yoga - Spiritual Blogs - Ashtar Command - Spiritual Community2024-03-28T09:52:09Zhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/yogaCreating a Beautiful and Comfortable Environment for a Yoga Classhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/creating-a-beautiful-and-comfortable-environment-for-a-yoga-class2016-09-01T06:30:00.000Z2016-09-01T06:30:00.000ZAlisha Kapoorhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/AlishaKapoor<div><p>The earth is a vital component with regards to yoga classes in south mumbai. There is a reason experienced yogis will pick quiet and lovely situations when they need to go on yoga retreat. At the point when honing in a studio, it might be hard to recreate the magnificence that nature gives however it is essential to improve the solace by making a wonderful and agreeable environment. The accompanying tips will prove to be useful while enriching the studio.<br /><br /></p><p><strong>Evacuate mess<br /><br /></strong></p><p>An open space without disarray is essential to give the best environment. Guaranteeing that there are no diversions in the room will help the understudies to focus on what they are doing. You might be enticed to acquaint your enlivening abilities with the space yet you need to recollect that with yoga, less in additional. Pointless hardware, furniture and different adornments are diverting, as well as can be unsafe.<br /><br /></p><p><strong>Sufficient space</strong><br /><br /></p><p>You may be enticed to enlist a colossal number of understudies to profit however you need to recall that your space will decide the perfect size of class you can deal with. You might have wide involvement in various yoga educator courses that joins <b><a href="https://shivholisticyoga.com/">yoga classes in south Mumbai</a></b> however don't attempt to pack an excess of understudies in one class. Taking an excess of understudies will imply that you can't give everybody your consideration and the understudies don't have enough space to appreciate the best experience.<br /><br /></p><p><strong>Guarantee security<br /><br /></strong></p><p>There are numerous sorts of yoga out there and one style that is picking up prevalence is the Hot Yoga so you must try out the yoga classes in south mumbai. Before you present this style, ensure that the room is agreeable. This sort of yoga is not alright for individuals with therapeutic issues such as diabetes or those inclined to mix up spells. It is likewise not suggested for individuals beyond 60 years old or pregnant ladies. It is not a smart thought for fledglings to bounce straight into hot yoga on their first day. Keep in mind that with this style, individuals are going to sweat a ton and towels are fundamental.<br /><br /></p><p>When you choose to get into the yoga business then think of yoga classes in south mumbai, getting yoga instructor preparing is only the initial step. You need to consider the most ideal approach to draw in and hold understudies. Making an agreeable studio air will guarantee that the understudies continue returning. Pay consideration on every individual in the room with the goal that you can distinguish the individuals who are battling and need more offer assistance.</p></div>FOUR TECHNIQUES IN PRANAYAMA YOGAhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/four-techniques-in-pranayama-yoga2015-12-06T04:20:03.000Z2015-12-06T04:20:03.000ZAlisha Kapoorhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/AlishaKapoor<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8109320893,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8109320893,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="400" alt="8109320893?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Pranayama is a breath-control strategy. In Sanskrit, pran implies life and ayama implies way. Pranayama can help you direct your framework, change your inclination and guarantee life span. The primary parts of pranayama are inward breath, exhalation and maintenance. Pranayama dependably starts with inward breaths and exhalations. This fortifies the lungs and parities the sensory system, setting up the body to hold the breath [retention]. Rehearsing pranayama all the time controls vitality stream to the 72 thousand nadis [channels through which awareness flows] in our body, helping us enhance our wellbeing.</p><p><br /><strong>Sorts of pranayama:</strong><br /><br />There speak the truth 50 distinctive <a href="https://shivholisticyoga.com/our-techniques/yoga-weight-loss/" target="_blank">yoga for weight loss</a> pranayamas depicted in the Vedas. Underneath we list eight most basic and critical ones:<br /><br /><strong>CHANDRABHEDAN:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Technique:</strong><br /><br />1. Sit in a reflective stance or in an agreeable position on the floor.<br />2. Keep your back straight and shoulders loose.<br />3. Close your right nostril with right hand thumb.<br />4. Inhale from the left nostril.<br />5. Close the left nostril with the right hand list and center fingers.<br />6. Exhale from the right nostril.<br /><br />This finishes one round of Chandrabhedan pranayama. You can step by step do up to 20 rounds.<br /><br /><strong>Advantage:</strong><br /><br />Chandrabhedan cools the body and cures acid reflux.<br /><br /><strong>Disagreements:<br /></strong><br />Dodge this pranayama on the off chance that you experience the ill effects of low pulse. Note: This pranayama is to be done just amid summer.<br /> <br /><strong>SURYABHEDAN:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Strategy:</strong><br /><br />1. Sit in a thoughtful stance or in an agreeable stance.<br />2. Close your left nostril with your list and center finger of the right hand.<br />3. Inhaling from your right nostril.<br />4. Close the right nostril with your right hand thumb.<br />5. Exhale through the left nostril.<br /><br />This finishes one round of Suryabhedan pranayama. You can steadily do up to 20 rounds.<br /><br /><strong>Advantages of Suryabhedan:</strong><br /> <br />• Increases body warmth and vitality levels<br />• Improves assimilation<br />• Purifies blood<br />• Delays maturing.<br /> <br /><strong>Contraindications:</strong><br /><br />• Avoid doing this pranayama on the off chance that you experience the ill effects of acridity, hypertension or heart issues.<br />• It is to be done just amid winter.<br /> <br /><strong>ANULOM-VILOM:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Technique:</strong><br /><br />1. Sit in an agreeable adjusted reflective stance.<br />2. Use the right hand thumb to close your right nostril.<br />3. Inhale from the left nostril.<br />4. Close your left nostril with your right hand's record and center fingers<br />5. Exhale from the right nostril.<br />6. Do the opposite: breathe in with the right nostril.<br />7. Close your right nostril with your right hand thumb.<br />8. Exhale with the left nostril.<br /><br />This is one round of anulom-vilom pranayama.<br /><br /><strong>Advantages:<br /></strong><br /><strong>Anulom-Vilom helps in:</strong><br /><br />• Balancing body temperature<br />• Relieving anxiety<br />• Cleansing the nadis in your body<br />• Improving blood dissemination<br />• Promoting life span.<br /><br /><strong>Keep in mind:<br /></strong><br />While rehearsing this pranayama, you must inhale into your lungs and not into your stomach. It should be possible the year round and by each one.<br /><br /><strong>BHASTRIKA:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Strategy:<br /></strong><br />1. Sit in a thoughtful stance or in an agreeable position on the floor.<br />2. Keep the back straight and shoulder muscles loose.<br />3. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and convey your right elbow to the level of right shoulder.<br />4. Close your eyes. Breathe in and breathe out through left nostril—first gradually, then somewhat quicker<br />5. Do the above strides around 20 – 25 times.<br />6. Take a long breath in and hold it for whatever length of time that conceivable this is one round of bhastrika pranayama. Presently, rehash this round by shutting your left nostril and breathing through your right nostril.<br /><br /><strong>Advantages:</strong><br /><br /><strong>This pranayama:<br /></strong><br />• Releases poisons from the body<br />• Reduces overabundance fat<br />• Enhances processing<br />• Regulates the sensory system<br />• Purifies blood.<br /><br /><strong>Disagreements:<br /></strong><br />Abstain from honing bhastrika pranayama on the off chance that you experience the ill effects of hypertension, heart/lung muddling or hernia. Frail persons [people with some disease or a low stamina] ought to abstain from</p></div>How Yoga Heals the Diseased Hearthttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/how-yoga-heals-the-diseased-heart2014-11-24T20:01:32.000Z2014-11-24T20:01:32.000ZAvatarhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/Avatar433<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8109200063,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="347" class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8109200063,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8109200063?profile=original" /></a><span class="font-size-3">By Sayer Ji</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>What if the simple act of doing yoga could heal your diseased heart? </strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">A new study titled, “<strong><a href="http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0066-782X2014005040149&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en" target="_blank"><font color="#F06A1D">Effects of Yoga in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis</font></a></strong>,” reveals that this ancient practice, ever-increasing in popularity in the West, has profound benefits to those who are <strong><a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/disease/cardiovascular-diseases" target="_blank"><font color="#F06A1D">suffering from cardiovascular disease</font></a></strong>.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">Previous to this study, the idea that yoga could heal a diseased heart was considered strictly theoretical, which is what motivated a team of Portuguese researchers to put the concept to the test.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">The team performed a meta-analysis of the published research on the topic of how yoga might improve exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">Their methodology was described as follows:</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">“We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Excerpta Medica database, LILACS, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, The Scientific Electronic Library Online, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (from the earliest date available to December 2013) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of yoga versus exercise and/or of yoga versus control on exercise capacity (peakVO2) and quality-of-life (HRQOL) in Chronic Heart Failure.”</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">The analysis found two studies that met the selection criteria, which included 30 yoga and 29 control patients.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">Their results were reported as follows:</span></p><div align="center" style="margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;"></div><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">“The results suggested that yoga compared with control had a positive impact on peak VO2 and HRQOL. Peak VO2, WMD (3.87 95% CI: 1.95 to 5.80), and global HRQOL standardized mean differences (-12.46 95% CI: -22.49 to -2.43) improved in the yoga group compared to the control group.”</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">Their conclusion indicated that Yoga does have significant benefits for cardiovascular patients:</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">“Yoga enhances peak VO2 and HRQOL in patients with CHF and could be considered for inclusion in cardiac rehabilitation programs.”</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">They found an impressive 22.0% improvement in VO2 peformance and a 24.1% increase in quality of life.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://wakingtimes.com/ads/quantumjumping.html" target="_blank"></a>They advised that based on these prelimary results, “Larger randomized controlled trials are required to further investigate the effects of yoga in patients with CHF.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">Yoga Has Many Health Benefits That Science Now Confirms</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">In a previous article titled, “<a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/modern-science-confirms-yogas-many-health-benefits"><font color="#F06A1D">Modern Science Confirms Yoga’s Many Health Benefits</font></a>,” we looked at the voluminous data that now exists demonstrating the wide range of health benefits yoga has been proven to produce. You can find the first-hand abstracts demonstrating this fact on our research page: <a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/therapeutic-action/yoga"><font color="#F06A1D">Yoga Health Benefits</font></a>, with over 70 indexed thus far!</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">Yoga is, of course, more than a physical exercise, but a method to integrate mind, body and soul. Yoga means, of course, to “unite” or “yoke” the disparate elements of the human experience. When you are engaged fully in yoga, the focus is on being present to one’s breath, which integrates mind and body naturally. Chronic heart failure patients can benefit from the way in which yoga enables the body to integrate into the mind in a way that requires the engagement of the physical and mental aspects of our incarnation, and results ultimately in the relaxation of both deeply.