It’s been
12 days since I returned from the Vipassana Meditation retreat and, although I’ve
been meaning to write about my experience, I postponed it so feelings would
settle down a bit. I do not even know where to start and what to write down. What
I keep telling the people that ask me how it was is this simple sentence: “It
was a life changing, intense experience; I wish all the people could do a
10-day discourse of Vipassana.” There were bright moments and hard moments,
moments of total calmness and tranquility and moments of stress and doubts,
moments of mental clarity and moments of constant mind wandering. But all in
all, it was hard work, really hard work, that made me explore myself and
realize things about me that were hidden within and which I had to confront and
let go. When the discourse was over I felt 100 kilograms lighter. Happier, more
balanced and calmer than ever before. Almost two weeks later I still feel this
way. And I'm going back for a 3-day discourse next month.
Journey To Atman And Self Awareness
Ashtanga Yoga, Meditation, Reading and Daily Life
Friday, March 1, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Vipassana Metta Chant Sabka Mangala Hoye Re
It's been a full week since I returned from the 10 day Vipassana discourse. Still haven't put my experience and thoughts written down since it was a very intense experience and I'd like to allow some time for my emotions to settle. But I find this particular chant coming to my mind numerous times every day. It has a very soothing effect on me and helps me concentrate to positive thinking and feelings.
May all beings be happy.
Ετικέτες
chant,
meditation,
vipassana
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Warrior - Friend Virabhadra and the Asanas Origin
Sati was the daughter of the high chief of Gods Daksha and married to Shiva. One day Daksha decided to throw a yagna (ritual
sacrifice) and invited except for the couple since he despised Shiva.
Sati got word of this and suggested to Shiva that they go anyway however
Shiva, not wanting to incite her father’s anger, prefered not to. Sati was hurt by her father’s
treatment and decided to go alone.
Arriving
there she got into an argument with her father in front of the guests
something that made her feel humiliated. When her father tried to
provoked her again she remained silent and decided she wanted to relinquish all
family ties, telling her father this:
“Since you have given me this body I no longer wish to be associated with it.”
She walked past him and sat in a meditative seat on the ground, closed
her eyes and fell into a trance. Going deep
within herself she began to increase her inner fire through yogic exercises
until her body burst into flames.
Ετικέτες
asanas,
ashtanga,
philosophy,
practice,
sun salutation,
suryanamaskar,
virabhadra,
virabhadrasana,
warrior,
yoga
Thursday, February 21, 2013
We must stop hurting Mother Earth.
It is preposterous. The more we advance the more we hurt this lovely planet we are living on and all the creatures that are here with us. I watched this video yesterday and was filled with sorrow. This is the proof that it doesn't matter if there are people living in a specific habitant: we manage to destroy it even when we're not present there. The video is taken from here.
This video is about an island in the ocean at 2000 km from any other coast line. Nobody lives, only birds and yet, you will not believe what you will see here.
Please don't throw anything into the sea. Unbelievable, just look at the consequences.
This video is about an island in the ocean at 2000 km from any other coast line. Nobody lives, only birds and yet, you will not believe what you will see here.
Please don't throw anything into the sea. Unbelievable, just look at the consequences.
Ετικέτες
awareness,
environment,
nature
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Sun Salutions Literally: Mysore Style Practice Week 1
Photo from Here |
Ετικέτες
ashtanga,
mysore style,
practice,
sun salutation
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Back from Holidays and got myself a new crafting hobby
I’m back.
After a long time of Christmas “vacations” which turned out to be more
demanding than the normal days. Too many friends and family to visit, chores to
do, cooking, housework etc. Good thing is I took a break from all internet and at
the same time learnt a new craft, yay me! I was into crafts ever since I
remember myself. In the course of years I did a lot of drawing and painting
projects, sculptures, jewelry, scrapbooking, projects with plaster, sea shells,
rocks and many other materials. One thing I never got my hands into though was
anything that had to do with fabrics and clothes making like sewing, crocheting
or knitting. For some reason I was always intimidated by these crafts and
although both my grandmas were really great in them I kinda thought these
activities would be boring.
