Mooney over Moonstone

There is something truly hypnotic and soothing about the Moonstone. A long gaze at it and a sense of peace envelope one’s soul, when held against the light it twinkles likes a rainbow and when placed against skin the comfort felt is like the hug of a long lost loved one.

The stone not only evokes lyrical devotion but has some strong healing properties as well. Hailed for hundreds of years as the woman’s stone, it’s feminine beauty is supposed to bring out the moon like qualities of the Moon goddess in the person who wears it. An excellent aid for fertility or for enhancing inner feminity, this milky white stone can also be used as a psychic aide and protector.
Moonstone is a milky translucent stone and comes in white, cream, yellow, blue and green colour and is easily available in India, Sri Lanka and Australia. It is also known as water opal, fish eye, wolf’s eye and chandrakanta.

Ideal as a pendant or ring, it works as a balancer of moods, soother of stress, and offers deep emotional release of pent up emotions like anger and pain. Being strongly affiliated with the moon, this beautiful stone can also substitute pearl in astrology, as it is closely related in properties and power.

Moonstone works very well with amethyst and can be placed under the pillow to aid insomnia and absorb stress. Since it is linked with the pineal gland, and balances the hormonal system, it is helpful in calming hyperactive children, and relieving PMS symptoms.

Ideal for women of all ages, moonstone works well when cleansed gently under running water and rubbed softly with cotton wool.

Be drunk all the time!

Questioner: I do attend a lot of courses in yoga but when I get back, I go back to my old self. I’m not at peace. How do I sustain the benefits I derive from this class onto my daily life? Is there anything wrong with enjoying a good drink? Because even doctors say a drink a day is probably good for you.

Sadhguru: The wise said, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ When did it change from the apple? An apple a day keeps the doctor away, a drink a day keeps the doctor with you. I’m not surprised if the doctor is saying that!

With a good drink in the night definitely you will not have enthusiasm to do yoga in the morning. Right now the drink whatever variety of drink you have: wine or whiskey, is just soothing you a little bit. It’s playing on your chemistry to make you feel peaceful and relaxed. If a small quantity of it is so relaxing, then if you drink a bucket of it you must be really relaxed. But it doesn’t work like that.

A little more drink, suddenly makes people violent and uncontrollable. Things that they wouldn’t have done in their life, they have done just because they had one more drink than they should have had. Lots of crime happened because they had one extra. So the question is not about, ‘Is this wrong or is this right?’ I’m not talking about this in moralistic standpoint. Are you for life or against life? That’s the fundamental question. If you are, for life, what is it that you call as life?

Right now, you know you are alive because you are alert enough. Suppose you fell asleep, would do you know whether you are alive or dead? All your experience has disappeared. So, essentially in your experience of life, awareness is equivalent life. The experience of life is such that, only what you are aware of exists for you, rest does not exist for you. Right now, you are sitting here, there is a huge tusker behind you; such a big animal. Any kind of intoxication, it doesn’t matter what kind, lowers your awareness. Why is it said that you shouldn’t drive after drinking? It is because it lowers your awareness.

If you become fully aware instead of existing here as a piece of creation, as a piece of flesh and blood, you will exist as the creator himself. That is the choice you have. Either you live here as just a piece of creation or you live here as the creator himself.

So, if you want to exist as a creator, your awareness has to spread. However, your depressions, unhappiness, confusions, alcohol, all are acting as hurdles to this attainment. So, if you are seeking only a bit of pleasure, I’m not against it. Wouldn’t you however, be interested if I give you an opportunity to have a much bigger pleasure? If I taught you how to be drunk all the time yet remain fully alert? If yes, you are for life.

It’s just that whatever yoga you did, it works only for those who practice. That’s the problem with yoga. I think it’s so with anybody. If you go to a doctor, it works only if you take the medicine that he gives you. Even the drink - it works only if you drink it - right? So, I’m not against drink, I’m not against pleasure. I just think it’s a pity that human beings are settling for such small pleasures when something far bigger is possible. I can have you drunk all the time. Free, no hangover and no doctor!
by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

bookswim

DONNA MERKLE tells us: "I am disabled and at times I am either on bedrest or am housebound because of the weather. I have lots of friends and family that will stop by or call, but when they all go home, the phone stops ringing for the night, and it's just me and the cats, I love knowing that I can always curl up with a good book. Book Swim gives me the option of what I want to read, when I want to read it. I love seeing the package outside of my door or someone will come walking in and say, "Hey, guess what I found outside your door?" This is one service for the disabled that is well worth every penny."

