Thursday, December 13, 2018

Values for a calm and abiding mind from the Bhagavad Gita.

In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krisna lists twenty values ​​for living, to gain a peaceful abiding mind that is suitable for gaining knowledge of the true self.   I have these pinned on the door of my meditation space, go over them everyday and I am grateful to have them as reminders to try and keep that naughty mind leveled and myself grounded.   The vasanas (thought waves) can become tsunamis if we do not keep observant of  them and keep aware of them so as they are just small waves that we can manage.   I am finding it helpful to have these reminders at my heart, and to keep in touch with them so as to let go of what no longer serves and allow space for love and keeping us with ourselves.

1.    Absence of pride - a proud person demands respect and expects others to recognize them for their qualities because they feel insufficient without recognition.   We can not be happy with respect that comes from demand. Be humble.
2.    Unpretentiousness - someone who presents themselves as something other than what they are creates problems for themselves.  If you tell a number of lies then you have to remember them all to keep on the right foot.    If you speak the truth then you need not pose.
3.    Non-injury - One life depends on one another   How can you hurt something that is part of yourself?   One that respects the sanctity of creation and does not consciously hurt anything in action, thought and deed is practicing ahimsa - nonviolence.
4.    Accommodation to others - If we are constantly wanting to make somebody  different, we are always disappointed.   Accept that we are all part of the world, somebody may not be in the right place or time to change.  There are not good and bad people, just happy and miserable people, we are a mixed bag of folk.   Accept each other and this will take a large part of your problems away.
5.    Straightforwardness - when thought, word and deed are in harmony with each other then this makes you a straightforward person.   Be aware of the mind that is the most tricky part, if you act in a certain way and say some things but the mind is thinking about the opposite then you are only a cheating yourself, be aware of what parts of the mind need working on.

Sometimes we may want to use or use harsh words and this may make us feel more powerful for a moment, but remember that these words have to flow through your heart, do you really want to add toxins and pollute the place which could be full of love and joy?
We will continue with the next 5 instructions in the next posting, for now have beautiful, straightforward, non-violent, accommodating, unpretentious and humble days.
Love and light to the heart
Mangala / Nicky

Monday, November 26, 2018

Yogi Winter Bean Stew


Now the cold season is here, those hearty wholesome winter warmers can comfort and strength
Plant foods contain dramatically higher amounts of antioxidants, fiber and vitamins; when we eat we are unified with the environment and each other. I often wonder how many people have been involved in planting seeds to harvest, to food on my plate. I am looking for gratitude to those people and I am now consuming the mighty Sun for providing the energy for the seeds to grow and the energy to which I am now consuming. Our food produces energy that drives our body, but we also think of our thoughts and emotions, which in our lives may be a little less passionate. By eating well and the right foods we can pick ourselves up and be enthusiastic and full of vitality again. 
Here is a simple little winter warmer that I love and find wholesome, comforting and warming. I am very good at working with others, and I am very good at it. But here are the ingredients for your own taste.

In a saucepan add -
A generous helping of olive oil.
A knob of unsalted butter (or pure organic ghee)
Coriander
turmeric
Cinnamon
A little black pepper
Ginger
Put on the low heat, allow the butter to melt and the spices to mix
Add -
Fresh chopped tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes mixing with the butter and spice mix.
Add -
Some water - just enough to cover the tomatoes and continue to cook on a low heat.
When simmering Add -
Kidney beans - (or any preferred beans)
A handful of masoor dhal - pre-washed
Chopped zucchini
2 chopped carrots
Keep simmering for about 20 minutes.
Add a handful of fresh herbs - I like to add rosemary and mint
A splash of lemon juice.
Simmer for a further couple of minutes.

Allow to cool a little before serving with rice or chapatti and a dollop of fresh pure organic natural yoghurt.
And enjoy - if you are eating alone, then eat in silence with any other distractions and eat mindfully tasting each mouthfull. If you are with family and friends then enjoy together and talk about uplifting things while eating. Make sure you are comfortable while eating and chew well. Going for a little walk after your meal will also help with the digestion process.       
And when you are preparing your food send a little love into it and it will warm your heart!
Simple eating but High thinking!

Have beautiful warm and cozy days
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Mangala / Nicky

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

What prevents us from finding peace during meditation?


“Without the help of meditation, you cannot attain knowledge of the self.  Without its aid, you cannot grow into the divine state.  Without it, you cannot liberate yourself from the trammels of the mind and attain immortality.  Meditation is the only royal road to the attainment of freedom.  It is a mysterious ladder, which reaches from earth to heaven, from error to truth, from darkness to light, from pain to bliss, from restlessness to abiding peace, from ignorance to knowledge.  From mortality to immortality.”  Sri Swami Sivananda.

Essentially we are looking for peace, maybe some of us don’t realize that we are looking but we are searching and searching for moments of uninterrupted calmness, contentment and ultimately divine peace.  We may think that if we sit and close our eyes we will just find it however it may take a lifetime or longer to understand the nature of meditation, it is a rocky road and there are many obstacles that we face along the way.  The proper preparations and practices are essential to help us with the practice of meditation, to think that it is easy is a mistake, however, it is something that we all have the power to do, it is within all of us, the peace is inherent to all of us, but we have to prepare correctly.  This is why so many people feel that they need this in their life but give up on it quickly as they lack the proper preparations to help them, they gain no results and have no patience to continue on, doubt creeps into the mind and they give up.  This is a disaster; as said by Swami Sivananda – meditation is the royal road to freedom, so what is preventing us?  Here are a few pointers that are going to help.