</span></p><h3 dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3" style="color:#ffffff;">Try This To Activate A Deep Yoga Practice Quickly</span></h3><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">If you want a simple, quick way to enter into the realm of yogic healing try this practice:</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">“If I could teach only one yoga exercise—one that had to last you for the rest of your life—it would have to be Sat Kriya.* Why? Because this one exercise contains just about all the benefits of Kundalini Yoga within itself. Sat Kriya is designed to do the one thing from which all well-being springs: raise the kundalini energy.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span class="font-size-3">Here is simple and effective Sat Kriya. It is by no means the last word on Sat Kriya; but beyond words, it works.”</span></p></blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">The details are spelled <strong><a href="http://www.3ho.org/articles/everything-kriya-sat-kriya" target="_blank"><font color="#F06A1D">out here</font></a>.</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>About the Author:</strong> Sayer Ji is the founder of GreenMedInfo.com, an author, educator, Steering Committee Member of the <a href="http://www.gmofreeglobal.org/en/steering-committee" target="_blank">Global GMO Free Coalition (GGFC),</a> and an advisory board member of the National Health Federation. </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/how-yoga-heals-diseased-heart-1">http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/how-yoga-heals-diseased-heart-1</a></span></p></div>The Mystical Art of Breathing: How to Access Higher States of Consciousness With Your Breathhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/the-mystical-art-of-breathing-how-to-access-higher-states-of2014-09-13T00:00:00.000Z2014-09-13T00:00:00.000ZAvatarhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/Avatar433<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8109183254,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="300" class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8109183254,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8109183254?profile=original" /></a><span class="font-size-3">Posted by The Healers Journal admin:</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><em><strong>HJ:</strong> Breathing is such an integral part of life that we tend to take it for granted. It simply happens day in and day out endlessly, like the beating of our heart. These automatic processes of the body often fall into the background of our awareness — we typically don’t notice them until we accidentally swallow water ‘down the wrong pipe’ or enter a suana or extremely hot environment in which the air suddenly becomes hot and breathing labored. Yet, in many ways, the key to expanded awareness lies in first becoming aware of the breath and bringing its pattern under our conscious control, as breathing controls the flow of ‘life force’ (energy) in our body.</em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><em>The yogi’s and taoists knew that breath was our primary source of Chi/Qi/Prana — all names for the primordial energy which permeates all things and collects in higher amounts in sentient beings. They also realized that for most people, breathing was largely an unconscious process characterized by its shallowness. By becoming consciously aware of the breath and deepening it, they found that greatly expanded states of consciousness could be achieved. They went on to experiment with all kinds of different techniques, thereby refining the art of breathing into a series of known practices which could be used to enhance awareness at will.</em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><em>Thankfully this expansive knowledge of the breath has been carefully preserved and passed down from master to disciple for thousands of years and is finally experiencing a sort of ‘mainstream renaissance’ here in the West. In this poetic exploration of the history and modern practice of breathwork, Rev. James Reho delves into the mystical tradition behind the art, ultimately revealing a handful of sacred techniques that can be used to attain the mystical states he describes in his essay.</em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><em>- Truth</em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Riding the Breath: Breathing as Spiritual Praxis</strong></span> <span class="font-size-3">The Rev. James Reho Ph.D. | <a href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/">Psychology Tomorrow Magazine</a></span><span class="font-size-3">–</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><em>The feather flew, not because of anything in itself</em> <em> but because the air bore it along.</em> <em>Thus am I, a feather on the breath of God. –Hildegard of Bingen</em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Introduction: Holotropic Breathwork</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Throughout history, human beings have gone to great lengths in search of a unitive or “mystical” experience with Something greater than themselves. Risking poisoning or permanent neural damage, seekers in many cultures ingest psychotropic substances. Others fast to the brink of starvation. Some seek ecstatic union though intense pain, or prolonged sexual arousal, or a combination of the two. Some seekers push the physical limits of the body and mind through prolonged meditation or yogic exercise. Others seek a “runner’s high” to the detriment of their knees and spines. Any of these methods will in fact work; yet none of them is necessary. You can simply breathe.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">But breathing is never really simple. Our breath bears our emotional history and is a playing field for our flirtations with both Eros and Thanatos. While our relationship with our breath is often barely conscious, the quality and form of our breathing enhances and communicates much about our emotional state. As children, we hold our breath to get what we want; breath steels and expresses our will. When we are frightened, we gasp for breath sharply with the upper chest; breath influences and expresses our anxiety level. When we sleep, exercise, concentrate, make love, or meditate, our breath takes on again other patterns to support our activities.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">My own first memory of breath is as a two- or three-year old, breathing heavily in the sweaty aftermath of a nightmare. Then there were childhood asthma attacks, likely due—at least in part—to my parents’ in-house smoking and the air quality of Staten Island in the 1970’s. To overcome the asthma, I struggled with breathlessness through several painful and humiliating summers on a local swim team, at first unable to complete a single lap and hanging panting against the wall of the pool. Finally, the weakness was broken and my breath became strong… just in time for me to pick up smoking myself, smoking several packs of cigarettes a day, until I eventually quit and took up yoga and breath practices. The bizarre and surprisingly difficult path of smoking cessation—and the importance of conscious breathing in that process—showed me clearly that the breathing process is much more than a simple exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide: it holds the key to deep and sometimes invisible parts of our identity.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">In 2009, I was lying on a yoga mat in a friend’s house, the first floor of which had been converted into a spiritual temple. I was with about ten other people, and was about to begin my first session of intense breathwork. After a preliminary orientation, we had begun breathing as we had been instructed: a simple breath pattern, through the mouth, with an emphasis on the inhalation, at a rate of about one breath per second. There was evocative ambient music, candles flickering among the holy figures on the giant, multi-tiered wooden altar, and a wide Taos drum in the center of the room. Our yoga mats were arranged around this drum like the spokes of a wheel.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">After what seemed to be only minutes of this breathing, my breath began to take on a life of its own: sometimes deep, fast, and powerful… then shallow and rapid… then the breath would suspend itself for what seemed to be minutes. My hands and mouth contracted into tetany, which I experienced as a euphoric sensation. Soon enough, the tetany subsided. I had entered into an expanded state of consciousness that I came to know very well as I returned time and time again to breathwork.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">In this expanded and visionary state I have had several powerful and euphoric encounters with archetypal and personal-biographical figures, experienced the healing of somatic pain, and even had what in the literature of Holotropic Breathwork is called a “perinatal experience,” an experience that seems to touch a memory of our pre-birth life.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn1">[i]</a> The intensity and immediacy of these experiences cannot be overstated. These experiences, when they come, seem to originate from a deeper level of what’s really real than do the events of my external life. Needless to say, these experiences now figure strongly in how I understand the world around and within me.</span></p><p></p><div style="margin:10px 10px 10px 0px;float:left;"></div><p><span class="font-size-3">Tradition as well as experience and research indicates that conscious work with the breath can help heal emotional and even physical pain and disease, and can vitalize our body/mind complex in ways that are so extraordinary that I hesitate to describe them… you simply wouldn’t be likely to believe me. Many of these practices have historically been taught in connection with faith traditions or spiritual systems such as yoga, and have been handed down from master to disciple in ways meant to protect the disciple (or the uninitiated) from psychological or physical harm.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>The Abrahamic Faith Traditions and the Sacredness of Breath</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">It turns out that Holotropic Breathwork is but a very recent development of a millennia-long history of breath practices that we humans have discovered and utilized to enter states of expanded consciousness and divine union. In spirituality circles it has been en vogue for a few decades now to point out that the words for “breath” and “spirit” in several scriptural languages are related: <em>ruach</em> in Hebrew, <em>ruh</em> in Arabic, <em>pneuma</em> in Greek, and <em>spiritus</em> in Latin. From this last, we have in English words like “inspire/inspiration” and “expire/expiration” that carry dual meanings relating both to breath and to spirit in various forms (creativity, vitality).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Historically, breath and expanded consciousness have been strongly linked, and these links have often been expressed through faith traditions. The Name of God (ha Shem<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn2">[ii]</a>) given to Moses in the Biblical book of Exodus, YHVH, is thought by some Scripture scholars to represent the sound of breath itself: the YAH sound representing an inhalation, the VEH sound representing an exhalation. The very breath, then, is a holy mantram; each breath is, whether we intend it or not, a calling out of the Holy Name. This also means that the first thing we utter—and the last thing we say (before expiring)—is the Name of God. The Name of God is breath.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">In one of the two creation stories in the Book of Genesis God takes the human figures created out of clay and breathes into them. Breath, which vitalizes the human being, carries with it something of the Divine presence and identity; to breathe upon, or into, something is to share life essence with that something. This link between breath and <em>ha Shem</em>remains in Judaism: as one example, a recent book of Jewish prayers translated into English by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi carries the title, <em>All Breathing Life Adores Your Name</em>.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn3">[iii]</a></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Mystical Christianity has taught for over 1500 years that attentiveness to the breath opens one up to the presence of God. The Hesychastic tradition of Christian meditators (alive and well worldwide these days, and centered on Mt. Athos in Greece) teaches that one can experience the Kingdom of God within oneself:</span></p><blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">Try to enter your inner treasure-house and you will see the treasure-house of heaven. For both the one and the other are the same, and one and the same entrance reveals them both. The ladder leading to the kingdom is concealed within you, that is, within your soul.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn4">[iv]</a></span></p></blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">This inner treasure-house is the human heart, which is entered/opened through the breath:</span></p><blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">Breathing is a natural way to the heart. And so, having collected your mind within you, lead it into the channel of breathing through which air reaches the heart and, together with this inhaled air, force your mind to descend into the heart and to remain there… then a [person] sees that the kingdom of heaven is truly within us…<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn5">[v]</a></span></p></blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">In Islamic Sufism, too, breath is seen as a bearer of, and conduit of, the presence of the Divine. Sufi poets such as Hafiz al-Shirazi, Rumi, Saadi, Attar, and others, speak of “the fragrance of God” which, of course, is sniffed in with the breath. One of the main metaphors for the human being is the reed flute, which God presses with divine lips and through which God blows the holy breath. For its part, the flute exists in a state comprising both moments of the ecstatic with a deep longing for the reed-bed, for full divine communion as was known before it was “cut” or individualized. And within the breath itself lies the essence of that divine ecstasy that is searched for but can never be the object of a search:</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><em>Here’s the new rule: Break the wineglass</em></span> <span class="font-size-3"><em> And fall toward the Glassblower’s breath.