Hanue Seeking

Occasionally, the light in my bathroom will sort of flicker and buzz very briefly. It doesn't happen very often and I don't pay much attention to it. Today I realized that light flickering can be a spirit trying to get your attention, after it happened while I was getting ready this morning. I have things of spiritual significance in my bathroom, so it could be conducive to that I think.

When I had that thought I looked up and asked silently Is that what it is? And it flickered again. So then I started asking Is it you Papa? Aunt June? Aunt Mary? Nana? Mama? one by one hoping "it" would answer, but it didn't. So maybe it was just an electrical thing. I guess I'll never know.

* * *

On vacation this coming week. Going to the cabin for three nights then to our second annual Girlie Retreat. In the process of planning a healing ceremony for us to do. So fun.

(I'm copying this from something I said on Face book)

The folklore we were talking about was the fact that my maternal grandfather could "draw out fire" (or "talk out fire") and stop bleeding. They are healing techniques that involve the practitioner saying a Bible verse while hovering their hands over the area or in the case of fire sometimes blowing on the area.

I am fair skinned and was always getting bad sunburns and Mom or Nana would always tell me to go to Papa and have him draw out the fire. He would blow softly on the area while mumbling words (I actually don't remember the words part but my sister does). My brother remembers cutting his toe badly at age 6 or 7 and Papa stopping the bleeding.

The techniques are only to be passed down to the opposite sex and kept in the family, I think. Papa passed it down to Mom, and she passed it to my brother. Now I'm getting him to pass it to me and my sister.

I decided to try to find the verses online and did find the one for bleeding, and founds some information about this type of Appalachian folklore/healing tradition. Here are the sites I found:

http://www.nchealthandhealing.com/topic/1/

http://www.everettarea.org/tales/v02/v02c18.htm

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=80&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=75a31a517b0f92cd3d97dda34a867fd6

Somewhere in there it also mentions talking off warts - I had an old lady in Alabama do that for me when I was there a few years ago. It didn't disappear right away, but a few weeks later it was gone.

So lately I'm seeing/reading a lot about animal communication, something that his long interested me and which I have learned some about before.

I'm just about finished with Grandmother Mechi's book, Gaia, which I've mentioned before. It talks a lot about it. It is so interesting, the differences in the animals when she communicated with them. Like the little dog that understood time as "now" and "not now". And his limited attention span, because he was an energetic little dog always on the go. She also talked to a sea gull, who asked her about what it was like inland and told her about things he had seen (showed her images of tropical islands and such). He kept the other sea gulls away from her so she could feed him.

She went to the Cincinnati zoo (knew someone whose husband was a zookeeper there). She found a black panther pacing very intently over and over around his cage. He was behind a one way glass so couldn't see her. When she tried to zero in on his thoughts she realized he was praying very intently. Lothar or the panther's devita (nature spirits that help us communicate with animals, according to Lothar)
told her that the panther thought the glass was water that was frozen or had become immobile and the only thing he could figure out to do was to pray to try to get it to disappear. I thought that was fascinating!! I never thought about animals praying. There was another animal
praying too - maybe monkeys or chimps. And I think it was an orangutan who she said was meditating but she couldn't get into his thoughts enough to know what he was meditating about. The elephants were pretty happy because they had a keeper who loved them and who they loved.

When she tried to communicate with fish, while astral traveling with Lothar, she said the groups of small fish all seemed to operate with
"one mind" and only thought about food and currents. The sharks had ancient memories, going back to the beginning of time, but they were on a "very narrow band" was the only way she could think to describe them. She felt the whales had memories tapped into the universal consciousness kind of - she said the memories and thoughts of all beings - humans, fish, animals. The dolphins sensed their presence, even though they weren't in physical form, and swam around greeting them. She didn't go into a lot of detail there.

Aside from Mechi, I also heard an animal communicator on a John Holland podcast this week, Danielle MacKinnon. She talked about sending pictures in your
thoughts to the animals, which I had heard before. That they can read your thoughts better that way, although they can also understand your words. She said you can communicate with them from far away too. When I'm away, I always "talk" to Stubby before I go to sleep, tell him I love him and miss him, that we'll be home soon. I don't hear him back though. She also said another thing I've heard before, that they like to know what's going on. If you are leaving, tell them where you're going and when you'll be back. You can show them a clock in your mind or a calendar but make sure there's one at the house they can see. Or say you'll be back in three mornings. When I leave in the morning I always say "We're going to work, momma loves you". I started that with my first cat, Sophie, and have done it ever since. I'm sure it signals to them that I'll be gone all day. If I'm going away, I tell them where we're going and how long we'll be gone and when grandma (mom) will come to check on them.

She also talked about animals that have healing abilities and told stories of animals she'd met. I wonder if Roscoe doesn't have something like that or is at least sensitive to that. He's the one who will often get up on the bed when I'm giving Husband reiki or kolaimni. And the other day Husband pointed out that Roscoe was licking his bruise. I brushed it off as just licking (he likes to lick) but what if he was
trying to heal it? Husband used to have cat that cured him of a wart - she kept licking it until it was gone!

