Modern day life is filled with stress and happiness often seems elusive in spite of many great technological breakthroughs. We see such rapid changes all around us, but has it led to a better quality of life for individuals? I don’t think so. It is really hard to quantify something like happiness, but a number of recent scientific papers point to the fact that we are not getting any happier with rising incomes and better communications and technologies.

The answer to happiness can be found in the wisdom of the people who contemplated on these ideas all of their lifetime. When society as a whole was focused on how best to make people lead happier and more fulfilling lives, they discovered great secrets and methods that they passed on from generation to generation. Yoga and meditation are powerful techniques that help us lead happy and contended lives.

These techniques can be used in conjunction with your daily routine and you are sure to experience a difference within a matter of weeks. The results are tangible, though personal.

Holistic living involves a number of different aspects of life that need to be taken care of. Right from bodily health to spiritual energy, yoga and meditation lead a person towards a better quality of life. The best thing about these is that they touch every aspect of your life in a positive way.

Yoga and meditation are great to reduce stress, which is so important in the treadmill lives that so many people live. The role of yoga and meditation is not restricted to removing the negative things but they also help introduce a lot of positive things. For example, through regular practice, you can be happier, significantly healthier, think more positively, be cheerful and liked by others around you. The way yoga and meditation changes lives can be fascinating, to say the least. It is a personal experience, a personal journey that everyone experiences in a different way, but always towards a better and happier life.

Both Yoga and meditation go hand in hand and complement each other well. Yoga achieves its means through influencing the body that in turn influences the mind, whereas meditation aims to use the mind for transformation. Either technique can work well for an individual and it is hard to say which is “better”. Instead, think of yoga and meditation as two sides of the same coin, working together to help you lead a better quality of life.

The fundamental reason for practicing Yoga and meditation is primarily spiritual, but on the way, there are immense material gains as well. Though these systems were not designed for material achievements, they are inevitable along the way. Through Yoga and meditation, you can be more productive, stress-free, be able to work longer, seldom feel tired even after a long day’s work, increase your concentration and thus efficiency by a great deal and have healthier relationships at work and at home.

Therefore, Yoga and meditation are suited not just for the spiritually inclined but also the materialistic among us. In a nutshell, these systems will help everyone in all the good ways you can think of, so there is no reason not to try them out to improve your life, whatever way you define improvement.

Has yoga and meditation benefited you and your life? Share your story by leaving us a comment below. If you enjoyed this post, go share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter or the social network of your choosing.

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When your drawers won’t close, work desks overflow, and the floor can’t be seen anymore, you know it’s time to declutter. Almost everyone will get to that point when they need to remove clutter from around the house or the workplace. The junk that is unneeded, unwanted, and unusable should be removed immediately. Ideally, you should start getting rid of stuff as soon as you realize you have to. Unfortunately, if you are like millions around the world, this doesn’t end up being the case. In fact, there are endless excuses to postpone “decluttering”. We outlined some of the common ones below:

Excuse 1 – I’ll do it tomorrow. While this might be meant with the best intentions, you end up procrastinating until you just don’t do it anymore. Tomorrow may be a good day and you’ll think to yourself the weather is just too perfect not to go out! It’s not necessary to tackle everything on one day. But the first step will help you get sorted.

Excuse 2 – It will fit again. Not to discourage anyone but if your clothes are 10 years old, it will take hard work and dedicated perseverance to get back into your old form. Sure, the clothes can act as encouragement but it might be a better idea to retain two or three old clothes in your closet and put the rest into a box for now. Opening the box once you lose weight will make you feel triumphant.

Excuse 3 – It’s not as bad as that! Some people make the excuse that they don’t have “clutter” because there is nothing they can’t find. It is possible to be both. You may be able to locate items because it has become a habit for you to pile items in certain places. But there is still clutter in your house. Instead of making excuses, declutter your things in cohesive order.

Excuse 4 – I may wear it again. If you haven’t worn it for the last two years, chances are, you’re not going to wear it again. How do you know which clothes to keep from the closet? Do a simple activity. Go two to three weeks without doing the laundry. Then look at your closet, the things you don’t want to wear even if you’re desperate for clean clothes – you need to get rid of.

