yoga
Mindful Connection In The Age Of Clocks And Screens
These days, we keep one eye on the clock and the other on our phone screen. It is stressful to always be on the go and in the know. Too often there is no time to relax and really enjoy the moment.
We have clearly lost sight of the things that really matter in life. We have become slaves to the clock.
These days we hardly notice or appreciate our friends and family. We are either preoccupied with our social media news feed or in such a hurry to get to our next destination. How often do we give a meaningful hug to those we love? We see more value in getting somewhere fast or getting something else done.
Can you remember the last time you gave a loved one a really good “squeeze”? Seriously! I mean a real, unhurried, sincere, meaningful hug? Have you ever received such a hug? Do you know what it feels like to get a real hug? It’s quite healing, affirming, and refreshing. What is that feeling? It’s love! And that is the true meaning of life, to give and receive love.
With the rise of digital technology and our increasing obsession with screen time and addiction to social media, many of us are not used to connecting in a personal, warm way. Some of us are not even capable of having a meaningful conversation these days. Ever since smartphones came on the scene, you see people everywhere with their heads down. If only they were busy praying! No, they are texting while their lunch partner is doing the same!
Reclaim Your Personal Power With ‘Sat Nam’
As a Kundalini Yoga teacher, I had the unique privilege of studying with Yogi Bhajan, the yoga master who introduced Kundalini Yoga to the Western world. Before he passed away in 2004, Yogi Bhajan gave me my spiritual name, Satya Kaur, which essentially means “princess” or “lioness” who embodies or strives to live by the principle of truth. It symbolizes a spiritual identity or path that focuses on integrity, authenticity, and the pursuit of spiritual truth.
Our soul identity is the key to our life journey and spiritual growth. For this reason, at the end of each Kundalini Yoga class, the teacher says “Sat Nam” to the students. The class then repeats these words back to the teacher. Because of the name Yogi Bhajan gave me, this mantra will always have a special place in my heart.
The phrase is a Gurmukhi term that translates to “Truth is my name” or “True identity.” It is used as a yoga mantra to center the mind, connect with one’s true self, and remind us of our true essence and reality beyond the physical and mental constructs of the external world.
Saying “Sat Nam” to others is similar to the greeting “Namaste,” which means “The divine in me bows to the divine in you,” or “The spirit in me salutes the spirit in you.” For me, sacred affirmations like “Sat Nam” and “Namaste” have even more power and meaning now in the dawning Age of Aquarius.
The Mystical Phenomenon Of Levitation
After seeing with my own eyes my yoga teacher levitate many years ago, I am convinced that levitation is not only possible, but that anyone can achieve it through a dedicated spiritual practice.
I used to attend weekly yoga classes led by a wonderful teacher who was 76 years “young” at the time. She was vibrant and lithe enough to make us younger ones look awkward by comparison.
One evening she invited her advanced students to watch a levitation demonstration. I must admit that I was a little skeptical and did not really know what to expect, but I am always open to new spiritual experiences.
She gave a talk before the demonstration, but I don’t remember much of what she told us. What I do remember very vividly is the incredible moment when she actually floated from her horizontal position on the floor. In a trance-like state, she rose gently and was suspended about a foot (30 centimeters) in the air.
Years later, I had another unusual levitation experience. After a wonderful week-long workshop at the Arthur Findlay College of Spiritualism and Psychic Sciences in Essex, England, a large group of teachers and students from the various classes gathered for a group meditation. The powerful energy in the room that evening was indescribable.
The Anchoring Vitality Of The Root Chakra
The chakras play a pivotal role in our energetic well-being. These energy centers, rooted in ancient Eastern philosophies, govern various aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual functioning and health.
At the very base of this intricate energy system lies the root chakra, an energetic foundation that holds the key to our sense of security, stability, and connection to the world around us.
The root chakra, also known as the base chakra or muladhara in Sanskrit, is the first of the seven main chakras at the base of the spine. Its significance cannot be overstated, as it is the energetic anchor for the entire chakra system. This energy center is associated with red, symbolizing vitality, strength, and the life force that flows through us.
At its core, the root chakra is linked to our most primal instincts and survival needs. Its activation is crucial for establishing a solid foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life. When the root chakra is in harmony, it fosters a sense of security, grounding, and a deep connection to the physical world.
One of the primary functions of the root chakra is to address our basic survival needs, including food, shelter, and a sense of safety. When this chakra is balanced, we feel secure in our environment, enabling us to navigate life with confidence and stability. On the contrary, an imbalanced root chakra may manifest as fear, anxiety, or a constant sense of insecurity.
Chakra Balancing Is An Essential Self-Care Practice
I recently attended a very informative talk given by a couple who are both energy healers. The husband is also a respected medium in our area. The topic was the chakra system and how to use it in an energy healing practice.
As a psychic practitioner, I already know a lot about the chakra system, but I am always open to other people’s perspectives and possibly even learning something new. I think it is important in any profession to keep an open mind and to have the desire to learn as much as possible. You are never too old, too wise, or too experienced to gain new insights!
So, I was pleasantly surprised that this talk turned out to be a wonderfully informative experience. In particular, the session reminded me of the importance of keeping one’s chakra wheels ‘in tune’, especially if one is in the business of healing or doing readings.
Clearing and balancing the chakras is vital because when a chakra is deprived of harmonious, free-flowing energy, it becomes unbalanced or even blocked, causing dysfunction in the organs and other mind-body functions associated with that chakra, as well as dysfunction throughout the rest of the entire chakra system.
Harnessing Intuition To Be A Better Manager
In the demanding landscape of modern business, effective leadership is more important than ever. As a leader, navigating the complexities of the workplace requires a unique set of skills, and while data-driven decision-making and strategic planning are undoubtedly important, there are powerful tools that are often overlooked: intuition and spirituality.
Inner wisdom and spiritual awareness are invaluable assets for managers seeking to improve their leadership skills. By cultivating a deeper connection with our inner being and the universe, we gain access to a source of wisdom and guidance. It enables one to tap into a deeper understanding and a higher level of consciousness that gives you a winning edge of increased empathy and nuanced awareness in the workplace.
True intuition is more than guesswork or simply a culmination of our past experiences, knowledge, and insights. It is a mystical force, a spiritual superpower, a key component of our inner guidance system.
As a leader, you’ve probably faced countless challenges and solved numerous problems throughout your career. Intuition allows you to tap into the inner guidance of your higher self to make better decisions and more accurate judgments.
The Basics Of Chakra Balancing
Did you know that we have two bodies? Not only do we have a physical body, but we also have a light body.
Our physical body is our visible and tangible form, made up of bones, muscles, organs and other tissues. It is our physical manifestation in this earthly realm and is subject to the laws of physics and biology.
Our light body, on the other hand, is the subtle energy system underlying to the physical body. It is the energetic bridge between our physical body and our higher, soul existence beyond the physical body. The light body is invisible to the naked eye and is subject to metaphysical or universal laws.
The concept of the ‘body of light‘ or ‘luminous body’ is found in various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings and is also known as the aura, human energy field, astral body, subtle body, spirit body, radiant body, sidereal body, or celestial body.
The main feature of the light body are the chakras, an intricate network of energy centers or vortices that play a vital role in our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. According to some teachings there are as many as 114 to 88,000 chakras, but this is not a commonly accepted understanding in the fields of yoga and energy healing.