Light To Earth

Everything that happens on earth elicits a response. The choice is ours to respond with fear or understanding. With kindness or hatred. Bring light to your heart before you respond, and with that bring light to earth

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Be Awake and Aware!

Anyone who has spent time with Maharishi Om, (‘Guruji’ as he is affectionately called by those close to him) will have heard him say, ‘Be awake and aware!’ These simple words of wisdom are deep with meaning. And by sincerely following these instructions our perception of the world around us will be enhanced.

To be awake implies that one has become on the alert and alive to something, (our life?). To be awake is to be fully conscious.

The word aware is even more impressive. In the dictionary it states that to be aware is to be watchful, to have or show realization, perception or knowledge. To be aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

Spending time with Guruji is an auspicious blessing. Recently I had the good fortune of a few afternoons in his Divine presence. His quiet tone and kind mannerisms belied the depth of his words. His phrases were rich in wisdom. He shared his wealth of wisdom casually and with the utmost simplicity. I began jotting down some of the things he said because I knew I would want to remember them.


Although the following information and statements were given in answer to questions asked or in reference to the conversation at the time, these words stand on their own significantly as divine guidance.

(Apologies if I have interpreted anything incorrectly. Any mistakes are mine.)


Dharma:
10 QUALITIES OF DHARMA:

Great Patience (Dhairy)

Forgiveness (Chama)

Purity of Thought (Dama)

Not Stealing (Asteya)

Cleanliness (shauch)

Discipline of Senses (Self Control)

Courage (Dheer)

Knowledge (Vidya)

Truth (Sathyam)

Calmness (Akroda)

Aachara Hina Na Dunanti Veda:
Dunanti- purify
Aachara Hina- Improper behavior
Na- Not
Veda- Teaching
It means: Those who know perfectly, but act imperfectly, even the Vedas cannot purify them. In other words, A person might know the appropriate way to act, but still acts inappropriately, therefore, even the Vedas can not purify him.

When we depart from this earth the one thing that goes with us is Dharma. Neither family, friends, money goes with us. Only Dharma stays with you. and only Dharma can protect you when no one is with you.

Dharma means righteous deed
If we have Dharma we don’t need anyone to save us, and no one can save us.



Personal Responsibility:

Cleanliness is everything, not just washing your clothes, putting on a scent, dressing nicely, Internal Cleaning!

If you know it, it is your responsibility to tell the truth. If you do not know it, it is not your responsibility.

Misguiding for your own benefit is punishable by the Divine.

Bringing misery to other peoples lives is a crime

Don’t compare yourself with anyone.

Don’t be jealous. Jealousy is a sin.

In a hurry do not do anything.



llusion:

Under the influence of illusion and greed we do things that hurt us.

Happiness is not connected with things.

Happiness is connected with thoughts

People are trying to change the outer environment, but they do not want to change their inner environment.


Self Study:

Working on thought and understanding these, that is called self study.

Self Study=Swadhya

How do you do self study? You observe your senses and behavior and you correct it.


Conflict of Thought:

Conflicting thought makes you uncomfortable. In that situation a hurricane comes (to your mind)

Conflict of thought is called a mental hurricane. At the time of a mental hurricane do not do anything, just stay in one place and wait until the worst of the ‘hurricane’ moves away. Once the hurricane is cleared away you can see everything clearly.

When a mental hurricane is there you can hurt yourself.

In this type of situation accept the unbiased advise of friends, relatives or teacher. Accept it as though the Divine is providing shelter, do not ignore it.


Self Doubt:

Don’t put yourself in self doubt. If you don’t know, find out the truth

Those who have self doubt can destroy themselves. (Study the Gita) on how to rid the self of doubt. Inquire. Accept the truth.


Sensual Pleasure:

(See) If the outcome of sensual pleasure is pleasant and not harmful to your thought in any way.

Some behaviors are temporarily pleasant.

Discover what causes the unpleasant, then do not repeat it.


Spiritual Life:

Spiritual life means you should be happy. You should have what you need. Everyone has basic needs of food and a home with space for a guest.

It is not necessary to have more then you need.

When you feel pain in your heart like a tightened fist, that is sadness. Meditate on the Anahata- heart chakra and the third eye together. That combines emotion with wisdom.

Read the Gita, then think about it, sequence, connection and intention of Lord Krishna to Arjuna

Listen and analyze. In any analyzation you need to see Lord Krishna’s intention. Why did he say that? What will be the result.


The Divine:

Believe in the Divine, good karma and truth. You will see justice and you will succeed.

A good prayer to Mother Divine: Thank you for everything. I do not deserve that much. You are most generous.

You can deceive anyone but not the Divine.


Guruji:

Whatever I want for myself I have to give to others.

How can I get peace if I don’t give it?

There is no permanent answer for everyone, it is person to person. Each case is individual.

Judge me through my actions, not my speech.

If they want to ask Guruji’s opinion, he will give it.

If they want to ask something, Guruji can say when.

Have faith in the Divine you will do just fine.

Please view my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com

Monday, August 9, 2010

Maharishi Om

I am still reeling with thoughts of the evening I spent with Maharishi Om  last week. I was invited quite spontaneously to a small gathering at the home of an acquaintance. A phone call.

