Tantric Philosophy and Being Fully Present

Tantric Philosophy and Being Fully Present

Perhaps it is the simple ability to allow each moment of life to flow through us that could be Tantra’s gift to the modern world. Tantra’s way of embracing what we might otherwise reject, stirring up things we may have ignored and letting emotions be in motion could be a practice to use in every day life, whether on the yoga mat, on the bus, at work, or at play with our loved ones.

Historical Overview of Tantric Philosophy

There are many branches of Tantra from various parts of Asia, all with a slightly different influence depending upon whether the roots stem from Tibetan Buddhism, or the Indian Vedas. What is perhaps most interesting and useful to first understand however, is the meaning of the word Tantra itself. At a time when several ancient Vedic traditions now known as Hinduism were dominant in India, a subculture of people were simultaneously developing philosophies and practices based around beliefs that took a different path, and somewhat challenged the Vedic ideals. Whilst the Vedic culture was somewhat regulated and had many rules regarding worship, and many rituals to adhere to, Tantra could be described as a counter culture, rebelling against the norm and going beyond the boundaries of human thinking and acting at that time.

Sutra and Tantra

If you’ve ever read Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, or any other text containing the word sutra in its title, you’re reading what is known as a thread of texts. The word sutra essentially means ‘strand’ or ‘thread’, a piece of wisdom or knowledge to learn from. The word ‘Tantra’ has been identified to have a few meanings, one of which means loom, referring to the loom that weaves all the ‘threads’ together. Whilst sutras deal with detail and puzzle solving, Tantra is the expanded mind, the very process of thought itself, and unlike Vedic texts which might answer life’s questions, Tantra questions life itself. 

Dualism and Non-Dualism

If you’ve taken a yoga teacher training course or a deep dive into yoga philosophy, one of the aspects you may have been uncertain of is the whole dual and non-dual subject. Whilst texts like Patanjali’s yoga sutras are an example of dualism, known as dvaita in Sanskrit, tantric texts and philosophies are non-dual, or advaita. With dualism, there’s a belief that two separate entities exist. The first is Purusha – a higher power, unseen force, or God, and this dualistic God is seen as a completely separate being living in another place to us, controlling the universe from above. Within duality, the world, our emotions and thoughts are seen as real, and we are to look to a higher power and spiritual texts to help answer life’s questions. This way of thinking according to Sri Maddhacharya prevents people falling into escapism, therefore encouraging each person to take action and engage fully with the world around them.

With non-dualism, there’s an essence of one-ness. The higher power, god, spirit, universe or however else you might refer to it is within everything in nature, including us. Creation and creator are one, and any sense of separateness is an illusion. Within non-dualism or advaita, the whole world is an illusion, including all of our thoughts and emotions, relating strongly to the Buddha’s concept of heaven and hell being within our own minds. It is said that once the illusion of separateness, ego and self-obsession are lifted (after a lot of years of meditation and practice), we become one with that higher power, knowing on all levels that we really are all ‘one’.

Instead of looking to an outward higher power or god to answer life’s questions, within non-dualism we’re encouraged to observe ourselves and study the way we act, think and live in the world. Tantra encourages each person to fully experience their emotions, allowing anything from rage to romance, sorrow to joy, to fill and engulf the mind and body, and therefore fully experiencing life’s moments. Rather than repressing or pushing away from emotions and experiences, tantric traditions look to gently (and sometimes not so gently) stir them up, so they can rise to the surface of our awareness, and more easily be dealt with and released. Emotions are after all energy-in-motion, and if they’re allowed to move and flow, our minds and lives may begin to take on the ability to progress and flow too.

Practicing Presence

Tantric philosophy and non-dualist practices are built upon thousands of years of wisdom, and much like all yoga practices, we can choose which aspects work for us in every day life. Whilst the concept of dualism and even Patanjali’s yoga sutras were actually meant for Brahmins, Kings and high-caste priests, the Tantric philosophy was intended for the householder, the everyday person.

