Learn to Forgive Those That Hurt You...

The Basic Practice

There are three kinds of forgiveness, all interrelated. There is self-forgiveness, which enables us to release our guilt and perfectionism. There is the forgiveness we extend to others and receive from them, intimates and enemies alike. And there is the forgiveness of God that assures us of our worth and strengthens us for this practice.
All the spiritual traditions raise up the value of forgiveness, but many people still find it to be a nearly impossible ideal. Just start somewhere. Look truthfully at one hurt you have not been able to forgive. Identify any associated feelings you might have, such as anger, denial, guilt, shame, or embarrassment. Imagine what it would be like to live without feeling this offense. Then let it go.
Other steps may be necessary for healing — a confession of your contribution to the conflict, making amends, changing behavior, a commitment to the community — but giving up your claims for, and sometimes against, yourself is where you have to begin.

Forgiveness is something freely granted, whether earned or deserved; something lovingly offered without thought of acknowledgment or return. It is our way of mirroring the goodness in the heart of a person rather than raising up the harshness of their actions....it allows us to live in the sunlight of the present, not the darkness of the past. Forgiveness alone, of all our human actions, opens up the world to the miracle of infinite possibility.
— Kent Nerburn in Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

For more information on how to use forgiveness in your life visit: http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/practices.php?id=9&g=0

Meditate with Others in the Albany Area Improve your health....make a difference!

Meditate with Others in the Albany Area

Improve your health....make a difference!

This came as an email from Bethany Gonyea.....

    

As most of you know, I am working with SUNY Professor, Dr. John Foldy, to perform a research project that would document any results that occur when a relatively small percentage of the population meditates, there is a positive effect on the entire population (reduced hospital admissions, accidents, economic indicators). Our research study stands on the shoulders of prominent researchers who have published similar studies in prestigious peer reviewed research journals.

    

Our study is different, in that we are looking to have people send peaceful intentions to our own geographic location, the Greater Albany area of Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer and Albany Counties. We are looking for 8600 volunteers to be willing to meditate for 15 minutes a day for 2 months, and Dr. Foldy and will record changes in social indicators.

   

This research is VITAL For our generation and for the generations to come!!Our children need to know that there is substantial research showing that how we focus our intentions influences what we experience. This type of research is one of the best ways that we can leave this globe in a better condition for our children to inherit.

   

     I am hoping that you will take 5 mnutes to view this brief video to learn more, and then think of 10 people you could forward it to. Even if you have no interest in being a volunteer, I would bet that someone you know may be interested. Dr. Foldy and I would GREATLY appreciate you help! We are working behind the scenes to arrange how we can use technology to document all of this, and it is VERY exciting! Any help would be appreciated! Any suggestions for spreading the word or questions about the project are welcome.

Let's help make a positive change in the world while enhancing our own health, mood, and relationships, and it is free! This work is truly a win-win, because it is the birthright of all of us.

Here is the link to the video. Please consider sending it to 10 people.

http://www.healingspringsonline.com/research.php

Thanks for your time,

Bethany Gonyea

www.healingspringsonline.com

www.womenfoodsexandpower.com

The Proper Spelling of Namaste and What it means

Commonly written "Namaste", it is pronounced as "Namastay" with the first two a's as the first a in "America" and the ay as in "stay", but with the t pronounced soft with the area just behind the tip of the tongue pressing against the upper-front teeth with no air passing (as the t in "tamasha").

Source: Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian,alt.religion.hindu,  alt.fan.jai-maharaj,hawaii.nortle,  alt.religion.vaisnava From: jai@mantra.com (Dr. Jai Maharaj) Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 22:26:20 UTC

What does Namaste mean?

At the end of each yoga class most teachers bring their hands together in front of the heart, bow their head and say "Namaste" and the students bring their hands together and respond in kind. Have you ever wondered exactly what Namaste means? A good definition of Namaste would be "I bow to your true self". The true self might be seen as the deeper, more essential you, less connected to ego, social expectations and pretensions. So the exchange of Namaste at the end of class is a wonderful way to honor the true self in each of us, and recognize that all life is interrelated. For a more in depth explanation take a look at this piece in Wikipedia or a shorter piece in Yoga Journal.