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn6">[vi]</a></em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><em> </em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Breath Practice and the Erotic</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Why is it, you may ask, that breath-based spiritual practices are not part of the curriculum in every yeshiva, mosque and Sunday school in America? One guess is that the silence around these methods among the masses of the faithful has less to do with theology and more to do with the traditionally body-denying cultures within which these traditions came to reside. At some point, as Western cultures came more and more to take on the viewpoints of Modern philosophy and the Cartesian paradigm, such practices ceased to make sense. Then as discomfort with embodiment (sexuality, death, particularity, etc.) came more and more to define the Western mind and spiritual paradigm, such practices became either feared (if their powerful effects were remembered) or dismissed and ridiculed (if their powerful effects were forgotten). One early example of such ridicule comes from the theologian Barlaam the Calabrian (14<sup><font size="1">th</font></sup> century, well before modernism!) who coined the term “navel gazers” (Greek: <em>Omphaloscopoi</em>) in his attacks upon the Hesychasts.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">When you ride the breath into an experience of expanded consciousness, there is an undeniably erotic flavor informing the experience. Notice, for example, how breath and eroticism are linked in the poetry of the medieval Spanish Jewish mystic Yehuda Halevi:</span></p><blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">Since the day we parted,</span> <span class="font-size-3">I have found nothing that is like your beauty.</span><span class="font-size-3">So I comfort myself with a ripe apple—</span><span class="font-size-3">Its fragrance reminds me of the myrrh of your breath,</span><span class="font-size-3">Its shape of your breasts, its color</span><span class="font-size-3">Of the color that used to rise to your cheeks.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn7">[vii]</a></span></p></blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">The intensity of the experience of the divine union achieved through breath work makes the material world and the suffering it brings bearable, perhaps even meaningful by simultaneously filling it with meaning and relegating its goings-on to a non-ultimate position in comparison to the Really Real, the sacred breath. As the Sufi poet Sanai writes:</span></p><blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">Someone who keeps aloof from suffering</span> <span class="font-size-3">is not a lover. I choose your love</span><span class="font-size-3">above all else. As for wealth</span><span class="font-size-3">if that comes, or goes, so be it.</span><span class="font-size-3">Wealth and love inhabit separate worlds.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">But as long as you live here inside me,</span> <span class="font-size-3">I cannot say that I am suffering.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn8">[viii]</a></span></p></blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">There is a consonance here, too, with Christian mysticism of the breath. For the hesychasts, “God appears to the mind in the heart, at first as a flame purifying its lover.”<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn9">[ix]</a> Traditional Christian mystical texts have always affirmed that the mystical life is rooted in the erotic life,<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn10">[x]</a> and has found in erotic poetry one of the highest vehicles for the expression of divine union.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn11">[xi]</a> It is highly likely that these Christian theologians (such as Gregory of Nyssa or (Pseudo-) Dionysios the Areopagite) cut their mystical teeth on breath practices. And I can affirm from my own experiences using breath as a spiritual tool that such methods highlight the erotic nature of divine union: religio as conjunctio. If you want to take a vicarious look at this experience from the outside, simply do an internet search for Bernini’s sculpture <em>The Ecstasy of St. Theresa</em> located in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Yoga and the Transformational Power of Prānāyāma</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">While the Abrahamic faiths have done their part in linking expanded (God) consciousness with breath, it’s likely true that no tradition has done more to elucidate, catalog, or meticulously describe the use of breath for spiritual growth than the yogic traditions of India.</span></p><blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">I salute Lord Hanuman, Lord of the Breath,</span> <span class="font-size-3">Son of the Wind God—</span><span class="font-size-3">Who bears five faces and dwells within us</span><span class="font-size-3">In the form of five winds or energies</span><span class="font-size-3">Pervading our body, mind, and soul,</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Who reunited Prakriti [Matter] (Sita) with Purusha [Spirit] (Ram)—</span> <span class="font-size-3">May he bless the practitioner</span><span class="font-size-3">By uniting his vital energy—prana—</span><span class="font-size-3">With the Divine Spirit within.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn12">[xii]</a></span></p></blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">The poem above says a lot about the traditional Indian understanding of breath. Breath is the bearer of prana, the vital energy of life. There are five pranas, or vital breaths, within the human being, each with a different field of activity.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn13">[xiii]</a> Working with our own breath helps balance and enhance these vital energies to elicit health, joy, and eventually, mystical communion “with the Divine Spirit within.”</span> <span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.thehealersjournal.com/sound-healing"><img width="300" height="250" class="alignleft" style="display:none;" alt="" src="http://www.thehealersjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Sound-Healing-Banner-300x250-HJ.gif" /></a></span><span class="font-size-3">Prānāyāma, the control of the breath (really, of the life essence which is carried upon the breath) is one of the eight traditional limbs of yoga. There are hundreds of methods of prānāyāma, devised to enhance very particular aspects of one’s being and/or address very particular weaknesses in the physical, emotional, intellectual, or psychological being of the yogi.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn14">[xiv]</a> Practitioners claim that directing the breath in particular ways can build and enhance cross-hemispheric functionality of the brain as well as optimize the function of glandular systems and mental and physical performance.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn15">[xv]</a></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The whole collection of hatha yoga postures (asanas) are, in one traditional understanding, useful primarily in preparing the human complex to enter into the practices of prānāyāma, which are considered to be much more powerful than the physical exercises themselves. To put this in perspective, think back to your most intense Power Yoga or Hot Yoga experience—that yoga class that left you sore and sweaty and panting. That class was merely a preparation so that you might endure, and profit from, the power of prānāyāma practices!</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Mastery of various forms of prānāyāma is an endeavor requiring years of practice and study. One learns to exercise precise control over inhalation (puraka), exhalation (<em>rechaka</em>), and breath retention (<em>kumbhaka</em>): through building stamina and extremely sensitive muscular control, one can “move” the breath with precision into various areas of the lung, retain the breath for extended periods with fine control over air pressure, and also finely tune the nature, rate, and form of the exhalation, creating a nearly infinite array of possible breath patterns.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The benefits and effects of prānāyāma are nearly unbelievable to those who have not experienced them. Directing the breath into various bodily energy centers can bring about experiences of expanded consciousness or incredible bliss; slow alternate nostril breathing can calm and balance the mind and emotional self; and strong, mouth-based prānāyāma such as is done in breathwork can open levels of experience and consciousness typically thought accessible only through hallucinogens or years in a snowy cave in the Himalayas or upon Mt. Athos. Sound interesting? Here are some starting points to begin gathering your own data on the power of breath…</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Getting Started: Jumping into the Experience of Breath </strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Here then are three entry-level prānāyāma exercises that can give you a first taste of what is eventually possible through the control of breath. I am a certified yoga instructor, but am not a healthcare professional: please check in with your doctor or healthcare professional before beginning any of these practices, and if you become dizzy or ill… stop and rest.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Deergha Swasam (Three-part Yogic Breath)</strong>: Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine, either cross-legged on a cushion (making sure knees are lower than the hips) or in a chair with feet on the floor. Rest the hands in the lap. Eyes are closed. Begin by inhaling slowly through the nose into the diaphragm/abdomen. Once the abdomen is full, allow more breath to come into the chest, expanding it forward and outward (i.e., both the front and sides of the chest expand). Finally, bring in even more breath so that the collarbones slightly rise. Let this long inhalation be smooth and gentle-but-firm. Now exhale the same way: let the air come out from the collarbones, from the thoracic cavity, and finally from the abdominal cavity. Fully empty the lungs by bringing the navel in toward the spine. Repeat for ten minutes.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">This breath builds lung capacity in a pleasant way (there are really tough prānāyāmas that do so in a less-than-pleasant way!). Our typical, unconscious breaths usually involve inhaling about 500 cubic centimeters of air; through a full deergha swasam breath, you will inhale (and expel) about 3000 cubic centerimeters of air. Six times the air means offers six times the oxygen. Aside from fuller oxygenation and removal of toxins, deergha swasam helps steady the emotional state and create a peaceful, alert focus of the mind.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Kapalabhati (Skull-shining Breath, or Breath of Fire)</strong>: Sit as above. Here you focus on the exhale, which is sharp and brought about by quickly “snapping” the navel in toward the spine. The inhalation will occur naturally as the abdomen relaxes. Build this up so that you can accomplish two or three cycles per second. Both exhalation and inhalation occur through the nose. This breath can be practiced with arms raised to the side at 60 degrees, elbows straight, palms up. Bring the focus of the closed eyes to the point between the eyebrows. Practice for three minutes, then inhale and hold the breath. Finally, exhale and rest for two minutes with hands sweeping down at the sides and coming to rest in the lap. Let the breath return to normal.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">According to practitioners of kundalini yoga, this breath builds the aura and cleanses the blood and the lungs. It invigorates the whole body and is great to do as part of your wake-up routine. Although in the early stages of learning this breath we focus our energy and concentration on the exhale, there should be a balance between the exhalation and inhalation so that you do not become breathless.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Nadi Sodhana (alternate nostril breathing)</strong>: Nadi sodhana is really a family of prānāyāma techniques that focus upon balance and opening of the nadis, energetic channels that are said to exist in the subtle (pranic) body. One typical practice uses alternate-nostril breathing in order to balance and clear the two main nadis (ida and pingala) that intertwine around the main channel (shushumna) that corresponds with the spinal cord. Ida and pingala wrap around the spinal cord/shushumna forming a caduceus. Where the three channels meet, we find energy plexuses known as chakras (wheels).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">To perform nadi sodhana, sit again as outlined above. Allow the left hand to rest on the left thigh or lap. The right hand forms a two-pronged pincer, with the index and middle fingers bent into the palm. The extended thumb forms one end of the pincer and the ring finger and pinky, kept together as one finger, form the other. Take a few preparatory deergha swasam breaths, and then after an inhalation, use the thumb to close off the right nostril. Exhale. Inhale. Now use the ring finger-plus-pinky to close off the left nostril and remove the thumb to allow the exhalation to pass through the right nostril. Inhale. Now again block the right nostril and open the left. Exhale and inhale. Continue, gradually working to lengthen the inhalations and exhalations. Once you are comfortable, you can work on having the exhalations last for twice as long as the inhalations. To complete a cycle (let’s say, ten minutes to start), let the right hand return to the lap and the breath return to normal after an exhalation through the right nostril.