Journey Oct 2013

Journey - Ours OCT 2013

Today is October 21st, of the year 2013.
We are excited today as we got an offer on our house in Spain.
The whole adventure here ( nearly 3 years ) was amazing. We have grown immensely, specially in the arena of practicality and skills. From running a guest house, to selling inspired creations in the form of earrings/ and jewellery, to creating a beautiful garden. Making a straw bale house to working with bamboo, stones and concrete. Eating from our own vegetable garden.
All this experience  in the confines of the house and garden and much much more in the areas around.

Life was richly eventful.

Now it is time. The calling has been heard. We want to travel again.

So , I write this with smiles in our hearts and eyes.

Me, My husband and our dog will begin our travels as soon as all the official documents in done in the Sale of the house. Here is the moment.
We will leave with our immediate belongings only. Everything else stays with the house.

The baby, still is silent. No news on that front.
But in our hearts we are in the flow.
Life is good.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

May 31, 2013 The energies our moving

Yes I am still waiting, with hope and prayers that I will be a mom.
I am still harboring the conviction that these prayers will be realized.
I see the transformation in my husband , lover and friend as he too starts to develop his faith.

I am still taking the herbs and continue my practice. This helps me to stay calm , peaceful and clear.
On a lighter note, my periods are becoming regular. WEEEEEEEE..

There is still the knowing in me, that he or she will appear one day and we shall being yet another phase in our life.

In the realm of  material reality, we are living in Spain in a lovely home. We do not feel grounded and so currently we are putting all the energy to sell the place and set off.
Only the heavens know how all this story will pan out.

Twice a week we sell artisans in the local markets , which gives us just enough to live on and not to be effected by the CRISIS in spain. At times we dip into the little bit of savings we have but we have been very good and replace it.

This week , I finally got the energy rolling to put out flyers for teaching yoga. WOW a two year hiatus.
anxious to see how all things unfold.

But as long as the space inside me is peaceful, calm and enjoying all the experiences all is good.


BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

RETURNING FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION APRIL 4, 2013

Dear Friends, Soul seekers, Spiritual advents
I have not logged into this blog for a long time.
In my last meditation, I saw April 4th a specific date. This was back in December of 2012.
The journey to conception still goes on. But such an amazing turn.
Since my last meditation , we took a trip into the Amazona in Peru. My soul was looking for an adventure and it sure created it. And the date of our return happened to be today April 4th. The date that showed up in my meditation... all coincidently.

In the Amozona I learned from the amazing plant energies of mama Ayhuasca.
She calmly and gently cleared my energies. I have confidence and some kind of energetic assurance from the other worlds that my daughter will arrive on this planet very soon.

Now I wait patiently.
If you have any questions..
please write to me.
This experience is nearly impossible to put in words but I shall share my best.
Love and light
now for some rest.

THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

December 18, 2012 PHASE II

Today.. I enter Phase II of my spiritual journey.

What is this really about - August 17, 2012

I have never received so many questions on a post;  I myself was overwhelmed.
Contemplating on all the questions received from outside and from within...
I am faced with the question so what does all this really mean.

I have my stories ,  he has his and she has hers. This is what,some call life. The stories themselves render experiences, to grow the soul.
What is my role in all this.

Looking at my life now, I have the house story. We bought a house on a farm in Spain. Not certain if that is what we wanted, yet we find ourselves going along with it.
We are working and cleaning and getting the place and house ready to put a yoga retreat, not certain if that is what we want, yet we find ourselves flowing along with it.
We want a baby, not wanting one before, as we find it to be  the next evolutionary step.

Life is flowing with stories rendering the experiences...
SO WHAT IS MY ROLE ? WHAT AM I TO DO.

Simply witness all that unfolds in your life.
In the witnessing, is the evolution of the human being.
All that has to drop will drop
All that has to unfold will unfold
All that one has to experience will be experienced.

What changes?
Everything .. INCLUDING YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE.

so my message to myself
Keep practising.