Excuse 5 – I might forget something if I start putting things away. If it’s out in the open, say, the credit card bill, I will remember to pay it on time. While it is certainly important to pay your bills on or before the due date, this shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to declutter. Put all important items in one folder or basket so you won’t lose anything.

Have you been postponing the inevitable task of organizing your home or work space? Share your story below by leaving us a comment. Do you know someone that may benefit by reading this post? If you enjoyed this information, go share it on Twitter, Facebook or the social network of your choosing.

Biking is once again the “in” thing. Alright, so the majority of people are still not too keen on cycling to work every morning but an increasing number of people are recognizing its benefits. It is not only good for your health; it is also one of the most effective modes of transport that doesn’t emit carbon dioxide. Little wonder that health-conscious and environmentally-aware individuals are choosing to bike again. Below are other benefits you can expect by cycling to work:

Improve Your Mood

Exercising gives euphoria-producing hormones a boost. Even moderate physical activities like biking helps your body produce more endorphins. As a result, you can go to school or work feeling rejuvenated and energetic.

Fitness

Biking has a lot of benefits for your body. It firms and tones your muscles. It is also a good way to burn calories and maintain your ideal weight. Biking beats driving anytime; so if your workplace is just a reasonable distance away from your house, cycle your way to work!

Scenery

You miss a lot of things when you’re in the car. Biking enables you to appreciate the scenery and the hum of everyday life. The slower pace helps you see the locale in an altogether different way than what you’re used to. Depending on your location, the freshness of the wind and fertile earth can help you connect on a deeper level with nature.

Interaction

Biking puts you in touch with other like-minded individuals. Unlike driving where you’re by yourself in the vehicle, biking is more of a community thing. Your fellow bikers are most likely health-conscious and environmentally-minded as well. Many bikers reveal that some of the long lasting friendships they’ve developed are among fellow cycling enthusiasts.

Environmentally-Friendly

Instead of adding to pollution and contributing to climate change, biking is a clean form of transportation. It emits zero carbon because the only “energy” it burns is calories. Also, by setting an example to your friends, family, and your community, you may start a biking revolution in your area.

Quiet

There is another form of pollution that most people have become immune to: noise pollution. We hear it everyday from the traffic, construction work and even hawkers in the city. Biking is quiet. It can also be a tranquil experience if you are biking in a “green” area.

As you can see, biking provides a lot of benefits. So start searching for your old bike or buy a new one to be part of today’s biking revolution.

Do you already bike to work? Have you influenced others to do the same? Leave us your comments down below. If you enjoyed the information in this post, go share it with your friends on the social networks.

What makes for an authentic yoga practice? The word Yoga literally means union, referring to the union of the body, mind and soul. In Yoga, the body, mind and soul come together to achieve an elevated level of consciousness that brings in immense happiness, joy, satisfaction and wisdom into one’s life. This was the concept with which the ancient teachings about authentic Yoga evolved in India over a period of thousands of years.

However, when the West adopted the concept of Yoga, it became more of a fad and fashion statement than a spiritual experience. An elite group of yoga teachers in America live in multi-million dollar homes catering to the uber-rich. Even the ordinary teachers have modified the teachings and the core philosophy of Yoga to suit the “consumer needs” of the growingly interested Americans. Thus, Yoga today is offered as a quick fix solution to everyday problems. This defeats the original purpose of authentic Yoga itself, which is meant to elevate an individual beyond these everyday trivialities. This modification of Yoga is thus ironical and it can never fulfill its original intended purpose when done in this way.

Traveling from India to America, I see a huge difference in the way Yoga is treated not just by the Gurus but also the people who want to learn it. In America, it is yet another way to make money while in India it is still largely a community help or service. Barring a few exceptions that cater to the billionaires and millionaires of India, almost every authentic Yoga school is free of cost to join or takes a nominal $1 to $2 for a month to cover expenses. The Yoga guru seldom teaches for money and usually has a day job which feeds him and his family. By separating monetary issues and the practice of Yoga, the Guru is thus able to practice and teach authentic Yoga in its true spirit, that doesn’t pander to the consumer fetishism of the 21^st century where Yoga is just another commodity to be purchased in the market.

