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Women's Spirituality: Warrior to Goddess - How to Transform the Feminine

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 21:22:00 -0500

By Suzanna Kennedy

There are many types of women in our society, but the one that cries out for the healing the loudest is the Female Warrior. She longs to transform herself into the Goddess and yet doesn't even know it. Nor does she know how.

Who is the Warrior?
The Warrior is powerful, independent, self-reliant and successful --because she has to be. Yet, she resents all of the responsibility and obligation that goes with her role. She's the only one around who can get things done, and get things done fast enough and perfectly enough.

She is bitter (at least inwardly) toward men, who she believes get all the breaks, but do little of the real work. She sees men as the weaker sex, responding emotionally and acting illogically - when they act at all. She believes herself to be surrounded by wimps that she couldn't trust to punch their way out of a paper bag. She says that men are only good for one thing - moving furniture. Well, two things -- maybe.

She has long since let go of the fantasy of a knight in shining armor or Prince Charming. She is bitter, angry and cutting in her dealings with these inferior male beings. She consciously or unconsciously seeks revenge against the male transgressors in this patriarchal society.

She respects other Warriors, yet has no tolerance for 'weaker' females who don't carry the Warrior's sword. She may be a good wife and a mother, protecting and providing for her family. Yet she expresses even these roles through the stance of a warrior.

She has grown tired of fighting. She has battle wounds that she has displayed proudly in the past. But has made as many conquests as she cares to. Her armor has grown heavy and she longs to remove it for good. She longs for the Goddess within, yet believes she couldn't survive without her Warrior's sword. Little does she know the power of the Goddess.

Who is the Goddess?
The Goddess is quite simply -- the embodiment of the Divine in a female body. She is discerning and acts with integrity. She has a core of inner peace that is unshakable. The Goddess radiates an energy that is so powerfully beautiful, loving and soft, that others are drawn to her like a magnet.

She may have been a Warrior at one time, but she has healed her wounds. She has let go of the anger, pain, fear, guilt and judgement. She has let go of feelings of betrayal and abandonment. She has replaced those lower vibrational emotions with compassion and joy. She has transformed her limiting beliefs, attitudes, and thought patterns into a loving allowance for all to be as they are. She has no need to change anybody, for she sees the Divine in all beings. She understands that any attack is simply a demonstration of fear. She remembers fear, and yet knows how to neutralize it with her unlimited flow of love.

The Warrior and the Goddess -- two powerful female archetypes. One tired and wounded, one radiant and healed. How did the Warrior get wounded? And how can she transform herself into the Goddess? To answer these questions, you must first understand how energy moves in humans.

What are Male and Female Energy Patterns?
Energy has patterns of movement and we can call one pattern male, the other female. The male pattern of movement is assertive; it initiates action. Look at the male genitalia as an example. It is outside the body, action oriented. It takes pleasure in moving against the walls of an enclosure. In humans it expresses itself as a need to understand, to analyze, to find the limits. The mind seeks to master the physical world. Male energy expresses itself through the mind, wanting to give, to protect, and to provide comfort in the physical reality. All human beings have a male aspect to themselves, sometimes called the inner male.

Likewise, each individual has an inner female. This energy pattern is receptive and responsive - an open space with defined boundaries. But the open space is dark and mysterious. The feminine is comfortable with the unknown. From this mystery springs creativity and intuition. It is the womb - nourishing and nurturing. Female energy expresses through the heart, through the senses - using its creativity to give birth to an outer space that is inviting, nourishing and sensual.

Ideally, each individual would have the healthy, mature male and female aspects working together as equal partners. Yet, this is rarely the case. As humans experience the slings and arrows of life, their inner males and/or females becomes wounded, and their development arrested. So a Warrior is a female who predominantly expresses male energy because her female aspect is wounded and dysfunctional.

How Does a Female Become a Warrior?
There are several possibilities. She may start as little girl that grows up not feeling that her father provided the required safety and protection. It could be her father is absent emotionally or physically. Or she may have a father that expresses mostly the feminine energy, not modeling a mature male archetype. She may have modeled herself after a mother or other influential female that was a Warrior. She may feel betrayed or abandoned by one or both her parents. She may have felt, for whatever reason, she needed to play the role of the male and be the provider and protector of the family. She may have felt that she had to develop Warrior-like qualities to survive in the business world.

Whatever the reason, she puts on her armor and fights. She fights for herself, her family, her job, recognition and validation. She accumulates wounds and battle scars. And she has her conquests too. But her ego is over taxed and her soul cries out for retirement.

How Does Ego Operate?
Ego has gotten a bad rap. Some disciplines suggest that we should suppress the ego or even kill it. But ego plays a very important part when we are in a physical body on this planet. It is ego's job to protect us.

Whenever we enter a situation, the ego scans the system for cell memories that are similar to the current one. If it any similar situations that resulted in our being hurt, it try to protect us from being hurt again.

Cellular memories are stored in the DNA, which we receive from our ancestors. Cellular memory is created whenever we experience trauma or make an emotional decision. And if you believe in such things, cell memory comes in from other lifetimes, other aspects of ourselves in other dimensions. With all that history, when the ego does a scan, it can almost always find a similar situation where we have been hurt. So it puts up the defenses to prevent us from getting hurt again.