In a Denise Linn podcast I was listening to this week, she mentioned a hospital in LA that had an ER dog. I don't know that it had any
special healing abilities, but they used it to help calm people down, especially children.

So anyway, Stubby wasn't feeling well earlier in the week. Like last time, it appeared he was constipated, because I am a bad mommy and had not been giving him his hairball medicine. I worked on him with energy healing several times in person but also absentee while I was at work. I knew he was probably getting dehydrated like he did the last time, so I also kept telling him in my mind several times a day (at work and at home) that he needed to drink a lot of water and held the image of him drinking in my mind. I am happy to say that he improved quickly and did not have to go to the vet, and I promise to give him hairball medicine every day.

Finally, I want to share with you a story a friend sent me today. There is a documentary called A Horse Boy, about a boy with autism. His father discovered that horses helped him to improve. Then he encountered some African bushmen healers through his job, and they worked with his son and he improved. So the father took him to Mongolia to meet shamans who also worked with horses. I REALLY want to see this!! Here is an article which I highly recommend reading, followed by a short video about it as well:

'Horse Boy,' family find respite from autism in Mongolia

Saturday I went to Mountain Mama's for Grandmother Mechi's Gaia workshop and book signing for her book Gaia.


My kolaimni teacher, Joan, and Grandmother Mechi

Grandmother Mechi is a Native American Elder and Medicine Woman of Choctaw and Cherokee descent. She founded the energy healing technique known as kolaimni, which I have been practicing recently. She is in her 80's now and has led a fascinating life, of which I know only tidbits.One thing I find very interesting about her is she is both a devout Catholic and practicing Buddhist.

It was a wonderful experience for me to meet her and learn from her. As I sit down to write this, I find that I don't have the words to adequately describe it. Have you been in the presence of a very wise spiritual teacher? Someone you knew was acquainted with the great mysteries of life? I would love to sit at her feet and talk to her for hours, to drink in her knowledge.



This is the first time I've met Grandmother Mechi in person. Although I heard of her years ago, it's only recently that I learned very much about her. When I heard she was coming to West Virginia I knew I had to meet her, had to learn from her. She has a sweet and loving spirit, as I imagined she would. She also has a good sense of humor. Her physical body is somewhat frail, but her spirit is still strong.

I honestly didn't care what the subject matter of the workshop was. I was just interested in it because it was Mechi. I knew it had to do with her book Gaia and involved seeing the earth as a living being. But it was more than that. She taught us about communicating with animals and trees, healing (including healing our pets), Atlantis, "the place in between", reincarnation and more. We did short meditations related to these things as well, including going down into the earth, traveling to a zoo to talk to the animals (I talked to a hippo!), meeting the Devas that help us communicate with other life forms and lastly one in which we became one with the waters of the earth and sent them healing. It was at times interesting, funny and moving.

After the lecture she signed books for those who were able to buy them (there was a shortage because they didn't come in in time, but most people got them - thanks Holly (skyearthandsea) for making sure I got one!!).

Holly had a couple of malas (prayer beads) she had made and had blessed by Mechi, which she sold to help pay for a friend to attend the kolaimni class. She gave them to me to hold at the beginning and as soon as I saw the gorgeous green beads with the goddess charm I knew those were mine, and I selfishly snatched them up before they were offered to the public!! I feel slightly bad about that... but I love them.



Lothar is Mechi's soul mate who is on the other side, and she channels his teachings. The other night at kolaimni I asked about whether Mechi's channelings had been published because I was interested in reading them. They told me no, they had not been, and they had notebooks full of papers where Mechi would go home and type every night as she channeled. I impulsively offered to help scan them in and get them into digital format. Mechi is interested in editing them, and I could scan and OCR them. Joan (my kolaimni teacher) was in favor of this, but I understand that later when some others were approached about this they were not (people close to her who are very protective of her and her work). But I was introduced to Grandmother Mechi by Joan during a break and they told her I had offered to do this and she seemed receptive to the idea so I am hopeful that she will give her permission. It would be a large undertaking but a fascinating project and I'm excited about it. When I met her she was so sweet, she took my hand and held it as we talked, and I just kind of fell in love with her right then.

I made a couple of short videos with my and am trying to get at least one of them uploaded and I'll share them later.

Aha... that's why I was lead to the Shamanic Navigation CD - it is really about shamanic healing. Shapeshifting to heal your life, kind of. I listened to part of it this morning and it's so interesting. I was going to just skip to the journeying part and ignore the talking part but it's too interesting not too, and I think there is a lot of wisdom here that will help me on my path.

I'm looking through some stuff about John Perkins (the author) online and see mention of an Andean Shaman, and that reminds me that Mountain Mama's is having an 8 hour class with an Andean Shaman in May... it's $125 and I can't really afford to do that right now. We have several big household expenses we're having to deal with right now and we're having to cut back on other things, including our upcoming vacation. If I could raise the $125 some way maybe I could do it with a clear conscious. I have two other upcoming classes to pay for. I already have the money to pay for the Mechi lecture, and the kolaimni class is affordable. But $125... I am not sure I can justify spending that right now. I need to think hard about whether it's something I need to do and if so, how to get the money for it....