In addition, the practitioners and teachers of Yoga should never forget the real philosophy behind Yoga. Yoga is much more than physical exercise to keep your heart healthy and remove stress from life. These are but the side effects of a truer and larger goal, which is, as the word encompasses, the union of body, mind and soul. The original goal is a worthy one and something that every individual should pursue. The true purpose of authentic Yoga is thus not physical but spiritual, of which physical benefits are mere additional benefits.

The American concepts of Yoga are thus fundamentally flawed and it is difficult to realize the true potential of this ancient Indian practice. True, it will still provide the fringe benefits to the population but never the original benefits that it was intended to provide. One needs to fundamentally rethink about Yoga to practice it in spirit. One very good starting point to understand the Eastern point of view is by looking through the spirit of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga Sutras, which is an eight step method to practice Yoga. Until one looks at Yoga from the way it originated and the way it was initially intended, he/she is being deprived of the wisdom of the wise Gurus who laid down this system of spiritual elevation.

How authentic is your yoga practice? Leave us a comment down below and share your thoughts. Also, if you enjoyed this post, go share it with your friends on the social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

Becoming a vegetarian is a big lifestyle change if you are trying to make the transition, especially for the first time. There’s a saying that “you are what you eat”. Indeed, the food you eat plays a big part in identifying who you are.

For example, if you have a sweet tooth then you most likely need to spend longer hours at the gym to burn calories. On the other hand, eating too much will adversely affect your health and lifestyle. This is because being overweight will hinder you from playing sports to your full potential.

The nutrients ingested by the body will provide it with the necessary energy to function. And while most people wouldn’t associate emotions with their food, it does have an impact. The right food can also help with mental functions. Given all these, there are certainly a lot of reasons why you should pay more attention to what you eat.

Vegetarianism and Its Challenges

When it comes to lifestyle choices, only the individual himself can make decisions. But it is important to know the pros and cons of each option before you dedicate yourself to a certain diet. There are a lot of “fad” diets being promoted today. Becoming a vegetarian, however, is probably timeless. It has been practiced by countless people for centuries.

“Vegetarianism” provides a lot of benefit to a person and to the environment. Most of all, it stops or reduces animal killings. To eat or not to eat meat: the debate about this has been raging for a long time. For people who decide to forego meat, there are certain challenges ahead:

• Variety – compared to diets that include meat, eating plant foods all the time can be monotonous. It is important to know a lot of recipes to keep dining fresh and exciting. There are also many food products that remain unexplored; now is the best time to try them out.

• Taste – while some vegetarians might disagree with this, taste is definitely an issue with the majority. To address this, animal byproducts such as milk, egg, and cheese are sometimes included. Using herbs and spices will also help as well.

• Eating Unhealthy Foods – because the food choices are limited, there is a tendency among many vegetarians to load up on other foods such as ice cream, chips, cakes, and deep-fried food among others. It is important to always watch what you eat and not fall into the trap of eating too much unhealthy food.

For new vegetarians, the road ahead might look intimidating. Take heart. With time, your taste buds and your body will adapt to your diet. Don’t be surprised when you find animal-based food distasteful in the future.

Have you already made the switch? Trying to go veg but finding it difficult? Leave us your comment down below and share your experience. Also, spread the word by sharing this post on Twitter, Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon or your favorite social network.

A number of people seem to have varying opinions about Tantric Sex, from both ends of the spectrum. The ones that like it have had transformational inner experiences and the ones that hate it try to scratch at the two thousand year old ceremonies that seem meaningless in today’s society. Yet the fact remains that Tantric Sex has survived till this age, and is fast catching up in the West, from its humble beginnings in ancient India.

To really appreciate Tantra, one needs to understand not just the superficial aspects of it but also the core philosophy that follows the acts. To a number of people, Tantra is all about sex. The truth is far from it. The basic aim of Tantra is to transform an individual spiritually, and the way to this spiritual elevation is through sex in the Tantric system.

