a book called the Heart and Soul of Yoga.  The book was a real guide to add the foundations of Yoga into your life.  The best thing I can tell is that I carry the spiritualism in Yoga and the thought patterns adn then they are gone.  Usually when my practice is suffering.

He should sit firm, holding his body, neck and head erect and still, and gaze steadily at the tip of his nose without looking around.

One should purify the passage of Prana (breath) by means of inhalation, retention, and exhalation practice slowly in the inverse order, with the senses under control.

Raising the syllable OM to the heart by means of Pranayama (breath-control), one should add to it the vowel. The OM is like the continuous peal of a bell, and extending in a thin line like a thread in a lotus stalk.

Thus One should practice the Pranayama coupled with OM, ten times, thrice daily; Then within a month one will control Prana.

If the yogi, being deluded, makes mistake in life, he should burn away his/her sins and impurities by prayer and meditation. This yoga of prayer and meditation is the only way of atonement.

Serene and fearless, steadfast in Brahmachari vow (practising continence), and ever thinking on Me , he should sit in yoga, regarding Me as the supreme goal.

For him, who is temperate in food and recreation, temperate in his exertion at work, temperate in sleep and waking, yoga puts an end to all sorrows.

This yoga should be practised with perseverance, undisturbed by depression of heart.

A yogi, striving diligently, is purified of all sins, and becoming perfect through many births, reaches the supreme Goal.

Supreme Bliss comes to the yogi whose mind is completely tranquil and whose passions are quieted, who is free from strain and who has identified himself with Brahman.

Among all the yogis, he who, full of faith, with his inner-self merged in Me , worship is most devout to Me .

All next week I will be eating from a Raw food diet and I will see how that changes my energy level.  I will be making a list of things I will need to do and then I will update at the end of the week to see if there was a change in my energy levels, etc.

Live Burger Patties:

Almond Flax Patties

Pecan Patties

Walnut Hemp Patties

Big Salads

Orange Pepita Dressing

Lemon Tahini Dressing

Balsalmic Vinegar and Oil

Kale Cashew Ricotta Mushroom Roll Ups

Quinoa with Red Peppers and Chickpeas

UPDATE STARTING MONDAY!!!