"My favorite short definition of a shaman is a man or a woman who journeys to other worlds in order to obtain power, wisdom and energy from those worlds to affect change in this world. When we talk about other worlds, we can use terms like the unconscious or the subconscious--there are a lot of different terms that can used. But a shaman is a person who journeys into these other realities and uses the things that he or she gains in these other realities to create transformation in this reality. That transformation can be healing--many shamans are great healers. They don't work like medical doctors, but they work to accomplish the same thing, which is curing people. Or the changes that they affect could have to do with growing cycles of plants, migratory habits of animals, the relationship of the community to the environment. It could be any number of social or environmental factors they are called upon to work with." - John Perkins

Here is his website:

http://www.johnperkins.org/

He is also a founder of the Dream Change Coalition:

"DREAM CHANGE and its 'WAKING OUR WORLD' Movement:

Inspire Earth-Honoring Changes in Consciousness
Utilize Indigenous Wisdom to Effect Social and Environmental Change
Conserve Forests and Preserve Traditional Cultures and Values
Encourage Sustainable Ways of Living"

http://www.dreamchange.org/

Oh and very interesting - another person involved in the Dream Change thing has a book called Shamanic Reiki:

http://www.amazon.com/Shamanic-Reiki-Expanded-Working-Universal/dp/1846940370

Here's are some articles by/about John Perkins:

Shapeshifting the Environment into a World of Peace

John Perkins: From Economic Hitman to Shaman

Interview

I had planned to go to the flea market with Mom today. One thing I had in mind was to find someone who a psychic had mentioned to me. And when thinking of that, I also thought maybe I could find some spiritual stuff there. Then I thought no, it's a flea market, I won't find anything like that. Turns out there was plenty of that! There was a booth with Wicca supplies, several that had gemstones and crystals, etc. One man asked me if I was Wiccan, simply because I was wearing a crystal and a tree of life pendant and a moonstone ring. I told him no, I like a little bit of everything. But none of those things are strictly Wiccan anyway. Mom didn't realize what the Wicca booth was until I started pointing out things, although eventually she would have figured it out because there were plenty of blatant things like spell books and stuff that specifically mentioned Wicca.

One thing I want to note as possible coincidence is Tara. When I got my new car, I named it Tara, although I really didn't tell many people and don't call her that very often. I wanted to learn more about the Hindu goddess Tara and Mountain Mama's recently had a class on Green Tara. At first I was excited and intended to take it, but when I read the description it didn't appeal to me and I didn't go. Today I picked up a few Cd's, one of which is a "Shamanic Navigation: Shapeshifting Techniques from the Andes, the Yucatan and Tibet". I almost didn't buy it, because although I'm fascinated by shamanism, I doubt it's something I'll ever actually practice. I have a drumming CD for journeying but haven't done much with it. But it was only $3 and I ended up buying it. I'm uploading it to iTunes now and the last cut on the second CD is called "Green Tara". I have no idea what exactly it's about and why it's tied in with shamanism, but I'm very interested to hear it. It seems like too much of a coincidence not to be meaningful.

When I went to see a psychic back in Dec. 2007, she told me I should go to the Capitol Flea Market and look up Three Bears. She said he was a Native American shaman and would be a good contact for me. She said he made silver jewelry. Well today is the first time I've been there since then. I remembered his name wrong and thought I was looking for Three Feathers.

We found one booth run by an obviously Native American man and got very excited, thinking it was him. We went in the booth and looked around. There was some nice jewelry but not a lot of it. Most of the stuff in there was junk, and there was a lot of mass produced jewelry. I wanted to ask him if it was him, but he wasn't particularly friendly and didn't approach us or try to talk to us. I didn't know what I would say to him. He stood out in the hall most of the time. We just weren't picking up a good vibe from him and moved on, still thinking it was him, but not feeling he was someone we needed to approach.

Just down the hall, we found another Native American man with a very small booth. I didn't even notice it, but luckily Mom did and pointed it out. We started looking and saw all kinds of beautiful hand made silver and gemstone jewelry and crystals and things. There were three men sitting and talking in the booth, and a couple looking at items. As Mom and I started examining the jewelry we knew we were in the right place this time -- this was him! He saw me looking at crystal pendants and came over and talked to us and told us he had stones from all over and everything was hand made. He pointed out some particularly nice crystals, all of which were very reasonably priced. He had a hat on with a feather on it. When he went to help the other people Mom whispered to me that he only had one feather in his hat, not three.

When he came back to us, I finally got up my nerve to ask, "Are you by chance Three Feathers?" I was disappointed when he said no he wasn't, but he did know a Three Feathers in Ohio. I told him Becky had told me about someone named Three Feathers who sold silver jewelry and he laughed and he said "That's me -- but I'm Three Bears!" He was so nice, and I asked him about the Delaware tribe, because he had something posted about that, and he is a member of that. I told him Becky had told me he was a shaman and that I should learn more about Native American spirituality. He laughed and said he is not a shaman, and if he was a medicine man he wouldn't tell me - they don't go around telling people apparently. But he is a fire keeper for three different tribes I think? Or three different groups. I'm not sure what a firekeeper is exactly.