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">This nadi sodhana practice calms the mind and the heart and balances the hemispheres of the brain.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn16">[xvi]</a> It builds strength in the lungs as well, especially when one pauses to retain the inhaled breath and then pauses again when the lungs are fully evacuated as part of the practice. Yoga teaches that we alternate which nostril is dominant roughly every 90 minutes (experiment with this; you’ll see it’s about right), corresponding to our natural “switching” between hemispheric brain dominance. Through the practice of nadi sodhana, we simultaneously active both hemispheres of the brain, bringing both balance and deeper connectivity between the hemispheres.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Why breathe?</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">In the fifth chapter of the <em>Chandogya Upanishad</em> (8<sup><font size="1">th</font></sup> – 7<sup><font size="1">th</font></sup> century BCE) the faculties of speech, hearing, seeing, thinking, and breathing have an argument concerning which of them is primary for the human person. These bodily functions<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn17">[xvii]</a>ask Father Prajapati (the uber-person) which of them is the finest. He answers that the one whose departure leaves the body in the worst case is the primary function. Speech, hearing, seeing, and thinking each in their turn leave; upon their return, they all discover together that the body can still function, albeit with some deficit. When breath determines to leave, however, all the other faculties find they are dragged along with it; indeed, breath is the most important of these.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Aside from its obvious necessity for physical life, the breath expresses and influences our emotional and mental states. The various techniques of working with breath—from traditional pranayama and hesychastic breathing to more modern practices such as breathwalk<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn18">[xviii]</a> and holotropic breathwork—we can utilize this often-unconscious process to affect our lives physically, mentally, and energetically:</span></p><blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">Life is not under your control and the mind is not obedient, but there is something the mind does obey. That is the rate of the breath… <a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn19">[xix]</a></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">A breath rate of eight times per minute or less the pituitary starts secreting fully. If the breath is less than four times per minute the pineal gland starts functioning fully and deep meditation is automatic.<a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_edn20">[xx]</a></span></p></blockquote><p><span class="font-size-3">As the mainstream scientific community begins to assimilate the growing body of research that points to our ability to re-wire our brains, breath practices are emerging as one important methodological family from which we can draw in order to actively co-create ourselves and influence the flavor of our life experience. So breathe, breathe, breathe! Whether it’s a slow change in a habitual thinking pattern or an ecstatic experience of divine union that you are seeking, the breath can take you there.</span></p><h3><span class="font-size-3" style="color:#ffffff;">FOOTNOTES</span></h3><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref1">[i]</a> Stanislav Grof. Beyond the Brain: Birth, Death and Transcendence in Psychotherapy (Albany: State University of New York, 1985).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref2">[ii]</a> It is traditional in rabbinic Judaism that the Name of God (YHWH) is never spoken aloud. Rather, God is often referred to as “ha Shem,” literally, “the name.” Interestingly, when the consonants YHWH occur in scripture, “Adonai” (Lord) is often substituted in public reading. This substitution leads to the erroneous pronunciation of “Jehovah” which is formed from the consonants YWHW pointed with the vowels for Adonai to remind the reader to make the substitution. The word “Jehovah” is not possible according to the rules of pronunciation of Hebrew.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref3">[iii]</a> Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. All Breathing Life Adores Your Name (Gaon Books, 2011).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref4">[iv]</a> St. Isaac the Syrian, quoted in E. Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer. Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart (London: Faber and Faber, 1992), p. 30.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref5">[v]</a> St. Nikephoros the Solitary, quoted in ibid., p. 33.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref6">[vi]</a> Jalal al-Din Rumi, Coleman Barks, John Moyne. The Essential Rumi (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1995).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref7">[vii]</a> <a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-apple-8/">http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-apple-8/</a></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref8">[viii]</a> Coleman Barks, trans. Persian Poems (New York: Everyman’s Library, 2000).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref9">[ix]</a> Nikephoros the Solitary, quoted in E. Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer. Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart (London: Faber and Faber, 1992), p. 24.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref10">[x]</a> For instance, see The Life of Moses by Gregory of Nyssa.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref11">[xi]</a> See for example, the poetry of St. John of the Cross or the commentaries on the Song of Songs by St. Bernard of Clairvaux.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref12">[xii]</a> B. K. S. Iyengar. “Invocation” in Light on Pranayama. (New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2008).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref13">[xiii]</a> Ibid., p. 12.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref14">[xiv]</a> Ibid., p. 16.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref15">[xv]</a> Gurucharan Singh Khalsa and Yogi Bhajan. Breathwalk: Breathing Your Way to a Revitalized Body, Mind, and Spirit (New York: Broadway Books, 2000).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref16">[xvi]</a> B. K. S. Iyengar. Light on Pranayama. (New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2008), pp. 209-210.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref17">[xvii]</a> In Vedantic thought, object-oriented thinking is considered to be a bodily function and is part of the world of matter (prakriti or Shakti) rather than being part of the world of spirit (purusha or Siva).</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref18">[xviii]</a> Gurucharan Singh Khalsa and Yogi Bhajan. Breathwalk: Breathing Your Way to a Revitalized Body, Mind, and Spirit</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref19">[xix]</a> Sat Purkh Kaur Khalsa, Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Harijot Kaur Khalsa, eds. Kundalini Yoga: Sadhana Guidelines, 2<sup><font size="1">nd</font></sup>Edition (Santa Cruz, NM: Kundalini Research Institute, 2007), p. 87.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a title="" href="http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/riding-the-breath-james-reho/#_ednref20">[xx]</a> Ibid., pp. 72-73.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">- See more at: <a href="http://www.thehealersjournal.com/2013/06/17/art-of-breathing-how-to-access-higher-states-of-consciousness-with-your-breath/#sthash.msUqrmvr.dpuf">http://www.thehealersjournal.com/2013/06/17/art-of-breathing-how-to-access-higher-states-of-consciousness-with-your-breath/#sthash.msUqrmvr.dpuf</a></span></p><p></p></div>Miraculous Benefits of Headstand ~the King of All Asanashttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/miraculous-benefits-of-headstand-the-king-of-all-asanas2014-01-25T20:00:00.000Z2014-01-25T20:00:00.000ZRainbowStarhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/RainbowStar<div><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8109086655,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="369" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8109086655,original{{/staticFileLink}}" height="270" alt="8109086655?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Master BKS Iyengar has said that one must practice asanas regularly. And, in case you don't have enough time for a full practice then at least do inversions.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">The most important inversion is Sirsasana (the Headstand). Sirsasana is called the "King of all asanas" for a reason. It is the most powerful physical tool that we possess for overcoming the forces in the physical world that decay and age our body and mind. These forces show up as loss of mental power and clarity, loss of posture, shortness of breath, poor circulation and sluggish digestion. When all of these bodily system are working harmoniously then we remain youthful and bright for the extent of our lives.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Performing headstand.. or if you can't yet do headstand then a supported inversion...aids the bodily systems (circulation, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, skeletal). The strain of gravity on our body and its systems is reversed by completely turning yourself upside down. Our relationship to gravity and worldly forces is changed completely and our body is nourished instead of depleted….</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Headstand ensures a proper blood supply and stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands in the brain, glands that are responsible for growth and sex hormones. Our growth, health and vitality depend on the proper functioning of these two glands that control the chemical balance of the body.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Regular practice of Sirsasana makes healthy pure blood flow through the brain cells. This rejuvenates them so that thinking power increases and thoughts become clearer. Headstand stimulates the nervous system, increasing mental alertness and clarity. It is a centering, calming and soothing pose. People suffering from loss of sleep, memory and vitality have recovered by the regular practice of this asana.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Headstand strengthens the spine, neck, shoulders and arms. The muscular system of the abdomen and legs are toned. Blood and lymph fluid is relieved from the legs and ankles and with regular practice prevents the buildup of fluid in the legs and feet. Coupled with shoulder stand it is a benefit to people suffering from constipation. The lung tissue is stimulated, which relieves colds, coughs, tonsillitis, bad breath and palpitations.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">By reversing the pull of gravity on the organs, especially the intestines, it helps to cleanse them and overcome problems of the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines and reproductive system. Headstand increases gastric fire and produces heat in the body. When done properly, headstand helps the spine become properly aligned, improving posture, facilitating good breathing and reducing muscular stress. The weight of the abdominal organs on the diaphragm encourages deep breathing, which gently massages the internal organs. Sirsasana is used to treat asthma, hay fever, diabetes, headaches, anxiety and menopausal imbalance....</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Like all things in life, the suggestion to get upside down should not be universally prescribed. There are certain <b>contraindications</b> that should be observed so as not to cause or exacerbate previous injuries or illnesses: unmedicated high blood pressure, some heart conditions, neck injuries, recent stroke, detached retina, glaucoma, and epilepsy are common issues that should be addressed before inverting. Talk with your doctor and teacher if you are unsure about your status. Additionally, the debate continues as to whether women on their “ladies holiday” should indeed take a vacation from inversions. I would suggest doing a little research for yourself, both in an academic as well as experiential sense—listen to your body and what feels appropriate as your move through your cycle. This might mean abstaining from or simply holding inversions for shorter periods of time—you are the ultimate judge.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Inversions are fantastic all year long, but in the winter months they may be especially beneficial. For many of us winter comes with it chilly days and more time spent indoors. There is a natural biological tendency to draw inwards, conserve energy, and move more slowly.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">So while there is certainly validity to the idea of paying attention to one’s internal seasonal moods and following suite, for many, the world around them does not abide by the same clock. And so while it may be more of a challenge to incorporate inversions into one’s practice during the quiet months, doing so may serve as a natural-caffeine-free way to bust out of the wintertime doldrums and access hibernating stores of internal energy….