Those of us not sitting on thrones or with a privileged life wouldn’t necessarily have time for the rituals and rules the Brahmins took time over, as we’d have to think about where the next meal was coming from and how best to care for the family. For those with a busy life, the multitude of practices and special observances wasn’t always useful or practical, and so the tantric traditions were picked up by those in the every day world.

Within non-dualism unity and being at one, inspires compassion for fellow man, kindness to others, and an ability to be more aware and awake to each moment. Emotions are allowed to flow, and so grudges and grievances could be easier to let go of. Life finds a rhythm and although that rhythm can vary in speed, it continues to play freely. If we let life be, if we embrace each moment, if we allow emotion to move and flow, then we start to give each personal equal respect, each opinion validity, each emotion the space it needs, and each moment of everyday the importance it deserves.

Non-duality is the recognition that underlying the multiplicity and diversity of experience there is a single, infinite and indivisible reality, whose nature is pure consciousness, from which all objects and selves derive their apparently independent existence. The recognition of this reality is not only the source of lasting happiness within all people; it is the foundation of peace between individuals, communities and nations, and it must be the basis for any sustainable relationship with the environment.

This post has been adapted from an original article, you can read more of the original article here

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Latest review

Latest review

It’s always a wonderful surprise to receive a review. This week I received a testimonial from a delightful international client who visited me during the heatwave.

Hi Ella,

A quick message to thank you for a fabulous time yesterday. It was forecast to be the hottest day since records began, but the 2 hours of erotic, 5-senses massage was even hotter.

It was very sexy but also really fun. As well as being beautiful, you were also kind and very friendly. I’ll certainly be back.

Yours

J xxx

Read more of the reviews I’ve received here

Life Skills: Emotional Intelligence

Life Skills: Emotional Intelligence

Life Skills: Emotional intelligence or E.I., (also called E.Q.) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of the people around you. People with a high degree of emotional intelligence know what they’re feeling, what their emotions mean, and how these emotions can affect other people.

According to Daniel Goleman , an American psychologist who helped to popularise emotional intelligence as a life skill, says there are five key elements to E.I.

1. Self awareness
2. Self regulation
3. Motivation
4. Empathy
5. Social skills

1. Self awareness

If you’re self aware, this life skill means that you always know how you feel, and you know how your emotions and your actions can affect the people around you. Being self aware means having a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses and it means behaving with humility.

So, what can you do to improve your self awareness?

• Keep a journal – Journals help you improve your self awareness. If you spend just a few minutes each day writing down your thoughts, this can move you to a higher degree of self awareness.
• Slow down – When you experience anger or other strong emotions, slow down to examine why. Remember, no matter what the situation, you can always choose how you react to it. This is a key life skill.

2. Self regulation

Self regulation is all about staying in control. People who can regulate themselves effectively rarely verbally attack others. They don’t make rushed or emotional decisions, they hold back from stereotyping people, and don’t compromise their values. It’s about thinking before you speak, and thinking before you act.

3. Motivation

Self motivated people work consistently toward their goals, tend to have high standards for the quality of their life, and they have good self esteem. They are hopeful for good things, and take action towards achieving their goals. Each small step can get us closer to our goals.

4. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s situation.

How can you improve your empathy?

• Put yourself in someone else’s position – It’s easy to support your own point of view. After all, it’s yours! But take the time to look at situations from other people’s perspectives.
• Pay attention to body language – Perhaps when you listen to someone, you cross your arms, move your feet back and forth, or bite your lip. This body language  tells others how you really feel about a situation, and the message you’re giving isn’t positive! Learning to read body language can be a real asset, because you’ll be better able to determine how someone truly feels. This gives you the opportunity to respond appropriately.
• Respond to feelings – For example, you ask an assistant to work late, and although they agree, you can hear the disappointment in their voice. So, respond by addressing feelings. Tell them you appreciate how willing they are to work extra hours, and that you’re just as frustrated about working late. If possible, figure out a way for future late nights to be less of an issue, for example giving them time off on another day. Responding to feelings is an important element of life skills.

5. Social Skills

People who have strong social skills, an element of emotional intelligence, tend to be great communicators.