Sex is seen as the highest, the peak of reaching the divine and it is during those few moments of pleasure and ecstasy when one is closed to the Divine. The Indian philosophy believed that just like different rivers merge into the same ocean, so do all the different paths lead to the same God, the same Divine. No one path can be assumed to be superior to another and it is all the needs and perceptions of the individual. Tantric sex is one such path towards self-realization and self-transformation that seeks to harness the power of lovemaking to elevate one’s consciousness.

What many people don’t know is that Tantra and Yoga are very much related, which shouldn’t come as a surprise because Yoga is, after all, just another path like Tantra. Indeed, ancient Tantric practitioners had written a number of elements of Yoga.

The sexual aspects of Tantra are important because this method chooses to lead us to higher spiritual and thus material realms. The very purpose of any spiritual practice is to improve the quality of life of the practitioner. Therefore, even if you have a good sex life but feel caught up or simply stuck in life, Tantra can help you even out your life. The point is Tantra shouldn’t be seen only as a love making system but rather a holistic framework in which sex is an integral part to elevate the individual consciousness.

There are many aspects to Tantra and not all sects within Tantra have the same practices. In fact, in India, there are tens of different sects and hundreds of sub-sects, each with its own unique version of Tantra. There are different practices and rituals involved in Tantra, but almost all of them believe that it is ultimately about manipulating and elevating the individual energy levels. Therefore, at the core, Tantra aims to change the quality of energy chakras in an individual. At a much higher and elevated level, Tantra is also involved in the occult and is believed to be an extremely powerful and potent form of mastering of Nature, especially sects like Aghoris.

As a person interested in Tantra, one should thus know not only the ritual aspects of it but also the core philosophy and beliefs of the Tantrics, so that one can fully be able to appreciate and apply this ancient art of self-realization.

Are you a Tantric sex practitioner? Have you ever experimented? Would you like to try it? Please leave your comments down below. Also, if you enjoyed this post, go share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, StumbleUpon or your favorite social network.

As more people become environmentally conscious, it is becoming clear that the existing fossil fuel economy today isn’t viable, sustainable, or desirable. Coal, oil, and natural gas supplies are not limitless and alternatives must be found sooner than later.

In addition, the majority of people who consume fossil fuels don’t live near the extraction site resulting in conflict. We are talking about vast amounts of money and there are groups that are willing to go to great lengths to ensure that they will gain control over fuel-rich territories.

An obvious factor that drives a lot of people to look for alternatives is the unacceptable level of pollution. The resulting carbon byproducts are also contributing to climate change. The call to shift to an alternative fuel source is clear.

There are a lot of technological innovations that makes it possible to get solar energy, geothermal power, and hydroelectric dams. While these options do have their benefits, there are certain features that make hydrogen power the most viable alternative energy source of the future. Among its benefits include:

• Decentralized Production – unlike oil and gas that must be extracted from the ground or the ocean bottom, hydrogen power can be produced just about everywhere. Depending on the preference of users, they can either get it from a central source or produce it onsite. The source of hydrogen gas includes gasoline, methane, coal, biomass, and water. Each source generates varying amounts of pollution and requires different levels of technical expertise. At the end of the day though, power will be produced.

• No Pollution Residue – hydrogen is combined with oxygen to produce power. This electricity can be used to power vehicles, heating, and other functions. As energy is used, the only byproducts are heat and water. That’s why no greenhouse gas is emitted. It also leaves no harmful particulates that can harm people (depending on the source used).

• Sustainable Power Source – provided that hydrogen power is produced from water, it can be a sustainable alternative energy source.

Electrolysis is the process that separates water into oxygen and hydrogen. Once the hydrogen is produced in the electrolyzer, it can be used as electricity in a fuel cell. Hydrogen power is independent of petroleum and nothing is wasted in the process.

Right now, the only barrier to its widespread usage is the cost of the production process. But with the technological innovations available right now, hydrogen power has a bright future. The oil spill in the Gulf also demonstrates the need to use an alternative energy source when it comes to generating power. The risks are simply too high for society to rely on petroleum for too much longer.

