Beggar's Bowl

Saturday, January 26, 2013

FIRST CHAKRA-ROOT-MULADHARA

The first chakra, located at the base of the spine and groin area, is the animal or base nature. It is also taste and smell. The Root chakra is associated with adrenals, kidneys, muscles and arterial blood.

The Root Chakra links us to the physical world, solidity and support - especially to the physical body. It is the foundation of energy. The Base or Root Chakra manifests strongly in the motivation to ensure personal survival by way of food, rest, and sexual expression. Spiritually, the base chakra has to do with protection of individual integrity. It is an energy center that provides a solid ground from which to establish our equilibrium in order to ascend to higher awareness.

Some signs that the Base Chakra is out of balance are:

Restlessness
Lack of energy
Loss of interest in the real world or practical survival
Volatile emotions
Obsession with one thing
Selfishness

The color associated with the root chakra is Red. Red symbolizes life, vitality, strength and the physical nature of man. In nature, red represents heat, fire and anger.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Transition into the Aquarian Age


"For those born in the Pisean Age, the transition into the Aquarian Age will create difficulties.  Those of us born in the old age will be living in an era when the old ways will not work. As we move deeper into the 21 year cusp period of the New Age (Novemebr 1991 to Novemember 2012) there will be a feeeling of emptiness inside that will incrase every year. This meditation will help minimize the effects of this process." -Yogi Bhajan

Blessed New Year...the Age of Aquarius is here! All the images of the "Age of Aquarius" are shouting at me: the new era is really about being a cohered vessel...one that is able to hold, be held, give and receive. I speak often about being a vessel, its an alchemical concept that we will explore more in depth in our group discussions. I always say, "Your vessel is only as pure as its contents." Lets start off 2013 by preparing our vessel for the new era...heal old karmic wounds and psychic baggage that hinder us from living a truly fulfilled and abundant life. Completion is our birthright...We are worthy! 

This meditation contains three parts. No mantra (incantation), just mudra (hand positions that alter brain and thought patterns), and pranayam (breath work).

BEGIN
 Start in easy pose, with your legs crossed. Sitting tall on your sit bones. You may sit on a pillow, or in a chair, if you are not able to sit with your legs crossed. Rub your hands together and bring them to prayer pose. 

Eyes are closed and rolled up and in towards your third-eye brow point. Pressing your thumbs against your sternum (chest bone) chant the ADI MANTRA on two breaths (refer to my YOUTUBE videos or click here: Adi Mantra)

ONG NA MO GURU DEV NAMO (I bow to the Divine teacher within)


PART ONE:

MUDRA AND PRANAYAM
Sit in Easy Pose. Your left elbow bent with your left hand in front of your heart center. Your left hand is in a fist with your thumb sticking straight up (think of "The Fonz" AAAyyyyy ;) Your right hand is in Gyan Mudra (index finger pressing against the thumb) and resting on your right knee. Long Deep Breathing. Inhaling for 10 counts, holding the breath for 10 counts, and exhaling for 10 counts. Continue for 11 minutes. (for newbies or those crunched for time you may cut the time to 3/9 minutes).

PART TWO
Still sitting in Easy Pose.

MUDRA AND PRANAYAM

Bend your arms at the elbows with palms facing each other, fingers pointing forward. Inhale and while holding the breath, raise your hands over your head and bring them back down 8 times as fast as you can. Do this cycle 5 times. 

PART THREE

Still sitting in Easy Pose. Point your index finger (Jupiter finger) and secure your midddle finger (Saturn finger) with your thumb. Other fingers are in a fist. Bend your arms at your torso and move your hands out to the sides in small OUTSIDE circles. When your arms are fully extended reversing the process, bringing your arms back to your starting position by rotating your hands with small INSIDE circles. Continue for 5 minutes.

TO CLOSE
PRANAYAM
Inhale...hold onto the breath and squeeze your body tightly and exhale. Repeat this 2 more times.

Conclude by reciting the Warrior Healers Affirmations

TUNE OUT:
Rub your hands together and bring them to prayer pose. 
Chant SAT NAM (Truth is my Idenity) 3xs on one breath.
Bring your hands in prayer mudra up to your forehead and bow to the floor to seal the work in your frontal lobe.


SO, there it is! If you have any questions holla! If Rhythm & Breath serves you, dont forget to drop a lil sumthin in the "beggars bowl." All contributions are humbly received and appreciated.

CHEERS!!! Bottoms up! Our reality is what we create...one breath at a time!

-Luz aka Jamila R.






Saturday, January 5, 2013

Positive Affirmations


"Positive affirmations program the consciousness to be in alignment with the soul." 

The positive mind is one of three mental bodies, the others being the negative mind and the neutral mind.  It's qualities are positivity, equality and trust. The positive mind sees the good in everything.  It's job is to calculate what is going right.  It keeps the light shining strong no matter how dark things get. The positive mind corresponds to the navel center, to the seat of will, so a strong positive mind leads you to be action-oriented and organized. Your body is fit and your mind is sharpest.  When your positive mind is sharpest, you can see that all good comes from the Creator and that all beings have access to this good, which makes everyone equal. -Yogi Bhajan

A good way to strengthen the positive mind is with positive affirmations. The recitation of positive affirmations is as much of  a meditative practice as incantation. But because they are in our native language they have a different power over our psyche than mantras in ancient languages. The language of our birth has everything to do with our karma as much as the spiritual traditions we gravitate towards. Birth: Finite...Spiritual:Infinite. These two bodies are constantly tugging on one another.

When we begin reciting Positive Affirmations, we dont fully believe what we are saying because our conditioned negative self talk contradicts our inherent infinite Truth. We feel silly or we feel like we are lying to ourselves. Even though you feel uncomfortable...STICK WITH IT! It is your negative mind that is negating your Truth. The more you say the Positive Affirmations, the more you will embody them in your bodies (physical, spiritual, emotional). And these truths, your Truth, will become second nature. 

Rhythm & Breath Yogis recite the Warrior Healers Affirmations after every session. Why "warriors" because we are victors of our karma not victims. Why "healers?" Because we have incarnated and embarked upon The Path because we seek our own healing, and in healing our selves we heal that which surrounds us.

Projection=Manifestation

What we think, we become...

WARRIOR HEALERS AFFIRMATIONS:

I am infinite abundance and boundless prosperity.

I have unlimited potential, at this and every moment; I am the seed of creation.

I patiently await for what is mine; My destiny is already written.

I accept everything that comes to me, light and shadow, with graciousness and humility; Every thing is an extension of my Being.

I have a healthy detachment to objects and situations because I realize the transient nature of things; Nothing is permanent.

I use my awareness to raise my own consciousness, that of my family, my community and the cosmos; My existence is not in vain.

I am protected on all sides, at all times; I walk the straight path with no fear.

I trust and surrender to the process; Divine Loving Hands move all.

-Luz Emma CaƱas Madrigal aka Jamila Ram Rattan