Philosophically, both yoga and Ayurveda are rooted in Samkhya, one of six schools of classical Indian thought. The foundation of this philosophy can be described as follows:
1. There exists a fundamental state of pure being that is beyond intellectual understanding and which all life consciously strives for. This is the state of enlightenment or self-liberation.
2. Suffering is a part of our lives because of our attachment to our ego or self-identity (ahamkara).
3. The path toward ending suffering is the path of dissolving or transcending the ego. In doing so, all fear, anger, and attachment are eradicated.
4. To achieve this goal, we must live a purely ethical life. (Ethical guidelines are listed as the yamas and niyamas in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.)
5. Any disturbance within the mind or body interferes with this path. Ayurveda is the science of keeping the biological forces in balance so that the mind and body may be healthy.
The Three Gunas : Fundamental Ayurvedic principle
3 gunas, or qualities of nature are used to describe emotional and spiritual characteristics.
SATTVIC : is light, clear, and stable. Sattva is the state of being which comes from purity of mind, and leads to an awareness of our connectedness to God, a state in which we manifest our most virtuous qualities.
- practice slowly with great awareness to become more sattvic. most nurtured in meditation and in the stillness of holding a pose, where we can find pure awareness.
RAJASIC : is active, agitated, or turbulent. Rajas arises when we are distracted from our truest essence, and manifests emotions such as fear, worry, anger, jealously, attachment, and depression.
- All movement is by nature rajasic (agitating) and heating to the body. The slower, the less agitating. The faster, the more heating. Principal of energy, and movement requires energy. Rajas serves the useful purpose of stimulating our bodies and minds.
TAMASIC : is heavy, dull, dark, and inert. Tamasic actions include violent or vindictive behavior, along with self-destructive behaviors such as addiction, depression, and suicide.
Fundamentals of Ayurveda
Universal life force manifests as 3 doshas* (energies) which are described in terms of the 5 elements: earth, air, fire, water, and ether (the subtle energy that connects all things)
* fluctuates according to environment, diet, seasons, climate, age, etc
* we are made up of a unique combination of these 3 forces, determined at the moment of conception, is our constitution, is our constitution (prakruti).
* 3 doshas defines our imbalance, vikruti
* to counter imbalance: use these basic principles: Like increases like, and opposites balance each other.
VATA (air, ether) wind: light dry, cooling, movement.
--- in excess—prone to diseases of the large intestines, like constipation and gas, along with diseases of the nervous system, immune system, and joints.
PITTA (fire, water) hot, light, not too dry/moist, can be moved by wind, but does not move on its own.
--- in excess, we are prone to diseases of the small intestines, like diarrhea, along with diseases of the liver, spleen, thyroid, blood, skin, and eyes.
KAPPA (water, earth) heavy, moist, cool, stable - like mud.
--- in excess, we are prone to diseases of the stomach and lungs, most notably mucous conditions, along with diseases of water metabolism, such as swelling.
Aug 6, 2010
Ayurveda...
Ayurveda can shed light on the practice of yoga.
By Mark Halpern
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/55
Have you ever wondered why some yoga poses seem to leave you calm, centered, and balanced, while others make you agitated, sore, and off center? Or why your best friend flourishes in a rousing "Power Yoga" workout, while you do best on a regimen of slow, gentle, stretching?
The ancient Indian healing system known as Ayurveda can help you answer such questions. According to Ayurveda, different people require very different yoga practices. As a yoga teacher and doctor practicing Ayurvedic medicine, I've experienced firsthand how Ayurveda—in addition to the dietary and lifestyle advice that it is best known for—can shed light on the practice of yoga.
Take the case of the 31-year-old woman who came to me complaining of nervousness and chronic neck pain. She had been practicing yoga for six years and still could not understand why she was still experiencing these difficulties.
Our work with Ayurveda helped this women understand how the asanas she had been practicing had aggravated the subtle energies of her body. She also learned new asanas that were more in harmony with her unique energetic balance. With this new knowledge, she was able to modify her practice and eliminate her neck pain and nervousness, bringing greater well-being to her body and mind.
Sister Symptoms Yoga and Ayurveda are two paths intertwined in such a close relationship that it is hard to imagine traveling down one of these paths without knowledge of the other. Ayurveda, which means "knowledge of life," is the ancient art and science of keeping the body and mind balanced and healthy. Yoga is the ancient art and science of preparing the body and mind for the eventual liberation and enlightenment of the soul.
Like hatha yoga, Ayurveda teaches how to keep the physical body healthy, and how this health relates to our spiritual journey. Both yoga and Ayurveda spring from the ancient Sanskrit texts called the Vedas. According to Vedic scholar David Frawley, "Yoga is the practical side of the Vedic teachings, while Ayurveda is the healing side." In practice, both paths overlap.
In fact, Ayurveda and yoga are so closely related that some people argue that Patanjali, the first codifier of yoga, and Caraka, the first codifier of Ayurveda, may have in fact been one and the same person. Philosophically, both yoga and Ayurveda are rooted in Samkhya, one of six schools of classical Indian thought. The foundation of this philosophy can be described as follows:
1. There exists a fundamental state of pure being that is beyond intellectual understanding and which all life consciously strives for. This is the state of enlightenment or self-liberation.
2. Suffering is a part of our lives because of our attachment to our ego or self-identity (ahamkara).
3. The path toward ending suffering is the path of dissolving or transcending the ego. In doing so, all fear, anger, and attachment are eradicated.
4. To achieve this goal, we must live a purely ethical life. (Ethical guidelines are listed as the yamas and niyamas in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.)
5. Any disturbance within the mind or body interferes with this path. Ayurveda is the science of keeping the biological forces in balance so that the mind and body may be healthy.
Fundamentals of Ayurveda According to Ayurveda, the universal life force manifests as three different energies, or doshas, known as vata, pitta, and kapha. We are all made up of a unique combination of these three forces. This unique combination, determined at the moment of conception, is our constitution, or prakruti. The three doshas constantly fluctuate according to our environment, which includes our diet, the seasons, the climate, our age, and many more factors. The current state of these three doshas most commonly defines our imbalance, or vikruti. Since we all have a unique constitution and unique imbalances, each person's path toward health will be unique. In addition, what will keep each of us healthy is also unique. Understanding our prakruti and vikruti offers each of us the potential to make correct choices.
The three doshas are generally described in terms of the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and ether (the subtle energy that connects all things). Vata is said to be made up of air and ether. Likened to the wind, it is said to be light, drying, cooling, and capable of movement. Pitta is said to be made up of fire and water. Considered to be mostly fire, it is hot, light, and neither too dry nor too moist; it does not move on its own, but it can be easily moved by the wind (vata). Kapha is said to be made up of water and earth, which combine like mud. Kapha is heavy, moist, cool, and stable.
The three doshas fluctuate constantly. As they move out of balance, they affect particular areas of our bodies in characteristic ways. When vata is out of balance—typically in excess—we are prone to diseases of the large intestines, like constipation and gas, along with diseases of the nervous system, immune system, and joints. When pitta is in excess, we are prone to diseases of the small intestines, like diarrhea, along with diseases of the liver, spleen, thyroid, blood, skin, and eyes. When kapha is in excess, we are prone to diseases of the stomach and lungs, most notably mucous conditions, along with diseases of water metabolism, such as swelling.
When working with the doshas, remember these basic principles: Like increases like, and opposites balance each other. In other words, foods, weather, and situations that have similar characteristics as the doshas will increase them; those that have opposite characteristics will decrease them. Knowing this, you can adjust your yoga practice, diet, and other environmental factors to affect these forces in ways that create greater balance and harmony. (For example, vata types—who are dry, light, and airy—should avoid foods with similar qualities, like popcorn, and consume foods with opposite qualities, like warm milk).
The Three Gunas Another fundamental Ayurvedic principle is the idea of the three gunas, or qualities of nature. The three gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—are used to describe emotional and spiritual characteristics.
That which is sattvic is light, clear, and stable. Sattva is the state of being which comes from purity of mind, and leads to an awareness of our connectedness to God, a state in which we manifest our most virtuous qualities.
That which is rajasic is active, agitated, or turbulent. Rajas arises when we are distracted from our truest essence, and manifests emotions such as fear, worry, anger, jealously, attachment, and depression.
That which is tamasic is heavy, dull, dark, and inert. Tamasic actions include violent or vindictive behavior, along with self-destructive behaviors such as addiction, depression, and suicide.
All movement or activity is by nature rajasic (agitating) and heating to the body. Yet some movements are more agitating and others less so. Generally speaking, the slower the movement, the less rajasic and the less agitating to the body and mind. The faster the movement, the more rajasic and the more heating it will be.
Any movement practiced with great awareness becomes more sattvic. Movements done with distraction or less attentiveness are more rajasic. Thus, one way to enhance our experience of yoga is to practice slowly and with awareness.
No movement can be purely sattvic. The inherent nature of movement is rajasic, as rajas is the principal of energy, and movement requires energy. Hence our sattvic qualities are most nurtured in meditation and in the stillness of holding a pose, where we can find pure awareness.
The rajasic nature of movement does not necessarily make it bad for us. Rajas serves the useful purpose of stimulating our bodies and minds. We could not function in our world without a part of us being rajasic.
What Sort of Yoga is Right for You? When determining the kind of yoga practice that is right for you, the most important factor is your vikruti, or imbalance. Your vikruti is, in fact, the single most important determinant of your entire regime. Once you have corrected your imbalance, you can stay in good health by choosing a yoga practice that balances your constitution, or prakruti. (It's sometimes hard for the lay person to distinguish between characteristics that are inborn, or constitutional, and those that result from an imbalance. For best results, consult a trained Ayurvedic physician.)
People of vata constitution or imbalance are most supported by a yoga practice that is calming, quieting, and yet warming. People of pitta nature or imbalance are most supported by a yoga practice that is calming, quieting, and cooling. And people of kapha nature or imbalance are most supported by a yoga practice that is stimulating and warming. Each individual has different needs. To practice in a way that does not support you is to invite greater imbalance.
Asanas for Vata The asanas which are most suitable for balancing vata are those that are calming and grounding by nature. They will counter the tendency for those with a vata imbalance to be "spacey," agitated, or nervous. These asanas will help allay fear, worry, and anxiety and also improve vata physical imbalances such as constipation, lower back pain, and joint pains. The lower abdomen, pelvis, and large intestine are the main residence of vata in the body, so many of these asanas compress the lower abdomen or cause the lower abdomen to become taut. In addition, asanas that strengthen the lower back help alleviate vata.
In general, most yoga asanas are good for balancing vata, since most asanas are calming to the mind. There are, however, some that are particularly good and some that should certainly be avoided.
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) is an exceptional asana for vatas. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. The arms may be raised over the head as you reach to the sky, or you may wish to bend the elbows, clasping the opposing arms just above the elbow and letting your forearms rest on or just above the crown of your head. Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward from the hips as you exhale. Bend as far forward as you comfortably can. Your hands may remain crossed, touch the floor in front of your feet, or, if you are very flexible, be clasped just behind your heels. For the less flexible, the hands may be placed on blocks which rest on the floor. Let gravity assist the lengthening of your spine. All standing asanas tend to be grounding if awareness is placed on the feet, honoring the connection between your body and the Earth.
Note that this asana can put quite a strain on an injured lower back, so care should be used. If the lower back is simply tight, a condition related to aggravated vata, this is an excellent asana. The seated version of this asana, Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), will have similar value and may be easier if your back is sore.
Balasana (Child's Pose) is another excellent asana for compressing the pelvis and the vata region. Sit upright with your knees flexed and placed underneath your buttocks. Keeping your arms to your side, bend forward from the hips until your head is resting on the floor in front of you. If you do not have the flexibility to place your head on the ground, place a folded blanket or a pillow on the floor in front of you for your head to rest upon. Compression asanas are excellent for constipation and for chronic gas.
Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose) is another good asana for vata. Kneel with your knees together and your buttocks resting on your heels. Move the legs out to the side of the pelvis so that the buttocks slide down in between both legs. Place the hands on the soles of the feet and lean back onto the elbows. This may be enough extension for many people. If you are flexible enough, gradually lower your back down to the floor. Your hands may lie by your side or be stretched above the head to lengthen the spine.
While this stretch does not compress the pelvis, it creates a mild extension of the lower abdominal muscles and lower back. This action increases the pressure in the pelvis, again alleviating vata. According to Ayurvedic doctor Vasant Lad, this asana is particularly useful as a part of treatment for vata-type asthma conditions.
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) also extends the lower back and places pressure on the pelvis. Lie on your stomach with your arms at your sides. Lift the head, shoulders, and chest off of the mat and bend both knees. Reach back and take hold of the ankles. Let your legs draw your chest farther into the air so that your body weight rests on the pelvic region. This is essential for the maximum relief of vata.
Virasana (Hero Pose), Siddhasana (Easy Pose), and Padmasana (Lotus Pose) are very calming poses which sedate vata's agitated nature. These meditative poses are excellent for calming the nervous system, which aids in the healing of anxiety, nervousness, sciatica, and muscle spasm. The most calming pose of all is, of course, the supine Savasana (Corpse Pose).
People of vata nature should avoid asanas that are overly stimulating to the nervous system, such as repetitive Sun Salutations, and those that place excessive pressure on sensitive joints in the body. The cervicothoracic junction—the bony region where the neck meets the shoulders—is one of these areas. Here, large vertebrae stick out like "sore thumbs." People of vata nature and imbalance tend to have weaker bones, less fatty padding, looser ligaments, and more susceptibility to pain. For these reasons, Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) and Halasana (Plow Pose) should be avoided or modified by placing a blanket under the shoulders for extra padding. This also decreases the extreme flexion the neck is placed in. Even so, people of vata nature or imbalance should not hold these poses for very long, or they will risk injury.
Asanas for Pitta The best asanas for pitta are those that are calming and not overly heating. People of pitta nature or imbalance tend to be more assertive and intense. Calming poses help sedate their intensity and ease the emotions of anger and resentment that they are prone to. By alleviating pitta, these asanas are good as part of the treatment for conditions such as ulcers and hyperacidity, liver disease, and acne.
Asanas that help balance pitta are those that place pressure on the naval and solar plexus region, in the small intestine where pitta resides. These asanas directly affect the liver and spleen and help regulate the strength of the digestive fire.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose) is very beneficial for pittas. Kneel with the buttocks lifted as though you were standing on your knees. Place your palms on your buttocks. Move your thighs and pelvis forward as you extend the lower back, bringing your hands to your heels. Gently extend your neck. Remember to breathe. This asana opens up the abdomen, solar plexus, and chest, allowing for freer movement of energy through these regions.
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) and Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) are also excellent solar plexus extension poses for pitta. These asanas can play a role in the treatment of ulcers and hepatitis.
To perform Cobra Pose, lie face down with your feet together and ankles extended. Bend the elbows and place your hands flat on the floor by your lower ribs. (Less flexible people may choose to place the palms on the floor at shoulder level.) Upon inhalation, extend the elbows and raise the head, chest, and abdomen off the floor while keeping the pelvic bones on the floor. The head may be held in a neutral position or in extension.
Headstand should be avoided for people of pitta imbalance or constitution. Headstands heat the body, and much of this heat accumulates in the head and the eyes. The eyes are an organ controlled mainly by pitta. For this reason, Headstands can help cause or worsen diseases of the eyes. If a person of pitta constitution with no serious imbalance chooses to do Headstands, then the Headstand should be held for a very short period.
Asanas for Kapha To balance the heavy, slow, cold, and sedated nature of kapha, practice asanas that are more stimulating and heating. Asanas best suited to individuals of kapha nature or imbalance are those that open up the chest. The stomach and chest are the areas where kapha accumulates. In the chest, kapha takes on the form of mucous. These asanas are excellent for the prevention and treatment of congestive conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia as well as constrictive conditions such as asthma and emphysema.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose) and Setu Bandha (Bridge Pose) are useful asanas for kaphas. To perform Setu Bandha, lie flat on your back with your arms to your sides, with palms facing down toward the floor. Using your elbows and forearms, raise your pelvis off the mat as you keep your shoulders and feet grounded. Try to stay on the tops of your shoulders and increase the height of the pelvis by extending evenly through both legs.
As a gentle alternative to this posture, lie on your back in extension over a bolster and a pillow. Both of these variations do an excellent job of opening the chest, allowing for greater circulation of energy through this region. These asanas also affect the flow of energy through the heart chakra, aiding the development of compassion and unconditional love.
For those of kapha nature and imbalance, the calming and sedating effect of most asanas needs to be balanced by other asanas that are more stimulating and heating. People of kapha nature are the best suited to handle strengthening poses, as their joints and muscles tend to be strong and stable. Increasing flexibility is extremely important for those of kapha nature, as kaphas tend to become overly stiff or rigid.
Suryanamaskar (Sun Salutation) is a very good aerobic exercise for kapha and helps in the treatment of obesity and depression, two common kapha conditions. The Sun Salutation is the ideal asana for kapha, as it is very active, creates heat, and opens the chest.
There are 12 parts to this sequence of poses. Begin by standing erect with the feet touching each other. Bend the elbows and bring the palms together in the middle of the chest. Raise the arms above the head and extend into a slight backbend. Bend forward into Uttanasana and bring the hands to the floor, bending the knees if you need to protect your back. From this position, lunge backward with the right leg as you bend the left knee. The knee of the right leg may lie on the floor. The foot of the left leg should be between both hands.
Bring the left leg backward and place it by the right leg as you lift your buttocks high into the air and come into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog). Allow the elbows to come to the floor and glide your body forward into Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose). Then press back into Downward-Facing Dog. Next, lunge the right leg forward as you bring your pelvis low to the ground. The right foot is placed between the hands and the knee is bent, held close to the chest. Bring the left foot forward as you return to Uttanasana. Come up to a standng position and raise the arms once again over the head, extending the back and neck. To complete the cycle, return the hands to the chest, palms together.
People of all constitutions can benefit from Sun Salutations during the time of day that is dominated by kapha energy (6:00 to 10:00 a.m and p.m.), as long as there is not a serious imbalance in pitta or vata. People of kapha nature should do many repetitions and perform them with great speed. While in general people of vata nature should avoid this asana, performing it very slowly and with great awareness will decrease its vata-aggravating tendencies. Pitta types should do limited repetitions, as this series is very heating.
Few asanas are harmful to kapha, as kaphas benefit from all forms of stretching and movement. Two weak areas of the body for kapha individuals, however, are the lungs and the kidneys. Asanas that place excessive pressure on the lower abdomen, such as Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), can aggravate the kidneys if held for too long.
Other Factors In some ways the prescription I have just given is overly simplistic. In developing a healthy yoga practice, you must take into consideration not only your constitution and imbalance but also your age, the season, and the time of day you are practicing.
At different times of our lives, different doshas play a greater role. This is a part of the natural fluctuation of these forces. From birth through puberty, our bodies and minds are more affected by kapha. From puberty until around our retirement years, the influence of pitta increases. The later years, post retirement, are most dominated by vata.
During each of these periods, we must pay attention to the effect our age has on us and modify our practice appropriately. When we are very young, our bodies can better tolerate the more aerobic styles of yoga. As we age, we need to practice more calming asanas.
The seasons also affect a healthy practice. The season of cold dampness increases kapha. The season of warm weather increases pitta. The season of cool dryness increases vata, as does the windy season. (In different parts of the country these take place at different times, so placing the names of traditional seasons upon them can be misleading.) During the kapha season, a practice that is more stimulating and warming is better. In the pitta season, a practice that is cooling is best. In the vata season, a calming practice supports greater health.
Finally, the time of day we practice will affect the balance of the doshas. Kapha naturally increases between 6:00 and 10:00 a.m and p.m, when we are moving slowly. Pitta naturally increases between 10:00 and 2:00 a.m. and p.m., when the digestive fire is at its height and, in the daytime, the sun is at its peak. Vata naturally increases between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. and p.m., during the transition between night and day.
Most people practice yoga in the early morning, when the world is calm. Before 6:00, during the time of vata, a very quiet and gentle practice is recommended. After 6:00, during the time of kapha, a more stimulating practice is appropriate. Remember, though, that when designing a yoga practice for yourself, your overall vikruti, or imbalance, is more important than the influence of the season, your age, or the time of day. These should be seen as the factors that modify your practice but not the factors that create it. When you are in near perfect balance, you can create a program based almost entirely on your constitution, the seasons, and the time of day.
n Ayurveda, balancing the effects of the doshas is only half of the formula for creating health and well being. The other half is developing a more sattvic lifestyle and learning to express our sattvic nature: that aspect of ourselves that, through an awareness of our connectedness to Spirit, allows us to express our highest or most virtuous qualities.
Yoga, practiced in harmony with each person's unique nature, is part of the Ayurvedic path toward balancing the doshas and enhancing sattva. Through this path each of us can reach our full potential.
Marc Halpern is the founder and director of the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, California.
By Mark Halpern
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/55
Have you ever wondered why some yoga poses seem to leave you calm, centered, and balanced, while others make you agitated, sore, and off center? Or why your best friend flourishes in a rousing "Power Yoga" workout, while you do best on a regimen of slow, gentle, stretching?
The ancient Indian healing system known as Ayurveda can help you answer such questions. According to Ayurveda, different people require very different yoga practices. As a yoga teacher and doctor practicing Ayurvedic medicine, I've experienced firsthand how Ayurveda—in addition to the dietary and lifestyle advice that it is best known for—can shed light on the practice of yoga.
Take the case of the 31-year-old woman who came to me complaining of nervousness and chronic neck pain. She had been practicing yoga for six years and still could not understand why she was still experiencing these difficulties.
Our work with Ayurveda helped this women understand how the asanas she had been practicing had aggravated the subtle energies of her body. She also learned new asanas that were more in harmony with her unique energetic balance. With this new knowledge, she was able to modify her practice and eliminate her neck pain and nervousness, bringing greater well-being to her body and mind.
Sister Symptoms Yoga and Ayurveda are two paths intertwined in such a close relationship that it is hard to imagine traveling down one of these paths without knowledge of the other. Ayurveda, which means "knowledge of life," is the ancient art and science of keeping the body and mind balanced and healthy. Yoga is the ancient art and science of preparing the body and mind for the eventual liberation and enlightenment of the soul.
Like hatha yoga, Ayurveda teaches how to keep the physical body healthy, and how this health relates to our spiritual journey. Both yoga and Ayurveda spring from the ancient Sanskrit texts called the Vedas. According to Vedic scholar David Frawley, "Yoga is the practical side of the Vedic teachings, while Ayurveda is the healing side." In practice, both paths overlap.
In fact, Ayurveda and yoga are so closely related that some people argue that Patanjali, the first codifier of yoga, and Caraka, the first codifier of Ayurveda, may have in fact been one and the same person. Philosophically, both yoga and Ayurveda are rooted in Samkhya, one of six schools of classical Indian thought. The foundation of this philosophy can be described as follows:
1. There exists a fundamental state of pure being that is beyond intellectual understanding and which all life consciously strives for. This is the state of enlightenment or self-liberation.
2. Suffering is a part of our lives because of our attachment to our ego or self-identity (ahamkara).
3. The path toward ending suffering is the path of dissolving or transcending the ego. In doing so, all fear, anger, and attachment are eradicated.
4. To achieve this goal, we must live a purely ethical life. (Ethical guidelines are listed as the yamas and niyamas in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.)
5. Any disturbance within the mind or body interferes with this path. Ayurveda is the science of keeping the biological forces in balance so that the mind and body may be healthy.
Fundamentals of Ayurveda According to Ayurveda, the universal life force manifests as three different energies, or doshas, known as vata, pitta, and kapha. We are all made up of a unique combination of these three forces. This unique combination, determined at the moment of conception, is our constitution, or prakruti. The three doshas constantly fluctuate according to our environment, which includes our diet, the seasons, the climate, our age, and many more factors. The current state of these three doshas most commonly defines our imbalance, or vikruti. Since we all have a unique constitution and unique imbalances, each person's path toward health will be unique. In addition, what will keep each of us healthy is also unique. Understanding our prakruti and vikruti offers each of us the potential to make correct choices.
