I resolve....

MySpace Codes!

I resolve to be happy as my baby has taught me that happiness brings positivity, cheer and good health

I resolve to be confident to be able to speak my mind with the purity of my own judgement and perception as I believe each individual is made differently

I resolve to be peaceful as anger is the cause of slavery of our minds

I resolve to be healthy as only good health makes life worth living

I resolve to be a good parent as my baby’s taught me that there is no greater satisfaction than in the upbringing, growth & development of your child

I resolve to love myself as love for others will come hence and not otherwise

I resolve to rejuvenate my mind with faith and hope as I feel it’s important to refresh & re-energize the mind before heading to ‘the spa’

I resolve to keep challenging myself as I feel that its leads to character building

I resolve to take pleasures out of life’s small things ‘coz just as little drops make an ocean, little moments make a life

I resolve to appreciate the beauty of the dawn, the day, the dusk and the night of my life as beauty truly lies in the eyes of the beholder

I resolve to be there for my parents for we can never be as much for them as they’ve been for us

I resolve to bring joy to my mother as I have realized what motherhood means…

I resolve to blossom in my companionship with my husband with commitment, respect, sincerity, love, space and romance; as that makes an institution of marriage more meaningful

I resolve to forge newer bonds of friendship and strengthen the older ones as friends add colour & value to your lives

I resolve to keep smiling as my baby has taught me that a smile is worth a million bucks

I resolve to practice what I love as there is nothing more delightful than treating your work as worship

I resolve to keep learning and to share my learnings and experiences of yoga and health so that others can experience and appreciate the goodness it has brought me

I resolve to pursue my hobbies as I believe that growth comes from co-curricular activities

I resolve to stay in the present as the past has gone and the future is yet to come

I resolve to be grateful to all those who’ve touched my life directly or indirectly as ‘how can I be so selfish?’

I resolve to embrace each form of life in it’s utmost purity and creativity as only different colours make a rainbow

I resolve to indulge and party as it makes it easier to accomplish other resolves :-)

I wish everyone a rollicking 2009!!!

Vision

"I am an excellent yoga practitioner"
"I am a loving, dutiful & respectful daughter"
"I am a great cook"
"I am creative and confident"
.......

Before you get ideas about my tom-tomming, let me make it clear that it is a part of my VISION.

A vision is an expression of your goal for yourself. It's how you see yourself or wish for yourself but in a present positive tense. Let me make it more clear. For eg. an architect wants to build a house, the first thing he'll do is to create it in his mind, followed by a drawing, a model and then the actual house. In the same way what we want to be in life (in all aspects) also begins with a thought.

We have always focused on what we "don't want" or what we "don't have" in life and tried to strive to attain that. But a vision talks in a way as if we already have that. Those of you who've read the book "The Secret" or seen the movie would be able to relate to this better.

But it does not mean that you have a perfect sounding vision and sit back. Nothing will happen. It's just the "right" beginning. You can take a few minutes to make your own vision and then keep adding and editing it as and when required. In fact you can have your own vision book which you read first thing in the morning instead of the newspaper. You'll spend just 2 minutes reading it, but the effect it would leave on your phyche and persona would be profound.

I learned about it in the SSY (Siddha Samadhi Yoga) course and the ISP (Infant Siddha Programme - The art of joyful parenting) which concluded yesterday. Believe me, our mind is much much more powerful than we can fathom.

Please take a few minutes out during the day today to open the eyes of your mind to build your own vision.

Happy visualizing!!!

A STARK REALITY OF LIFE

Something borrowed..... My friend Janu from Italy sent me this a few days back & i thought i must share it.

Eagles are the most long-lived birds in the world. By the time they reach 40 years, their claws start to age, losing their effectiveness and making it hard for them to catch prey. The lifespan of an eagle is up to 70 years old. But in order to live this long, it must make the toughest decision at 40. At 40 its beak is too long and curvy that it reaches its chest. Its wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying. The eagle is left with 2 choices - do nothing and await its death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal. For 150 days, it first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities. It then begins to knock its beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed. When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown. When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all its feathers, one by one. Five months later, when its new feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and is able to live for the next 30 years.

In life, sometimes, we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go old ways, old habits, old lives. For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage - past glory or shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.