It may throw up feelings of fear and doubt. It may initiate thoughts, beliefs or memories that distract us from participating in the situation. Sometimes it will create roadblocks that will prohibit us from participating, such as limitations of time, financial setbacks and illness. It will do anything to get in the way.

And these defenses keep us limited to reacting the same way we always did. And guess what? If we react the same way, we will get the same results. No new experiences can come from this. We can't change from this. We are married to the sameness.

How Does the Soul Use the Law of Attraction?
The reason we encounter hurtful situations is because of the hurtful energy that is stored inside our DNA. The soul it is always seeking to bring us back to health and joy. So it is trying to release the hidden and suppressed energy. It uses the law of attraction (like attracts like) to magnetizes the people and situations to us that will trigger the opportunity for release.

That's why the wounded Warrior female attracts wounded men to her. For the opportunity to clear and release this stored energy. The Warrior can clear the hurtful energy in the DNA. And when she does, she begins moving through her life without the hurtful cellular memory. The ego's job is so much easier because there is no hurtful energy to be released - she is not drawing hurtful situations anymore. And when she moves into a new situation and ego scans for hurtful memories, it can't find any. So the ego then allows her to move into new experiences with no limitations.

In my own case, when I looked inside, I saw that my inner female was in a heap in the back of a dark cave. She was dirty and frightened and was only about six years old. My inner male was a giant Warrior King - strong and always on the defensive. It was in this image that I came to understand how I had become a Warrior - a Warrior King in the body of a female. The inner female totally incapacitated - nonfunctional.

I know my Warrior King was very tired. He had carried the burden by himself for lifetimes. He was tired of using only his mind and physical strength to master the world. He longed for his queen to contribute her feminine gifts in equal partnership. His most recent objective was to create a safe environment for her to come out of the cave, grow up and see that the world was once again a safe place for her to express her femininity.

My Warrior King committed himself to a quest. The quest was to rid himself and his child queen of the past feelings, attitudes, beliefs and cellular memories that kept them stuck in limited thought and behavior patterns.

So my Warrior King led me to techniques that helped me clear, clear, clear all the stuck and suppressed energy. And then as a validation, I met a man who mirrored to me -- my new self. We had a short, but very enjoyable relationship. He was balanced in his male and female aspects. In our relationship he expressed the male aspect - initiating our time together, making the plans, providing a safe environment for us to explore each other.

For the first time in my life, I surrendered and allowed a man to take the lead. He told me what he wanted and what he thought about things. I told him how I felt about what he said and wanted. And he respected my feelings. He made the necessary corrections to allow me to continue to feel safe and cherished.

As I reflected upon our relationship, I noticed the difference between this and all my past relationships. I acknowledged to myself how much I enjoyed expressing feminine energy in this relationship. And as I did this, I saw my inner female stand up and take notice. She came out of the fetal position in the back of the cave and stood in the sunlight. She basked in the energy of my appreciation of my femininity.

And as she absorbed this appreciation, she began to transform. She started growing up from a girl of six, through adolescence, through puberty, into a mature woman. And as she transformed, my inner male stood by and watched in fascination and growing excitement. Yes, yes, this is what he had been waiting for.

She grew into a beautiful woman and stood to face the Warrior King. They gazed into each other's eyes. She thanked him for all of his patience, kindness, and for running the show for such a long time without her. She thanked him for his protection and for creating a safe environment. They embraced and they walked off into the sunset, presumably for to enjoy their honeymoon.

Since that time, my creativity and intuition have increased tremendously. I have been given the gift of healing to share with others. My inner male and female now work together in Sacred Union as equal partners. I see them sitting on matching golden thrones side-by-side, ruling the kingdom with power, wisdom and compassion.

How does the Warrior Transform into the Goddess?
First she needs to engage ego in the clearing process. She reassures it that she seeks to make its job easier. She acknowledges it for its valuable service. She assures it that she still needs it to help keep the physical body healthy and safe.

Then she states - commands - her intention to be clear. She asks her own spiritual team for help and guidance. This starts the process. She may be guided to create a sacred ceremony to step out of one form of consciousness and into another. She might create a metaphor in her ceremony that deals with death of the old self and rebirth of the new self. She might see herself as a snake, shedding its skin.

Her spiritual team might direct her to a clearing facilitator to act as witness and assist with this transformation. She chooses someone who is already radiating and demonstrating the clear Goddess energy in her own life, as she can transmit high frequency energy and assist in the graceful transformation of Warrior to Goddess.

This clearing process allows her to transfer her sense of safety and security into the identification of herself as a Divine Being who is divinely guided and protected directly by The Source of All That Is. She becomes the Goddess.

Clearing transforms her life. Some relationships may fall away, including some people who are very close. If the law of attraction brought a relationship into her life because of shared suppressed negative energy, she will see a shift or dissolution of that relationship. She will retain all the relationships that were attracted to her through joy and unconditional love. She might lose her job or home if it doesn't support her.

But the universe hates a void. So when all these negative relationships and situations are cleared out of her life, she will automatically attract relationships and situations that vibrate at her new frequency of unconditional love, peace and joy.

