Yoga & Health A Newsletter for Inner Peace, Health & Happiness
www.omsatyananda.com
June/July 2011 Miami, Florida
Guru Poornima Celebration 2011
Namo Narayan. This year Guru Poornima 2011 is dedicated to our beloved Guru Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati, whose presence, energy and inspiration are a constant guiding flow of light, without which none of us would be here, neither as a practitioners of yoga, nor as disciples, well wishers or sannyasins. His grace has touched and transformed lives of countless people, in ways which are inexplicable, subtle, deep and permanent.
Guru Tattwa The word guru means dispeller of darkness and this darkness is removed from life by the grace of shakti which is the Guru tattwa. Guru is not a person, Guru is a power, a realization of an inner state of purity, harmony and oneness. The outer person is the catalyst and guide, who tells us how to come into contact with the source of inspiration and strength. This is how we have to understand the concept of guru. It is the energy of guru that never dies, decays or changes.
bulb, the light is minimum. In a hundred watt bulb, the light will be more. Each one of us is a light bulb, but in our connection the current is not flowing, due to accumulation of carbon called mal, or impurity which covers the wire. Once these impurities are cleaned, the current will flow and the bulb will be illuminated.
To understand the real meaning of Guru Poornima, you have to turn your face towards the guru. Instead of looking towards your family and the world, become a guru mukhi. Like the sunflower always follows the path of the Sri Swamiji the Disciple sun in the sky, follow the inspiration of the Guru in your Only that person who has a special mission, destiny and On this Guru Poornima day we pay homage to Sri Swaheart. Be innocent and faithful to your connection and miji as the true disciple of his Guru Sri Swami Sivananda purpose in life, and is an emissary of the higher concommitment. Visualize yourself as an individual atman Saraswati. According to our perception and understanding sciousness is a Guru. In such people the presence of spiri- longing for inner spiritual awareness and realization and tual consciousness is seen right from birth in their Sri Swamiji is the Guru to many, but he never identified connect your spirit with the spirit of the Gurus. thoughts, character and behavior. Swami Sivananda and with Gurudom. Rather he identified with discipleship and Sri Swamiji had a destiny, a direction and a mission right to the end he was a true disciple to his Guru. Sri which manifested and was fulfilled naturally and spontaSwamiji has said that "the most precious moment of my neously without any effort. Each stage of their lives was life was when I placed my head at the feet of my Guru guided by the divine providence and higher force. Sri and surrendered my life to him. After that, everything Swamiji has said that, 'Every step of my life I have been changed and I was not the same. My Guru shaped, guided by God and Guru.' sculpted and transformed me - he made me what I am today." The total dedication of Sri Swamiji is our inspira- During Guru Poornima, we try to connect with the energy tion, guiding us to realize the Guru Tattwa within. When field of the guru which is spiritual in nature. Sri Swamiji you dedicate yourself head, heart and soul to God or Guru has told us that the electrical current which flows in the you come out of your shell and connect with that grace wires illuminates the bulb. It is the duty of the current to and energy. That is the most precious moment in anyone's light up the bulb, but it is the capacity of the bulb that life. determines how much light will be seen. In a zero watt
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Yoga Therapy Workshop to release physical, mental & emotional tensions with Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati
Sunday, July 24, 2011
You have great have great poten-
Swami Brahmavidyananda
Here are ways in which some key body parts tial to heal yourself. Yoga provides react: holistic therapies and practices that can help us to release traumas Nervous System deeply rooted in the unconscious. When stressed - physically or psychologicallyLearn practical applications for self the body suddenly shifts its energy resources to -healing as revealed in the ancient fighting off the perceived threat. In what is Vedic tradition. Discover how heal- known as the “fight or flight” response, the syming can take place to create deeper pathetic nervous system signals the adrenal peace and clarity. Also, you will glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. These develop self-confidence, inner hormones make the heart beat faster, raise blood strength and harmony between the pressure, change the digestive process and boost glucose levels in the bloodstream. Once the cribody, mind and emotions. sis passes, body systems usually return to normal. Swami Brahmavidyananada shares decades of experience successfully Musculoskeletal System using these techniques to support Under stress, muscles tense up. The contraction health and well-being. Both thera- of muscles for extended periods can trigger tenpists and everyone will benefit sion headaches, migraines and various muscufrom understanding these tech- loskeletal conditions. niques, using them with their students and themselves in the journey Respiratory System towards wellness. Stress can make you breathe harder and cause rapid breathing – or hyperventilation – which can bring on panic attacks in some people.