THis was always the solution given to me when faced with  problems by my teachers..
Today I find myself absorbed in this teaching.
Keep practicing

Namaste.




BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

A Revelation August 2012

Why this new desire? Desire for babies...
This is the question that stares in front of me?

As I do my daily meditation, often I get glimpses or messages or visions of events , or realizations (my truths).
And so I keep watch for the story behind the desire for baby to show itself one day.

Nearly 3 years ago, The "me"  that  was in existence, wanted a lover an ideal mate and partner, a companion,  to go around celebrating life with.
A close witness of my evolution as a human being..

I recall in all my communion with God or spirit or universe
that is all I would ask , crave and want.
All my prayers, my practice all were some how centered around that subject.
There was no other desires.
Then it all unfolded surprisingly  even to me; my parents ; my friends.
I met him, we fell in love , got married.. moved to Spain , bought a house on a farm in the mountains.
A lovely romantic tale that linked all these events. It happened super fast. I had a deep knowing that it was all the grace of the higher spirits.

When that settled, and new days started to dawn....... then crept in the baby desire.
I cannot imagine ever desiring children , in my recent past.
Somehow in the here and now, there is the Wanting.
So alive and so real etched in my nervous system.
I see the whole world through this desire.

Question is Why? and so I keep searching for the answer through my practice.

What my ego really craves for is a affirmation of my practice. A kinda yep you are on the right track and keep going. For that to happen I have three scenarios , that my mind has created.
Something in me wants one of these events to unfold.

ONE:  I feel that becoming a mother would be like moving totally into a new dimension.
I would evolve from being a child of my parents.. to becoming a parent to a child.
I want to understand my parents through the lens of being a parent myself, with that a whole new world would open up infront of me.

TWO: I become self realized. Cannot explain more on that. It is a deep curiosity that has seeped inside me from eons ago.  I want to be in the same state that I have seen my masters and teachers in. I want to see the world from that lens.

THREE: my existence should just end. ( Well perhaps this one, is not clear but there is a contemplation behind it). It would be similar to entering another dimension.

and so.. everyday I find myself waiting for one of the three to reveal itself.
I know very well that I am limited by these three ideas.

TODAY I DISCOVERED ANOTHER SCENARIO
and so I open up my mind just a little more.

FOURTH: I transcend my craving for babies . The desire simply vanish as it crept in.

YOGA is truly an amazing practice!

Even if it just a momentary daily acknowledgement of the divine.
With daily practice you can keep the dramas at bay
and simply enjoy that which is unfolding.

Will keep posting on what actually Happens!

Namaste.




BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

The watching , the witnessing.... July 2012

I do my daily practice of meditation, at times followed by asanas.
I take my regular dose of pills (for the hormone and baby story) and follow the regiment instructed by the doctor.

I don't think I have ever payed such close attention to the rhythms in my body.
I recall many times instructing to do so, during a class but I truly never did,  to this degree.

I can still feel layers of tension being peeled away.  Body settling into a new balance and each time fostering a thought that ahhh.. perhaps this is the balancing the body needed.  Having myself balanced .. I can now go on to experiencing motherhood ...
Wow this chains of thoughts link themselves so fast, that if I am not vigilant I end up with a totally different vibratory body... riddled with agitation and anxiousness as one thought leads into the next creating an all out Television drama.

The practice is to always face the truth and restore  balance. As you not deny your agitations but examine it at the  source and free yourself from the attachment to the false ideas.
My false ideas, I am limited my my age
My false ideas, I can never become a mother and so why am I playing house
My false ideas, If I cant have a baby may be ... and it goes on.
All this are not the truth. Truth is this moment.

Do you know ,  in one of my dramatic bouts , I even consulted an astrologer?
Who told me I had no chance, given my birth day at time.
I cried for a span of 5 to 6 minutes profusely.
Then I let it go, with the help of some listening ears and some faint distant hope that may be my birth date was an error.

One week later I find out .. it was in error.
Life is always full of surprises.