"Come," they said "He wants to meet you."

An Indian saint was visiting. He was only twenty minutes away! Why would he want to meet me? But when I arrived I felt instantly that I already knew him and he knew me. As we spoke I felt he knew me better then I knew myself.

It is always a great blessing to meet an incredible being on earth.
In my time I have met many beings alive with the sacred energy of love and light, enlightened beings like Maharishi Om. Living Buddhas. Humans who by many lifetimes of severe and austere practices of total devotion to advancing the soul have attained the highest pinnacle of human evolution in this lifetime, Enlightenment and beyond.

The soul one day remembers the true purpose of its existence and begins a ceaseless endeavor to reclaim its birthright, self realization. Or as in the story of the Buddha realizing the mind with its ceaseless desires as the cause of dissatisfaction with life seeks to find a way out of the suffering.

Buddha sought a teacher and techniques to bring peace of mind yet later gave up his teachers.

Endeavoring on a spiritual path brings it's own pain as we stumble along making mistakes, following the wrong path, following teachings that do not suit and teachers that are still evolving themselves. It is fair to warn the novice that not all spiritual teachers are necessarily good. Not all Gurus are enlightened, not all Gurus mean well. The Buddha left his teachers when they could not help him find what he was looking for, peace of mind, and the end to suffering.

Being fooled into believing someone is a true and sincere spiritual teacher is not difficult. Considering there is no way to gauge the caliber of a teacher unless a person has attained some level of advancement themselves.  Pinning all of their hopes of spiritual evolvment on the teacher, the spiritual aspirant opens. Vulnerable and completely accepting, the heart is handed over in exchange for the soul's evolvement. 

The student believes the teacher is selfless and godlike. And in many cases the Guru does not disappoint.
But if it is found out that the Guru too has desires and is not free of greed or impure actions it can make continuing on the spiritual path a challenge.

My message is take heart! There are Gurus of impeccable integrity. Many of them enlightened beings from India.

I once heard a self proclaimed master say enlightened beings are what India produces, like technology from Japan and medical advancement from Germany, India's product is enlightened beings. Yet the Indian population is full of skeptics. They consider most if not all gurus to be charlatans, fakirs and to use an English term, fakes.

It is the non-Indian follower on a spiritual path who is more willing to place the mystical, exotic, possessor of mysteries and secrets on a pedestal. What does one hope to gain by this association? What would possess a person to give up autonomy? Because ultimately, to follow a Guru is be told what to do, how to live and even how to worship.

'Guru' is a Sanskrit word commonly used to mean spiritual teacher. Maharishi Om says, 'Guru means true guide, like a mother.'

But Guru is also known to mean one who dispels darkness or one who leads a person from darkness to light.

It is the hope of coming out of the dark that draws the sincere seeker. The hope of truly knowing oneself. A seeker is more often then not plagued with questions. 'Is this all there is to life? Who am I? Why am I here? Why do I feel like there is something I do not know?' All at once the seeker will proclaim, 'I WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH!' And as they say, when the student is ready a teacher will appear.
Probably from India.

There have been scandals surrounding Gurus for as long as there have been Gurus. Any novice westerner would be hard pressed to understand why one of the most beloved Hindu gods- Lord Krisha, had hundreds, possibly thousands of lovers. This is considered a divine leela, (a cosmic play performed on this plane instead of in the heavenly realms). And the Hindu epic Ramayana tells of the great and noble slayer of demons, Lord Rama who asked of  his wife who 'might' have been untrue to walk into the fire to appease his distrustful followers.

In the years since the early 1970's I have been following Gurus and over the years have watched many modern day 'leelas' as they transpired. Baba Muktananda, Rajneesh-aka-Osho were both scrutinized for their interactions with devotees and Rajneesh for his accumulation of unfathomable wealth. More recently Vishwananda and  Nithyananda have been surrounded by similar scandals, yet they continue to have followers.

To follow a guru is to trust completely that your soul is safe in their care and keeping.

Ultimately the truth of our nature lies within each of us. The answer to the question, Who am I? can not be found outside of the self. And although the spiritual teacher can point out the way, can show the techniques, and even carry part of the burden, the work has to be done by our self. We must be willing to sit in quiet introspection. It is written in the Bhagavad Gita that any effort will garner results. I was often comforted by this line said to be God speaking to the disciple, 'Take one step towards Me I will take ten towards you.'

We must be willing to give attention to the ceaseless clamoring of the minds' inner chatter. For in truth like a child demanding attention, a child who will not stop until it is given what it wants, the thoughts in our mind require attention. To give time to the mind, to sit and observe the thoughts and the process of thinking is to have made a quantum leap on your personal path to awakening. The answer to the questions we seek are within. The water in a torrential rain storm is no different from the water in a calm lake or the tear in your eye. The ache in your heart and those tears are a part of the quest to awaken to the truth that lies waiting to be known.
I AM THAT!

Please view my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com



Here are two sites with amazing information:
http://www.yogausa.com/  (yogausa.com)
You don't have to sign up to listen, just click play.

