Centre of Your Spiritual Heart

Importance of Maintaining Your Daily Spiritual Practice

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:13:00 +0000

Every time you feel tired and depleted of energy what is happening? Well your vital life energy is disappearing from your physical body. Your chakras become imbalanced and blocked.

Is this what you want? If not then one must look for the cause of this depletion. The cause relates to all of those "beliefs" that you have acquired throughout your life that have fooled you into "investing" your vital life energy into activities that leave you feeling depleted.

These are activities that are driven by your precious beliefs and that are “supposed” to help you cope and survive in this world. Please be honest with yourself and acknowledge that even the most spiritually elevated of us here on this planet fail to retain their vital life energy in spite of all of their “learned wisdom”.

So what is one to do, discard all of one’s beliefs or fill your life with distraction? How will one cope let alone feel any sense of peace and security? It's no wonder many cannot wait, out of fear, to fill their minds with more distraction, which in the end draws them further away from their spiritual practice.

What happens when you are seduced into giving up your Divine Vital Life Energy to something that does not serve you i.e. separates you from your life. Whether it is relationship issues, legal battles or money problems it is very easy to be taken away from your true self. Many circumstances arise out of other people’s own depletion which in turn tries to take yours. Follow your heart and know your path and continue your daily practices. In time you will regain your energies, which in turn can only strengthen you and also those that have been trying to deplete you.

What is the alternative? Continue to discontinue your daily spiritual practice, neglecting your daily meditation, your yoga? This leaves one feeling depleted, drained, powerless, helpless, vulnerable, frightened, traumatized, weakened, alone, frustrated, angry, hopeless, depressed, and eventually spiritually dead.

If necessary write out a schedule to follow your daily spiritual practice and be sure to follow it.

Free Love is Universal Love

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Many of us think of Free Love as promiscuity about sex outside of marriage; about multiple sex partners.

Doing a search on the Internet will give you the same result... Sexual Freedom.

This understanding of Free Love came to many of us from the unconscious minds of the media when the Beatles went to India in 1968 to open up their hearts.

Free Love is Universal Love.

What is Universal Love?

Universal Love is an expression of the harmony of the totality. Everything is in harmony with everything else. Nothing is excluded. Your will is in harmony with your compassion. Your compassion is in harmony with your joy. Your joy is in harmony with your anger. Your anger is in harmony with your body. Your body is in harmony with your ego. Your ego is in harmony with other people. There is no conflict anywhere. Everything fits and functions as a togetherness, as a oneness. That oneness is you.

New Year Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:39:00 +0000

First Snowfall in Backyard Paradise

With my Friend Sadie we travel amongst the trees and ancient rocks working our way to the top of the mountain.

Life comes with many mountains to climb. If we avoid the challenges we miss opportunities to grow.

We should not think what we did not achieve but what we can and will.

I will begin with this mountain.

"May Your Heart Be Filled with Joy each moment in this New Year"

Peace and Blessings

love thy neighbour

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Divine Mother & God above

help us to remember to always love

those we know & strangers too

and mostly those who live close to you

send them joy to fill their day

help them find peace along the way

Divine Mother & God above

surround us all with healing love

We learn patience in all we do

cutting a lawn, or tying a shoe

if we 'do' with ill intent

and let our negative become a vent

we loose the love we've gained so far

upon our heart we leave a scar

breathing in the light of peace

we pray that all negativity will cease

peace & blessings to all

Amen, Amen, Amen

Sunset in Eden

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:31:00 +0000

The glorious sun is shining upon us - warm breezes are flowing, strength and hope are found in the rays of Light from above. We get on our bikes and explore the wonder of nature we are blessed to live within. Peace comes and we renew our connection to the Divine.
Yoga by sunset ~ blissful energy

With heart open and mind awakened we experience grace.

Yoga for Men, The Program (part two of two)

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:22:00 +0000

The Program (part two of two)

Trul-Khor The Five Rites

Rite 1

Stand erect with arms outstretched horizontal to the floor, palms facing down. Your arms ought to be in line with your shoulders. Spin around clockwise until you become slightly dizzy. Gradually increase number of spins from 1 spin to 21 spins. At first most adults will be able to spin around only about half a dozen times before becoming quite dizzy. As a beginner you ought not to attempt to do more. Breathing: Inhale and exhale deeply as you do the spins.

Rite 2

Lie flat on the floor face up. Fully extend your arms along your sides and place the palms of your hands against the floor, keeping fingers close together. Then raise your head off the floor tucking your chin into your chest. As you do this, lift your legs,
Knees straight, into a vertical position. If possible, extend the legs over the body towards your head. Do not let the knees bend. Then slowly lower the legs and head to the floor, always keeping the knees straight. Allow the muscles to relax, and repeat.
Breathing: Breathe in deeply as you lift your head and legs and exhale as you lower your head and legs.

Rite 3

Kneel on the floor with the body erect. The hands should be on the backs of your thigh muscles. Incline the head and neck forward, tucking your chin in against your chest. Then throw the head and neck backward, arching the spine. Your toes should be curled under for this exercise. As you arch, you will brace your arms and hands against the thighs for support. After the arching return your body to an erect position and begin the rite all over again.
Breathing: Inhale as you arch the spine and exhale as you return to an erect position.

Rite 4

Sit down on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and your feet about 12" apart. With the trunk of the body erect, place the palms of your hands on the floor alongside your buttocks. Then tuck the chin forward against the chest. Now drop the head backward as far as it will go. At the same time raise your body so that the knees bend while the arms remain straight. Then tense every muscle in your body. Finally let the muscles relax as you return to your original sitting position. Rest before repeating
Breathing: Breathe in as you rise up, hold your breath as you tense the muscles, and breathe out fully as you come down.

Rite 5

Lie down with your face down to the floor. The palms of the hands down against the floor and the toes in the flexed position will support you. Throughout this rite, the hands and feet ought to be kept straight. Start with your arms perpendicular to the Floor, and the spine arched, so that the body is in a sagging position. Now throw the head back as far as possible. The, bending at the hips, bring the body up into an inverted "V." At the same time, bring the chin forward, tucking it against the chest.
Breathing: Breathe in deeply as you raise the body, and exhale fully as you lower the body.

These exercises if done daily will bring you increased strength with flexibility and are superior to any core exercise program that I have ever used. When doing these exercises it is also beneficial to visualize (with meditation) healing energy moving throughout your entire body. The power of visualization will boost your immune system even more through the power of belief. All things are possible when we unselfishly ask the universe for strength and share it with others. Share your strengths and not your weaknesses!