Feng Shui to empower world peace

World peace is something much spoken about but we are far from achieving it and it still appears to be a ‘mirage’.

A very meaningful Chinese proverb interconnecting Peace and Feng Shui, affirms that if there’s light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there’s beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the home. If there’s harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there’s order in the nation, it will transform to peace in the world.

When things get difficult, we feel hopeless, depressed and a sense of sadness engulfs us. We lose confidence and falter in our steps, feel we are at cross-roads with no signs of a ray of hope. It could be disappointment, losing someone very dear, or having experienced a very traumatic situation and yet we have to recover from the aftermath and shock.

Under traumatic and stressful situations, one need to stabilize one’s own core and the best Feng Shui support is to use the energy of the earth element. It could be shapes, motifs, color which represent earth element or something as simple as placing a square piece of paper in shades of brown, yellow, tan or red which signify the earth color and the square representing the earth element. Place this beneath the mattress when the person goes to sleep and against the solar plexus area during the day. You could even think of putting up a wall décor or painting representing the earth color and motif in the bedroom of the person.

The trauma and shock can be dissolved by adhering to shades of orange color either as a T-shirt, décor or even consuming and displaying real orange fruits and drinks.

A more powerful Feng Shui remedy would be adapting the techniques of visualization and affirmations

For activating a positive affirmation using a motif of the Earth element in the shape of Yellow Square with an affirmation “The element of earth is stabilizing and supporting me so that I can rebuild my life in a positive way” and pronounced repeatedly would aid faster healing. In the visualization method, you need to imagine the color orange coming up from the center of the earth, through your feet, up through the center of your body reconnecting all your energy centers, and up through the crown of your head. Imagine it then coming down around your body sealing and healing it inside and out

If we can look a little beyond our home and aim at Global Peace, we could activate what is known as the “abundance/prosperity” area in a home which is the area you would find in your home or office at the left rear section while standing at your front door facing in. We could use the Abundance/Prosperity area of our homes to take far-reaching steps to affect our world. With an intention for peace, place world globes there, and photos of the earth. Gather souvenirs and mementos you've brought from travels to overseas or within the country and place in this area with an intention for greater understanding, globally. Light a red candle to illumine our way to abundant peace and love, food and water for all.

These are time tested techniques when you feel afraid, out of hope, discouraged, disconnected, bereft of energy or disempowered. Practicing this technique at least once daily will make your core feel secure and heal faster.

Feng Shui techniques can help those in distress and trauma to gain strength and it would be a small effort to slowly move towards global peace in the future times to come.

Manta Mania 3

Web site: - http://www.fengshuiserver.com

Pranic Healing for Body, Mind and Soul

In Pranic healing, we believe that we are all made of ‘prana’ or life-force that runs through our body, like water and sponge, and also envelopes it. The stronger and healthier our prana, the bigger, more spread out and more potent this energy field around us, also called the “energy body”.

One of the basic tools of pranic healing is the ability to feel and analyse this energy body. In a process called ‘ scanning ’, a healer’s hands, made sensitive by experience and concentration, can make out which areas of the body and mind are lacking in energy and so, fairing poorly.

Pranic healing is accomplished through very simple procedures which are easy to learn. The first process is ‘cleansing’ - to remove the devitalized, diseased energy in the whole body or in the affected part, and to remove blockages in the energy channels. The second process is ‘energizing’ - to replenish and reinvigorate the body with fresh prana or vital energy.

Pranic healing uses “no drugs or gadgets”. It is non-invasive and requires “no physical contact” with the patient. Physical touch in not required while healing, because the practitioner applies pranic healing on the energy body, rather than on the physical body. It has no side effects. However, it must be emphasized that Pranic Healing is not meant to replace the allopathic system of medicine, but in fact to complement and supplement it. It can be effectively combined with any other form of treatment. It can be used for self healing and healing other people even thousand miles away.

