Sit Dictionary

Hello Children

I'm a dolphin. I'm only four months old. I live in the waters surrounding a beautiful island called Bimini in the Bahamas. I have a couple of helpful hints for you that just may just give you enough courage to start living your lives like you would if you weren't so afraid.

Look, I know it's hard to be a child. I'm only four months old. A four month old dolphin is kind of like a six year old human child. I'm very smart and I'm also very stubborn. I have to swim by my mother's side and sometimes that rule that makes me really mad

(See also: Indigo Children, What is Indigo Children, Parenting Indigo Children, Adult Indigo, Indigo Children Channeling)

Read more here: » Indigo Children: Listen to Me! - Bo, a Baby Dolphin

Kundalini Sakti (Sanskrit). The power of life; one of the Forces of Nature; that power that generates a certain light in those who sit for spiritual and clairvoyant development. It is a power known only to those who practise concentration and Yoga.

(See also: Kundalini Sakti , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

kavi: (Tamil) "Ocher-saffron color."

A Tamil term referring to the color taken on by robes of sadhus who sit, meditate or live on the banks of the Ganges. Names the color of the sannyasin's robes. The Sanskrit equivalent is kashaya.

(See also: Kavi , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Upasaka (Sanskrit) [from upa-as to serve, worship, engage in reverential and devoted study as a disciple from upa by the side of, with the implication of reverential following + the verbal root as to sit]

Serving, worshiping; worshiper, follower, disciple, pupil; also in Buddhism a lay worshiper as distinguished from a bhikshu.

Upasika in Buddhism is a woman votary of the Buddha, as distinguished from a bhikshuni -- a Buddhist mendicant or nun. The title was given to Blavatsky by the Mahatmas.

(See also: Upasaka , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Alexander Technique: This 100-year old method helps people to change habits that cause stiffness, pain, imbalance and poor posture. Highly trained practitioners use gentle hands-on guidance to bring a new awareness of how much muscular effort is used to sit, stand, bend, walk and reach. Thee are no exercises, instead, the student brings new ways of thinking and moving into everyday life.

(See also: Alexander Technique , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Barhishad barhisad (Sanskrit) (from barhish sacred kusa grass, fire + the verbal root sad to sit)

Mystically, those who attend to or who are engrossed in domestic affairs, material or merely pragmatical concerns; those pitris (fathers, ancestors) who evolved the human astral-physical form. These lunar ancestors -- seven or ten classes -- evolved forth their astral bodies or chhayas (shadows), thus forming the first astral-physical races of humanity in which the higher classes of pitris, the agnishvattas, incarnated, thus making out of a relatively intellectually senseless mankind, true thinking human beings.

"It thus becomes clear why the Agnishwatta, devoid of the grosser creative fire, hence unable to create physical man, having no double, or astral body, to project, since they were without any form, are shown in exoteric allegories as Yogis, Kumaras (chaste youths), who became 'rebels,' Asuras, fighting and opposing gods . . . Yet it is they alone who could complete man, i.e., make of him a self-conscious, almost a divine being -- a god on Earth.

The Barhishad, though possessed of creative fire, were devoid of the higher mahat-mic element. Being on a level with the lower principles -- those which precede gross objective matter -- they could only give birth to the outer man, or rather to the model of the physical, the astral man" (SD 2:78-9).

The barhishads "could only create, or rather clothe, the human Monads with their own astral Selves, but they could not make man in their image and likeness. 'Man must not be like one of us,' say the creative gods, entrusted with the fabrication of the lower animal but higher; . . . Their creating the semblance of men out of their own divine Essence means, esoterically, that it is they who became the first Race, and thus shared its destiny and further evolution. They would not, simply because they could not, give to man that sacred spark which burns and expands into the flower of human reason and self-consciousness, for they had it not to give" (SD 2:94-5).

(See also: Barhishad, barhisad , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

REIKI: practitioners of this ancient Tibetan healing system use light hand placements to transmit healing energies to the recipient.

While the practitioners may vary widely in technique and philosophy, Reiki is commonly used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical problems, as well as to assist the recipient in achieving spiritual focus and clarity.

What is Reiki?

 Reiki is the hands-on practice of channeling the life force energy which we all possess. This energy is used to balance and heal people in a positive, life-affirming way. Every person has the innate ability to use this energy and pass it along to others. Reiki does not stem from or require any particular religious belief, though we can see from the stories of Buddha and Jesus Christ that hands-on healing is nothing new to the human experience. People trained in Reiki techniques have had their metaphorical light switch "turned on" by a master teacher; in turn, they can heal others.

The 5 Reiki Principles

• Just for today, I will give thanks for my blessings.
• Just for today, I will not worry.
• Just for today, I will not be angry.
• Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
• Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing.