The next step is up to you men reading this article. If you have health issues as most men do by age 30 (ie heart, blood, decreased lung capacity etc) it is always important to watch your diet but diet alone will not be sufficient at maintaining your health. It is not only what you put into your body but what you do for your body and spirit that will determine your long term health. Of course the standard disclaimer to consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Namaste

Yoga for Men, The Program (part one of two)

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:21:00 +0000

Note: With the size of this article it was decided to make it into an additional section. The program part one will introduce the hatha component and the following part two will contain the Tibetan Trul Khor Yoga.

The Program (part one of two)

To Introduce proper breathing and stretching with visualization and focus on each individual movement.

*With each pose it is important to place focus on abdominal breathing and technique.

Mountain

Stand on the floor with the inside of your big toes and heels touching.
Take a moment to feel that your toes are planted firmly on the floor and that you are balanced evenly on the inside and outside surface edges of your feet. Your weight should also be evenly distributed among the back, middle, and front of the bottom surfaces of your feet. Allow your thighs to be firm and engaged, your tailbone pointing toward the floor. Allow your chest to be open and expansive, sternum facing forward and up. Allow your head to be perpendicular to the floor, your eyes are open, and your gaze is soft and neutral, focused at a spot on the wall directly in front of you. Allow your arms to hang by your sides, palms and inside surface of the fingers facing toward and touching the outside of your thighs. Check again to be sure your weight is evenly distributed on your feet. Contract your thighs, as you remain active even while standing still.

” Imagine yourself as a mountain, feet securely grounded in the earth, your body rising, fully supported, just like a mountain. Take a few full breaths as you acknowledge how your body feels in this position. See if you can make your weight even more firmly balanced over your feet.”

BENEFITS: Corrects bad posture by straightening the spine, * improves alignment of the body, * counters degenerating effects of ageing on the spine, legs and feet, * tones the buttock muscles and legs

Mountain with arms extended arching backwards

Inhale as you raise your arms out to the sides and execute a reverse swan dive. Bring the palms of your hands together to touch above your head. Try to keep the arms straight with the inside of your upper arms, parallel to and alongside your ears. Bend back as far as you can. Check to make sure that you are not dropping your neck back. Rather, keep your head and neck in line with your arms to avoid any excessive stretch.

BENEFITS: Tones & stimulates the abdomen, pelvis, torso and back, * relieves arthritis, strengthens the knee joints, * stretches the hamstring muscles, * corrects flat feet

Mountain with arms extended and fingers interlocking

Bring your arms toward your chest, with your palms facing the chest. Interlock your fingers firmly, from the base of the knuckles, with the little finger of your left hand lower than the little finger of the right hand. Turn your interlocked palms inside out. Exhale and stretch your arms out in front of you at shoulder level. Then inhale and raise your arms above your head until they are perpendicular to the floor. Extend your arms fully and lock your elbows. Feel the stretch in your palms.

BENEFITS: stretches the shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers, *helps treat spinal disorders, *tones and activates the torso, back, abdomen, pelvis, * strengthens the knee joints

Standing Forward Bend

Exhale as you lift your left leg, bringing it forward so that your left foot is parallel to and touches your right foot. Your hands are on the floor outside of your feet, fingertips in line with the toes, at the front center of your yoga mat or space. Keep your legs as straight as possible and allow the head to hang as low and close to the floor as possible. Try not to lock your knees. To help keep your legs as straight as possible, try contracting your quadriceps. To help you stretch further forward, try folding your torso at the hips—as though there is a hinge at your hips that allows you to press and fold your upper body forward. This will help you keep your back as straight as possible rather than rounding forward. You are now, once again, in uttanasana, or Standing Forward Bend.

BENEFITS: Relieves mental and physical exhaustion, * slows down the heartbeat, * tones the liver, spleen, kidneys, * relieves stomach ache

Forward Dog Stretch

Exhale as you curl your toes under and lift your buttocks up into the air so that your body
forms an inverted V in relation to the floor. Allow your feet to rotate back completely so that your toes are flexed and you are supported on the balls of your toes. Allow your head to hang between your elbows, your gaze directed up and back toward your navel. Draw your sit-bones up into the air. Lift your shoulders out and away from the ears. Continue to broaden your shoulders and upper back. Keep your legs as straight as possible. Your feet should be hip width distance (4 to 6 inches) apart, your heels pressing toward the floor.

Benefits: Reduces stiffness in the shoulder blades & arthritis in the shoulder joints, *strengthens the ankles and tones the legs, * slows down the heartbeat

Student Posture

With hands resting gently on your thighs, and your bottom sitting on your heels, breathing deeply begin to feel the Light radiate from your chest.

Benefits: calms the mind and relaxes the body, focus on breathing, heart rhythm, meditative posture.

Yoga for Men

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:06:00 +0000

Yoga for Men
Origins

Yoga originated in the Eastern culture at least 5000 years ago and has been described as a science, a philosophy and a discipline. The physical aspect of yoga is one small branch, with other paths dealing with; improving wisdom (Jnana Yoga), attunement to higher emotional states by opening the spiritual heart (Bhakti Yoga), selfless service (Karma Yoga), and Raja Yoga (or Royal Yoga) which is where the physical Hatha Yoga comes from, with its stretches, poses, proper breathing and meditation. It is important to mention that although the western world has embraced various styles of
Hatha yoga it is only the physical aspect that is generally being practiced.
Practicing yoga without meditation and prayer is not authentic Hatha yoga,
and its full benefits cannot be realized.

Yoga Means Union between body and mind on a microcosmic scale and on a grander scale between one’s individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness. Therefore Yoga refers to a certain state of consciousness as well as the methods that help one reach that goal or state of union with the divine. There are five basic points to the yogic lifestyle: Proper Exercise; Proper Breathing; Proper Relaxation; Proper Diet; and Positive Thinking, Prayer & Meditation. When these points are followed a body and mind will be able to heal on its own through divine power.

With the daily practice of Yoga, Ones existence will improve in every aspect of their being, including their relationships with others and a greater understanding of who they are in this life and where they will be going in the next.