There is a lot more to Pranic Healing than just healing part. It not only makes you aware of the aura around the human body - the 'chakras' (energy centers) and their effects on our health, but also teaches us how to feel or scan the aura and determine which parts of the chakras may be affected. By learning about energy, we become more conscious about its ubiquitous presence, be it in people, buildings or even objects. Just by recognizing the existence of energy, we learn the possibilities of the healing process and bring in harmony and productivity to every aspect of our lives. Pranic Healers
around the world have started using Pranic Healing for their businesses, homes, relationships, projects and studies with fantastic results.
by MCKS Yoga Vidya Pranic Healing Karuna Wellness Centre

Rid yourself of cellulite

The tendency to develop cellulite is largely hereditary. It afflicts young and old, men and women alike. It is combination of excess fat, water and extra-cellular waste which gets lodged in the connective tissues of our body. It appears as unsightly, unevenly distributed lumps and pads of fat.

Cellulite is different from the ordinary layer of fat which lies beneath our skin. Unlike cellulite, the evenly distributed fat layer provides insulation and cushioning to the internal organs and is a source of energy.

Where Does Cellulite Appear From? Most women suffer from it at sometime or another. It usually appears on the thighs, buttocks, hips and upper arms. In men, excessive fat deposits are found more often on the abdomen and the upper back, around the shoulders and neck.

What Causes Cellulite? Poor diet, physical maintenance, internal stress and inadequate elimination are the primary causes of cellulite formation. Cellulite is also hormonally related and mild forms of it can affect women before their periods, during pregnancy and during menopause.
a) If your diet lacks adequate calories and nutrients or the food taken is hot and spicy, it results in irritation and aggravation of the digestive and intestinal tract. This produces stress within the body which can be further aggravated by poor elimination.
b) A sedentary work life and lack of physical exercise leads to bad circulation, improper elimination and excessive retention of toxic cellular waste (lactic acid) in our muscles. This promotes the build-up of new cellulite.
c) Excess sodium consumed as common salt leads to water retention. This encourages the formation of cellulite.
d) Stress, nervousness, tension, frustration, shock, anger etc., can bring on a cellulite condition.
Control of Cellulite

Diet - Eating sensibly so as to avoid stress and help the body cleanse itself of all irritating and polluting agents through the process of elimination. The diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, and cereals. A well-balanced and nutritious diet is efficacious in treating cellulite. Consulting a good dietician will help in deciding the correct menu for oneself, foods to be avoided are: spiced meats, highly fatty foods, fried snacks like potato chips, white bread, pastries, excessively salted food, nuts, alcohol and coffee. Milk and its products should also be avoided.

Physical Exercise - A regular and planned exercise programme helps the body to dissolve existing cellulite deposits and prevent the formation of new ones. Regular exercise promotes a sense of well-being as well as reduces the stress and strains of everyday life. It helps in eliminating waste materials within the body which otherwise contribute to lumpy fat. Brisk walking, jogging and swimming promote the healthy development and even distribution of fat. If you do not have time for exercise, walking to and from the place to work may help. The busy executive and sedentary worker should find time to relax and undertake at least half to one hour of walking and spot reducing exercises. A word of caution: One should not work oneself into exhaustion which may be counter-productive.

Autolysis - Autolysis is the process of self-cleaning and self-washing of wastes. Periodically, the body becomes steeped with an accumulation of refuse, sludge, impurities, toxic wastes, debris and mucus. Autolysis is a natural way to get wastes. Controlled fasting is an ancient system for washing and resting the internal organs is an ancient system for washing and resting the organs. Most people prefer a day of raw fruit juice fasting. Some like raw vegetable juice fasting. The power of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other valuable detoxificating elements in the juices are able to work without the interference of solid food. Fast only one day per week.

An excellent liver and kidney cleansing routine: Start the day with just plain water or mint tea without sugar or sweetener. Then have a bowlful of detoxificating soup which is made up of zucchini (courgettes), green beans, celery and parsley in equal quantities, boiled together for half an hour. You can have as much soup as you want right through the day and drink as much mint tea, plus a minimum of eight glasses of water. You will feel and look better by the end of the day.

How Aromatherapy Can Help? - A regular (night is preferable) tub bath in comfortably warm water helps steam out the accumulated toxins through the pores in the skin. Add two drops of essential oil of geranium to the bath water. In addition, regular body massages is recommended with two tablespoons of olive oil to which three drops of geranium oil have been added.
by Dr. Blossom Kochhar

Jade. Versatile and Stable

A long long time ago, China was brutally invaded by the Tartars, who were so cruel to the people that the Dragons shed tears. Those tears became jade, revered as the most auspicious healing stone in China and till today sought after for its powers.