He was excited to show me a particular piece of jewelry - he went and took out a beautiful silver pendant he'd made, that has a sun and moon kind of stamped into it.



He said that it was special because the spirit of the fire came out in it. He turned it over and said you can see all kinds of things on the back where the spirit came out. (There are also three marks to signify it was made by him).



It was $45 and I admired it but didn't intend to buy it, because I didn't want to spend that much. I looked at some other pieces he had and all of his work is beautiful. I have been wanting a turtle pendant and looked at those and almost bought one. He showed me a custom made turtle pendant that was so beautiful. He said I couldn't touch that one, because it had the medicine of the person it was going to. Maybe someday I can get him to do a custom piece for me!

I kept going back to the sun pendant though, and Mom encouraged me to buy it and said I would regret it if I didn't. I knew she was right. So I bought it! It came on a rawhide necklace made of deer hide, which he said was to protect from evil. He was excited when I told him I wanted the pendant and said he knew it was for someone special (he probably says that to all his customers LOL).

I also bought a tiny carved bear and a crystal quartz pendant. Although I already have a crystal I really like, I was really drawn to this one and it was only $5 so I got it.



He also had candles some of which had meteorite dust mixed in with them. He said Becky (the psychic) wrote a book and is looking for a publisher, and in it she mentions using one of those candles and apparently she had a pretty wild meditation experience with it. I will have to go back and get one of those!

Ohhhh I just googled Three Bears, not thinking I'd find anything, and found an Etsy shop that includes some of his work and the work of his "tribal brother" Two Wolfes. There are some expensive things there, but also some affordable.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5801468

Very pleased with my flea market trip!!

Well I haven't finished my meditation room, most of it is still junky, but I do have a sacred space set up there now.



I guess it is kind of like an altar but I don't necessarily think of it that way. It's a place for me to focus. I can sit on the bed across from it, or stand in front of it as I prepare for something.

Included on it: a basket holding supplies like incense, candles, etc. A set of "chakra oils". Candles. A spiral "healing hands" thing. An American Indian doll I received as a child (she's so pretty when she is glowing in candlelight - she reminds me of Native American spirituality and my own Native American blood, even though I don't have much of it!). Several feathers. A bowl encased in a woven basket with a lid. Kwan Yin, Buddha, Ganesh. Incense burner. And aromatherapy diffuser.

( Read more... )

"You've heard the phrase before, but have you ever taken a moment out of your day to do this? Although some trees, like people, are more huggable than others, they all need a hug now and again.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 to 30 minutes

Here's How:

1. Find yourself a quiet park, forest, or woodland area.


2. Walk among the trees until you feel comfortable in their presence.


3. Feel the different bark textures with the palms of your hands.


4. Smell the scent of the various woods.


5. Absorb their life's energies as you look upwards to the sprawling branches overhead.


6. Find the perfect tree that fits your mood. You will know which one is right for you.


7. Vertical Tree Hug: Encircle it with your arms while gently pressing your cheek to the trunk being careful not to scratch your face. Squeeze tightly. Sigh deeply. Be one with your tree.


8. Full Body Tree Hug: Sit upon the ground wrapping your legs around the base of the tree and at the same time embracing it with your arms.


9. Up in the Air Tree Hug: Climb a tree. Sit upon a strong limb and straddle it with your legs. Bend forward and place your belly against it while wrapping your arms about it.

Tips:

1. Feel free to hug more than one tree if the mood strikes. Besides, other trees might get jealous.
2. You may like to take home a fallen leaf or nut as a keepsake from your new friend.
3. Be sure to return each season to visit your tree. And don't be afraid to talk to it as trees are good listeners.
4. Are You a True Tree Hugger? Take this quiz and find out."

http://healing.about.com/cs/trees/ht/How_hugtree.htm

"The Law of Dharma or Purpose in Life

Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.

I will put the Law of Dharma into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:

1. Today I will lovingly nurture the god or goddess in embryo that lies deep within my soul. I will pay attention to the spirit within me that animates both my body and my mind. I will awaken myself to this deep stillness within my heart. I will carry the consciousness of timeless, eternal Being in the midst of time-bound experience.

2. I will make a list of my unique talents. Then I will list all the things that I love to do while expressing my unique talents. When I express my unique talents and use them in the service of humanity, I lose track of time and create abundance in my life as well as in the lives of others.

3. I will ask myself daily, "How can I serve?" and "How can I help?" The answers to these questions will allow me to help and serve my fellow human beings with love."

http://chopra.com/laws/dharma

Late today!!

"FRIDAY

The Law of Detachment

In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty . . . in the wisdom of uncertainty lies the freedom from our past, from the known, which is the prison of past conditioning. And in our willingness to step into the unknown, the field of all possibilities, we surrender ourselves to the creative mind that orchestrates the dance of the universe.