The western world with its false ideas of yoga has a relatively small percentage of men actually considering it as a viable option to combine physical and spiritual fitness. Larger portions of women are attracted to yoga even when they don’t realize the spiritual aspect. This could be because many more women are in tune with their intuition and feminine side whereas men are more apt to follow third dimensional reasoning. This is unfortunate because by the time men reach middle age they still do not know how to get in touch with their inner being (and may not, in their present lifetime) and they suffer from poor health both physically and mentally. In fact many men can’t put their finger on it and label it as mid-life crisis.

What we need to do is to introduce yoga to men from a western man’s understanding. Give them the physical benefits of Hatha yoga and while they are learning the exercises expand their ideas by introducing Tibetan yoga (learning the five rites (see below)) with its flowing movements combined with breathing and eventually add in meditation and prayer.

First of all the physical portion will appeal to their basic needs. They will see for themselves that one does not need to exhaust their bodies and wear out their hearts and joints by exhaustive running, and lifting weights to be muscular. I can attest to this fact. Since my teens I had been an avid fitness trainer combining cardio with weights. Later in my life I had become ill and also developed a hernia making my old fitness regime impossible. I had then added Hatha yoga and later Tibetan yoga to my meditation practices to work on helping heal my physical body. It was much more then I had ever imagined it would be. I have reverted back to my younger physical self as if I had never left the gym.

Once men regularly perform the physical aspect of yoga it is important to develop focused breathing and eventually meditation. This will all come naturally as their inner being will begin to speak to them. In time higher faculties will develop and a greater sense of self will manifest. A full understanding of yoga will then exist.

Benefits of Yoga

Helps *increase the bodies’ metabolism aiding in proper body weight maintenance, *reduce or eliminate desire for smoking, drinking, and food cravings.

Improved *psychological functioning (mental/emotional health)

Increase *in balance and mobility, * in energy levels and sense of well-being, * in respiratory function, which can reduce high blood pressure and heart attack

Reduce * excessive curvature of the upper spine by increasing strength, flexibility with greater attention to posture, *heart rate,*chronic fatigue, *diabetes and *digestive disorders and possibly eliminate lower back pain by enhancing strength and flexibility, *pain and inflammation of arthritis because it provides relief to aching joints and provides joint lubricants

Relieves and can eliminate headache and migraine as it relieves tension in muscles

Slow and possibly reverse the ageing process when prayer is integrated with Raja yoga practice

Our Middle Years

When men are young we often do not think about getting old and we especially do not think about yoga. Once we get to the middle years we either exercise our bodies or we don’t. Either way most of us will succumb to most of the signs of ageing.

In the later part of life the body undergoes many physical and biological changes. A stage of senescence happens after the stage of adulthood because of the many physiological ageing processes. Some physical changes in men during the stage of senescence are:

Fine lines on the face make their appearance around the age of thirty to thirty-five years. These are located in prominent areas that are used frequently because of muscle activity during smiling, squinting and frowning. These are also called expression lines.

Due to exposure to sun, around the age of fifty the skin loses its elasticity and becomes more leathery, stiff and thinner due to loss of collagen. The hair becomes thin and considerable hair loss and graying may happen.

Generally there is an increase in weight because the rate of metabolism of the body decreases with age. This change can be avoided with care of intake of food and making changes in lifestyle to accommodate exercises. Yoga can prove to be extremely useful in adopting a health oriented lifestyle.

There is a decrease in height because of the effect of gravity between the ages of thirty and seventy. Men may experience a loss of one and one quarter inches in height during this period.

There is considerable change in the muscle and cardiovascular system. The muscles become stiff and gradually start losing their firmness.

There is loss of efficiency of muscles of the heart making the competence levels of the heart reduce.

There is thickening of the walls of the blood vessels making the heart vessels narrow. With the regular practice of yoga all these can be sufficiently prevented.

Decrease in various hormones of the endocrinal system. The most prominent are the reduced levels of testosterone. The gonads, fertility levels and mind can be kept under proper efficiency levels with practice of certain asanas and meditation techniques. There may be a situation of reduced sperm count but the sexual dysfunction is mainly considered to be a psychological issue in men than in women, as most men do not undergo a clear-cut phase of andropause.

There is loss in the neurons and neurotransmitter levels of the brain. There is loss in the weight of the brain due to reduction in the white matter of the brain. This is responsible for reducing the efficiency of the brain. Again with the practice of yogic asanas, pranayama and meditation techniques this can be delayed and prevented.

There is considerable decrease in the performance of the respiratory system. This can be sufficiently controlled with yogic asanas and pranayama.

In the skeletal system there is significant loss of fluids in the joints and so there is wear and tear and pain in the joints. This can be completely avoided by regular practice of yoga.

The cartilage at the ends of the bones also undergoes reduction and this causes friction in the joints making the joints very painful. Cases of arthritis and osteoporosis also occur in men although osteoporosis is more common in women.

The excretory system may lose some of its waste elimination capacity.

Most of these changes can be effectively delayed and possibly reversed by various practices of yoga.

Tibetan Yoga (Yantra Yoga/ 'trul’ 'khor’)

The Five Rites

It is understood that yoga was brought to Tibet from India many centuries ago and that Tibetan monks over time modified these exercises and developed an effective program that western society now refers to as the "Five Tibetan Rites", the authentic name is either known as Yantra yoga or ‘trul’ ‘khor’. The rugged mountainous conditions these monks live in may well account for their particular emphasis on vigor. Many of the yoga exercises and practices being taught in the western world today are very new. The "Five Tibetan Rites" are exactly what the ancient Tibetans developed over many centuries of time. Therefore it is very important to do the "Five Tibetan Rites" exactly as they are presented without altering the form or sequence to achieve some of the benefits accrued to these "Rites." Although we will be covering five rites there are actually 108 movements; most not yet diviluged except to the most dedicated devotees of Trul Khor. This number of 108 reminds those of us familiar with the 108 canonical texts of the Buddha, as well as the 108 lives in a sidereal year.

How the Five Rites Operate

The rites represent a system of exercise that affects the body, emotions and mind. The Tibetans claim that these exercises activate and stimulate what are known as the seven key chakras that in turn stimulate all the glands of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for the body's overall functioning including the aging process. This means that the Five Rites will affect the functioning of all your organs and systems, including the physical and energetic systems and that includes the aging process.

Chakras- work by keeping the endocrine systems balanced

Chakras are commonly described, as spinning energy centers or vortices in the spine located at major branches of the human nervous system, beginning at the base of the spinal column and moving upward to the top of the skull. Chakras are considered to be a point of biophysical energy of the human body. In Chinese medicine, traditional chakras locations correspond to acupuncture points.