How To Recognize a Goddess
The Goddess has let go of all that is not Divine. She enjoys and expresses her femininity with courage. She finds that both men and women are easier to work and play with than ever before. She has let go of her suppressed feelings of betrayal and abandonment and radiates the energy of trust. So others open up, let down their walls and she draws out the trustworthiness and integrity in them.

She treats others with understanding and kindness. Yet she is discerning and knows how to draw boundaries when appropriate. She speaks the truth, from her heart, with respect, honoring the feelings of others.

The Goddess carries a particular energy, a higher, faster vibration in her electromagnetic field. She has created an environment in her body that magnetizes more refined Divine energies. Her body becomes a radio tower that grounds the celestial energies of profound compassion and joy into the Earth and then radiates it outward in all directions.

She radiates the energy of Sacred Union within herself and that magnetizes a Sacred Union partner to her in the physical world. In accordance with Divine Timing, of course, she will attract a God to compliment her Goddess.

The Law of Attraction operates to magnetize others who are of a similar energy. Soon she finds herself surrounded by Gods and Goddesses - all living harmoniously in Heaven on Earth that they created from their joy, wisdom and love.

Suzanna Kennedy teaches you how to heal yourself and step into your birthright as the Radiant Divine Child that you are. Acting as a Spiritual Midwife, Suzanna births the Divine Human into Sacred Union. Suzanna facilitates transformation in several formats: guest speaker, individual sessions, group sessions, weekend playshops, week-long intensive retreats. Individual sessions can be conducted in person or remotely. For more articles by Suzanna Kennedy, visit http://www.realitycrafting.com

Motherhood: Yoga And Motherhood

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 21:19:00 -0500

By Mystic India

The psychology and philosophy of yoga can assist the mother to understand the experiences she is going through and to live them more fully. The development of awareness and of being a witness to all experiences in life is a central teaching of yoga. The ability to stand aside and witness what one is passing through removes a lot of fear and anxiety. Awareness builds one's inner resources of self- esteem and confidence and also enables the birth to be more consciously experienced. Yogic psychology also helps us understand the causes and effects of our circumstances in life and this deepens our insight and wisdom.

Yoga stresses the first seven years of the child's life. During this time it is the mother who has the most important role in the character formation of the child. After seven years, the more masculine energies of the father are necessary to develop reasoning and intellectual abilities. The mother learns through yoga to nurture in the child an appreciation of beauty and culture, such as the use of storytelling, with colourful heroes and heroines for the child to use as role models.

The yogic attitude towards motherhood stresses the importance of preparing the whole family for the arrival of a new family member. It advocates the participation of the father and other children in the preparations and often suggests the father and children do the yoga classes with the mother. Such preparation is often useful in counteracting feelings of sibling rivalry or jealousy that may occur following the introduction of a new family member.

For the single mother, both the yogic practices and their inherent philosophy help to strengthen the woman's health and psychological well-being, and counterbalance any feelings of insecurity and loneliness she may be feeling. Yoga gives prime importance to the role of the mother which builds self-esteem and strengthens her inner resources. Its philosophy teaches her how to make the most of her situation and provides the incentive to have a positive and optimistic outlook.

Yoga also views the pregnancy and birth from the child's viewpoint, as well as the mother's and emphasizes the importance of the immediate bonding of the newly-born infant with the mother. From the fourth month, the wise say that the soul enters the body of the unborn child and that he or she now has awareness. This is why yoga emphasizes the role of the mother in nourishing the infant, not just physically but also psychologically. The basic fabric of a child's life is woven in the womb and the health and mental attitudes of the mother directly affect the baby. Yogic practices assist the mother in developing a positive influence on the growing consciousness of the child, as well as ensuring that the experience of pregnancy and birth are wholesome and memorable ones for both herself and the child.

Womens Movement in a Spiritual context by Tapasya Dasaji

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 21:14:00 -0500

How can we grow a woman, how can we contribute to the planet? Its not a womens liberation movement, it is a movement in conciousness!

Its about how to move into a better world. Tapasya thought there is only supression, wife beating, featiside in india. No, its a global phenomen. It just shows different ways in different parts of the world, for example in comparisson when a man earns 1$ a woman earns only 57cents.

She asked bhagavan why are women inferior? Are they? The supression did not start on the human level, it started in the world of the gods. During the manushastra, later the vedic times them must not be given equal rights, they were ruled over, held under the thumbs.

Today tradition proofs they do not feel as confident as men does, feel underestimate. They try to fullfill their emotional need, but as time gains they feel crashed. How to break these barriers which are binding us, how to become free? the women want to express themself, not to be controlled anymore.

This is an aquarius age when women will lead the world says Kalki. It is a great resonsibility to us. Women and men are not equal. Nobody is superior or inferior. Just different. It was a necessary creation to sustain evolution, culture and development.

The women have to understand their female qualities and emotional skills. And able to provide this knowledge to all, it will be helpful for men also.

We have different bodys in size nowadays , 200 - 300 years ago women and men had about the same size. The femal body has a greater capacity to adopt and sustain itself. Some hormons which make the men more maskulin make him more agressiv too. Women are softer, more sensitiv. Two parts of the emotional intelligence are emotional stimulation and emotional regulation. Both, men and women can feel the same emotions. Hence women have a greater emotional stability and control because of a greater front-portion of the brain. The brain of a woman has more grey matter which means higher processing capacity. Again its simply different, different skills.