As I  record my temperature every morning .. I wonder who really controls it? Is it all written out already?
Does my popping pill have any relevance in the story that writes itself out?

Last week there was  no sign of  new cycle when the pills popping took a break... The temp stayed up.
Oh my God could I be...
I must have tested myself twice both being negative.
I watched the drama flood into my head. Cried a little. Indulged in sorrowful stories a little.
and then I hear the voice of  vedanta....  I find space... distance from the experience.

Wow.. I nearly slipped there.
So tears all wiped off...
Sound vibes back in resonance
smiles on the face.

Last night I had a dream the cycle has started

This morning it did.
So the waiting game continues.

Remember this is just my story.  You have yours and She has hers, He his.
There are merely the tales of thoughts that are woven.
When one thought takes life .. unfolding into may be this and may be that.
The truth is each second, we are born to infinite possiblities.
Live this truth.

Namaste.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

Tossing of the mind, the doubts seeping in- June 2012

I have been practicing for some time now. On days like this, it feels like forever. Almost so, that I am expecting to be drama free. To be simply floating across the ocean of life.

So my special soul and I, are both playing house here, in the south of Spain. For two 'foot loose and fancy free' humans, this sure is a completely new stage in life. Our parents wanted us to settle down in some arena, that could be mutually relatable.

And that turned out to be in a little home in Spain ; but still in the farm side ... hoping that it would still keep the heart and spirit humble and eager to learn. I am surprised at the toll of responsibility taking its climb. My me , if once is not careful ... we can slip into some dinky danky Soap Opera. and we don';t want that.

At times I find myself double guessing our move to Europe. Guatemala my last destination, was easier on the finance side , which made all moves care free. Here there are bills. Which means work. Which means effort and expectations. A little challenging to always stay in the moment and observe life. As we are both on the same thinking wave, there is peace in the home, smiles, and mostly good days.

But the great mighty universe needs to create a little excitement so.. there is something else bubbling. I am at a stage in my life where I think a child would be a great experience for me. My partner thinks the same. So we have two YES... A comfy house.. Putting energies to make the yoga space to balance out the expense equation , doing my daily practice and so the next step would be the baby...But there is no baby coming. You have to laugh No?

This baby chapter.. Has become one of the biggest challenges I have faced in a long long time. To that I am totally grateful. But why can I not work out through this one? I fee a lot of confusion in my head. A lot of questions.. and that nasty creepy thing called doubt. But can my head always stay clear? stay focused? In balance? be a a good example to the world? Could I still teach yoga ??? If I am having these doubts. Adding yet anothe doubt to the cluster..

It seems I have a little hormonal imbalance. But the master gland pitutary is responsible for creating hormones. And with a daily meditative practise, it should be in order? No? So what is going on. My two alternatives at this point is one to to keep practicing, and let life write out the story. The other is to pop some pills. Hormonal pills. That could write out my life in another way.

It truly does not matter which way life unfolds. But what matter is how I surf through this Ocean of waves. May the universe guide me ever still. So that my head stays focused, clarity remains, the mind at peace and that I may continue to observe that which is already etched out in the skies... SO AS TO BRING THE BEST OUT IN ME.

Namaste

A new chapter unfolds - May 2012

It is May 3rd, in the year 2012. I have been anticipating this year immensely.

The great ascension in 2012; I truly and totally believe, that as humans we are in a continuous process of evolving . But this year is extra special as it is gifted with a planetary alignment that energetically aides us in this process. But for the whole benefit to ripen; one has to be aware. Remember this is just my idea.

I am in the South of Spain, in a little town called Lanjaron. The universe has been immensely kind to me, providing me with yet another adventure. Married life but still living modestly in the farm country. Putting the energies out there to start a yoga space with meditation, chanting, healing, spiritual circle and all that good stuff. Also putting energies for a new life to come , that would help me learn and grow even more. But always remembering , that the universe will gently guide me, no matter how my life unfolds.

