Sharing- a small story

Today, I want to share a little story that happened a couple of days ago. I was taking a walk in my neighborhood, enjoying the warmth and sunshine. There are a couple of plum trees that grow by the streetside, und underneath one of those trees, I saw a man who seemed to be a homeless. He was standing and looking up to see if he could find any plums to pick and eat. As I was passing by, I asked him, if he had found any so far, and he replied that he had spotted some plums a couple of moments before but now could not see them anymore. The leaves of the tree have the same reddish color than the plums, so they are hard to find, and also the birds usually take most of the fruits so to find some is not too easy. I stopped and looked up into the tree, until I found a branch with a couple of fruits on it, and said to the man: "Here are some plums, they look nice and ripe! I cannot get them for you as I am not tall enough to reach them, but you might be tall enough". The man smiled and started picking the fruits, and I turned around to continue my walk, happy, that he had gotten something nice to eat for himself. Just as I said my good-bye to the man and walked on, he suddenly called out to me from behind, offering me half of the fruits, saying: "Would you like to try? You should try, they are good!". First, I really did not want to take any, as I felt I did not need any fruits, I had a fridge full of food at home, a warm bed, a place to call "home", whereas for him, I did not know how much he had even gotten to eat that day. I felt happy that I could be of help in finding some nice fruits to eat for this man, and I felt he should have all of them. But then, I saw his happiness and sincerity in offering me half of the fruit, and I felt, that it was not my place to refuse his kind offer. So I thanked him and took the fruit, and in my heart, I felt they were a gift coming directly from God. The happiness and sincerity this man had in offering me his fruits, made it an offering from the Divine- and I took them as such, tasting the sweetness of Sharing and the sweetness of the fruit at the same time.

St Francis Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. 
Where there is hatred, let me sow love, 
Where there is injury, pardon 
Where there is doubt, faith, 
Where there is despair, hope, 
Where there is darkness, light, 
Where there is sadness, joy. 
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much 
seek to be consoled as to console, 
not so much to be understood as to understand, 
not so much to be loved, as to love; 
for it is in giving that we receive, 
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

You are loved

Love- from the moment you took your first breath, I loved you, 

For I knew of the many battles that would fade your memory of what's inside of you,

The many doubts that would arise, making you stumble.

In fact, I have always loved you, for Love is all I have and all I give;

My Love is given to you freely and abundantly, every moment of this journey called "life"

When you feel you don't have anything left, call on Me- I shall be there

Stay strong. Grow stronger. Walk taller. 

For I am with You- I am inside of You- I am You

We are Love

Aluminum free, homemade deodorant- easy and quick :-)

Today, I want to share a quick and easy recipe for homemade, all-natural deodorant. To me, spirituality includes all aspects of life, also physical health and well-being and since some time now, I am becoming more and more conscious about what I choose to put in and on my body. I stopped using "normal" (meaning, non-natural) deodorant a couple of months ago, after noticing how it sometimes made the area under my arms hurt. Most deodorants and anti-perspirants contain Aluminum, which, as recent studies are finding out, most likely harms us in many ways. Putting it on one of the most delicate areas of our bodies does not sound right to me.
I tried some of the natural options of deodorant, but found them to be either a bit expensive, or not working too well for me. Then, I stumbled across some recipes for home-made deodorant, and found that it works quite well for me, plus, it is not at all expensive to make. You can also add your own essential oil if you like, making it smell the way you like best.

Home made, all-natural deodorant

You will need one cup of cornstarch, one tablespoon of baking soda, and about six tablespoons of coconut oil (you can melt the coconut oil before using it, so it mixes in easier, but the recipe works just fine with hard coconut oil as well, you just may need to stir and mix for a longer time).

Mix the cornstarch and baking soda in a medium sized bowl and start adding the coconut oil gradually, all the time continuing to stir. You know your deodorant is done when your mix becomes smooth like cake frosting. You can now go ahead and mix in about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil for a nice scent. Be careful though to only use pure essential oil, as artificial oils might irritate your skin.

