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Thoughts on Sustainability - w/ Maynard James Keenan

The Meditation Project Blog — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:30:11 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOUhQkb6bW8&feature=related

Click the above link to watch an 11 minute video of Maynard James Keenan (lead singer of “Tool”, Puscifer, Perfect Circle, & Creator of fine wines) speaking about vision and self-sustainability.

Brought to you by www.TheMeditationProject.com

There's No Place Like Ohm - Week 8 Hobby 8

pursuitofhobbyness — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:09:34 +0000

Swamped by the pressures of every day life (and mildly terrified of getting roped into climbing again after I’d just regained the ability to do up my own buttons) I thought meditation would be a wise hobby to pursuit this week.

Now I’m a bit of a sceptic when it comes to meditating classes – fearful of being sucked into some cult or wicker circle or pressurised into joining a new religion. This was no such thing.

In a bright and sunny room in ‘The Place’ in King’s Cross, around 25 folding chairs were spread around in a circle. Half of these were filled when Swami Paramananda came in with a gold watch and a golden mind.

He began by explaining that there are many different ways to meditate, and that to teach your mind to let go can take some practice. The technique we did that sunny Sunday morning began with eyes closed and some heavy breathing (no, not like that).

We then were told to sit calmly and focus on ‘seeing’ (eyes still closed) our breath go in and out of us. Once that was the single thing we concentrated on, we were then to ‘look at’ our thoughts. And I mean look at. Not think about, categorise or judge. Just ‘see’ them without emotion or action. He described it as a sky with our thoughts being clouds floating along. I found it easier to imagine looking into a pool with them bobbing around.

But after the first few minutes my mind started wondering; how much would a gym membership be through a new company and did I take the chicken breasts out of the freezer for dinner? You know, important stuff.

He suggested when we wondered to return to the ‘watching your breathing’ state until the mind was focused on one thing again. So I did, and struggled to return to thought watching.

While I still remain slightly sceptical, two things surprised me with this class:

First; the room was cold. I kept thinking when we were starting that I should have got up and got my jersey. But I didn’t want to disrupt. A few minutes in I lost awareness of the temperature, of my hands together in my lap, of the person’s tummy next to me grumbling. I lost all sense for just a short while. When we opened our eyes again half an hour later, I was cold once more.

Second; before I closed my eyes a young guy slipped in and sat next to me, politely saying ‘Hi’ before we began. When I opened my eyes again a little old lady was sitting in the same spot. Seriously. I’m not sure how it happened, but it’s true. I think our combined meditating changed his form into an old lady.

Try meditation – it’s cheap, it gets you out of the house on a Sunday morning and transported me into a VUP or ‘very useful person’ for the day.

I also agree with the sentiment; seeing thoughts from a more objective viewpoint should allow a calmer tackling of them.

Rating:

Cost – £
Energy – As much is needed to sit still for half an hour.
Sociability – While there’s meant to be a shared energy which is why people often get together to mediate, it’s an unspoken energy, so unless you corner people afterward it’s something you do for you.
Equipment needed – Nada.

Want to give it a go?

I would recommend LondonMeditation.info for first-timers – every other Sunday, 10-11am, £5 drop-in fee.

Others, untried:

Meditate in London – Golders Green, £8, Monday evenings
London Meditation – Camden, weekend day course £95
London Buddhist Centre – Leicester Square, Saturday, £5
Inner Space – Some free, timing varies, Covent Garden
Meditate in South London – various venues in South London, £6-8

Forgive Yourself Free

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:28:52 +0000

Learn to Meditate @ www.TheMeditationProject.com

Setting Yourself Free

The Meditation Project Blog — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:30:03 +0000

During the last hundred years or so, the way of life has changed greatly throughout the world. The social system and other systems are no longer the same as they used to be in ancient times. This has brought about a dispersion of human energies at all levels. The mind of man has lost the point of balance and harmony in every sphere of existence. We are so engrossed in material survival that we have not been aware of what has been happening to us.

Within the last century or two, diseases have sprung up with new dimensions, expressions, and manifestations, and this has reached a peak in the last few decades. Medical science has put an end to the great plagues of the past, but we are now faced with a new epidemic of stress-related disorders caused by our inability to adapt to the highly competitive pace of modern life.

Psychosomatic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, migraine, asthma, ulcers, digestive disorders, and skin diseases arise from tensions in the body and mind. The leading causes of death in developed countries, cancer and heart disease, also stem directly from the tension of our lifestyles.