Under - Bhajans, Slokas and Mantras I found some beautiful flute music:
-Meditation Flute Music Mp3/ Nice Native American flute, very peaceful
-Hindi Intrumental MP3/  The piece titled : 'Awakening' is beautiful
- Other Mp3 / Indian Bhajans (prayerful chanting- 'Guru Avatar' and 'Om Namah Sivaya' are my favorites)

For a more female prespective:
http://www.gurumaa.com/ (gurumaa.com)

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Chakras

I've often wondered what it must be like to be born on the fourth of July like my niece Melissa, to have the sky exploding in brilliant fiery light on your birthday while the rest of us make due with candles on our cakes.

The rockets exploding, I imagine the wide eyed little girl she once was, thrilling at the sound, knowing this is her special day. The sparklers, the barbecues and the entire nation celebrating her birthday.

It is how life should feel, lively, awake, excited! It is the feeling we should all experience not only on our birthdays, but everyday. That energy, that motivated intensity that tingles with excitement when the entire being is vibrating happens when our vital energy centers, called chakras, are spinning freely. An unimpeded flow of energy through our body quickens us. It makes us feel alive. The secret to keeping the chakras clear and unblocked has long been known by sages and yogic masters. It requires effort. A person must be willing to control themselves. Not only the senses, but thoughts and feelings and the way we breathe and move or vegetate can impede or free the energy that flows through us.

I spent the fourth of July with friends from high school, Ruth and Desiree, ladies I had little contact with for three decades until recently. Each time we come together we learn more about who we have become and where our interests lie. It was a welcome surprise when Ruth suggested we visit the East-West Bookstore in Mountain View. I literally exhaled. It was just what I had been looking for, a bit of the familiar. The books and music, the incense and aroma oils that were so matter of fact in L.A., had been missing in my life in Northern California were right here. And not only that, there was a sweet, enlightened energy that I was familiar with from my years of ashram living, in the store. As it turned out, Swami Kriyananda (direct disciple of Paramahamsa Yogananda) was sitting in the back, simply being.

Desiree, Ruth and I wandered about, picking things up, reading, touching, filling our senses, but it was Ruth who picked up the chakra card wanting to know what were chakras?  What were they for? It was her inquisitiveness that inspired this blog.
So here goes.... Chakra Cliff notes for you Ruth.

The word 'chakra' is a Sanskrit word. It means wheel. The energy centers in the body resemble wheels. When active and fully functioning, they spin.

The chakras purpose is to bring energy into the body. An energy that is imperative to our well being travels on these chakras, it is called 'Prana'. (prana = life force)

There are thousands of energy centers within our subtle body. Seven are considered most important. Two are located in the head and five along the spinal column.

The seven chakras are energy centers, 'gates', (or entry ways for energy) and transformers located along the spine and up into the head. Like antenna, they pick up or sense all of the energy entering a person's personal energy field. They process and distribute the energy entering through them, and transform the frequencies, supplying it where it is needed.

The 7Th chakra is the gate through which the highest frequencies enter a person, but the lowest chakra upward must be open and receptive before the highest chakra can receive energy.

When all of the energy centers are open we experience wholeness and unconditional joy.

Chakras are affected by a wide range of emotions, many that unfortunately block them, such as fear and stress.

Each chakra is responsible for the health of one area of the body.

Blockages in the chakras often manifest as physical ailments. A blockage in the first chakra can cause constipation, a headache could indicate the sixth chakra or third eye chakra is blocked.

All people are equipped with chakra energy transformers and receptacles. We can all positively or negatively affect an others energy centers. We are always sending and receiving energy to and from one another. The term 'vibes' came about to describe these sensations we all feel.


Muladhara

The first energy center: The root chakra is located at the base of the spine. In the area of the coccyx.

Sanskrit name: Muladhara (mula means root / dhara means support)

It is associated with our connection to the earth, the birth of all things and our own sexuality. It is blocked by sexual abuse, fantasy and imagination. Accepting reality can unblock the the Muladhara.

It's  base color is red, it's esoteric color  yellow it is ruled by Mars which governs male potency and survival instincts and aggression.

This chakra is the seat of 'kundalini'. Kundalini is the energy of spiritual awakening, it is a reservoir of potential untapped energy that lays dormant in most people. When this energy is activated by meditation and breathing exercises, it begins to travel upward to the crown chakra which results in a state of higher awareness and ultimately self realization. To awaken this chakra practice (moola bhanda) tightening and releasing the anal sphincter several times in succession, then sit quietly feeling your connection to the earth.


Svadhisthana

The second energy center (chakra): Located below the naval, above the genitals. It controls the urinary tract and sexual organs, (because of it's proximity to the first chakra their functions are similar.)

It's color is orange and it is ruled by the moon.

Sanskrit name: Svadisthana (swa or sva means- self / adhishtana means- established) It implies the origin or abode of the self.

This is where we experience our gender. A woman experiences her femininity, a man his masculinity here. It can be blocked by fear and restrictions related to sexuality. Accepting your fears, especially fear of death can unblock this chakra. Kegel exercises (contracting and releasing the muscles that control the flow of urination) and sexual arousal strengthen this chakra.


Manipuraka

The third chakra: Is sometimes said to be located in the solar plexus, but is more accurately found in the area around the naval.