The three doshas are generally described in terms of the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and ether (the subtle energy that connects all things). Vata is said to be made up of air and ether. Likened to the wind, it is said to be light, drying, cooling, and capable of movement. Pitta is said to be made up of fire and water. Considered to be mostly fire, it is hot, light, and neither too dry nor too moist; it does not move on its own, but it can be easily moved by the wind (vata). Kapha is said to be made up of water and earth, which combine like mud. Kapha is heavy, moist, cool, and stable.
The three doshas fluctuate constantly. As they move out of balance, they affect particular areas of our bodies in characteristic ways. When vata is out of balance—typically in excess—we are prone to diseases of the large intestines, like constipation and gas, along with diseases of the nervous system, immune system, and joints. When pitta is in excess, we are prone to diseases of the small intestines, like diarrhea, along with diseases of the liver, spleen, thyroid, blood, skin, and eyes. When kapha is in excess, we are prone to diseases of the stomach and lungs, most notably mucous conditions, along with diseases of water metabolism, such as swelling.
When working with the doshas, remember these basic principles: Like increases like, and opposites balance each other. In other words, foods, weather, and situations that have similar characteristics as the doshas will increase them; those that have opposite characteristics will decrease them. Knowing this, you can adjust your yoga practice, diet, and other environmental factors to affect these forces in ways that create greater balance and harmony. (For example, vata types—who are dry, light, and airy—should avoid foods with similar qualities, like popcorn, and consume foods with opposite qualities, like warm milk).
The Three Gunas Another fundamental Ayurvedic principle is the idea of the three gunas, or qualities of nature. The three gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—are used to describe emotional and spiritual characteristics.
That which is sattvic is light, clear, and stable. Sattva is the state of being which comes from purity of mind, and leads to an awareness of our connectedness to God, a state in which we manifest our most virtuous qualities.
That which is rajasic is active, agitated, or turbulent. Rajas arises when we are distracted from our truest essence, and manifests emotions such as fear, worry, anger, jealously, attachment, and depression.
That which is tamasic is heavy, dull, dark, and inert. Tamasic actions include violent or vindictive behavior, along with self-destructive behaviors such as addiction, depression, and suicide.
All movement or activity is by nature rajasic (agitating) and heating to the body. Yet some movements are more agitating and others less so. Generally speaking, the slower the movement, the less rajasic and the less agitating to the body and mind. The faster the movement, the more rajasic and the more heating it will be.
Any movement practiced with great awareness becomes more sattvic. Movements done with distraction or less attentiveness are more rajasic. Thus, one way to enhance our experience of yoga is to practice slowly and with awareness.
No movement can be purely sattvic. The inherent nature of movement is rajasic, as rajas is the principal of energy, and movement requires energy. Hence our sattvic qualities are most nurtured in meditation and in the stillness of holding a pose, where we can find pure awareness.
The rajasic nature of movement does not necessarily make it bad for us. Rajas serves the useful purpose of stimulating our bodies and minds. We could not function in our world without a part of us being rajasic.
What Sort of Yoga is Right for You? When determining the kind of yoga practice that is right for you, the most important factor is your vikruti, or imbalance. Your vikruti is, in fact, the single most important determinant of your entire regime. Once you have corrected your imbalance, you can stay in good health by choosing a yoga practice that balances your constitution, or prakruti. (It's sometimes hard for the lay person to distinguish between characteristics that are inborn, or constitutional, and those that result from an imbalance. For best results, consult a trained Ayurvedic physician.)
People of vata constitution or imbalance are most supported by a yoga practice that is calming, quieting, and yet warming. People of pitta nature or imbalance are most supported by a yoga practice that is calming, quieting, and cooling. And people of kapha nature or imbalance are most supported by a yoga practice that is stimulating and warming. Each individual has different needs. To practice in a way that does not support you is to invite greater imbalance.
Asanas for Vata The asanas which are most suitable for balancing vata are those that are calming and grounding by nature. They will counter the tendency for those with a vata imbalance to be "spacey," agitated, or nervous. These asanas will help allay fear, worry, and anxiety and also improve vata physical imbalances such as constipation, lower back pain, and joint pains. The lower abdomen, pelvis, and large intestine are the main residence of vata in the body, so many of these asanas compress the lower abdomen or cause the lower abdomen to become taut. In addition, asanas that strengthen the lower back help alleviate vata.
In general, most yoga asanas are good for balancing vata, since most asanas are calming to the mind. There are, however, some that are particularly good and some that should certainly be avoided.
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) is an exceptional asana for vatas. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. The arms may be raised over the head as you reach to the sky, or you may wish to bend the elbows, clasping the opposing arms just above the elbow and letting your forearms rest on or just above the crown of your head. Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward from the hips as you exhale. Bend as far forward as you comfortably can. Your hands may remain crossed, touch the floor in front of your feet, or, if you are very flexible, be clasped just behind your heels. For the less flexible, the hands may be placed on blocks which rest on the floor. Let gravity assist the lengthening of your spine. All standing asanas tend to be grounding if awareness is placed on the feet, honoring the connection between your body and the Earth.
Note that this asana can put quite a strain on an injured lower back, so care should be used. If the lower back is simply tight, a condition related to aggravated vata, this is an excellent asana. The seated version of this asana, Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), will have similar value and may be easier if your back is sore.
Balasana (Child's Pose) is another excellent asana for compressing the pelvis and the vata region. Sit upright with your knees flexed and placed underneath your buttocks. Keeping your arms to your side, bend forward from the hips until your head is resting on the floor in front of you. If you do not have the flexibility to place your head on the ground, place a folded blanket or a pillow on the floor in front of you for your head to rest upon. Compression asanas are excellent for constipation and for chronic gas.
Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose) is another good asana for vata. Kneel with your knees together and your buttocks resting on your heels. Move the legs out to the side of the pelvis so that the buttocks slide down in between both legs. Place the hands on the soles of the feet and lean back onto the elbows. This may be enough extension for many people. If you are flexible enough, gradually lower your back down to the floor. Your hands may lie by your side or be stretched above the head to lengthen the spine.
While this stretch does not compress the pelvis, it creates a mild extension of the lower abdominal muscles and lower back. This action increases the pressure in the pelvis, again alleviating vata. According to Ayurvedic doctor Vasant Lad, this asana is particularly useful as a part of treatment for vata-type asthma conditions.
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) also extends the lower back and places pressure on the pelvis. Lie on your stomach with your arms at your sides. Lift the head, shoulders, and chest off of the mat and bend both knees. Reach back and take hold of the ankles. Let your legs draw your chest farther into the air so that your body weight rests on the pelvic region. This is essential for the maximum relief of vata.
Virasana (Hero Pose), Siddhasana (Easy Pose), and Padmasana (Lotus Pose) are very calming poses which sedate vata's agitated nature. These meditative poses are excellent for calming the nervous system, which aids in the healing of anxiety, nervousness, sciatica, and muscle spasm. The most calming pose of all is, of course, the supine Savasana (Corpse Pose).
People of vata nature should avoid asanas that are overly stimulating to the nervous system, such as repetitive Sun Salutations, and those that place excessive pressure on sensitive joints in the body. The cervicothoracic junction—the bony region where the neck meets the shoulders—is one of these areas. Here, large vertebrae stick out like "sore thumbs." People of vata nature and imbalance tend to have weaker bones, less fatty padding, looser ligaments, and more susceptibility to pain. For these reasons, Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) and Halasana (Plow Pose) should be avoided or modified by placing a blanket under the shoulders for extra padding. This also decreases the extreme flexion the neck is placed in. Even so, people of vata nature or imbalance should not hold these poses for very long, or they will risk injury.
Asanas for Pitta The best asanas for pitta are those that are calming and not overly heating. People of pitta nature or imbalance tend to be more assertive and intense. Calming poses help sedate their intensity and ease the emotions of anger and resentment that they are prone to. By alleviating pitta, these asanas are good as part of the treatment for conditions such as ulcers and hyperacidity, liver disease, and acne.
Asanas that help balance pitta are those that place pressure on the naval and solar plexus region, in the small intestine where pitta resides. These asanas directly affect the liver and spleen and help regulate the strength of the digestive fire.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose) is very beneficial for pittas. Kneel with the buttocks lifted as though you were standing on your knees. Place your palms on your buttocks. Move your thighs and pelvis forward as you extend the lower back, bringing your hands to your heels. Gently extend your neck. Remember to breathe. This asana opens up the abdomen, solar plexus, and chest, allowing for freer movement of energy through these regions.
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) and Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) are also excellent solar plexus extension poses for pitta. These asanas can play a role in the treatment of ulcers and hepatitis.
To perform Cobra Pose, lie face down with your feet together and ankles extended. Bend the elbows and place your hands flat on the floor by your lower ribs. (Less flexible people may choose to place the palms on the floor at shoulder level.) Upon inhalation, extend the elbows and raise the head, chest, and abdomen off the floor while keeping the pelvic bones on the floor. The head may be held in a neutral position or in extension.
Headstand should be avoided for people of pitta imbalance or constitution. Headstands heat the body, and much of this heat accumulates in the head and the eyes. The eyes are an organ controlled mainly by pitta. For this reason, Headstands can help cause or worsen diseases of the eyes. If a person of pitta constitution with no serious imbalance chooses to do Headstands, then the Headstand should be held for a very short period.
Asanas for Kapha To balance the heavy, slow, cold, and sedated nature of kapha, practice asanas that are more stimulating and heating. Asanas best suited to individuals of kapha nature or imbalance are those that open up the chest. The stomach and chest are the areas where kapha accumulates. In the chest, kapha takes on the form of mucous. These asanas are excellent for the prevention and treatment of congestive conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia as well as constrictive conditions such as asthma and emphysema.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose) and Setu Bandha (Bridge Pose) are useful asanas for kaphas. To perform Setu Bandha, lie flat on your back with your arms to your sides, with palms facing down toward the floor. Using your elbows and forearms, raise your pelvis off the mat as you keep your shoulders and feet grounded. Try to stay on the tops of your shoulders and increase the height of the pelvis by extending evenly through both legs.
As a gentle alternative to this posture, lie on your back in extension over a bolster and a pillow. Both of these variations do an excellent job of opening the chest, allowing for greater circulation of energy through this region. These asanas also affect the flow of energy through the heart chakra, aiding the development of compassion and unconditional love.
For those of kapha nature and imbalance, the calming and sedating effect of most asanas needs to be balanced by other asanas that are more stimulating and heating. People of kapha nature are the best suited to handle strengthening poses, as their joints and muscles tend to be strong and stable. Increasing flexibility is extremely important for those of kapha nature, as kaphas tend to become overly stiff or rigid.
Suryanamaskar (Sun Salutation) is a very good aerobic exercise for kapha and helps in the treatment of obesity and depression, two common kapha conditions. The Sun Salutation is the ideal asana for kapha, as it is very active, creates heat, and opens the chest.
There are 12 parts to this sequence of poses. Begin by standing erect with the feet touching each other. Bend the elbows and bring the palms together in the middle of the chest. Raise the arms above the head and extend into a slight backbend. Bend forward into Uttanasana and bring the hands to the floor, bending the knees if you need to protect your back. From this position, lunge backward with the right leg as you bend the left knee. The knee of the right leg may lie on the floor. The foot of the left leg should be between both hands.
Bring the left leg backward and place it by the right leg as you lift your buttocks high into the air and come into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog). Allow the elbows to come to the floor and glide your body forward into Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose). Then press back into Downward-Facing Dog. Next, lunge the right leg forward as you bring your pelvis low to the ground. The right foot is placed between the hands and the knee is bent, held close to the chest. Bring the left foot forward as you return to Uttanasana. Come up to a standng position and raise the arms once again over the head, extending the back and neck. To complete the cycle, return the hands to the chest, palms together.