 *These principles are adapted from "The Reiki Handbook" by Larry Arnold and Sandy Nevius (Harrisburg, PA, PSI Press, 1982)

What can Reiki help cure?

There are many reasons to see a Reiki practitioner. Reiki is commonly used to allieviate symptoms of stress, headaches, depression, and tension. Reiki can help a person's emotional healing process or ease the effects of a crippling disease. Reiki is always positive, and can be used on all ages of people, including prenatal infants.

What is the history of the Reiki healing system?

Many people believe that the Reiki healing methods are similiar to those used by Buddha and Christ. The tradition may have been passed down by spiritual people in India and Tibet, and was relatively unknown to the "Western" world until recently.

One modern story of Reiki begins with Mikao Usui, a Christian minister and university president from Kyoto, Japan. In the late 1800's, Usui apparently embarked upon a several-year quest to find out more about this ancient healing system, attributed to the Buddhist philosophy of healing the mind, body, and emotional self through spiritual means. This experience culminated on Mt. Koriyama (in Japan), when after a 21-day period of meditating and fasting, Usui "received" the Reiki symbols and instructions on how to activate the healing process through their use. Usui then travelled throughout Japan teaching and healing people.

Usui's successor was Chujiro Hayashi, who made about 16 Reiki masters before his death in 1941. This included the first female Reiki masters, Chie Hayashi (Chujiros' wife) and Hawayo Takata.

 It was Hawayo Takata who brought the Reiki techniques out of Japan to Hawaii and the mainland United States and Canada. Before her death in 1980, she had made 22 Reiki masters. From then on, students and practitioners of Reiki have grown exponentially.

What happens during a Reiki treatment?

A typical session will last between a half-hour and an hour. You should wear comfortable clothing and try to refrain from eating for at least half an hour before your appointment. Most practitioners work on massage tables, though if you prefer to sit up that is fine. Your practitioner will ask you to take a few deep breaths and relax into a mild meditative state. They may play relaxing music or light a candle to assist you. Then they will place their hands on your body in several different areas (such as the top of the head, over your eyes, on your belly, or the soles of the feet) in succession. Usually they will spend a couple of minutes in each position, depending on where they feel they should direct the "flow" of energy. All you need to do is relax and breathe normally.

You may feel warmth emanating from the therapist's hands; this is a normal reaction. It is also common for your body to tingle slightly. You may even have surges of emotions and memories. However, you may not "feel" anything at all; but after the session is over, you may notice that you are more relaxed or centered than before. Remember to keep an open mind, even if you are not sure of the benefits that Reiki can have for you. If a person is "closed" to the idea, it blocks the flow of energy.

(See also: Reiki , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

 Would it surprise you to hear that there are many people who would prefer NOT to believe in an afterlife? For many, the prospect of what they may face after death can be quite horrifying. "When you're dead, you're dead" is a way of looking at life grounded totally in the physical world and its body, but for many, this concept of life and death offers great comfort. This is because believing this way allows the individual to do whatever he or she wishes to whomever he or she wishes without having to worry about "paying the price" at some later time, in some other realm of life.

Read more here: » Spirit World: Heaven and Hell - Places or States of Mind?

Upasana - spiritual practices, especially worship of the Deity. Upasana literally means ‘to sit near’. Thus upasana refers to all those activities by which one approaches the Lord in order to offer worship.

(See also: Upasana , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Screen Touch Matching:

A card-guessing procedure in which the subject and experimenter sit on opposite sides of a screen which has a small gap at the bottom. Key cards are hung on the screen in front of the subject (the faces may be seen or unseen). Underneath each key card is a blank card that can be seen by both subject and experimenter.

The experimenter holds the target cards and the subject indicates the guess on each trial by pointing to the corresponding blank card. The experimenter then places the card in a pile on his or her side of the screen in a position corresponding to that of the indicated blank card.

(See also: Screen Touch Matching , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Watcher or Silent Watcher, Wondrous Being Generically the dominant self or overlord of any hierarchy. Throughout a human being's complex nature dwells his own spiritual Wondrous Being, the fountain and fundamental law of his whole nature; there is the Silent Watcher of the Brotherhood of Compassion, who is identical with the Watcher for our globe; the Watcher for our planetary chain; for our solar system, its habitat being the solar chain; for the Milky Way; and for the home-universe. At the other extreme there is a Silent Watcher for every atom, as for every other entity, whether large or small. The Watcher for individual people is the monad, the divine prototype at the upper rung of the ladder of being; an individual dhyani-chohan, the spiritual individuality during the manvantara, and as best it can it works through its "shadows" or incarnations.