Sanskrit name: Manipuraka, the word itself means in Sanskrit, city of jewels. (Mani- gem or jewel / pur- city)

This energy center is often compared to the dazzling power of the sun. Feelings of contentment and trust are regulated by this chakra. It is the center of willpower and is ruled by the Sun. It is often blocked by worries. Developing confidence can unblock this chakra.

Empower this chakra by imagining a radiant sun shining in the center of your body.


Anahata

The fourth chakra: Anahata, in Sanskrit this word means unstuck sound. It represents 'soundless sound', that which cannot be created. It is said to be the chakra from which all of the 72,000 energy centers ( nadis) in the body originate. It is located in the region of the heart.

This chakra is the source of love and light, not only human love, but divine love. It's esoteric color is violet, but when compassion is present it is also said to radiate a bright emerald green. It is ruled by the planet Saturn. In its highest vibration it is said to be the gateway to the infinite.

It closes when a person has a strong need for attention and opens when a person expresses selfless love. Exercises that strengthen the arms and chest can help awaken the heart chakra.

Visualising yourself and others bathed in pink liquid light daily will activate this chakra.


Vishuddha

The fifth chakra: Vishuddha, in Sanskrit this word means pure, or more literally beyond pure and impure. Often called the throat chakra, it can be found in the throat in the area where the Adam's apple would be.

It is the center of creative expression and communication. It is ruled by the planet Venus and the color indigo. It relates to things ethereal as well as the principle of sound. A sore throat, neck ache or earache are symptoms that this chakra is blocked. Feelings of jealousy and the need to compare yourself with others actually block the throat chakra.

Exercises which strengthen the neck and shoulder blades are helpful with vishudda chakra (not to the point of severely developing these areas like a body builder might tend to do.)

Expressing our own creativity and uniqueness without comparing ourselves to others and repeating the mantra, 'I am complete and whole within myself' while breathing deep and slow are beneficial to Vishudda.


Ajna

The sixth chakra: Ajna means 'command' or 'order'. It is sometimes called the eye of wisdom or the third eye, the eye that looks inward. It is located in the center of the skull, between the eyebrows, straight back to where the temples would meet in the center.

When this chakra is awake willpower is strengthened and desires are fulfilled almost immediately.

It is in this center where one experiences clairvoyance, wisdom and divine experiences, inner guidance, and revelations.

Ajna chakra is the seat of the mind, it is ruled by Jupiter and it's color is blue.

Being too serious can lock this chakra. Eye problems, headaches, earaches and inability to laugh are indications that this chakra is blocked. Letting go of ego and allowing yourself to have fun can help unblock this chakra. Doing simple breathing exercises for example; inhaling to a count of four, holding the breath to a count of four, and exhaling to a count of four, can be helpful in unblocking the ajna chakra, as is the mantra, 'Not my will but thy will be done.'


Sahasrara

The seventh chakra: Sahasrara in Sanskrit means 'thousand petalled'. It is sometimes called the crown chakra or the thousand petal lotus. It is located at the top of the head, in the crown.

Jupiter is the ruler of this chakra and its color is a lustrous white or moonbeam color.

When the crown chakra is open it is said that one has reached the highest attainment.

A life filled with discontentment will close this chakra. A life filled with gratitude and love will help open it.

Each morning upon awakening imagine white light entering from the crown of your head and filling the entire being with divine light feel yourself filled with happiness and gratitude. Repeat the mantra, "Thank You God!

Please read my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com

P.S.
Now Melissa is a young mother with a child of her own, probably sitting on her balcony with her daughter on her lap watching the sky light up, hoping the noise will die down soon so her daughter can get some sleep.
...Happy belated birthday Melissa, may the sky always light up for you.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Ayurveda - The Emotions and Color Therapy - Aroma Therapy

The first time a vaidya read my pulse he asked me if I was sad, had I been crying?
'No', I insisted, 'I'm not sad', shaking my head. 'I am not sad.' He has no idea what he is talking about I thought to myself.
He gave me his recommendations despite my insistence that he had a wrong diagnosis for me. He said  a change in my diet, some herbal water and certain herbs would help. It was advice I ignored.
Two weeks later I became furious at that vaidya. He had planted a suggestion, I fumed. That is why I'm sad and crying now!
A year later I was now working with this same vaidya.
I watched in wonderment as the vaidya asked a young man he had never met, "How long have you been smoking marijuana?"
The young mans' eyes popped nearly out of their sockets, mine too. How could he tell by reading a pulse what this man had been doing privately? There were certainly no outer indications.

Pulse diagnosis when read properly by an experienced vaidya is one of the most accurate gauges of a persons overall heath and well-being. How such detailed information is disclosed by a touch of the pulse is still a mystery to me.
A pulse diagnosis not only shows the current physical, mental and emotional condition of a persons current status, it shows what is coming and what has been.

During the years I worked with Vaidya Mishra I saw many impressive improvements in the people he counseled, if they followed his recommendations and observations.

I learned to observe myself and others. What I did, what I ate and what I thought, all had an effect on my health and well-being. But it went further then that. What I smelled and the colors I exposed myself to also had an effect on me.
Color? I experimented with it. I would wear pink and red! If you knew how conspicuous I felt wearing those colors in those days you would understand my exclamation point. I had always prefered  monochromatic colors on my body and in my surroundings. Beige, grey, black, cream and occaisionally a deep forest green were the colors of my life. For one entire year I wore only brown, but that is another story. I will tell it some other time.