How can you build social skills?

• Improve your communication skills – How well do you communicate? Communication is one of the key life skills. Take this communication quiz  to help you answer this question, and it will give useful feedback on what you can do to improve.
• Learn conflict resolution – Everyone can benefit from understanding how to resolve conflicts. Learning conflict resolution  skills is a vital life skill.

From an original article in MindTools, read the full article here

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How to Have Better Conversations

How to Have Better Conversations

People want to get the real you, so they can express the real them.

1. Don’t multitask

Better conversations start with being present, fully being in that moment. Don’t think about your argument you had with your boss. Don’t think about what you’re going to have for dinner. If you want to have a meaningful conversation you need to be present and focussed on the person, or people you are with.

To help yourself, try putting your phone away and make sure you allow enough time buffer on either end of your coffee chat so you can properly relax. If you do notice yourself drifting off during the conversation, gently re-direct your attention without judgement.

2. Be curious

Ask questions. Why did they decide to come to whatever event you’re both at? Research actually suggests that people who ask more questions are better liked by their conversation partners than people who ask fewer questions. A question can either kick off a conversation or keep it going.

3. Don’t be afraid to go off-script

Skip the stock questions (what do you do, where do you live, etc.), and ask a question that will make your conversation partner think, which is engaging, or start with a statement: “This painting really confuses me” or “I can’t believe how crowded the train is today.” Statements are invitations to share conversations.

Whether you’re asking a question, replying, or making a statement, be authentic, people want to get the real you so they can express the real them.

4. Give someone a compliment

Compliments shift the focus to the other person and should make them feel good. When it comes to our anxieties about having conversations with people we don’t know, we tend to be in our heads a lot, overthinking what we’re doing wrong or what we could do wrong, she explains. Focusing the attention on the other person in those moments can help us get past those awkward spots.

5. Talk about something you both have in common

At the very least, you’re in the same place and experiencing the same weather. But don’t be afraid to dig deeper and find more interesting commonalities: maybe you’re from the same place, maybe you have a mutual friend, maybe you have a shared hobby, or maybe you work in similar roles.

We tend to overestimate how different people are from one another and how different they are from us, in reality, you probably have lots in common, but you just don’t know what that is yet.

6. Have more conversations with people you don’t know

The more you have, the more likely that you’re going to have good conversations. You get better at asking better questions, and answering with more interesting responses. There’s some skill, but its as much confidence that come from just doing it more often.

We fear social rejection, that the person won’t respond positively or will ignore us, Schroeder says. Research shows the opposite, however, that people nearly always are willing to engage in a conversation when prompted by someone else.

7. Don’t let the awkward moments trip you up

Embarking on a conversation with a stranger often goes through the following stages, first they look at you as if asking, “Do I know you?” Then there’s recognition they don’t know you. Then it’s, “Wait, are you a weirdo?” Then they get past all of that and realise you’re just being friendly.

You have to be OK that it might be awkward for a bit, if you keep going with thoughtful, authentic questions or statements, hopefully you’ll get to that stage where you’re having a real conversation.

Adapted from an article originally posted in Better by Today, read the original article here

Gratitude Positively Impacts Wellbeing

Gratitude Positively Impacts Wellbeing

Research shows that expressing thankfulness can affect overall well-being.

The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings.

Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognise that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals, whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

Ways to cultivate gratitude

Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier or thinking they can’t feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.

Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.

Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter or email expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person’s impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.

Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual.

Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you’ve received each day.

Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down and write about what the good moments you have experienced and cultivate thankfullness for those moments. It’s time to reflect on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number, such as three to five things, that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.

Meditate or pray. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase (such as “peace”), it is also possible to focus on what you’re grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.).

Study after study has found a robust association between higher levels of gratitude and wellbeing, including protection from stress and depression, more fulfilling relationships, better sleep and greater resilience. Simple exercises that people can do on their own – such as spending two weeks writing a daily list of three things for which they are grateful – have been found to increase life satisfaction, decrease worry and improve body image, with the beneficial effects lasting for up to six months.