Having a healthy body requires your 7 chakras to be all spinning in a balanced manner. In the western world many believe that there is a correspondence between the position and role of the chakras and those of the glands in the endocrine system.

Proper Breathing

Most people use only a fraction of their lung capacity for breathing. They breathe shallowly, barely expanding the ribcage. Their shoulders are hunched, they have painful tension in the upper part of the back and neck, and they suffer from lack of oxygen.

The Different Types of Breathing

There are three basic types of breathing.

1. Clavicular breathing is the most shallow and worst possible type. The shoulders
and collarbones are raised while the abdomen is contracted during inhalation. Maximum
effort is made, but a minimum amount of air is obtained.

2. Thoracic breathing is done with the rib muscles expanding the rib cage, and is the second
type of incomplete breathing.

3. Deep abdominal breathing is the best, for it brings air to the lowest and largest part of the
lungs. Breathing is slow and deep, and proper use is made of the diaphragm.
Actually, none of these types are complete. A full Yogic breath combines all three, beginning with a deep breath and continuing the inhalation through the intercostal and clavicular areas.

Learning The Abdominal Breathing

To get the feel of proper diaphragmatic breathing, wear loose clothing and lie on the back. Place the hand on the upper abdomen, where the diaphragm is located. Breathe in and out slowly. The abdomen should expand outward as you inhale and contract as you exhale. Try to get the feeling of this motion.

Learning The Full Yogic Breathing

Once you feel proficient in the practice of the abdominal breathing you will be ready to learn the Full Yogic Breathing. Breathe in slowly; expand the abdomen, then the ribcage, and finally the upper portion of the lungs.
Then, breathe out in the same manner, letting the abdomen cave in as you exhale. This is the Yogic complete breath.

Pranayama

By far the most important thing about good breathing is the Prana, or subtle energy of the vital breath. Control of the Prana leads to control of the mind. Breathing exercises are called Pranayamas, which means to control the Prana.

Our next post will give you a yoga program for men integrating hatha with tibetan yoga.

The Techniques of Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:34:00 +0000

An Introduction to the techniques of Meditation

Meditation is an experience that cannot be described, just as sound cannot be described to someone who is deaf. All ordinary experience is limited by Time, Space and Causation. Our normal awareness and understanding do not transcend these bounds.

Finite experience, which is measured in past, present and future, cannot be transcendental. Concepts of time are deceptive, for they are relative to each individual experience. The present, immeasurably small and short-lived, cannot be grasped. Past and future are non-existent in the present. We live in maya (illusion).

The meditative state transcends all such limitations. In it there is neither past nor future, but only the consciousness of "I am" in the eternal NOW. It is only possible when all mental activities are stilled.

The closest comparable state that we can experience is deep sleep, in which there is neither time, nor space, nor causation. Meditation, however, differs from deep sleep, for it works profound changes in the psyche. By stilling the mind, meditation brings mental peace.

On the physical level, meditation helps to prolong the body's anabolic process of growth and repair and to reduce the process of decay. Generally the anabolic process predominates until about the age of 18. From about ages 18 to 35 there is balance between the two, and after age 35 the aging process (catabolic) dominates.

Meditation can significantly reduce the catabolic decline. This is because of the innate receptivity of the body cells. Each of our body cells is controlled by the instinctive subconscious mind. These cells have both an individual and a group conciousness. When thoughts and desires enter into the body, the cells become active; the body obeys the group command. Positive thoughts bring positive energies to the cells, where coarse negative thoughts can be destructive and cause disease.

As meditation brings about a prolonged positive state of mind, it rejuvenates the body cells and keeps the body healthy.

There are certain points to remember regarding the techniques and stages of meditation.

* Regularity of time, place and practice are important. These conditions help the mind to slow down with less difficulty. Try and meditate at early dawn and/or dusk as the atmosphere is charged with spiritual energy (Sattva). Have you ever experienced the joy of an evening or morning walk?

* When sitting, face North or East in order to take advantage of favourable magnetic vibrations. Sit in a steady, comfortable, cross-legged position with spine and neck erect but not tense. You can also lay down with your knees bent, the most important factor in the position you choose is that you are comfortable, and can stay in that position for a length of time.

* Command the mind to be quiet for a specific length of time. Forget the past, present and future.

* Consciously control the breath. Do deep abdominal breathing to bring oxygen to the brain. Try doing this deep breathing for five minutes and then slow it down to an imperceptible rate.

* Keep breathing in a rhythmic state, inhale for three seconds and exhale for three seconds. Control of breath also regulates the flow of prana or in other words vital energy.

* If the mind begins to wander that’s okay just bring your focus back onto your breathing. Instead of using the breath for focus consider concentrating on your Anahata or Heart Chakra using visualization. You may also use a Mantra, which can be repeated mentally. 'Om' is a good Mantra to use.

With practice the superconscious state is reached. This may take some time to realize, however the rewards of meditation begin almost immediately.

Spiritual Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:22:00 +0000

When we chose the name for our Centre we knew that the 'spiritual heart' was an essential part of the Spiritual work that we need to do, the most important factor in making the necessary changes in ones life to become 'Spiritual', and enliven your true & full Spiritual Being. It is amazing to us as we continue on our path and try to create a website that offers information to others also seeking to make these same changes. One amazing fact is that over 80% of the folks that land on our site, do so by searching the internet using 2 keywords "spiritual heart".

What is a Spiritual Heart?

It is the location within the human heart that connects to the Divine. A space ready to be filled with the Light & Love of God, the power of the Source, the collected consciousness created when the Beings within us is awakened. The power that is there to help guide and mentor each Being is immense. The cosmos is built upon this light energy that we can harness and fill up our human heart, bringing true love and joy to our existence here upon the earth. The Spiritual Heart is your true self - the Being/soul that has traveled this world many times and is capable of creating within your now human life a renewed connect to where we all came from, and where we will all return to at the end of our journey on the Wheel of Samsara.
To enliven this special and Divine space is easily done. All it takes is a bit of time each day.
This time that most of us use up taking care of our daily task list , this time is precious and seems to grow once you begin to awaken the love & power with your Spiritual Heart.
There are simple meditations that have been taught for thousands of years that you can do, taking only 10 minutes of your sacred time.