Symptoms of Stress: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
PhysicalMental– Emotional– SpiritualRelational-
digestive problems, fatigue, headaches and insomnia boredom, confusion, forgetfulness, negativity and lethargy anxiety, depression, nightmares, frustration and short temper apathy, doubt, emptiness, loss of meaning and loss of faith blaming, distrust, less loving, lack of intimacy, arguing and intolerance
Sunday, July 24, 2011 10 AM– 4 PM For information The Institute of Holistic Yoga Call (305) 267-6772 www.omsatyananda.com
Man today is sick because he thinks he is sick. Sickness and disease have no place in the life of a person who does not accept and tolerate the self-limiting thoughts which are the real seeds of our myriad ailments. We stand hypnotized by the belief that disease and illness are our fate and destiny, rather than health and bliss, which are truly our birthright and heritage. In order to emerge from our mass hypnosis and collective hysteria and to experience health, joy and creative fulfillment, we must make a systematic application of yoga in our daily lives. Paramahamsa Satyananda
Cardiovascular System Acute stress-stress that is momentary, such as being stuck in traffic – causes an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart muscle. Blood vessels that direct blood to the large muscles and to the heart dilate, increasing the amount of blood pumped to these parts of the body. Repeated episodes of acute stress can cause inflammation in the coronary arteries thought to lead to heart attack. Endocrine System Adrenal glands When the body is stressed, the brain sends signals from the hypothalamus, causing the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and the adrenal medulla to produce epinephrine – sometimes called the “stress hormones”. Liver When cortisol and epinephrine are released, the liver produces more glucose, a blood sugar that would give you the energy for “fight or flight” in an emergency. Gastrointestinal System Esophagus Stress may prompt you to eat much more or much less than you usually do. If you eat more or different foods or increase you use of tobacco or alcohol, you may experience heartburn, or acid reflux. Stomach Your stomach can react with “butterflies” or even nausea or pain. You may vomit if the stress is severe enough. Bowels Stress can affect digestion and which nutrients your intestines absorb. It can also affect how quickly food moves through your body. You may find that you have either diarrhea or constipation.
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Pranayama The Science of Breathing by Paramahamsa Satyananda Breath, health and pranayama The breath is the most vital process of the body. It influences the activities of each and every cell and, most importantly, is intimately linked with the performance of the brain. Human beings breathe about 15 times per minute and 21,600 times per day. Respiration fuels the burning of oxygen and glucose, producing energy to power every muscular contraction, glandular secretion and mental process. The breath is intimately linked to all aspects of human experience. Most people breathe incorrectly, using only a small part of their lung capacity. The breathing is then generally shallow, depriving the body of oxygen and prana essential to its good health. Rhythmic, deep and slow respiration stimulates and is stimulated by calm, content states of mind. Irregular breathing disrupts the rhythms of the brain and leads to physical, emotional and mental blocks. These, in turn, lead to inner conflict, imbalanced personality, disordered lifestyle and disease. Pranayama establishes regular breathing patterns, breaking this negative cycle and reversing the process. It does so by taking control of the Paramahamsa Satyananda breath and re-establishing the natural, relaxed rhythms of the body and mind. Pranayama is generally defined as breath control. AlAlthough breathing is mainly an unconscious process, though this interpretation may seem correct in view of the conscious control of it may be taken at any time. Consepractices involved, it does not convey the full meaning of quently, it forms a bridge between the conscious and unthe term. The word pranayama is comprised of two roots: conscious areas of the mind. Through the practice of prana plus ayama. Prana means „vital energy‟ or „life pranayama, the energy trapped in neurotic, unconscious force‟. It is the force which exists in all things, whether mental patterns may be released for use in more creative animate or inanimate. Although closely related to the air and joyful activity. we breathe, it is more subtle than air or oxygen. Therefore, pranayama should not be considered as mere breath- Breathing and life span ing exercises aimed at introducing extra oxygen into the In addition to influencing the quality of life, the length or lungs. Pranayama utilizes breathing to influence the flow quantity of life is also dictated by the rhythm of the respiof prana in the nadis or energy channels of the ration. The ancient yogis and rishis studied nature in great pranayama kosha or energy body. detail. They noticed that animals with a slow breath rate The word yama means „control‟ and is used to denote such as