I will put the Law of Detachment into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:

1. Today I will commit myself to detachment. I will allow myself and those around me the freedom to be as they are. I will not rigidly impose my idea of how things should be. I will not force solutions on problems, thereby creating new problems. I will participate in everything with detached involvement.

2. Today I will factor in uncertainty as an essential ingredient of my experience. In my willingness to accept uncertainty, solutions will spontaneously emerge out of the problem, out of the confusion, order and chaos. The more uncertain things seem to be, the more secure I will feel, because uncertainty is my path to freedom. Through the wisdom of uncertainty, I will find my security.

3. I will step into the field of all possibilities and anticipate the excitement that can occur when I remain open to an infinity of choices. When I step into the field of all possibilities, I will experience all the fun, adventure, magic and mystery of life."

http://chopra.com/laws/detachment

The other night Holly and her friends mentioned Hanuman, the Hindu Monkey God. I had never heard of him before and didn't even know how it was spelled. I just remembered to Google it today and found it is Hanuman. When I saw it, I gasped because it's so close to Hanue! I have to wonder, does he have some meaning or lesson for me? There's even a crow involved in his story!

(By the way, the name Hanue is my name -- Jamie -- typed with your right hand one key too far to the left. I discovered it years ago when I was using an ergonomic keyboard and constantly typing "Hanue" and it became a joke around work.)

Hanuman is the Hindu "monkey god", one of the most popular concepts of devotees of God in Hinduism.



Hanuman's most famous feat, as described in the Hindu epic scripture the Ramayana, was leading a monkey army to fight the demon King Ravana. Hanuman is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. He is a provider of courage, hope, knowledge, intellect and devotion. He is pictured as a robust monkey holding a mace (gada) which is a sign of bravery and having a picture of Lord Rama tatooed on his chest which is a sign of his devotion to Lord Rama.

Hanuman was born to Anjana, a celestial being who due to a curse was born on earth as a female vanara (a race of ape-like humanoids). The curse was to be removed upon her giving birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Anjana was in the forest performing worship. A crow who had stolen a cake flew with it into the forest. Vayu, the wind god, saw the crow and blew a strong wind up which swept the piece of cake out of the crow's beak and into Anjana's hands. Vayu went away but was immediately replaced by Shiva, who instructed Anjana to eat the cake. She did so and conceived Hanuman, who is thus considered to be the son of Vayu.

The birth of Hanuman released Anjana from the curse. Before she returned to Heaven, she assured Hanuman that he would never die, and said that fruits as ripe as the rising sun would be his food. Mistaking the glowing sun as his food, Hanuman leapt for it and the king of heavens (Indra) struck him down to earth with his thunderbolt. Hanuman's godfather Pavana carried him to the nether world ("Patala"). Brahma begged him to return and conferred blessings on his foster child that made Hanuman invincible, immortal and super powerful.
He could move, both run and fly, at the speed of the wind and could change his size at will.

Hanuman was a mischievous child and sometimes teased the meditating sages in the forests by taking their belongings and disturbing their articles of worship. The sages, annoyed but recognizing he was just a child, placed a mild curse on him, causing him to forget his own prowess and remember it only when he finds his master and others remind him about his strength and capabilities.

The fifth book of the Ramayana (Sundara Kanda) focuses mainly on the adventures of Hanuman. See the Wikipedia link for those interesting adventures.

Hanuman was admired for his great strength and is traditionally prayed to by wrestlers and boxers. Hanuman temples are among the most common public shrines found in India. Hanuman idols are found on mountain roads because it is believed that he protects people from accidents. There is a very famous temple in Punjab that has a 67 foot statue of Hanuman.

There is a five-faced form of Hanuman called the Panchamukha, which comes from the story of him having to extinguish five lamps burning in different directions at the same time to kill the evil black magician Mahiravana.



This five-faced form is very popular. Every Face of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman has significance —

• Sri Hanuman faces east. He grants purity of mind and success.
  
• The Narasimha faces south. He grants victory and fearlessness.
  
• The west facing Garuda removes black magic and poisons.
  
• The north facing Varaha, showers prosperity, wealth.
  
• The Hayagriva mukha faces the Sky. But since we cannot see it, it is usually tilted and shown above Hanuman's face. Hayagriva gives Knowledge and good children.

Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani (the planet Saturn) from the clutches of Ravana. In gratitude, Shani promised Hanuman that those who prayed to Hanuman would be rescued from the painful effects of Saturn, which in Hindu astrology is said to produce malefic effects on one's life when one is afflicted "negatively" with Saturn.

On Saturdays and Tuesdays many people fast in honor of Hanuman and give special offerings to him. In times of trouble, it is common to chant the name of Hanuman or sing his hymn ("Hanuman Chalisa") and proclaim "Bajrangbali Ki Jai" ("victory to thy thunderbolt strength"). Hanuman's birth is commemorated once a year, on the full-moon day of April at sunrise.

The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us. Hanuman's undying devotion and service to Lord Rama exemplifies "Dasyabhava" devotion - one of the 9 types of devotions - that bonds the master and the servant.