Playing house ( the responsibilities and patience that it requires, to keep it humming in a fine tune) requires a lot of discipline from me. Which means daily practice.

Each morning when I visit my mat and relax into meditation, I can feel my body aligning, balancing and healing it self. Space is reborn. From there, emerges clarity, calmness and gratitude. Life is truly magical and flows when you simply allow it to.

Namaste

MY JOURNEY, in Morocco Nov 2011

I wake up to the heat of the Moroccon sun.
I may have done the physical actions necessary to find myself here
but my mind still remains in awe.

Just a week ago; we were in Spain, and before elsewhere and before that some where else.
I can see the wind of restlessness that is carrying us from place to place.
It is easy to slip into feelings of frustration
as we face stories after stories
that is impeding our urge to settle down in a home.

Then I am reminded, as I watch the stories, as they play out!
For the teachings; the learnings; the messages are in them.

In meditation, as I start to feel the presence within,
a distance emerges from the ..I.. and the physical act that plays out.
You come to witness the emotions as part of the act, and not the ..I..
you are the obeserver.

One can laugh, cry or make merry
as the stories themselves unfold.
Today Morroco; Yesterday Spain
today this story; yesterday that.

Enjoy it all
there are forever changing
come to sit in the witnessing pressence
and enjoy as you ride out the stories of life.

Om shanti

My journey

I bow before his holiness Swami Sivanada who put this spark of pursuit and curiosity within me. It has lead me on a truly magical journey. As I practice and learn, the more I realize that I am opening up in ways beyond just flexibility and strength within my body.

I hope to share these experiences and benefits of my own living practice. My approach to learning and teaching is to help people find joy, and comfort that comes from letting go. Incorporating the power of breath and the attitude of witnessing, one can learn to unleash the reservoir of energy, from within. I have spent the last memorable years in my quest and exploration, as I learn to live yoga not just on the mat but in every moment.

Looking forward to sharing our energy. Namaste

Practices bringing about awareness

HOW DOES MEDITATION AND SPRITIUAL PRACTICES) BRING ABOUT SUCH AN AWARENESS ?

Ultimately all these discussions above is to bring about the realization that something becomes alive, simply by the act of being aware, of its presence. The very act of witnessing is potent. In Physics it is now called the “Observer Effect” The act of observing influences that which is observed.

How does one prepare the mind to absorb subtle truths?

Sometimes the human mind is not able to grasp the subtly of transcendental subjects. If you are unable to grasp these ideas, do not worry. Perhaps the fault is on the writer. There is plenty of material on the net from other sources, expressed differently. Just remember
“one once of practice is worth a tons of theory” Swami Sivanada.

Continue with the practical approach and things will reveal themselves.

Pope the Polack is on a pilgrimage in Calcutta where he makes an official visit to Mother Teresa's orphanage.
Mother Teresa is showing him around, and the Polack is bending and kissing everything in sight.
Suddenly, as he bends over to kiss Mother Teresa's new church organ, the pope recoils in terror. There, stretched out across the top of the organ, is a big black condom.
Purple with rage, Pope the Polack demands an explanation from Mother Teresa.
"Well," says Mother Teresa, "one of my orphans found it in a package on the street, and when I read the label it said: `Place on organ and feel secure.'"

Who are you - must read

We identify ourselves with names and functions that we taken on in each form as the Accountant, the mother , sister, girlfriend, etc.
But what is common in all these forms?  The person you.

The trap of names and form - must read

Imagine I am holding a bright red hibiscus in front of you. What do you see? The bright red colour of its petals and the gold powdery dust in its stamen. You would say it is a beautiful “flower”. Now imagine that I tear all the petals out and separate out the stamen. What do you see now?
Do you still see the flower? Do you still see the beauty?

The monkey mind

My teacher use to say the mind is like a drunken monkey bit by a scorpion. What is blocking our awareness is thoughts. We are constantly bombarded with millions of thoughts of the past and future, then we loose awareness of the present moment .. “now".