Adapted from an article feature in Harvard Health Publishing, read the original article here

A Guide to Sound Healing

A Guide to Sound Healing

Sound is all around us and whether we realise it or not, it can have an impact on how we feel. The healing power of sound is something yogis have been aware of for thousands of years within yoga traditions. Today sound healing and sound baths are a popular way to experience the many benefits of specific tones and instruments.

A sound bath is simply a deeply relaxing experience where the listener lies down on a mat or blanket, with as many cushions or props as they need to feel comfortable, and is then ‘bathed’ in the sound vibrations. 

Sound healing is very much the same, although sound healing sessions can be done as a 1-2-1 therapy with a practitioner and may also include guided relaxation and visualisation. Instruments used vary from gongs to alchemical crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls, bells, rain sticks, drums, flutes, Koshi chimes, Kenari shakers, and tuning forks tuned to specific frequencies. When you head out to a sound therapy experience, allow yourself to let go and be open to the practice, and you could experience one of the many benefits for your physical and mental health including:

• Reduced stress
• Improved sleep
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced pain
• Reduced anxiety
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Fewer mood swings
• More balanced hormones
• Greater sense of overall wellbeing

Why is sound healing effective? 

Pause for a moment and listen. What can you hear? Perhaps the hum of the refrigerator, a song on the radio, aeroplanes, wind rustling through leaves? From the most audible sounds closest to you right now, to the muffled sounds you can barely hear, all of those frequencies are having an impact on the mind and body.  

We’ve never been surrounded by sound as much as we are in today’s world, but beyond the positive and uplifting sounds of singing and music, there’s also ‘noise pollution’, which researchers say is one of the leading causes of health issues worldwide. In a 2021 study, it was estimated that people living close to busy roads were more likely to experience high cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) levels, hypertension or heart disease, and up to 40 million people in the US suffer from a hearing impairment due to excessive noise exposure. 

It doesn’t have to be loud and disturbing noises that affect us however. The ‘bing’ and ‘beep’ of notifications can also increase stress levels. When our phones or computers make a sound to notify us of a message, our brains might release dopamine – the ‘motivation’ and ‘desire’ hormone – but they can also release cortisol, which, in excess, is detrimental to health. 

In a world with so much noise, it’s more important than ever to be intentional and conscious about how we use sound and how we interact with it, which is where sound healing comes in.

An ancient art and science for good vibes

Healing with sound has existed for thousands of years; the Ancient Egyptians used musical incantations to help heal the sick, whilst the ancient yogic text the Samaveda contains chants and hymns and was recited in a specific harmony. Greek physicians were also known to use musical instruments to heal patients, using the power of vibration to promote healthy digestion, sleep and emotional disturbances. 

Vibration really is a key word when it comes to sound healing, because all sound is made up of vibration. All sounds are made up of waves produced by the vibrations of material objects. If you clap your hands together, this creates a vibration, which we hear as sound waves and frequencies. If you strum a guitar, the vibration of the strings sends out waves, heard as frequencies. These vibrations are transmitted through the air, and when reaching the ear, they’re converted to electrical impulses in the brain, which we interpret as sound. It’s these specific frequencies that sound healers often use in sessions in order to help balance mind-body health.

It is said that specific frequencies can be used to help optimise the body’s organs, as well as to elicit certain brainwaves and emotional states. Autoimmune disease specialist Christina Sessmus says;

Humans have an optimal frequency, as does everything else in the universe, that occurs when each of the cells in our body vibrates at the frequency it was designed to. (“The Vibrational Frequencies of the Human Body | Biohackers …”) Bruce Tainio, famous researcher and developer of Tainio Technology found that a healthy body resonates at a frequency of 62-72 MHz, (MHz takes 1 ‘hz’ and multiplies it by a million) and when your frequency drops to 58 MHz, that is when disease starts. Bacteria, viruses, and disease each have their own, low frequency that influence your energy field.