Kalki says women are clearly more spiritual then men. They have more compassion, more love, are more mystical Spiritualistic superior, they get easier enlighten. Why do they not get out with this? Mainly conditioning, they feel supressed. What to do? Women must gain right knowledge about the body, the mind, relationships, parenting and the spiritual self. Knowledge is power.

They have to know about this parts. Work to gain the right knowledge, work upon body, mind and relationships.

A good relationship makes it easier to love yourself, come out yourself, to be more confident. Do I love myself? Most of the women do not love themself. In the moment you love yourself, love is eternal. It starts with accepting yourself. Start with your body, love your body and accept what you are born with. You are perfect the way you are. Stop being negativ about you and your body. You can try to be better, but accept your present state. See a positiv side in you, then you can grow, start loving yourself.

The next step is to set your relationships right. Most important is to forgive and to be forgiven.

An newspapers editor gained a lot of power. Tapasya asked her if the people she works with are happy and if she personally is happy? No, they are not she said. Neither am I.

As long as you hate yourself you blame others for unhappyness, feeling wrong. You are not able to forgive. Only when you forgive the other person you can forgive yourself. Only when you love others you can love yourself. One more important issue on the way is to find the right work for you, to find out and live your vision. You need an aim in your life, then you feel power, you feel good. Discover by heart what you like to do. Endeavour and find out what your heart wants?

Another big part of being powerful is to share with others. Graving for power, posessed of power makes you powerless. Bhagavan does not posess for power, but if he says a word everyone wants to fulfill it. He is full of compassion, love.

If you learn sharing, giving your help to others you can command instead of demand.
You have to develop compassion, its easy for a woman. When you are needed you feel power. One could say, you need to be needed. After god it is only a woman who can create, have this skill to give birth. God awakens the antreamin if you search in spirituality, you start flowering what means to gain access to a higher energy inside. Great wonder will happen if your spiritual core is awaken, if your life is lead by him. You get desease free and your emotions get pure when you are enlighten.

Thats what the womens movement will do. Samskara Shuddi helps you to come out of your fear and conditions and the enlightenment process will gain you compassion and love, endless love and power. In men and women are both aspects, the female and male energy. They are developed in the right and left side of the brain. Going through the process will synchronize and harmonize both sides of the brain.

Trying to understand each other is also very important. You must learn to compliment each other, to learn from each other, to experience each other. Then you will have healthy, growing and sustainable relationships.

Spirituality is how you relate to others, to god, to nature. To discover yourself go deep into yourself and ask your heart, start doing what you really want. God makes it easier, enjoy it. Children usually knew what they want to do, to be in life. The Dasashi can help to find it out again. For Tapasya it was easy because she has Kalki. There might be hinderances and obstacles, but it will be joyful. Through them you will learn and experience, divine protection will be there if your purpose is clear. And indicate love and joy on the way.

Women are the worst enemys of women. Jealousy among them! Women have to learn to work together, to love each other. Compassion cannot be devided. For men it is important to respect and protect women said Kalki If we respect and help women to empower themselfs we will get Kalkis grace. Men should awaken to the female inside, it will help their transition.

Womens movement is not an organisation, it is a movement towards a higher conciousness! If you like to help, speak to your friends, relatives and families about this.

Oneness UniverCity: Oneness Temple Consecration at Oneness UniverCity

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:33:00 -0500

India, Republic of (Press Release) April 22, 2008 -- Chennai, April 22nd, 2008:

Oneness UniverCity, a unique spiritual organization is based on the teachings of Sri Amma and Sri Bhagavan. The consecration festivities of the Oneness Temple would last for seven days, from the 22nd-27th April, 2008 and would witness the confluence of more than a million individuals from across the world. This event would also witness the presence of some of India and the world�s prime entrepreneurs, political giants and stalwarts in different fields like Mr. Anthony Robbins (motivational speaker and renowned author), Sri Digvijay Singh (All India Congress General Secy.), Sri G. M. Rao (Group Chairman, GMR), to mention a few. This ceremony includes various darshans and meditation sessions in the Oneness Temple for the well being of the world and people along with a guided tour around the temple.

The distinct feature that sets apart the Oneness Temple from many other structural marvels of today is that it is dedicated to the complete liberation of mankind and the raising of human consciousness. Sri Amma Bhagavan�s divine physical presence in the Oneness Temple on this auspicious occasion, would greatly augment the Oneness Deeksha phenomenon, unleashing a wave of divine grace that would sweep through the lives of all those who visit and pray here on these seven days.

Sri Amma and Sri Bhagavan founded the Oneness Movement in 2002. On the consecration ceremony of the Oneness temple, Samdharshini, one of the renowned Senior Guide said, �We believe that the solution to humanity's suffering can only be found through each individual being elevated to a state of causeless love and limitless joy. We aim to awaken humanity into Oneness through our Oneness Movement�.

The Oneness Temple has been specially constructed by the Oneness UniverCity to enhance this phenomenon of the Oneness Deeksha and produce a radical shift in human consciousness. Generous contributions of innumerable friends and followers of �Oneness� worldwide, combined with seven years of dedicated, incessant toil under the able leadership of Sri Krishnaji (Sri Amma Bhagavan�s son) has made possible this marble architectural wonder. The special architectural design of this temple draws inspiration from numerous world religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, thus epitomizing the spirit of religious and cultural oneness. Built in accordance with the timeless principles of ancient sciences, this temple could be best described as a vortex of divine grace that would initiate a process of awakening into Oneness and God Realisation in all those who pray and meditate here.