At its most fundamental, jade soothes. It calms, balances and detoxifies. At other levels it provides heavenly protection from harmful spirits, ushers prosperity, fertility and good luck.

Two basic of varieties of jade are available in a rainbow of colours, jade-ite and nephroite which is becoming increasingly rare. Properties of each colour resonate with the seasons, directions and elements eg Red Jade for the South, exemplifying yang or Fire signs. Chosen on the basis of translucency and texture, jade is much more than ornamental in value. Jade is considered to be a symbol of purity and serenity and works well as a stabilizer and cleanser.

In terms of crystal healing, jade treats the kidneys, removes toxins and heals stitches. As an aid to fertility and childbirth it is connected with the spleen and the hips. Green jade, the most common of all jades helps calm the nervous system and is known to bring harmony between people.

Different colours have been given different attributes by spiritual healers around the world. Blue jade aids meditation and helps people who may be feeling overwhelmed. Brown jade helps to ground a person. Green jade is used to soothe the nerves. Lavender jade helps heal from heartbreak. Orange jade brings joy. Red jade helps release buried anger and resentment. White jade aids better decision making. And hellow jade boosts the energy.

Whichever way you look at jade or in whatever colour you choose, jade works quietly and subtly. The way it has for millions of people down thousands of years.

by Mita Bhan
Source: www.mitabhan.com
Photo: Daniel Tan

The art of prediction

We are all aware that there are nine planets which are recognized by Vedic astrology. These are Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Like everything else in the universe, the planets also evolve from the 5 tatwas or the five elements. These are Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Ether.

As per the Hindu Scriptures the element predominant in a planet is as follows:

Earth : Mercury

Air : Saturn and Rahu

Water : Moon and Venus

Fire : Sun and Mars

Ether : Jupiter

Human beings acquire the temperament of the most powerful planet birth and also of planets influencing the ascendant. It is the influence of various tatwas or elements that determines the personality of a human being. These tatwas have great importance in Vedic philosophy. Below I am describing the basic effect of these elements.

When the ether element is powerful then the person is clever and creative. He is a good orator and will always acquire encyclopedic knowledge of the subject that interests him. These people make good diplomats. They are of a long stature and have a tendency of putting on weight after the age of 32 years.

When the fiery temperament is predominant then the person is confident, restless, proud and arrogant. He is of a very sharp intellect and fair complexion. When Sun and Mars are predominant, the native likes to be in a position of authority and are seldom happy working below someone. Fiery temperament makes a person daring and adventurous. Their face and physique exhibits rays of gold and a glowing fragrance.

When the earthy temperament is predominant then the individual is child like. His enthusiasm is like a small child and he is full of energy. He is fond of luxuries, comforts, and is always happy. He is very learned. His communication skills are amazing. Such a person is always clean and well dressed. Earthy temperament makes one hard working, preserving and devoted.

When watery element (Moon and Venus) gains predominance then the person likes socializing, is gregarious, can take the burden of difficult jobs, is soft spoken, loves art and music and has many friends. His body is slender, has robust health, is very good looking and has a very intuitive brain.

Airy element in predominance makes the person careless, absentminded and shabby. His power of comprehension is weak, thinks too much and has a tendency of getting depressed. He is sorrowful and indulges in self pity. He further has a charitable disposition, but is short tempered, fond of traveling, has a lean physique and lives more in the mental world than the physical.

The planets, also have the following three qualities or gunas:

(i) Satwic: Sun, Moon and Jupiter

(ii) Rajas: Mercury and Venus

(iii) Tamas: Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu

Satwic quality is a good quality. He is a human being of higher intelligence, well respected, truthful and in search of truth.

Rajas quality makes a native intelligent, hardworking and patient. He is clever, protects the weaker section and seeks comfort and luxury through hard work and truthfulness.

Tamsic quality signifies greed, falsehood and laziness. He is often a sadist who seeks pleasure in the sufferings of human beings and signifies the decay of human beings.

The four types of human beings:

Depending upon the predominance of gunas or qualities, Sage Parasara has described four types of human beings:

(i) Uttam (Excellent): When Satwic qualities are predominant.

(ii) Madhyam (Average): When Rajasic qualities are predominant.

(iii) Adhama (Despicable): When Tamasic qualities are predominant.