pythons, elephants and tortoises have long life various rules or codes of conduct. However, this is not the spans, whereas those with a fast breathing rate, such as word which is joined to prana to form pranayama; the birds, dogs and rabbits, live for only a few years. From correct word is ayama which has far more implications this observation they realized the importance of slow than the word yama. Ayama is defined as „extension‟ or breathing for increasing the human lifespan. Those who „expansion‟. Thus, the word pranayama means „extension breathe in short, quick gasps are likely to have a shorter or expansion of the dimension of prana‟. The techniques life span than those who breathe slowly and deeply. On of pranayama provide the method whereby the life force the physical level, this is because the respiration is dican be activated and regulated in order to go beyond rectly related to the heart. A slow breathing rate keeps the one‟s normal boundaries or limitations and attain a higher heart stronger and better nourished and contributes to a state of vibratory energy. longer life. Deep breathing also increases the absorption of energy by the pranamaya kosha, enhancing dynamism, Prana and lifestyle vitality and general wellbeing. Lifestyle has a profound impact on the pranamaya kosha (bioplasmic or vital energy body) and its pranas. Physical activities such as exercise, work, sleep, intake of food and sexual relations, all affect the distribution and flow of prana in the body. Faculties of the mind such as emotion, thought and imagination affect the pranic body even more. Irregularities in lifestyle, dietary indiscretions and stress, deplete and obstruct the pranic flow. This results in what people experience as being ‟drained of energy‟. Depletion of energy in a particular prana leads to the devitalization of the organs and limbs it governs and ultimately to disease or metabolic dysfunction. The techniques of pranayama reverse this process, energizing and balancing the different pranas within the pranayama kosha. Pranayama practices should be performed after asana in an integrated yoga program.
Benefits of the following breathing techniques: Abdominal Breathing Abdominal breathing is the most natural and efficient way to breathe. It improves lymphatic drainage from basal parts of the lungs, massages the liver, stomach, intestines and other organs that lie immediately beneath it, exerts a positive effect on the cardiac functions and coronary supply, and improves oxygenation of the blood and circulation. Regularly practicing a systematic way of abdominal breathing, a maximum state of deep relaxation, inner tranquility and calmness can be achieved in minimum time. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama This pranayama ensures that the whole body is nourished by an extra supply of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is efficiently expelled and the blood is purified of toxins. The brain centers are stimulated to work nearer to their optimum capacity. It also induces tranquility, clarity of thought and concentration. It increases vitality and lowers the levels of stress and anxiety by harmonizing the pranas. It clears the pranic blockages and balances the physical and mental energies to experience inner peace, joy and happiness which leads to deep states of meditation and spiritual awakening. Bhramari Pranayama (humming bee breath) 1. Relieves stress 2. Cerebral tension 3. Alleviates anger 4. Anxiety 5. Insomnia 6. Reduces blood pressure 7. Speeds up the healing of body tissues 8. Strengthens and improves the voice 9. Eliminates throat ailments Ujjayi Pranayama : It is classified as a tranquilizing pranayama and it also has a heating effect on the body. This practice is used in yoga therapy to smooth the nervous system and calm the mind. It has a profoundly relaxing effect at the psychic level. It helps to relieve insomnia and may be practiced in shavasana just before sleep. It slows down the heart rate and is useful for people suffering from high blood pressure. Recommendations and precautions: Pranayama should be learned and practiced properly from a yoga therapy teacher who has personal experiences teaching the science of pranayama. If anyone would like to practice and learn the science of pranayama to receive its maximum benefits:
The Institute of Holistic Yoga offers Special Pranayama Courses 305-267-6772 Individual & Private Classes
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Sankalpa by Paramahamsa Satyananda Sometimes falling, sometimes stumbling, But always picking myself up, A thousand times if necessary, Sometimes happy. Often life will burn me, Often life will caress me tenderly And many of my days will be haunted With complications and obstacles, And there will be moments so beautiful That my soul will weep in ecstasy.
Life is an interplay of thoughts. Duality ceases when the thought waves subside. In that silence there shines pure consciousness. Thought is a bridge that connects human beings to the Divine. Watch the mind. Watch the thoughts. Let every thought take you nearer to the Divine. Let every thought further your evolution. -Sri Swami Sivananda
I shall be a witness, But never shall I run Or turn from life, from me.