– Christina Sessmus

If you’ve heard the phrases ‘good vibes’ and ‘bad vibes’, this is essentially what these sound specialists are referring to. When our bodies and minds are vibrating at a healthy level, we generally feel well inside and out. If we spend time in environments or with people who seem to drain us or bring us ‘down’ however, this can lower our vibrational frequency and leave us more susceptible to illness or mood issues. Using sound-based vibration is one of the key ways sound healing can help re-harmonise and rebalance the body and emotions, and is already being used in medicine today to help reduce pain for those with arthritis, menstrual pain, and postoperative pain. Even medical ultrasound uses vibrations, waves and echoes, to produce images of structures (and babies!) within the body.

Read more: Mantra and vibration – A divine path to union

Healing frequencies for emotions, organs and chakras

Now that we know a little about the science of sound, it’s easier to understand how it can be so beneficial. When we hear certain sound waves, this can encourage the brain to elicit certain brain waves that can help us feel relaxed, alert, focused, and even aid us in entering a meditative state. When the brain enters a relaxed and balanced state, this stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (the ‘rest and digest’ system) helping the body’s organs and tissues rest, heal and regenerate. 

As well as physical health, sound healing is also used to release ‘blocked’ energy from the subtle energy channels, restoring balance to our emotions too. Specific frequencies are linked to specific patterns in numerology and geometry, and are said to have specific effects on the body and mind, such as:

• 174 Hz relieves pain and stress
• 285 Hz heals tissues and organs
• 396 Hz liberates the listener from fear and guilt
• 417 Hz facilitates change
• 528 Hz for transformation and DNA repair (known as the ‘miracle frequency’)
• 639 Hz reconnects relationships
• 741 Hz helps provide solutions and self-expression
• 852 Hz brings the listener back to a ‘spiritual order’
• 963 HZ encourages a sense of oneness and unity

To experience the benefits of different frequencies, you can search for Binaural Beats online, which includes frequencies to elicit brainwaves like Delta for sleeping, Theta meditation, Alpha for reduced anxiety and more positivity, Beta for increased focus and problem solving, and frequencies to help improve motivation and learning too.

TCM toning and healing sounds 

As well as frequencies, health systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have used healing sounds and a method known as ‘toning’ to bring the body and mind back into balance. Toning uses the voice, and includes healing sounds such as:

• Lungs: “Ssssssssss”
• Kidneys: “Choooooooo”
• Liver: “Shhhhhhhhhh”
• Heart & Small Intestine: “Haaaaaaaa”
• Spleen & Pancreas: “Whoooooo”
• Triple Burner / San Jiao (the core or trunk of the body): “Herrrrrrrrrrr”

Chakras and Bija mantras

Sound healing also works directly with the Chakras. Imagine the 7 main energy wheels located up the spine, starting from the tailbone and ending just above the crown of the head. Each wheel needs to be ‘spinning’ optimally in order to help the body vibrate at a healthy frequency. If one wheel is ‘stuck’ or ‘blocked’, this lowers the body’s frequency and causes disharmony, dis-ease and maybe even disease. The 7 chakra points correspond to specific organs and hormones within the body, and it’s very common to have at least one or two chakra points that are blocked or not functioning optimally. Sound is one of the most powerful ways to help balance the chakras. 

Each chakra has a corresponding mantra to help bring it back to balance, known a bija mantra or ‘seed’ mantra. 

• Muladhara / Root Chakra: Bija mantra – “lam” (pronounced ‘lum’)
• Svadhisthana / Sacral Chakra: Bija Mantra- “vam” (pronounced ‘vum’)
• Manipura / Solar Plexus Chakra: Bija mantra – “ram” (pronounced ‘rum’)
• Anahata / Heart Chakra: Bija mantra – “yam” (pronounced ‘yum’)
• Vishuddhi / Throat Chakra: Bija mantra: “ham” (pronounced ‘hum’)
• Ajna / Third Eye Chakra: Bija mantra: “OM”
• Sahasrara / Crown Chakra: Bija mantra: Sahasrara Chakra is traditionally considered to be beyond all sound, but many people also use the mantra “OM” for this chakra. 