People of all constitutions can benefit from Sun Salutations during the time of day that is dominated by kapha energy (6:00 to 10:00 a.m and p.m.), as long as there is not a serious imbalance in pitta or vata. People of kapha nature should do many repetitions and perform them with great speed. While in general people of vata nature should avoid this asana, performing it very slowly and with great awareness will decrease its vata-aggravating tendencies. Pitta types should do limited repetitions, as this series is very heating.
Few asanas are harmful to kapha, as kaphas benefit from all forms of stretching and movement. Two weak areas of the body for kapha individuals, however, are the lungs and the kidneys. Asanas that place excessive pressure on the lower abdomen, such as Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), can aggravate the kidneys if held for too long.
Other Factors In some ways the prescription I have just given is overly simplistic. In developing a healthy yoga practice, you must take into consideration not only your constitution and imbalance but also your age, the season, and the time of day you are practicing.
At different times of our lives, different doshas play a greater role. This is a part of the natural fluctuation of these forces. From birth through puberty, our bodies and minds are more affected by kapha. From puberty until around our retirement years, the influence of pitta increases. The later years, post retirement, are most dominated by vata.
During each of these periods, we must pay attention to the effect our age has on us and modify our practice appropriately. When we are very young, our bodies can better tolerate the more aerobic styles of yoga. As we age, we need to practice more calming asanas.
The seasons also affect a healthy practice. The season of cold dampness increases kapha. The season of warm weather increases pitta. The season of cool dryness increases vata, as does the windy season. (In different parts of the country these take place at different times, so placing the names of traditional seasons upon them can be misleading.) During the kapha season, a practice that is more stimulating and warming is better. In the pitta season, a practice that is cooling is best. In the vata season, a calming practice supports greater health.
Finally, the time of day we practice will affect the balance of the doshas. Kapha naturally increases between 6:00 and 10:00 a.m and p.m, when we are moving slowly. Pitta naturally increases between 10:00 and 2:00 a.m. and p.m., when the digestive fire is at its height and, in the daytime, the sun is at its peak. Vata naturally increases between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. and p.m., during the transition between night and day.
Most people practice yoga in the early morning, when the world is calm. Before 6:00, during the time of vata, a very quiet and gentle practice is recommended. After 6:00, during the time of kapha, a more stimulating practice is appropriate. Remember, though, that when designing a yoga practice for yourself, your overall vikruti, or imbalance, is more important than the influence of the season, your age, or the time of day. These should be seen as the factors that modify your practice but not the factors that create it. When you are in near perfect balance, you can create a program based almost entirely on your constitution, the seasons, and the time of day.
n Ayurveda, balancing the effects of the doshas is only half of the formula for creating health and well being. The other half is developing a more sattvic lifestyle and learning to express our sattvic nature: that aspect of ourselves that, through an awareness of our connectedness to Spirit, allows us to express our highest or most virtuous qualities.
Yoga, practiced in harmony with each person's unique nature, is part of the Ayurvedic path toward balancing the doshas and enhancing sattva. Through this path each of us can reach our full potential.
Marc Halpern is the founder and director of the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, California.
Aug 5, 2010
BKS Iyengar
On Being Legends, CNN-IBN's Anuradha SenGupta meets BKS Iyengar at his Pune residence.
Being BKS Iyengar: The enlightened yogi of yoga in two parts
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQMv7nb4H
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQgrw3iYz
------------
WHAT IS YOGA?
Being BKS Iyengar: The enlightened yogi of yoga in two parts
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQMv7nb4H
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQgrw3iYz
------------
WHAT IS YOGA?
Another Short & sweet interview ; )
Nick debates about Yoga with B.K.S. Iyengar in Pune
Who was your guru's name? T.Krishnamarcharya
What were the yoga teachings he imparted?
How to keep the body under control. The philosophy came only after 6 years. Let me stand on my feet first.
What is the goal of Yoga?
By the grace of God, it's a subjective way of eradicating the instinctive weaknesses of human being. For some it may be quick, for some it may be slow. But change has to take place, transformation has to take place, whoever it may be, in whatever average intellectual condition they are.
Describing Asana:
Asana is a preparation, but everything is inherent in it also. Yoga can take a man into two ways of living: enjoyment of life, or liberation in life.
No it doesn't matter at all which you choose.
The channels are open both ways.
Choose which way - how you use it…
courtesy of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FYtX7xsXxw
Nick debates about Yoga with B.K.S. Iyengar in Pune
Who was your guru's name? T.Krishnamarcharya
What were the yoga teachings he imparted?
How to keep the body under control. The philosophy came only after 6 years. Let me stand on my feet first.
What is the goal of Yoga?
By the grace of God, it's a subjective way of eradicating the instinctive weaknesses of human being. For some it may be quick, for some it may be slow. But change has to take place, transformation has to take place, whoever it may be, in whatever average intellectual condition they are.
Describing Asana:
Asana is a preparation, but everything is inherent in it also. Yoga can take a man into two ways of living: enjoyment of life, or liberation in life.
No it doesn't matter at all which you choose.
The channels are open both ways.
Choose which way - how you use it…
courtesy of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FYtX7xsXxw
Aug 4, 2010
My Poem ~ A New Minute
This very min, is a new min.
Today is a new day,
A new choice, a new moment,
A new decision, a new perspective,
A new direction, a new thought,
A new habit, a new belief,
A new sense of renewal.
Will u embrace this new minute with open arms i ask,
and why not?, I'd sing in the shower ^_^
~ by Si-Y
Today is a new day,
A new choice, a new moment,
A new decision, a new perspective,
A new direction, a new thought,
A new habit, a new belief,
A new sense of renewal.
Will u embrace this new minute with open arms i ask,
and why not?, I'd sing in the shower ^_^
~ by Si-Y
Aug 3, 2010
Dead Man's Rope
Dead Man's Rope - a really nice song by STING
A million footsteps, this left foot drags behind my right
But I keep walking, from daybreak 'til the falling night
And as days turn into weeks and years
And years turn into lifetimes
I just keep walking, like I've been walking for a thousand years
Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
If you're walking to escape, to escape from your affliction
You'd be walking in a great circle, a circle of addiction
Did you ever wonder what you'd been carrying since the world was black?
You see yourself in a looking glass with a tombstone on your back
Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away in anger, walk away in pain
Walk away from life itself, walk into the rain
All this wandering has led me to this place
Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
I'm just hanging here in space
Now I'm suspended between my darkest fears and dearest hope
Yes I've been walking, now I'm hanging from a dead man's rope
With Hell below me, and Heaven in the sky above
I've been walking, I've been walking away from Jesus' love
Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away in anger, walk away in pain
Walk away from life itself, walk into the rain
All this wandering has led me to this place
Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
I'm just hanging here in space
The shadows fall
Around my bed
When the hand of an angel,
The hand of an angel is reaching down above my head
All this wandering has led me to this place
Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
Now I'm walking in his grace
I'm walking in his footsteps
Walking in his footsteps,
Walking in his footsteps
All the days of my life I will walk with you
All the days of my life I will talk with you
All the days of my life I will share with you
All the days of my life I will bear with you
Walk away from emptiness, walk away from sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away from anger, walk away from pain
Walk away from anguish, walk into the rain.
But I keep walking, from daybreak 'til the falling night
And as days turn into weeks and years
And years turn into lifetimes
I just keep walking, like I've been walking for a thousand years
Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
If you're walking to escape, to escape from your affliction
You'd be walking in a great circle, a circle of addiction
Did you ever wonder what you'd been carrying since the world was black?
You see yourself in a looking glass with a tombstone on your back
Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away in anger, walk away in pain
Walk away from life itself, walk into the rain
All this wandering has led me to this place
Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
I'm just hanging here in space
Now I'm suspended between my darkest fears and dearest hope
Yes I've been walking, now I'm hanging from a dead man's rope
With Hell below me, and Heaven in the sky above
I've been walking, I've been walking away from Jesus' love
Walk away in emptiness, walk away in sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away in anger, walk away in pain
Walk away from life itself, walk into the rain
All this wandering has led me to this place
Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
I'm just hanging here in space
The shadows fall
Around my bed
When the hand of an angel,
The hand of an angel is reaching down above my head
All this wandering has led me to this place
Inside the well of my memory, sweet rain of forgiveness
Now I'm walking in his grace
I'm walking in his footsteps
Walking in his footsteps,
Walking in his footsteps
All the days of my life I will walk with you
All the days of my life I will talk with you
All the days of my life I will share with you
All the days of my life I will bear with you
Walk away from emptiness, walk away from sorrow,
Walk away from yesterday, walk away tomorrow,
Walk away from anger, walk away from pain
Walk away from anguish, walk into the rain.
Jul 2, 2010
Yoga Study
YOGA = Union with Divinity
> through
a) Jnana Yoga - Wisdom
b) Bakti Yoga - Devotion
c) Karma Yoga - Action
d) Raja Yoga - Mind & Body Control
* science & techniques eg. sound
Yoga causes Deep relaxation, Younger, Happier, Healthier Life
RAJA YOGA (8 limbs)
i) Yama (Restraints)
ii) Niyama (Observances)
iii) Asana (Posture)
iv) Paranayama (Breath Control)
v) Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)
vi) Concentration
vii) Meditation (de-Contrentation)
viii) Samadhi (Union)
i) Yama (Restraint)
Do Non Violence (physical, mental, spiritual)
Speak Truthfulness
Have Good Thoughts & Deed
Non Stealing (physical, mental)
In Moderation
Non possesiveness (hoarding)
ii) Niyama (Observances)
Purity
Contentment
Austerity
Study of Sacred Text
Awareness
iii) Asana (Posture)
three qualities: Steady, at east, in union
iv) Paranayama (Breath Control)
Breath is life : Agnisara, Bhastrika, Bandhas with Ujjayi, Nadi Sodhana, Brahmari, Shitkali, Cooling breath, Chi, Shusumna, Natural Cessation (Inhale, Exhale)
v) Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)
Sense withdrawal (Yoga Nidra - Sleep Yoga) > Deep relaxation
vi) Concentration
vii) Meditation (deconcentration)
viii) Samadhi (Union)
> through
a) Jnana Yoga - Wisdom
b) Bakti Yoga - Devotion
c) Karma Yoga - Action
d) Raja Yoga - Mind & Body Control
* science & techniques eg. sound
Yoga causes Deep relaxation, Younger, Happier, Healthier Life
RAJA YOGA (8 limbs)
i) Yama (Restraints)
ii) Niyama (Observances)
iii) Asana (Posture)
iv) Paranayama (Breath Control)
v) Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)
vi) Concentration
vii) Meditation (de-Contrentation)
viii) Samadhi (Union)
i) Yama (Restraint)
Do Non Violence (physical, mental, spiritual)
Speak Truthfulness
Have Good Thoughts & Deed
Non Stealing (physical, mental)
In Moderation
Non possesiveness (hoarding)
ii) Niyama (Observances)
Purity
Contentment
Austerity
Study of Sacred Text
Awareness
iii) Asana (Posture)
three qualities: Steady, at east, in union
iv) Paranayama (Breath Control)
Breath is life : Agnisara, Bhastrika, Bandhas with Ujjayi, Nadi Sodhana, Brahmari, Shitkali, Cooling breath, Chi, Shusumna, Natural Cessation (Inhale, Exhale)
v) Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)
Sense withdrawal (Yoga Nidra - Sleep Yoga) > Deep relaxation
vi) Concentration
vii) Meditation (deconcentration)
viii) Samadhi (Union)
Jun 20, 2010
diabetes - the silent killer
Dr. Oz says the symptoms for both types of diabetes are straightforward:
Constant thirst and frequent urination:
These are the first things doctors will ask you about. "You have [constant thirst] because you're urinating all the time," he says. "The sugar gets into your urine, and it actually drags it through your kidneys. It fools your kidneys."
Non-healing infections:
"The white blood cells that protect the immune system can't get there," he says. "And by the way, your white cells don't function normally. Your whole immune system's depressed because you're waging a constant civil war against your body, which has the sugar scraping away on the inside."