Various courses on the process of oneness such as Oneness- Doors to Oneness and Oneness- Awakening of Intelligence are conducted in this UniverCity. The senior teachers and guides, conduct the courses throughout the world for all the followers around the globe.

Situated in Tada, the UniverCity is about 80 km north of Chennai and 90 km from Tirupathi. The UniverCity welcomes all religious adherents to attend the courses and receive the benediction of causeless love and joy in their lives. Over the past two decades, The Oneness movement has impacted lives of millions of people across the world. Followers from all over the world are expected to attend the consecration ceremony.

About Oneness UniverCity:
Oneness UniverCity is a spiritual organization based on the teachings focused on enlightenment and liberating humanity from all suffering. The vision of the Oneness UniverCity is to Create new human beings, Create quality human beings, Reengineer human consciousness, Give form and structure, destiny and direction to today�s world and Awakening man to Oneness. Founded by Amma and Bhagavan, the organization has millions of followers all over the world who attend various courses by the organization such as Break thru, Oneness-Door to Oneness and Oneness-Awakening of Intelligence.

Therapeutic Yoga: Yoga For Depression

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:08:00 -0500

By Acharya Vikrmaditya

Find out whether you are suffering from depression through this simple test. If you experience four or more of these symptoms for more than 15 days continuously, you may be suffering from depression:
� Feelings of sadness or anxiety.
� Loss of interest in normal activities.
� Change in appetite or unexplained gain or loss of weight.
� Frequent backaches, headaches, stomach problems, or other aches that don't respond to treatment.
� Changes in sleeping patterns. Insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
� Being physically and mentally fatigued
� Feeling restless or irritable.
� Feeling worthless, guilty, hopeless or helpless.
� Trouble in decision-making, concentration or memory lapse.
� Frequent thoughts of suicide or death.
� Delusions or hallucinations

Yoga, pranayam and dhyan help in better management of depression and ensure an overall feeling of well being. Practice yoga every day - you will see the positive effects.

Mudra for depression:
Touch the tip of your index finger with the tip of the thumb to form the Gyan mudra. This can be done even while walking, sitting or working. Try and practice this mudra as much as you can.
It will control depression and prolonged practice will increase your level of confidence and inner bliss.

Self-suggestion Therapy
This is one of the most effective means of overcoming depression. Try to practice this for a few minutes daily.

� Lie down or sit in any comfortable position.
� Slowly close your eyes.
� Form the Gyan mudra with both hands.
� Inhale and exhale deeply for a few minutes. Remember to keep your breathing slow, easy and full, but without holding the breath.
� Slowly begin to exhale, while making the humming sound of a bee and mentally recite "OM". Try to feel the vibrations in the skull region especially in the Shastradal chakra. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

� Now try to make yourself aware of the fact that Pain is a natural and unavoidable element of life - but Suffering is elective. The way we handle the problem, is what leads to sadness, depression and anxiety in our life. Believe that this mood of sadness will pass. Then look for signs that it is ending.

Meditation Therapy
� Sit in any comfortable asana or lie down in Shavasan.
� Slowly relax your whole body, starting from the toes to the top of the head.
� If possible keep both hands in Gyan mudra. (joining tip of index finger with thumb)
� Now bring your whole awareness to your breath and try to visualize the breath ie the air going in and coming out of the body.
� Do not try to control the breath, just witness it.
� As the body relaxes and breathing becomes slower, the mind too will achieve a level of calmness and peace. Try to remain in this state for a few minutes.
� After some time when you want to come back, become aware of your body, step by step. First bring your awareness to the breath, then slowly to your body parts starting from the top and ending at the toes. Now slowly open your eyes and come back to the normal position.

Breathing Exercise
Healthy breathing is essential for controlling depression, as it improves blood circulation, balances your hormones and boosts the flow of oxygen, which automatically reduces stress. The correct breathing technique is to bring the abdomen out when you inhale, and to take the abdomen in, when you breathe out. This process should be as slow as it can be. Always try to follow this pattern in daily life.

Pranayam
� The deep breathing technique of Bhastrika helps in inhaling more oxygen into the body, which helps energize the brain cells.

Process :
� Go out in the open, fresh air.
� Inhale and exhale rapidly through the nose for one minute; relax for a few seconds then repeat the process.
� Do not hold the breath.
� This kriya can be repeated around 7-8 times at a stretch, after which one must relax for at least 2 minutes.
� Do not practice after a meal.

Laughter Therapy
All of us should laugh at least three times a day. Laughter is the key to health and frees one from tension, restraints and worries. Those who maintain a congenial atmosphere and sometimes laugh loudly; keep themselves free from diseases of the mind, brain and nervous system and are always full of energy.

