Meditation to Heal Addictions

Art by Carol Suzanne Niebuhr

We all have addictions. Whether we acknowledge them or not. And there are SO many things for us to be addicted to! Caffeine, sugar, dopamine, alcohol, drugs, food, social media, positive reinforcement, validation, sex, love. If there was less shame around addiction and more acknowledgement that the Capitalist Imperialist system of production and consumption is set up so that we "use" in order to participate, we would be more apt to seek help. We can honor and thank them for helping us cope and getting us to this point in our lives. But there comes a point in every addicts journey (it doesn't have to be the bottom) where we realize these crutches are detrimental to our physical , metal and spiritual health. We realize that we need to get this under control because it isn't "fun" anymore and it no longer serves a purpose. On a deeper spiritual level, addiction makes us less free. It diminishes our power placing it in something outside of ourselves. If we are truly free, we are self-sufficient, self-contained. There is no need for any thing. This meditation will help us take back our power and be free ourselves of whatever tethers us. Freedom is revolutionary. 

TO BEGIN: Sit in an Easy Pose, with a light jalandhar bandh, or neck lock. Keep the spine straight. Rub your hands together. Press your thumbs against your sternum holding your hands in prayer pose. Roll your eyes in and up towards your third-eye by crossing your eyes at the bridge of your nose and then lifting your eyes about an inch and a half. If you are unable to sit in "easy pose," you may sit on a hard chair and cross your feet underneath you. 

On two breaths, chant the opening mantra ONG NA MA GURU DEV NAMO which means "I bow to the infinite wisdom within." Do this 3 times. For the proper cadence and pronunciation, listen here. If you like what you hear, you can purchase my mantra music on Bandcamp.

MUDRA: Make fists of both hands and extend the thumbs straight. Place the thumbs on the temples and find the niche where the thumbs just fit. This is the lower anterior portion of the frontal bone above the temporal-sphenoidal suture.

Lock the back molars together and keep the lips closed. Keeping the teeth pressed together throughout, alternately squeeze the molars tightly and then release the pressure. A muscle will move in rhythm under the thumbs. Feel it massage the thumbs and apply a firm pressure with the hands.

MANTRA: Silently vibrate the five primal sounds—the Panj Shabd: SA TA NA MA

The Translation from Gurmukhi is:

SA - the beginning, the infinite, and the totality of everything. Ta - signifies life, existence, and birth. It reminds us that life is a gift and encourages us to live each moment fully. 

Na - represents death, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life. 

Ma - symbolizes rebirth and regeneration.

FOCUS: Keep the eyes closed and focus at the Brow Point.

PRANAYAMA: Normal breathing. 

TIME: 11 minutes

TO FINISH: Say aloud the Warrior Healer's Affirmations.

TO CLOSE: Rub your hands together and bring them to prayer pose, palms touching thumbs pressed against your sternum. Chant Long SAT NAM on one breath. Repeat this for a total of three times. Bring your hands to your forehead and bow. This seals the work in your frontal lobe. Your center for decision making. 
If you have any questions, about this meditation or the contents of this blog, follow me on IG @ rhythmandbreathyoga 
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Thanks for making Rhythm & Breath possible,
Mama Luz

Brighten Your Halo Meditation

Art by Romas Zmuidzinavicius

Welcome New Returning and Crash N Burning R & B Yogis! Happy Full Buck Moon! It is called the Buck Moon by Native Americans because deer antlers regrow every year around this time. It marks a season of renewal, increased strength, and maturity. Spiritually, it is an opportune time to step into your power, think outside your box, acknowledge your talents, and create the life you envision for yourself. The meditation we will be doing for the next 40 days will brighten your halo, increasing your radiance so that prosperity and opportunities come directly to you. I could use that. You?! Lets go!

TO BEGIN: Sit in Easy Pose. If you are unable to sit in "easy pose," you may sit on a hard chair and cross your feet underneath you. Roll your eyes in and up towards your third-eye by crossing your eyes at the bridge of your nose and then lifting your eyes about an inch and a half to the center of your forehead. Rub your hands together and bring them to prayer pose in front of your chest pressing your thumbs against your sternum. 

On two breaths, chant the opening mantra ONG NA MO sip air through a rounded mouth then chant GURU DEV NAMO which means "I bow to the infinite wisdom within." Do this 3 times. For the proper cadence and pronunciation, listen here. If you like what you hear, you can purchase my mantra music on Bandcamp.

* For OG Yogis * OPENING MANTRA #2: Chant AAD GURAY NAMEH, JUGAAD GURAY NAMEH, SAT GURAY NAMEH SIRI GURU DAVAY NAMEH three times. Translation: I bow to the Wisdom in the beginning. I bow to the Wisdom through the Ages. I bow to the True Wisdom. I bow to the great, unseen Wisdom.

MUDRA: Holding your hands in Gyan Mudra (your thumbs pressed against your index fingers) with the other fingers relaxed. Alternating hands, right arm circles in a counter-clockwise direction, then left hand circles in a clockwise direction. One hand and then the other like you are wiping your mind clean and clearing your tenth gate. The non-circling arm returns to your center as you take turns with one arm and then the other. Moving smoothly and swiftly, making sure your hands don't collide. 

MANTRA: Chant the mantra SAT NAAM, SAT NAAM, WHA-HAY GUROO, WHA-HAY GUROO

The translation of SAT NAM is, "Truth is my identity." For WAHE GURU, there is no real translation though we could say, “Wow, God is great!” It is a mantra of ecstasy. 

TIME: 11 minutes. 

TO FINISH: Inhale. Reach both arms straight up to the sky hugging your ears with your arms. Hold the breath for ten counts. Repeat 2 more times. After your last exhale, do SEVEN spinal twists. Turning to the left first and inhale...exhale right. When you have completed the seven spinal twists, inhale center hold the breath then exhale.

TO CLOSE: Hold your hands in Gyan Mudra, Prayer Pose or Buddha mudra with one hand sitting inside of the other with your thumbs touching, and repeat the Warrior Healer's Affirmations. 

Chant SAT NAM 3 times on one breath. Bring your hands to your forehead and bow sealing the work in your frontal lobe your center for decision making. 

NOTES: The arm movements stimulate the radiance of the halo expands the brilliant projection of the aura. This kriya adjusts our life force so that we can move through any situation with grace and creativity. Abundance is drawn in like a magnet. - Y.B. 

Sounds like the meditation the world needs. Let's make miracles happen and direct the current of pure love and infinite abundance to us.

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See the rest of you in the ethers!