Check out what’s possible in the following YouTube video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Are you fan of clean alternative energy sources and a foe of dirty energy such as oil, gas and coal? Share your comments down below. Also, go ahead and share this post on Twitter and Facebook or the social network of your choosing.

There is something eerily cold about the way we view factory farming, neatly packaged meats and other animal products at the grocery store. This extends beyond foodstuffs and includes items such as leather shoes, wallets, handbags, couches and fur coats.

Perhaps clichés such as “out of sight out of mind” or “ignorance is bliss” somehow explain this complete lack of awareness and compassion.

Animal Rights can be defined as the right to the humane treatment of animals with an emphasis on the right not to be exploited by humans. After all, the word “human” and “humane” bear striking similarities.

Furthermore, the viewpoint of Animal Rights is that non-human animals have moral rights and law should prohibit a violation of their basic interests.

People who consider themselves spiritual, moral and ethical must challenge themselves and ask the question: Do animals have rights? Taking this a step further, one may even ask: Do animals have souls? After all, we are all God’s creatures, are we not?

The Animal Rights Movement represents a number of diverse animal activist groups dedicated to protecting animals from perceived mistreatment and/or cruelty. Many of its supports have moved to a life of vegetarianism or veganism to align their lifestyle with their personal beliefs.

Factory farming, hunting for pleasure, killing animals for fur and using animals in medical and cosmetic testing are primary concerns of the supporters of the movement.

Radical groups of animal activists such as the Animal Liberation Front have been formed to fight on behalf of animal rights. The world’s largest and most well known organization dedicated to raising awareness of animal rights is PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals).

PETA is well known for its unconventional campaigns to raise awareness and multitude of high profile celebrity endorsements. But isn’t it unfortunate that forming radical animal activist groups and implementing peculiar promotions have to be carried out in the first place?

Check out the following YouTube gem “Jesus Was A Vegetarian”

Click here to view the embedded video.

So at what point do we move from being human to humane? Living a life completely disconnected from nature combined with processed foods, drugs, alcohol and an overstimulation of violet TV and movie programming have desensitized mainstream society into a state of “non-feeling” or perhaps “non-caring”.

As far as our civilization has come through the ages, I think in many ways humans will look back at this era as a kind of dark ages, both spiritually and sustainably, that’s if we actually survive long enough as a species and leave enough resources for future generations.

One of my early mentors referred to our way of living as “killing our grandchildren to feed our children”. Not a very smart survival tactic now is it?

At no other time in history have we had such a blatant disregard for the Earth or its inhabitants. Humans live in a mass consumption model where resources are consumed for our pleasure and ego gratification with complete ignorance of the karmic effects.

Insanity en masse has washed over the human consciousness like a dark wave drowning out our powers of discrimination. This kind of behavior reinforces the ego and our separateness from each other and the world around us.

The ego lives in a state of perpetual fear and all forms of anxiety, depression and violence spring from this place.  Sadly, this is where the majority of people dwell 100% of the time.

There are generally only two emotions, pleasure and pain. We as humans tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain, both at all costs. Yet many humans will derive pleasure at the expense or pain of others (human and non-human).

I have personally reached a point in my journey where I want to make as little impact on my surroundings as possible. I most certainly do not want to contribute to the pain and suffering of any living thing.

The choices one makes regarding what one eats, wears or buys should be consciously made and support an ideology of compassion. Animals are not commodities.

Save animals by choosing a vegetarian/vegan diet and purchase cruelty free products that support animal rights and sustainable initiatives.

We have been endowed as the caretakers of this Earth with a responsibility to care for not just ourselves but all of the inhabitants of this planet. If you are not part of the solution, you are simply part of the problem. Choose consciously. Choose wisely.

If you resonated with this post, please leave us your thoughts down below. If you think others will enjoy this as well, go share this on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Stumble Upon or the social network of your choosing.

Compassionately Yours,
Fredric Schwartz
Vayu Founder

One of the best kept secrets in the natural fiber clothing category is hemp fiber. We think of wool, cotton, bamboo, silk and linen as the natural fiber choices for Eco friendly clothing. Hemp is also a very nice natural fiber that makes attractive, comfortable clothing while being good to the environment. Hemp used to be the best fiber to make strong long lasting rope for heavy uses in industry, commercial fishing and farming. Now the people at Vayu have found wonderful ways to create clothing for yoga and everyday use with hemp and organic cotton.