I am an invisible child of a thousand faces of love, That floats over the swirling sea of life, Surrounded by the meadows of the winged shepherds, Where divine love and beauty, The stillness of midnight summer's warmth pervades. Life often cuts at my body and mind And though blood may be seen passing, And a cry might be heard, Do not be deceived that sorrow could dwell within my being Or suffering within my soul. There will never be a storm That can wash the path from my feet, The direction from my heart, The light from my eyes, Or the purpose from this life. I know that I am untouchable to the forces As long as I have a direction, an aim, a goal: To serve, to love, and to give. Strength lies in the magnification of the secret qualities Of my own personality, my own character And though I am only a messenger, I am me. Let me decorate many hearts And paint a thousand faces with colours of inspiration And soft, silent sounds of value. Let me be like a child, Run barefoot through the forest Of laughing and crying people, Giving flowers of imagination and wonder, That God gives free. Shall I fall on bended knees, And wait for someone to bless me With happiness and a life of golden dreams? No, I shall run into the desert of life with my arms open,
Never shall I forsake myself Or the timeless lessons I have taught myself, Nor shall I let the value Of divine inspiration and being be lost. My rainbow-covered bubble will carry me Further than beyond the horizon's settings, Forever to serve, to love, and to live As a sannyasin. Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Institute of Holistic Yoga (305) 267-6772 www.omsatyananda.com GUIDELINES FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE Power of thought by Sri Swami Sivananda Thought is life. What you think, that you are. Your thoughts create your environment. Your thoughts constitute your world. Every thought or emotion or word produces a strong vibration in every cell of the body and leaves a strong impression there. If you entertain healthy thoughts, you can keep good health. If you hold on to sickly thoughts in the mind, thoughts of diseased tissues, weak nerves, improper functioning of organs, you can never expect good health, beauty and harmony. If there is depression in the mind, the body also cannot function properly. If the mind is healthy, the body will be healthy. Remember that the body is a product of the mind and is under the control of the mind. If you hold on to vigorous thoughts, your body, too, will be vigorous. Thoughts of love, peace, contentment, purity, perfection and divinity will make you, and also others around you, perfect and divine.
Be Good Do Good Give Respect Take Respect Be Humble Be Simple Meditate, Love, Serve, Give & Realize -Sri Swami Sivananda
We Offer the following Courses for Personal Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Development to Experience Inner Peace, Joy & Happiness 1.
Hatha Yoga (Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced) 2. Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) 3. Yoga Nidra (Psychic Sleep) Deep Relaxation 4. Meditation (Mantra yoga, Raja yoga, Kundalini, Kriya Yoga, Laya Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga) 5. Meditation Spiritual Retreat 6. Yoga Seminar & Workshop 7. Pranic & Psychic Healing Course 8. Yoga Therapy 9. Yoga Education for Children 10. Stress Management Workshop 11. Time & Energy Management Seminar 12. Special Course for Reprogramming the Mind 13. Yoga Teacher Training Course 14. Regular Satsang, Bhajan & Kirtan with Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati 15. Private Yoga Therapy Session 16. Mantra Diksha Those who are interested to join our yoga activities it will be convenient to have a personal appointment with Swamiji.
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AYURVEDIC COOKING with Indian Cuisine
Yamuna Devi
Food is consciousness. Food nourishes not only the body but also the mind and your awareness. Learn how to choose foods for your constitution, emotional patterns, and environmental fluctuations. A standard tri-doshic diet is suitable for everyone and we will learn a practical, simple way of cooking balancing foods. Healthy food is equal to a healthy body and a happy, healthy human being. Learn about the energetic effects of different foods, the role of taste in Ayurveda, their effects on the doshas, and their actions on the body and mind. Enjoy a combination of lecture and practical “hands on” cooking as Yamuna Devi brings her Ayurvedic cooking experience to the classroom. Yamuna Devi will discuss the importance of proper food combining and appropriate diets based on the season and geographical location. You will learn some tasty and balancing recipes for self-healing, and get the chance to eat a complete meal cooked by Yamuna Devi with class
Yamuna Devi is a yoga instructor under the
guidance of H.H. Sri Swami Brahmavidyanandaji, whom selflessly dedicates himself to the service of humanity. Yamuna Devi is dedicated to continuing Swamiji’s mission of teaching yoga for the well being and service of all people who seek sincere ways of improving their day to day life. Yamuna Devi also conducts special intensive courses on Ayurvedic Nutrition and balanced diet. Yamuna Devi has lived and traveled in Japan, Korea, the Caribbean and the U.S. conducting seminars and workshops on yoga and its bountiful health benefits.