You can store your deodorant in a small glass- or plastic container, and if you live in a cooler climate or have a cool place to store your deodorant in, you may even use an empty deodorant stick, and the mix will stay solid. Know though, that coconut oil melts easily, so a jar might be the easiest and cleanest option. To use, take out a small quantity with your (clean)fingers and apply to your underarms. It should absorb quickly and leave your skin dry and smooth ;-)

Good luck!

Acupressure Points- little "big" helpers for daily life

As I am currently in the middle of my studies to becoming a Certified Massage Therapist (Acupressureist), I wanted to share some common Acupressure Points that I use regularly to support my journey through life, and that have been used since ancien times to relief common complaints both on the physical and mental level.

Acupressure is a technic where pressure is applied to certain points that are located along the body's energy pathways or Meridians, thereby balancing the energy throughout our body, which in turn affects  not only our physical, but also our mental well-being and energy level.

The term "pressure" can be misleading, making us think, we need to press hard into the points to get results, but this is absolutely not the case: it is not the amount of pressure applied that is important, but the location of the point. Hence, one can use one's fingertips to apply gentle pressure and connect with the body's energy pathways. Of course, sometimes we want firm pressure especially if we are sore or stiff (for example, in the neck, shoulder and back region), and we can adjust the pressure to our own liking and preference. I just want to point out that firm pressure does not make for "better results" here.

So, now that you know a little about how Acupressure works and how it can be applied to ourselves, Iet me give you a little collection of points that I have found to be very helpful-

I have used the following webpage for point location and explanation: www.acupressure.com 

Stress, Anxiety: 

The Inner Gate Point (P 6)

P 6 called the Inner Gate is located three finger widths up from the center of your wrist crease in between your bones and tendon cords. This acupressure point balances your feelings, perceptions, and inner awareness; it also balances and calms your internal condition.

Sea of Tranquility (CV 17)

CV 17 is on the center of your breastbone, in the indentations or dips of the sternum bone. This acupressure point called the Sea of Tranquility has an immediate calming effect when you’re in anxious, nervous, in emotional distress, under pressure or some kind of stress. I suggest ending your acupressure routines with this calming point as a final balancing step and hold this point with deep breathing whenever you begin to feel anxious or nervous.

Insomnia, Trouble Sleeping:

Insomnia sleep disorder Acupressure Points K 6, B 62

The Acupressure Points (K 6 and B 62) between your heel and anklebones (on both sides) have traditionally been used to relieve and prevent insomnia. The acupressure point on the inside of the heel below your inner anklebone is called Joyful Sleep. Can you guess what to do to obtain joyful sleep? Just hold this ankle acupressure point while taking deep breaths for a few minutes before you go to bed.

The Acupressure points on the outside of your heel, below your outer anklebone are calledCalm Sleep. Pressing these ankle points together by placing your thumb on one side and your fingertips on the other side of your ankle, can relieve pain from the waist down, and enable your body to relax deeply for a good night’s sleep. This acupressure technique and the following tips are easy to teach your child.

Stress Relief, Chronic Shouler- and Neck Tension:

Acupressure Points for shoulder and neck problems

Chronic Shoulder & Neck Tensions from common stress conditions cause circulation and neuro-muscular problems. I’ve found the following acupressure points extremely effective for relieving stress and urge you to use Stress Relief, which guides in detail to release these three points:

GB 21 is on the top of the shoulders, two finger widths out from the outside base of your neck. This stress relief acupressure point is where you have the most tension in your trapezius muscles. I find it easiest to use my opposite hand to press this point. First feel for the tension on the top of your shoulders by firmly rubbing to feel for the tightest spot. Then curve your fingers to hook the weight of your arm into this stress relief point.

Special Neck Pain Points: B 10, Gv 16, GB 20

B 10 is on the back of your neck, just one thumb width down from you skull, and one thumb width out from the center of your spine on your upper neck. This acupressure point is good for hormonal balance, since it benefits the thyroid gland. Use firm, prolonged pressure on B 10.Stress Relief provides step-by-step guidance.

GB 20 is located in the hollows underneath the base of your skull, about 3 to 4 inches apart, depending on the size of your body. This great acupressure point further releases shoulder pain, neck stiffness, and tension headaches.

These acupressure points should be held for 2 to 3 minutes with firm finger pressure several times throughout the day and night. This can release your chronic and acute tensions in the shoulder and neck region of your body.

I have used the following webpage for point location and explanation: www.acupressure.com 

The Language of Compassion and Empathy

Non-Violent Communication

Since some time now, with great joy and interest, I have been watching and listening to Dr Marshall Rosenberg's videos on non-violent communication and I try every day, to put it into practice as much as I can and remember. Non violent communication is a way of connecting with ourselves and others in a very authentic way, listening to and acknowledging the deeper needs in ourselves and others and noticing the values we or others strive to live by. It helps us to honor the natural striving in our hearts to contribute to each other's well-being and honor each other's needs, creating a space where we no longer need to "fight for our rights and values" or "break" one another, using the language of blame, judgement and domination,  but co-create and acknowledge our common humanity.

"All that has been integrated into NVC has been known for centuries about consciousness, language, communication skills, and use of power that enable us to maintain a perspective of empathy for ourselves and others, even under trying conditions."
-- Marshall B. Rosenberg, Phd

Watch Video here:

Extreme Pilgrim- in the footsteps of the old desert fathers

Some weeks ago, I watched a very inspiring video about Peter Owen Jones, a reverend from the UK, whom you might know from his movie: "in 80 faiths around the world". In this video, "Extreme Pilgrim", he sets out to experience the seclusion, intensity and intimacy of a 21-day-long retreat in a cave in the Egyptian desert, re-living the life of the old Christian hermits, of whom one still can find a handfull in this rough, secluded land, perfect for a retreat into the heart, face-to-face with one's wildest dreams and deepest fears. Instructions and guidance he receives from an old hermit, who built the cave and had lived in it for several years, and soon, Peter finds himself alone or "all-one" with only the desert surrounding him, some icons of Mother Mary and Jesus, candles and a little "kitchen cave" to make himself a cup of coffee...

Devotional Singing- origin of the Bhakti Movement in India

Devotional Singing- Awakening Love for the Divine in our Hearts

I wanted to share a little bit about the tradition, history and effects of Traditional Indian Devotional music and singing, as it is very dear to me and something, that has affected my life in a very positive and uplifting way.

Sound, music and the art of singing are ancient and timeless, and yet there are times, where it greatly and openly marks the beginning of a new growing, unfolding and uplifting of humankind. One such development started to unfold in India between the 14th and 17th century with the appearance of saints like Tukaram, Tulsidas, Meera Bai and Lord Chaitanya, whose mission it was to wake up the sleeping hearts of humankind to burn again in Love for the Divine and to remind those many souls that had been deprived of knowledge about and the possibility to worship the Divine because of caste, gender, cultural or social background- that it was indeed possible for anyone and everyone to love and serve the Divine with no limitation. Saint Tulsidas was the one who, after having studied under the guidance of his widely renowned Guru, started to write his own poems and songs in the local language- something, that had been regarded as "blasphemy", as all holy books and texts had been written in Sanskrit, a language understood only by Brahmins, priests and Initiates; 

Meera Bai, though a princess of birth and married (against her will, as she had already accepted her God Krishna to be her husband) to a powerful and influential prince, renounced all pomp and glory and, enduring many a trial and plot from her family, left everything behind to follow the call of her heart to union with Her Divine Beloved. She mixed freely with men, women and children alike, not caring about outside status and rank, but only caring to spread Love for the Divine to everyone alike.

These and many other saints are the cornerstones of a movement called the "Bhakti Movement" (Bhakti meaning loving devotion to the Divine), which, as stated above, began to form in India between the 14th and 17th century. This movement called anyone alike- irrespective of outside status and rank- to experience and express loving devotion to God. Where before it was reserved for the high-castes, priests and Initiates to know about and render worship to God, people of all walks of life and cultural backgrounds were now dancing and singing on the streets, raising their arms, playing the drums and Kartals, with tears streaming down their faces. Shouts of "Hari Bol!" ("Sing Lord Hari's Name!) could be heard, as the processions made their way through the cities and villages. The songs were written in the native dialects, so people could understand the stories they told about the different aspects and incarnations of God and they could establish their own relationship with the Divine. These songs- Bhajans and Kirtans- are popular to this day, and continue to move and inspire people and remind them, that their relationship with the Divine- in whichever form it may be- stands above all book-knowledge, doctrines and outside limitations, but is experienced in the Heart, the Seat of the Divine, the  fertile ground where Bhakti blossoms.

Link to a Kirtan of an old movie about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XScZyP3pwak

Repetition of the Name of God- Parallels in Hinduism and Christianity

Repetition of the Name of God- Parallels in Hinduism and Christianity

Repeating the name of God is a practice well known not only in Hinduism, but also other religions, even Christianity.
What does repetition of the Name of God mean, and what are it's goals and benefits?
Repetition of the Name of God can be done with any chosen Divine Name, or Mantra, and as stated above, is not bound to one religion or path only. It can be done in different ways- singing, chanting aloud, whispering or, internally. My Gurudev Sri Swami Vishwananda often speaks about the importance of Japa, as continuous chanting of God's Name is called in Hinduism. It is a way to establish a close connection with the Divine and to imprint our minds and hearts with the vibration of the One we are calling. In Hinduism, we use a Japa Mala, a string with 108 beads on it, similar to the rosary in Christianity. It is used to help us focus and actively chant our Mantra or Name, and the counting beads of the Mala are often made of substances related to the Divine, like Tulsi or Sandal wood or certain stones like crystal or rose quartz.

Chanting the Divine Name turns our mind and heart towards God, and the more we practice it, the more it will begin to "chant on it's own" internally, a practice which is described in the Old Testament by King Solomon: "I was asleep, yet my Heart was awake...". Our mind can be asleep to everything around us, yet the Heart can be conscious of the Divine at the same time; this is, what continuous repetition of the Lord's name does. With every breath, it draws the Divine closer and closer into our Heart, or in other words: draws us closer to remembrance of Him (or Her) within us, and we begin to see Him everywhere, wherever we go. Lord krishna, the great Avatar (Incarnation of God) of Hinduism, taught Japa Nama- the repetition of the Divine Name- as the easiest way for anyone to achieve realisation in this time and age. In Christianity, this practice is called "prayer of the heart", and it is still very alive especially in certain parts of the Orthodox church- I recently read a book about this, called "The way of the Pilgrim" translated into English by Olga Savin, and was very surprised and delighted to see the significant parallels between Hinduism and Christianity.
 One way I personally love to invoke the Divine, is through devotional singing of Kirtans and Bhajans, as they are called in Hinduism. These songs tell about the different names, incarnations and attributes of the Divine, and are a wonderful way of stopping the mind's constant chatter. Most Bhajans and Kirtans are sung in Sanskrit, which is supposed to be the oldest existing language and it is also called Devanagari, the "language of the Gods". There have been interesting studies and researches done on the effect this language has on our brain, and by far the most significant fact is, that even if we do not understand the meaning of it's words, it still effects our brain in a very positive and healing way. It is believed that, being the oldest language and coming directly from the Gods, the vibration of it's words are closest to the object they are describing compared to any other language- thus, if I am singing the Name of God, I am invoking a very high and positive vibration, even if I may not consciously be aware of it.

Here is the link to a video of a Bhajan, sung in Sanskrit

The Spiritual Side of Things

The Spiritual Side of Things-
Seen through my eyes, everything we encounter in life, every experience, every meeting, every connection, every "fall", every "rise"- is a spiritual experience. The term spirituality does not have one commonly agreed on and fixed definition, but let us describe it as "the search for the Sacred, that, which is worthy of veneration". Every day I strive to see my Beloved in everything I do and encounter- but, who is He, my Beloved? I am not speaking of a physical beloved here, rather, of an Eternal One, and He has many names and forms and can be felt in many different ways. In no way is He limited to gender, either, this is just my own, personal relationship with Him. He is the One, that forms the string on which my life's experiences are strung as spiritual pearls. If I put my trust in Him, the most dreadful situation can become a place of personal and spiritual growth and an opportunity to move beyond the limitations that my mind likes to put on myself.

To start off, I posted a video of a sweet devotional story about spiritual pride and arrogance- for indeed those two can greatly blind and delude us on our path, like two big rocks chained to our legs, making every step painful and difficult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TITk5eiqjwE