harmony

Sattva: Balance. Purity. Calmness. Neutrality. Equilibrium. Peace.

Imagine a raging fire consuming a forest of ancient trees, the charred branches left after the fact, the newly fertile soil, and then the regrowth of the shrubs, bushes and trees over time to again reveal a pristine woodland of animal life and nature. After the burn and regrow, there is a space and time of balance that is achieved and seems to be maintained over time, during which you can hang a hammock in the trees and fall peacefully asleep while crickets sing and water flows down the mountain.

Join us to talk with Karen Chapman about holistic healing: kripalu and acupressure!

Tired of the violence and disrespect? Over all the drama and unnecessary conflict? Ready to see humanity grow up and begin to take responsibility for its sacred relationship to the rest of the web of life? Want world peace NOW?

Then please, halt your horses, and go within to become that which you seek. As Gandhi said, "Be the Change." It's the only way.

“Everything in nature is made up of five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. Knowledge of the five elements allows the yogi to understand the laws of nature and to use yoga to attain greater health, power, knowledge, wisdom, and happiness. This arises out of deep intuition of how the universe operates.”      
-- Dr. Swami Shankardev Saraswati

For the past month, I’ve been getting in touch with my propensity to hope without any evidence. To hope things will change based on nothing more than a whim. September painfully brought me back down to earth, not because anything happened, but rather because I realized how damaging it is to have unbridled optimism.

Accidentally letting the smooth piece of Malachite drop from my hand onto the hard cement floor, I saw a corner fly off. This was before I was aware of the 2 rating this stone has on the Mohs scale – which basically means it is one of the softest stones there is (Diamonds rate a 10 – the hardest). This is when it came into my awareness that you could powder this stone easily in a mortar and pestle, as the Egyptians did, who often used this stone as eye make up to ward off evil.

In India, temples are constructed with intention and obvious care utilizing the Science of Dwelling known as Vastu Shastra. The way the temples are built is meant to both reflect and inspire connection to the One Divine Source of creation as it also manifests within each person. By silently emitting a frequency and sacred geometry of balanced practical life merged with liberation, the Hindu temple is the perfect example of how to construct your life in alignment with universal balance.

What's Your Dosha?

Ayurveda is the ancient Indian science of health and philosophy that came about the same time as the Vedic texts, around 1500 BCE. The Rishis, or “seers”, who compiled the Vedas were known for their deep contemplative practices; they looked into their inner world to make observations and connections about living in accordance with the laws of nature. Ayurveda then became a means of preventative health and achieving overall wellbeing; therefore it encompasses all aspects of being—body, mind and spirit.

While much of the Western World is acquainted with the Ancient practice of Yoga, few know of its deep connection to Ayurveda, the science of life. Rooted in the laws of nature, Ayurveda is the healing branch of yoga and the 5000-year-old medicine of holistic being. The science of Ayurveda draws wisdom from the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Believe it or not, the qualities of these elements appear in a yoga practice. Each asana pose carries an energetic remedy.

Right Speech can mean speaking skillfully, or it can mean choosing to remain silent. The space between stimulus and reaction is a perfect place to decide whether to speak out or keep quiet—at least temporarily—especially if emotional feelings and thoughts are arising.

When emotions and egos collude harsh words can be spoken with lightning speed and later regretted. Words, thoughts and actions arise together and support each other; we live each moment either peacefully or violently. The choice is obvious, but access to this wisdom requires more practice than perfection.