participation. Saturday & Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Cost: $201.00 per person (Includes course materials)
Health is Wealth Here are a few basic suggestions which can help you and your family on the road to good health: 1. Buy fresh foods and store at a cool temperature. Fruits and vegetables in season are cheapest and also best suited to body needs. 2. Rinse all the dirt and chemical sprays off the surface of fruits and vegetables. 3.Steaming or baking is better than frying or boiling. 4.Do not overcook. 5.Cooking and eating is a great art. Eat with a peaceful, joyful and content mind, in order to increase prana, energy. 6.Bathe before meals or not until half an hour after, as it diverts the blood from the stomach and intestines to the skin. The body needs a little food and a little fasting if it is to grow in a balanced way, just as a plant will die if it is watered too much and does not get enough sun. Telephone: (786) 210-0648
For information & Registration The Institute of Holistic Yoga 7970 SW 13 Terrace• Miami, FL Call (786) 210-0648 VeggieCookingWithYamunaDevi@gmail.com www.omsatyananda.com
What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India, which originated over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda emphasizes re-establishing balance in the body through diet, lifestyle, exercise, and body cleansing, and on the health of the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurveda is an ancient holistic science of healing, healthy living and proper food combining. Poor food combining can produce indigestion, fermentation, putrefaction and gas formation and, if prolonged, can lead to toxemia and disease. According to the teachings of Ayurveda, every aspect of life contributes to overall health. A regular and healthy balanced lifestyles includes: regularity in sleeping, waking, eating and elimination, and of course, following a daily routine, brings discipline and helps to maintain the integrity of good health. Yoga, the sister science of Ayurveda suggests specialized postures that help stimulate gastric fire, improve digestion, relieve constipation, as well as relaxation and sound sleep. Sweating helps to eliminate toxins, reduce fat and make you feel good. Over-exercising may cause dehydration and breathlessness, even chest pain and muscle aches, eventually leading to arthritis, sciatica or heart conditions.
Food to avoid
Food to use
Denatured foods: white flour, white bread, cakes and buns, polished white rice
Whole wheat, barley, rye or corn flour bread, whole or partially polished rice
White sugar,sweets,jam,sweet syrups, fruit in syrups, heavily sugared drinks and glucose drinks
Honey, brown sugar, molasses, fresh fruit, agave
Fats and oils of animal origin, saturated acid fats
Vegetable oils and clarified butter
Heat treated, canned foods, processed foods in which artificial sweeteners, flavorings and chemical preservatives are used.
Fresh foods, naturally processed foods like dried fruit or lentils, organically grown products.
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The Art of Relaxation by Sri Swami Sivananda peace and abiding joy, you must try to possess a calm and balanced mind by eradicating the impulses of worry, fear and anger. If you worry frequently, a worrying habit is developed. Your vitality and energy are drained away. The muscles and nerves are always under contraction and great tension. Why should you be afraid of anything at all, when everything is nothing but you own Self?
on the mind. Removal of tension in the muscles brings repose and calmness to the mind.
