Obaitori

God's name

From the Ramacharitamanas of Sri Tulasidasji -

"If you want light both inside & outside keep this jewel of the name of Rama at the door-way of your tongue, says Tulasidasji. If you keep a light on at the door you get light both inside & outside. So also the name of God purifies the mind & bestows prosperity on the devotees."

Whatever we call God, the glory of prayer, kirtan, mantra is that enlightenment can potentially be one breath away.

Swami Sivananda, "Singing the names of God is the quickest, safest, cheapest, surest and best way to reach God."  

"Friend, the glory of the name of God cannot be established through reasoning. It can certainly be experienced through faith, devotion and constant repetition of the Name. Have reverence and faith for the Name. Every Name is filled with countless powers. Take refuge in the Name and cross this formidable ocean of birth and death. Name and nami (one who chants the name) are inseparable. Glory to the Lord. Glory to his Name."

 

{this moment}

 

Inspired by Soule Mama. In her words...

 

A Friday ritual;   - a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

 

Losar 2011

Lotus Light

Seriously this 'lotus lounge' would look fabulous in our home ~ not mentioning the goddess who would sit upon it ; ) ~ & it was all about lotus' today. This photo arrived in my email box this morning. My lovely soul sister, Manda arrived at lunch with these lotus.

The lotus is one the eight auspicious Buddhist symbols. The lotus is rooted in deep mud and its stem grows through murky water. The blossom rises above the muck and opens out towards the light, the sun, beautiful and fragrant. In Buddhism, the lotus represents the true nature of beings, who rise through samsara into the beauty and clarity of enlightenment.

The lotus, as a flower essence, is beneficial for the entire body & each kosha. The entire plant is used for food.

From Living Essences;

White Nymph Waterlily Meditation Poem

I rise throught the mud of desire,

Up into the water, air & sun

I arise

Pristine & white

Facing the Light

Resting in Tranquility

 

Kriya Yoga ~ Control of the Mind

"Kriya Yoga is a simple, psychophysiological method by which human blood is decarbonated & recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain & spinal centers. By stopping the accumulation of venous blood, the yogi is able to lessen or prevent the decay of tissues. The advanced yogi transmutes his cells into energy. Elijah, Kabir, Jesus & other prophets & were past masters in the use of Kriya Yoga or a similiar technique, by which they caused their bodies to materialize & dematerialize at will" Paramahansa Yogananda.

Kriya Yoga is referred to by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita. One stanza reads:

"That meditation-expert (muni) becomes eternally free who, seeking the Supreme Goal, is able to withdraw from external phenomena by fixing his gaze within the mid-spot of the eyebrows and by neutralizing the even currents of prana and apana [that flow] within the nostrils and lungs; and to control his sensory mind and intellect; and to banish desire, fear, and anger.”

~ The Bhagavad Gita V:27-28 ~

 

Lord Krishna in Dwarka about 3102 BC

The Bhagavad Gita means The Song of God. There are many interpretations, all are very good. It is important when reading spiritual teachings to find the teacher that speaks your language - so to speak. It is a joy when we find a teacher who we easily understand. The teachings flow & sit with us in a gentle manner. For me, Swami Sivananda's Gita is the simplest. It is available here from the Divine Life Society as a free download. 

Becoming a spiritual mother requires constant effort & hard work. Fortunately we have plenty of skills, teachings & techniques out there to guide us along our chosen path. Tratak is a shatkarma, a cleansing practice, to help clean, still & calm the mind, to learn the technique, read here.

The Dwarakadhish Temple

The present temple was built in 16th century CE, while the original temple was believed to have been built by Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha. The 5-storied temple is made of limestone and sand.

Fear & Attachment

 

Lord Krishna says in his Gita,

 "Vitaragabhaya-krodhah sthitadheermuniruchyate" ~

 

"He who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of stable mind".

 

Abandon attachment through the practice of non-attachment and attachment to the lotus feet of Krishna. All fears will vanish! ~ Swami Sivananda.

 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

I Created You

Many traditions use stories to teach great spiritual truths. Here, on Sundays, some of these stories will be re-told. They can be understood by adults & children. Where possible I will suggest a children's picture book that teaches the same or similar story.

*** *** ***

One day, as usually, an orphan, a little girl, stood at the street corner begging for food, money or whatever she could get. Now, this girl was wearing very tattered clothes, was dirty and quite dishevelled.

A well-to-do you man passed that corner without giving the girl a second look. But, when he returned to his expensive home, his happy and comfortable family, and his well-laden dinner table, his thoughts returned to the young orphan. He became very angry with God for allowing such conditions to exist.

He reproached God, saying, “How can you let this happen? Why don’t you do something to help this girl???”

Then he heard God in the depths of his being responding by saying “I did. I created You.”

 

{this moment}

Inspired by Soule Mama. In her words...

 

A Friday ritual;   - a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

Love & Beauty

 

Photo ~ Bangkok King's Palace Garden, Thailand

Indira sings all day. Morning to night. It is so beautiful to hear & I love hearing her sing. She has quite a repertoire now that includes songs she has been taught, ones that she has heard, songs that she has made up & songs that describe what she is currently doing. For example, "I'm so happy, I love Bodhi & Yogi. I'm going to put a band-aid on now..." She sings songs from The Sound of Music which prompted me to write about a few of my own favourite things...

Flowers ~

Geraldton Wax

Lotus

Flannel Flower

Shy Blue Orchid

Jobs I've Had ~

Wildlife Parks Ranger

Ballet Teacher

Yoga Teacher

Mother - this is by far the best -

Festivals ~

Saraswati's Day

Saint Francis' Day

Christmas Day

Diwali

Movies ~

Stealing Beauty

The Valley of the Flowers

Amelie

Brother Sun Sister Moon

Yoga Practices ~

Likhit Japa

Surya Namaskar

Kirtan

Yoga Nidra

Places I've Visited ~

Rishikesh

Siena

Varanasi

Rikhia

Foods ~

Lemons

Olives

Salmon

Mandarins

Dishes ~

Yum Cha

Wonton Soup

Barbecued Salmon

Pavlova with fresh berries

Albums ~

Stealing Beauty Soundtrack

BT's Uma

Finley Quay's The Epic Years

The Cat Empire's On the Attack

Things I like to Do ~

Sit in silence in the dark - preferably in a bath

Swim in the ocean

Long picnics with my family & friends

Patting our cat Yogi

 

 

 

Looking with Fresh Eyes

 

Indira passed me in the hallway on the way back from the bathroom & said, "You have a ribbon & I don't." Me, "Um, sorry what?" ... "You have a ribbon on your undies & I don't." She observed me dressing this morning & this comment was made 6 hours later.

My children, & probably like all children listen intently, they observe every little detail & never miss a thing. At the beach this is a very to be expected but in everyday situations it is still very apparent. When I walk into a restaurant I see a few things, a few pieces of details but my children look with fresh eyes at every new environment & situation. I'm taking a leaf out of their book.

Tonight I'm delighted & honoured to be hosting Aimie's Women Circle Gathering at InRhythm. Come along, bring a mat & a blanket to cover yourself with $5 and if you can a plate to share for supper.

 InRhythm Store 8 Henry Parry Drive East Gosford, 7:30pm

If you need some time for yourself & a bit of spiritual nurturing, Love & laughter, come!