The body is an obstacle – Remedy; Practice Yogic asana regularly – many people find sitting for meditation is extremely difficult.  Either because of stiffness or lack of strength in the body or they feel pain after some time all these cause a disruption to our mind during trying to sit for meditation.  By practicing yoga asana or yogic exercise you will gain more strength and flexibility to be able to sit.  Start with smaller amounts of time for your meditation and as the body becomes more suitable for sitting then gradually build up your time.

Restlessness – you can’t be in one place for long – Remedy; again practice Yogic asana or yogic exercise this will increase your levels of endurance and concentration.  Chanting is also a great way to increase levels of focus and concentration – attend regular Satsang for the chanting of kirtan – divine songs, this also is going to help with negative thoughts and emotions that trouble you by uplifting the mood and generating positive vibrations and thoughts.

Sluggishness and sleep – Rememdy; stop the meditation and go for a brisk walk, or a few rounds of sun salutations or some sort of sattvic exercise to re-awaken the body and mind.  Physical activity brings the balance to meditation.  Or splash some cool water on your face, hands and feet and then continue, also chanting for a few minutes can help to re-awaken your prana – vital life force.

A troubled mind – Remedy; look at your diet, keep to a sattvic (pure) yogic diet of simple, nutritious and light meals.  What you eat also forms your thoughts as well as making your body, so eating a lot of processed, spicy, un pure foods will really be detrimental for your meditations.  If you need something sweet and comforting – go for natural sweet things such as honey, milk and dates.  Avoid things in packets, jars and tins etc!  Pranayama or breathing techniques are a beautiful way to soothe and cool down the mind, giving some space for concentration and to clear the clouds away.  Look at the company you keep – are the people that surround you beneficial to you or detrimental to you, are they supportive of you?  Have the courage to make the changes that you need even no matter how much you may want somebody in your life if they are no longer growing and preventing you from growing then have the strength to let them go and move on with calmness, things will be alright. 

Too much external stimulation – Remedy; stop talking so much! Have moments in the day dedicated to silence, talking takes a huge amount of energy, that energy would be better spent on your practice.  Useless conversation makes a person restless and gossiping creates negativities.  Try to reduce the amount of time you may spend in places full of stimulations such as shopping centers, cinemas, tv screens, certain books and restaurants or bars and social media.  Stimulations drain your energy, draw the mind outward and create negativities. 

Emotions such as anger, depression, doubt and fear – Remedy; keep company with spiritually uplifting people that will help to give you courage, like minded people can feed off of each other and keep us going providing us with inspiration.  Watch your emotions and make contemplations on them, where have they stemmed from, consider the harm they create not only for your mind but also on your nervous system.  Try to contemplate on cultivating positive emotions such as courage and cheerfulness and think about the benefits they would have on you and those that surround you.  Know that all things are impermanent so any feeling will come and go, you will move forward.  Sun salutations are also a really fabulous means of detoxing the mind as well as the body when practiced with awareness.  Also relaxation techniques are invaluable to calm down the body and in turn calm down the mind, practice savasana mentally go through each body part and consciously relax each part and practice Yoga Nidra – the art of complete relaxation, making promises to your self or affirmations to not let these emotions get the better or us for example mentally repeating I will not let anger rise today several times when you wake up and throughout the day can be a powerful thing.

So we need to look at proper exercise, breathing techniques, relaxations and proper diet as well as looking at our whole lifestyle to prepare ourselves for meditation.  It may sound like a huge mountain is in front of you, but you can make it to the top – be brave, be patient and dedicated the seat of peace is there within you, make changes gently and slowly and you will indeed reap the benefits.  How long to get to the top of that mountain – that depends on how many times you switch paths, your speed and determination to get there and whom you will meet along the way.  The challenges are there but all the great things come to those who battle onwards on the battle field.
Be patient and enjoy every moment of the journey; an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory, so say Swami Sivananda. 
Have beautiful peaceful days  - I took the path less travelled and that made all the difference!
OM shanti shanti shanti

Mangala / Nicky

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Celebrating Navaratri - the 9 Nights of Devi


Navaratri meaning the Nine Nights falls in October on the first new moon.  It gives us the opportunity to honour the Great Goddess, the Great Mother; that feminine energy or shakti.  The story is where the Goddess Durga whom encompasses all forms of Devi spends 9 days in battle with the Buffalo demon.  The demon is representing the ego and forces of ignorance, those negativities that lie deep down, on the 10th day she defeated that demon.  Moving from darkness to light, from ignorance to bliss divine, triumph to Devi, triumph to truth.
First 3 days - Honouring Maha Durga - the one to dissolve our ignorance and destroy our limitations.  She strengthens our courage and helps us face and overcome our fears, carrying weapons to protect her cubs and help us on our spiritual path.
Second 3 days - Honouring Maha Lakshmi - Goddess of abundance, beauty and growth.  She brings spiritual wealth, inspires generosity and helps us recognise the beauty around and within us.
Last 3 days - Honouring Maha Saraswati - the embodiment wisdom, creativity and creative expression.  She cultivates learning, noble thoughts and eloquent truthful speech.  An inspiration to creation and expression.
10th day - Victory day - triumph to Devi to the Goddess that lies within.  Let the light come, let the light come.
I love this time of year, a time of reflection and growth and of course much much light, enjoy lighting your lamps and honouring the strength, beauty and wisdom that lies within you.
Have a beautiful 9 nights.
Om Shakti Om Shakti OM Shakti Om
Om Shakti Om shakti Om Shakti OM
shanti shanti shanti
Mangala / Nicky