Because hemp is a natural fiber, it is a renewable resource. The plants can be planted and regrown like a crop, rather than cut like trees. Hemp is a strong breathable fiber that makes great clothing for active individuals like sport tops, yoga shorts or yoga pants. Hemp can be made in different weights of yarn for different textures of fabric. The yarn can be woven into different types and textures of fabric for a variety of end products and designs. Hemp fiber can be made into clothing for any season or activity. This makes hemp cotton blends versatile enough that it can be used for a variety of different types of casual and active wear.

As advocates of hemp use for clothing and other legitimate uses make progress, we will be seeing more companies producing clothing from hemp. It is breathable and strong which makes it ideal for yoga clothing. Hemp has a beautiful range of natural colors, but can also be dyed in a rainbow of colors. Because it is being marketed as an environmentally friendly product, manufacturers tend to use it’s natural colors or very subdued, natural looking colors. This makes very attractive clothing that can be brightened up with accessories and jewelry if one chooses. The hemp industry is doing their best to educate and influence the American consumer to choose sustainable materials like hemp fiber in their buying choices.

Hemp fiber clothing, upholstery, pillows and bedding are available on the Internet or many retail stores. If you go on line and key in “hemp clothing” you will be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of information available to help you purchase quality hemp products. Hemp clothes, or Eco clothes as some call them, are great to wear and great for our earth. The best source of hemp and organic cotton yoga clothing is Vayu (at least we’d like to think so). These clothes can be worn anywhere when not used for yoga and look and feel great. Whether it’s rock climbing, biking or hiking, hitting the town for a chai latte at your favorite coffee/tea shop or simply lounging at home or your favorite spa, hemp clothing will make a great wardrobe addition for all of these pursuits.

What’s your favorite sustainable fiber? Do you have any hemp clothes in your wardrobe? Share your thoughts by leaving us a comment down below. If you enjoyed this article, go ahead and spread the love and share this with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Digg or your favorite social network.

Okay, here it is, everyone at some point in their lives looks back at their life and says “boy, I wish I had done that,” or “I should’ve done that.” Having those feelings makes you feel bad about yourself. These negative feelings actually affect your health and can make you sick. In addition, if you feel bad about yourself and are ill, you will age faster. See what just a bit of doubt can do to your life? With synchrodestiny, however, you can change your life and take away the what ifs that have plagued you over the years.

Dr. Deepak Chopra, a former chief of staff at The New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, Massachusetts actually resigned his position because he believed that there was a better way for people to live their lives and to stay well, healthy and happy while doing it. While he hasn’t turned his back on conventional medicine, he recognizes the benefits of holistic medicines to create a happier and healthier human race.

What is synchrodestiny? Essentially, it is having the ability to see and take advantage of every good thing that comes your way. This could be by meeting your future partner, a job opportunity, creating your own business, furthering your education and more. SynchroDestiny gives you the ability to have a spontaneous fulfillment of desire, changing your life in the now instead of looking back with a pocketful of missed opportunities and what if scenarios. When you discover your own SynchroDestiny, you will see each moment as an opportunity for you to make something happen in your life.

Is this some magic formula that will change your life? No, you are going to have to put some work into it and discover synchrodestiny for yourself. There is a certain amount of discipline when it comes to apply SynchroDestiny, but the great thing is that anyone can do it, no matter where you are in life personally or professionally. It is time for you to discover that there are no coincidences and to understand that with SynchroDestiny, you can see what meaning everything has in your life, whether it’s a chain of events that leads to your promotion or to meeting the person of your dreams. Discover your SynchroDestiny and change your life!

Have you ever had any experiences bordering on the miraculous that extend way beyond mere coincidence? Share your thoughts and experiences on the subject of syncrodestiny by leaving your comment down below. Also, if you’ve found this article of value, go ahead and share this piece on Twitter, Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon or your favorite social network.