States of Ignorance part 4

Lack of Awareness                                                                                                                   
What is your state of mind now? Are you calm? Are you aware you are calm? When you get agitated ? are you still aware?
When one is conscious of events one is said to be aware. Now Imagine to be aware of  totality. All events that is happening.

Imagine yourself taking  a walk  on a street in Paris….   Are you aware of  your physical body, your  breath, your thoughts, your emotional state, the surrounding….the feel of the feet in the shoe , on the pavement.  The fragrance of the  passers by, , The smell of the coffee brewing in the café ; aware of all events as they occur , as you walk by.

States of Ignorance part 3

Harbouring feelings of guilt

This is usually a big problem among families . I have first hand experience of it. I hated some of the reasonings and logic of parents. Yet I continued to appease there wishes cause it was easier to bear that, than the wrath of guilt. Untill I started to examine my feelings.

States of Ignorance part 2

Denying the senses                                                                                                              
When you deny your self of your desire or cravings  you simply free the mind at a superficial level. For the desire roots itself deep in the reservoir of the mind.  There you continue to generate and multiply the defilement.  This sleeping volcano of suppressed negativity soon or later may erupt in a violent explosion.

States of Ignorance Part 1

States of Ignorance

Suffering.

It is said that suffering ( the root cause of it all) comes from feelings of seperatedness. This stems from the fact that we are ignorant of our true self; we have clouded our awareness with conditioning. We do not see things as they are.
The experience of seeing things as they truly are is a layered concept.
As you start the path of discovery, the deepness or profoundnesss of layering (that prevents us from experiencing truth) start to unravel .

Examples.. life serves us plenty examples of this …
If a punk rocker stood in front of you.. what do you see? What surfaces to your mind?
The thoughts and ideas from your experiences with and about this subject “punk rocker”would swell to surface , distorting your ability to really see the person .. You would judge him weather you wanted to or not

Taking up a Practice

TAKING UP A PRACTICE
 

What is your intention?

What do you want to achieve?

Measure of Progress

As you take on a practice, invite your intellect, mind and body. The spirit will flow. Perceive your progress by asking yourself

Practical approach

Practical approach                                                                                                            

The best techniques I have read to date are by Swami Sivanada                                           
His philopsohy is herald for its simplicity and easy application.
Do good, be good. This releases the mind of the tension. When the mind is calm the gross manifestation of the mind, “ the body” starts to relax .  Love Joy and compassion spring forth when the agitations of the mind  disappear.

As per the teaching of Swami SIvanada, “ human perfection”  doesn’t come from  just  a few stretches of your thighs or sitting quietly in contemplation. . True foundation of  spiritual practices  come from  proper conduct.
AN OUNCE OF PRACTICE IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY!

Meditative approach part 6

5) Relaxation techniques

Yoga Nidra or yogic sleep is the practice of bringing the awareness to the various parts of the body consciously relaxing them. The practice works deeply on the nervous and endocrine system, calming the mind and body. When the body is at rest , healing begins. Very powerful technique, benefits are immediately recognizable and I highly recommend it everyone.
An audio technique to experience relaxation, will be posted if there is a demand

6) YOGA

Working on the human being on all levels, yoga is said to culminate the mind body and spirit to experience all that there is. Incorporting the power of breath and the attitude of witnessing, one learns to unleash the reservoir of infinite wisdom.

Meditative approach part 5

4) Visualization techniques                                                                

Mind’s natural tendency to visualize is used to create “forms”. Visualize  light, energy, energy points  or even  visualize a relaxing scenario . Relaxing the nervous system, calming the mind, the body natural intelligence springs to surface  and healing begins . Highly recommend practice  for beginners  as it produces instant observable results. 

Meditative approaches Part 4

3) Practice of witnessing your breath

Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Wait for the breath to come to its natural flow. What happens as you watch your breath.Allow the breath to be effortless as you silently watch its natural rhythm. Observe each moment of inflow and out flow. Don't inhale and exhale deliberately. Simply watch the breath. Don't watch your body breathing. Observe the breath itself.