Well,
things change when a cute little baby girl comes into your life. My soon to be
goddaughter was born in October and this was her first Christmas and New Year
holidays. As a godmother-to-be I wanted to give some present to the baby but I
also wanted it to be something special. And then it hit me. On my way home
after the last working day before Christmas I stopped to a local craft supply
store and bought baby yarn and knitting needles. Went home, watched some Youtube
videos, read some basic information about knitting and dived in. I finished a
baby hat, 2 pairs of baby booties and 1 baby scarf in 2 days and LOVED it! I do
not have any photos since I gave them the same day I finished them but they
were so tiny and beautiful. Knitting is a wonderful craft and it is so
meditative, I would never have guessed! In fact I have started more projects. I
am now knitting a scarf for my dad, gloves for my best friend and a dog sweater
for a lovely Chihuahua. I usually knit either on my way to work or during the
cold evenings when I am home and really enjoy it.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
Or is it? I don’t
know.
I always loved the atmosphere during Christmas
Holidays and I do not mean religious-wise. I love the scent of burning wood,
the ornaments on the Christmas trees, the smell of Christmas goodies baking,
the Christmas lights and music on the street, the presents, the family and friends
gatherings. I was always looking forward to all the small luxuries I could
indulge in during these holidays: small trips in the country, going for skiing
or ice skating, visiting hip clubs and bars, drinking champagne, eating a bit
more, working a bit less and the list goes on. You get the picture.
Ετικέτες
love,
selflessness
Friday, December 21, 2012
How to Make your own Zafu Meditation Cushion.
Having my upcoming Vipassana Meditation Retreat in mind I decided I would invest in a meditation pillow. I
will have to sit formore than 10 hours each day and it will definitely come
handy after I come back from the retreat. However, after researching I found
out that a zafu pillow costs anywhere between 40-60 euros, an amount of money
that seems a bit too much to me. Being good with crafts since I was a little
girl, I thought I should search for a tutorial and make my own pillow. And then
I came across this article here:
"The following information was
originally published by the Zen Center of Los Angeles and was found in one of their
fine books, entitled “To Forget the Self: An Illustrated Guide to Zen
Meditation” by John Daishin Buksbazen. Unfortunately, this book is
now out of print. It is gratefully presented here as a help for those getting
started on their own.
SUGGESTED FABRIC
A sturdy material such as a cotton/polyester blend
A sturdy material such as a cotton/polyester blend
SUGGESTED FILLING
Kapok fiber, although buckwheat hulls can be used for those who prefer a firmer seat
Kapok fiber, although buckwheat hulls can be used for those who prefer a firmer seat
Ετικέτες
DIY,
meditation,
tutorial,
vipassana,
zafu cushion
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Swimming is Similar to Yoga? Breathing, Meditation and Relaxation in the Pool.
Swimming is my
first big love. I used to train in a big team when I was younger for many hours
every day, I was actually living most part of my life in or around a pool. As life’s responsibilities grew more and more
I had to quit since there was no way I would find so many hours to train daily.
That is how I kissed my big dreams to enter the Open Sea category and participate
in international events goodbye.
Well, this year I
decided that since I won’t be running during winter time I should find a pool
and go for a swim 3-4 times per week.
And I did. Going back after all these years was great but at the same time felt
so different.
Ετικέτες
meditation,
relaxation,
yoga
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
New Food Blog
That's a really quick note to inform you that I have decided to move
all my food related posts to a different blog since it seems I will be
doing a lot of experiments with cooking and trying out a more vegetarian
way of eating. I will keep the once-in-a-week-meat plan I have right
now till I feel ready to drop meat and fish 100% and I will be
publishing recipes and articles on the other blog. Any suggestions and
recommendation are more than welcome.
The link to the food blog is Eat, Love, Yoga. See you there as well!
The link to the food blog is Eat, Love, Yoga. See you there as well!
Ετικέτες
diet,
vegetarian,
yoga diet
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