Spiritual Heart Meditation:

Sit comfortably and relax, allowing your body to let go of all stress. Breathe in fully, letting the air go deep within you, make each breath fuller, yet softer. Next begin to free your mind of the thoughts that will continue to develop, let them pass. Concentrate on your heart and see it as a shining gold chamber. Imagine the rays of light that pass through you connecting you to the Universe. As you begin to see this light grow within you move it around your body, then around the room you are in, as you harness this light power your heart chakra (anahata) may begin to feel strong love emotion, which can produce the tears that come from the heart. These tears are cleansing and uplifting, releasing the hardened negative damage in your body, healing you. As you breath in and out imagine the light the emanates from your heart fills you up, and then is sent out into your environment, creating a sense of peace within you, and your home. As you begin this new practice on a daily basis 10-15 minutes is fine, however as you begin to develop your Spiritual Heart you will find that more time is found to meditate, which brings a strength and love to your life.

“The heart is the source…Inside the heart is the soul. The consciousness of the soul permeates the entire body, but the special dwelling place of the soul is inside the spiritual heart. So when we enter into the inmost recesses of the heart, from there we derive real soul's love.” - Sri Chinmoy

Positive Thinking and Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:52:00 +0000

When the surface of a lake is still, one can see to the bottom very clearly. When the surface is agitated by waves then our vision is hindered. When the mind is still, with no thoughts or desires, you can see the "Self”.

Mental agitation can be controlled by either of two means: by concentrating the mind externally or internally. When we concentrate the mind internally, then we concentrate on the “Self” or in other words we concentrate on our consciousness; this is meditation. When we concentrate externally then we focus on anything other than the “Self”.

When we participate in a sport, i.e.; golf, our goal is in putting the ball into the hole, all other thoughts are frozen in time when we reach that perfect concentration and we are no longer burdened with worries or concerns of our world.

Taking the Time to Meditate

Everyone has the ability to meditate however the biggest challenge is to learn to take the time to do so. Many people I talk to tell me how they wish they could meditate especially when they learn the benefits (relieve stress, quit smoking, stop excessive eating, drinking etc.) but not many actually follow through.

When they are willing to commit one month of effort to set ten to twenty minutes a day aside for meditation we then see many people continuing to meditate after the first month. This is because they then begin to see the benefits of meditation.

Once an individual trains himself or herself to take time to meditate it becomes part of their daily routine. They no longer consider meditation to be a waste of valuable time. Their lives begin to change and their outlook on life is much more positive.

All happiness achieved through the mind is temporary and soon our egos alter our perceptions of reality and we are once again in a negative state of mind (sadness, anger etc). Many people have a vice to try to stay in a happy state (i.e., drinking, smoking, excessive eating) until that vice creates a negative state of mind.

To achieve a state of lasting happiness and absolute peace we must learn to calm the mind, to concentrate and go beyond the mind. By turning the mind's concentration inward, upon the self, we can deepen that experience of perfect concentration. This is the state of Meditation".

Our next article will present a technique known as "Spiritual Heart Meditation"

Spring Celebration - Equinox

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:01:00 +0000

Equinox is the term for the two times of year when the Sun's position makes day and night of equal length in all parts of the Earth. The vernal equinox usually occurs on March 20 or 21 and marks the beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is one of the two days of the year that the Sun moves across the celestial equator , the imaginary line among the stars that lies directly above the Earth's equator circling from east to west. The Sun's crossing of the celestial equator occurs one other time on the autumn equinox. Both times this crossing occurs, the Sun rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west.

On the Equinox, the Earth and Sun are in perfect balance and harmony, as the sun is centered between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and centered between earth and sky. This creates a sacred cross of balancing energy that naturally harmonizes the planet and humanity. A new healing balance comes into play.

The solstices and equinoxes, represent the journey of the soul. The annual cycle of the sun, and the increase and decrease in light, represents the process of growth in consciousness in the human kingdom. Animal instinct evolves into human self-consciousness, to soul consciousness, to spiritual awareness. Such is the progress of the human soul. If we interpret sunlight as representing soul illumination, and darkness as representing the instinctual forces of matter, then the period of decreasing light - from summer to winter solstice, represents the descent of the soul from its spiritual home, into incarnation. The decreasing light represents the gradual obscuration of soul glory and expression. The period of increasing light - from Winter to Summer Solstice, represents the release of the soul from its physical tomb, and its ascent back to its spiritual home! The Wisdom Teachings suggest it takes hundreds of incarnations to achieve this! Many, many cycles of the Earth around the Sun must occur before a soul achieves what one annual cycle symbolises.

Additionally, the process is complicated by the fact that there are two ‘Paths’, or directions in which human souls travel, on the Wheel of Life (Samsara). On the ordinary wheel, another cycle of incarnations where the soul is identified with matter begins. In this case, the increasing light represents the growth of personality self awareness. The personality is becoming dominant in its environment. But on the reversed wheel, the dominance of the soul in the lower worlds is evident, with the flowering of creative talents and faculties, and service to the environment. The soul in all its glory, beautifies the outer life! The Christ aspect is blooming.

Here at the Center of Your Spiritual Heart we will be celebrating with family, friends and guests. As we sing ancient mantras, and join hands around our sun/fire we will welcome the power and glory of this celestial event as we send love to mankind.
It comes as a surprise to many people that our area (The Kawartha Lakes) lies almost exactly half way between the North Pole and the Equator. This latitudinal location ( 44 20'N)determines the length of day and the height of the sun above the horizon. Which provides us with an even greater attunement with the cosmos during this special time.

We would love for you to join us. Our Spring Celebration will take place from March 19-23, 2008. A detailed list of events will be posted closer to the date. Please email us for further information, and to reserve one of our 2 rooms we still have available. Camping is also an option (weather permiting).

Peace & Blessings to you ~

Chakra Yoga Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:53:00 +0000

Come and enjoy a view of nature as you heal your body with ~Chakra Yoga~
We combine various traditions and styles as we create a practice to ease your stress and bring strength to you; body, mind & soul ...

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Thursdays @ 11am beginning February 7th

* Chakra balancing

* Meditation

* Pranayama (breath work)

* Mantras

$10/ class OR $60 for full registration of the 8 week session.

Please RSVP - as space is limited ... February 7th - March 27th

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Please email to register for this class. Please bring a yoga mat and a small blanket.