More Healthy Tips:
� Being self-confident is the foremost factor to overcome depression. Always focus on developing and reinforcing a positive attitude.
� Poor nutrition can affect levels of depression. So take a well balanced diet to keep your brain cells sharp.
� Organize your life. Learn to de- stress and find the joy of relaxing in daily life.
� Physical activity reduces depression and anxiety. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which enhances the mind. The brain especially should be exercised by reading, playing chess, doing crossword puzzles, etc.
� Try to do exercises like Pranayam regularly.
� Talk out problems with your friends. Never be an introvert.
� Try to have satvik food, fresh green vegetables as palak, radish leaves and fruits etc. Avoid tea and coffee. Add more fibrous food to your diet. Drink at least three and half litres of water daily.
� Avoid constipation. Use isabgol, trifala or bail powder to overcome constipation.
� Drink plenty of luke warm water to remove toxins from the body.
� Fasting once a week is also very helpful.
� Take time out from your daily routine to enjoy a hobby or a favorite activity.
� Set realistic expectations. Do your best and remember that nobody is perfect.
� Learn to love and respect yourself. Respect others. Be with people who accept and respect you.
� Remember that drugs and alcohol never solve problems.
� Relax through deep breathing, yoga or other relaxation techniques, these will improve concentration and memory too. Practice Tratak (gazing) for some time daily; it improves mental concentration.
� Maintain regular sleep patterns. Sleep and wake up at the same time, each day.
� Exposure to morning sun light is very energising.
� Try not to be socially isolated.
� Add vitamin B-complex foods to your diet.
� Try to maintain a dairy of your daily activities and your thoughts and feelings (not of others). Try to write whatever comes to your mind.
If you incorporate all the above in your daily routine, you will see a major change in your attitude within two-three weeks, and the personal dairy will be helpful in marking your progress.

Surya prana: Effect of Surya prana on metals

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:04:00 -0500

Source: Times of India

Here we take up the effects of surya prana on various metals (dhatu). Surya Prana is a very strong and potent source of prana. The variations in the colours of the bottle and the metals, when combined with Surya Prana, have a miraculous effect on beings.

Our ancestors used to eat food in silver and copper utensils. This was not to in order to show off their royalty, but due to the therapeutic value and property of these metals. Depending on the frequency at which each Dhatu vibrates, it has different properties and these are useful in curing different kinds of ailments.

We are aware that we absorb prana from everything we come in contact with. Similarly if we keep food or water in any metallic container, it tends to absorb the qualities of that metal.

Silver
We first take up the effects of water kept in a silver glass or silver jug which has absorbed the Surya prana.
Silver has been used as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic medicines because of its therapeutic qualities.

Take a pure silver glass or jug full of fresh water and keep it in the sun for 1 to 2 hours, so that it absorbs the Surya Prana. The dhatu (in this case silver glass) determines the frequency of prana passing through it.

Thus, the prana filtering through a silver glass will have the properties of the dhatu-silver, which is that it is astringent (kashaay), sour (amla), sweet in after taste(madhur vipak), cool in potency (sheet veerya), has a soothing effect (snigdha), is strengthening (balprad), tasty (ruchikar) and also reduces hyperactivity.

Drinking water regularly from such a utensil is also extremely effective in providing strength to the heart and the stomach, strengthening the entire network of veins and curing various diseases caused by excess Vayu and Pitta in the body.

Caution:
Be careful that the silver used is pure. Impure silver can do more harm than good, as the frequency of impure silver is different from that of pure silver. The silver utensil should be heavy, smooth, whitish in shade and should have been purified in fire. In contrast to this, silver which is impure, is yellowish grey in colour, rough and light in weight. So ensure that you use a pure silver glass only, to gain the above mentioned benefits.

Gold
Gold is not only an ornament but since time immemorial has been used by our Vaids to cure many diseases.

Gold is a bright yellow, smooth metal and according to our ancient Sciences, is regarded as the best Dhatu, as it is considered to be a part of the Sun (Surya).

However before we use gold, we must be absolutely sure of its purity, as an impure metal can do harm instead of good, to the person. A simple test to check its purity is that if gold is burnt in fire it takes the colour of the rising sun (reddish yellow). If the gold is not pure then it turns whitish when put into the fire.

Another method is to rub the gold on the stone �Kasauti� (generally used by goldsmiths to test its purity), wherein it leaves a saffron mark on the stone.

Take a pure gold utensil and fill it with fresh water. Keep it in the sun for 1 to 2 hours so that it absorbs the Surya Prana. The Dhatu (in this case gold container) determines the frequency of prana passing through it. Thus, the prana filtering through it will have the properties of gold. If you do not have a gold utensil, then take a glass bottle or glass jar filled with fresh water and keep it in the sun. Put a pure gold ornament into the water so that it absorbs its properties.

Gold is an astringent (kashaay Ras wala), sweet in after taste (Madhur Vipaki), cool in potency (SheetVeerya), has a smoothing effect (Snigdha), subtle which gets absorbed in the body easily (Laghu), strengthening (Balprad), tasty (Ruchikar), one which kindles the digestive fire thereby improving digestion (Deepak) and also reduces hyperactivity, aphrodisiac (Vajikar rasayan) and a memory enhancer (Megha SmritivVardhak). It is very effective in curing diseases which are a cause of Tridosh (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). It is also very effective in strengthening the brain and heart and increasing the glow on the face .

Copper
We now take up the effects of water kept in the sun in a copper (�taamba�) utensil.