Tingling toes:
"Nerves have a cable around them," Dr. Oz says. "That cable gets broken with diabetes, so you end up with short circuits of your nerve system."
Blurred vision:
"You're having little bleeds in the back of your eye," he says.
This is a direct quote from http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Diabetes-101-with-Dr-Oz-Dr-Ian-Smith-and-Bob-Greene/8
------------
Sounds absolutely nasty - i hope and pray that those who have it will recover, those who is yet to discover it - will be blessed with a prevention or cure, and those who are ignorant like me will take heed and be far from it. ; /
THE GOOD NEWS IS!!! ; )
Cucumber, radish and bitter gourd are beneficial in diabetes.
Constant thirst and frequent urination:
These are the first things doctors will ask you about. "You have [constant thirst] because you're urinating all the time," he says. "The sugar gets into your urine, and it actually drags it through your kidneys. It fools your kidneys."
Non-healing infections:
"The white blood cells that protect the immune system can't get there," he says. "And by the way, your white cells don't function normally. Your whole immune system's depressed because you're waging a constant civil war against your body, which has the sugar scraping away on the inside."
Tingling toes:
"Nerves have a cable around them," Dr. Oz says. "That cable gets broken with diabetes, so you end up with short circuits of your nerve system."
Blurred vision:
"You're having little bleeds in the back of your eye," he says.
This is a direct quote from http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Diabetes-101-with-Dr-Oz-Dr-Ian-Smith-and-Bob-Greene/8
------------
Sounds absolutely nasty - i hope and pray that those who have it will recover, those who is yet to discover it - will be blessed with a prevention or cure, and those who are ignorant like me will take heed and be far from it. ; /
THE GOOD NEWS IS!!! ; )
Cucumber, radish and bitter gourd are beneficial in diabetes.
Jun 9, 2010
coach lead teach mentor counsel parent
I listened to Marcus Marsden of AsiaWorks, and this is what's defined. sensible.I reckon in some countries, these roles are clearly defined & specialized at, and respected.
but in others, u kinda do them all to service others ... is that possible, feasible, or wise?
Coach
~ always looking to win
~ not about fixing the broken
~ focus on dream/goal (not problem focused)
Lead
~ Have others (choose to) follow your vision
~ enrolment
Manage
~ Getting tasked done, execute plan
Teach
~ To pass knowledge
Mentor
~ Passing down experience (broad & can be whole life)
Counsel
~ Problem focused (past) so that they can move past it
~ Intention is to free person up
In addition, according to the dictionary.com:
Lecturer
~ one who delivers a speech before an audience, esp. for instruction or to set forth some subject
Advisor
~ one who gives counsel to; offer an opinion or suggestion as worth following
Befriender
~ one who become friendly with; act as a friend to; help; aid
Therapist
~ a person trained in the use of psychological methods for helping patients overcome psychological problems.
~ a person trained in the use of physical methods, as exercises, heat treatments, etc., in treating or rehabilitating the sick or wounded or helping patients overcome physical defects.
Psychologist
~ a specialist in psychology
Psychology
~ the science of the mind or of mental states and processes.
~ the science of human and animal behavior.
~ the sum or characteristics of the mental states and processes of a person or class of persons, or of the mental states and processes involved in a field of activity: the psychology of a soldier; the psychology of politics.
~ mental ploys or strategy: He used psychology on his parents to get a larger allowance.
Psychiatrist
~ a physician who specializes in psychiatry.
Psychiatry
~ the practice or science of diagnosing and treating mental disorders.
Phsyco theraphy
~ the treatment of psychological disorders or maladjustments by a professional technique, as psychoanalysis, group therapy, or behavioral therapy.
Psychoanalysis
~ a systematic structure of theories concerning the relation of conscious and unconscious psychological processes.
~ a technical procedure for investigating unconscious mental processes and for treating psychoneuroses.
Parent
~ One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or mother.
: noun
~ a father, mother, a source, origin, or cause, a protector or guardian, an ancestor.
~ Biology . any organism that produces or generates another.
~ Physics . the first nuclide in a radioactive series.
: adjective
~ being the original source: a parent organization.
~ Biology . pertaining to an organism, cell, or complex molecular structure that generates or produces another: parent cell; parent DNA.
: verb (used with object)
~ to be or act as parent of: to parent children with both love and discipline.
but in others, u kinda do them all to service others ... is that possible, feasible, or wise?
Coach
~ always looking to win
~ not about fixing the broken
~ focus on dream/goal (not problem focused)
Lead
~ Have others (choose to) follow your vision
~ enrolment
Manage
~ Getting tasked done, execute plan
Teach
~ To pass knowledge
Mentor
~ Passing down experience (broad & can be whole life)
Counsel
~ Problem focused (past) so that they can move past it
~ Intention is to free person up
In addition, according to the dictionary.com:
Lecturer
~ one who delivers a speech before an audience, esp. for instruction or to set forth some subject
Advisor
~ one who gives counsel to; offer an opinion or suggestion as worth following
Befriender
~ one who become friendly with; act as a friend to; help; aid
Therapist
~ a person trained in the use of psychological methods for helping patients overcome psychological problems.
~ a person trained in the use of physical methods, as exercises, heat treatments, etc., in treating or rehabilitating the sick or wounded or helping patients overcome physical defects.
Psychologist
~ a specialist in psychology
Psychology
~ the science of the mind or of mental states and processes.
~ the science of human and animal behavior.
~ the sum or characteristics of the mental states and processes of a person or class of persons, or of the mental states and processes involved in a field of activity: the psychology of a soldier; the psychology of politics.
~ mental ploys or strategy: He used psychology on his parents to get a larger allowance.
Psychiatrist
~ a physician who specializes in psychiatry.
Psychiatry
~ the practice or science of diagnosing and treating mental disorders.
Phsyco theraphy
~ the treatment of psychological disorders or maladjustments by a professional technique, as psychoanalysis, group therapy, or behavioral therapy.
Psychoanalysis
~ a systematic structure of theories concerning the relation of conscious and unconscious psychological processes.
~ a technical procedure for investigating unconscious mental processes and for treating psychoneuroses.
Parent
~ One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or mother.
: noun
~ a father, mother, a source, origin, or cause, a protector or guardian, an ancestor.
~ Biology . any organism that produces or generates another.
~ Physics . the first nuclide in a radioactive series.
: adjective
~ being the original source: a parent organization.
~ Biology . pertaining to an organism, cell, or complex molecular structure that generates or produces another: parent cell; parent DNA.
: verb (used with object)
~ to be or act as parent of: to parent children with both love and discipline.
Jun 1, 2010
..before I went out into the real world
10 things I wish I'd Known before I went out into the real world
by Maria Shriver (the Kennedy, the anchor lady and Mrs Schwarnager)
1. PinPoint your Passion
Be honest with yourself about it. Really think about what you're interested in. What you enjoy, what captures your imagination and gets your brain going.
Go with your gut. Not your parents, teacher, other's gut.
2. No Job is Beneath You
Starting at the bottom builds character, makes you hungry and determined. A good way to find out you're not as smart as you think you are. Its the best way to Learn, because there's a lot to learn out there. Which is where i started, many times.
Starting at the bottom is not about humiliation, its about humility - a real assessment of where you are in the learning curve. Learn what you're not good at and appreciate those who are.
3. Who You Work For And With is As Important As What You Do
It's better for you career and for your soul to be in a lowly job working for a great boss than being the head of...........
God puts mentors in your path. They may not look, sound like you, or be what you expect. But they always know more than you, and thats the whole point. They transmit the lessons you need to learn.
4. Your Behaviour Has Consequences
Welcome to Adulthood. No one but you are responsible for how you conduct yourself. The single most important determining factor in your life is you. And its never too early to get your ethical act together. Be strong and firm in what you believe in, in who you are -plus and minus. Know what you will, won't do to get ahead. Know what you can and cannot live with. Believe me, this is a big one. Your job will test your ethics - and therefore theach you ethics - everyday.
Situational ethics just don't cut it. The end (dream job) does not justify the means (screwing a collegue).
I believe all of us rise when we work with principles we believe in consistently - when we work with people who believe and behave the same way.
When you cut corners with what you know is right, you're risking your good name, your reputation. Its bigger than the promotion, the money or the deal. Its who you are. Don't give it away..
5. Be Willing To Fail
Many of you will experience failure in pursuit of your passion. but FAILING IS PART OF LEARNING. Fear of failure can paralyze you. Avoiding failure, is also avoiding life's richness. And what happens if you fail?It can be liberating. Most people who've achieved great success have experienced great defeat.
Before I fail, my work was the focus of my life. It's where I put all my intensity, intelligence, and effort. Never again will I make that mistake. I quit identifying myself through my career. Today my work is a big fulfilling part of my life, not who I am. Who I am is far different from who I was before I failed, and I'd never trade the experience. Which doesn't mean it didn't hurt.
6. Superwoman is Dead and Superman May Be Taking Viagra
You do not have to do it all. You can't have an exciting, successful, powerful career and at the same time win the mother-of-the-year award and be wife and lover extraordinaire. No one can.
Perfectionaism doesn't make you perfect. It makes you feel inadequate. You are not worthless because you can't do it all. You are human. You can't escapte that realisty and you can't expect to. Self acceptance is the goal. If Shakespeare were a Superwoman, she might have said, "To be or not to be - takes time and wisdom."
7. Children Do Change your Career (not to mention your Entire Life)
Once you have children, you not only can't do it all, you can't do it the same way you were doing it before. If you think your children are suffering, the guilt will make your work suffer. Parenting has turned out to be a far bigger challenge than anything my career has dealt me.
Children do change your career. But they also open you up in ways you never imagined. Kids teach you things about yourself you couldn't learn on your own - lessons about patience and selflessness, love and letting go. My children have taught me to let things roll off my back, flexible, to accept them even when they don't think, act, feel exactly as I do. I cannot control them, but I can guide and lead, honor and respect them. And believe me, they're much more fun than Boris Yeltsin.
8. Marriage is a Hell of a Lot of Hard Work
Oh my God, is that true. If any of you is worried that you haven't run into 'Right', don't be in such a hurry. Chill, relax, and enjoy your freedom, because you don't have that kind of freedom anymore. After being in such a rush to meet their soul mates, so many people complain about being married to them. It's nuts. I'm happy in my marriage, and we've been in love for more than 20 years. I married a man who recognized I was an individual first and foremeost and that my life apart from him was as important to me as our life together, otherwise I'll be writing about how divroce being a hell of a lot of work, instead of marriage. Which isn't to say my marriage has been easy.
Across the years that I've worked in newsrooms, so many of my coworkers have been divorced - and to tell you the truth, that has scared me. An all consuming career often doesn't leave room for a spouse. Today I spend a lot of time on my marriage. I pay attention to it. I make it a priority to conntect and nurture the relationship. Please focus on your marriage. Don't take it for granted. Choose to spend time toegher when you can, even on days you don't want to. Our lives are so busy, we can't let too many opportunities to be together slip by. That's the 'work' part - working it in.
9. Don't Expect Anyone Else to Support You Financially
Maybe you're lucky rich. Or marry into Money. But please don't rely on it. Work for your money. Live within your means. There's nothing better for building genuine self-worth and self-respect.
It doesn't do you any good to make the money if you don't know what to do with it other than spend it. Money management - especially women, don't assume that a man will take care of this for you. If you take time off from your career or leave it entirely to take of your children - the hardest work for no pay, you never know if you'll be blindsided by life and be thrown into a situation where you will have to know how to take care of yourself. Learn about money and talk openly.
I work because I love it. It makes me feel strong and independent to know I can make my own way financially. I don't want to ask my husband for money, and I don't. And there will come a time when we want to help our parents financially.
Money gives you options, but only if you don't fritter it away. Pay attention to where you money is going, so it can help you get where you're going. And remember: You may never be able to have it all - but it's good for the soul to give away some of what you do have. I believe it comes back to you tenfold in spiritual gifts - like gratitude, self worh and peace of mind.