My mother always chose colorful clothing. Her closet was bright and lively, full of life like her. She was always quick to smile and laugh.  I never saw a piece of black clothing in her wardrobe. Not even her shoes were black. On the other hand my friends who wore trendy black clothes often, seemed moody and more likely to indulge in arguments and depressive moods.

Over time I got rid of all my black clothing except for shoes. When I felt a little down I put on a bright pink shirt, it seemed to help. People smiled at me. Did I seem friendlier in pink then in black?

I studied color therapy. In Ayurveda it is said that bright colors speed up the rotation of the energy centers of the body called chakras. The speed at which the chakras spin is an indicator of health. Too fast could make a person feel nervous and anxious, but too slow will impair health more severely.  Wearing too much black slows the rotation of the chakras. That was simple, bright clothes could be uplifting, and if they smelled good, all the better.

Scent has always preoccupied me. I would pinch leaves and flowers as I strolled the neighborhood as a child , smelling every blossom hoping for a sweet escape that would make me close my eyes and imagine a fairyland that smelled like heaven. I would breath in the cultivated rosemary along a pathway, the medicinal scent of eucalyptus trees along the roadside. Later, inhaling the flowery rich aroma of the wild yellow broom flowers as I drove along the coastal highways of Southern California enlivened me.

I recall the early breakfast  aromas of my step father's cooking. Those were smells that wafted through the house making me want to float through the house to the kitchen where a hearty breakfast awaited even before the sun came up.
Aroma held memories, my mother's  scent was chantilly lace, my brother's room was to put it politely , sporty. My first boyfriend's leather jacket smelled strong and safe, a newborn baby smell melted me, jasmine or orange flowers on a summers evening made me feel romantic. These are scents I can recall vivdly whenever I want to.

I first heard the word aromatherapy in the '70's and I understood it completely. But I was astounded to learn that there were literally thousands of aromas that had been captured in small vials for use in healing, massage, bathing, room perfuming, anointing, inhaling.

In 'Aromatherapy' a therapist chooses a particular aroma to add something that is lacking or to strengthen what is already present, in a person. It is a subtle approach with an aim to alter vibrations or energy patterns to bring about a state of harmony. (Dis-harmony causes disease)

Nowadays everyone is familiar with the calming effects of lavender and chamomile or the uplifting feeling of smelling fresh oranges, but did you know that smelling and applying certain aromas can help stop hair loss? Yes. Chamomile, Peppermint and Rose oils combined and applied to the scalp helps cool the system. Hair loss is a sign of Pitta aggravation, excess heat in the body.Those particular scents cool the system. Rosemary and Mint can help with mental clarity. Pine, Lavender, Eucalyptus are antiseptic. Thyme and Chamomile are antifungal. The subject is one worth studying. You may find simple remedies for irritating ailments are at the tip of your nose.

Please view my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com

Re: color therapy/ aroma therapy
Colors affect emotions black makes us sad
Aroma can uplift emotions
some emotions are not our own we are vibratory beings sending and recieving feelings all of the time

Sunday, June 6, 2010

A Water Story

It's a well known fact that not all water is safe to drink. Wherever we go we will find bottled water, and we are thankful for it.
We look skeptically at a public water fountain and cringe when we see a child press their lips to the spout.

 I recall drinking water right out of the tap as a child. But recently at an event I attended at a friends home I gasped when I saw a young Hindu woman pouring herself a large glass of cloudy water and gulping it down with gusto. "Why not?" she asked. I couldn't answer her. I had been to India and had suffered the intestinal dyspepsia that is common there do to bacteria and contaminants in water. We only drank bottled.
Really, the distress we experienced was due to the water content in the fruits and vegetables we ate.

We thought we were safe simply drinking bottled water there. The refreshing cucumbers, sweet juicy peaches and fragrant mangos couldn't hurt us. Except they could, because of the contaminated water they had been grown in.
For my Hindu friend the chlorinated, mineral and flouride rich water coming from that California tap was fresh clean water. She didn't mind the chlorine smell, she welcomed it. It meant 'clean' water.

The other day, my brother, an interested man who is well read and extremely knowledgeable on many subjects, debated the water issue with me. He is a man who does not follow every fad. His scepticism has served him well.  When I brought up the subject of how a certain high level pH water I had been drinking made me feel, his eyebrows went up as his radar detected a possible scam. The debate began.

We agreed the quality of good pure drinking water had diminished over time. Finding drinkable water from natural sources, like rivers, creeks and ponds, the way our forefathers, even our mother drank it as a child was no longer a viable option. What we disagreed upon was that water could make me feel good.

While on a visit to Los Angeles I was introduced to Kangen water by a cleared skinned, bright eyed, fast talking, tan, southern California woman. Her 'store', where she did not sell a thing was next door to a frozen yogurt place. A group of us had just finished our cool treat and walked outside. I looked up at a sign that said FREE WATER.  "Come on," I said." Let's get some water." Thinking we would all walk in and be handed a bottle of water and leave, we went in. As we entered there were two white sofas pushed up against sky blue walls. At the end of the room there was a water bar with six stools set up near a sink.

