aparigraha

Here is another link, this one is for an article on how to practice APARIGRAHA.  It has some very useful suggestions!
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/7-ways-to-practice-aparigraha-non-possessiveness

satya

Here is a link to an article on SATYA, by Judith Lassater.
http://www.yogajournal.com/article/philosophy/to-tell-the-truth/

Something that keeps landing in front of my nose right now is teaching yoga to teens and youth.  And every time I take a little tiny step in that direction, the universe responds by rushing at me with opportunities and connections.

Here is something I'm excited about right now:

http://www.teenyoga.co.uk/

From Unconscious to Conscious Change: A Study in Yoga for Youth: Laura S...

https://www.evolveyogafestival.com.au/

Here is the link to EVOLVE YOGA FESTIVAL!  I've got my ticket! Hope to see you there!

Looking Within

SWADHYAYA - SELF STUDY

Your day is busy, full of activity.  You move from one to the next on autopilot, ticking off your to do list and meeting targets.  All of a sudden a particular experience emerges and you pause momentarily, thinking "How do I really feel about that?".  In your mind you decide that you will stop to think about it later on, before you go to bed.  The evening arrives, you finish your day and find that you are much too tired to think at all. Sound familiar?
Creating the space in your life to go within and to deeply understand yourself is vital if you wish to live your full potential and experience your truth.  We develop self knowledge through the observation of our actions and reactions.  This knowledge then advises our future choices and actions, so that we don't have to repeat the same old experiences but can move on to the higher experiences of life.
Journaling can be a great way to reflect on what is going on within.  We can use them to record our observations of the mind and body, our desires, our reactions and emotions and then by re-reading, see ourselves more clearly.
The best way to practice Swadhyaya is to STAY IN THE PRESENT MOMENT!  There is a part of your mind that you can step into and remain still, watching the drama of life play out on the stage before you.  Watch yourself move through the activities of the day.  Observe your behaviour as though you are David Attenborough creating a doco!  Then with this deeper understanding, decide whether you are acting from your higher self or whether you are acting from autopilot.  If you are truly acting from your higher self you will feel fullfilled, content and blissfull, no matter what dramas unfold before you.
Make this a daily practice, and experience the benefits of self understanding.
LOVE AND LIGHT XXXX

The 5 Tibetan Rites

http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm

http://www.lifeevents.org/5-tibetans-energy-rejuvenation-exercises.htm

Here are some links to great articles about the 5 Tibetan Rites.  The second one has some funky animation of the postures to help remind you how to do them!

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

http://www.yogamag.net/archives/2007/haug07/power.shtml

Here is a link to an article about the MAHAMRITYUNJAYA MANTRA.

Psychic Symbol and Ishta Devata : a meditation tool

A Psychic Symbol, sometimes called and Ishta Devata, is a tool for meditation.  It is a symbol or image of your choice that you use as an ‘anchor’ in your meditation.

When you meditate you can become carried away by the vast depths of the subconscious mind or the inner self.  It can be difficult to bring yourself out of this state.  By having an anchor point for the mind you give yourself something to focus on in order to ‘bring you back’ into the physical reality and the external world.

When choosing a psychic symbol it has to be something that has relevance or meaning to you.  It also has to be something that you can visualize with reasonable clarity.  It is important once you have chosen a symbol that you don’t change it. If you change your symbol it can become confusing for your mind and distracts you from the purpose of the symbol.  It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate.  Something as simple as a still candle flame or an inverted triangle, or a shining star is sufficient.  The image of a guru or deity can also be used.  Choose a symbol that feels right for you.  And keep it secret!  It will have a stronger resonance within you if it is something that is kept to yourself.

 An Ishta Devata is more of a spiritual symbol.  When your psychic symbol has a deep spiritual relevance it is an ishta devata.  An aspect of divinity, such as a God or Goddess or spiritual leader or guru can be an Ishta Devata.  You can choose your own Ishta Devata or it can be given to you by a guru, either in person or in a dream.

Both the Ishta Devata and/or the psychic symbol are very important tools in your meditation practice.  If you are regularly and sincerely practicing meditation you may like to spend some time choosing one.  You may find that there is a very obvious symbol for you to choose, or that there has been one appear in your dreams that you know is right for you.  Or it may be a bit of a challenge to uncover the right one.  If so, don’t over think it, and just let it emerge from your subconscious as it will.