By relaxing, you rest the mind, the tired nerves and the overworked muscles. You get immense peace of mind, strength and vigor. When you practice relaxation of either the body or the mind, the brain should not be occupied with various kinds of irrelevant, extraneous thoughts. The raising of impulses and counter-impulses, or reAnger, envy, disappointment, failure, misery, sorrow and pressing impulses, cause more tension in the nerves, mus- quarrels cause internal mental strain. The practice of recles and brain. Many people are slaves to their impulses; laxing the mind will remove this internal mental strain hence they do not enjoy peace of mind. They are tossed and fill the mind with new mental energy. It will make about hither and thither. The science of relaxation is an you cheerful and happy. exact science. It can be learnt very quickly. Relaxation of the muscles is important as their contraction. I lay great emphasis on the relaxation of mind, the nerves and the The Science of Deep Relaxation muscles. The Journey towards a Relaxed Mind and Healthy Body Physical relaxation
Life has become very complex these days. The struggle for existence is very acute and keen. A great deal of constant mental and physical strain is imposed on humanity by its daily works and unhealthy mode of life. Action produces movements and these in turn cause habits. Man has acquired many artificial habits. He has brought tension to many of the muscles and nerves through incorrect posture. He has forgotten the very first principles of relaxation. If you practice relaxation regularly, no energy will be wasted. You will be very active and energetic. During relaxation, the muscles and nerves are at rest. The prana or energy is stored up and conserved. Most people waste their energy by creating unnecessary movements and by putting the muscles and nerves under great strain. Some people shake their legs unnecessarily while sitting. Some strum their fingers on the table while their minds are idle or vacant. Some whistle. Some shake their heads. Some tap their chests or abdomen with their fingers. Energy is thus dissipated through all these unnecessary movements, due to lack of knowledge of the elementary principles of the science of relaxation. Do not mistake laziness for relaxation. A lazy person is inactive, full of lethargy and inertia. But the person who practices relaxation only takes a rest. He has vigor, strength, vitality and endurance. He never allows even a small amount of energy to trickle away. He accomplishes a great deal of work gracefully in a minimum amount of time.
You must know how to relax all the muscles of your body. This will rest the body and the mind. The tension of the muscles will be relieved. People who know the art of relaxing do not waste any energy. They can meditate well. After finishing your exercises and asanas, lie flat on your back. Keep the arms relaxed at the sides. Keep them quite loose. Relax all the muscles from head to foot.
Balance the body, mind & spirit and Experience the Inner Peace and Happiness
Relaxation refreshes you completely. If you do not possess a knowledge of this science of internal and external relaxation, you will waste your physical and mental energy considerably. Yogis conserve their physical and mental energy and utilize it to their best advantage. Those who practice relaxation never experience fatigue. They can close their eyes for a few minutes even while standing and so prepare themselves for further work. Energy flows into their nerves when they relax, just as water flows when a tap is opened.
(305) 267-6772
Physical relaxation is an art and as such it has to be practiced regularly in order to achieve success and gain the maximum benefit. Success in physical relaxation will make mental relaxation easier.
Information & Reservation: Institute of Holistic Yoga
www.omsatyananda.com
Spiritual Retreat with Swamiji New Jersey Area
At the Girl Scout Camp in Waretown
September 9, 10 & 11, 2011
Mental relaxation Just as you relax your muscles after having practiced you asanas and physical exercises, so also you have to relax the mind after concentration and meditation, and after the practice of memory training and will-culture. Relaxation of the muscles brings repose to the body and relaxation of the mind brings repose to the body. The body and mind are intimately linked. The body is a mould prepared by the mind for its enjoyment.
The mind gathers experiences through the body and works in conjunction with the prana, senses and body. The mind influences the body. If you are cheerful, the body will also be healthy and strong. When you feel depressed, the body cannot work. Conversely, the body has some influence over the mind. If the body is healthy and A person with an easily irritable nature cannot enjoy peace of mind. The brain, nerves, and muscles are always strong, the mind also will be happy, cheerful and strong. If there is a little stomach-ache, the mind cannot work under great tension. Although he may be endowed with physical strength, he is weak because he loses his balance well. Thought manifests as action, and action reacts on of mind very easily. If you really want to enjoy unruffled the mind. The mind acts on the body and the body reacts
For Registration please call
(917) 825-9155 Ram & Namdeo
arthurfama@yahoo.com
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Meditation and Health
Meditation is something that most people