The store owner, a friendly looking woman welcomed us in and started talking the minute she saw us. "Oh, Hi! come on in. Sit down. Let me pour you some water". We were thirsty after the yogurt so we sat. "Have you ever heard of Kangen water. Wait don't answer, drink up. Finished? Have some more. How do you feel? Tell me if you start to feel dizzy."
"Why would we feel dizzy from drinking water?" I asked.  "Well you won't, unless you pH level is really low. That would mean that you are getting oxygenated too fast."
"Oxygenated?"
"Yes Kangen water is a high level pH water which means it is alkaline. Alkaline water oxygenates the body, when you bring your bodies pH level up you feel better."

This started to ring a bell with me. The Ayurvedic Doctor I had worked with for many years used to say, 'disease is caused by acidity in the physiology'. He would say there are many foods and spices that will make the body more alkaline. Pears, limes cucumber, cantaloupe, cilantro, cumin.... his list was extensive. 'When the body is acidic you feel bad, when it is alkaline you feel good.'
Even though it sounded simple, he always prefaced this comment with 'foods are seasonal, you have to know what to eat and when to eat it.' That is when most people began to find Ayurveda complicated.
A highly acidic body needed to be brought up to a higher pH level slowly or it would bring on uncomfortable symtoms of detoxification.
I asked her if this was true for the water, she said yes. 'We start everyone at pH level of 8 and work up slowly over a week or two to a level of pH 9.5. At that level the water emulates iceberg water, or water in it's most pristine state. The difference is the molecular structure of Kangen water. The Kangen water machine (model SD501) makes the molecules smaller causing them to cluster. The clustered water with it's smaller molecular structure makes it easier to absorb. The body feels replenished when it is hydrated.'

What if this water did create an alkaline enviroment in the body? It wouldn't hurt to test it, I thought.
"Is it ok if I start with pH 9.5?" I asked. I wanted the full effect right away. 'If there is nothing wrong with you, it's fine otherwise start low and work up. You can take the water with vitamins but not with medications. With your meds drink regular bottled or filtered water. The water intensifies the effect of whatever you take with it.'
My friend who was recovering from Bell's Palsy a stroke like condition that affects the nerves of the face said, "I want that too."
'Okay but dilute it 50/50 with any filtered or bottled water if you start to detox.'

The woman at the water store let us come and fill up our gallon containers everyday.

For ten days straight we drank the recommended dosage. 50% of your body weight in ounces.   I know I was drinking even more than that. I just couldn't get enough. It was as though I was drinking water for the first time after a long drought. I did not suffer any detox symptoms, but my friend experienced diarrhea, headaches and mood swings for the first four days. After those initial discomforts she was happier then I had seen her in a long time. Her Doctor was surprised at how well her condition had suddenly improved and she began to look smaller. We both lost inches and fat even though the scale showed no difference. I hadn't felt this good in 10 years. My energy was up, my moods were improved, it felt good to move and breathe.
The first thing I did when I returned from L.A. was to set out to find this Kangen water somewhere near me.

My brother says he will buy the machine if for no other reason then to debunk it. I said, "Can I come over and get some when you've got the machine?"

Symptoms of Dehydration:
Acid Reflux,  Cramps, Dizziness, Allergies, Constipation,  Depression,  Asthma,  Dry Eyes, Dry Mouth
Fatigue, Headaches,  Irritability, Joint Pain,  pH imbalance, Weight Gain

From a Kangen Water Pamphlet:
Functions of Kangen Water in The Body-
Improves oxygen to the cell
May reduce pain
Removes waste from the cell
Lubricates the joints
Regulates body Temperature
May prevent memory loss
Improves cell communicationm
Cushions bones and joints
Increases atheletes performance
Improves respiratory function

Also check http://www.masaru-emoto.net/ and http://www.thankthewater.net/
suggested reading, The Hidden Messages in Water and The True Power of Water by Masaru Emoto
If interested in Kangen Water or a Machine contact me at ramiyaaust@yahoo.com

Five Reasons to Drink Kangen Water-
Powerful Antioxidant
Increases blood oxygenation
Helps pH balance
Increases hydration
Is detoxifying

please view my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Doshas-Vata, Pitta, Kapha

In Ayurveda the doshas are considered only one aspect of an all encompassing science. A science that takes into account every angle of a persons life including; what time the person goes to bed at night and what time the person gets up in the morning, what season it is, what their job is and what they eat.

What a person eats can affect the being on many levels. Everyone knows the importance of good nutrition, but in Ayurveda good nutrition is not just about eating salads. Many more elements are taken into consideration. Activating the taste buds with the use of spices and adding bitter foods to the diet are well known in Ayurveda to improve health and increase the digestive fire. A good digestion and the bodies ability to absorb protein and nutrients are key components to health in Ayurveda.

The human tongue is equipped with taste buds that enhance the pleasure of eating. The tastes we recognize are; sweet, salty, sour, bitter and astringent and pungent. When each meal incorporates all of these tastes, there will come a quicker natural feeling of satiation. In other words, feeling full with less food.

From psychological stress to nutritional deficiency, allergenic overload to environmental pollutants, from physical overload, electromagnetic pollution to negative thought energies, almost everyone is struggling to maintain a physical, mental, spiritual balance.