Adapted from an article originally posted in Ekhart Yoga, read the post here

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In The Tantric View

In The Tantric View

In the Tantric View is a Tantra Quote from a Tantra System Scholar

“In the Tantric View, there are two goals in human life: worldly success and spiritual liberation. The former consists of learning how to successfully negotiate the challenges of embodiment. Creating sufficient harmony and balance in relation to one’s work, family, mental and physical health, and so on gives rise to worldly happiness, the ability to simply enjoy life (bhoga). Unlike all the pre-Tantric forms of yoga, the Tantra does not reject this goal, but actually provides tools to achieve it.

The second goal, or purpose, of human life is seemingly very different: to achieve a spiritual liberation that entails a deep and quiet joy that is utterly independent of one’s life circumstances, a joy in simply existing, free from all mind-created suffering (mokṣa).

Tantra does not see these goals as necessarily mutually exclusive: you can strive for greater happiness and success (bhoga) while at the same time cultivating a practice that will enable you to deeply love your life even if it doesn’t go the way you want (mokṣa). It’s a win–win proposition.

But the tradition correctly points out that unless the former activity (bhoga) is subordinated to the latter (mokṣa), it is likely that pursuit of bhoga will take over. That outcome is potentially regrettable for two reasons: first, if you haven’t cultivated mokṣa (spiritual liberation) and your carefully built house of cards collapses, as can happen to any of us at any time, you will have no inner ‘safety net’ to catch you.”

― Christopher D Wallis, The Recognition Sutras: Illuminating a 1,000-Year-Old Spiritual Masterpiece

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Yoga Quotes

Yoga Quotes

Quotes are like little sparks that trigger an inspiration of thought or action. 

1 – Sally Kempton: “The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ – steady effort in the direction you want to go.”

2 – Amit Ray: “Yoga is not just repetition of few postures – it is more about the exploration and discovery of the subtle energies of life.”

3 – Guillemets: “A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves.”

4 – Craig Hamilton: “True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is–including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.”

5 – Hatha Yoga Pradipika: “Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but not one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret of success.”

6 – K.S. Iyengar: “Yoga does not transform the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.”

7 – The Bhagavad Gita: “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

8 – Petri Räisänen: “When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga.”

9 – Unknown: “I was looking for someone to inspire me, motivate me, support me, keep me focused… Someone who would love me, cherish me, make me happy, and I realized all along that I was looking for myself.”

10 – Peace Pilgrim: “That’s why it’s called a practice. We have to practice a practice if it is to be of value.”

11 – Desikashar: “Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.”

12 – Swami Satchidananda: “Calming the mind is yoga. Not just standing on the head.”

13 – Jason Crandell: “Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.”

14 – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois: “Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.”

15 – Joel Kramer: “Yoga is a dance between control and surrender — between pushing and letting go — and when to push and to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your well-being.”

16 – Eric Paskel: “Yoga is not about tightening your ass. It’s about getting your head out of it.”

17 – Unknown: “Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists.”

18 – Jigar Gor: “Yoga is not about touching your toes. It is what you learn on the way down.”

19 – Baron Baptiste: “The pose begins when you want to get out of it.”

20 – Donna Farhi: “Yoga does not remove us from the reality or responsibilities of everyday life but rather places our feet firmly and resolutely in the practical ground of experience. We don’t transcend our lives; we return to the life we left behind in the hopes of something better.”

21 – Rory Freedman: “All kidding aside, if everyone did yoga, we would have world peace.”

22 – Mahatma Gandhi: “The future depends on what we do in the present.”

23 – Rumi: “Do not feel lonely. The entire universe is inside of you.”

24 – Unknown: “Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.”

25 – Zen Shin: “A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.”

26 – Erich Schiffmann: “Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are.”

27 – ThinkGrowProsper: “The universe does this thing… where it aligns you with people, things, and situations that match the energy you put out. The more you improve yourself and raise your vibration, the more you will see things that are beneficial to your well-being.”

