meditation
Celebrating meditation guidance and gurus.
Self Care Rituals
Why is self care always the first thing to go when life “gets in the way” when it should be our number one priority? Isn’t our body supposed to be our temple? It should be treated with the utmost respect like the expensive sports car, fed the finest fuel, kept pristine and sparkling, both inside and out. Instead, we’re skimping on sleep and meals—or worse yet, eating fast food and loading up on stimulants. We can’t live a life we love on fumes! We’re letting ourselves get so consumed with work and projects and commitments and things that don’t serve us. Even spending quality time with friends and family is considered food for the soul and we’ve probably been neglecting that as well.
By BambooMoves Englewood9 years ago in Longevity
Little Jumping Mouse
There once was a mouse. He was a good little mouse. He kept his nose close to the ground like all good mice should. He spent his days collecting and storing grain for his people. One thing bothered him though, he kept hearing a roaring in his ears. Now and then he would ask his friends if they also heard this roar in their ears but they never did. They did not understand what little jumping mouse was talking about and the more he brought it up, the stranger they looked at him. Little jumping mouse decided never to speak of it again. He tried to ignore the sound but there came a day when it simply was no longer possible. He finished his mouse duties and decided to follow the sound in his ears.
By Hyapatia Lee9 years ago in Longevity
The Wheel of Life
The wheel of life is a wonderful tool for self-discovery. It can be used during the Flowering Tree exercise but it stands alone as a way to gain a better understanding of our life. The positive and negative uses of the male and female energies will give us an example of behaviors that we may have seen illustrated by others or in our own behavior. Remember, we all hold male and female inside ourselves. Women will be capable of both positive and negative uses of male energy and visa versa. Familiarity with the behaviors associated with the directions on the wheel will make it easier to recognize negativity when we see it. When we know someone is using negative energy we can either try to help them, if they are receptive, or avoid them in order to protect ourselves. Helping a person who is using negative energy is demonstrated by simply showing them love, listening to them and asking questions that will lead them to discover more about how they feel and finding better ways to express themselves. It does not entail telling them how to live their life. If we recognize this negative behavior in our own actions we have taken the first step in moving towards using energy in a more positive fashion. It is wise to think about one's behavior often, especially if one is unaccustomed to the practice.
By Hyapatia Lee9 years ago in Longevity
New Year, Same Me
With the first month of the New Year almost fulfilled, there are changes all around us; like the suddenly over crowded gym that used to be your solace, or the painfully short contact and social media list that underwent a few adjustments, its all in the spirit of a "fresh start." Yet, why do we feel the need to wait until the start of a new calendar year for a clean slate? These tips will encourage you to put yourself first at times we forget to the most.
By Shaunna Nelson9 years ago in Longevity
Happiness is a Choice
There is an aspect of life whereby all creatures unite. It is often said to be the key to success in every way and without it we feel like something is missing. It is something we all strive for and want even though we sacrifice it way too often, and way too easily. It is absolutely free of charge and actually, it is our birthright.
By Jackie Mazzarella9 years ago in Longevity
Guru Quotes That Inspire Me
Gurus have become synonymous with intellects, leaders or spiritual guides. In Hinduism, a spiritual teacher who passed on the knowledge of the Vedas (a body of liturgical literature) was a guru. Many ancient gurus, were believed to be the living embodiments of a particular deity's spiritual truth. Their words of wisdom ring true in a world where many of us question contemporary leadership and society's spirituality. Guru quotes inspire us to look deeper within ourselves for spiritual guidance.
By Frank White9 years ago in Longevity
How To Blend Teas
Originally when my first tea blends came into creation, I was wild about making teas that were not only tasty but provide a healthy beverage for people. So many times, herbal concoctions for health and wellness just tasted bland and brittle to my palate. Today, I am still very passionate about this aspect of blending, but have expanded my repertoire. When you visit any local tea shop or mega store like Teavana, you will find an expansive selection of green, white and black tea varieties, as well as herbals (often referred to as tisanes).
By Jillian Spruce9 years ago in Longevity
The Ego
What is the ego? There has been talk of this going on as far back as Freud however there is such a variety of interpretation that it seems to fall somewhere in the area of mysticism. It is something that is found in everyone which is why this topic is fascinating. The dichotomy between the opposing functions of the ego is where much of the confusion lies. Some define ego as a driving force. As something we need to stay motivated and survive in the world. Others are completely against the ego knowing that it is not in fact the ego that drives us but our mind in the witnessing state. Witnessing is that state where we feeling like we are in the “zone,” so to speak. Where we are pure existence doing something we love or enjoy and are fully immersed in. It is a separateness from the body which we identify with. Our body and mind are so grounded in what we think & feel that it sometimes takes a lifetime to undo the conditioning and in most cases several lifetimes. Which one is right: science or mysticism? Both. In order to access our true self we need to step outside of the confines of the mind. Ego is what keeps us from the core of our being which is pure bliss. Acting from this place allows us to use the mind in an efficient way. The mind is like a highly technical invisible computer located in everyone that has vast capabilities of both great things & mass destruction. When the mind hinders our well-being the ego is present. Keeping this as technical as we can, one can say many people suffer from the fluctuations of the mind (Ego) which is in short what keeps us from our own equanimity. It has also been speculated that the mind is the origin of all disease as it relates to the cause and or our attitude about it. Science has figured out many ways to help control the mind mostly through the use of medication by inhibiting the feelings & thoughts that are troubling us. This method only treats the symptoms of the mind instead of eradicating the source of problem. Mysticism would suggest facing these feelings head on with a number of different lifestyle changes and techniques. The latter has proven to be very effective however extremely difficult to maintain. It is usually when life becomes difficult and throws us a curve ball that we tend to seek out these types of lifestyle changes. A good first step is looking at our adversities as a catalyst for future positive change. There are numerous ways to commence this lifestyle change however conquering just one at a time could be an approachable way to begin living these practices slowly and in a way that will facilitate the consistency needed. The practice of yoga, mindfulness and meditation has found its way back into the mainstream even though it has been around for thousands of years. People are realizing that no matter what lifestyle they have, their are bodies crave the benefits of stretching, releasing stress from their body and mind, an overall calmer presence and just plain happiness. I have encountered so many different types of people on and off the mat opening up to me about how much they know yoga and mediation can help them. It is calling out to so many people now which makes me want to get the word out as far and wide as possible. It is not easy, but with help it can happen. The first step is establishing a strong mind body connection by attending a yoga class that resonates with you. There are many different teachers and styles out there so allow yourself to explore what is our there and once you find it, do your best to stay consistent with the practice. The benefits will begin to flourish in your life and you will begin to wonder how you survived without it!
By Jackie Mazzarella9 years ago in Longevity