SOURCES/MORE INFO:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman

http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa052801a.htm

http://www.hindunet.org/god/Gods/hanuman/

http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hanuman.html

"The Aquarian alignment 14th February 2009

We measure our global sense of both space (latitude and longitude) and time (universal time - UT or GMT) from the prime meridian located at Greenwich, England. So we can perceive the collective influence of this momentous astrological event by looking at the alignment from this globally ‘centered' perspective.

When we do something extraordinary and exquisite emerges

At dawn on 14th February the day dedicated to St Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Mars are aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation.

Forty years ago, the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius, brought the dawning of the new age into our collective awareness:

"When the Moon is in the seventh house
and Jupiter aligns with Mars.
Then peace will guide the planets
and love will steer the stars"

At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace and dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment.

Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the Shift throughout our global structures and institutions.

The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious real-ationships.

Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity.

And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition.

At 7.25am on 14th February - and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, I invite you, in the universal heart, to add your own intention for love and peace and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. In whatever way feels appropriate for you, you may choose to align with 7.25am (UT) or 7.25am your own local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth."

http://www.judecurrivan.com/media-articles/articles/the-aquarian-alignment-14th-february-2009/

"Clarity of Soul
Chakra Clearing Exercise

Just as the physical spaces we inhabit require that we clear them periodically of clutter, the energetic fields that are a vital part of our being must also be cleared of old thoughts, energy, and emotions. Clearing your chakras and your aura restores and strengthens your connection to yourself and your divine inner wisdom. Unfettered by energetic baggage masquerading as fear, pain, and self-hatred, your consciousness is once again free to grow. If you find the thought of clearing your energy fields disconcerting, simply think of it as cleansing the energy that surrounds you and releasing any stagnancy. You may not be able to see the results of your efforts, but you will experience a lightness of being and clarity of mind.

You can begin by sitting or lying down on a comfortable surface. Take a series of deep breaths and allow your soul to connect with Mother Earth and the vast expanse of the Universe. Visualize your first chakra, situated near the tailbone, and imagine if you will, a valve opening there, much like a faucet. Imagine a cord dropping from your tailbone deep into Mother Earth and let everything that is stagnant within you flow through it. Let go of old energy, inactive thoughts, and anything else that no longer serves you. Ask the earth to accept what you are offering by turning this old energy into light. Continue to let old energy drain out of you until you feel like you’ve released all your energetic baggage. When you are done, imagine the valve closing. Before moving on to clear your next chakra, let vibrant terra cotta light travel upward from the earth and through the cord into your first chakra. Repeat this process with all seven of the body’s chakras. The second chakra is orange, the third is yellow, the fourth is green, the fifth is blue, the sixth is indigo and the 7th is violet. Afterward, visualize your crown chakra and draw beautiful, golden-white light from the universe flowing down through the top of your head. Release any worries or fears that you have been holding on to. Draw this light into your aura and enjoy the resultant feeling of peace.

To finish clearing your energy and ensure that you have rid yourself of the last vestiges of clutter, take a bath infused with one cup apple cider vinegar, one cup Epsom salt, and one cup sea salt. After completing this exercise, be sure to thank Mother Earth and the universe for their help."

www.dailyom.com

I met this woman on Twitter. She has some really cool music. If you sign up for her newsletter, you get access to a special area of the website which includes a "healing spa" with music you can listen to and videos. I love this kind of stuff.

She is based in Toronto and is an "Aboriginal singer performing a fusion of traditional Aboriginal hand drumming/singing and acoustic roots/soul that energizes and calms audiences all at once."

http://brendamacintyre.com/index.html

Today is about commitment and priorities.

Affirmation: I honor the commitments I make to myself and to others.

Exercises:

Level 1: Commit to Take One Empowering Action Daily (among Denise's suggestions for empowering actions is "Dance with wild abandon for 10 minutes". I love her!!)

Level 2: What Are Your Values in Life? Prioritize your personal values and look at your life to see if your actions are consistent with what you say you value.

Level 3: What have you been putting off? Make a list of things you have been putting off then take action today on at least one thing

I had an Amazon MP3 credit so I was looking around and came across this album - "Cave of the Siddhars" - and downloaded it for around $4. I used it for meditation today and it was pretty cool. I love Indian music. Following is from the website related to the album:

"Enlightening resonance from the mystical roots of India

Raise your Consciousness with Turiya Nada "Cave of the Siddhars". Conscious Multimedia Database applies Dr. David Hawkins' revolutionary conscious calibrations through the use of applied kinesiology. According to Dr. Hawkins' Map of Consciousness, any vibrations above 500 heals and that above 800 enlightens. Kinesiology vibrations above 1000 is said to be rare on planet earth. "Cave of the Siddhars" has been calculated to have broken the limits of "1000".
...
About Turiya Nada- Cave of the Siddhars is the sacred transmission of powerful and potent mantras and meditative energies that have been passed down through an ancient lineage of enlightened Sages, the Siddhars of South India. Accompanied by the didgeridoo, harp, singing bowls, djembe, udu, gongs, flute and other instruments, each track of Turiya Nada 's "Cave of the Siddhars" will take you on a mystical spiritual journey that will both delight and transform you!