Recreation

I am learning belly dancing and should be finishing the first level in a couple of days. It’s been a very thrilling, invigorating and explorative experience. Contrary to the popular belief (at least in India) that belly dancing is only a seductive and an obscene form of dance, I must admit that it’s totally wrong. In fact it is a classical dance (certainly not what Mallika Sherawat did in ‘Maiya Maiya’) which is aesthetically very beautiful. It almost brings you in a meditative state of mind which most dances do. No other art form except dance and yoga allows you to explore your body thus. Belly dancing in particular involves a lot of co-ordination of the mind and body, many isolated movements and an amazing control over even the smallest muscles of your body which we didn’t know existed:-)

I also feel that it’s imperative for anyone to keep learning throughout ones’ life and something which is away from one’s profession. The reasons being many – it’s a lot of fun, it makes life more interesting, it keeps us active mentally & physically, challenges us in different ways we might not have thought, opens newer avenues, enhances performance in various fields, helps us meet different people, opens our mindsets, and gives satisfaction. Moreover, it’s the time we spend with our own selves which is most valuable. It is also one of the things which we don’t learn to earn. So there are no vested interests. I term it as recreation – an activity done involving most of our senses, for the sheer joy it brings. I believe that there has to be some time every day or every other day designated for such activity. And no, watching TV, talking on phone, listening to music do not fall under this category as they are passive. Cooking, gardening, sports, dance, painting, music, singing…….would definitely qualify. It is also one of the for pillars of a yogic lifestyle. (Vihar - Achar, Vichara, Ahara being the other three)

Is it time for New Year Resolutions??

Around New Years', invariably all publications (newspapers & magazines) carry articles regarding resolutions for the new year. Some questioning the celebrities, some common people. But I have never seen any article about the resolutions taken in the past year and an evaluation of them - were they followed, their effects in life etc. I am not saying that one shouldn't have resolutions, but they need not be connected to the new years.

And resolution is a process
1. Taking a resolution
2. Making effort to adhere to it
3. Analyzing our performance
4. Taking corrective measures

I know i am starting to sound like an MBA (masters in business administration), which BTW i am, but that's not my point. Life is about planning, managing, organizing, controlling.

Sometime back i went to see my neighbour who's going to turn 100 (that's right one hundred years on this planet) in a couple of months. We were generally chatting when she told me about her daily routine. One thing that struck me was that every morning before getting up from bed she'd take resolutions for the day. It can be anything small or big like not eating a few things, not getting angry, doing a good deed, not using cars, having only lunch, calling a long lost friend, visiting the temple, laughing a lot, helping a family member, creating something new etc. And i thought to myself, is this the way to live, drawing boundaries everyday??

But on second thought i feel, isn't it a great way to live? After all moderation is the key. And having resolutions for the day helps us in being control. It improves mental strength, willpower, self control (brahmacharya), effort (tapa) and makes life more interesting. We might feel as if we are being CONTROLLED but after a few days it becomes a second nature.

There is a direct correlation between breath, mind and body. So taking a resolution and following it definitely improves our health. Take a minute here just to ponder on this................................................. (think of a possible resolution, the effort you would have to put in and the benefits you could derive).

I feel, New Year's Resolution is like a top of a mountain we wish to climb and daily resolutions are the steps taken for reaching the top.

Is there anything that you would like to share???

Silence - 'Mauna'

We are constantly talking. Either as a part of our occupation (teacher, marketing executive, call centre employee etc.), with people around us (friends, relatives, strangers, shopkeepers etc) or with ourselves (literally or figuratively). You don't need science to tell you that excessive talking does drain you out physically, mentally and emotionally.

Yoga talks of a technique of 'mauna' (forced silence) to keep you away from the physical world, take you closer to your true self and of course to conserve your energy.

Mauna not only refers to keeping ones mouth shut, but also trying to keep your mind from conversing within. Gift yourself a few minutes of silence each day. What can you do when in 'mauna'? Well you can engage in gardening, painting, reading, sitting quietly, listening to music, meditating, counting your breath, hearing the sounds of nature, listening to your heart beat or just being.

Try and fix a regular time during the day when you can be alone by yourself or bring silence into your routine by talking only when required. Only when we observe ourselves will we come to know how much unnecessary talking we do every day. Silence helps in getting in tune with ourselves, knowing who we really are, what we want and how we want to live. Get these insights into your own self with a few minutes of silence each day.

Shhhhhh!!!!!

Managing Anger

This is the last article in my 3-part series on anger. Anger Management has a dual approach.

1) What to do when you are angry? (Short term)

2) How to get angry less frequently and less intensely in the first place? (Long term)

Both are equally important and necessary if you want to make your and you near & dear ones' lives better.

These are some suggestions which help in that direction.