have heard about, few have any true conception about and even fewer have actually experienced. Like all other subjective experiences it cannot really be described in words. The reader must try to find it for himself to know what it is really about. The experience is real whereas a description is really nonexperience, especially in the case of meditation. However, we will do our best to throw some light on the subject. Let us first define the way that modern psychology categorized different factors of the mind. The subconscious or unconscious mind can be roughly divided into three groups as follows: the lower mind, the middle mind and the higher mind. The lower mind is concerned with the activation and coordination of the various activities of the body, such as respiration, circulation, the abdominal organs and so on. It is also the area of mind which gives rise to instinctive urges and it is from this part of the mind that complexes, phobias, fears and obsessions manifest. The middle mind is the part of the mind that concerns itself with data that we use during the waking state. It is this part of the mind that analyzes, compares and reaches conclusions in relation to incoming data. The results of its work manifest to our conscious attention as required. It is this part of the mind that gives us answers. For example, most of us have been faced with a problem which we cannot solve at the time, only to find out that the answer surfaces to consciousness at some later time. It is the middle subconscious that has done the problem solving without our awareness. This is the realm of rational or intellectual thinking. The higher mind is the area of so-called super conscious activity. It is the source of intuition, inspiration, bliss and transcendental experiences. It is from this region that geniuses derive their flashes of creativity. It is the source of deeper knowledge. Throughout our waking hours we have consciousness of certain phenomena. We are conscious only of a small part of the activities of the mind, usually in the realms of the middle mind. It is this consciousness that is allowing you to read these words and to be aware of their meaning. Another part of the mind is the collective unconscious that Carl Jung did much to bring to
by Paramahamsa Satyananda
scientific acceptance. It is in this part of the mind that we have records of our evolutionary past. It contains records of the activities of our ancestors and the archetypes. It is the part of the mind that links us to all other human beings because it is the blueprint of our common past. Behind all these different parts of the mind is the self or the very core of existence. It is the self that illuminates everything that we do, though we are not aware of it. Most of us assume that the center of our being is the ego, yet the ego is really no more than another part of the mind. It is the self that illuminates even the ego. So what happens when we meditate? When we meditate we are able to take our consciousness to the different parts of our mind. Normally, as we have already explained, our consciousness is confined to surface activity in small areas of the middle or rational parts of the unconscious. We are able to move away from intellectualization during meditation. Meditation acts as a holistic, or whole treatment for disease. It is a more widely encompassing method of treatment than is provided by drugs, which tend to „cure‟ the disease of an organ but can have unforeseen negative repercussion on other parts of the body. Many cases of this can be cited. Meditation takes the treatment back to the sufferer. The patient will be able to exercise more power himself over his health for the removal of his ailment. The treatment will concern the whole mindbody complex. Through meditation the mind can be trained to cure the ailment, but first one must know how to meditate and exercise a greater control over the mind-body. When one becomes aware of the inner processes of the mind and body, one can direct energies where they are most needed. People with diseases will know how to direct their inner energy to the diseased organ. Meditation is a most powerful way of controlling physiological processes and also of controlling physiological reactions to psychological events. Meditation is the road to leading a healthy and happy life.
Compassion The positive aspect of non-injury is the development of universal Love. If you are filled with compassion, with a spirit of Love, brotherhood and affection towards all creatures, you cannot hurt anyone. You can never do violence to one whom you love. So universalize your love. Love filled with compassion is the surest base for peace. Compassion is the basis of spiritual life. Be kind to everyone. Love is the greatest healing power in this world. Love of God really means Love of humanity. Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize Be Good, Do Good Swami Sivananda
Inner Peace Meditation Workshop Sunday, August 7, 2011 10 am - 4pm Swami Brahmavidyananda In today‟s world we have everything we need to experience and enjoy life but we do not have a healthy mind. A few minutes of meditation each day will give sufficient strength to face life and live it fully. The Inner Peace Meditation Program will help you to develop creative and positive thinking. The welltrained, steady, calm and relaxed mind will bring harmony to your day to day life. It will improve your personal relationship. You can Achieve to: 1. Meet your true inner self 2. Break through all addictions 3. Experience infinite powers of healing within you. 4. Discover hidden potential and spiritual energy. Information & Reservation: Institute of Holistic Yoga
(305) 267-6772 www.omsatyananda.com holisticyoga@bellsouth.net
Speak Sweetly Speak Softly Speak Lovely Speak Truthfully And as needed Swami Sivananda
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PEACE OF MIND by Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati
Workshop by Swami Brahmavidyananda
Yoga
is the only sure and permanent science for giving people peace of mind. In bygone days a person was more likely to have peace of mind because of the slower way of life and because of fewer interactions with other people. To maintain peace of mind in the modern world is not so easy, as the rise in mental patients has indicated. It requires the individual to take definite steps to ensure that the mind is cleaned of tensions and that it remains in this condition. The method that all people must adopt now and in the future is yoga.
Sunday, July 31, 2011 10 am - 4pm What is Stress? Stress can be defined as a reaction which we experience when we cannot cope with a situation. The result is emotional or physical discomfort in the face of danger. Psychological stress is often caused by mental and emotional demands from personal beliefs, family, work or friends.