We first need to get an insight into the appearance, properties and most important the purity of the metal (dhatu) under consideration.

Copper is a reddish coloured, shiny metal. After silver, copper is the best conductor of electricity and heat, hence the importance of its purity.

According to our ancient sciences there are two kinds of copper: Nepali copper and Malechh copper. Nepali copper is pure, in that it is smooth (Snigdh), soft (Mridu), shiny red, non breakable, heavy and pure (Milavat rahit), has moisture and does not get dark or blackish when it comes in contact with air. In contrast to this, Malechh copper is whitish in colour, breakable, impure (having other metals mixed in it) and gets affected by contact with water and air.

You need to use Nepali copper which is pure, as purity is important in the healing technique.

Take a pure copper (Nepali taamba) utensil, fill it with fresh water and keep it in the sun for 1 to 2 hours, giving it enough time to absorb the Surya prana. The dhatu (metal) is responsible for determining the frequency of prana passing through it; hence in this case the prana filtering through a copper utensil will have the properties of copper.

Copper is bitter, astringent and pungent in taste; cool in potency and increases blood. It has the property of healing wounds, balancing all three doshas and anti-toxic. It is also beneficial in various ailments as piles, skin disease, swelling, respiratory disorders, acute pain, spleen and gynaecological disorders and stomach disorders. Drink this water and feel the difference, as what is discussed here is purely experiential.

Copper utensils are widely available today but do ensure that you procure these from a shop of repute, even if it means paying a little extra.

Iron
Iron is of three types- Munda, Teekshna and Kaant: Kaant finds mention in Rasayana Shastra and is therefore widely used as an ingredient in indigenous medicines.

Pure iron is used as an astringent, is bitter in taste, cool in potency but is a mildly hot rejuvenator aphrodisiac; it prolongs life, kindles digestive fire and is smooth. It also helps increase haemoglobin. Take an iron utensil filled with fresh water and keep it in the sun for 1-2 hours to let it absorb Surya Prana.

The water absorbs the properties of iron along with Surya Prana and this water when taken on a regular basis, is extremely effective in curing diseases caused by Vata, Pitta and Kapha , diabetes, fissures, ama, piles, abdominal diseases, spleen and liver disorders, anemia, weakness, intestinal worms and other stomach and skin disorders and fever. It is extremely useful to people suffering from fatigue, tiredness and weakness and is an excellent strength builder.

Use only pure iron utensils as an impure one results in ama, causing problems in the stomach, resulting in indigestion, swelling, diarrohea, lethargy etc.

Brass (Peetal)
Brass is a sub metal (updhatu), which is a mixture of two metals namely copper and zinc. Brass is shiny yellow, smooth, soft and flexible. Pure brass is shiny, strong, flexible and non-breakable.

In contrast to this, brass which is dull, reddish white, rough yellow coloured (khurdura peela), blackish, breakable and light in weight is considered to be impure and inedible.

Take a brass container and fill it with fresh water. Keep it in sunlight for 1-2 hours. The water tends to absorb the qualities of brass and is very effective in purifying blood, curing intestinal worms, skin disease, anemia, asthma, diabetes, imbalances of vata and fissures. It is pungent, dry, mildly hot and purifies semen. It also promotes semen. These simple techniques when adopted on a regular basis correct imbalances in the body.

One needs to remember that purity of the metal is of utmost importance in these techniques. An impure metal can result in causing more �ashanti� in the body, rather than �shanti� - which is balance and harmony.

Fatigue: Secrets of Healing - Chronic Fatigue

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:03:00 -0500

By Swami Kriyananda

Chronic fatigue is one of the most widespread ills of our age. However it is not due to overwork (modern man does not work as hard as his ancestors did) but rather to a scattering of our forces.

Our energy supply depends not primarily upon nutritious food and other external causes, but upon our capacity for smiles, for enthusiasm. People lead one-horsepower lives when they forget how to smile, when they over-complicate their daily routine and clutter their minds with the debris of useless desires and preoccupations.

The person who can simplify his life and marshal his energies to do a few things well, instead of scattering his forces restlessly to the winds, will find that he has more than enough strength to do whatever he has to do. "The greater the will," guru Yoganandaji used to say, "the greater the flow of energy." Will in this context means willingness - not physical or mental strain, but a pleasant, steadily increasing focus of the whole attention on a goal. Be willing in everything that you do. Willingness begets energy.

If you suffer from a lack of energy, try the following:
1. A technique for drawing energy into the body is to stand facing the sun. Raise your hands above your head. Feel the warmth of the sun striking your forehead at the point between the eyebrows, and the palms of your hands. Feel that you are drawing warmth and energy into your body through those "windows." After some time, turn your back to the sun, and feel its warmth upon the area of the medulla oblongata (at the base of the brain). Keep your hands raised above the head. Again, draw the sun�s rays into your body.

2. The next time you feel fatigue, do some deep breathing. Then fill your mind with the sense of wonder that a child feels, seeing this world with a fresh outlook. Have nothing to do with the jaded vision of people who live always, as it were, with their eyes to the ground.

3. Fatigue, finally, is a symptom of self-centeredness. One who can forget himself in helping others and in giving them strength, will rarely find himself exhausted.