28 – Aadil Palkhivala: “True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied.”

29 – Rolf Gates: “Yoga is not a work-out, it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable; to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.”

30 – Sakyong Mipham: ““The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness.”

31 – Unknown: “The yoga pose you avoid the most is the one you need the most.”

32 – Unknown: “Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.”

33 – Yogi Bhajan: “The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.”

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Yoga for Health

Yoga for Health

In ancient times Yoga was considered to be a whole and complete system of spirituality, and at the same time, a most potent source for health and healing. Yoga for health as a complete system is less known these days. The original ancient systems of Yoga is held in high regard as an incredible curative system that could heal all aspects of our beings, the physical, mental, emotional and energetic. To fully understand how yoga for health can be utilised, we first need to explore Yoga in its original form.

The birth of Yoga

A great spiritual system was born thousands of years ago and rooted in the ancient tradition and customs of India where spiritual masters developed a fascinating science which they called Yoga. The name originates from the sanskrit word “yug”, which means “union”.

Originally Yoga was known as a complete and structured science for spiritual self development. It was considered a technology of sorts where practitioners, or yogis, applied scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

There existed famous lineages of sages and seers who achieved the ultimate spiritual success of self development and realisation by becoming serious practitioners of their yogic system, the system of knowledge associated with their yogic practice.

To use Yoga for health we must start with the clarity that it is much more than a fitness or lifestyle choice.

Since becoming mainstream and migrating to the West, Yoga has undergone a transformation. Nowadays it is viewed as a form of sports or exercise and is in the same category as an aerobics class, Pilates or Crossfit. This stretchy form of modern gymnastics is a far removed from the sophisticated and comprehensive path for evolution that the Yoga masters created. Much of the early teachings have become obscure and this powerful approach to holistic, whole health and rejuvenation is mostly unknown these days.

Energy governs the physical body

It is well known in the ancient yogic tradition that there is much more to a human being than the physical structure, which is both visible and tangible.

Yoga traditions say that beyond our physical body exists an energetic substructure, known as the human aura, and it surrounds and overlaps with our manifested form.

The physical body does not govern these energetic layers but, rather these energetic layers govern and regulate the physical body. If there is an interruption in the flow of energy also known as prana in the Yoga tradition, or chi or ki in other traditions within this human energy field, then it is only a matter of time before the disturbance is revealed in the physical body. The energetic substructure is a blueprint, so to speak, for the physiological tissues and processes.

According to the ancient yogis it is here, in this human energy field, that the origin of illness and disease truly lies. What ultimately materialises in the body in the form of symptoms is simply a by-product of a disturbance or imbalance that is impregnated at a deep, subtle and energetic level.

Therefore, in order to permanently and wholly remedy any health disturbance it makes sense to heal and rejuvenate at the energetic level first and foremost, rather than solely addressing the physical manifestations of any disease. This is what the ancient Yoga traditions sought to do.

Yoga in it’s ancient and original system aims to eliminates the true cause

Now that we understand the genuine meaning of Yoga and we are aware that we are more than just a physical body, we can more clearly make the connection between Yoga and health.

There are two foundational characteristics that define authentic ancient Yoga:

Firstly, the harnessing of universal energies, or in other words, incorporating various energies found in the universe into the Yoga practice for personal development.

Secondly, concentration of the mind. The yogis even went as far to say, there is no Yoga without concentration of the mind. The mind is ultimately what attracts and then directs the energy.

Energy is unique because it has an unlimited potential, making it the most extraordinary healing tool on the planet. It is so powerful that it has the possibility of surpassing the body itself, penetrating the aura and bringing life force to the deep, subtle layers that need it most. By remedying the energetic flow, the energy matrix becomes healthy and the physical body has no choice but to follow suit.

The 3 most powerful Yoga practices for health

The Yoga system is comprised of many tools and techniques including asanas, meditation, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, mantras and kriyas. Three of them are most notable in terms of their health and healing properties.

