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One of the most important practices for Yoga is mauna which simply means “silence” or “silence of the mind.” The Hindu Yoga tradition emphasizes that wisdom, insight and Self-realization can only be gained via controlled silence. Mauna is a essential practice for maintaining metal discipline and austerity.
For the yogi it can mean doing asanas silently and meditatively. Modern yogis who play music from a playlist while doing asana deprive themselves of an ideal opportunity to experience spiritual growth via silence. This is likely the reason why the use of music is frowned upon by many traditional yoga teachers. For a lay person, mauna can be developed by refraining from speech and eliminating the burden of speaking for a few minutes or even a few hours at at time on a daily basis. Those who practice mauna this way usually find it to produce a calmer and more peaceful state of mind.
For the yogi it can mean doing asanas silently and meditatively. Modern yogis who play music from a playlist while doing asana deprive themselves of an ideal opportunity to experience spiritual growth via silence. This is likely the reason why the use of music is frowned upon by many traditional yoga teachers. For a lay person, mauna can be developed by refraining from speech and eliminating the burden of speaking for a few minutes or even a few hours at at time on a daily basis. Those who practice mauna this way usually find it to produce a calmer and more peaceful state of mind.
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Buddhism itself is not especially patriarchal. The problem is that the societies in which it developed are patriarchal. Our innate potential to become liberated is the same, male or female. - Tenzin Palmo
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Love the saints of every faith:
Put away thy pride.
Remember the essence of religion
Is meekness and sympathy,
Not fine clothes,
Not the Yogi’s garb and ashes,
Not the blowing of the horns,
Not the shaven head,
Not long prayers,
Not recitations and torturings,
Not the ascetic way,
But a life of goodness and purity,
Amid the world’s temptations.
- A brief summary of the Sikh Faith by Guru Nanak
Put away thy pride.
Remember the essence of religion
Is meekness and sympathy,
Not fine clothes,
Not the Yogi’s garb and ashes,
Not the blowing of the horns,
Not the shaven head,
Not long prayers,
Not recitations and torturings,
Not the ascetic way,
But a life of goodness and purity,
Amid the world’s temptations.
- A brief summary of the Sikh Faith by Guru Nanak
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Many roads lead to the Path, but basically there are only two: reason and practice.
- Bodhidharma
- Bodhidharma
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The first "Noble" Truth of Buddhism is this: life is complicated. Traditionally this first truth reads "life is suffering" meaning that every human experiences disappointments and heartbreaks of various levels. That results in pain . . . but we humans add suffering to the pain by our resentment that life was unfair toward us.
For that reason it's important let it go. Of course, this is easier said than stated. Yet it can be done and is done by people every day. Here are some "let go" motivators to think about as you reflect on your own personal experience with pain:
Let go of all negative thoughts and ideas that you can’t manage the challenge of letting go.
Let go of regret by reminding yourself you're a good human but bad things to happen to good people.
Let go of fear and dig deep tapping into courage and confidence.
Let go of blame. It doesn’t change anything and only builds resentment.
Let go of believing your life is ruined and that you are damaged. It’s just not true.
Let go of friends and even family members who don’t understand your pain and hinder your recovery.
Let go of worrying. Accept what has happened and take one step at a time to rebuild your life.
Let go of the need to be more and do more. Simply do your best, day by day.
Let go of despair. Trust yourself. Believe in yourself.
Let go of anger. It is a huge waste of energy and time.
Let go of any self-loathing or self-hate.
Remember, you can and will rebuild your life. It will not be the same as it was but it can still be good and meaningful.
For that reason it's important let it go. Of course, this is easier said than stated. Yet it can be done and is done by people every day. Here are some "let go" motivators to think about as you reflect on your own personal experience with pain:
Let go of all negative thoughts and ideas that you can’t manage the challenge of letting go.
Let go of regret by reminding yourself you're a good human but bad things to happen to good people.
Let go of fear and dig deep tapping into courage and confidence.
Let go of blame. It doesn’t change anything and only builds resentment.
Let go of believing your life is ruined and that you are damaged. It’s just not true.
Let go of friends and even family members who don’t understand your pain and hinder your recovery.
Let go of worrying. Accept what has happened and take one step at a time to rebuild your life.
Let go of the need to be more and do more. Simply do your best, day by day.
Let go of despair. Trust yourself. Believe in yourself.
Let go of anger. It is a huge waste of energy and time.
Let go of any self-loathing or self-hate.
Remember, you can and will rebuild your life. It will not be the same as it was but it can still be good and meaningful.
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True vision isn't just seeing seeing. It's also seeing not seeing. - Bodhidharma
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It's getting easier and easier to go vegetarian. When I first became a vegetarian several decades ago, my options were very limited when shopping in grocery stores and completely limited when dining out. Things have changed immensely. For example:
- A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association polled 700 chefs asking for their thoughts on what the most popular culinary concepts would be for 2019. Nearly 70% of chefs gave high importance to the use of plant based protein such as vegan sausages and burgers.
- In Britain even McDonalds is offering a vegetarian alternative: veggie happy meals.
- In September 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a first of its kind bill requiring licensed California health care facilities and state prisons to make vegetarian meals available upon request.
- A year earlier, the American Medical Association called on US hospitals to improve health of patients, staff and visitors by providing vegetarian meals.
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"The Tibetan Buddhist teachings say that whenever we sit on the cushion to practice, we sit in two kinds of solitude. First, the body is to be in solitude—meaning we should be in a relaxed environment without distractions. Second, the mind is in solitude—that is, quiet and focused. Be aware of this when you choose the time and place to develop your practice."
- From The Tibetan Yoga of Breath by Anyen Rinpoche and Allison Choying (Shambhala Publishers)
- From The Tibetan Yoga of Breath by Anyen Rinpoche and Allison Choying (Shambhala Publishers)
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Emotion-phobia is endemic to our culture and perhaps to patriarchal culture in general.
- Miriam Greenspan
- Miriam Greenspan
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There are many interpretations concerning the number 108 and why it's used in Yoga and Vedic culture. The one which appeals most to me concern vibration and energy.
Ancient vedic sages and mathematicians identified 108 as the number which most resonates with the vibration of the universe. A mathematical example is this: the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth, and the distance from Earth to the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
By chanting a mantra 108 times, we are aligning ourselves with the vibration and energetic pattern of the Universe.
Ancient vedic sages and mathematicians identified 108 as the number which most resonates with the vibration of the universe. A mathematical example is this: the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth, and the distance from Earth to the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
By chanting a mantra 108 times, we are aligning ourselves with the vibration and energetic pattern of the Universe.