In the earlier third root-races, the Sons of Wisdom produced by kriyasakti a progeny called the Sons of Ad, Sons of the Fire-mist, or Sons of Will and Yoga. This was not a race, but "at first a wondrous Being, called the 'Initiator,' and after him a group of semi-divine and semi-human beings. 'Set apart' in Archaic genesis for certain purposes, they are those in whom are said to have incarnated the highest Dhyanis, 'Munis and Rishis from previous Manvantaras' -- to form the nursery for future human adepts, on this earth and during the present cycle" (SD 1:207). This Wondrous Being, who descended in the early part of the Third Age, is the tree from which have come the great historically known sages and hierophants, and it holds spiritual sway over the initiated adepts. "He is the 'Initiator,' called the 'great sacrifice.' For, sitting at the threshold of light, he looks into it from within the circle of Darkness, which he will not cross, nor will he quit his post till the last day of this life-cycle. Why does the solitary Watcher remain at his self-chosen post? Why does he sit by the fountain of primeval Wisdom, of which he drinks no longer, as he has naught to learn which he does not know . . .? Because the lonely, sore-footed pilgrims on their way back to their home are never sure to the last moment of not losing their way in this limitless desert of illusion and matter called Earth-Life. Because he would fain show the way to that region of freedom and light, from which he is a voluntary exile himself, to every prisoner who has succeeded in liberating himself from the bonds of flesh and illusion. Because, in short, he has sacrificed himself for the sake of mankind, though but a few Elect may profit by the great sacrifice" (SD 1:208).

The Watchers of the seven spheres are the rectors or governors of the seven planets, also called Watchers of the earth and man. The Watchers of the four quarters of the sky are the mystical four Maharajas. Watchers reign more or less directly over mankind during satya and subsequent yugas down to the beginning of the third root-race, after which come patriarchs, heroes, etc. Each people or nation has its direct Watcher, guardian, or Father-in-Heaven, as for instance Jehovah-Sabaoth-Saturn for the Hebrews.

(See also: Watcher, Silent Watcher, Wondrous Being , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

A yogic dictionary including desriptions of Matsyasana, Paschimottanasana, Halasana, Sarvangasana, Oordhva-Padmasana, Sirshasana, Siddhasana and Padmasana.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Yogic Exercises: Asanas and Yogic Exercises

Manduka Yoga (Sanskrit) [from manduka frog]

A "particular kind of abstract meditation in which an ascetic sits motionless like a frog" (Monier-Williams). However, all true yoga practice involves complete mental abstraction from exterior concerns and the outer environment, so that all yogis, while practicing yoga sit motionless "like a frog." It is not a particularly high kind of yoga, in any case, for true spiritual yoga is the yoga of the inner man, implying intense intellectual and spiritual concentration on affairs and subjects of spiritual character, and need not necessarily involve any sitting in yoga whatsoever.

The true disciple may be doing his master's business and going about in pursuit of his duties from day to day, and yet be practicing this spiritual yoga without a moment's intermission. All forms of yoga practice which involve postures, sittings or similar things in which the physical body is active or inactive, technically belong to one of the various kinds of hatha yoga and are to be discouraged.

(See also: Manduka Yoga , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

A Theosophical definition of Upanishad :

Upanishad

(Sanskrit) A compound, composed of upa "according to," "together with," ni "down," and the verbal root sad, "to sit," which becomes shad by Sanskrit grammar when preceded by the particle ni: the entire compound thus signifying "following upon or according to the teachings which were received when we were sitting down." The figure here is that of pupils sitting in the Oriental style at the feet of the teacher, who taught them the secret wisdom or rahasya, in private and in forms and manners of expression that later were written and promulgated according to those teachings and after that style.

The Upanishads are examples of literary works in which the rahasya  - a Sanskrit word meaning "esoteric doctrine" or "mystery"  - is imbodied. The Upanishads belong to the Vedic cycle and are regarded by orthodox Brahmans as a portion of the sruti or "revelation." It was from these wonderful quasi-esoteric and very mystical works that was later developed the highly philosophical and profound system called the Vedanta. The Upanishads are usually reckoned today as one hundred and fifty in number, though probably only a score are now complete without evident marks of literary change or adulteration in the way of excision or interpolation.

The topics treated of in the Upanishads are highly transcendental, recondite, and abstruse, and in order properly to understand the Upanishadic teaching one should have constantly in mind the master-keys that theosophy puts into the hand of the student. The origin of the universe, the nature of the divinities, the relations between soul and ego, the connections of spiritual and material beings, the liberation of the evolving entity from the chains of maya, and kosmological questions, are all dealt with, mostly in a succinct and cryptic form. The Upanishads, finally, may be called the exoteric theosophical works of Hindustan, but contain a vast amount of genuine esoteric information.

See also: Upanishad , Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul

This is another relaxation yoga pose, and is practised before the Headstand and some other asanas.

Read more here: » Yoga Poses: The Child's Pose - Yoga Pose