There are many ways in our busy world to create a physical imbalance, overeating, smoking, drinking, even staying at the computer too long are some of them. A vaidya (Ayurvedic physician) I once worked with said scary movies could cause an imbalance.

Symptoms of good health; a happy mind, a well functioning body and a love for life, can be nurtured. An unhealthy body can be coaxed back to health.
Knowing what to eat and what types of lifestyle changes to make for your body type are some of the ways of achieving this.

The constitutions referred to as 'doshas' are Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Each dosha is related to elements in nature that also affect our bodies.

Vata/ air -ether
In balance a person with a predominantly Vata dosha is quick witted and mentally alert, has normal bodily functions free of constipation and insomnia.

Pitta/ heat-fire
In balance the Pitta predominant person has a strong digestion, lustrous complexion and a sharp intellect

Kapha/ water-earth
In balance the Kapha predominant person is strong, affectionate, courageous and full of vitality

How does a person find out his or her dosha? The simplest way would be to visit an Ayurvedic specialist. Although much information can be obtained about a person by simple observation. For example, say you just saw someone red in the face angry. Say this person is a man with a balding head and an explosive case of bad skin, without having visited the vaidya it could be said the man was experiencing  Pitta aggravations. Aggravations related to excess heat in the body.
This does not necessarily mean that the man was born with a Pitta constitution. It could mean that through lifestyle extremes and other unwholesome habits the man has created aggravated Pitta symptoms in his body.

A vaidya would be able to tell what the man's birth or core constitution is.

I am not against self diagnosis and I have successfully helped myself  to alleviate many conditions and illnesses with Ayurveda.

Here follows a very brief description of doshas out of balance and a few tips that can help.

Imbalances/ aggravations related to the doshas:

Vata- A Vata type person out of balance needs calming. They are anxious, talkative, unable to sleep.They have dry-rough skin, and are often too thin. Their eyes are quick moving, their speech is fast. The person seems worried, feels cold, has chills and pain. They need warm comfort foods, a regulated schedule, and less mind activity.
 -Favor sweet, sour and salty foods. Warm soups, peaches and cream, hot chocolate, creamy, rich, warm, grounding foods. Clothing should be soft and warm, made of silk, wool or cashmere, also good are thick wool socks.  Enjoy relaxing quiet music, time without the computer or TV on. Avoid loud music, crowds and violence.

Pitta- A Pitta out of balance needs cooling down. They are fiery, easily angered or upset. There could be redness on the body especially the face with skin breakouts of acne or other rashes. The eyes are sharp and seem to bore a hole through you, can be balding, have indigestion, can be irritable or bad tempered, even aggressive and hostile. Sexual frustration, excessive ambition and competitiveness are Pitta related aggravations, has excessive hunger or thirst, heartburn, acidity, seems to be hot all of the time or have burning sensations. Menstrual problems, fibroid and problems with the liver are related to excess heat in the body, Pitta.

To cool the Pitta:
-Pitta aggravation can be brought on by heat in the quality or temperature of the food or environment, skipping meals, stress, deadlines, heated emotions, EMF overload (Electromagnetic Frequency) from Television, computers or microwave.
Too much conflict in childhood could result in adult Pitta aggravation.
-Avoid or decrease sour, salty and spicy foods, drinking alcohol and too much time in the sun. Spend time by the sea and outside when it is cool. Spend time under the light of the moon.
Light cotton and silk clothing are best.
Foods that are astringent and pungent are good for their cooling effects. Pasta, rice, milk, raspberries, pears, cucumbers. Most sweet juicy fruits will have a cooling effect.
Spices like cumin, coriander and cilantro are cooling. Jasmine and mint tea cool Pitta. Avoid coffee and alcohol.

Kapha- A Kapha person out of balance needs stimulation. They can tend to feel unmotivated which can lead to depression.Their eyelids can sometimes seem heavy giving a sleepy appearance, or if the thyroid is affected their eyes will appear too large. A Kapha out of balance tends to be overweight, has congestion, mucus, breathing difficulties, asthma, foul smell, itching, excessive sweating and  fluid retention. Can be lethargic, have oily skin, tend toward diabetes, tumors, joint swelling, may oversleep often and sleep in the daytime.
-Favor spicy, astringent and bitter tasting foods like leafy greens, avoid eating heavy oily foods. Take walks, dance to music with a strong drumbeat, climb the stairs instead of using the elevator.

A few examples of the tastes:
Sweet: bread, milk, pasta, rice, sugar, grains and nuts
Sour: cheese, pickles yogurt, sour cream, citrus fruits
Salty: salt
Pungent: ginger, radishes, spicy food, onions, garlic, chili peppers, cumin
Bitter: turmeric, fenugreek, green leafy vegetables, endive, romaine lettuce
Astringent: apples, pears, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lentils, potatoes, pomegranate.

Please view my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Well Being- Ayurveda

I wish I had known Ayurveda when my children were young. How easily I could have cooled and soothed my daughter whose blood often coursed like a heated rage through her. And my sons, one reminding me of a beached whale, the other with a computer brain who always stayed up late into the night.
I would have known their doshas were Pitta the fire element, Kapha-water/earth and Vata, air/ethers.