(iv) Udaseen (Neutral): A mixture of all the qualiies.

Vedic astrologers first determine the type of a person is from his birth horoscope or from the horary horoscope and then on that basis determine his stature in life. This is a prerequisite for making predictions.

by Dr. Ranjeet Mehta
Photo: Mike wade

Inner Nature

by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

The word nature means that aspect of life which is limited to the perception of the sense organs. Only what you can see, hear, feel, sense taste, smell - that is nature. All the things that we call as nature are physical
. Now, I am using another word called Inner Nature. That doesn’t come in the orbit of nature; it is not a part of the physical nature. Spirituality is about going beyond nature, it is about going beyond the limitation of the five sense organs. If we are limited to only those things which we perceive through five sense organs, our whole involvement with life will only be physical. Nature is physical quantity. It may be in the three different forms of solids, liquids and gases. Air is around you. Water is flowing. Earth is there. Body is there. Blood is there. All this is physical. Now, the material sciences are busy with the physical nature. They go on searching for more and more endlessly. But it is not endless. Anything you pursue on the physical level, somewhere there is an end. Maybe the end is far away. Maybe we can’t see the end right now. But there is an end to it. Whether it is medical science, or physics or chemistry, whatever you take, you go to a certain point and you stop. For example, physics has reached a certain point where it has stopped. Physics is not a growing science anymore. Because we have reached that end point where the physical quantity ends and something else begins. That something else cannot fit into the logical faculty of our perception. That something else cannot be perceived through the five sense organs. It cannot be deduced into this or that. So physicists, they have come up with what is called as fuzzy logic. These are all excuses to be illogical. You don’t want to admit that you are illogical. Because you are a scientist, you can’t be illogical. So, they have come up with what is called fuzzy logic - which is no logic. A poet is not logical. Mystics are not logical. Their scope of life is not limited to the logical mind. It is beyond that. They seek through their experience because they know the logical mind is useless. They seek through their intuition. But a scientist cannot seek through his intuition or through his experience. A physical quantity can never be unlimited. Spirituality is about transcending the limited and going into the unlimited nature. Not settling for the limited. If you want to become spiritual, you have to transcend nature. Only then you become unlimited. In the process of yoga, in any spiritual process, so many practices and other processes have been created to slowly transcend our nature. Gradually, one by one, one by one, you defeat nature. That’s one way. There is another way of simply slipping out of nature; there is no question of defeating. You are just above it. You are above your own physical nature. You have heard of yogis and others. They sit in one place - all needs of the body are forgotten totally. You have heard of many such people sitting for months or years in a place. Now, he has transcended his physical nature. Whatever the limitations of the body - it is no more a limitation for him. He has gone beyond that. All the animals are doing what is natural - eating, drinking etc. If all you want to do is live like any other animal - why do you need a philosophy, why do you need spirituality? You can simply live. You don’t have to evolve a philosophy or read Vedas to co-operate with nature. Nature will make sure that you co-operate. Now, if you have to transcend it, then you need something else. If you want to become a part of it, there is no problem. When you are with nature, slowly you’ll become a part of it. It will absorb you. Somehow, that kind of peace - when night settles, you also become peaceful. If you live in a place where there is no electricity or anything, you know - simply when sun sets, everything becomes quiet including your mind. Simply be in forest for 2 days and see. When the sun sets and everything becomes quiet - you also become quiet. So nature just overtakes you and absorbs you into its fold. That much will happen. But that’s not what we are looking for. We want to go beyond that. We don’t want to settle for nature. Nature means - it wants to perpetuate life. The moment you are born with this body, it has certain needs. It has to eat, it has to sleep, it has needs for certain pleasures. It has a need to reproduce itself. These are all nature’s tricks to keep life going on. Now, even that - man has forgotten because he has become so artificial. He doesn’t even enjoy that. Now, the elephant
you see in the wild here - he simply roams about, eats what he wants, drinks what he wants, he just goes about doing things, he is natural. Nobody taught him any philosophies. Simply he is natural. Man has forgotten that also. He has made himself so unnatural. He has not become super-natural. He has made himself so unnatural that his suffering has become very deep. If he becomes natural, definitely some amount of peace and happiness will enter his mind and heart. Definitely he will be more peaceful and more happy. But he is not totally free from suffering. Going beyond nature is the ultimate deliverance. All yogic processes are only methods to go beyond the limited dimension of nature.