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."

To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word "Namaste" is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.

We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.

Ideally, Namaste should be done both at the beginning and at the end of class. Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

Source: http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/822

Recognized as one of the world's top yoga teachers, Aadil Palkhivala began studying yoga at the age of seven with B.K.S. Iyengar and was introduced to Sri Aurobindo's yoga three years later. He received the Advanced Yoga Teacher's Certificate at the age of 22 and is the founder-director of internationally renowned Yoga Centers™ in Bellevue, Washington. Aadil is also a federally certified Naturopath, a certified Ayurvedic Health Science Practitioner, a clinical hypnotherapist, a certified Shiatsu and Swedish bodywork therapist, a lawyer, and an internationally sponsored public speaker on the mind-body-energy connection.

Namaste comes from the Sanskrit word namah te. Namaste is pronounced Nam-a-stay. In Sanskrit namah means "bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration". Te is the durative of the personal pronoun tvam, "you". A literal translation of Namaste (namah te) is thus "reverential salutation to you." It is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with the hands pressed together, palms touching, in front of the chest called Gassho.

Source: http://www.lightandlovereiki.com/namaste.html

So as you can read, there are a lot of interpretations but they all mean basically the same thing.  Yoga is so beneficial to one's body. Go online and learn more about it and then give it a try.

Inspirational

http://www.youarelovemovie.com/

Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow Product Review

Anti-Stress Sinus Pillow Product Review

By Shelley D. Brienza

For a Christmas gift I received a Sinus Pillow. I thought, oh, that's new to try. So I did. The box reads Anti-Stress Microwavable Sinus Pillow. You warm it up in the microwave for no more than 30 seconds on each side. It's in the shape of a standard eye mask that women use for beauty purposes. The company name is Earth Therapeutics. They have a website found at: www.earththerapeutics.com.

So I read the whole box all over because I was looking for what was the inside of this pillow made of? It didn't tell anywhere on the box at all and that is a big no-no in my book. The box stated how this product could be used hot or cold depending on your needs or desires.

It has an adjustable elastic band attached to it. It's a cozy, pink material that is very soft to the touch. It reads that the eye mask cover is removable and washable in a machine. That's a plus. It says to use it to warm the forehead to soothe and relieve sinus and tension headaches. Or you can use it cold by putting it in the freezer, in a clean, unused sealable plastic bag, to use for soothing of tired, strained and puffy eyes. So don't use it on your eyes warm and do use it on your eyes cold. The box says it is a wellness product or a spa product, good for the earth and good for you. I'm not sure how it is good for the earth. The only part that would possibly be good for the earth is that the box is a recyclable plastic.

The company Earth Therapeutics is located in Plainview, NY, which was hopeful when reading this box but then I see in smaller print, product of China. The U.S. cannot even produce its own all natural, wellness product. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Someday, somewhere, maybe someone will have a place of business that operates completely within the American ways from head to toe. Wishful thinking I know. So upon really looking at this pillow I read the tags that were attached and there I found what the contents of this product were made of. Rice. Plain rice. Interesting concept, that is, as I was wondering what would hold in all that heat for an extended period of time. It did hold the heat in it for quite a while. I timed it to be about 20 minutes.

This Sinus Pillow did have a couple negative aspects to it. One, was the box didn't share all the information on the product on the outside so you can know all the facts before purchasing it and secondly, it smells when you heat it up. It doesn't smell like you just cooked a batch of white rice exactly, but it does carry this kind of unpleasant odor about it. Maybe it goes away in time, I am not sure. It just didn't add to the experience of what was supposed to be this soothing, spa like experience. They also recommend that you discard this product after approximately 6 months as it will not last forever in its effectiveness.

Over all, I would rate this product on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the greatest thing ever, a 7. It's better than good, but not super excellent. I'd give it a try if you want to experience something new that would cost a lot less than visiting a genuine spa.