If I had known the brain, body temperature, metabolic rate, sleep, hunger, blood chemistry and so much more, could be balanced and regulated through Ayurveda we could have all transitioned through the years more smoothly.

In the early 1990's I had the good fortune of meeting and then working closely with a Vaidya named Rama Kant Mishra.
Vaidya Mishra is one of the rare, true experts of Ayurveda still alive today.
He recounted many stories of how his family passed down knowledge from generation to generation dating as far back as the the time of Krishna.
It is told that when Lord Krishna's grandson contracted leprosy he called upon Mandan Mishra an ancestor of R.K. Mishra  to heal him. Mandan Mishra is renowned in Vedic texts for his interactions with the great spiritual teacher Shankaracharya, but that is a different story.

Through auspicious circumstances I came to know and work with Vaidya Mishra. His talent is unsurpassed as he brings the ancient knowledge to work in modern maladies. A continuous circuitry has kept the knowledge of this ancient wisdom intact.

Vaidya Mishra had one complaint about the way Ayurveda was presented to westerners today and that was 'doshas' as the end all of Ayurveda.
Starting with doshas he said, was like starting in the middle of the book. Background knowledge is needed to understand and accept the that these teachings help save lives. An example of how this works in Ayurveda was made clear to me once when I was offered hot chili peppers to eat at a Vedic Temple.
The cook proudly presented the crisp dry chillies on a silver platter offering them to all present. I was against eating them. I am sensitive to spicy food and am all too familiar with the repercussions of spicy food in my system.
These chillies will not hurt you! Eat! She implored. I continued to refuse the chillies until her husband came into the room. He said, she needs to understand how these chillies were prepared, then she will know they are not hot at all. I listened as he explained that the chillies had undergone an extensive process which had transformed their heating qualities to cooling qualities. First the chillies had been soaked in yogurt, then they had been set out at night under the moonlight, then placed in yogurt again, for eleven days and nights. They were then laid out to dry only at night, under the light of the moon. When dry, the cooling spices of cumin, coriander and fennel had been used to season them before they were cooked.
With this knowledge of how the chillies had been prepared I knew they could not harm me. All of the qualities of heat had been leached out of them. They were very tasty and no symptoms of hot chili peppers in my system plagued me.
Similarly, Ayurveda teaches that our bodies can be treated to regulate any aggravations. Using lifestyle, food, spices and the elements of nature, such as the sun the moon, gemstones, aromas....
One of my favorite treatments for an argumentative or heated temperament is a sweet juicy pear. Simple and effective. A cup of warm milk blended with a few dates, sipped at bedtime will help calm the Vata mind which tends to keep spinning through the night. Kapha aggravations can be greatly reduced by eliminating cold, sweet, oily foods.

A few examples of simple treatments follow.

(Check with an Ayurvedic physician or your Doctor before using any Ayurvedic remedies.)

Here are a few simple, safe remedies for common ailments which can be made using water and a few spices. A safe amount is one quart of water to one half teaspoon spice. Drink warm or at room temperature.

-Boiled water:
Water boiled well for five minutes and sipped after it has cooled to room temperature increases agni. Agni is the bodies digestive power. Use a good source of water or bottled water.
-Cumin:
Water, boiled, to which cumin seeds are added balances Vata, helps cool Pitta.
-Coriander:
Adding coriander to boiled water helps indigestion, vomiting and heartburn.
-Ginger:
Water boiled with a few thin slices of fresh ginger increases agni, helps reduce Kapha, helps with conditions of a runny nose, diarrhea, and cold.

The complete knowlege of Ayurveda would take at least a lifetime to completely understand , but many aspects of this science are are easy to understand and utilize.

Please view my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com

Friday, February 19, 2010

Keeping it Real

Today I made tortillas. I've been making them from scratch since I was twelve years old. It is a simple recipe made of ingredients we always had on hand, baking powder, flour, salt and oil. At our house measuring cups were not used. Instead, a palm weighed the ingredients. Fingers sifted some baking powder and a little salt into a bowl of flour. A keen eye was all that was needed for the oil and warm water. Just enough to moisten the dough into a firm ball.
As a teenager I would complain and cry about how unfair it was. I thought of all the fun I was missing.  I had to make piles of tortillas while my friends ran free after school. Now as I press my hands into the warm soft dough  a contented pleasure fills me. There is nothing more comforting to me then the scent of fresh tortillas baking on a wrought iron skillet. I think of what they could be filled with, slices of avocado, a little salsa, sprinkles of cheese. It is the process of preparing the meal that absorbs me. What will we eat? Will it nourish, will it satisfy? I love to eat. But let the eating be good and then done with.
There is more I want to do today. I want to talk to my daughter. I want to know that she is well and finding contentment in the things she does with her day. I want to know that my son is alright over seas in Iraq.
Above all I am a mother. If nothing else comes of my life, I know that I have mothered well. I have mothered my children, my friends, my husbands, was even once called a smother by my oldest son. I smile at that.
I have learned to balance my desire to be a mother, with an ability to care about myself integrally. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. The prana fills my entire being. I breathe and stretch. I am the energy that I feel myself filled with. I am the mother of the universe.

Please view my new blog: http://ascensionpioneer.blogspot.com/2011/10/fearlessly-into-divine.html