</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Article sources: <br /></span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"><a href="http://lynnrescigno.blogspot.com/2008/12/sirsasana.html">http://lynnrescigno.blogspot.com/2008/12/sirsasana.html</a></span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"><a href="http://empowerpeace.typepad.com/empowerpeace/2011/03/the-king-of-all-asanas.html">http://empowerpeace.typepad.com/empowerpeace/2011/03/the-king-of-all-asanas.html</a></span></p><p><span class="font-size-2"><a href="http://yoganonymous.com/10-benefits-of-yoga-inversions/">http://yoganonymous.com/10-benefits-of-yoga-inversions/</a></span></p></div>Powerful Ancient Yoga Techniques For Overcoming Anxiety and Stresshttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/powerful-ancient-yoga-techniques-for-overcoming-anxiety-and2013-10-07T15:30:00.000Z2013-10-07T15:30:00.000ZSon Light Angelhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/SonLightAngel<div><div class="separator"><span style="color:#00ff00;"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}8109007271,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="8109007271?profile=original" /></span></div><div id="chitikaSelectBeacon1"></div><p><span style="color:#00ff00;"><em>Stress has its origins in the mind and is partially based on our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. Therefore all effective strategies for dealing with stress deal with it on the level of the mind, but can also encompass techniques to deal with and remedy its effects on the body as well. The reason yoga practices are so effective for stress is that they deal with it on both of these levels and therefore produce a powerful effect upon the mind body spirit triad that not only has the effect of immediately and tangibly dealing with stress in the moment, but also changing the inherent reaction to stressful situations that one has, therefore permanently changing a persons stress response in the long term. More than any other practice in life, yoga and associated techniques such as breath work (pranayama) and meditation, will give you the tools to effectively manage stress and accomplish at greater levels than you ever thought possible. </em></span></p><div><span style="color:#00ff00;"><em>The first part of this article deals with mental yogic techniques for reducing and eliminating stress. The second half is a visual guide to physical yoga poses for stress.</em></span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;"><em> </em></span></div><p><span style="color:#00ff00;">Self-Control of Anxiety and Stress by Karma Yoga</span></p><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Today, the 20th century phenomenon known as ‘burn-out’, which is an important concomitant of stress, has become a common experience amongst members of the helping professions such as teachers, <a id="ch-link-3" name="ch-link-3"></a>social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses and welfare workers. Burnout means to deplete oneself; to exhaust one’s physical and mental resources (*1). People can simply wear themselves out by excessive striving to reach some unrealistic expectation set by themselves or by society. Often an individual, who sets out with great energy and enthusiasm to help people, eventually becomes disillusioned, exhausted and depressed. He or she becomes irritable,’ moody, and a clock watcher or work dodger. Later, chronic absenteeism is apparent.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Stress, strain and anxiety, which lead to the condition of burnout, result in social and emotional distress and pain and unhappiness in the individual. Psychosomatic diseases are also linked with stress. As modem researchers have shown, stress is a product of major life crises (e.g. a death or divorce) as well as the minor but constant worries in life (*2). The latter have a cumulative effect in terms of excessive ill health. What is also becoming evident from psychological research is that certain individuals and groups in society are more vulnerable than others given similar situations of stress.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Thus, the key to coping with stress lies in the individual’s attitude and response.</span><br /> <span style="color:#00ff00;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color:#00ff00;">Karma <a id="ch-link-7" name="ch-link-7"></a>yoga and stress</span></h3><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">The stressors in the environment- the noise, the pollution, the chaos of city life, will not go away, nor will dwelling on personal problems and worries which lead to mental tension. The more one thinks of a certain problem, the greater the anxiety and worry, and the further these negative samskaras are reinforced. According to the traditional yogic teachings, mental tension is due to ego centrism and unhealthy emotional attachment to the environment.</span></div><p><span style="color:#00ff00;"> </span></p><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">In dealing with environmental and internal stress, yogic philosophy has pointed out the importance of karma <a id="ch-link-8" name="ch-link-8"></a>yoga, which is based on the law of cause and effect. Karma <a id="ch-link-9" name="ch-link-9"></a>yoga has developed in response to samsara, the never ending stressful cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Until you manage to escape from this cycle by transcending the personal self, every action, thought and feeling produces positive, negative or mixed karma and further binds you to your egoistic self. Karma <a id="ch-link-10" name="ch-link-10"></a>yoga, selfless action with awareness, is also an important mental purification process. It alleviates the inner stressors by cleansing the mind of its accumulated debris and by awakening you to the effects of your conditioning with its attendant complexes, phobias and defensive armouring.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Karma yoga is an important technique and above all an attitude of mind with which one can deal effectively with stress. Now, <a id="ch-link-1" name="ch-link-1"></a>medical science is also discovering that this kind of psychological hardiness gives a very healthy attitude to life (*3). This same attitude as reflected in one’s behaviour and interactions with the environment is particularly appropriate, indeed essential, for those in the helping professions. Karma yoga eases one into the flow of life. When you are one with the process, you find yourself relaxed not tense, helping not hindering, accepting not fighting, showing compassion not pity.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Often, by trying to help, we are really hindering. Perhaps by learning to let people be, we can better aid them in their own growth. One has to admit that the world will remain essentially as it is; after all, it has already done so for thousands of years. To accomplish this effective non-interference and thus relieve ourselves of self-imposed stress, we have to learn to stand back and watch ourselves ‘act’ in the world.</span><br /> <span style="color:#00ff00;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color:#00ff00;">The art of detached observation</span></h3><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Developing the silent, hidden observer or witness within is the essence of the practice of karma yoga. By becoming more aware of yourself, you learn to watch your actions, interactions, thoughts and feelings and your responses to them. At first this may seem a little difficult, but with practice your ability to remain mindful in all situations will gradually improve.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">As this awareness develops, one of the first things you will notice is how you emotionally react in various situations. Continually getting upset, angry or frustrated whenever someone says something contrary to your own ideas or beliefs, leads to internal stress. By habitually responding with mental agitation and anxiety, you stimulate the body’s defence system and the vicious cycle of excessive hormone production. This eventually results in high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and, finally, cardiovascular <a id="ch-link-2" name="ch-link-2"></a>disease becomes a definite risk. Therefore, you must learn to be aware of and then limit your mental and emotional responses.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Karma yoga helps in this way by teaching us the art of detachment. This means neither being attached nor unattached to people, places and things. Detachment implies a state of disinterest; one is neither interested nor uninterested. However it is not an excuse to become cold, apathetic or arrogant. Rather, it is a way of preventing life’s hard knocks from penetrating deeply into our mental, emotional and more vulnerable selves. This is the attitude which all good doctors and nurses have. After all, if they responded on a deep emotional level each time a patient died, they would be unable to-work effectively.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">By cultivating this mental attitude you reduce your susceptibility in stressful situations and this leads to greater self-awareness and knowledge of the self. You react outwardly in a natural manner as before, but deep down the peace and inner quiet remain undisturbed. Begin by practising detachment at work and then develop and apply it to your <a id="ch-link-4" name="ch-link-4"></a>whole life. It will lead you to true emotional maturity.</span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;">Pls see more: </span></div><div><span style="color:#00ff00;"><a href="http://astralpulse.blogspot.com/2013/10/powerful-ancient-yoga-techniques-for.html"><span style="color:#00ff00;">http://astralpulse.blogspot.com/2013/10/powerful-ancient-yoga-techniques-for.html</span></a></span></div><div><p><span style="color:#00ff00;">Come stay with us at</span></p><p><span style="color:#00ff00;">Self Empowerment Academy: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SEmAcad"><span style="color:#00ff00;">http://www.facebook.com/SEmAcad</span></a></span></p><p><span style="color:#00ff00;">Master Your Destiny - Light Age Healing: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/mydes"><span style="color:#00ff00;">http://www.facebook.com/groups/mydes</span></a></span></p><p><span style="color:#00ff00;">FAMILY OF LIGHT: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/keywealth"><span style="color:#00ff00;">http://www.facebook.com/groups/keywealth</span></a></span></p><p><span style="color:#00ff00;">CELESTIAL DISCIPLINE: <a href="http://lightworkers.org/group/188794/family-light"><span style="color:#00ff00;">http://lightworkers.org/group/188794/family-light</span></a></span></p><span style="color:#00ff00;"><span style="color:#00ff00;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div>Blog Post #2: Yoga & Meditationhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/blog-post-2-yoga-meditation2013-07-11T02:43:44.000Z2013-07-11T02:43:44.000ZSpiritual Healerhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/SpiritualHealer<div><p>It seems as though people seem to forget the main existence of what Yoga truly is. They have got caught up in the essence (such as the misconceptions of Yoga being an exercise) that they forgot the real meaning of it. Even those who claim (wittingly or unwittingly) to put the spirituality in Yoga have not seem to actually look for the root of what Yoga is. Well let's take a look at what it originally meant.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=yoga&allowed_in_frame=0">yoga</a> </p><p>1820, from Hindi <span class="foreign">yoga</span>, from Sanskrit <span class="foreign">yoga-s</span>, literally "union, yoking" (with the Supreme Spirit), from PIE root <span class="foreign">*yeug-</span> "to join"</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=yoga&allowed_in_frame=0">http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=yoga&allowed_in_frame=0</a></p><p></p><p>So what are we trying to unite ourselves with? We are trying to unite with God, whom is inside ourselves, as said by Prophet Issa/Jesus (pbuh) in the Gospel of Thomas (the original teachings of Jesus). </p><p></p><p>So what about meditation? How does it connect with yoga? Let's look at the definition of meditation.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=meditation&allowed_in_frame=0">meditation (n.)</a> </p><p>c.1200, "contemplation; devout preoccupation; devotions, prayer," from Old French <span class="foreign">meditacion</span> "thought, reflection, study," and directly from Latin <span class="foreign">meditationem</span> (nominative <span class="foreign">meditatio</span>) "a thinking over, meditation," noun of action from past participle stem of <span class="foreign">meditari</span> "to meditate, think over, reflect, consider," frequentative form from PIE root <span class="foreign">*med-</span> "to measure, limit, consider, advise, take appropriate measures" (cf. Greek <span class="foreign">medesthai</span> "think about," <span class="foreign">medon</span> "ruler;" Latin <span class="foreign">modus</span> "measure, manner," <span class="foreign">modestus</span> "moderate," <span class="foreign">modernus</span> "modern," <span class="foreign">mederi</span> "to heal,"<span class="foreign">medicus</span> "physician;" Sanskrit <span class="foreign">midiur</span> "I judge, estimate;" Welsh <span class="foreign">meddwl</span> "mind, thinking;" Gothic <span class="foreign">miton</span>, Old English <span class="foreign">metan</span> "to measure;" also see <a href="http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=medical&allowed_in_frame=0" class="crossreference">medical</a>). <br /><br />Meaning "discourse on a subject" is early 14c.; meaning "act of meditating, continuous calm thought upon some subject" is from late 14c. The Latin verb also had stronger senses: "plan, devise, practice, rehearse, study."</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=meditation&allowed_in_frame=0">http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=meditation&allowed_in_frame=0</a></p><p></p><p>What meditation is is to contemplate on remembering God (Allah) as it says in Sura 2:198, 2:200, 2:203, and so on. It's through prayer and devotions that connect with Allah. </p></div>The Essence Of Union Or Yogahttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/the-essence-of-union2012-12-10T08:16:49.000Z2012-12-10T08:16:49.000ZNath Yogihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/NathYogi<div><p><span class="font-size-3">There is no perfect rest</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Even in a deep forest,</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">There is no perfect rest</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Even on the peaks of Mt. Everest</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">If the mind is at unrest.