It may be useful to sit quietly in meditation posture, close your eyes and gaze within.  Direct your gaze either into the dark space behind your forehead (Chidakasha) or into your heart space.   Practice visualizing a still candle flame, then some other symbols of your choice.  See each one as clearly as you are able.  See if there is one that stands out or just sits well with you.  Then hold your inner gaze on that symbol for as long as you are able.  To finish, allow your symbol to melt back into the darkness of your inner space.  Once you have your symbol, you can practice visualizing it as a short meditation on its own, and then you can use it at the end of each meditation practice, to bring you back to the physical reality and present moment.

The Future

A recent conversation with my 10 year old daughter inspired one of those "aha!" moments.  Watching an animated film which depicted an Armageddon style future, where machines ruled the desolate reamins of the earth, she said "Mum, I'm really worried about the future.  What will it be like?"

I told her that all the people who are children now will one day be in control of the world, and that it would be whatever they made it.

But this conversation made me realize something so much more important.  If we keep suggesting to our kids that the world will be ruined, the environment ruined, the planet used up, then this is the picture that they will create in their minds.  On the contrary, if we present a positive veiw of genuine hope for the future, will they create a more positive image in their minds?

This moment made me so much more determined to lead by example, and teach my children to love, care and hope for the world and each other.

FOOD FOOD FOOD

I love food.  I love eating.  I especially love it when I get it 'right' and eat food that makes me feel fantastic.

Taking a yogic approach to life also means looking at your diet and making conscious food choices for your body.  Being vegetarian or vegan is not necessary, although in some yogic and Tantric traditions it is important.  However, taking an ethical approach to your food is important.
What is very important is eating the food that is right for your individual body.  No one else can really tell you what you should or shouldn't eat.  It's up to you to develop your own awareness of how different foods affect your body, and then choose to eat the ones that enrich your overall health the most.  Food is medicine! 

My absolute favorite foodie and recipe book author is Lola Berry.  I am completely in love with her recipes which are super healthy and seem to suit my body really well.  They use whole, unprocessed food and are a bit different from the 'ordinary'.  And very, very yummy.  

Taking the time to source these foods means going to a good supermarket or market and hunting around a bit (wake up your inner hunter-gatherer!).  This can be a bit of a pain if you're like me and live 1/2 an hour away from real food shops, but is totally worth it.
Anything that results in your body feeling awesome is worth it.  Enjoy your food!

Here is a link to Lola Berry's website.  Lots of yum recipes here!  Lola Berry

Wisdom from Sri Swami Satyananda.

 Swami Satyananda Wisdom - Discovered this on youtube.  Big Love.  Beautiful.

Coming up at "Inner Journeys' Metaphysics Centre.

 

KIRTAN

Kirtan is awesome fun.  It's an easy way to open your heart and get the inner joy flowing.  It's also an amazing way of letting go of your inhibitions and just singing and chanting for the pure enjoyment of it.

"An afternoon of singing easy to follow chants from the yoga tradition. Chanting allows us to release the stress of blocked emotional inner tensions and create a sense of liberation and, not forgetting,  fun.  A yogic practice that requires no effort but to let go and enjoy an  uplift in consciousness and share in the expansion of the group energy. No experience or singing skills necessary."

SUNDAY  22nd JUNE : 2.30 - 4.30pm.  

     

EVERYONE IS WELCOME. 

. Please bring a plate of vegetarian food to share following the chanting.

A variety of teas are supplied

A gold coin donation is requested

SIBA RETREAT in East Gippsland

Wow, I was so lucky to visit SIBA twice in a fortnight!  This is a beautiful Buddhist retreat set in the stunning surrounds of mountains and forest.  I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is looking to obtain a sense of inner calm and wellbeing.  http://www.sakya.com.au/

Yoga Lineage

Yoga in the world today is often described as 'the yoga tree'.  At the centre is the trunk, the solid core and tradition of yoga.  It's roots stem deep into the ancient earth with its ancient philosophy and wisdom.  Thick branches stem from the trunk, leading to thinner branches, twigs and leaves. Some of them intertwine and grow together.  Others grow in completely different directions.  That is why we have everything from devout practitioners retreating to meditate for months in remote caves to flashy, trendy yoga practiced to a background of hip hop and pop music.

Yoga Lineage flow chart  Here is a great visual description of yoga lineages.  It helps to have a picture of where your yoga is coming from, and which branch of the yoga tree you're sitting on.

Here is another great link.  Krishnamacharya's Legacy is a fantastic article by Fernando Pages Ruiz, published in yoga journal.  In fact, www.yogajournal.com is an amazing yoga resource and has hundreds of good quality articles to help deepen your understanding of yoga practice and philosophy.  It is one of my favourite resources.