The Ultimate Consciousness Music! Cave of the Siddhars has calibrated at the level of enlightenment on the Hawkins Scale of Consciousness.

- Combines powerful Siddhar mantra chants of the enlightened yogis of South India with the didgeridoo, harp and percussion.
- Chants that have secretive and hidden for thousands of years even in most of India.
...
- Enhance the depth, intensity and intent of your yoga & meditation.
- Transform your inner and outer world by simply listening and enjoying Source energies!

About the Siddhar Sages:
The Siddhars are enlightened Sages who journey beyond the realms of the limited mind state. They are in the state of higher consciousness that is beyond sleep, dream and wake. It is this divine state called Turiya that they sing and chant and dance in the higher resonance with sublime bliss.

Chants by Nandhi: Tapasyogi Kalathi Adiyen Nandhi is a visionary, a yogi, an artist and a musician. He was born and raised in South India. After nearly two decades of rigorous yogic training and meditative practice under the guiding influence of several enlightened masters who are from the lineage of the Siddhars. From them, he learned the secret wisdom of an unbroken lineage of several thousand years of tradition. Nandhi was initiated into advanced yogic practices that are seldom known outside the Siddhar initiate’s circle.
...

TRACKS-
...
Dance of the Siddhars The awakening! Awaken the primal desire to unite! Call of ancient Master of Light within ourselves.
Siddha Joy- Awaken the Goddess Invoke Mother Kundalini as "Sarva", the cosmic oneness "Mangala", auspicious presence.
Siddha Intensity- Journey through the awakened chakras as in joys as flame in union. Climbing above to the peak. Ascend climbing above to Be!
Cave of the Siddhars- The infinite joys of being One. At the peak. Joys of the sacred union -the inner throb, the primal nada beyond the mantra resonance. Enjoy the ancient meditative grace that flows with our joy!

Listen to Cave of the Siddhars on MySpace:

www.myspace.com/nandhi108

...

Our first track – “Dance of the Siddhars”- The music and chant intends to awaken the body and the mind of the listener to the primal resonance.[Va Va Va Va Yen Guru Natha-invoke the Siddha Guru . ”A” is the sound resonance invoking the Goddess. "Va" also means in Tamil "come" and "Yen" means "my". "Natha" is the term to denote the higher realized beings, the Siddhars. By invoking this mantra, we are calling our personal ancient Siddha Guru who has been waiting for our call all along.] 9.33 minutes

Our second track- “Siddha Joy”- This song invokes joy and the heart’s yearning to connect with the Soul. [Sarva Mangala- Invoke the Auspicious Goddess Sarva" means universal and "Mangala" means "the auspicious". By dwelling on the inner vibration of the mantra that invokes the presence of the Goddess, the grace of divine wisdom is showered. This mantra chant invokes the guidance of Mother Kundalini. Nandhi unites with Goddess Thiru Nyana Prasanambigai- The Sacred One Pregnant in Wisdom.] 3.58 minutes

Siddha Intensity- These chants were recorded on an auspicious full moon night. It is a Kundalini climb upwards. It gets the listener ready to absorb the immense subtle energy of the next track.[Build up the inner fire. In the intense build up of divine energy through the mantra becoming the breath, each inhale builds the foundation to climb higher into wisdom while shedding intellect with the chant. The mystical intense notes of Cofe's didgeridoo and the fire within the chant absorb the limited to reveal our true being- the Holy Spirit set free.] 6.48 minutes

Cave of the Siddhars- an intense 27 minutes of meditative mystical mantra chants of the Siddha traditions. This track leads us into the cave of the perfected beings invoking Maha-Avathar Babaji and other Siddhars. The track culminates with an actual live recording of Siddhar Rajaswamy invoking ancient Siddhar yogis at the sacred fire ceremony held in Mahalinga Malai, South India.

Total time: 46.39 minutes of bliss, joy and transforming music!

We are so glad and grateful that we could convey to the world, the guiding energy of the realized yogis, infused in the music that merges the Ancient East and the Dynamic West."

More here: http://www.nandhi.com/music.htm

This gallery of mudras demonstrates several different kinds. Two of these were taught to me in Reiki I, but the teacher I believe called them Kanji positions (Kanji is a type of Japanese character, I believe). I don't think my teacher really understood what mudras are, but she did incorporate them into her reiki practice and so I have as well. I think they're very interesting.

http://healing.about.com/od/east/ig/Mudra-Gallery/

I'm not really clear on how to use them though. I do understand they are used in meditation, and I will use them that way. But wonder if there are other ways or times to use them. Oh wait, here's something:

"What mudras are and how to use them.

Mudras are positions of the body that have some kind of influence on the energies of the body, or your mood. Mostly the hands and fingers are held in some position, but the whole body may be part of the mudra as well.

The most well-known mudras are probably the ones performed while meditating. One sits in lotus position (or with crossed legs) and either puts one's hands on the knees, the tips of the thumb and index finger joining, or in the lap, the fingers of the right hand resting on the left palm. But also the christian crossing of the fingers for prayer is a mudra, as is the indian greeting gesture (that is also used while praying), where the hands are held in front of the chest, the palms touching.