Sleep: Refresh your sleep

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:01:00 -0500

By Amrit Sadhana

Day and night are not two separate entities - they are two aspects of the same coin. But we pay too much attention to the day and daytime activities and so tend to ignore the night.

This is because the night is something private. And sleep is the most private area, a mystery. So much so that even we ourselves cannot enter that realm. But sleep rejuvenates the body and mind, and it is everybody's experience that a bad night ruins the whole day.

In this meditation Osho gives us some clues on how to transform our sleep into meditation.

Before going to sleep switch off the lights in your room. Then sit on your bed, gently close your eyes and exhale deeply through the mouth making the sound "O�Ooooo." Go on exhaling with the sound O, as deeply as possible. Your stomach should go in and the air should move out of your body, as you go on creating the sound �O�.

"When you have exhaled completely and you feel that no more exhalation is possible, the whole breath has gone out, stop for a single moment. Don't inhale, don't exhale - just stop. Just remain in this stop for a single moment and be a witness. Be aware where you are: Time is no more there, because time moves with breath.

In that stopping you can become aware of the deepest source of your being and energy. Then inhale through the nose, but don't make any effort to inhale, let it come as a natural process.

Remember, make all the effort to exhale, but don't make any effort to inhale; just let the body inhale. Simply relax your hold and let the body take the inhalation. You don�t have to do anything. That too is beautiful and works wonders. And when you watch the body taking the inhalation you will feel a deep silence surrounding you. After inhaling completely, stop again.

Do this for twenty minutes and then go to sleep.
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Weight Problems: Secrets of Healing - Weight Problems

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:00:00 -0500

By Swami Kriyananda

Overweight persons are not always heavy eaters. Weight problems are not affected only by the amount of food one eats. In medical science the focus is on water retention in the body, rate of metabolism, etc. Yoga science stresses the deeper fact that the body tends to gradually reflect the inner consciousness of the individual.

This relationship goes far beyond the simple and obvious explanation that the mind influences the amount of food one eats, and consequently, one�s weight. Rather, it is that the mind acts directly upon the body through the agency of the energy. By directing this energy wisely, one can actually think himself into putting on or losing weight.

We already have information on fats and other foods that affect the weight in a purely chemical way. Obviously, the less one eats of heavy, starchy foods and other carbohydrates, the less likely he is to gain weight.

Here are some more suggestions for losing weight:

1. One of the teachings of yoga says, "Stokum stokum anekoda" ("Eat a little bit, frequently"). The people on the island of Bali follow this custom. It is an interesting fact, that no native of that island is overweight.

2. Another is, fasting one day a week on fruit juice. (Orange juice is excellent.) The stomach needs rest from time to time, if it is to function efficiently.

3. One�s weight is also partly determined by the karma that one has brought over from past lives. One can mitigate this karma, however, by right action and right thinking in this life.

4. A yoga posture that is good for regulating the metabolism of the body, by stimulating the thyroid gland, is Sarvangasana - the Shoulder Stand-literally, the "Whole Body Pose" (as shown in the picture). It should be practiced on an empty stomach for a duration of 1 - 4 minutes (as long as it is comfortably possible).

5. It has often been said that one should not drink with his meals; not for at least half an hour before or after a meal. One reason for not doing so, is that this practice tends one to put on weight.

Headache: Secrets of healing - Headaches

Jonas1 — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:59:00 -0500

By Swami Kriyananda

Certain yoga postures are beneficial for certain kinds of headaches. Sinus, for example, which often causes headache, may be greatly benefited by Sirshasana, the headstand.

Headaches caused by impurities in the blood may be overcome by deep yogic breathing, feeling the air coming up close to the brain, cooling it. Sitali Pranayama may also prove helpful in such cases. (Fold up the partially protruded tongue. Press the lips round the tongue. Inhale, making a hissing noise. Hold breath and exhale through both nostrils.)

It may help you to stimulate energy in the brain by rapping the skull all over with the knuckles, drawing energy mentally from the medulla oblongata. You may also rub the scalp briskly, stirring up energy in the cells while affirming, "Awake, my sleeping children, wake!"

Yogis say that long hair draws more energy to the brain. They describe the body as an inverted tree of which the spine is the trunk, the nervous system the branches, and the hair the roots. This is why many yogis let their hair grow long.

There are pressure points on the skull that can be felt, subjectively. On the sides, these points are located about an inch above the ears. In the forehead, the pressure point is in the middle of the forehead. In the back, it is about an inch above the depression at the base of the skull. Ask someone to find these pressure points on your head, and press inward upon them with the heels of his palms (or with his fingers). This helps overcome certain headaches. The person should feel, as he presses, that he is forcing the pain up through the top of the head and out of your body.

Headaches are often caused by alimentary disturbances such as constipation. The stomach should be kept clear and functioning well, for the sake not only of the stomach, but the head and the whole body too.

Many headaches are due to pressure on the nerves in the neck. A chiropractic adjustment may sometimes be indicated, but a variety of yoga postures may serve the purpose as well. Specifically recommended are: Halasana (Plow pose); Sarvangasana (shoulder stand); Bhujangasana (Cobra pose); Chakrasana (circle pose); Matsyasana (Fish pose); Supta-Vajrasana (supine firm pose); and the first position of Sasamgasana (Hare pose).