• Relaxation (watching TV, talking on phone is not relaxation)
• Diet – reduce artificial stimulants, have simple food
• Exercise
• Time management
• Prioritizing (spend more time on IMPORTANT activities)
• Eat something sweet :-) . It helps the body secrete serotonin which, is like the switch that turns off anger. When enough serotonin is secreted we feel happy.
• Pratipaksha bhavana – Think of the opposite, change the way you think, try to replace your angry thoughts with rational / good ones.
• Karma Yoga – cooking, cleaning house etc. - basically keeping oneself occupied
• Asana, Pranayama & meditation; deep breathing with more stress on exhalations as it activates the parasympathetic nervous system that helps in slowing down the heart rate & blood pressure
• Find alternatives – is there a more mature way to deal with the problem?, can I look at this differently?
• Objective attitude – is it really worth getting so angry about?, am I taking this personally?, will I remember this in 3 hrs, 3 days, 3 months or 3 years?
• Better communication with people you interact with.
• Engage humor

Different alternatives will work for different people. And mind you, conquering anger will also show improvement in other areas of our lives - relationships, work, personality, attitudes....... need i say more?

Everything Readymade !!

There was a time when most of the things were made at home - All spices, flour, food, sweets, cakes etc - even though they took a long time. And we have to admit that the food did taste better. Moreover, even our clothes were tailor made, stitched at home or by a neighbourhood tailor. I admit that we still use some of these things but most of it has gone into oblivion. The reason - man's need for instant gratification. Don't you feel it has translated into all spheres of life. We are definitely becoming more and more impatient and more worried about the results than the process of attaining those.

And we've not even spared the animals. The concept of zoos is born out of it. We want enjoyment and entertainment at the cost of animals and that is why so many animals brought from different parts of the world, from different habitats, climates etc are brought, caged in one place. After all it's GLOBALIZATION we may say! Can you imagine staying in a palatial house with all facilities and comfort BUT not being allowed to go out......... Atrocious. i am sure you would agree that there is more fun and adventure in spotting animals in their natural surroundings in their raw character, than dull duds sitting in cages starring out at the onlookers.

Recently, on my visit to Singapore (one of the developed nations) i went on the visit to Jurong Bird Park (one of the major tourist attractions). i was shocked at the treatment meted out towards the birds of prey (large birds like eagles & vultures). They were sitting pretty (dumb) in their cages, doors opened, but one of their legs tied to a metal rod. i was deeply saddened by HUMAN BEHAVIOUR.

i have not visited many zoos and i intend not to; but my intention behind this write up is to make people more aware, sensitive, and careful in the way they use the environment and its beings for their joy. Afterall each living being has a right to enjoy it's freedom!! What say???

An Amazing Video

I received this forward from my mother and i thought i HAVE to share it with you all. It's just amazing. It's about an Interview with God. (Click on 'view presentation')

You can drag the background song's scroll at the end so that it doesn't interrupt with your viewing the above video. I love the background song too so that will remain here at least for sometime. The other option is to just hear the song out & then play the video :-)

Those who have the hidden talent for painting landscapes (even those who don't but love to learn new arts), may well start after viewing the breathtaking beauty of nature................. Savour the video!!!

Effects of expressed or suppressed anger

Anger stimulates the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream. These two hormones have a number of effects that mobilize the body over the short-term but that can be destructive if anger is chronic.

The hormones cause heart rate and blood pressure to rise. This can damage the delicate inner lining of the arteries and accelerate the development of arteriosclerosis – a buildup of plaque that can lead to a heart attack.

They cause platelets circulating in the blood to become sticky. That enables them to cling to damaged areas on the artery lining, where they clump and release chemicals thought to further stimulate the growth of plaque in the arteries.

They stimulate fat cells to empty into the bloodstream to provide a quick energy source. When that fat isn't burned, it's converted into cholesterol – making more cholesterol available to be incorporated into plaque.

Our internal alarm system triggers the release of adrenaline to heighten our awareness and responsiveness. This gives our blood stream and muscles a quick supply of glucose so we can run fast and make quick decisions.

Also we may have a burst of histamines to ward off infections. A whole complex of glandular and physical arousal occurs. If you have been driving a car and had or nearly had an accident you know what this rush of stimulation feels like.

They suppress the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness.

Can induce weight gain & overeating - may lead to cortisol levels that stimulate your appetite, with the end result being weight gain or difficulty in losing weight.

Simpler still, anger can also lead to headaches; tendency to smoke & drink; problems in inter-personal relationships; physical lashing out at every person or object that irritates.

So the next time you shout at your maid, grumble behind your boss's back, curse yourself for netting a ball in the tennis game, whack your child for not behaving.......... think of what it might do to you.