Photo: Michael Lorenzo

Meditate with Surya mudra

Suryayog is a life changing odyssey that elevates your mind and transforms your approach to life. A self reflective way to evolve - the body, mind and spirit.

The most important or core of Suryayog is the Surya Mudra. This mudra, which consists of interlocking of fingers of the right and left hand, is a symbolic merger of male and female principles and balancing Panchabhuta or five elements to control senses and free ourselves from the claims and demands of the physical, emotional and mental domains. One can reach a meditative stage when pure energy of the sun’s rays cleanses our spirit and fills us with the spiritual energy of love.
Here little interpretation of Surya Mudra is needed. Equilibrium or balance of mind, body and soul is the foremost requirement for the path of enlightenment and bliss. Right hand represents male positive energy, the left brain - the reasoning power, while the left hand stands for female energy, negative, right brain- the creative power. Further right is supposed to be the embodiment of electro energy flowing from south to north (right) and left denote magnetic flex traveling from north to south (left). When one gazes at the early morning Sun, the rays activate positive pineal glands which can be called light meter of the body and negative pituitary glands which control hormone release- which is body’s reaction.

The finger tips reflect five elements or Panchabhutas - thumb is fire, index is air, middle finger is space, while ring finger and little finger represents earth and water, respectively. Thus interlinking of the finger tips not only balances the positive and negatives of the five elements of the body, but also mirrors the macrocosm of the universe in the microcosm of the human being.

A silver coin is placed on the third eye position on the forehead, while doing the Suryayog. If we take this as one of the tip and see the placement of the hands in Surya Mudra, a triangle or pyramidal formation can be seen. This is a representation of Shakti as well as a formation that helps in imbibing light and cosmic energy.

Passage of the Guru

Recently I wrote a brief article entitled “Passage to the Guru”. It described a recent retreat I was blessed to take in the company of my master, Avatar Adi Da Samraj, at his hermitage island in Fiji. This one is entitled “Passage of the Guru” since my beloved master unexpectedly passed from the body on November 27, less than two weeks after I returned. He had been in perfect health, and was working in his art studio when he suddenly took his Mahasamadhi. His devotees were in shock. Like hundreds of others from around the world, I immediately headed back to Fiji to participate in an extended vigil. It was a time of both heartbreak and grace. Heartbreak because there was a deep longing for this most precious of beings. And grace because his presence was felt as strongly as ever before. It is said that the passing of a true Realizer is a great wind that blows countless blessings to those open to receiving them. Many of my friends from various countries had remarkable stories of such blessings. What became completely clear was that Adi Da was continuing to teach and instruct his devotees. How is this possible? In Adi Da’s case he left a large number of books, essays, and art. There are DVD’s of his Darshan and CD’s of his discourses. There are temples for devotional worship, and a body of instruction for different phases of spiritual practice. There is a community of devotees around the world who are seriously committed to following the way he has given. But most importantly, his spiritual presence and his state of realization are untouched by the passing of his body. Just as there are millions of people who have a devotional relationship to Krishna, Buddha, Jesus
, or Sai Baba, the presence of Adi Da is a light that continues to burn bright. All that appears before our eyes arises from that which is formless, eternal, infinite, and Divine. Things come and things go. Bodies are born and bodies die. The passing of the guru is a stark reminder that one day each of us will pass, too. Until then will we live as suffering beings that follow our own desires only to be reincarnated for more of the same? Or are we willing to be mastered by a true Realizer (in the body or not) and thus participate in prefect freedom, beyond the reaches of birth and death? This is the question for both Adi Da’s devotees and for aspirants of truth everywhere.

Yogic ways for good eyesight

Yoga offers some yogic techniques which if practiced regularly can improve weak eyesight. If followed along with proper diet, results will be faster and better.

1. Netra Shakti Vikasak Kriyas

A. Blink the eyes quickly 10 times. Close and release. Do this at least 100 times in a day.

B. Sit in a comfortable position. Form your right hand into a fist with the thumb upright and in level with your eyes. Fix your gaze on the nail of the right thumb.
Slowly bring the hand towards your eyes then slowly move the hand away from you, maintaining the level and gaze as before. Repeat this three times.

C. Sit in a comfortable position. Light a candle at least 4 feet away from yourself and gaze at the candle. If your eyes water then close them and relax. After a few seconds begin gazing again. Do this at
least 3 times.