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">All is the same – palace or forest</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">If the mind you arrest</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Then He is your nearest</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">And you are His dearest</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Causing mutual interest.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">(Offered at the lotus feet of my <a href="http://www.nathyogi.com" target="_blank">Guru Siddha Nath</a>)</span></p></div>PUSH-BUTTON BLISS - Glimpse At The Writing Of An Advanced Guided Meditationhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/push-button-bliss-glimpse-at-the-writing-of-an-advanced-guided2012-06-21T05:00:00.000Z2012-06-21T05:00:00.000ZGiovanihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/Giovani<div><p>Hi-i!</p><p>This piece exists as an mp3 file, which I occasionally share with those truly interested. But it's not for sale. Perhaps, if I find a truly curious distributor....</p><p>Let's get right into it!</p><p> </p><p>You know, when you're listening to a disembodied voice like now, you're in the middle of something bizarre - not big time bizarre, of course. Still, it is curious.</p><p>And, if you want to know the truth, right now, as you listen and breathe and consider what you've just heard, you're in an even curiouser situation than if you were listening to some other kind of disembodied voice like a voice on the telephone, say, or a voice on the radio, or - come to think of it - it's about as odd as a voice you might mentally be listening to if it's somebody who has helped you feel at ease in the past, if it's relaxing, that is.</p><p>If you're here, listening to this and you are feeling at ease, interesting situation as this is, then the truth is it's your breath that you should thank. That's because, you know, breathing is a magical thing.</p><p>From a certain point of view, what's happening is that your breathing has made a sort of a trip to a grand and magical gate. And that gate received a certain secret tickle the breezes like to tickle the gate with on those languid sunny summer days.</p><p>And the gate, therefore, let you in. And, here you are, you see? Okay, let's breathe. It's good to take in a relatively deep breath, every now and then. And you know what helps? A good thought. Let's take in a good thought and a few good relatively deep breaths.</p><p>In fact, rest assured, if you consider how healing a cleansing breath can really be, you have a good idea what everything you're hearing really means.</p><p>So delicate a<br /> breeze that, turning back to walk,<br />one might outpace it.</p><p>You may notice feelings moving around inside you that are, in some ways, surprising . So, let's look at all this just a little more closely.</p><p>So delicate a<br /> breeze that, turning back to walk,<br />one might outpace it.</p><p>You get the idea. So, getting back to where we left-off: And, of course, the gate says welcome. She says, welcome to the garden of my heart. And, the breeze says welcome in the massaging language of the breeze, also known - did you know this - as the language of refreshment....</p><p> </p><p>There's much more to the PUSH-BUTTON BLISS experience than the script, a chunk of which is quoted, above. It starts, for example, with the orchestrated sound of bamboo wind chimes. Also, the rhythm of my voice is timed to generate greater production of Theta brainwaves (a trick I learned while studying sutras in ancient Sanskrit. (I'm not a big student of the language, but did sit in on a few sessions at two Siddha Yoga ashrams. It's amazing how much one can learn in such situations. As a result of this study and contemplating the rhythmic "hypnosis" via which the so-called Indian rope trick is performed, the relationship between the rhythm in which the sutras were read and Theta rhythms became very clear.)</p><p>But it makes sense to consider the script, too. There's a lot going on there.<br /> <br /><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8108797098,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}8108797098,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" class="align-full" alt="8108797098?profile=original" /></a><br />What made me want to write this was my annoyance at the boring way hypnosis recordings and guided meditation recordings (same difference, really) "induce a trance." Usually, it's by counting backwards from 100 to one or describing you going down flights of stairs or having you tense and relax small muscle groups. BOOOOORING! :P</p><p>Why bother?</p><p>After studying about Theta brainwaves, I realized that generating more of these is associated with paranormal activity like telepathy. As I thought more about this, I realized there are many situations where this happens almost instantly. It was easier for me to see this, because I'd had a very intense (though short) career as a street magician and had noticed strange things I couldn't explain but could make happen.</p><p>How? Pretty much the way a storyteller does. I noticed the same things as a poet. I also noticed these things happening in situations such as the telling of ghost stories. And, as I thought of these things with the writing of PUSH-BUTTON BLISS in mind, I remembered the opening of the Twilight Zone series.</p><p>These went something like: You are entering another dimension. A dimension of time. A dimension of space. A dimension of mind. You turn the corner. There's a signpost up ahead. Your next stop? The Twilight Zone.</p><p>In thirty seconds, Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone, was able to put a huge portion of the United States into a trance in which anything seemed possible. My instincts told me immediately that this was Theta. And, if you watch the opening sequences, there are direct reference to hypnosis: a spinning spiral disc, a pendulum (on a clock).</p><p>I realized that, by directing attention to the uncanny, one could instantly induce a trance.</p><p>Serling did it by creating a sense of spookiness, but I felt this had a negative edge to it. Surely, that was just extra baggage, easily left behind.</p><p>Another thing that didn't sit well with me in existing recordings was how they would make presumptions that did not match my situation - an instant buzz-kill. For example, one might say, "Imagine you're on a wonderful vacation. Go ahead and lounge. Hear the sounds of the surf coming in and out." WHOA! You said vacation - what if I presumed I was hiking? There's no surf where I am. Lounging doesn't sound like the right word for resting in the woods, either.</p><p>That's how I stumbled upon an interesting thing that every listener of hypnotic recordings has in common: they're all experiencing of a very odd - an actually uncanny - phenomenon: a disembodied voice!</p><p>Just by pointing this out, I could induce a trance. Later, I would see something very similar in INCEPTION - the Mr Charlie tactic, in which the Leonardo DiCaprio character points strange dream elements out to his subject, partly to help his subject go more deeply into the dream state (and earn his subject's trust).</p><p>If you're familiar with Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) or poetic enchantment (to get a little more folksy), you'll notice a lot of interesting tactics in the quoted text, above.</p><p>If you create guided meditations, etc, see if any of these ideas can help improve your creations.</p><p>With growing sophistication in these forms, they could someday rival movies, theme parks, and psychedelic substances. :O)</p><p>Sunshine & Blessings,<br /> Giovani</p></div>Join Us Tonight for a free, live webcast meditation for "Activating the 5th Dimensional Self".https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/join-us-tonight-for-a-free2011-07-18T23:55:38.000Z2011-07-18T23:55:38.000ZValerie E Girardhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ValerieEGirard<div><p>HI Friends, <br /><br />Join us tonight, <b>Monday, at 7:20 pm Los Angeles time</b>, for a live webstream of "Activating your 5th Dimentional Self". <br /><br />We are now ready to introduce the powerful 5D overtones into our practice. I have found this to be the most powerful practice I have ever employed on my spiritual path. As mentioned, this practice was not to be released until all twelve 5D Overtones were grounded into the human atom, activated and embodied by a critical mass of practitioners. <br /><br />As you will recall, we activated the 5D Skeleton in one of our previous missives. Since that offering, the practitioners have employed it, both in a meditative stance as well as in Activation form. <br /><br />Join us tonight at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.panharmonic.com/panharmonic_live_tv.html"><font color="#153244">http://www.panharmonic.com/panharmonic_live_tv.htm...</font></a> <br /><br />Blessings, <br /><br />The PanHarmonic Team <br />Visit PanHarmonic Healing at: <a target="_blank" href="http://panharmonic.ning.com/"><font color="#153244">http://panharmonic.ning.com</font></a> <br /><br /><u><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8108710100,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img height="118" width="127" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8108710100,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="8108710100?profile=original" /></a></u></p></div>Join us for a free, live webcast meditation tonight 7:20 pm Los Angeles time: Preparing for the full moon of humanity by embodying the new 5D codeshttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/join-us-for-a-free-live2011-06-13T19:15:44.000Z2011-06-13T19:15:44.000ZValerie E Girardhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ValerieEGirard<div><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">HI Friends,</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Please join us for a free, live webcast meditation streaming from the web. Our group meditation "Preparing for the Full Moon of Humanity by embodying the new 5D codes" will help all of us integrate the new 5D Strands using the sacred mantras.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">We will begin about 7:20 pm Los Angeles time tonight, Monday June 13th.. Tune in and evolve with us at <a href="http://www.panharmonic.com/panharmonic_live_tv.html">http://www.panharmonic.com/panharmonic_live_tv.html</a></span></p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><em><strong>To learn more about the new 5D strands coming in to our planet, read on:</strong></em></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">As our PanHarmonic Group has been working together for the last two months on bringing in the new 5D strands, the first appearance appeared as a bundle of light strands streaming in from above the group. It took awhile to determine what these new frequencies were, yet within a week we had determined that they were the first strands of 5D light entering the planet. The appearance of the bundle was a forerunner of what was to come.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Over the next weeks, we were introduced to these incoming energies, one by one. We were invited into the Christalis Star. Each practitioner was asked to make himself or herself available to an Avatar. We were given a seed that we were to implant in the Human Atom, formulated to carry the code of being human. Each of us carried an imprint of the Divine into the human atom, located deep within the root chakra on the interdimensional planes. We implanted those 12 seeds to be activated.</span></p><p><br /><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">We had the pleasure of activating these incoming 5D frequencies called overtones for the over-light the existing reality here. This manner of introduction allows for practitioners to slowly introduce the new reality into their lives without disruption of their current reality.</span><br /><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">The caveat is this, however: whatever is not working will find a way to disappear or change. I was able to experience this first hand at the end of March with a need for a change in office space. Within twenty four hours, it was clear that the incoming forces and the Avatars were at work as the move went extremely smoothly, considering that I had been in the previous office for twenty years. Upon reflection, I can see that the Avatars were ahead of me, preparing the space with the 5D frequencies.</span></p><p><br /><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">We are now ready to introduce these energies to the world at large that all may have the choice to participate in their transcendent frequencies!</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">But first, we wish to prepare the etheric structure for maximum assimilation and utilization of these energies. We are calling this the The Immortal Skeleton.</span><br /><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">To begin, we activate the heart or the Vessel of Immortality. You may remember this from previous missives. To initiate the heart into its capacity to carry the body forth into the 5th dimension, we must activate it.