17 Aug
Power of Meditation
yhestaff Meditation

Exploring the Power of Meditation: A Journey to Inner Peace

In a world filled with constant distractions, fast-paced lifestyles, and mounting stress, the practice of meditation has emerged as a powerful tool for cultivating inner peace, emotional balance, and overall well-being. With its origins rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, meditation has transcended its historical context to become a secular practice embraced by people from all walks of life. This article delves into the multifaceted power of meditation, examining its benefits for the mind, body, and spirit, its various forms and techniques, and its potential implications for modern society.

The Multidimensional Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is not merely a passive activity but an active process that engages the mind, body, and spirit. Over the past several decades, research has provided compelling evidence of its numerous benefits. 

1. Stress Reduction

Meditation helps calm the mind and also reduce the production of stress hormones, leading to a greater sense of tranquility and emotional balance.

2. Emotional Regulation

Regular practice enhances self-awareness, enabling individuals to manage their emotions effectively and respond more positively to challenging situations.

3. Cognitive Enhancement

Meditation strengthens cognitive functions such as concentration, attention span, and cognitive flexibility, improving mental clarity and focus.

4. Physical Well-being

Meditation is linked to lowered blood pressure, improved immune function, and reduced inflammation, promoting overall physical health and longevity.

5. Mindfulness

The practice cultivates present-moment awareness, fostering a deeper connection to experiences and helping individuals live more fully in the present.

6. Relationship Improvement

Meditation, particularly loving-kindness meditation, enhances empathy and compassion, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships with oneself and others.

Diverse Forms and Techniques

Meditation is a versatile practice encompassing various forms and techniques, each offering unique benefits and approaches to cultivating mindfulness, self-awareness, and inner peace. Here are some diverse forms and techniques of meditation:

1. Mindfulness Meditation Rooted: in Buddhist traditions, mindfulness meditation involves observing thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. Practitioners learn to be fully present in each moment, cultivating awareness of their experiences and promoting a sense of calm.

2. Transcendental Meditation (TM): TM involves silently repeating a specific mantra to quiet the mind and access a state of pure awareness. This technique aims to transcend thought and tap into a deeper level of consciousness.

3. Loving-kindness Meditation (Metta): Metta meditation focuses on cultivating feelings of compassion and goodwill. Practitioners extend loving-kindness to themselves and others, fostering empathy and enhancing emotional well-being.

4. Body Scan Meditation: This technique directs focused attention to different body parts, promoting relaxation and awareness of bodily sensations. It can help release tension and increase mindfulness of the physical self.

5. Breath Awareness Meditation: Breath awareness involves paying attention to the breath as it naturally flows in and out. This practice enhances mindfulness and provides a point of focus to anchor the mind.

6. Guided Meditation: An instructor or recording guides practitioners through a specific visualization or scenario in guided meditation. It can be particularly helpful for beginners and those seeking guided introspection.

7. Vipassana Meditation: Vipassana, or insight meditation, involves observing bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions systematically. This practice aims to deepen self-awareness and develop insight into the nature of reality.

8. Chakra Meditation: Drawing from yogic traditions, chakra meditation focuses on specific body energy centers. Practitioners aim to balance and align these centers, promoting holistic well-being.

9. Walking Meditation: Incorporating movement, meditation is a mindful practice performed while walking slowly and attentively. It encourages awareness of each step and the surrounding environment.

10. Mantra Meditation: Similar to TM, mantra meditation involves repeating a word, phrase, or sound (mantra) to enter a state of concentration and tranquility. Mantras can hold spiritual significance or serve as a point of focus.

Challenges and Considerations

1. Consistency: One of the most common challenges in meditation practice is maintaining consistency. Busy schedules and external demands can make setting aside regular meditation time difficult. To overcome this challenge, individuals can establish a routine, start with shorter sessions, and gradually increase the duration as they build the habit.

2. Restless Mind: Many beginners find it challenging to quiet the mind during meditation. The constant flow of thoughts, known as the “monkey mind,” can be frustrating. Patience is key; understanding this is a natural part of the process helps. Techniques like focusing on the breath or using guided meditations can aid in managing a restless mind.

3. Expectations and Judgments: Some practitioners enter meditation with lofty expectations or self-criticism. These expectations can create undue pressure and hinder progress. Letting go of preconceived notions and practicing self-compassion is essential. Meditation is a journey, and each session is an opportunity for growth.

4. Physical Discomfort: Maintaining a seated posture for extended periods can lead to physical discomfort. Body aches and restlessness may arise. Finding a comfortable posture or using props like cushions can alleviate discomfort. Integrating body scan meditation can also increase body awareness and reduce physical tension.

5. Time Constraints: In a fast-paced world, finding time for meditation can be challenging. However, even a few minutes of practice can yield benefits. Setting realistic expectations and prioritizing meditation can help overcome the perception of time constraints.

6. Cultural Appropriation: As meditation gains popularity, there’s a concern about cultural appropriation and the commercialization of ancient practices. It’s important to approach meditation with respect for its origins and cultural context. Educating oneself about the traditions from which various techniques originate is crucial to practicing mindfulness with cultural sensitivity.

Implications for Modern Society

Meditation presents a compelling solution as modern society grapples with the challenges of technological advancements and information overload. The frenetic pace of life and constant connectivity can lead to mental fatigue and burnout. Meditation offers a counterbalance by providing a space for introspection, self-care, and disengagement from the digital world.

Moreover, meditation holds the potential to enhance workplace productivity and creativity. Forward-thinking companies have started incorporating mindfulness programs for their employees, recognizing the positive impact on stress reduction and cognitive performance. By fostering a mindful work environment, organizations can create conditions allowing employees to thrive personally and professionally.

Meditation can improve students’ focus, concentration, and emotional well-being in education. Integrating mindfulness practices into schools can equip students with valuable tools for managing stress and enhancing their learning experiences.

Conclusion

Meditation is a timeless practice that continues to reveal its transformative power in the modern world. By practicing mindfulness, developing the ability to bounce back from emotions, and taking care of your body, you can handle life’s challenges more easily. As the scientific community delves deeper into understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of meditation, its benefits are becoming increasingly evident and relevant across various fields.

Incorporating meditation into daily life, whether through formal seated practice or mindful activities, can lead to a profound shift in one’s relationship with oneself and the world. As more people recognize the potential of meditation, it has the capacity to not only improve individual lives but also contribute to the creation of a more compassionate, balanced, and harmonious society.

Discover the tranquility of inner peace at the Yoga and Health Expo, a perfect setting for exploring the Power of Meditation. This event, hosted by experts in yoga and well-being, offers a comprehensive platform to deepen your meditation practice amidst a supportive community. Learn more Yoga & Health Expo 

15 Jun
yogahealthfoundation2022, Yoga teacher Vancouver, Yoga classes Vancouver, Vegan products Vancouver, Vegan food Vancouver, aditya tawatia, Vegan foods, health, way of life, plant based, plant based food, yoga, local is vocal, awareness, mental health awareness, healthy lifestyle, healthy food,
yogahealthfoundationadmin Announcements, Ayurveda, Environment, Meditation, Message, Others, Recipes, Sattology, Self Awareness, Vedic Knowledge, Veganism, Vegetarianism, Yoga

Is Reducing Meat Consumption Really Helping the Environment?

With issues of climate change and sustainability finding urgency all around the world, many experts advise us to try and limit our consumption of meat – owing to the environmental impact of the global meat industry. We find out if reducing meat consumption helps the environment, and how vegan foods are replacing the traditional meat industry.

We have more choice than ever before to choose what we eat. But are we making the right ones? With issues of climate change and sustainability finding urgency all around the world, many experts advise us to try and limit our consumption of meat – owing to the environmental impact of the global meat industry. But is it making any difference, and is meat consumption really destroying our planet? Let’s find out.

The global meat industry is nothing less than immense. In 2022, the global industry is worth over $2 trillion! With its presence so prevalent, the scale and intensity of meat production combined with projected population growth estimates show that current practices are bad for the environment.

Here is why:

IMPACT OF EATING MEAT

Health Risks

Diets high in red and processed meats, high-fat dairy foods, processed foods, and sugar are associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancers whereas diets rich in fiber, fruit, and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of these diseases.

 

Biodiversity Loss

Livestock production accounts for roughly 30% of current global biodiversity loss! With the need for more land to produce more meat, we are losing the lush flora of our planet for specifically animal rearing, only to have them killed in the end. The meat industry is causing an irreversible loss to our planet to produce meat.

Global Warming

According to studies, meat production is responsible for generating about 14.5% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, an astounding amount of meat is gone to waste both before and during the manufacture of meat. These practices are extremely harmful to our ecosystem, especially global warming which is directly caused by these greenhouse gas emissions.

Water Usage

About 29% of the total water footprint of the agricultural sector in the world is related to the production of animal products. By not purchasing meat products and avoiding such companies, you have the power to reduce the demand for meat, and thus – save water and conserve the planet.

IMPACT OF NOT EATING MEAT

 

If you’re looking to reduce your impact on the environment, going vegan is one of the best choices you can make. Here is why:

 

  1. Plant-based options high in protein and, alongside a well-balanced diet of plenty of fruit and vegetables, will mean you aren’t going without the vitamins you need. You will find equal amounts of natural nutrition in a vegan diet without hurting your

 

  1. Producing plant-based meat emits up to 90% fewer greenhouse gasses than producing conventional meat. If more people were to adopt veganism as a diet, the impact could cause a major shift in the ecosystem and help slow climate change.

 

  1. The global meat industry is notorious for polluting our oceans. When we leave land animals and fish off our plate, we are contributing to stabilizing the marine ecosystem as well as giving marine life a chance to thrive once again.

 

Reducing demand is the most significant factor in taking a stand against meat production. Ease your diet’s burden on the planet and choose veganism.

 

Established in Vancouver, Canada, the Yoga Health Expo 2022 will be a one-day festival celebrating the joys of good well-being through a holistic approach to the Yogic way of life including Yoga, Veganism, and Vegetarianism in our lifestyle. The celebration shall welcome famous yoga teachers Vancouver, interactive yoga classes Vancouver and a platform for vegan products and vegan food Vancouver.

 

For more information on our upcoming Yoga Festival & Health Expo, please visit: https://yogahealthfoundation.com/

19 Jun
yogahealthfoundationadmin Meditation, Yoga

The wonderful world of Yoga

  1. On 21 June, the world will once again take a deep breath and stretch to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. This year’s celebration holds greater meaning; an inward journey may be the best antidote to the external checks placed on us by a confounding virus. A planetary lockdown with social distancing norms means that we wouldn’t experience the collective energy of a yoga congregation. But this year’s defining theme of Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family, will ensure respect for public health measures, while encouraging yoga with family bonding, in the security of our homes.
  2. Just five years ago, in 2015, the longest day in the northern hemisphere was designated the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations, recognizing that yoga was not just a holistic path to health and well-being, but was a beloved global phenomenon. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, introducing the initiative to the UN General Assembly emphasized the need to take India’s ancient tradition to and people across the world and particularly the youth. He said:
    “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being.”
  3. Rooted in ancient Indian wisdom and heritage, yoga does not represent any religion or region. This universal appeal of yoga led to 177 UN states supporting and co-sponsoring the resolution.
  4. In the Indian Ayurveda system of medicine, good health is seen not merely as an absence of disease, but as overall well-being- physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga focuses on the human body’s natural tendency toward self-healing. Since yoga can be gentle, almost anyone can do it, regardless of age or fitness level. Some yoga styles can indeed be intense and vigorous, while others relaxing and meditative. No matter which type one chooses, it is a great way to de-stress, strengthen the body, focus the mind, and rejuvenate the spirit.
  5. Yoga is in fact an ancient technology validated by modern science. Clinical research around the world has documented the benefits of yoga in controlled trials. The Osteopathic Association of United States, for instance, weighed in for yoga and declared that the relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as those in the lower back, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome, and that yoga can also lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia. Other physical benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and tone, improved respiration, energy and vitality, a balanced metabolism, weight reduction, circulatory health, improved athletic performance and protection from injury. The World Health Organization mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030- ‘More active people for a healthier world’. Yoga is now a key element of integrative medicine as research in yoga therapy conclusively establishes its efficacy as a non-traditional medical system.
  6. Yoga help us manage mental stress, which can otherwise have a debilitating effect on the body and mind. Yoga builds mental resilience, sharpens concentration and has a calming effect. It can be very effective in developing coping skills and reaching a more positive outlook on life.
  7. While yoga appears like a long stretch, it has a deeper impact on your body. It helps change the way you feel, look and move. Yoga builds strength, flexibility and confidence. Long term yoga practitioners are documented to lose weight, relieve stress, improve immunity and enjoy better health. The immunity boosting effects of yoga are particularly relevant in these pandemic times.
  8. The global journey of yoga began relatively recently. North America was introduced to this word by Swami Vivekananda, when he spoke about the benefits of yoga at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Fifty-four years later Indra Devi opened a yoga studio in Hollywood, in 1947. Yoga became established on the US West Coast in the mid-’50s. In 1958, Indian-born Swami Vishnu-Devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda Saraswati, arrived in San Francisco, sponsored by the artist Peter Max. His 1960 book, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, which he famously presented to the Beatles, became an essential guidebook for many practitioners. He founded the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, headquartered in Montreal, which became one of the largest networks of yoga schools in the world.
  9. In the 1960s, led by publication of B.K.S. Iyengar’s definitive ‘Light on Yoga’, meditation and yoga practice boomed across America. By the late 60s, yoga was well established in Montreal and was growing rapidly in British Columbia, which became a hub for yoga development in Canada. Vancouver is now home to some of Canada’s most cutting edge yoga studios.
  10. The iconic images of mass yoga practice on Parliament Hill, or besides the Niagara falls, define the immense popularity of yoga in Canada. It is certainly the most yoga-curious country in the world. According to Google search analytics, the overall trend from 2004 to the present shows a consistent upward incline in yoga searches with Canada regularly in the lead for most searches on yoga.
  11. A survey published by Statistics Canada showed that next to walking, activities such as yoga are among the most popular form of exercise in Canada. Yoga is loved in Canada. A leger360 poll last year reported that about 21 per cent of all Canadians reported that they practiced yoga and that more young Canadians aged 18-34 (35 per cent) practice yoga compared to older generations. The Canadian Yoga Alliance was formed in 2004 and now has over 15000 Canadian yoga teachers. At least three online Canadian yoga directories are in place with a combined listing of over 3000 yoga studios and trainers across Canada. There is also an effort to list yoga as a recognized sport in Canada. Many Canadian celebrities and professional athletes are committed yoga practitioners.
  12. This year has seen humanity face the unprecedented challenge of a global pandemic. The physical and mental stress and anxiety associated with the threat of infection and the isolation of quarantine have brought back focus on yoga as a powerful tool to deal with the stress of uncertainty and isolation, as well as to maintain physical well-being.
  13. While social distancing norms put in place due to the pandemic have limited the access to organized yoga studios sessions and other community spaces, yoga practitioners have inventively turned to home practice and online yoga resources.
  14. Yoga’s virtual avatar makes it more accessible. India’s High Commission in Ottawa and Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver have a range of online yoga activities lined up for the entire fortnight leading up to 21 June. These involve a galaxy of experts and gurus with live and recorded yoga sessions, yoga tutorials, conferences on the benefits of yoga and various competitions that Canadian yoga enthusiasts can participate in.
  15. Yoga is going viral. So, go online, take a deep breath and begin that inner journey.

H.E. Ajay Bisaria
High Commissioner of India to Canada

11 Jun
yogahealthfoundationadmin Environment, Meditation

Slow Down To Stabilize, Synthesize & Synchronize

COVID-19 has forced us to slow down. What yogic principles advocate has now become a forced reality. It is important that we empathize with the millions in some countries that are stranded or not supported by the government. However, we can also take time to see the back handed benefits that have risen for the environment and for those who have embraced a different pace. This time can be utilized for emotional processing as trauma and fear is likely  to come to the surface to be seen and healed. We need appropriate tools so  that emotions are not suppressed or projected.

Less Is More When We Slow Down

When we savour food and eat it consciously we will find we need much less than when we unconsciously binge eat, comfort eat or eat in a rush. We prioritise quality over quantity. If we are conscious, these times can create space for our true needs rather than greed.

Slowing Down Heals The Earth And Nature

All our sources of nourishment and the elements are getting a chance to regenerate. How can water nourish us when it is polluted and depleted of prana. Living in some major cities, like Delhi, is like smoking over 10 cigarettes per day, due to the poor air quality. Beijing as well is known for its poor air quality. Thanks to satellite imagery, the impact of the virus-imposed lock down on China’s pollution levels can be seen. There has been a wonderful increase in air quality.

The Wisdom That Is Revealed By Slowing Down

Science is showing us why we need to slow down. In yoga and tantra we practice slowing down to savour the senses. This allows for beauty and wisdom to be transmitted through us. We can experience the glory and graciousness of the universe within our being.

Slow Down To Stabilize And Realign

Speed is usually glorified over stability. Align the body, emotions and mind with the cosmos for better stability and less wear and tear. Realign the chakras.

There are minor to major signs of misalignment. They can start with headaches, feeling anxious, overwhelmed and restless. There can be an underlying sense of doom, unresolved disappointments, low self esteem or not feeling enough. One can become a bully, lacking empathy or being vicious and attacking others or themselves.

The Arkaya practices that I teach help realign the vertebral column as well our subtle bodies. A misaligned vertebral column can cause many issues like back pain, respiratory problems, joint stiffness, sciatica, fatigue and hip pain. So imagine what will happen, if there is misalignment between the body, heart and head as well as with the collective.

Slow Down To Synthesize

To synthesize means to combine or put together. Like plants, during photosynthesis, we have the capacity to build things that seem much greater than their individual components. These are life giving and nurturing and feed not just our bodies, but feed our energy, mind and soul.

Slow Down To Synchronize

When there is coherence between our personal and universal fields it enables many synchronicities, where our thoughts manifest into reality. Hence it is important to slow down and be aware of the quality of our thoughts.

As we evolve and unfold we see that consciously slowing down enables us to speed up our evolution and manifest a more harmonious reality.

Yogacharini Maitreyi is the founder of Arkaya Awareness Centre. For more info about her & various online programs, go to www.arkaya.net or email infoarkaya@gmail.com.

10 Jun
yogahealthfoundationadmin Meditation, Self Awareness

What does Self Realisation look like in daily life?

The archetypal image that many people have of a Self Realised being is likely to include some or all of the following:

A Buddha sat in the lotus position deep in meditation somewhere out in nature.

A Master in cave somewhere in the Himalayas.

A Master surrounded by there disciples and devotees at an Ashram somewhere in India.

They somehow live this life totally unmoved by the world and worldly affairs, have no income and yet somehow by divine intervention all is provided for them.

A Monk in a Monastery in a remote mountainous location.

Such beings not functioning in the normal world.

Finally, another myth is that they have ascended to some higher dimension and look down upon this plane with light emitting from their body.May be you could add some of your own images.

Whilst some of these archetypal roles are very much in existence Self Realisation or Enlightenment is not the preserve of the East. It has long since reached the Western World and the model that applies there doesn’t translate so well into the West.

Time to dispel the myths. There are an increasing number of Self Realised beings spread around the Globe and this is great news for the world is undergoing a great shift in consciousness that some refer to as the Golden Age.

The likelihood is these days that you would not, at first glance, not recognise such a being from the next person on the street unless that is you were paying attention to what was happening in their presence.

There’s a much quoted Zen saying: “Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment chop wood, carry water.”

Pointing to the practicalities of Life being the same both before and after Self Realisation. The other key part of this is that in the first case there will have been suffering in life, in the second that has come to a halt and now although looking broadly similar will be much more of a harmonious flow.

One will constantly be aware of ones true, permanent and unchanging essence of Infinite Silence whilst yet still being able to function as a living, breathing human being with all that comes with that. There will still be the practicalities of life to manage and that is perfectly natural.

This change in model is very important to understand and embrace. The world is benefitting greatly from this shift that is taking place and the more such beings engage with life in ways that are unique to them all will benefit.

So, its not essential to sell all your possessions, have only a loin cloth for clothing or live only in cave or ashram, have no family etc etc. What is crucial is to have dissolved the belief that you are not already this permanent essence of the Universe and all the attachments to people places and things will have also dissolved.

Fundamentally, once the Realisation is truly anchored life is not going to be triggering you, making you upset at some turn of events and there will be a compassion and reverence for all of life. This compassion will be a source of inspiration for how your unique gifts will manifest in the world. Your joy will be untouched by events.

It’s important to note here that for true anchoring of the Realisation the emotional triggers or emotional body energy will have to be dissolved very much beyond the point where it causes any interference in life. There may, for some dependent on their life experiences, and what stage in their life the Realisation has flowered a considerable period of integration and growing into living from this space that includes being able to function in a useful way in society. The world may still have some folk sat in caves but since Realisation is here for all there needs to be a practical side to the living of the Realisation. These will often be quite mundane life skills in things like relationships, work, family and yes finances. There have been cases where this hasn’t happened with sometimes disastrous consequences particularly when it is coupled with an incomplete dissolution of the emotional body.

As all this is integrated the unique expression of the Infinite Silence that is your gift to the world will naturally emerge and flow from your being and this can take many forms from quite an apparently ‘normal life’ to sharing the Realisation with others. None of these are more or less important than the others.

How life unfolds will then be unique to the particular way in which the Universe is expressing itself in your form.

www.gatewaylocation.org
Infinite Silence Experience
Facebook: Philip Wade

09 Jun
yogahealthfoundationadmin Environment, Meditation

SELF Time is the most precious gift you have

SELF Time is the most precious gift you have. It is the Gold you have been looking for.

YOU, are already it. Your TRUE SELF.

The fact that is so simple is, for most people, a perceived barrier that stops them from realising it.
Realising the SELF, that is SELF REALISATION. Enlightenment.
It is, in truth, the natural essence of YOU.
However, it has been forgotten and in that forgetting separation consciousness and suffering emerge as a common experience.
There may be temporary highs but most frequently there is worry, fear, sadness and a whole range of other low frequency energies present and they become a perceived reality.
They certainly feel very real.
This true SELF is however untouched, unblemished, perfect, whole and eternal.
It is only the identification, attachment and belief in anything less than the totality of your truth that causes the experience of suffering. This is what the Buddha meant when he said: “Life is Suffering” – he was referring to the identified life. Identified with smallness rather than wholeness, the Infinite SELF.
So how to change this experience? That’s been a key question for humanity for millennia!
STOP.
Call off the external search.
The search for truth, peace, love, grace and joy outside of you. They are not there.
They are instead the perfume of your essence. They emanate and flow from you.
If you let them.
It is as simple as letting go completely of all that you are NOT to allow all that you are to shine through.
This is the surrendering to the TRUTH of you.
It is NOT what you think you are.
It IS what your heart and soul already knows YOU are.
The heart never lies.

Its voice is the one that is quiet. In the stillness of your pure being it can be heard. NOW.
It speaks only TRUTH. The whole truth and nothing but the truth!
Open into that now with some true SELF TIME.
Be still and open into the Infinite Silence that you are. Practice this kind of SELF TIME regularly and with the urge that comes from the heart then it will be realised as your permanent presence. Your Truth.
This is the purpose of all spiritual practice. To move you beyond the practice into the everlasting experience of truth.

The SELF.
That practice of SELF TIME merges into the timeless SELF.
It will not be through anything you have done. It will be because you have allowed it to emerge.
You cannot do anything to become that which you already are.
It is an allowing. By becoming quiet, still, centred. Trusting in that and that alone.
Then all that you are not will come forth for release. Do not judge this. Allow it. Be witness to it but not the stuff itself.
In the allowing truth will emerge:
In you, through you as YOU!
So once again:
That practice of SELF TIME merges into the timeless SELF.

Blessings as Infinite Silence,
Philip
In the 30 min video below I guide into Infinite Silence. The Gold you have been seeking. The experience is aided at the beginning with guidance from me and some beautiful Harp music drifting into Silence.
The video draws to a close with a ding of the singing bowl/gong and some final pointings. Give yourself the greatest gift today and every day with this opportunity.
www.gatewaylocation.org

Infinite Silence Experience

Facebook: Philip Wade

07 May
yogahealthfoundationadmin Announcements, Ayurveda, Environment, Meditation, Message, Self Awareness, Vedic Knowledge, Vegetarianism, Yoga

6th Online International Yoga Festival & Health Expo

We are pleased to announce that we are organizing 6th International Yoga Festival & Health Expo virtually. As we know that from last few months the entire world is facing the outspread of Coronavirus, but that would not dampen our spirit. We have successfully hosted 5 festivals in the past, and we are proud and blessed to organize our 6th festival with the same enthusiasm and energy. Our idea is pious and we promote a healthy organic lifestyle for everyone through Yoga, Meditation, Veganism, and Vegetarianism. We feel blessed to support and connect with the global community and strengthen our ties amid dark time. We are happy to invite everyone to our 6th online yoga festival & health expo on 20th June 2020 from 11 am to 2 pm. We will soon share the program highlights and other details.

Have a blessed & soulful day!

09 Jun
yogahealthfoundationadmin Environment, Meditation, Self Awareness

Mindfulness: a Tool for Increasing Happiness and Reducing Stress in Recovery

Mindfulness is the practice of fully immersing yourself in the present moment, without thoughts about the future or the past. It encourages you to direct your attention inwards, and consciously experience the feelings, thoughts and sensations that are happening right now. This is how mindfulness can promote stress relief and acceptance, and pull you away from the destructive thought patterns that may tempt you to use a behaviour or substance to numb discomfort.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of practicing mindfulness in recovery, and how being mindful in each moment can translate to more fulfillment, peace and enjoyment in your everyday life.

How Mindfulness Can Soften the Hardships of Recovery

  1. Mindfulness Reduces Emotional Cravings

Addictive behaviours are used as coping mechanisms to numb painful or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. When faced with these thoughts, cravings can manifest as a protective mechanism— an emotional and mental escape.

Mindfulness encourages you to stay attuned with your present state of being, instead of running, covering or trying to escape these feelings. In essence, mindfulness is the opposite state of addiction. Through the process of awareness, you learn to accept and potentially transform these feelings and allow them to pass, which is the only way to heal and move on from them.

  1. Mindfulness Encourages You to Pause Before You React

You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can learn to control how you respond to life’s circumstances. When you ground yourself in the present moment by being mindful, it’s easier to pause and process a certain situation or feeling in a healthy way. Over time, this can actually change how your brain responds to emotional stress, which results in less anxiety and negative emotion over time.

For example, let’s say that when thoughts arise about the relationship you have with your mother, they instantly trigger you to crave a drink. But when you practice having awareness in the present moment, you’ll notice that you learn to pause before reacting to a specific thought pattern— and instead, become aware of the emotion you’re feeling.

When you allow yourself to feel , sit with, and recognize this emotion— rather than avoid it— the craving has a chance to pass and you can move on with your day. The more you practice this form of mindfulness, the less strong and intense your cravings will become, until they eventually disappear.

  1. Mindfulness Can Help Transcend Pain and Suffering

The desire to retreat from negativity is normal. Nobody wants to remain in a suspended state of suffering. And according to Buddhist views, pain and suffering are an essential part of life.

We have the opportunity to transcend our pain by accepting this truth, and recognizing that our suffering is determined by how we respond to it. Mindfulness brings awareness to the present moment, where we can realize and accept that everything is exactly as it should be: our pain can be used to fulfill our highest potential.

Putting Mindfulness into Action

The wonderful thing about mindfulness is that no specialized equipment or training is required. You can practice it right now. All you need to do is take a quiet moment to connect with your breath. Inhale and exhale to observe all that is going on in your mind and body. Focusing on your breathe anchors you to the present moment, and helps eliminate distractions of the past and future.

What Does Mindfulness Look and Feel Like?

When enjoying your next morning cup of tea, practice wrapping your hands around your mug. Feel the sensation of the hot mug against your fingertips, smell the fragrant leaves and observe the steam rising from your cup. Feel the calming sensations that ripple throughout your body when you take a long sip of your tea.

Where are you in this moment? How do you feel right now? What thoughts are arising in you? Be present and stay with this moment, and simply observe how you feel. Remember that you are exactly where you need to be, and nowhere else.

Mindfulness Meditation

You can also practice mindfulness through meditation, which may allow it to become second nature easier in your everyday life. By closing your eyes and focusing your attention on your breath, feel the air flow through you as you inhale and exhale. Allow your mind to slow down, and avoid judging or responding to thoughts as they arise, simply observe them and allow them to pass, imagining they’re like floating clouds in the sky.

This conscious practice, when done for just a few minutes per day, can increase the acceptance and satisfaction in your everyday life.

As you can see, mindfulness is a powerful tool to harness your thoughts and emotions (and how you respond to them) during recovery and any time through your life. By practicing mindfulness and remaining in the present moment as often as possible, you’ll be able to manage your stress levels easier, and heal any emotional trauma that’s been holding you back from living a fulfilling life, and may have been too uncomfortable to face and overcome in the past.

09 Jun
yogahealthfoundationadmin Meditation

Meditation: The Simple Tool That Can Reduce Depression and Anxiety in Recovery

If you struggle with addiction, you may also experience episodes of depression and anxiety in your recovery. These emotions are a natural part of recovery as you withdraw from substance use and adjust to a new lifestyle and/or environment, which can be challenging.

When you feel depressed, it means you have an attachment to stories or experiences from your past, perhaps when you were active in addiction. This attachment can bring up negative feelings such as guilt or shame. On the other hand, anxiety suggests you’re living in the future, and spending your energy focusing on worries and concerns— perhaps about whether you’ll succeed at creating a new, fulfilling life amidst the challenges and obstacles you’re facing.

When you feel these emotions, you’re separated from who you really are, and the true source of your being. This can cause you to look for peace, direction and fulfillment outside of yourself. But the truth is, joy, fulfillment— and the answers and direction you’re seeking— are always within you.

How Meditation Can Help You Heal From Within During Recovery

To avoid looking outside for answers, or a sense of security and happiness during recovery, it’s essential to train your mind to begin looking within. This involves attaining a higher level of consciousness, which can be done through meditation.

Meditation is best described as the “progressive quieting of the mind until it reaches pure silence”. Meditation takes you to the source of thought, which is the awareness of an unconditioned mind. It’s your very own source of possibilities, correlation, synchronicity, and creativity. This power tends to remains untapped until we get quiet, and let our consciousness bring us back to this place. 


For example, if you’re addicted to a substance or behaviour, you’re operating from a conditioned mind, which repeats the same experience over, and over again until no amount of the substance or activity you’re addicted to will be enough to fulfill your desire. In order to heal addiction, you must recondition your mind and end these patterns. Meditation helps you do exactly that. 

Connecting to the power you hold within your own being can also prevent you from looking to other vices to numb depression or anxiety, such as social media, gambling, television, shopping or drugs and alcohol. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a person in recovery to substitute one addiction for another, in order to ease discomfort. This keeps you in the vicious cycle of addiction, and prevents you from healing. Meditation can help prevent future toxic habits, by creating conscious awareness in the mind, body and spirit.

In fact, there’s a quote that illustrates the process of meditation beautifully: “Prayer is when you talk to source (or the Universe, God, the Divine — whichever word you’d like to use to describe a higher power), and meditation is when source talks to you.

Surprising Benefits of Meditation (Whether or Not You’re in Recovery)

When we meditate and access our unconditioned mind, the benefits can be felt on a physical and psychological level. Many people report the following benefits:

  • Physical health benefits, such as lowered blood pressure, lowered cortisol levels (stress hormones), and decreased LDL cholesterol
  • Reacting less to negative situations and circumstances
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Stronger immunity
  • Feeling calm and grounded in stressful situations (not only limited to recovery, but in traffic or high stress jobs, too)
  • Coming up with creative ideas and visions
  • A stronger sense of connection to themselves and the environment
  • A renewed feeling of hope and faith, and believing in oneself

When it comes to addiction recovery, meditation can also help you make more conscious choices in the face of your challenges. For example, if you find your mind thinking back to resentment of the past or worries about the future, the peaceful state of mind that results from meditation can help build your resiliency to these thoughts as they enter your mind.

Now of course, meditation will not guarantee tough situations won’t arise— but a regular meditation practice can certainly provide you with the tools and abilities to react in a healthier, positive way, and encourage you to “go with the flow”.

Over time, this can help train your mind to detach and give up control. This is an invaluable benefit of meditation, as trying to control outcomes is exactly what blocks the “flow” of positive energy and circumstances, and goes exactly against what you’re trying to achieve.

In order for meditation to be an effective tool for easing pain and discomfort during recovery, it must be done consistently. After all, it is a practice. We understand that working toward recovery from addiction is challenging work, and usually comes with a lot of stress. Meditation provides the perfect opportunity to release this stress, as well as lingering emotional toxicity.

You can practice meditation with guided meditations on CD’s and YouTube videos (which are free online), or simply sit and “be” while focusing on your breath. Yoga is also considered a moving meditation when you connect your awareness with your breath as you move through different postures. Many local temples and community centers also have meditation classes that are free or inexpensive to attend. 

By practicing meditation each day, you can expect to move towards conscious choice making, a stronger sense of fulfillment and well-being, and adopting the behaviours that will ultimately allow you to experience greater peace, love, creativity, and success.

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