Meditative Approach part 3

2) Practice of observing your thoughts by Krishna Murti

Thoughts prevent us from seeing things as they are. To understand what is being said. One should know what thoughts are. Do not look up a defition of thought. Observe the thoughts. Come to understand the processes of thoughts. Not the content of thoughts but the nature of thoughts themselves. (meditation practices aim at developing skills so that you are able to observe thoughts).

Meditative Approach Part 2

1) Practice of observing your sensations by Goenka – Vipassana

Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind. It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion.

Meditative Approach Part 1

Meditative Approaches                                                                                                                   

Two men meet on the street. One asks the other: "Hi, how are you?"
The other one replies: "I'm fine, thanks." "And how's your son? Is he still unemployed?"
"Yes, he is. But he is meditating now." "Meditating? What's that?"
"I don't know. But it's better than sitting around and doing nothing!"

Technique                                                                                                            
Sit comfortably or you may choose a  meditative siting positions. Allow the spine to be straight but relaxed.  Arms , shoulders, jaw, throat all totally relaxed. Allow the natural breath to flow in and out as you observe each inhalation moving into exhalation. Feel the body relax into the comfort of its posture.

Intellectual Approach

Intellectual approach

1) Self –Inquiry by Ramana Maharishi

Practice of self-inquiry into “ who am I” in which the seeker focuses continuous attention on the I-thought in order to find its source. In the beginning this requires effort, but eventually something deeper than the ego takes over and the mind dissolves in the heart center. R.M

What if I never get to this state?

Even if you remove a dot of ignorance, life unfolds for the better.

These were my initial fears. What if all this is not true. I could be just wasting my life staring and something that is tuned to be automatic anyways. Like my breath.
But as you take on the practice, perhaps initially with effort (like chasing the donkey with a stick) , when you least expect you realize there is a helper, a strength within, that guides and wants the best for you.

Slowly… Thoughts become less, the mind becomes still. Feelings of respect and gratitude towards your self, others develop. Compassion and loving kindness sets in. You health improves and experience a deep sense of joy and peace. Mental dramas generating suffering comes to an end.

The Truth

Human beings are cable of achieving a “state” of higher intelligence; an ability to “tap” into a reservoir of intuition, or abundant energy. Without a single trace of doubt. There are many provisional explanations for this, but none would do real justice as the actual experience.
Imagine you are looking at the world through a peep hole and then suddenly you slip through the hole; as you awaken to a greater reality.

Approaching 2012

There is a lot of excitement as we approach 2012 December 21. Over what?
For the dawn of the “Age of Consciousness”
 Many spiritual circles are predicting that on December of 2012, human race collectively will experience a raise of our consciousness.  To truly experience a radical shift within you, you have to be aware, intuitively.

The human experience -Your full potential

The following articles discuses ( in its deepest sense) the science of human perfection. Techniques on how a person can attain their fullest potential of development: The separation of man from his true essence is caused by the conditioning of the human mind. Ignorance. True freedom is the experience, resulting from the removal of these shackles.

How does one go there.. from here?

There is a state, a being, a presence, consciousness… call it what you will. But there exists a state of being. Of feeling alive. I am not talking about being alive from a scientific point of view ( for they even consider patients in coma as alive) .. I am talking about feeling alive. A state so unmistakable, that when you are in it, there are no doubts, no questions, no restless.

Just stillness , just the experience!

Before I continue, I want you to realize and come to understand that what I am writing down on these pages, is not just something I have read in a book and heard but something very real, that I have experienced. I have through my practice been graced with the ability to experience this. Have a glimpse into this state. The spark is lit to want to remain in the NOW.

HELLO WORLD! HOW DO YOU FEEL?

The Response to this question can be favourable or not, depending on how you have walked the journey of your life.

If your were guided by your senses directed towards the outside world, I guess you would respond with dismay . If you ventured solely towards the inside world.. you would not be reading this right now.