Photos of this beautful area

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:47:00 +0000

~ Meditational Walks enliven the Being within ~

True Meaning of Christmas: Celebrating the Birth of the Cosmic Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:15:00 +0000

Christmas is generally known as the birth of Christ. It is regarded as the Birthday of Jesus, the teacher recognized by Christians. Though generally known as a Christian celebration, it is not exclusively so; it was already observed by the entire pagan world long before the era of Jesus.

In the religious history and the mythology of many peoples we become familiar with numerous Sun-Gods who are all born at the time of the winter solstice, round about the 21st of December. Thus the Romans were celebrating the Rite of Mithra, which they had adopted from Persia, and the birth of Mithra, the Sun God, was celebrated on the 25th of December.
From Central America where civilization flourished in far distant times we have the examples of Mexican and Aztec Gods, born of Virgin mothers and all born around the 25th of December.
The Christmas festival is the drama, the representation of a divine and mysterious event—the Birth of Christ, the Avatar. Unfortunately its real significance is not understood by the masses of Christians today, nor is it explained to them. What makes this even more disturbing is that Christmas has become a moneymaking celebration for retailers and banks and a stressful debt-making event for consumers. And if you go into any countless list of places (i.e.; work) you may be asked, “have you finished your Christmas shopping?” The pressure to spend and compete for the best and most expensive gift is always present. Jesus would not be pleased to know that he has become an industry. This is completely against his teachings.

Christmas is the festival of birth—the Birth of Divinity, of Christ, of Osiris, of Krishna. Divinity manifests through Incarnations and these incarnations occur during different epochs. The Great Birth, the Supreme Birth, is that very rare phenomenon when a human individual, evolving onwards and upwards, the Great Cosmic Spirit, enters and manifests Himself.

Evolution in the human kingdom is a long process; epoch after epoch, man struggles; he sins and suffers and grows as he attempts to gain virtue and abandon vice and ego; after many lives of learning he may free himself from the enslavement of Nature (wheel of Samsara) and he then becomes a true being of light. And then he develops higher spiritual powers and becomes the living Image of Uttama-Purusha, the Supreme Man or Super Man, call Him Krishna or call Him Christ, call Him Mithra or call Him Osiris, call him Odin or call Him Apollo. This is the Great Mystery, the advent of the Divine Man into the Living Temple of the Spiritual Heart. It is to this secret and sacred Mystery that Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita "Amongst a thousand men, perhaps one makes effort to reach perfection and amongst thousands who make efforts perhaps one truly knows me.”

Similarly Joshua Ben Pandira, also known as Jesus the Christ said: “from a thousand who seek me, one finds me; from a thousand who find me, one follows me; from a thousand who follow me, one is mine”.

From the psychological aspect: each of us has countless egos and these egos give us many vices. We could say that this is our lunar side. We also have hidden deep within us a solar side. This is the true, free of defect superior being; our cosmic self.

The Moon waxes and wanes, changing in its phases every day. From crescent to half, from half to gibbous, from gibbous to full, then waning from full it becomes new and invisible for a day or so. This is a good representation of our nature, our egos—ever changing.
Now consider the Sun: it is always full. This is our superior nature—the spiritual Individuality free of ego, our inner “being”.

When the lunar comes under the control and guidance of the solar or spiritual, it becomes full of radiance and light. We must make an effort to be born as the full moon, and to live our lives as the full moon. That is the message of the Buddha Festival. It is said that He was born at full moon. He attained Nirvana at full moon, He passed away when the moon was full.

Samael Aun Weor, a great Gnostic teacher tells us “in vain would have Christ been born in Bethlehem if he is not born in our hearts. Useless would have been His crucifixion, death and resurrection in the holy land, if He is not born, does not die, or resurrect in us as well….. we need to incarnate the Cosmic Christ, to make its flesh in ourselves. As long as we haven’t done so, we are dead to the things of the Spirit, because he is life, the Logos.”

The festival of Christmas brings to human attention the miracle of Birth. The death of the ego would take human beings not from death to death but from death to life, to self realization from one birth and awakening to another birth and awakening. That Superior Self is Krishna or Christ, Quetzalquatal, the Divine Man, and His Birth is the real celebration of Christmas.

About Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:53:00 +0000

Meditation is the highest method of the mystical practice in various religious trends.
It is meditation as a method that allows one to cognize Living God and — at the very end — to come to Mergence with Him.
Meditation is the work of consciousness, not the work of mind. In meditation the mind has to be silent, and there are special techniques, which help one to learn stopping the work of the mind for the time needed for meditation. This is called mastering the mental pause.
A consciousness (in the fundamental psychology) is the energy aware of itself. This is man itself, who can be in the embodied or unembodied state.
As for the mind, it is a function of the consciousness, thus a person who parted with the body due to its death still possesses the mind and the memory.
But the mind of an incarnate individual works in connection with the brain.
A consciousness can be developed from tiny sizes up to the cosmic sizes. The process of such development of consciousness is called crystallization. It is meditation and crystallization that Jesus talked about when saying “God is Spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). That is, one must perceive oneself not as the body but as a spiritual substance — a consciousness — and as a developed consciousness to aspire to the Consciousness of God.
One can go through the initial stages of the development in raja yoga or in any other analogous system of self-perfection. The further advancement is realized on the stage called by Krishna buddhi yoga — the yoga of consciousness.
In the classic scheme of advancement through the stages of spiritual self-perfection outlined by Patanjali, meditation (dhyana) is on the seventh place. It is preceded by learning the ethical principles, the rules of hygiene, bringing the body into a healthy state with the help of special complexes of physical exercises, cleansing and development of chakras and bioenergy channels, learning to control the mind and many other things. In the Patanjali’s scheme, meditation leads to Samadhi, where large work in the framework of buddhi yoga takes place.
On the stage of Samadhi one cognizes — through personal mergence with Him — “the Holy Spirit living in us” (1 Cor 3:16). The further self-perfection in love for the Creator and in meditative techniques leads to Merging of one’s individual consciousness with the Consciousness of the Creator.
Sathya Sai Baba says about the highest stage of mastering meditation the following: “The correct meditation is merging of all thoughts and senses with God,… when all actions originate from the God’s Consciousness and not from the mind of man”.
There are three aspects of the Perfection: Love, Wisdom, and Power.
The three corresponding directions of the spiritual work, which help one to master these aspects, are ethical, intellectual, and psycho-energetic directions. The priority should be given to the two first directions. Meditation is the main method of the third direction. It is in this way that all best spiritual Schools work.

