Talking to Technorati
This post is just a technical item, to make sure that the technorati blog search engine finds everything on this blog
Add comment October 12th, 2007
How to Handle Hunger on a Fasting Day
I’ve been fasting today. I do it four times a month and am seldom bothered by hunger (I’ll explain why later). But today was different and in the afternoon at around 5.00 PM I had “demon hunger” and couldn’t concentrate on some computer work that I was doing. I really felt like eating something!
I contemplated taking some fruit, which is generally a good idea whenever you are in this kind of predicament. For example, suppose you are trying to lose weight by cutting down on high calorie snacks in-between meals, and all of a sudden you get the “munchies” well if you eat an apple or some other fruit it sometimes does the trick and your hunger is gone.
But instead of grabbing an apple, I resorted to a “yogi trick,” I drank two glasses of lemon water. I made it by squeezing lemon into the glass and adding a bit of salt and water. This lemon water drink is great for giving strength and it also works to allay the hunger. I drank and then went back to work (which includes typing this blog entry). So if you really want to stick to your fast, before you to for fruit, try the lemon water.
And remember one thing: you will not go to hell if you take some lemon water or eat a fruit. Fasting is not a “religious” act (though it has value if you use the time that you save from shopping, cooking and cleaning and do something spiritual during the gained time). Fasting will help you to maintain your health, so do your best to do it regularly (twice a month is great).
Now, I promised to tell you how I usually avoid hunger altogether on the fasting day, so I will do it. Before you begin a fast you have to prepare yourself physically, and most important mentally.
Let’s start with mental preparation. The night before the day when you will be fasting you have to remember that tomorrow is the fasting day and set your mind to it. It’s final, tomorrow you are fasting. If you have this kind of determination, then your desire to eat will not even start working on the day of fasting. It just shuts down. It is amazing but it is true.
If you don’t make this kind of mental preparation then when you wake up you will be thinking of breakfast or of eating sometime. If you decide to fast right then, on the spot, you will also think about why it might be good to eat (you can always find a reason!). And in the midst of this quivering mind-set hunger usually wins the day! So make up your mind the night before and you will be surprised at how helpful it is.
Second, and this is why I was hungry today, prepare yourself physically. The day before the fast make sure that you get enough liquids and also enough calories. My meals yesterday must have been too skimpy and that is why I got hungry. In any case the day is almost over and tomorrow I will dig into some yogurt and fruit!
Add comment October 10th, 2007
Yoga elevates your mind: some proof
Any yogi can tell you that yoga will help you to become calm and overcome stress and depression. but up until now there has not been enough scientific proof to convince the skeptics. This may be changing, take a look at this excerpt from the Los Angeles Times:
Study Shows Hard Evidence That Yoga Elevates State of Mind
THE NOTION that yoga is a tonic for the mind, as well as the body, isn’t such a stretch anymore.
Practicing yoga might boost a neurotransmitter associated with regulating depression and anxiety disorders, according to a new report in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., used magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging to measure levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in the brains of eight regular yoga practitioners. They found that the yoga group experienced a 27 percent increase in GABA levels after an hour of yoga, while 11 control subjects, who read for an hour, received no such benefits.
“The study shows that there’s a neurochemical response to the practice of yoga that’s similar to neurochemical responses we see when people are treated with antidepressants,” says lead author Dr. Chris Streeter, an assistant professor of neurology and psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine.
Although yoga has been associated with a reduction in depression and anxiety, the study is one of the first to provide hard evidence. “This is a behavioral intervention that you can use to augment treatment,” Streeter says. “I would recommend it.”
– Los Angeles Times
Add comment October 5th, 2007
A Balanced Mind: One of the Secrets of Success
7000 years ago, or so, Sadashiva, the founder of yoga, said that one of the seven secrets of spiritual success is to have a balanced mind.
What does this mean? One should not have a superiority complex, nor should one have an inferiority complex. Everyone knows that a big ego is an impediment to spiritual growth. However, just as the “umbrella of ego” can prevent you from feeling the rain of spiritual grace, an inferiority complex can cause you to stop striving for perfection.
The balance between the two extremes is hard to achieve but it is possible. The best way to achieve it is to remember that you are the son or the daughter of the Supreme Consciousness. If you remember this, you can never harbor an inferiority complex. Similarly if you remember this, you will be reminded that whatever strength you have has been provided by the Supreme Consciousness.
About 1500 years ago Caetanya Mahaprabhu gave a wonderful and concise formula for achieving this balanced mind. He said:
Trńádapi suniicena taroriva sahiśńnuná
Amáninaḿ mánadeyaḿ kiirtaniiya sadá harih.
One should be as humble as the grass and as tolerant as the trees, one should give respect to those whom no one respects, and always do kiirtan to the Lord.
So, when your vanity rears up, just remember the example of the humble, but strong, blades of grass that absorb a lot of wear but always bounce up again. Remember the example of a tree that gives everything to people but asks for nothing in return. Turn your attention to the people in society who are neglected and in all your spare moments, sing a spiritual song to God.