Watching the mind Now we come to the yogic practice which removes deeprooted emotional tensions and strengthens the individualâ€&#x;s ability to face the ups and downs of life without being dragged into the mire of unhappiness by accumulating new tensions. The method is meditation. The fundamental technique of meditation brings about a state in which the tensions in the different spheres of your personality are removed and it makes the mind more resistant to future causes of tension. Modern psychology tries to teach us to shed our fears, but this is easier said than done. It seems impossible to get rid of the deep fears and phobias. First of all, one must be aware of their causes and to do this the mind must be relaxed to examine itself. How can the mind relax if the subconscious realms are in a state of tension? The method is through meditation. If you sit down quietly and try to lock yourself inside your own mind, it is almost impossible. What happens is that the mind conspires against itself. It is almost the same as the house owner who feels complete security. He pays no attention to the activities of his servant. He does not notice that the servant is conspiring to steal his belongings. One morning he wakes up an finds that his house has been looted. It happens because he was not paying attention to what was happening. We neglect our minds in the same way. We are normally so extroverted that we do not devote any time to what is happening in our minds. As a result most people find it impossible to watch the inner workings of their minds and so they cannot remove the tensions that arise. If you want to develop the ability to be aware of your inner feelings, you will have to observe yourself very carefully. Certain things can be stopped at their inception. The tensions could be stopped before they manifest in the form of unhappiness if only people were to watch their minds. In the hectic activities of the modern world, people do not listen to their minds. They have no time to listen to the good advice given by the mind. If you watch your mind carefully, it will tell you why you are unhappy, why you feel tense and why you feel pessimistic about everything. Everybody should devote a little time to meditation and, of course, to other techniques of yoga. You should carry on your daily life, but set aside a little time when the mind can tell you why it feels unhappy. Half an hour in the morning and evening is not much time to allocate, in view of the mental peace that can result. Just sit in a quiet room and forget your accomplishments, failures, personality, social status and your happiness or lack of it. Understand the mind. After some time you will be able to understand the language of the mind, not the outer mind but the inner mind, the part of the mind that has a much greater control over our lives.
Symptoms of Stress: 1. Physical– Digestive problems, fatigue, head aches, insomnia 2. Mental-Boredom, confusion, forgetfulness, negativity and lethargy 3. Emotional– Anxiety, depression, nightmares, frustration, and short temper 4. Spiritual-Apathy, doubt, emptiness, loss of meaning and loss of faith 5. Relational-Blaming, distrust, less loving, lack of intimacy, arguing and intolerance. Information & Registration: Institute of Holistic Yoga 7970 SW 13 Terr. Miami, FL 33144 (305) 267-6772 www.omsatyananda.com
Pranic & Psychic Healing Spiritual Retreat January 13, 14 & 15, 2012 with Swami Brahmavidyananda
Paradise Nature
3401 SW 72nd Avenue Miami, FL 33155 registration & information
Institute of Holistic Yoga 7970 SW 13 Terrace Miami, FL 33144
(305) 267-6772
www.omsatyananda.com holisticyoga@bellsouth.net Register soon, seats are limited
You are the architect of your destiny. Think Positive, Act Positive. -Swami Brahmavidyananda
Stress Management
Yamuna Devi
Yoga & Health News 2011
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Although we live in a modern technological society, with every comfort and convenience, people are still suffering from mental, emotional and psychosomatic diseases. Many seek to relieve their boredom and tension through drugs, alcohol and various other addictions. This leads to further pain and suffering, greater anxiety and desperation. The integral science of yoga aims to remove not only the symptoms, but also the root cause of suffering, which is buried in the mind. With a strong, balanced mind we are better able to handle the stresses and obstacles of everyday life. The yoga practitioner gains greater control over the modification of the mind so that he can become master of his destiny. The inner mental stability is reflected outwardly in the form of peace, success and harmony with the world. The objective of yoga is total health. The integration of yoga techniques and philosophy helps increase levels of awareness and equilibrium, and facilitates the mental self control.
Yoga can help you to:
Awaken the spiritual energy Sharpen the intellect Develop an attitude of tolerance and compassion for all living beings Understand the real purpose of your life Have good health and resistance to disease Eliminate tension and stress Balance the emotions and improve personal relationships Discover your inner creativity
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