in this world
is not money, fame,
power, or position;
rather it is health.
Only with health can one
enjoy the happiness of life.
- Hsing Yun
The most precious thing
in this world is not money, fame, power, or position; rather it is health. Only with health can one enjoy the happiness of life. - Hsing Yun (public domain image from www.pixabay.com) Indra Devi, the woman who brought yoga to the Western Hemisphere and who lived a healthy life until she died in her 102 year, often advised sleeping in the nude. It was something she learned in India and practiced all her life. Interestingly, an increasing amount of research verifies the health benefits of sleeping without clothing on. Consider these:
(feel free to re-post and / or link to your social media) When the body is directed to become more aware of itself, it can heal itself. - John Doulliard
Some of us label ourselves “an angry person,” ignoring that the basic nature of sentient beings is more likely compassionate and kind, not angry and unpleasant. We allow ourselves to believe that anger and impatience are a part of who we are rather than understanding that they are simply feelings that arise. Like anything else that arises, feelings pass away. They do not define character.- Alan Lokos
A literal translation of darshan simply means “to see” in Sanskrit. However, a more expanded understanding of darshan involves seeing by placing oneself in the presence of someone or something which exhibits higher consciousness. “Someone” usually involves being in the presence of a person known for his or her spirituality such as Mother Teresa, a Pope, the Dalai Lama or other spiritual master. “Something” includes being in the presence of a sacred place known for it’s strong
Dr. Deepak Chopra, a Western trained physician and Vedic teacher grew up in India and often experienced darshan when his uncle would take him to visit various gurus and teachers. Dr. Chopra says his uncle’s “real purpose” for visiting sages “was to soak up the person’s energy. As a ten year old boy, Dr. Chopra also experienced spiritual energy of evolved persons describing the effect these ways:
If we want a joyous life,
we must think joyous thoughts. If we want a prosperous life, we must think prosperous thoughts. If we want a loving life, we must think loving thoughts. - Louise Hay Three young men once approached St. Francis of Assisi asking for his blessing to become hermits each living separately in a cave and devoting their lives to seeking God, each in his own way. Francis gave his blessing commending them for wanting to live as spiritual hermits but he instructed them to be hermits together in a single hut or cave. He offered this additional instruction: one of them should take on the role of a father; the other, the role of a mother; the third should think of himself as their child. Then every few months they were to exchange roles feeling what it was to be in a community as a father, as a mother, as a child.
Consider what insights would emerge if, in our significant relationships, we swapped roles. If you’re a man, what would it feel like for you to be in the female role or, if you’re a woman, what would it feel like for you be in the male role. How would your understanding and, possibly appreciation, deepen if, from time to time, we all placed ourselves into the position of another person, walked briefly in their shoes, experienced their pressures and stresses? We women must listen to our inner voice. It is easier for women to do this as they are not afraid to say what they feel. We must keep both our femininity and our strength. Men have to descend from their pedestal and learn how to be more broadminded and spiritual.
- Indra Devi (public domain image from www.pixabay.com) In the Vedic tradition, incense plays an important role for promoting health and deepening spirituality. Here are some benefits of using incense:
Some raise a concern about incense smoke and pollution. Dr. Andrew Weil says it is "unlikely" that burning a stick or two can cause any health dangers. (please feel free to re-post and/or link to your social media) In spiritual cultivation , we must refine our hearts and polish our characters by disciplining ourselves through events in our daily lives. - Cheng Yen
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Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
May 2024
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