Add comment October 4th, 2007
Let’s Move Together
The essence of “social yoga” is to create a society in which all people share the bounty of the universe together and live like brothers and sisters. This is what the ancient Rg Veda hymn, Samgachadvam, says.
My guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti once said:
“What is society like? It is like a group of people going on a pilgrimage. Try to imagine the scene! Suppose one of the pilgrims is struck down by cholera. Will the rest of them continue on their way, leaving the sick man behind? No, that would be inconceivable for them. Rather, they will break their journey for a day or two, and cure him of his disease. If he is still too weak to walk they will carry him on their shoulders. If some people run short of food, others share what they have with them. Together they share their possessions, and together they march ahead, singing in unison.”
Recently someone sent me an email with a story that captures the essence of a society moving together, with no one neglected. Here it is
Eight Children were standing on the track to participate in the running event.
* Ready! * Steady! * Bang !!!
With the sound of the Toy pistol, all eight girls started running.
Hardly had they covered ten to fifteen steps, when one of the smaller girls slipped and fell down, and she started crying.
When the other seven girls heard this sound, they stopped running, stood for awhile and turned back, they all ran back to the spot where the girl had fallenl down.
One among them bent, picked and kissed the girl gently and said - `Now the pain must have reduced’ . All seven girls lifted the fallen girl, pacified her, two of them held the girl firmly and all seven joined hands and walked together to the winning post.
Officials were shocked . Applause of thousands of spectators filled the stadium.
Many eyes were filled with tears!
YES.
This happened in Hyderabad [INDIA], recently!
The meet was conducted by National Institute of Mental Health. All these special girls had come to participate in this event and they are spastic children.
Yes, they were supposed to be mentally Challenged.
What did they teach this world?
Teamwork??
Humanity??
Equality among all ??
Most of all - LOVE and COMPASSION
Successful people help others who are slow in learning so that they are not left far behind. This is really a great message…spread it!
We can’t do this ever because we are not mentally challenged and claim to teach and help the mentally so called challenged.!
HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW BLIND PEOPLE SMILE ALL THE TIME?
STOP ANY SORT OF MARGINALISATION IN SOCIETY.
Love and Compassion FOR ALL !!!
Add comment October 2nd, 2007
The Supreme Consciousness is Inside You
Many people like to go on long trips to holy sites to try to “find God” but according to yoga this is not necessary. You don’t have to travel anywhere, at least in an outward direction. You have to travel inside and you will find what you are looking for.
This is how my spiritual teacher, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, describes it:
“The Supreme Consciousness is there in you as the oil is in the oilseed. Crush the seed through spiritual practice (sádhaná) and you attain Him; separate the mind from Consciousness and you will see that the resplendence of the Supreme Consciousness illuminates your whole inner being. He is there like butter in curd; churn it and He will appear from within. Churn your mind through spiritual practice and God will appear like butter from curd. He is like a subterranean river in you. Remove the sands of mind and you will find the clear, cool waters within.”
(Subháśita Saḿgraha IV, 126)
If you are interested in this spiritual approach to yoga, then vist the meditation website of Ananda Marga
Add comment September 30th, 2007
“God respects me when I work, but He loves me when I sing”
The mystic poet Rabindranath Tagore said this many years ago, and it is very true. Music plays an important part in all spiritual traditions. In yoga, the chanting of mantras is called “kiirtan” (commonly spelled “kirtan”). And it is the best way to prepare your mind for meditation.
So, if you have been having trouble doing silent meditation. Why don’t you sing before you meditate. Don ‘t worry if you have a good voice or a bad voice. It doesn’t matter. This is something from your heart. Try it with the mantra “Baba Nam Kevalam”
Here is a video, with beautiful images and the mantra. Why don’t you watch the video, sing along and then do meditation. Try it you will like it!
Add comment September 28th, 2007
Action Makes a Person Great
“It is action that makes a person great. Be great by your sádhaná, by your service, by your sacrifice.” — Shrii Shrii Anandamurti
This is a quote from my spiritual teacher. He always emphasized action as opposed to theory and said that yoga is 90% action and 10% theory. So, there is no need to read tons of books on the subject. Rather, you should do your spiritual practices (sadhana), serve other human beings and make some sacrifices for the good of humanity. Lots of good advice in a single sentence. Enjoy your day!
Add comment September 27th, 2007
Yoga Can Help You to Lose Weight
If you just look at someone doing yoga postures you might think it would be quite difficult to lose weight with yoga, because the exercises are gentle and you don’t see a lot of sweating or effort that is normally associated with exercise. However, there is more than meets the eye and yoga can play a part in a program of healthy weight loss. (more…)
Add comment June 3rd, 2007
Have Songs, Will Travel
Seven of the songs which I performed at last year’s Divine Moon Festival in England are now online as videos at youtube.com . You can see them by going to www.youtube.com and doing a search for Dada Veda or you can go to my page www.youtube.com/dadaved . On that page you will find three videos that I have directly uploaded and down below in the favorites section there are four more songs that were uploaded by the photographer directly.
The videos give an idea of what you can expect in one of my concerts. If you would like to book me for a performance in your locality, then send me an email and let’s see if we can work it out My motto is: “Have Songs, Will Travel.”
Add comment March 28th, 2007