The crossing of the hands puts one's attention within, while opening the heart. The indian greeting gesture puts one into a mood of respect.

Some mudras are performed spontaneously by many people, like the Hakini mudra, where the tips of all fingers from the right hand touch the corresponding fingertips from the left.

Mudras have been in use in the East for thousands of years, particularly in Buddhism. Buddha statues often have the hands in certain hand positions. They have been used as a spiritual practice (and still are), as a way on the path to enlightenment.

However they're also used for physical ailments.

To use a mudra, keep it for at least a couple of minutes. It is usually more effective to do them a while longer, like 15 minutes or so. You might spread that time over the day, but you could also make it part of meditation.

Hold the finger-positions with both hands, at the same time. This will have a more powerful effect than doing a mudra with just one hand.

Some mudras are simple enough so that you can even do them with your hands in your pockets, like the set of four mudras [see link below for balancing energy]. You can do these anywhere when you feel you need them, without attracting attention."

http://www.eclecticenergies.com/mudras/introduction.php

Use them to open chakras:

http://www.eclecticenergies.com/chakras/open.php

Mudra set for balancing energy:

http://www.eclecticenergies.com/mudras/4mudraset.php

Even more mudras:

http://www.eclecticenergies.com/mudras/mudra.php

"There are a number of ways to enhance your meditation experience. One is to reserve a small space, such as the corner of a quiet room, where only meditation is conducted. That space then becomes more conducive to a meditation environment. A small table or surface can be covered with items that you connect with spiritual practice. Candles and incense are especially useful as they provide some initial focus for the senses.

It also helps to always use the same chair, one that is constructed primarily of a non-metallic material. Metal chairs attract etheric life energy away from you, which is great for the chair, but not so good for the meditation session.

A small clock completes your setting, and clean, light clothing, reserved especially for meditation, further enhances the atmosphere. A shower or bath before meditation is very valuable, as water is a powerful cleanser.
...
The best investment of your time each day is to spend 20 minutes in meditation. Make the time for this to happen. Make it the day’s first priority. The easiest habit to adopt is one which makes up the first activity of the day. Making it a routine will also reinforce the effects of the meditation.
...

1. Take a few moments to completely relax your physical body. Sit in an upright chair with your eyes closed, then clench your feet, toes and leg muscles. Release the tension and let your feet and legs relax completely. Do the same clench-and-release process for your stomach, chest and back; then your arms and hands; then your neck and face.



2. In preparation, take three deep breaths and exhale each one completely.



3. Now focus your attention on the slow, even flow of breath as it passes in and out of your nostrils.



4. As you breathe each in-breath, mentally repeat the affirmation, “I am Infinite Being.”



5. On the out-breath, allow your attention to follow the flow of air from your nostrils. To induce an immediate calming effect, slow each out-breath and allow it to take up to twice as long as each in-breath.



6. To make a space for your consciousness to dip into the experience of being, pause at the end of the out-breath. Hold the breath out of your body until you feel the need to inhale again. This will typically be for around three seconds, sometimes less. When you are in this motionless quiet space, don’t think, just be. Subtle impressions may arise from your inner self in this Being Space. The end of each breathing cycle is your personal communion space with your inner being. Ignore surface mental noise – words and feelings that jump into your attention – and maintain your focus upon the quiet inner space and subtle impressions of higher consciousness. Nothing loud comes from your inner being. Focus your awareness upon your inner silence. With practice, this is a time when great insights and inspiration quietly dawn upon your awareness.



7. Repeat this cycle of breathing and being for 20 minutes.

http://www.infinitebeing.com/0405/ibmeditation.htm


"Sunrise is the time of nature's awakening. It is the best possible time to recharge yourself for each new day of activity.

By beginning your day with a connection to the Sun's energy, you are actually aligning with the natural system of Creation.
...
What better way to start your day, than to breath in the power of this mighty orb as it awakens you and your surroundings to the energy of the new day?

Here's how to achieve this, with one simple addition to the Infinite Being Meditation technique:

On each in-breath, visualize white light, representing life energy from the Sun, coming into your body via your nostrils. See this white light as filling your entire body every time you inhale.
...
Start your twenty-minute meditation and charging session each day, ten minutes before dawn. If dawn is at, say, approximately 7:10 am, then you would plan to start your day with meditation from 7:00 - 7:20 am. Reorganize your daily schedule around the most important natural event of the day. The deeper connection to nature is well worth the effort. At least once a week, check when sunrise occurs by referring to the news media, or to weather sites such as weather.com. Then you can be in tune with the greatest cosmic forces of revitalization that occur each and every day.

Make meditation at dawn your number one priority of the day. Then everything that follows will be more energized and more in tune with who you really are.

Energetically, the highlight of every day is dawn. It is truly a magical time."

- same person, but from an email - couldn't find it on his website

I wanted to design something I could print and frame, so I decided to turn the image into cafe press stuff while I was at it. This is a tile coaster but there are also other tile products, a mousepad and shirts.



http://www.cafepress.com/msjamiereiki