D. Rub the palms together till they become warm. Place the palms gently over your eyes, such that no light enters the eyes. Practice this for 1 to 3 minutes.

E. Take a wide mouthed bowl of clean, cold water. Tilt your head downward and put your open right eye in the water and rotate the eyeball. Repeat this with the left eye. Do this 5 times with each eye.

F. Without moving your head or the neck, move the eyeballs up and down. Repeat at least 50 times.

G. Keep your head and back straight. Rotate your eyeballs in a clockwise manner, 5 times; then similarly rotate them anti clock wise.

2. Asana:
Sarvangasana: Lie on your back and relax. Slowly raise legs, hips and trunk upwards in a continuous movement until vertical. Keep the knees straight. Keep the arms on the ground, bending the elbows, support the trunk with your hands. In this posture the chin is buried in the upper chest. Retain this position as long as comfortable. Then come down slowly. Relax. Do this only once.

Benefits: Blood supply increases to organs in the upper part of the body such as eyes, heart, face, thyroid, root of spinal nerves and brain.

Caution: Those suffering from high BP, heart ailments, cervical pain and slipped disc should refrain from doing this asana.

Logic of letting go

When we are children, and someone tells us to 'let go,' it is usually in reference to something material, and when we let go, we can either feel empty, as if we are being deprived of something, or we can feel full, knowing that we have allowed someone to have that something, and s/he must really need it.

As adults, letting go can still leave us feeling empty or full. Both feelings may occur simultaneously. Ultimately, letting go will allow us to feel free, unburdened, healed, happy, even joyous. I intend to address how we can reach these ultimate feelings. The concept of letting go is very complex. For the sake of this discussion, i will divide the various aspects of letting go into three categories: 1) physical, 2) psychological, and 3) spiritual.

When i discuss the physical realm, i am talking about anything tangible, whether it is our bodies or our environment. Our environment can often be cluttered, so purging of much of this stuff can be truly liberating. Our bodies may not please us, so we can choose to let go of extra weight. We can choose to let go of bad habits and addictions. We can choose to free ourselves of the indiscriminate materialism and consumerism that requires constantly acquiring more and more of anything.

Moving from the physical to the psychological, we move to the why of those items that we could let go of physically. For example, why do we have all of the stuff that needs to be purged? What has caused the rampant materialism that has allowed us to fill up our lives with objects and beings? I almost wrote 'inanimate,' but there are those who fill up their lives with pets and children and casual acquaintances rather than real relationships. All such acquisitional behaviour is symptomatic of a psychological need that longs to be filled, but which should be purged. The same is true of other unpleasant emotions, like anger, fear, jealousy/envy, even hate; when a psychological need exists, it causes these emotions to manifest in an attempt to satisfy that need. Guess what? The very same is true for any bad habits and addictions we want to let go of; while there may be a biochemical component to these, they also are indicative of some sort of need or self-perceived deficiency or pain that, in turn, is symptomatic of needing to spiritually let go.

Truthfully, one could argue that if one lets go and purges at the physical and psychological levels, spiritual level purges and progress will automatically follow. Instead of dealing with those two arguments, i am going to run to one common expression: Let Go; Let God. When we consider the spiritual level, by definition we are dealing with the Divine by whatever name we wish to call Him. Also, by definition, we are exiting the scientific arena that forms the foundation of most of my work, and moving into the realm of faith, which happens to form the foundation for the remainder of my work. Most spiritual advisors argue that happiness and joy are the natural state of our souls. Therefore, if these are not what we feel, what must be purged from the spiritual realm? Because every single major faith has reincarnation as one of its major tenets, and the purpose of reincarnation is for the spirit to achieve a higher state. Ridding ourselves of karma is the ultimate purge!

Now that we have seen the different levels of letting go and purging, how do we begin the process? Try beginning with just one small step in one aspect of your everyday life. Identify something that you don't need, and let go of it. Perhaps it will be your décor? Even though i embrace much of Mies van der Rohe's 'Less is More' philosophy, one does not have let go of an overall personal style that you might enjoy more in order to simplify and streamline your life. However, it may help to examine "Why" you have a particular décor, and whether it might merit letting go in order to have a more lifeenhancing physical environment. Mostly, this is about just getting rid of accumulated material items that aren't needed any more.