10. Laughter
Gotta have laughter. It's the one that mkaes the first nine on the list doable. Life isn't smooth, but you can survive the kinds and curves by laughing at them - and yourself.
People always ask me what attracted me to my husband. it was his sense of humour. Pick your partner not only for the lust, but for the laughter. Trust me, you'll need a humor much more than you'll need money, a great job, fabulous wardrobe, or even being thin. He helped me take myself, my heritage, and my "destiny" far less seriously. Of course life isn't only fun, but he's got a wonderful ability to turn it off and go play.
He surrounds himself with people who make him laugh, immerses himself in hobbies he enjoys. He's done a better job managing his time and being able to say no to things he doesn't want to do. (this one is a big issue for most women.)
Laughter infuses life with joy. Life's awesome responsibilities have a way of creeping up on you, wearing you down, making you dead serious, robbing you of laughter and joy. Don't let the joy go. Put some of the joy back in.
I felt i was missing the fun I'd experienced in my twenties and fitured I needed an attitude adjustment. sprots and family vacation, school reunion. I've been reminding myself about humility, to have an accurate picture of myself and accept, appreciate where I am in my life and where I still want to go. To enjoy myself and have a good laugh.
The love and the laughter are what you need most in your life. They'll fill out all the potholes in the road.
In short:
by Maria Shriver (the Kennedy, the anchor lady and Mrs Schwarnager)
1. PinPoint your Passion
Be honest with yourself about it. Really think about what you're interested in. What you enjoy, what captures your imagination and gets your brain going.
Go with your gut. Not your parents, teacher, other's gut.
2. No Job is Beneath You
Starting at the bottom builds character, makes you hungry and determined. A good way to find out you're not as smart as you think you are. Its the best way to Learn, because there's a lot to learn out there. Which is where i started, many times.
Starting at the bottom is not about humiliation, its about humility - a real assessment of where you are in the learning curve. Learn what you're not good at and appreciate those who are.
3. Who You Work For And With is As Important As What You Do
It's better for you career and for your soul to be in a lowly job working for a great boss than being the head of...........
God puts mentors in your path. They may not look, sound like you, or be what you expect. But they always know more than you, and thats the whole point. They transmit the lessons you need to learn.
4. Your Behaviour Has Consequences
Welcome to Adulthood. No one but you are responsible for how you conduct yourself. The single most important determining factor in your life is you. And its never too early to get your ethical act together. Be strong and firm in what you believe in, in who you are -plus and minus. Know what you will, won't do to get ahead. Know what you can and cannot live with. Believe me, this is a big one. Your job will test your ethics - and therefore theach you ethics - everyday.
Situational ethics just don't cut it. The end (dream job) does not justify the means (screwing a collegue).
I believe all of us rise when we work with principles we believe in consistently - when we work with people who believe and behave the same way.
When you cut corners with what you know is right, you're risking your good name, your reputation. Its bigger than the promotion, the money or the deal. Its who you are. Don't give it away..
5. Be Willing To Fail
Many of you will experience failure in pursuit of your passion. but FAILING IS PART OF LEARNING. Fear of failure can paralyze you. Avoiding failure, is also avoiding life's richness. And what happens if you fail?It can be liberating. Most people who've achieved great success have experienced great defeat.
Before I fail, my work was the focus of my life. It's where I put all my intensity, intelligence, and effort. Never again will I make that mistake. I quit identifying myself through my career. Today my work is a big fulfilling part of my life, not who I am. Who I am is far different from who I was before I failed, and I'd never trade the experience. Which doesn't mean it didn't hurt.
6. Superwoman is Dead and Superman May Be Taking Viagra
You do not have to do it all. You can't have an exciting, successful, powerful career and at the same time win the mother-of-the-year award and be wife and lover extraordinaire. No one can.
Perfectionaism doesn't make you perfect. It makes you feel inadequate. You are not worthless because you can't do it all. You are human. You can't escapte that realisty and you can't expect to. Self acceptance is the goal. If Shakespeare were a Superwoman, she might have said, "To be or not to be - takes time and wisdom."
7. Children Do Change your Career (not to mention your Entire Life)
Once you have children, you not only can't do it all, you can't do it the same way you were doing it before. If you think your children are suffering, the guilt will make your work suffer. Parenting has turned out to be a far bigger challenge than anything my career has dealt me.
Children do change your career. But they also open you up in ways you never imagined. Kids teach you things about yourself you couldn't learn on your own - lessons about patience and selflessness, love and letting go. My children have taught me to let things roll off my back, flexible, to accept them even when they don't think, act, feel exactly as I do. I cannot control them, but I can guide and lead, honor and respect them. And believe me, they're much more fun than Boris Yeltsin.
8. Marriage is a Hell of a Lot of Hard Work
Oh my God, is that true. If any of you is worried that you haven't run into 'Right', don't be in such a hurry. Chill, relax, and enjoy your freedom, because you don't have that kind of freedom anymore. After being in such a rush to meet their soul mates, so many people complain about being married to them. It's nuts. I'm happy in my marriage, and we've been in love for more than 20 years. I married a man who recognized I was an individual first and foremeost and that my life apart from him was as important to me as our life together, otherwise I'll be writing about how divroce being a hell of a lot of work, instead of marriage. Which isn't to say my marriage has been easy.
Across the years that I've worked in newsrooms, so many of my coworkers have been divorced - and to tell you the truth, that has scared me. An all consuming career often doesn't leave room for a spouse. Today I spend a lot of time on my marriage. I pay attention to it. I make it a priority to conntect and nurture the relationship. Please focus on your marriage. Don't take it for granted. Choose to spend time toegher when you can, even on days you don't want to. Our lives are so busy, we can't let too many opportunities to be together slip by. That's the 'work' part - working it in.
9. Don't Expect Anyone Else to Support You Financially
Maybe you're lucky rich. Or marry into Money. But please don't rely on it. Work for your money. Live within your means. There's nothing better for building genuine self-worth and self-respect.
It doesn't do you any good to make the money if you don't know what to do with it other than spend it. Money management - especially women, don't assume that a man will take care of this for you. If you take time off from your career or leave it entirely to take of your children - the hardest work for no pay, you never know if you'll be blindsided by life and be thrown into a situation where you will have to know how to take care of yourself. Learn about money and talk openly.
I work because I love it. It makes me feel strong and independent to know I can make my own way financially. I don't want to ask my husband for money, and I don't. And there will come a time when we want to help our parents financially.
Money gives you options, but only if you don't fritter it away. Pay attention to where you money is going, so it can help you get where you're going. And remember: You may never be able to have it all - but it's good for the soul to give away some of what you do have. I believe it comes back to you tenfold in spiritual gifts - like gratitude, self worh and peace of mind.
10. Laughter
Gotta have laughter. It's the one that mkaes the first nine on the list doable. Life isn't smooth, but you can survive the kinds and curves by laughing at them - and yourself.
People always ask me what attracted me to my husband. it was his sense of humour. Pick your partner not only for the lust, but for the laughter. Trust me, you'll need a humor much more than you'll need money, a great job, fabulous wardrobe, or even being thin. He helped me take myself, my heritage, and my "destiny" far less seriously. Of course life isn't only fun, but he's got a wonderful ability to turn it off and go play.
He surrounds himself with people who make him laugh, immerses himself in hobbies he enjoys. He's done a better job managing his time and being able to say no to things he doesn't want to do. (this one is a big issue for most women.)
Laughter infuses life with joy. Life's awesome responsibilities have a way of creeping up on you, wearing you down, making you dead serious, robbing you of laughter and joy. Don't let the joy go. Put some of the joy back in.
I felt i was missing the fun I'd experienced in my twenties and fitured I needed an attitude adjustment. sprots and family vacation, school reunion. I've been reminding myself about humility, to have an accurate picture of myself and accept, appreciate where I am in my life and where I still want to go. To enjoy myself and have a good laugh.
The love and the laughter are what you need most in your life. They'll fill out all the potholes in the road.
In short:
10 Things I wish I'd Known - Before I Went Out into the Real World
by Maria Shriver
1. First and Foremost: PinPoint Your Passion
2. No Job Is Beneath You
3. Who You Work For and With Is As Important As What You Do
4. Your Behavior Has Consequences
5. Be Willing To Fail
6. Superwoman is Dead ... and Superman May Be Taking Viagra
7. Children Do Change Your Career (Not to Mention Your Entire Life)
8. Marriage Is a Hell of a Lot of Hard Work
9. Don't Expect Anyone Else to Support You Financially - especially for women.
10. Laughter - this makes the first 9 doable, and helps life get through all life kinks and curves.
Having the ability to have humor is more important than money, job or fashion taste etc.
Afterword, a List of Other Things I Wish I'd Known from there:
1. A big expensive wedding is a waste of time, money and angst
2. Try not to lose touch with your college friends as time will fly..
3. Computers will rule the world, master it sooner
4. How creative, crucial, consistent sex would have to be
5. Take a year off to have fun with no responsibility before diving into a serious long career path
6. Health first!
7. Simplicity Movement - Simplify life. Clean out. Cleanse out. Quiet Corners. Be Clutter Free.
8. Say more NO to have better time management. Less the guilt.
9. Kinder, more sharing, more open to parents
10. My sibilings would end up being the backbone of my life, my best friends, be kind to them and clear up resentments.
11. The importance of saying "I love you". Many don't really know how much they're loved, respected, needed, appreciated, and adored.
12. To remember the faith and strength in God through though times and be less afraid through all the trying times.
13. In every phase, there's a naturally phase to reinvent ourselves even if we have peaked. Over and Over Again. Renewable, Fresh, Growing.
14. Be at peace with myself sooner. To give recognition to oneself for being myself and my hardwork, not for roles recognized for family, for being a spouse, or for looks.
May 25, 2010
My Poem ~ Perfection
Perfection can be a state of mind.
Prefection can be a training ground.
Perfection can be a tool for mastery.
Perfection can come from intention.
Perfection can be excellent.
Perfection can be excellence.
Perfection can be habitual.
Perfection can be a choice.
Perfection can be a livelihood.
Perfection can be a daily practice.
Perfection can be an observation.
Perfection can be a pause.
Perfection can be in relation to.
Perfection can differ from different eyes.
Perfection can be a form of integrity.
Perfection can be momentary.
Perfection can be what is.
Perfection can be acceptance.
Perfection can be forgiveness.
Perfection can be imperfection.
Prefection can be transcended.
N.
Prefection can be a training ground.
Perfection can be a tool for mastery.
Perfection can come from intention.
Perfection can be excellent.
Perfection can be excellence.
Perfection can be habitual.
Perfection can be a choice.
Perfection can be a livelihood.
Perfection can be a daily practice.
Perfection can be an observation.
Perfection can be a pause.
Perfection can be in relation to.
Perfection can differ from different eyes.
Perfection can be a form of integrity.
Perfection can be momentary.
Perfection can be what is.
Perfection can be acceptance.
Perfection can be forgiveness.
Perfection can be imperfection.
Prefection can be transcended.
N.
May 18, 2010
10 tots on confidence
I wrote this for Students going for internship but it probably applies for similar contents in different context ; )
Be SIP-ed - 10 Tots on Confidence
As the SIP fever continues...
1) Confidence DOES DOES DOES matters. (Breathe 10 counts if nervousness is in the way.)
2) No one will give you a job if you keep selling yrself short. Stand/ Sit up, speak tall of yourself!
3) FACT: If you don't have confidence on yourself, who will? STARTS FROM WITHIN. Sympathy is not gonna work.
4) Every body has its uniqueness. WHAT IS YOURS?
5) if you have it, flaunt it! (probably can avoid being arrogant with good humour)
6) if you don't have it, fake it! (well, Celebrities do it!) or SMILE like a millionaire..
7) Know the difference between confidence and arrogance. Humility goes a long way.
8) Practice & feed worthy words - kind/ positive /confident words to your brains - its a great HABIT!
9) How to build core confidence? KEEP YOUR COMMITMENTS TO YOUR WORDS / SELF. it will self build! Avoid broken promises = lowers confidence.