</span><br /><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span><br /><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">say the sacred mantra:</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">SRI NA MA SA TAY</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">This activates the equilateral cross in the heart in six directions:</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">SRI: upwards as Transcendent Love</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">NA: downwards as Resonant Love</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">MA: to the left as Eternal Love</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">SA to the right as Immortal Love</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">TAY through the heart, forwards and backwards as a track of Infinite Love</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Now we employ the well known mantra, OM MA NE PAD ME HUM. This mantra has no direct meaning, but serves as an activating force for being receptive to Divine frequencies. You may say this mantra silently to your self, sound by sound as you also listen for the sound inside of your being.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">OM: activate the Crown chakra as the Gate of Ascension heavenward</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">MA activate the Root chakra deep into the Earth as the Gate of Divinity</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">NE activate the Throat as the Center for Transcendence in all directions</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">PAD: activate and attune the 3rd Eye as the Center of Knowingness</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">ME: activate the Power Center (3rd chakra)</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">HUM activate the Chi center (2nd chakra)</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Now you are ready to receive the incoming overtones into your field, your etheric body and your physical body.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Join us tonight for a profound initiation of these new energies. for more information, visit <a href="http://panharmonic.ning.com/profiles/blog/list">http://panharmonic.ning.com/profiles/blog/list</a></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Blessings,</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Dr. Valerie Girard</span></p></div>Join us Live tonight for a free, live meditation for Wesak, streaming live on the webhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/join-us-live-tonight-for-a2011-05-16T21:08:09.000Z2011-05-16T21:08:09.000ZValerie E Girardhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/ValerieEGirard<div><p> </p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-4">Celebrate Wesak together with a free, live web cast tonight.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-4">Join us <span style="color:#993366;">tonight</span>, for a live, meditation tonight at 7:25 pm, Los Angeles time in Panharmonic's Om Pavillion. We will be streaming live from the web on PanHarmonic TV. Try to plug in directly (wireless works but may be slower) and click the X to turn off ads that appear in the beginning.</span></p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-4">Mujiba Cabugos and Valerie Girard will be leading a meditation for the Wesak.</span></p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-4">To watch the live meditation on your computer click on</span></p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-4"><a href="http://www.panharmonic.com/panharmonic_live_tv.html">http://www.panharmonic.com/panharmonic_live_tv.html</a></span></p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-4">We are excited that you can join us live from the web from around the world! </span></p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-4">Blessings,</span></p><p> </p><span class="font-size-4">Valerie Girard and The PanHarmonic Team</span></div>GOLDEN AGEhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/golden-age2011-05-08T13:07:44.000Z2011-05-08T13:07:44.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div>One time after SB class I have asked Srila Goura Govinda maharaja question,what do you mean that we are going to be able live in "Golden age".As I have asked this question he stop and look to mine eyes and with glowing smile and high pitch voice he replay,you can not live there by merit but with pure consciousness.As the time is passing by many of as hear many different predictions for next year 2012.What is really going to happen with so many different stories we hear and predictions are tormenting peoples search for answers.What does he meant "not by merit" but "pure consciousness".Not by merit who you are and what you are but your level of development of your inner self.We have heard some charismatic swamijis in India speaking about "shift of consciousness" which start happening next year and as consequences many "fortunate souls" may achieve promotion.As Srila Swami Maharaja used to say,you cannot go to the moon by any mechanical means but you have to become qualified so by qualification!I have asked same question to Srila Narayana Maharaja and his answer was the same as Srila Swami Maharaja,there is no easy way to spiritual world as long you do your homework!So if you want to achieve promotion you have to do your part and we all know what that means!Pure devotee is always self contain and happy in any situation and when TITANIC start going down and you are hearing the music..... you chant and think that you are in Sri Vrndavan and if you serve Srila Gurudev he may pull you with the rope .We are making all choices so where do we want to go? Be prepared and do your part sincerely....</div>Mayavada doctrine is opposed to bhakti!!!https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/mayavada-doctrine-is-opposed2011-05-08T02:44:37.000Z2011-05-08T02:44:37.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div>The people whose intellect is stolen by Maya [illusion] are called Mayavadees. At present, you have so many Mayavada sanyasis who are spreading this Mayavada philosophy all around the world. Not only in the west, but also in India where corruption and mayavada philosophy is permeating all various parts of public life and living conditions are getting very difficult; people are ruled by fear and they are going through immense suffering just to get by with their daily necessities. Only self-realised souls can see and understand how this philosophy contradicts Bakti and can give some hope and mercy to suffering civilization at present times. So please associate with those pure souls because they can take you from darkness to light and they can stop your hallucination and ghosts that are haunting you for so many lifetimes. In this way, you will gradually come to sanity and your consciousness starts to blossom. Chant and stay high forever! Your good friend wishes you a happy life ever after and please help your suffering fellow countrymen. Haribol!!!!!!</div>What is YOGA?https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/what-is-yoga2011-04-24T09:00:00.000Z2011-04-24T09:00:00.000ZNirmamahttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/Nirmama<div><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://krishnamyonlyfriend.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-is-yoga.html">What is YOGA?</a></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3072314017930426874"><div dir="ltr"><b>"And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me — he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion</b>." <i>Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 6.47</i><br /><br />"The culmination of all kinds of yoga practices lies in bhakti yoga. All other yogas are but means to come to the point of bhakti in <i>bhakti-yoga</i>. <b>Yoga actually means bhakti-yoga; all other yogas are progressions toward the destination of bhakti-yoga.</b> From the beginning of karma-yoga to the end of bhakti-yoga is a long way to self-realization. <i><b>Karma-yoga</b></i>, without fruitive results, is the beginning of this path. When karma-yoga increases in knowledge and renunciation, the stage is called <i><b>jñāna-yoga</b></i>. When jñāna-yoga increases in meditation on the Supersoul by different physical processes, and the mind is on Him, it is called <i><b>aṣṭāńga-yoga</b></i>. And when one surpasses the aṣṭāńga-yoga and comes to the point of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa, it is called <i><b>bhakti yoga</b></i>, the culmination. Factually, b<b>hakti-yoga is the ultimate goal</b>, but to analyze bhakti-yoga minutely one has to understand these other yogas. <b>The yogī who is progressive</b> <b>is therefore on the true path of eternal good fortune</b>. One who sticks to a particular point and does not make further progress is called by that particular name: karma-yogī, jñāna-yogī or dhyāna-yogī, rāja-yogī, haṭha-yogī, etc. If one is fortunate enough to come to the point of bhakti-yoga, it is to be understood that he has surpassed all other yogas. <b>Therefore, to become Kṛṣṇa conscious is the highest stage of yoga</b>, just as, when we speak of Himālayan, we refer to the world's highest mountains, of which the highest peak, Mount Everest, is considered to be the culmination."<br />[From Srila Prabhupada's purport on BG 6.47]<br /><br /><strong><em>Therefore beware because:</em></strong><br /><br /><i>The Bhāgavatam</i> (11.5.3) confirms this as follows: "<b>Anyone who does not render service and neglects his duty unto the primeval Lord, who is the source of all living entities, will certainly fall down from his constitutional position."</b><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">Three questions poped up in my mind after reading this most clear, precise and enlightening explanation of yoga:</span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">1. Why do people think to themselves they know and understand what is *yoga*? ~ They are superficial posers, bad merchants, playing very hazardous games.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">2. <b>Why don't they want to *know</b>* - instead they pretend to know something about it?</span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">3. Have they ever read Bhagavad Gita, if nothing else? Why they don't read it? <b>And if so, why don't they *understand* it??? And finally -- what in the world are they actually doing??!??</b></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;"><b>I really don't understand what kind of curtain is placed upon their eyes......</b></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">~</span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">And then the answers came to me: this confusion about what is yoga is <strong>due to missunderstood terms from ancient original Vedic scriptures and original teachings</strong>. For example: one can read the text I posted above, and skip the key term here:<span style="text-decoration:underline;"><b>self-realization</b></span>. Without knowing and understanding all the stages of self-realization, one can not understand sole and ultimate purpose of human existence. And <b>self-realization comes in package with God's realization, and God's realization <span style="text-decoration:underline;">is not</span> the realization "I am God!" LOL! LOL!</b></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;"><b> </b></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">Furthermore, without knowing clearly one's original eternal spiritual *<b>constituional position</b>*, how is one to understand ~ <b>the way back</b> to their original position? So if we want to connect these two dots: f<strong>rom understanding one's *constituional position* to* self-realization* - there is the path of *yoga*</strong>. <strong>And the process of yoga is meant for making this particular linking of eternal individual spirit soul with God, the Supreme Person, from whom everything emanates, in order to re-establish personal, fully conscious, joyful and unique relationship, no more-no less. :)</strong></span><br /><br /><i>Few tips that might be helpful about definitions on self-realization from dictionary</i>:<br /><br />self-re·al·i·za·tion - Noun<br />~ Fulfillment of one's own potential<br />~Soul recognition. The entering of Soul into the Soul Plane and there beholding Itself as pure Spirit. A state of seeing, knowing, and being.<br />~<strong>The spiritual search takes us in many directions, introduces many new ideas, give promises and via many well meaning teachers. But it is only when we come into contact with a self realized being that our search can be directed meaningfully. ...</strong><br />~The progressive experiential comprehension of the self as consciousness, as soul and of God. </div><div dir="ltr"></div></div></div>DO NOT QUARRELhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/do-not-quarrel2011-03-07T10:24:50.000Z2011-03-07T10:24:50.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div>Srila Gurudeva ExplainsHis Desire For Unity and HarmonyOnce, during Navadvipa parikrama, two disciples of my Gurudeva were quarreling between themselves. Taking burning sticks of wood from the kitchen, both were bitterly quarreling. Someone came and told my Gurudeva, “Oh, they are quarreling very much. Please do somehow make them stop. They are not listening to anyone.” Guru Maharaja replied, “Let them quarrel. They should bitterly quarrel, and after that they should go to court and file a case against each other. I am not a judge. I have not come to sit in court and decide about worldly things. I have not told them to quarrel. I told them that those who want to do bhajana of Krsna will follow the principles of trinad api sunicena, taror iva suhisnusa, amanina manadena. They will be humble like a blade of grass and more tolerant than the trees.“Trees never complain about anything to anyone, even if they are being cut down. Even if the tree is drying up, it never begs water. Rather, it always serves others. You can throw any stone at it, and it will give you sweet fruits. Its bark, fruit, wood, and everything else is for others.