Enjoy a few moments of evolving silence and let your mental energy connect with your body and be in touch with the meditation seat as well. Behold the image of primordial syllable Aum in your heart, made of mellow light, soothing light…
Sankalp 2021
Sankalp is a personal vow - a firm resolve to achieve something or to follow a specific path. An understanding of the motivation behind your "Sankalp" is necessary. If your resolution is only dealing with cosmetic changes in your life, it may not uphold the work, time, and energy needed to accomplish the same. However, if a Sankalp's inspiration is rooted in a yearning to change your life for the better, then all the grind needed to see through your resolution seems worth it.
Unlocking the Inner Core
Finding Joy in Caring for the Strays
As I have been involved with the feeding of strays in the City of Joy allow me to share with you some of my musings… Many of you are already involved in feeding the strays and are well aware of what is being shared here. Those wanting to get started may perchance find some of my observations helpful.
Return of the Normalcy
Make hope work for you
Silence as an activity
There is a complete disruption of our lives at this moment with fear and uncertainty looming large. What is comforting though is that many of us are trying to stay positive attempting a skill or hobby. Along with new skills, we could consider practising silence as another activity. "Maun Vrat" or vow of silence has been exercised by spiritual seekers all over the world. Silence requires application, discipline and vigilance.
For those who want to experiment with silence, I am sharing a simple plan. Decide on the number of hours (don't exceed 2-3 hours a day), practice it every day for the next 14 days and if possible do it at the same time of the day.
Divide the silent period into the following practices. Include practice of mindfulness at the beginning of your "silent" period. Be aware of your breath and feelings, it will help you steady your nerves and channelize your fears. Waves after waves of thoughts will come and go, try to acknowledge them and not weave stories around it. You will find calm at the end of this exercise. Next, we could incorporate spiritual studies and contemplation. Ancient texts do explain our disturbances. When there are so many conflicting views it is good to go back to something that has stood the test of times. In silence, creative energy has a better chance to flow and our efficiency can be many folds due to very little self-inflicted distraction. So, honing a skill or a hobby in silence should be next on our list during this period of silence. Lastly, add routine duties to your silent period. Chores are necessary, and in silence, you perform them with full concentration and without complaint. In these times of crisis, there is a lot of nervous energy, anxiety and restlessness.
Talking all the time brings out the negativity within us. Our family and friends right now need our calm assured self. Practice constructive silence, it reassures everyone around you.
#silence #personalgrowth #mindfulness
Kiran Lama-ji from Bodhgaya has voice recorded this blog post for easy listening.
TRANQUIL MEDITATION
War against Inertia
There are multiple reasons that one may want to practice Yoga postures, but aspirants achieve varying degree of success over a period of time. Some practice Yoga with metronomic regularity while many alternate and have in-and-out relationship. A few give up too soon, without even getting started… The chief determinant in physical and mental repair and transformation is right effort and the spirit of perseverance
The journey of Self-discovery
There are different reasons for people to begin practice of yoga. For some it could be recovering from some ailment or reduce stress, increase physical ability, lose weight, get inspired, or simply relax. Most people do not come to yoga, however, thinking they will change their self-perception; yet in most of the cases it happens.