10) Everything takes time. Very important to celebrate your gifts, and Give yourself pats on your back along your journey.
Lastly, an exercise: Write a list of your strengths, values, uniqueness. And before u write that, first write a page of blessings in your life from childbirth (lol), then do the list.
U probably wont need more than half hour.. no matter how difficult. ; D
N.
1) Confidence DOES DOES DOES matters. (Breathe 10 counts if nervousness is in the way.)
2) No one will give you a job if you keep selling yrself short. Stand/ Sit up, speak tall of yourself!
3) FACT: If you don't have confidence on yourself, who will? STARTS FROM WITHIN. Sympathy is not gonna work.
4) Every body has its uniqueness. WHAT IS YOURS?
5) if you have it, flaunt it! (probably can avoid being arrogant with good humour)
6) if you don't have it, fake it! (well, Celebrities do it!) or SMILE like a millionaire..
7) Know the difference between confidence and arrogance. Humility goes a long way.
8) Practice & feed worthy words - kind/ positive /confident words to your brains - its a great HABIT!
9) How to build core confidence? KEEP YOUR COMMITMENTS TO YOUR WORDS / SELF. it will self build! Avoid broken promises = lowers confidence.
10) Everything takes time. Very important to celebrate your gifts, and Give yourself pats on your back along your journey.
Lastly, an exercise: Write a list of your strengths, values, uniqueness. And before u write that, first write a page of blessings in your life from childbirth (lol), then do the list.
U probably wont need more than half hour.. no matter how difficult. ; D
N.
May 11, 2010
Yasmin Ahmad
in her own words - tribute to Yasmin Ahmad
In Her Own Words is an art exhibition that pays tribute to the late Yasmin Ahmad, an award-winning Malaysian film director and writer. Her immortal words will serve as a reminder for us to celebrate humanity and universal love.
"i have never believed that race was ever a real issue when people hated one another. I have always found, without fail that racism was just surface stuff. When I scratched that surface and went just a little deeper, I invariably found that prejudice was rooted in more basic human weaknesses like fear or greed."
details:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Her-Own-Words-A-Celebration-Of-Humanity-Universal-Love/112826205423463?v=info
... in my own words - when i scratch a lil deeper, it is human instinct to the fear of death or dying which manifests as greed to hoarding, insecurities which comes in different manner...
in embracing death is when we start to truly live.
N.
In Her Own Words is an art exhibition that pays tribute to the late Yasmin Ahmad, an award-winning Malaysian film director and writer. Her immortal words will serve as a reminder for us to celebrate humanity and universal love.
"i have never believed that race was ever a real issue when people hated one another. I have always found, without fail that racism was just surface stuff. When I scratched that surface and went just a little deeper, I invariably found that prejudice was rooted in more basic human weaknesses like fear or greed."
details:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Her-Own-Words-A-Celebration-Of-Humanity-Universal-Love/112826205423463?v=info
... in my own words - when i scratch a lil deeper, it is human instinct to the fear of death or dying which manifests as greed to hoarding, insecurities which comes in different manner...
in embracing death is when we start to truly live.
N.
Apr 24, 2010
The STERN Review
OCTOBER 2006: THE STERN REVIEW (on global warming)
On October 30, respected economist Sir Nicholas Stern delivered a 700-page report, ‘The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change’, commissioned by the British government.
Exploring the effects of climate change and global warming on the world’s economy, the report concluded that 1% of global gross domestic product (GDP) per annum must be invested in mitigating climate change. Failure to do so could risk global GDP being up to 20% lower than it otherwise might be, representing the widest-ranging market failure ever seen.
Nobel prize-winning economist James Mirrlees stated of the review, "The Stern report shows us, with utmost clarity, while allowing fully for all the uncertainties, what global warming is going to mean; and what can and should be done to reduce it. It provides numbers for the economic impact, and for the necessary economic policies. It deserves the widest circulation.”
Retrieved 24 April 2010 from The Burning Season Website:http://www.theburningseasonmovie.com/storyline/october-2006-the-stern-review/249
For the report - google search: [ARCHIVE CONTENT] Stern Review Report
Apr 22, 2010
Apr 16, 2010
Sadhana
The Ten Perfections Buddha (Parami)
Dana - Perfection of Charity
Sila - Perfection of Morality
Nekkhamma - Perfection of Renunciation
Panna - Perfection of Wisdom
Viriya - Perfection of Preserverance
Khanti - Perfection of Forbearance
Sacca - Perfection of Truthfulness
Adhitthana - Perfection of Resolution
Metta - Perfection of Loving Kindness
Upekkha - Perfection of Equanimity
THE PRISON of LIFE
Freedom is salvation from prison
~ this is a discourse on non-attachment from a booklet from Wat Palalei - a translation from Than Achan, Surat Thani Province.
Life itself is prison
The instincts are prison
The senses are prison
Superstition is prison
Sacred institutions are prisons
Teachers are prison
Holy things are prison
Goodness is prison
Views are prison
Purity is the highest prison
Voidness is no prison
Dana - Perfection of Charity
Sila - Perfection of Morality
Nekkhamma - Perfection of Renunciation
Panna - Perfection of Wisdom
Viriya - Perfection of Preserverance
Khanti - Perfection of Forbearance
Sacca - Perfection of Truthfulness
Adhitthana - Perfection of Resolution
Metta - Perfection of Loving Kindness
Upekkha - Perfection of Equanimity
THE PRISON of LIFE
Freedom is salvation from prison
~ this is a discourse on non-attachment from a booklet from Wat Palalei - a translation from Than Achan, Surat Thani Province.
Life itself is prison
The instincts are prison
The senses are prison
Superstition is prison
Sacred institutions are prisons
Teachers are prison
Holy things are prison
Goodness is prison
Views are prison
Purity is the highest prison
Voidness is no prison
Apr 15, 2010
Never Give Up ~ H.H.DL
Never give up
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Develop the heart
Be compassionate
Not just with your friends
But with everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart
And in the world
Work for peace
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up
~ His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Develop the heart
Be compassionate
Not just with your friends
But with everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart
And in the world
Work for peace
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up
~ His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama
My Poem ~ Life is Precious ~ H.H Lati Rinpoche
This is written to honour His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche
Life is Precious
Once in a lifetime i meet a sage
humble, wise, in simple robes, perhaps like i imagined
being around your presence was humbling, forgiving, a blanketing warmth
alike an unconditional open heart waiting for me to come home
since the day we met, the trust was well-founded
your presence moved me, silently, subtlely, absolutely
when the last prayers were done, i could sense
your Eminence's committment to Great Compassion
life is fragile, life is precious
every moment every second
i can only try to do my best
and never give up
this is my promise
for having the greatest loss deep within
if there is a wish I know for sure, it is
to be in your presence to be blessed by you again, my dearest teacher.
I reverently prostrate with my body, speech and mind,
to the Buddha, Dharma and the Supreme Assembly.
May I quickly attain the state of Enlightenment,
for the sake of all sentient beings.
I am deeply grateful that I have the good fortune to have met His Holiness Lati Rinpoche within this lifetime, to receive his teachings and blessings. May this connection and affinity with Lati Rinpoche, a great practitioner, continue for many more future lifetimes.
His Holiness Kyabje Lati Rinpoche went into Nirvana (passed away) at the age of 88 years old on 12/04/2010 in the morning at 5:25am(india time), in Dharamsala India. His Holiness Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was full of Dharma Wisdom and a very Compassionate Greatest Highest Lamas of Gaden. He had benefited the Monastery and all sentient beings during his existence.
Rinpoche’s contribution towards teaching and spreading the Dharma was widely recognized by all, and was deeply respected by many devotees all over the world.
Lati Rinpoche was recognized as a reincarnation of a great practitioner and became a monk at the age of 10. He was the Abbot Emeritus of Gaden Shartse Monastery in Mundgod, South India. Belonging to a very rare class of scholar, saint and high practitioner who completed his training in an independent Tibet, Rinpoche continued to spread the Dharma by teachings at various monasteries and schools, after he followed His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama into exile in 1959. In 1964, Rinpoche arrived in Dharamsala, and was subsequently appointed as Spiritual Advisor to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Rinpoche served His Holiness faithfully till today. Rinpoche’s contribution towards teaching and spreading the Dharma was widely recognized by all, and was deeply respected by many devotees all over the world.
Rinpoche passed away peacefully in his residence unexpectedly. He was not hospitalized. This morning when Rinpoche woke up, he did his usual prayers and told his personal assistant, Sopon-la, he wanted to take his bath. This was unusual as Rinpoche normally had his breakfast before his bath each morning. Prior to that, he had also circumambulated His Holiness the Dalai Lama's temple.
After his bath, Lati Rinpoche instructed Sopon-la to leave his room, and said: "it is time for me to go". With that, Rinpoche entered into clear light meditation. Rinpoche's body is currently still warm and in the meditative state. This is a sign of an Enlightened being. We do not know how long Rinpoche will be in this state, can be 3 days, 7 days, 21 days etc... As and when his consciousness leaves him, Rinpoche's body will then be brought back to Mundgod, his monastery, for the fire puja (cremation). Arrangements are in the process to construct Rinpoche's stupa which is expected to house his relics when the time comes. Rinpoche's monastery, Gaden Shartse, will be making offerings to the 3 great monasteries on behalf of Lati Rinpoche's name, which will be to Gaden, Sera and Drepung monasteries. The number of Sangha in these 3 monasteries alone totals 10,000 monks. Lati Rinpoche was a great, deeply respected Gelug master and one of the most senior Buddhist teacher in these 3 monasteries. All the Sangha will be conducting prayers for Rinpoche in their respective monasteries and many more are expected to attend his fire puja as well as to pay their last respect to Rinpoche.
Copyright reserved. All text in italics & pictures belong to online sources.
May Thy love shine forever from the sanctuary of my devotion and may I be able to awaken Thy love in all hearts ~ Paramahansa Yogananda.
Prayer for the Quick Return of Kyabje Lati Rinpoche,
specially composed by HIS HOLINESS 14TH DALAI LAMA
by Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 10:57pm
Dear Dharma Brothers & Sisters,
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has specially composed the below QUICK RETURN Prayer for us all to recite and pray for our precious teacher's swift return. Please continue to unite in prayers and make strong dedications.
Here is a note (attached with the prayer) from His Holiness:
"The students of Lati Labrang, the assembly of Gaden Shartse monastery, Trijang Labrang, Zong Labrang, Dro-Phen Ling Center Singapore, Phende Lekshe Ling Center Malaysia, Buddhist Center Taiwan, Gaden Shartse Education Committee, Phukhang Khangtsen, as well as Thepo Khangtsen approached me with a request to compose a prayer for the quick return of the late Lati Rinpoche. As I have had close association with this authentic spiritual teacher for over fifty years and have enjoyed a bond of pure faith and commitment, I have written this aspiration prayer. May the aims of this aspiration be fulfilled as prayed for.
This was composed by the Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, on the 5th day of the 3rd month in the seventeenth Rabjung cycle of the Tibetan calendar, namely, on 19, April, 2010."
PRAYER FOR THE QUICK RETURN OF KYABJE LATI RINPOCHE
O peerless savior and supreme Teacher, Shuddhodhana’s son,
O the seventeen masters and adepts, Nagarjuna and Asanga, and so on,
O Dipamkara as well as sovereign father Tsongkhapa,
Gloriously appear here today to grant auspiciousness.
On the great path leading to the heart of Enlightenment,
You’ve traversed by means of the perfect threefold discipline,
And have enhanced ever higher the realizations of enlightened qualities –
O glorious Guru, we offer our supplications at your feet.
Pray return gloriously to propagate the teaching of Lobsang,
By tying well the sash of monastic disciplinary precepts,
And, generating the altruistic intention to free all beings,
Engage in the tantric yogas of the two stages.
Think of the unbearable pain of the sentient beings
Who’re enveloped in the forces of five degenerations;
And to open wide the lotus grove of the Buddha’s teaching,
May your reincarnation appear soon as a source of merit for us.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Translated by Thupten Jinpa, student of the late Kyabje Lati Rinpoché.