Article courtesy of Dr. Vladimir Antonov

http://swami-center.org

Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:24:00 +0000

Faith … is a connection to the Divine … trust, belief and a knowing … living life in love and honesty, faith brings us closer to God – providing strength, empowering your being … opening your eyes to all the cosmic forces that surround us all … faith is a source of divine love and power – which brings proof of the existence of God ~
~ every miracle in life is a moment of truth … allowing for the trueness of all whom live in love to grow … to achieve wondrous heights of connection in the worlds above … Faith is all knowing, seeing and encompassing knowledge for all … Faith

Yoga for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 06:25:00 +0000

You don’t have to be an adult to practice Hatha yoga. Kids can be especially graceful and skilled yogis because of their natural flexibility and enthusiasm to learn.

Start children at an early age on the path of health and wellness. This will encourage their development of strength, endurance, flexibility, elegance, and balance. While increasing concentration and correct breathing. Later they will be able to move onto the higher, more advanced yogas, which go beyond the physical. This will be discussed in another article.

Benefits of Yoga

-Develop strong bones: many postures are weight bearing
-Increase flexibility: there are postures that allow opportunities for bending and twisting
-Increase concentration and develop better breathing as well as calm and center the mind resulting in lower stress levels

Of course you can begin and benefit at any age; male or female and work towards enlightenment by following the yogic path. What one does not accomplish in this lifetime will have to be accomplished in another.

In the Glory of Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:10:00 +0000

Come and embrace the power of the elementals who live among the trees and the Ancient rocks ... Awaken your sense of self and connect once again to the presence of love as it gently stirs your Anahata ...

your whole self, all your soul has ever been, can be remembered as you sit in peace and solitude ....

we feel truly blessed to be here ~ our deepest wish is to share it with you

Walking Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 01:46:00 +0000

Walking meditation is a wonderful way of getting both physical and spiritual exercise, which will improve your well-being. It is also even better when you can practice your walking meditation in the beautiful outdoors.
Walking meditation should be practiced between 30 minutes up to an hour. But even a 15-minute walking meditation will benefit you.
It is ideal to practice outdoors in a peaceful and beautiful area, as this will add to its effectiveness. Also it is important to make the “now” more important that the “destination”. So do not have a walking meditation and plan to arrive at a destination. Follow a trail when in the woods and if you are not familiar with the area it is good to have a guide with you. Another way is to simply walk without a destination
Be mindful of your breathing, and make sure that your breathing is natural. Take in a nice breath of air and exhale normally.
Walk at a comfortable pace, not too fast and not too slow. Hold your hands either together in front of your body or at the back. Smile and let all worries and thoughts fade.
Walk in silence. Be mindful of your walking and feel each step, each movement. Anytime your mind starts to think of daily concerns; then you simply blank your mind and focus on your surroundings and your walking and breathing. Feel the warmth of the sun radiating on you making you feel at peace and love.It takes practice but soon you will be able to do it.

Daily Meditation Practice

noreply@blogger.com (Spiritual Heart) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 03:12:00 +0000

The purpose of the Daily Meditation Practice is to clear the mind of the many thoughts and activities that have taken place during the day and bring one into a state of peace.

Doing the practice helps us to focus our attention upon the divine. A part of the practice is retrospection. The process of retrospection allows us to examine our actions and become clear about where we may have been allowing our egos to take control of our thoughts and activities throughout the day through irrational or thoughtless behavior.

The practice of retrospection helps us to manage our emotions in a more positive way. Emotions, when unchecked, sometimes have the effect of causing us to do things or say things to others we did not really intend. This practice helps us to make clearer conscious decisions.

The practice assists us in becoming centered and pro-active in our lives. We learn to think before we act about the consequences of our activities.

When done correctly, the Daily Practice allows us to become more objective and less emotional about choices presented to us. The practice helps us to transform those thoughts and actions that may have harmed others and helps us to be the people we really want to be.

The Daily Meditation Practice helps us to become mindful of what is the right thought and action. In time, the practice carries over into our daily lives and we begin to do the process automatically throughout the day.

The practice becomes a part of our thought process. We become more thoughtful about how we affect others. We become more loving and caring and more conscious.

As our attention is drawn to creating positively, we actually begin to do so, more and more. Increasingly, we are able to be better sources of Love, Light and Peace in the World. This is not an easy task as most of us find it easy to spew coarse words that crystallize into negative energy.

The Daily Meditation Practice begins with the Chakras and using either Hatha posture shavasana/savasana (corpse position) or a more advanced meditation in either a sitting lotus position or in a chair using the western position. Ideally you will want to face east as these are the natural current lines of the earth (east to west) giving you greater positive energies.

When used consistently this practice creates more balance in one's life.

Chakras

The Chakras, besides being an indispensable tool, is also a good preparation

exercise for beginning meditation. Once the use of chakras have been

learned it becomes automatic and may be used in preparation for any meditation.

Chakras are also quite useful when you are in crowds i.e.; market, and you need some space between yourself and the energy draws and noise around you.

Using this exercise in conjunction with, and as the initial exercise to the spiritual practice of retrospection, meditation and prayer is highly recommended, as it is a calming and centering exercise.

Chakras may be used as reference points of concentration when drawing light into the body and it certainly can help to focus your mind and relax your body.

Chakras are a spiritual term used to describe the location of certain

centers of energy in the spiritual body that correspond to centers in the physical body called nerve plexuses. Plexuses are bundles of nerves concentrated in areas where nerves relating to specific functions of the body are found clustered in close proximity. The colors of the plexuses correspond to the colors of the rainbow.

The head or crown chakra, Sahasrara

Spiritually this chakra deals with intuitive knowledge, connection to spirituality, duality, emotional feelings, and integration of the whole and conscious awareness.

Physically it is associated with the pituitary gland, a small oval endocrine gland attached to the base of the vertebrate brain, consisting of an anterior and a posterior lobe. The secretions of the pituitary control the other endocrine glands and influence growth, metabolism, and maturation.

The forehead chakra, Anja

This chakra deals with self-knowledge, wisdom, intellect, clairvoyance, action of ideas, detachment, insight, understanding, intuitive reasoning, visualization is called the third eye.

Physically it is associated with the brain, eyes, ears, nose, pituitary gland, pineal glands and neurological system.

The throat chakra, Vishuddha

This chakra deals with communication, creativity, learning to take responsibility for ones needs, faith, truthfulness.