Modern medical science has been trying to tackle these problems in many ways, but frankly speaking, they have failed to deliver the necessary health to man. This is because the real problem does not lie in the body; it originates in man’s changing ideals, in his way of thinking and feeling. When there is dissipation of energy, dispersion of ideals, how can one expect to experience harmony in the body or mind?

The international problem today is no hunger, poverty, drugs or fear of war. It is tension, hypertension, and total tension. If you know how to free yourself of tension, you know how to solve your problems in life. If you are able to balance your tensions, you can control your emotions, anger, and passions.

Whether you think too much or you don’t think at all, you accumulate tensions. If you work physically, or you do not work at all, you accumulate tensions. Whether you sleep too much or not all, you accumulate tensions. Whether you take a heavy protein diet, a carbohydrate diet, or a vegetarian diet, you accumulate tensions. And these tensions amass in the different layers of the human personality. They accumulate in the muscular, emotion, and mental systems.

Through practices of yoga and meditation, we deal the problem of tension with a wide periscope of ways. We realize that if the mind is tense, the stomach and other arts will also be tense. And if the stomach is tense, then the entire circulatory system is tense as well. All of our systems are connected, and all systems are rooted in our mind. Therefore, in yoga/meditation, relaxation from tension is one of the chief concerns.

These inner tensions of the individual contribute to collective psychological tensions which can and often manifest in unhappy family life, chaos and disorder in social life, and aggression and warfare between communities and nations. Religions have failed to give peace of mind to the individual in most cases. Law, police, armies, and governments have been unable to establish harmony between people. The yogic texts all equally and clearly state that peace can only be found within, never without. Therefore, if we wish to create a more peaceful world, we must first learn how to relax and harmonize our own body and mind. We must first give ourselves the experience of peace before we can have it to share with another.

Ancient as well as modern psychological philosophies describe the three basic types of tension which are responsible for all of the agonies of modern life, through the systematic practice of yoga and meditation; these threefold tensions can be progressively released.

1) Muscular tensions – are related to the body itself, the nervous system and endocrinal imbalances. These are easily removed by the deep physical relaxation attained in a meditative/yogic state.

2) Emotion Tensions – which stem from various dualities such as love/hate, profit/loss, success/failure, happiness/unhappiness… are more abstract and difficult to erase. This is because often we are not able to express our emotions freely and openly. Often we refuse to recognize them, so they are repressed, and the resulting tensions become more and more deeply rooted. It is not possible to relax and release these tensions through ordinary sleep or relaxation. Methods such as yoga or meditation are needed in order to penetrate the surface, in order to allow the energies to unwind and release from their stuckness within our mind.

3) Mental Tensions- are the result of excessive mental activity. The mind is a whirlpool of fantasies, confusions, and oscillations. Throughout our life, the experiences registered by our consciousness are accumulated in the mental body. From time to time, these explode, affecting our body, mind, behavior, and reactions. When we are sad, angry, or irritated, we often attribute that condition of the mind to some superficial cause. But the underlying cause behind man’s abnormal behavior lies in the accumulated tensions on the mental plane. Meditation is the science of relaxation which enables each of us to dice deep down into the realms of the subconscious mind, thereby releasing and relaxing mental tensions, and establishing harmony in all facets of our being.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Through these practices of yoga and meditation, we are not only relaxing, but re-structuring and reforming our whole personality from within. Like the mythical Phoenix, with every session we are burning away the old dysfunctional habits, patterns, and tendencies from our mind in order to become born anew.

And what is the secret of this transformation? Sermons? No. Admonitions? No. Release of tension, relaxation and peace of mind are the secret to transformation. When an individual is under tension, their behavior is influenced, and when they relax, they become “Natural”. Then one knows reality, the truth. Then they also know how to properly behave, because the knowledge of truth is necessary for right behavior. And knowledge of truth only comes when one is free of tension.

- This writing is from “Yoga Nidra” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati – (slight editing from original by Joshua Taflinger)

Learn to meditation @ http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Attachment vs. Reality

The Meditation Project Blog — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:06:06 +0000

“Drop the idea that attachment and love are one thing.
They are enemies. It is attachment that destroys all love.
If you feed, if you nourish attachment, love will be destroyed;
if you feed and nourish love, attachment will fall away by itself.
They are not one; they are two separate entities, and antagonistic to each other.” Osho

Meditate more. Learn How: http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

The Buffer

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:42:38 +0000

What is this buffer between us and the world?

Layers deep sometimes. In social settings we have our masks. In private settings we have our personal excuses, but why?

Feeling safe. Hiding behind a persona. Giving the people around us what they expect from us. Our lives.

What do we do to find the raw when we’ve created our realities to be so sterile and domesticated? How do we tap back into the primal and the natural essence of ourselves?

We simple have to let go. And it’s one thing to let go for a moment.. like parachuting, or cliff diving, or sex, or etc… but to be able to tap back into our core truths, we have to be able to let go of the persona, the personality, the person… long enough to see the truth of what animates us. To see the truth of ourselves.

We must find a way to sustain letting go of our selves. The moment of release shows us and makes us aware of the possibility.. The sustained practice allows us to live and be the possibility in the every day of our lives.

Medittaion is a path that can lead many individual minds to a state of sustained “letting go”…… enough to establish a stable sense of self in order to establish oneself in this world in ones own ideal way.

Learn to meditate with techniques offered @ http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Your Life. Your Choice. Your Reality.

The Meditation Project Blog — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:21:17 +0000

“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”
– Goethe

Learn to Meditate: http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Download Meditation 1 For FREE - Valid through February 14th

The Meditation Project Blog — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:31:52 +0000

Try “Meditation 1: Bringing the Mind to Clarity, Focus, and Center” for FREE. (Normally $7 for the Mp3 download)

Simply go to our website “www.TheMeditationProject.com”, click the “Buy Now” button for the Meditation 1 Mp3 download, and then type the word “free” into the discount code box in the shopping cart and your download will be completely free.

Enjoy! and as always, please share your meditation experiences either here on the blog or on our Facebook Page.

Now, Take a deep breath and a moment to appreciate an aspect or all of your life.

Namaste.

Simple Truth

The Meditation Project Blog — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:20:50 +0000

“It’s not that some people have will power and some don’t.

It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not.”

- James Gorden

Thought brought to you by: http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Facing Our Soul

The Meditation Project Blog — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:44:04 +0000

“There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” – Carl Jung

Thought brought to you by http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Humility and its' gift to Us

The Meditation Project Blog — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:55:34 +0000

As we go through our day to day lives, it’s easy to cultivate a “hardness of heart” and sometimes difficult to ignore the rules we live by in order to help someone out. What makes it hard is that to keep our hearts from getting hard, we have to retain some humility. We have to remind ourselves that we don’t know everything, that we’re not perfect, and work to constantly improve and refine ourselves. There’s even some science to back this up – a recent study indicates that humble people are more likely to help others than the arrogant.

It’s hard to be humble, especially in a world that pushes “branding yourself”, competition, and fame. A world where legitimately changing your mind is labeled “flip-flopping” and refusing to change it no matter what is labeled “principled.”

But to be humble is also to be open. When you know you don’t have all the answers, you can be more sensitive to new information. That means it’s easier to change your mind. To be flexible. To be a scientist of sorts, by putting everything to the test and showing a willingness to, in Emerson’s words, “speak what you think now in hard words, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today.”

To be humble is also to recognize that you’re going to make mistakes, but that you can learn from those mistakes and do better. When you lose that humility, mistakes always become someone else’s fault.

To be humble is also to be compassionate, because the realization that you don’t know everything, the realization that you can and will make mistakes also leads to understanding that everyone else is in the same boat. People screw up. People make mistakes. Helping both yourself and others fix those mistakes is what eventually leads to a successful life.

Even when offering that help means breaking a rule or two.

Written By: Michael Noer Forbes Staff

Learn to Meditate and cultivate humility with the simple meditation tools offered @ http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Simple Thought

The Meditation Project Blog — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:22:38 +0000

When we think equal to our environments, there is no change in our daily lives. We must think ahead of reality in order to create a new world. We have a choice to live in survival mode or creation mode or simple pure existance.

Learn to Meditate @ http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Spark Your Fire

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:46:12 +0000

your life spark fires from within your innermost temple
no one can reach there but you
it is your inner sacred sanctum…
you are your own master there
only you can reach and ignite your fire

- Osho Rajneesh

Oh Nuts

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:43:07 +0000

http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Clear Fear

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:36:53 +0000

“If one would be completely free of fear, it is essential to understand this whole process of terming, of projecting symbols, images, giving names to facts. That is, there can be freedom from fear only when there is self-knowledge. Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom, which is the ending of fear.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti
http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Meditate Beyond the Meditation Exercises

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:35:01 +0000

“Concentration exercises makes the mind stronger. Meditation does not make the mind strong but it takes us beyond the mind. Meditation is all about dis-identifying with the mind. Meditation is to be alert about our thoughts and witnessing our desires rather than indulging in them.” – unknown source.

http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Humbling River

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:26:56 +0000

“Few cross over the river. Most are stranded on this side. On the riverbank they run up and down. But the wise man, following the way, Crosses over, beyond the reach of death. He leaves the dark way For the way of light.” Quoted Buddha

http://www.myspace.com/music/player?sid=59827681&ac=now Listen to this for an interesting perspective.

Learn to Meditate with Simple Techniques @ http://www.TheMeditationProject.com

Production of the "Introduction to Meditation" video is complete. Take a Look!

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:16:04 +0000

We are excited to present our short “Introduction to Meditation” video.

This short video will give brief descriptions of the techniques offered and some philosophy behind the concepts of meditation.

Click the link below to be taken to our YouTube page to watch the video

We've moved Our Blog!

The Meditation Project Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:59:22 +0000

We’ve moved our blog to WordPress today.

We will be maintaining our blog updates through this service from this point forward.

Thanks!

-The Meditation Project

What I'm looking forward to/wishing for in 2012

Mylene — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:06:40 +0000

Amazon.com creating a category in Kindle Store for free books (Why make it hard to find those freebies?) (Note 10/1/2012: Saw these tumblr sites that note free fiction and non-fiction books at the Kindle Store. Good alternatives.)
Having a truly noble, no-ulterior-motive, Head of State who knows what he’s doing (Note 10/1/2012: Heard this, a source of much hope: “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.” Although I live in the now for myself, I’m visualizing a better future for us Filipinos.)
Attending yoga/meditation classes and poetry reading (iPhone apps have to do for now.)
Having a more active social life (Uh.)
The emergence of a really talented act who wouldn’t be on stage or on screen just because he/she is half or almost or already naked (really untalented male hotties can parade around like that, of course) (Hmm.)
Writing and publishing a novel (Getting there… self-fulfilling prophecy)
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, announcing she’s pregnant (I take this back. They seem to be happy and they don’t have to rush it.)
Becoming a sexy no-nonsense boxer in pink gloves who does not get hit (First, I have to keep on going to the boxing sessions.)
Meeting Daniel Day-Lewis (or one of his many cinematic incarnations) (Dreamt of him. Does that count?)
New Year’s Eve at Times Square (!!!)

(Notes on italics were written on October 1st, 2012. I’m making early new year’s resolutions again.)

Guided Meditation; Working with Angels on "Forgiveness"

anitadestino — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:05:38 +0000

Are you holding on to anger, resentment or grudges?
Learn to work with Angels to release these poisons and bring in peace, joy and LOVE!

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011; 7-8 pm
$10 per person
Facilitated by Anita Destino

Forgiveness is for you!

Work with the Angels to let go of any hurt or intense emotions attached to incidents from the past that you are holding on to; let go of grudges, resentments or hatred by freeing yourself. And bring in peace, love and harmony while you are healing.

Treat yourself to a powerful hour of healing with Angels.

Open to Everyone
To reserve your seat call 720-413-7303

Journey Within
Inside Rishi’s Crossing
2730 S Wadsworth Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80227

Journey Within is a safe place for people interested in creating change in their lives. We focus on spiritual growth, developing your intuition and personal development.

Anita Destino, Founder of Journey Within, Spiritual Teacher, Professional Clairvoyant Reader, Energy Healer, Certified Angel Therapy Practitioner®

For more information about Anita Destino or Journey Within please visit our Website.

Favorite Yoga & Spiritual Center Phoenix, AZ 85032 | Kundalini Yoga | Events

phxlocalreviews — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:32:47 +0000

http://static.pixelpipe.com/4d18c981-623d-48d6-89f7-53f9e0f99b00.mp4

http://centerfordivineawakening.org My favorite yoga and spiritual center in a central location on 40th st. between Bell Rd and Greenway PKWY in Phoenix, AZ.

The space is cherished by the owner, the teachers, the people who come her and the visiting spiritual leaders who come for special events. It just feels good to be in the main room and around the people here.

The glasses are primarily kundalini yoga, meditation, hatha yoga, and some mat pilates workouts. The center’s spiritual focus is based in large part on the teachings of Yogi Bajan.
The Center For Divine Awakening
602-569-7421
15801 N. 40th Street
(between Greenway and Bell Rd)
Phoenix, AZ 85032

Learn How to Heal with Angels Workshop

anitadestino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:53:27 +0000

Tonight is the beginning of a 2-Week Workshop on How to Heal with Angels. Here is more information about the workshop. Please join us in two nights of healing!

2 – Tuesdays, 7 – 8 PM
September 20th & 27th, 2011

Your Investment for Healing
$64 per person for both weeks

In this workshop you will be guided through meditations with
powerful healings with Angels to help heal yourself and
learn how to help heal others with ease and grace.

Learn to work with Angels to release any grief, guilt, addictions or
habits that you are ready to change and fill yourself with unconditional love.

Learn how to hear messages the Angels are trying to tell you.

Did you know that there is an Angel talking to you now?

Working the Angels is easier then you think.
Open to Everyone

RSVP please call 720-413-7303

Facilitated by Anita Destino, Angel Therapy Practitioner®, Founder of Journey Within, Professional Spiritual Teacher, Intuitive Energy Healer

Journey Within is located
inside Rishi’s Crossing
2730 S Wadsworth Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80227

Learn How to Heal with Angels

anitadestino — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:33:33 +0000

Heal with Angels with Anita Destino

2-Week Workshop
Tuesdays
September 20^th & 27^th, 2011
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Your investment for healing
$64 Per Person for both weeks

In this workshop you will be guided through meditations with
powerful healings with Angels to help heal yourself and learn how to
help heal others with ease and grace.

Learn to work with Angels to release any grief, guilt, addictions or habits that you are ready to change and fill yourself with unconditional love.

Learn how to hear messages the Angels are trying to tell you.

Did you know that there is an Angel talking to you now?

Working the Angels is easier then you think.

Explore the vibration and power of healing with the Angels.

Space is limited.
Open to Everyone

To register call 720-413-7303

Facilitated by Anita Destino, Founder of Journey Within, Angel Therapist Practitioner®, Professional Spiritual Teacher, Intuitive Reader and Energy Healer.

Workshop held inside Rishi’s Crossing Yoga Studio
2730 S Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227

To learn more about Anita Destino please visit our Website
Email: journeywithin@hotmail.com
Phone: 720 413 7303

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Classes 9 am Wednesdays at Bergamot Spa Encinitas

shaunapiscitello — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:33:43 +0000

STARTING SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

Contact Info: Bergamot 760-436-5140 or Soulutions for Balance 858-720-0078

WHAT IS KUNDALINI YOGA?

It is the yoga of self awareness and physical vitality. Through the combination of dynamic and static postures, breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation, this yoga teaches you techniques to take control of your health and ease the stresses of your mind. Kundalini yoga is for those who want a deeper connection to their spirit and their creative, infinite energy that is always available. Once only taught to a few chosen students, Kundalini Yoga was made available in the United States by Master Teacher Yogi Bhajan. His goal was to not have students, but to have teachers who will share this technology to everyone who wants to live their greatest life; living happy, healthy and whole.

Scientific research is proving the physical, emotional and mental benefits of yoga as a viable modality in preventative and curative therapy. Yoga, meditation and breath control have significantly improved conditions of people with heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, digestive disorders, women’s reproductive issues, high blood pressure & many more. Kundalini Yoga postures are designed to strengthen and tone muscles while pranayama resets the nervous system. Through meditation and mantra chanting, the pituitary gland, or “master gland” is activated and balances the endocrine system helping to combat negative effects on health due to chronic stress. All levels of practice and physical abilities are welcome. Drop in or paid series options are available.

Shauna Piscitello is an Occupational and Certified Yoga Therapist and RYT-500. She teaches yoga and meditation to private and corporate clients and is the owner of SOULUTIONS FOR BALANCE(TM). As a kundalini yoga

Photo courtesy of Tara Diamond

practitioner, she experiences the benefits that she teaches to her students. “There is nothing richer or more satisfying in life than being fully present to yourself and others around you, during the “good and bad” times. This self-awareness allows you to navigate through life with objectivity, joy and freedom to trust your inner wisdom. I owe my physical health and vitality to my daily practice of Kundalini Yoga.”

The next Serenity Right Now Mind and Meditation One Day Retreat is Sunday, 11/6/11 Bergamot Spa 8am -3pm

BERGAMOT SPA LOCATED AT 775 N. Vulcan Ave,, Encinitas, CA (Just north of Leucadia Blvd and 1 street E. of Coast Hwy) http://www.bergamotspa.com