“I have told them that I came to help them develop transcendental love and affection for Krsna. I have not come to be a judge. In India, and especially in Bengal, there are thousands of courts where one can go and complain; no harm. Don’t come to me for that.”As you may know, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was residing in Puri, Gopinatha Patinayaka, who was the brother of Srila Raya Ramananda and very dear to Mahaprabhu, had kept a large sum of money which belonged to the king. He was given a service by the state to collect money, and he was collecting it, but he once withheld a large amount. So he was guilty.The son of the king went to him and asked, “Why are you withholding the money?” He arrested him and brought him to court, where it was decided that he should be given the death sentence; the next day he should be put to death.All the devotees became very worried. They approached Mahaprabhu and begged, “O, please save him.” Mahaprabhu replied, “You want Me to go to the king? I cannot help him. I have not told him to do as he did. Why should he not pay that money? He must pay. I will not interfere. Let him die. I am not a court. I have not come for this. I have only come to give love and affection for Krsna. I can help you only with this.”Similarly, I am also not a court. You can go to court if you have any dispute. I have not told anyone to quarrel with his wife, and I have not told that wife to quarrel with her husband. I have not come from India to be like a court. I have come simply to teach you how you can advance in bhakti.For millions of births you have been quarreling in courts, here and there, but I have not come for this. This is not my duty, so don’t come to me with these things. I don’t want to waste my time.If you have a problem in chanting and remembering, or if you are weak, I can help so much. My life is dedicated for that. Do you understand? If you have some desire to serve Krsna, I can make you strong. However, if you have no faith in the holy name, in guru, or in Krsna, how can I help? If you don’t want to perform devotional activities, then you are free. You are independent to do all bogus activities for sense gratification. What can I do? If you want to be happy forever, you must have strong faith in krsna-nama.We see from history, and we also see from the Vedas, Puranas, and all other scriptures that a man cannot be happy, and neither can a woman be happy, if he or she is not chanting and remembering Krsna. This can never be. If you want to be happy, then follow the path of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Vedas, the Upanisads, and all other sastras say the same thing.My request is that wife and husband not quarrel with each other. Be tolerant, otherwise your life will be spoiled. Be like chaste Indian ladies and chaste Indian husbands. Be like Rama, like Sita, like the gopis, like Krsna, like Savitri, Satyabama, Anusuya, Atri, and all others like them. There are so many sincere senior devotees here who are very peaceful, and I become happy to see them. Be happy forever.[Wales, July 2, 2000]</div>STUNNING......BEST VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE!!!!https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/stunningbest-videos-on-youtube2011-03-06T06:58:42.000Z2011-03-06T06:58:42.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div>Infallible lessons on the Path of <span><span>Devotion</span></span> from Srila Gurudeva's worldwide preaching.<br />Please share this specially with those who are forgetful!<br /><br /><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu1TWr"><span><font color="#0000FF">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu1TWr</font></span></a></span><br /><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERC0egKwMdg"><span><font color="#0000FF">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERC0egKwMdg</font></span></a></span><br /><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWIUo-vvVw"><span><font color="#0000FF">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWIUo-vvVw</font></span></a></span><br /><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzfbYELuS2o"><span><font color="#0000FF">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzfbYELuS2o</font></span></a></span><br /><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcg99vwBQsI"><span><font color="#0000FF">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcg99vwBQsI</font></span></a></span><br /><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gsvr-rdaw8"><span><font color="#0000FF">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gsvr-rdaw8</font></span></a></span><br /><span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk6b4UfdKu4"><span><font color="#0000FF">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk6b4UfdKu4</font></span></a></span><br /><span><span>Chant</span></span> and be happy!<br />Markandeyarishi das</div>FOOD FOR ALLhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/food-for-all2011-03-05T21:24:16.000Z2011-03-05T21:24:16.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div><p>INDYAROCKS IN LONDON & TOKYO</p><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/20238818" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/20238818</a></p></div>LAST DARSHAN 2010 KARTIK SRI VRNDAVANA DHAMAhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/last-darshan-2010-kartik-sri2011-03-05T14:25:10.000Z2011-03-05T14:25:10.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div><p>ANTICIPATION FOR LAST GLIMPSE OF PURE DEVOTEE.....</p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ1osPuO7lg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ1osPuO7lg</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>ENDLESS LOVE....ONE FAMILYhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/endless-loveone-family2011-03-05T14:02:14.000Z2011-03-05T14:02:14.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div><p>NAGAR SANKIRTAN IN SRI VRNDAVAN 1977</p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMpht3K5fTw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMpht3K5fTw</a></p></div>UNITY & DIVERSITYhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/unity-amp-diversity2011-03-05T03:15:09.000Z2011-03-05T03:15:09.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div><div><div><p>I would just like to see this posted in as many places as possible so as to maybe bridge some of these longstanding divides in so many of the sangas. Please please see that this is posted. It is imperative that we as Gaudiya Vaisnavas are focused, Unified in Loving Service to Radha-Krsna-Mahaprabhu.</p><p> </p><p>Here it is:</p><p> </p><p>All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!</p><p>All Glories to Srila Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada!</p><p> Please allow me to offer my dandavat pranams again and again to the Vaisnavas around the world - although I may not be able to see with my imperfect vision, I know that Srimati Radharani's dearest sakhis are always present here in order to purify this material realm and provide an opportunity for us conditioned souls. Also, I would like to ask that the reader, whoever s/he may be, please accept my humble obeisances and forgive me for any offenses I have caused or may cause in the future. I am conditioned and imperfect and make mistakes. I know that times have been tough for many devotees around the world since Srila B.V. Narayan Maharaj, my Srila Gurudeva, entered into Nitya-Lila on the 29th of December this past year. As many disciples of Srila Prabhupada have been experiencing since 1977, my Godbrothers and sisters must now re-focus their attention to a more internal relationship. I am well aware that I have yet to say anything that any regular devotee of any organization doesn't already know, because I am finding it hard to put into words what I would like to express. This is my best attempt.</p><p> I have heard stories growing up of conflicts amongst devotees, different splinters from both the Gaudiya Math and ISKCON forming while everyone keeps on thinking "I'm the do'er, I'm in control". Between accusations and proof of child molestations, the zoning of parts of the world to be given to someone as their place to harvest disciples and the completely over-emphasized focus on the "institution" and the "community", I think devotees of all creeds, cultures and backgrounds have lost sight of what it means to be in the line of Mahaprabhu, or more recently Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. It is this problem I wish to address in an attempt to reconcile what is really the feuding of many different parts of the same exact family.</p><p> In my experience, just growing up as a gurukuli and learning about this theology from a young age, I find that the root cause of this problem is not so easily snuffed out. Everyone thinks that they are right, that they've found the answers they are looking for. Confidence is overflowing as we all truck down a path that leads to the failure of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakurs prediction. Every town and village cannot hear the name's of Radha and Krsna if they're being drowned out by shouting, quarreling and even violence. I am well aware that at my body's age I have not reached the life experience commonly expected of someone who is going to make judgemental statements, nor does my position in our disciplic succession warrant any respect or attention.</p><p> </p><p>Even then, I find that THIS is the real problem:</p><p> </p><p> That simply because I'm 20 years old I am looked down on as someone incapable of fulfilling the tasks handed down our line. But what have our Acharya's given us, down what path have we been guided? We know that the Yuga-Dharma is to chant. The way I chant japa or do kirtan may not be the same as the way you do it, but isn't the point that we're all doing it?! I know that the disciples of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada's Godbrothers have not become so narrow minded as to think that there is really a difference in our theology. Krsna fulfills your adhikar and if you are looking for differences HE WILL PROVIDE THEM! How do you think Atheists base their arguments on things that seem logical? Because Krsna is the master of logic. Point being, this is simply a cry for unification. For renunciation. What are we renouncing? Materialistic interaction between devotees.</p><p> We're one family. Does this mean I expect things to work out perfectly? No. But it could save this mission from growing stagnant. What can you hope to build out of your community if half of it is on one side of the fence and half the other? And what is the FUTURE of that community even if reconciled? The future lies in the hands of the youth. How do we encourage kuli's my age to get involved? In 25 years how will we ensure that this isn't just a further watered down form of Christianity? How about 100? 2,000 years was plenty of time for propaganda to inundate all levels of a theology. My Gurudeva said that the youth should show respect to the seniors and the seniors love and affection to the youth. I've noticed that both sides complain of the other side not representing their "end of the bargain" as an excuse. It's not a good one. One must reflect internally and see what THEY may be doing to dissuade their senior from showing them love and affection or dissuade their junior from showing them respect. And in actuality, what makes us think that we're deserving of either of these things? Because Gurudeva says this is proper Vaisnava etiquette does not mean that our karmic history makes this possible. We're conditioned and the false ego's so powerful. Cooperation is achieved when like-minded devotees join together and reach out to other devotees who may not be on quite the same page with humility and a desire to see true success in Mahaprabhu's mission. If senior devotees are wanting respect from us, first care about us. Ask our opinion. Let us lead kirtan. Don't judge us, because believe me, nobody is excused from the instruction to just "Chant and be Happy!"</p><p> </p><p>If there is a single thing that anyone should take away from the entirety of this topic it's this: If you accept Guru as the external manifestation of paramatma and your Guru is no longer physically present, he must be in your heart. Following this train of thought - your uncooperative tendencies are in conflict directly with Guru and Krsna because They are residing in the heart of each and every devotee with whom you quarrel... Stop the bickering, and behave like Guru, Sadhu and Sastra has shown you to.</p><p> </p><p>vancha-kalpa-tarubhyash cha</p><p>kripa-sindhubhya eva cha</p><p>patitanam pavanebhyo</p><p>vaishnavebhyo namo namaha</p><p> </p><p>Pranams,</p><p> </p><p>Narasimha Das</p><p> </p></div></div></div>Guru qualification.https://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/guru-qualification2011-02-01T06:07:39.000Z2011-02-01T06:07:39.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div><div>If you know personally then you may also know that when guru is not qualified in first place so then where is the question to be initiated!?Many</div><div>that kind of unqualified guru's disciples wanted to take shelter from Srila Gaura Govinda Maharaja but they have been not allowed.Why?Because unqualified</div><div>guru doesn't know vaisnava tradition and as a result of that many offenses are committed within institution and outside too.Uttama guru</div><div>does not re-initiate but gives shelter he doesn't collect disciples but by giving sadhu sanga and guru kripa he can accept some service from them.</div><div>He can train them and guide them on the path of gradual upliftment to achieve final goal which is love of God.Just only for this reason Srila Swami Maharaja</div><div>asked Srila Narayana Maharaja for adequate training to his disciples because there was not enough time......and one day they may come to realize that Srila Narayana</div><div>Maharaja is their closes and the most intimate ever well wisher!!!!! Haribol. </div></div>YUGA ACHARYAhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/yuga-acharya2011-01-30T08:06:51.000Z2011-01-30T08:06:51.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div><a href="http://purekatha.ning.com/photo/albums/yuga-acharya">http://purekatha.ning.com/photo/albums/yuga-acharya</a></div>INCREDIBLE INDIAhttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/profiles/blogs/incredible-india2011-01-12T08:11:39.000Z2011-01-12T08:11:39.000Zmarkandeyarishihttps://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net/members/markandeyarishi<div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M1Z5Z-MEyM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M1Z5Z-MEyM</a></div>