Think about the motivations you have for selecting a career, a hobby, a car, a house, even a spouse. Are those motivations from your own internal dreams and drive, or are there some external pressures? This is moving beyond the realm of everyday activity, and into the realm of special activity; these special events are most often psychological in nature.

Remember, though, that there are many ways to get an education, so temper all external pressures with your internal dream. Loosen the influence of external pressures, learn what your choices are, listen to your own internal dream, and then let go of what isn't part of that internal dream. Now that you have identified your internal dream, what is holding you back from achieving your greatness? Money? Fear? Inhibitions? Overwhelming anger? Frustration? Laziness? Whatever it is, you must start to let go of what is holding you back. For instance, i have a beautiful relative who is very intelligent and artistically talented; she once told me that her dream was to write children's books. When i asked her why she didn't 'just do it,' she said she was afraid of failing. I urged her to let go of her fear of failure, but that fear had its hooks in too deep.

Once you start letting go of what you don't need, and loving all, you will have fewer blocks in your spiritual Path! As you begin to 'Let go,' you automatically begin 'Letting In.' Both are processes, so please don't expect overnight success. Start small, and change will occur incrementally. Let go of the need for perfection and the physical, psychological and spiritual baggage that embodies. Let in the goal of self-improvement throughout your life. Let in Love. We are all works in progress. Make a pact with yourself to show just a little more love every day. Let in the Divine.
by Bret S Beall

Thank you for Not Smoking

A cigarette is many things to many people. For some, it's their cool quotient. For others, a relaxant. But for most, simply an addiction. What's constant is that smoking is injurious to health! On World No Tobacco Day (May 31), say sayonara to smoking ...

Journalist Shashank Mitra promises himself that come tomorrow, he'll quit smoking. But, as they say, tomorrow never comes. That wasn't the case with one-time chain-smoker Manish Bhatia. "I used to smoke at least 40 cigarettes a day. One day, my son came up to me and said I looked cool with a cigarette. That's all it took. I gave up," he says. It's been two years since, and Manish hasn't stolen any puffs. Smoking is an addiction—easy to get into, bloody tough to get out of. But help is at hand.

PATCH UP

A nicotine patch is the very first measure every quitter tries. It's like a small plaster strip that you paste on yourself. It releases nicotine into the body through the skin. Ananya Jha who took to the 'cancer stick' to fit in with her peer group tried one and it sure helped her patch up her habit. But experts say patches are of little help as they don't really cure the addiction or nicotine dependence.

MIND OVER MATTER

Most people will tell you to go cold turkey. Once you decide to quit, it's all about will power. But experts suggest that tapering off is better, as the chances of you reverting to it are then much lower You can opt for many behavioural therapies and medicines. While the former includes practises like not buying a full packet, not smoking a full cigarette and not giving in to peer pressure, the latter involves intake of medicines, which act on the neural pathway where the nicotine affects, thus curbing cravings. Happy quitting, and before we forget, thank you for not smoking!

WHY QUIT?

Because smoking is the maker of many maladies. Here's the list:
Lung cancer Damage to the mucous membrane, loss of taste, ulcers, poor oral hygiene and pyorrhea Coronary artery disease Atherosceloris (narrowing and thickening of the blood vessels) Buerger disease (a vascular condition where the arteries in your lower limbs get blocked, causing gangrene) Impotence (absence of blood supply to genital organs, rendering them dysfunctional!)

PUFF OR STUFF!

Myths and facts about smoking.. .

When you stop smoking, you tend to gain weight.

Fact: Absolutely! Because your craving for cigs increases and to curb it, you end up bingeing.

A morning smoke regulates your bowel movement.

Fact: True! Because the smoke that you inhale goes into your stomach and causes gastric colic reflux, which stimulates the colon. However, a healthier way is to take natural laxatives, drink lots of water and eat vegetables for roughage.

Smoking improves your mood.

Myth: Yup, it may give you a kick but it's quite short-lived and puts you at a higher risk of depression, hyperactivity as well as attention deficit disorder.

Smoking only a few cigarettes in a day is ok!

Myth: Every cigarette contains about 1 to 2 mg of nicotine, which reaches your brain within approx. 10 seconds of your inhaling. Immediately after that first puff, you get a rush of adrenaline that may increase your blood pressure, your heart rate and your breathing. So, even one ciggie is risky!

ABHIRUCHI CHAND