Physically it is associated with the throat and deals with the thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, trachea, cervical vertebrae, vocal cords, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, esophagus, mouth, teeth and gums.

The heart chakra, Anahata

This chakra deals with unconditional love, trust, forgiveness, wisdom, emotional empowerment. The heart center maybe conceived of as the transformer of the lower nature into the higher nature; it is also the balancer of Spiritual Law and is considered the source of Compassion and spirituality.

Physically it is associated with the cardiac plexus in the region of the heart and deals with heart, rib cage, blood, circulatory system, lungs and diaphragm, thymus gland, breasts, esophagus, shoulders, arms, hands.

The solar plexus, Manipura

This chakra deals with sense of belonging, mental understanding of emotions, Christic energy (or Krishna or Buddha energy).

Physically it is associated with the upper abdomen, gallbladder, liver, middle spine, kidney, adrenals, small intestines, stomach.

The navel chakra, Svadhishthana

This chakra deals with emotional identity, creativity and personal relationships.

Physically it is associated with the sexual organs, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, middle spine, and auto immune system.

The root chakra, Muladhara

This chakra is located at the very base of the spine; it is considered to be the source of the life force; and sexual energy. It is also associated with the Holy Spirit and generation and regeneration: creation.

Physically it is associated with bones, teeth, nails, anus, prostate, adrenals, kidneys, lower digestive functions, excretory functions, and sexual activity.

Instructions

1. Assume either shavasana or the lotus/western style posture, stretch your body, then become aware of your tense areas and begin to relax them. Do this several times. Become completely aware of your body and all its parts and inch-by-inch relax.

2. You may want to imagine a string at the top of your head pulling your spine erect. Feel the vertebrae of your spine gently stretched and your spine elongated and then mentally place each vertebrae beginning at the bottom of your spine, one upon the other, until your whole spine feels aligned. Then hold the position, but relax into a comfortable state.

3. Visualize yourself within an energy field, which extends outward from

the center (the naval - solar plexus region) of your body, three feet in all

directions. This is the cocoon an “egg shaped” region around your body.

4. Draw into the ovoid shape of the Egg from as high as you can imagine above your head, Pure White Light, down through the top of your head and into your body.

5. Anchor this light in your solar plexus area. Breathe naturally, feel the beating of your heart and your breath and allow them to become as one: at some point your breathing and heart will be in a natural rhythm. You will notice that you become peaceful.

6. On the in breath, feel and imagine the light coming into your body. As you exhale, allow the light to expand and fill your head, then your shoulders and arms, then allow the light to fill your torso area, then allow the light to fill your legs and feet.

7. You may also if you wish, draw the light down through the chakras; allow the light to expand to fill your body from each chakra. After you feel that your whole body is filled with light, allow the light to expand past your body to fill the field of the circle then the whole of the Auric/cocoon region until you can feel it three feet around your body in all directions.

Imagine that the outer edge of this sphere is solid and impenetrable.

Continue to draw in the light into the area of your solar plexus and let it expand from that region to fill your aura.

Maintain this space for at least 5 -10 minutes or longer if you like.

While performing this exercise you may begin to experience a vibrant uplifting of being, exhilaration and peace. This exercise is regenerative, healing and balancing.

Consistent practice of this exercise will aid you in bringing forth a fuller experience of an inner reality. Eventually you will find your own rhythm and as you practice, the steps you take will become natural.

Soon, you may be able to sense or even see the brightness of the white light and you may begin to experience the exhilaration and the peace it brings. After three or four days of practice you may begin to see and/or feel the Light in your aura, or personal atmosphere.

Visualization is the preparation and key that leads you into truly seeing and experiencing the Light within. Visualization allows you to be receptive to another reality. Relax and allow the light to come in.

It is recommended that you do this exercise if possible at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night before retiring. The Daily Meditation Practice has four parts. At first the practice may seem hard to follow or lengthy, but once the practice is learned and mastered it becomes second nature and a natural part of our daily lives.

Part 1:

Find a time and a quite space for daily meditation. Try using a candle or other focus point that has gives you power. Or set up an altar with spiritually empowering objects.

If you prefer the western posture, sit in a chair, back straight, with both feet flat upon the floor, hands placed palms down on your legs, elbows at your waist.

Mentally go through your body and stretch and relax any place that feels tight. If you prefer to lotus style sit comfortably on the floor or on a pillow when you have let go of the tight places in your body and are comfortable let go of your mind and pray a prayer for cleansing, balance and focus. This may take 5-10 minutes.

You may use this prayer or find another:

O Creator, through Thy Son, the Great Christ, cleanse my body and my mind and may the Light of the One now enter to fill me completely, that my only thought may be of thee.

Amen

Imagine white light washing over you and draw that light into your body through your crown, to your heart and solar plexus area. Allow the light to continue to expand until you can imagine your whole body filled with light and yourself encased in a sphere of light emanating three feet from your body in all directions.

Allow time for your breathing and your heart to become one in its rhythm.
When you perceive a sphere solidly around you and your breathing and heart are calm and in rhythm and you feel peaceful, declare your intention with a prayer for personal and world peace. This part may take 5-10 minutes. You may use this prayer or another that you like:

Cross of Buddha (say mentally)

“may all beings have peace”
“may all beings be calm”
“may all beings feel bliss”

Say this prayer imagining yourself so that you are saying it forwards, then repeat it imagining you are facing to the right, to the left, backwards, down and then upwards.

Part 2:

Perform a retrospection of the day in light of your ideals. Ask for forgiveness for those errors you have made and bless each person you believe you may have offended, including yourself, with light. love and peace. Look at how you might have handled the situation differently.

Bless all those you have encountered and any others. Look at what you have learned during the day as well. When you are finished with your retrospection allow your mind to complete its thoughts and clear.

Part 3 :

Reaffirm your sphere of light. Ask any questions you might have of your inner divine being.

Meditate 10-15 minutes or more in a state of openness to an intuitive answer.

Part 4: Close your meditation with A Prayer of Affirmation and Peace

The Lord's Prayer

O Giver of All Life, Who Is in Heaven and in Earth, In Whom We Live, Move, And Have Our Being, Holy Is Thy Name.Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will Be Done. In Earth, as it Is in Heaven. Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread, And Forgive Us, Our Trespasses As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us. Keep Us from Temptation.Keep Us Ever Mindful of Thee. For Thine Is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, Forever and Ever.

Amen.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of Thy 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; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love: For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned And it is in dying That we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen