Zen Meditation Technique

A Zen state of mind is the simple stillness of mind & body, experiencing "Being". Remember we are not human-doing we are human-beings.

Zen level can take some time to achieve so do not despair and practice daily to achieve significant results in a matter of weeks.

Find a place where you may sit or lie comfortably without falling asleep. That is why sitting in lotus position or half lotus is practiced.

If you take this practice seriously your life will change dramatically for the better.

Instructions for Zen Meditation Technique

1. Get comfortable, and take a deep breath, exhale slowly and completely.

2. Begin to breathe naturally

3. gaze at your left hand; if thoughts come to mind, push them aside. Just look, without thinking at your hand.

4. Become aware of the left side of your body, just sense that side of your body. Allow yourself only to feel it.

5. Now, you will begin to take deep breaths counting each inhalations and each exhalation.

6. Inhale deepy...1.

7. Exhale completely...2.

8. Inhale deeply...3.

9. Exhale completely...4.

10. Continue deep breathing to the count of 10.

11. Now, begin to breathe normally and evenly, and continue counting for the allotted time you have set aside for meditation.

            If you lose count, start over.

            if thoughts try to intrude on your mind again, bring your focus to your             breath and your count.

12. Bring your awareness to your surroundings and stretch.

This session is complete 

The Appreciation of Beauty

The Appreciation of Beauty

Beauty is all around us and within. We must break from the mundane and notice the beauty of all that is.

In this gorgeous summer, it is easy to notice every fluorescent dragonfly, the art of a flower, and the miraculous works of our own body.

Don't miss an opportunity to appreciate the world. Every moment can be remarkable.

Today I took my dog for a walk and saw this amazing wonder - this flower (Queen Anne's lace) looks like one giant flower, however when you look closely you realize it is a cluster of HUNDREDS of smaller flowers arranged in a beautiful overall structure that resembles a giant snow flake. I see intelligence in its arrangement, no randomness. I see consciousness diversifying itself into amazing creations. What do you see?

 

(click the image to elarge - took this picture with my phone this morning).

Break the old pattern and see everything with fresh inquisitive eyes. See the beauty in billions of cells that interact millions of times through electrical, chemical, and energetic ways, and together they create -  YOU, your physical body, that somehow has a consciousness and cohesiveness to work all together for a common goal, and it does it without us even being aware of it.

The Ancients saw this quite clearly and the Egyptian, Greeks, and Romans produced math, art and architecture in this "golden ratio" of natural beauty. This ratio of 1 by 1.6, or as Fibonacci perfected its observation in the "Fibonacci numbers" to 1 by 1.618 in math, reflects our ability to intellectually and emotionally see the world in a new light and freshness that will never leave you. Read more about the "Golden ratio" in this site: http://library.thinkquest.org/trio/TTQ05063/

But it is not only what is beautiful and symmetrical for the eye. it is a built in  structure to increase our happiness and perspective. Realize that everything has its own beauty in its creation, manifestation, and works.

Once we truly see the wonder and beauty in everything around us, it elevates our spirit, rekindles our sense of wonder and love for the world and life. It connects us to the source of all things and remind us of how lucky we are to witness such greatness and oneness in everything that is.

by Harry Kroner

Happiness and your Purpose

Who am I?

What am I here for?
How do I do it?

I know you have all asked the questions above at some point in your life. The question is how deeply are you connected to them, or how far have your steered away from your true direction.

We al have an internal guidance system that directs us in life. We all at some point started toignore our inner intuition/voices/ guidance and took other directions dictated by our environment outside of us.
Once we start veering off of our true course we settle for less and our happiness takes a deep plunge into the murky water of unhappiness, unfulfilment, lack of PURPOSE, and Meaning.

If you truly want to be happy, find your prupose. Find your passion, your talents, your gifts, and ask yourself, "what makes me happy?"
You will not feel happy if you do not DO happy things.

So take a few moments adn quiet yourself down, breath deeply and ask yourself at least one of these questions?

What is my true passion?
What makes me happy?
what makes me feel like time flies by?
What are my talents, gifts?
How can I apply them into a life mission?

Remember - you are limitless when you are truly intuned to your purpose.

The Voices In Your Head: Gremlins Vs. Inner-Allies

How easy it is to listen to the Gremlins in your head. They are there
all the time giving advice on how to protect yourself from life and how
not to risk anything, and put you down if you dare to raise your head
too high, telling you you are not worth it, you will never make it if
you follow your dreams, they are silly - unrealistic, etc.
Those Gremlins voices have the majority of the "air time", why do we
let them?

Try a new strategy, listen to the "inner-allies" in your head. Those
soft and daring voices that are positive and want you to expand and
grow and get closer to your true self. not compromise with life, start
giving them more of the "air time" in your head. they will lead you to
true personal success not outer success that pleases others. Allow
those voices to be heard and you will start to get a glimpse of your
true potential and path in life. You can be on that path for happiness
quicker than you think.

The right people will show up in your life to help you get there. I am
one of them - Are you willing to take your life to the next level and
experience a better you?

The Desiderata

There is something special and personal about "the Desiderata". I first encountered this beautiful poem only 3 days ago. and since everday a client, a friend, or a website showed it to me or reffered to it, coincidence - I don't think so. Enjoy.

The Desiderata

The Desiderata (desired things) is a 1927 poem by American writer Max Ehrmann:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.