Asanas

Most simply defined, asanas are Yoga poses or positions. In the Tantra Yoga system asanas are not diminished to a physical practice or a way to stretch and tone the muscles. They serve a much more mystical and crucial purpose. When done correctly – with mental concentration and a focus on energy – asanas will bring great vitality and rejuvenating energy to the physical, energetic, emotional and mental bodies (the layers of the aura).

Tantra Yoga is a more meditative type of practice whereby the practitioner aims to hold a certain asana for a longer duration of time. Depending on the level of difficulty, asanas should be held for minimally 2-5 minutes up to even 30 minutes, nonstop. The longer the asana is held the stronger the energetic accumulation and therefore the healing potential.

Kriyas

Beneath the Yoga umbrella exists a branch called Kriya Yoga. This is the Yoga of cleansing and purification and not to be confused with the Kriya Yoga of Yogananda. Within this branch of Yoga, there are purification and cleansing techniques which described and defined. They range from basic, everyday practices such as rinsing the eyes and scraping the tongue in a particular way, to much more advanced techniques that are often reserved for the spiritually elite.

Kriya Yoga is considered a vital component to the larger Yoga system simply because it purges impurities on all levels, preparing an individual for more and more powerful surges of energy to flow through their being. By reaching the maximum energetic flow you can become immune to any disease, tap into the fountain of youth and reach incredible spiritual heights.

Pranayama

Pranayama is a highly sophisticated technology of Yoga. When authentic techniques are at the forefront of this practice, the healing effects are in many cases mind-blowing and can even be supernatural. This branch of Yoga is considered the fast track, or super highway, to unbridled health and profound healing. However, because of its advanced nature, pranayama must be preceded by an extensive practice of both asanas and kriyas first.

In the same way that asanas have been reduced to stretches for the physical body within modern yoga, pranayama is likened to breathing gymnastics in modern yoga. However in the ancient tradition of yoga pranayama was the controlling of the prana, or life force energy.

A holistic, whole body solution

To use Yoga for health we start with the clarity that it is much more than a fitness or lifestyle choice. It is a comprehensive healing system.

By using asanas, kriyas and pranayama, the ancient tradition of yoga aimed to influence the energetic structure of our inner being, which brings a behaviour change in the energy and a resurgence of the vital force.

Adapted from an article posted in Somananda Tantra school

Image credit, Fibonacci Spiral Galaxy Mandala

You Are So Much More Than You Know

You Are So Much More Than You Know

There are a few central recurring questions humans are likely to ask themselves over the course of their life. These questions include Who am I?, Why are we here?, What does our future hold?, What’s the origin of the Universe?

These questions are not only on the minds of people who consider themselves to be spiritual, but also the scientific. These are some of the questions Professor Brian Cox investigates with a scientific approach through his book and TV series of the same name, Human Universe.

The ability to ask questions, consider concepts and follow through with logical thinking is the domain of humans, and no other species has demonstrated this ability.

Tantra has also considered the questions of Who am I? and How can I get more of what I want in my life? The Tantra Taittiriya Upanishad texts say that if we really want to know who we are, and get more joy and fulfillment in life, we need to know our subtle anatomy.

Tantric texts describe our anatomy as composite of five bodies, pancha koshas

1 – the physical body

2 – the energetic body

3 – the mental/emotional body

4 – the inner-teacher or wisdom body

5 – the bliss body

In Tantra when we can bring awareness into the deep layers of each of these bodies, we gain access to our highest, most evolved, powerful self.

Our human bodies are complex and fascinating. The human brain is the most complex thing in the universe , the human brain has approximately 1×10¹¹ neurons that interconnect with each other 1×10¹⁵ times (in a changing manner). All this with a weight of around 1.5 kg and a volume of 1,300 cubic centimeters. That is enough to tell us who we are: beliefs, political preferences, sports predilections and who we fall in love with.

Whether you have a mindset that is scientific or spiritual, or a mind set that has a bit of both, there is so much more to understand and explore about ourselves, others, our known world and the infinite cosmos that scientists are learning more about.

“Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another.”
― Carl Sagan, Cosmos

Image credit, Nasa galleries