Anger

This is the first of the three part series on ANGER. I am trying to address an issue which is very pertinent for all of us (no exceptions). i would be covering what, why, & how of anger and its management. i hope some of us derive value from it.

It is your first day at work. You get up early complete your morning routines & are ready to go to work wearing your new shirt. Just then your servant accidentally spills tea on you. What do you do? You are a housewife, a mother. You are going to pick up your child in school when a big procession blocks your way & you are stuck for half an hour. How do you react?
Under these circumstances, a normal person would react in frustration and anger not knowing that it will only harm and worsen the situation. As lifestyles become increasingly hectic, more & more people are short-tempered and small incidents can irritate, enrage & provoke. Anger is a defense mechanism we use when we sense that someone is encroaching upon us.

Why do we get angry?
Habit – by watching & imitating the behaviour of our care-givers or our parents.
To gain control
To get what we want
To protect ourselves against real feelings or bad memories

To hide our feelings
To get others to help us
To avoid responsibility
To protect ourselves against real or imagined threats

The first step is to become aware that yes, you are vulnerable and you DO get angry off & on. Yoga also stresses a lot on self-awareness. Without it you just can't move ahead. So this week, just try and be aware (if possible note down) when you got angry, the reason for your anger and how you felt later.

Someone's rightly said that even the longest of journeys begin with the smallest of steps.

A moment we'll cherish for years......

No musings, no lessons, no learning......... just celebration!!!! i am failing to get the right words to express my emotions about our scintillating victory in the T20 World Cup Finals against our arch rivals Pakistan. i am sure most of you (who have been rooting for India) would share the same feeling.

What came out through our performance in the whole tournament as we marched ahead beating the giants like Australia, South Africa and England were: excellent team effort, leadership (controlled aggression of MSD), fearlessness, self-confidence, interdependence. It is heartening to see the team members from all regions, religions and communities; coming together, playing & frolicking in the victory. It's high time we brought it home!! Cheers to India and the Indian Cricket team.

Note: pics are from cricinfo.com

Get rid of Constipation

Most of the people suffer from chronic constipation even though they might not be aware of it. Again it's not just the inability to pass motion but also insufficiency, more frequency etc. It is believed that constipation is the root cause of many ailments including cough, cold, skin eruptions, colic, piles etc. The body's inability to efficiently eliminate waste translates into various other conditions.

The acupressure course that i am currently attending asks us to take 1 tsp of herde powder with warm water immediately on getting up in the morning, followed by 2 glasses of warm water. We should then subsequently massage the middle of the chin (chin dimple) with our index finger for 2 minutes. This has to be done for 10 days continuously. This can be tried by almost everyone except those already suffering from illness.

Yoga also has various ways of relieving constipation. Apart from the various asanas, pranayamas, there are also kriyas like kapalbhati, agnisar, vaman dhouti, shankhaprakshalan with help in all digestive troubles. But this should be done under a teacher's guidance only.

Nutrition asks us to do more physical activity, have fibrous foods, water etc.

i also feel that constipation is basically hoarding. So people who have a tendency to hoard things, for whom it is difficult to 'let go' are more likely to suffer from constipation. They cannot practice 'forgive & forget'. They tend to keep past grudges. They find it difficult even to ask for forgiveness. They can't express themselves so well and they even store fat. It's astonishing the way our physical and mental spheres are connected. So try and be more flexible, keep only what you need, give away unused, unwanted things and forgive!!

Get rid of constipation. Everyone has a right to feel, light, energetic and motivated. Don't deny.....

Ingredients of a Cigarette

You think smoking cigarette looks cool?? Have a closer look....... Stop the addiction before it's too late!!!

Am ‘I’ actually free?

This is the question we need to ask ourselves and ponder on. What does freedom mean to us? Is it physical freedom, not living in the shackles or does the meaning convey a much deeper emotion. Freedom to me is:

Freedom from Anger
Freedom from Vices
Freedom from Fear

Freedom from Ego-centric behaviour
Freedom from Anxiety
Freedom from Impatience
Freedom from Worries
Freedom from Hatred
Freedom from Lies
Freedom from Negativity
Freedom from Dishonesty
Freedom from Corruption
Freedom from Discontentment
Freedom from Violence
Freedom from Superstition
List goes on ………

Ask yourself: “where do I stand on the path of true freedom?” India is free and has awakened but it’s high time that we awaken our spirits and look beneath the surface of FREEDOM.

The day ‘I’ am able to free ‘myself’ from these emotions would be the day ‘I’ll’ celebrate ‘my’ independence day.

Happy Independence Day!!!