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.

If you would like to join us, follow my IG account @ underscore rhythmandbreath underscore and send a $20 heart donation payable via Zelle PayPal or CashApp. Then you will be added to the confidential WhatsApp group where you will be able to ask questions, receive encouragement and guidance. No solo flyers! And if you are one of those who benefits in any way from this blog, please consider donating using the donation button above. 

See the rest of you in the ethers! 

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.

Experiencing the Original You

"I want to give you that depth and that strength which is yours...the original you." - Yogi Bhajan

This meditation is challenging but will be well worth it. It is made up of three sections. And each section is NOT to be done for more than 3 minutes, so meditation is only 9 minutes as opposed to our usual 11 minute meditations. The first part entails a mudra (hand position) and a pranayam (breathing exercise) called "one minute breath." This breathing exercise is challenging and difficult to master. SO I suggest you begin with 10 seconds and work your way up to 20 seconds to gain control of the breath. You will know what I am talking about in a second.

BEGIN:
We begin in "easy pose" which is not so easy, especially for men, who are usually tight in the hips, or knees. Your legs are crossed one in front of the other. If you are unable to sit comfortably in this position, you can prop your buns on a pillow which helps alleviate some of the discomfort. And/or lean up against a wall. This position IS NOT HALF OR FULL LOTUS POSITION.

Every session begins with the tuning into our highest consciousness and the prophets, gurus and sages of the ages with the ADI MANTRA: ONG NA MO GURU DEV NA MO. (This means that I bow to the Divine Wisdom within, and another translation is I bow to the Divine teacher within).

Rub your hands together. Cross your right thumb over your left if you are male, left over right if you are female. Press your thumbs against your sternum in prayer pose and chant the ADI MANTRA on 2 breaths. Pay close attention to the breathing demonstrated in the video. We chant this 3xs.

PART ONE:

Interlace your fingers and turn your hands away from you so that palms are facing out. Extend your arms straight in front of you with no bend in the elbows. Your eyes are closed and focused on the tip of the nose. You are going to inhale for 10-20 seconds, Hold the breath for 10-20 seconds, then you are going to exhale for 10-20 seconds. Do this for 3 minutes.

NOTES: The exhaling is the most challenging part of this pranayam and may cause a little anxiety. The breath gives and releases prana (vital life force) inhaling associated with life and exhaling with death. So mentally explore what your fears are after you complete the meditation.

PART TWO:

Remain in the position with the focus on the nose. Inhale through your nose and exhale like a cannon. Project the exhale forward with as much force as possible. How much you can heal yourself will be in direct proportion to the strength of your breath. Continue this for 3 minutes.

NOTES: As you are exhaling, release anything consciously or unconsciously you would like to release. Send it out away from your physical, emotional and spiritual bodies back into the universe. Keep what serves you, send away what does not.

PART THREE:

Remain in the position. Inhale and hold your breath. Pump your navel as many times as you can until you cannot pump and hold the breath any longer then exhale. Immediately repeat again. Continue for three minutes.

TO FINISH:

Inhale hold the breath for 15 second, stretch your arms out as far as possible, putting pressure on your joined fingers. Exhale like a cannon. Repeat 2 more times.

Finally, point your index finger up with the thumb locking down the other three fingers and circulate the energy by spinning your fingers TOWARD you as fast as you can. Continue for 2 1/2 minutes.

Then relax..WEW! 

TO CLOSE:

To finish bring your hands in Gyan Mudra. Thumbs pressed against your index finger. Other fingers are straight. Wrists are resting on your knees.

Recite the  Warrior Healer's Affirmations

Tune out by chanting: 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.

There it is! Let me know when you begin and dont forget to check in with me via FACEBOOK about your progress and should anything come up. Also, should you miss a day...jump right back on ASAP! It happens! You are building a daily spiritual practice which is difficult. Part of the process is increasing your compassion for your self while gently encouraging your self along. Start over again at day one...stronger and more determined! Good luck! 

SAT NAM!

Solving Communication Problems

BEGIN: Sit in EASY POSE, with a light JALANDAR BANDH (elogated spine, lifting behind the head and slightly tucking in the chin). Rub your hands together and bring them to PRAYER POSE with your thumbs against your sternum and your shoulders rolled back and down. Your eyes rolled in and up towards your THIRD EYE BROW POINT. Inhale through the nose and chant ONG NA MO GURU DEV NAMO (I bow to the Divine Teacher within) on two breaths. We chant this 3xs. For the correct cadence and pronunciation of this mantra, listen here: ADI MANTRA.

This is found on my album Urban Mantra: Vol 1. All proceeds go to Rhythm & Breath's continued effort to bring affordable and accessibe mystical tools to urban folk worldwide. Please purchase, if you have not already. And thank you in advance for your support.

MUDRA: You are going to press your pinkies against each other and your thumbs against each other forming a circle without the palms touching. Pinky represents the planet Mercury which is the planet that represents communication. Your thumb represents your ego.

Your Sun finger (ring finger) is bent with the tip of the finger relaxed. While the Saturn and Jupiter fingers are pointing straight up. Three to Four inches in front of your chest.

Your fingers may have a difficult time holding this position. If you begin to get irritated shake out your hands and come back to the mudra.

Mudras stimulate meridians in our hands that are connected to our brains to alter thought patterns. There are 72,000 meridians in our hands and our feet. In Sufi tradition there are 72,000 veils between us and Allah.

FOCUS: The focus is on the third eye point. Roll your eyes in and up. Gazing psychically through the ring you are creating with your pinkies and thumbs.

TIP: You can gaze periodically through the void in your hands, to recalibrate and maintain your focus. I like to imagine the things I need protection from during Mercury Retrograde bound in the circle surrounded by Love represented by the heart created in my hands with my fingers. You will see what I am talking about once you do the mudra and gaze through the circle.

PRANAYAM: Breathing is long and deep in and out of the nose. Meditation without mantra is challenging. I suggest you breathe deep enough so that you can hear your self breathing. MAKE THE BREATH YOUR MANTRA.

TIME: Continue for 11 minutes. And increase to 31 minutes if you desire.

TO FINISH: Recite the Warrior Healers Affirmations in Gyan Mudra, your index finger pressed against your thumbs.

TO CLOSE: Rub your hands together, bring them to prayer pose and chant SAT NAM (Truth is my Identity) on one breath 3 times. Bring your hands up to your forehead and bow bringing your hands and head to the floor. This seals the work in your frontal lobe.

And there it is! Let's harness our Mercury power, master the art of communication and ease our trials during the Mercury Retrograde period. If you have any questions, you know where to find me.

Sat Nam, Shalom, Salaam.

Mama Luz