Memory is the power to retain and recall the information and past experiences. Memory applies to both individual facts and experiences that one recalls as well as the brain’s ability to contain it all. A good memory reinforces one’s perceptions and an unpleasant memory can be very destructive. How does one handle memory? Memories are very important for one and each memory teaches one how to handle the repetition of a hurtful experience. Continue reading
Lately I had to go for a PET scan to another hospital. While I was waiting for my turn, it was freezing in the space I was in.
I managed to grab a blanket and my teeth stopped chattering. I was wearing my hospital attire as I am still in hospital. I think dear ones, you all know that the clothes one is made to wear, are meant for the convenience of the doctors and nurses. The arms are bare, and it is cold in them. I settled down to wait my turn. I closed my eyes and meditated on Shiva. After shutting my eyes, what did I see? Continue reading
No wonder there is conflict. I leave you to decide.
Goddess Shakti
She is the Mother of the Universe, First, Last and the Highest Refuge.
Whom does Shiva worship? Continue reading
And save the Cosmos.
Our cosmos is comprised of ether, air, fire, water and earth. I have written about each one of the elements and how each on of us and all living creatures and plants are composed of these elements. Continue reading
To fulfil our dreams. A visualization of Maha Shakti.
Close your eyes. Sit straight. Chant Aim Hrim Klim three times. Breathe in and out of your left nostril and then breathe in and out of the right nostril. You are clearing the Ida and Pingala nadis. Now breathe in and out of both nostrils so that the Sushumna can flow. Be still. Continue reading
Parvati is the power of Shakti of Lord Shiva, the beloved wife of Shiva and the mother of Ganesha and Kartike. She is the Yogamaya of Lord Vishnu, she tied a rakhi (sacred thread) on Vishnu’s wrist, thus making him her brother. She wears a Mangal sutra (a string of gold and black beads), which is a sign of marriage for Hindu women round her neck. Continue reading
Modifications in our consciousness.
“Each day watch the colors of your mind.
Until the light shines clearly
And you see straight through
The craving of your senses.
Thus, you will win freedom from experiences
Which carves you to its form
Release from desire which eats you from within.” Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
In Hinduism, colors play a very significant role. Some of the main colors are red, yellow (turmeric), green from leaves and white from wheat flour.
Red is the color used most frequently for auspicious occasions like marriages, birth of a child, festivals, etc. A red mark is put on the forehead during ceremonies and important situations. As a sign of marriage, women put red powder (sindhoor made from turmeric and lime juice) in their hair parting. Red powder is applied to statues of deities, during prayers. It is also the color of Shakti’s strength. A red dress is put on Gods who are charitable, merciful and protective against evil. A married Indian woman is wrapped in red, when she is cremated.
Saffron expresses fire, abstinence and celibacy. Wearing this color also means searching for the light.
Green characterizes peace and happiness.
Yellow is the color of knowledge and learning and it symbolizes happiness, peace and meditation.
White is a mixture of seven colors, and therefore depicts the qualities of each color. It typifies purity and cleanliness. It is also the color of mourning for Hindus. The deities always have a little bit of white on their clothes.
Blue is a color which is everywhere in nature. It is a color which demonstrates stability and strong character. Rama and Krishna are colored blue because they protected mankind against evil.
Violet is associated with oneness with God, peace and wisdom. The lotus flower is of many colors but violet is considered the most sacred.
Last but not least, black is a color which is used to ward of the evil eye. According to Astrology if you wish to harmonize the planetary influences, then black is the color to be worn on Saturday. Black color is offered to the fiercest form of mother. In this color she absorbs everything that she has created.
Prakriti, the Goddess is described as having three gunas. Purity, passion and inertia. Knowledge arises from Sattwa; greed from Rajas; delusion, heedlessness and ignorance arise from Tamas. The Gunas are represented by three colors, Sattwa is harmony and purity, and is therefore white. Rajas is energy and passion and is rendered as red. Tamas is inertia and ignorance and is depicted as Black.
Close your eyes. Breathe in and out of your nostrils eleven time. Now visualize your breath, while inhaling going in through both nostrils and meeting at the eyebrow center. While exhaling visualize the breath descending form the eyebrow center out of both the nostrils. This is triangular breathing. Do this fifty-four times. See a color in the Chidakasha, the space behind the eyebrow center. Ten minutes stay with the color, if the color changes, no worry. End the practice with becoming aware of the normal breathing process.
All the colors are very powerful in their energy. Do not push to see a particular color.
Aim Hrim Klim
Any kind of dependence is expressed as an addiction. It is also described as a monkey on one’s back. One can smile at this description but if it is the individual who has habit, then it is tough. How do we process an addiction? It is easy to have no empathy for addicts because they have locked themselves in a nightmare. In the Gita it is said that lust, anger and greed are the three doors to hell. Continue reading
How do we awaken our potential? One of the major tools is Yoga, which unfolds our different levels of awareness, which are buried deep in our unconscious. Each one of us is blessed with it. We have to learn to awaken it and harness it. It then turns into prana and from there into power and vidya (knowledge). Continue reading
Gita, Chapter 7.
I am the universe, the universe is in me.
The external me is in earth and air and space,
in fire and in water and in mind, reason and self.
The invisible me is everywhere in everything.
I am the light of the sun and the coolness of the moon;
I am the beauty in the rainbow and the fragrance of the jasmine. Continue reading
“You may go to temples and discharge all religious obligations as taught by your tradition, but that alone will not help you to unlock the secret chambers. However much you may sit for puja, please note that lack of concentration will render all your efforts futile. It is always best to aim first and then shoot. There is practically no use of shooting in the air.” – Swami Satyananda Saraswati Continue reading
A quote by Sant Kabirdas
Kabirdas was a mystic poet and saint. His writings influenced the Hindu Bhakti movement in the fifteenth century. He believed in living life very simply. He makes us face up to the lies that we tell ourselves, that we are devout and are not afraid of death. He described the process of ajapa japa and the mantra So ham, as a continuous process. Continue reading
Children can have many fears. Sometimes they cannot express them. The fears can lead to temper tantrums, unreasonable behaviour, nightmares, distractedness and so on. A very simple way of enabling children to be fearless is by teaching them Shashankha Asana. It is a very easy pose and all kids love it. Continue reading
We are hedonists. Seekers of assuaging our senses. We are all engaged in the pursuit of pleasure, and this leads us to wanting more, excesses and dis-satisfaction. Every day is spent in seeking excitement and challenge. However what happens is that we develop a void in our lives, and we experience negativity in all its aspects. For many a short cut is consumption and abuse of stimulants. We want to chase the boredom away. What is the solution? How do we handle this ennui, and we have to face reality. Continue reading