May the sun of H.E Lati Rinpoché’s reincarnation shine soon.
- - - - - - - -
Om Mane Padme Hum
---------------
Mar 27, 2010
Cittaviveka
Teachings from the Silent Mind by Ajahn Sumedho
THis chapter titles 'Letting Go'.
Truly, wisdom springs from meditation;
without meditation, wisdom wanes;
having known these two paths of progress and decline,
let one conduct oneself so that wisdom may increase.
- Dhammapada 282
...if u fill your mind with more concepts and opinions, you are just increasing your ability to doubt. it's only through leaning how to empty the mind out that you can fill it within things of value - and learning how to empty a mind takes a great deal of wisdom.
... meditation is a skilful letting go, deliberately emptying out the mind so we can see the purity of the mind - cleaning it out so we can put the right things in it.
You respect your mind, so you are more caferful what you put in it. If you have a nice house, you don't go out and pick up all the filth from the street and bring it in, you bring in thingfs that will enhance it and make it a refreshing and delightful place.
.. when you are suffering - 'why am i miserable?' because you are clinging to somethin! Find out what you are clinging to, to get to the source. 'I'm unhappy because nobody loves me.' That may be true, maybe nobody loves you, but the unhappiness comes from wanting people to love you. Even if they do love you, you will still have suffering if you think that other people are responsible for your happiness of your suffering. Someone says "You are the greatest person I've met in my life!' - and you jump for joy.
Someone says "You are the most horrible person I've met in my life!' - and you get depressed." Let go of depression, let go of happiness. Keep the practice simple: live your life mindfully, morally, and have faith in letting go.
it's important for you to realise that none of us are helpless victims of fate - but we are as long as we remain ignorant. As long as you remain ignorant, you are a helpless victim of your ignorance. All that is ignorant is born and dies, it is bound to die - thats all, its caught in the cycle of death and rebirth. And if you die, you will be reborn - you can count on it. And the more heedlessly you lead your life, the worse the rebirth.
So the Buddha taught a way to break the cycle, and thats' through awareness, trough seeing the cycle rather than being attached to it. When you let go of the cycle, then you are no longer harmed by it. So you let go of the cycle, let go of birth and death, let go of becoming. Letting go of desire is the development of the Third Noble Truth which leads to the Eight Fold Path.
---------
THis chapter titles 'The 5 Hindrances'
Just as, 0 King, the bhikku, so long as these five hindrances are not put away within him, looks upon himself as in debt, diseased, in prison, in slavery, lost on a desert road. But when these 5 hindrances have been put away within him, he looks upon himself as a freed form debt, rid of disease, out of jail, a free man and secure ....
- Digha Niaya II - 73
In meditation one develops an understanding of the 5 hindrances - how, when one of them is present, you investigate it, you understand it, you accept its presence and you learn how to deal with it. Sometimes you can just tell it to go away and it goes; sometimes you just have to allow it to be there till it wears out.
We have subtle ways of being averse to that which is unpleasant and we tend not to be very honest about our intentions. Our habits are that as soon as something unpleasant arises we try to move away from it or destroy it. So long as we are doing this, we don't have any samadhi or concentration. It is only when these 5 hindrances are absent, or we are no longer attached to them, that we find any peace of mind or a concentrated heart.
It is only in the moment when a hindrance actually arises that we can really penetrate it and have insight. If you have noticed, you may go to some of these lectures and gain profound understanding of the Dhamma, but you can still get angry or feel desire for things. When the actual situation arises, you are not mindful; you tend to resist or resent or just judge.
The Buddha spoke of "5 Hindrances" on the spiritual path:
1 - sense desire (greed, lust)
2 - ill will (anger)
3 - dullness (sloth/torpor)
4 - restleness and worry (agitation)
5 - sceptical doubt
... In life, wisdom arises within us when we understand the things that we are experiencing here and now. You don't have to do anything special. You don't have to experience all kinds of extreme pain in order to transcend pain. The pain in your ordinary life is enough to be enlightened with. All these feelings of hunger or thirst, or restlessness or jealousy or fear, of lust and greed and sleepiness - all these we can regards as teachers. Rather than resenting them, saying, "What did I do to deserve this?" you should say, 'Thank you very much. I'll have to learn this lesson some day; I might as well do it now, rather than put it off."
THis chapter titles 'Letting Go'.
Truly, wisdom springs from meditation;
without meditation, wisdom wanes;
having known these two paths of progress and decline,
let one conduct oneself so that wisdom may increase.
- Dhammapada 282
...if u fill your mind with more concepts and opinions, you are just increasing your ability to doubt. it's only through leaning how to empty the mind out that you can fill it within things of value - and learning how to empty a mind takes a great deal of wisdom.
... meditation is a skilful letting go, deliberately emptying out the mind so we can see the purity of the mind - cleaning it out so we can put the right things in it.
You respect your mind, so you are more caferful what you put in it. If you have a nice house, you don't go out and pick up all the filth from the street and bring it in, you bring in thingfs that will enhance it and make it a refreshing and delightful place.
.. when you are suffering - 'why am i miserable?' because you are clinging to somethin! Find out what you are clinging to, to get to the source. 'I'm unhappy because nobody loves me.' That may be true, maybe nobody loves you, but the unhappiness comes from wanting people to love you. Even if they do love you, you will still have suffering if you think that other people are responsible for your happiness of your suffering. Someone says "You are the greatest person I've met in my life!' - and you jump for joy.
Someone says "You are the most horrible person I've met in my life!' - and you get depressed." Let go of depression, let go of happiness. Keep the practice simple: live your life mindfully, morally, and have faith in letting go.
it's important for you to realise that none of us are helpless victims of fate - but we are as long as we remain ignorant. As long as you remain ignorant, you are a helpless victim of your ignorance. All that is ignorant is born and dies, it is bound to die - thats all, its caught in the cycle of death and rebirth. And if you die, you will be reborn - you can count on it. And the more heedlessly you lead your life, the worse the rebirth.
So the Buddha taught a way to break the cycle, and thats' through awareness, trough seeing the cycle rather than being attached to it. When you let go of the cycle, then you are no longer harmed by it. So you let go of the cycle, let go of birth and death, let go of becoming. Letting go of desire is the development of the Third Noble Truth which leads to the Eight Fold Path.
---------
THis chapter titles 'The 5 Hindrances'
Just as, 0 King, the bhikku, so long as these five hindrances are not put away within him, looks upon himself as in debt, diseased, in prison, in slavery, lost on a desert road. But when these 5 hindrances have been put away within him, he looks upon himself as a freed form debt, rid of disease, out of jail, a free man and secure ....
- Digha Niaya II - 73
In meditation one develops an understanding of the 5 hindrances - how, when one of them is present, you investigate it, you understand it, you accept its presence and you learn how to deal with it. Sometimes you can just tell it to go away and it goes; sometimes you just have to allow it to be there till it wears out.
We have subtle ways of being averse to that which is unpleasant and we tend not to be very honest about our intentions. Our habits are that as soon as something unpleasant arises we try to move away from it or destroy it. So long as we are doing this, we don't have any samadhi or concentration. It is only when these 5 hindrances are absent, or we are no longer attached to them, that we find any peace of mind or a concentrated heart.
It is only in the moment when a hindrance actually arises that we can really penetrate it and have insight. If you have noticed, you may go to some of these lectures and gain profound understanding of the Dhamma, but you can still get angry or feel desire for things. When the actual situation arises, you are not mindful; you tend to resist or resent or just judge.
The Buddha spoke of "5 Hindrances" on the spiritual path:
1 - sense desire (greed, lust)
2 - ill will (anger)
3 - dullness (sloth/torpor)
4 - restleness and worry (agitation)
5 - sceptical doubt
... In life, wisdom arises within us when we understand the things that we are experiencing here and now. You don't have to do anything special. You don't have to experience all kinds of extreme pain in order to transcend pain. The pain in your ordinary life is enough to be enlightened with. All these feelings of hunger or thirst, or restlessness or jealousy or fear, of lust and greed and sleepiness - all these we can regards as teachers. Rather than resenting them, saying, "What did I do to deserve this?" you should say, 'Thank you very much. I'll have to learn this lesson some day; I might as well do it now, rather than put it off."
Mar 26, 2010
R ~ Smile like a Millionaire
i remember one of my many precious lessons in Sept 2005 ~ "smile like a millionaire".
its free, it makes me happy and it brings joy to others.
and i remember my college crush - because the guy had a very sunny smile.
the most difficult thing i find is smiling at those who do not like to smile, or do not smile back. when i'm in my smiling mode however, no long face will stop the smile from being contagious!
oh, how wierd that even a person is usually not sincere, but when one smiles, there will be a gradual growth in sincerity. ; D becos its contagious, its a blessing to oneself and others.
oh, how is it that many tries to achieve so much in life - spiritual, mental, physical, wealth, etc etc.. but with such a painful face! haha.
and also in my himalayan yoga experience, there was a repeat of words i loved - remember to tell my forehead to smile!
and i must always remember to smile more so others will smile with me. even when i have stuffy nose!
my highest service and offer to those around me is to keep smiling. so if u see me not smiling, pls smile at me! thank you in advance for doing so.
N.
its free, it makes me happy and it brings joy to others.
and i remember my college crush - because the guy had a very sunny smile.
the most difficult thing i find is smiling at those who do not like to smile, or do not smile back. when i'm in my smiling mode however, no long face will stop the smile from being contagious!
oh, how wierd that even a person is usually not sincere, but when one smiles, there will be a gradual growth in sincerity. ; D becos its contagious, its a blessing to oneself and others.
oh, how is it that many tries to achieve so much in life - spiritual, mental, physical, wealth, etc etc.. but with such a painful face! haha.
and also in my himalayan yoga experience, there was a repeat of words i loved - remember to tell my forehead to smile!
and i must always remember to smile more so others will smile with me. even when i have stuffy nose!
my highest service and offer to those around me is to keep smiling. so if u see me not smiling, pls smile at me! thank you in advance for doing so.
N.
Mar 3, 2010
Patience, Kind Awareness
...
Take all the time in the world to endure the unendurable. What seems to be unendurable is endurable if you are patient. Remember the world happens to be as it is, and right now that's the only way it can be. The only thing we can do is to be patient with it. It doesn't mean that we approve, or like it any the more ... it means we can exist in it peacefully, rather than complaining, rebelling and causing more frictions and confusion, adding more confusion through believing in our own confusion.
We can allow conditions to be just as they are, because they come and go - their nature is to go away, so we don't have to make them go away.
We 're free and patient and enduring enough to allow things to take their natural course. In this way we liberate ourselves from the struggle, strife, and the confusion of the ignorant mind that has to spend all its time evaluating and discriminating trying to hold onto something, trying to get rid of something.
... taken from Cittaviveka (Teachings from the Silent mind) by Ajahn Sumedho
excitement
fascination
enjoyment
revulsion
aversion
dullness
fear
doubts
opinions
concepts
chaos
likes
dislikes
principles
beliefs
N.
Take all the time in the world to endure the unendurable. What seems to be unendurable is endurable if you are patient. Remember the world happens to be as it is, and right now that's the only way it can be. The only thing we can do is to be patient with it. It doesn't mean that we approve, or like it any the more ... it means we can exist in it peacefully, rather than complaining, rebelling and causing more frictions and confusion, adding more confusion through believing in our own confusion.
We can allow conditions to be just as they are, because they come and go - their nature is to go away, so we don't have to make them go away.
We 're free and patient and enduring enough to allow things to take their natural course. In this way we liberate ourselves from the struggle, strife, and the confusion of the ignorant mind that has to spend all its time evaluating and discriminating trying to hold onto something, trying to get rid of something.
... taken from Cittaviveka (Teachings from the Silent mind) by Ajahn Sumedho
excitement
fascination
enjoyment
revulsion
aversion
dullness
fear
doubts
opinions
concepts
chaos
likes
dislikes
principles
beliefs
N.
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