Notes From The Universe

Think of everyone
on the planet, everyone, as your special friend.......
And so they shall become,
Dang!.......................

by Mike Dooley

Sniffles

Well, Lucky didn't make it. He past away at midnight. Right on the dot. Sigh. ..................

Lucky at Midnight

Small little Lucky (terrapin) is still pretty weak. Keeping close eye on him. Hope he makes it through the night.

What is Meditation?

I just came across a comment made by a person about meditation seen as something religious. I have been approached on this subject plenty of times and again, these are the things I will say about it.

Meditation means awareness. Whatever you do with awareness is meditation. "Watching your breath" is meditation; listening to the birds is meditation, walking in the garden or park silently is meditation, sitting still looking at the sky is meditation, looking out into the ocean absorbing it's beauty is meditation. Meditation can be practiced doing simple repetitive tasks. As long as these activities are free from any other distraction to the mind, it is effective meditation..

The word meditation, is derived from two Latin words : meditari(to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal). Its Sanskrit derivation 'medha' means wisdom.

Here's a wonderful explanation of the types of meditation I came across from health care online:-

Concentration Meditation focuses the attention on the breath or an image in order to still the mind and allow a greater awareness and clarity to emerge. This is like a zoom lens in a camera; we narrow our focus to a selected field.

The simplest form of concentrative meditation is to sit quietly and focus the attention on the breath. Yoga and meditation practitioners believe that there is a direct correlation between one's breath and one's state of the mind. For example, when a person is anxious, frightened, agitated, or distracted, the breath will tend to be shallow, rapid, and uneven. On the other hand, when the mind is calm, focused, and composed, the breath will tend to be slow, deep, and regular. Focusing the mind on the continuous rhythm of inhalation and exhalation provides a natural object of meditation. As you focus your awareness on the breath, your mind becomes absorbed in the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. As a result, your breathing will become slower and deeper, and the mind becomes more tranquil and aware.

Mindfulness Meditation , according to Dr. Borysenko, "involves opening the attention to become aware of the continuously passing parade of sensations and feelings, images, thoughts, sounds, smells, and so forth without becoming involved in thinking about them." The person sits quietly and simply witnesses whatever goes through the mind, not reacting or becoming involved with thoughts, memories, worries, or images. This helps to gain a more calm, clear, and non-reactive state of mind. Mindfulness meditation can be likened to a wide-angle lens. Instead of narrowing your sight to a selected field as in concentrative meditation, here you will be aware of the entire field.

Here are the physical benefits of meditation:-

• Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
• Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress.
• Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage. They are now thought to be a major factor in aging and in many diseases.
• Decreased high blood pressure.
• Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
• Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
• Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.
• Younger biological age. On standard measures of aging, long-term Transcendental Meditation (TM) practitioners (more than five years) measured 12 years younger than their chronological age.
• Higher levels of DHEAS in the elderly. An additional sign of youthfulness through Transcendental Meditation (TM); lower levels of DHEAS are associated with aging.

And here are the psychological benefits:-

• Increased brain wave coherence. Harmony of brain wave activity in different parts of the brain is associated with greater creativity, improved moral reasoning, and higher IQ.
• Decreased anxiety.
• Decreased depression.
• Decreased irritability and moodiness.
• Improved learning ability and memory.
• Increased self-actualization.
• Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
• Increased happiness.
• Increased emotional stability.

In yoga, I practice breath awareness throughout the whole entire lesson. As we start the lesson, I would asked the students to listen to their breaths and focus on it. The more tuned we are to these natural sensations of breathing, the more effortless breathing becomes. As time passes, breath awareness shifts the relationship between breathing and the nervous system. These two are closely linked and respond to one another like best friends. When nerves are upset, breathing is affected; when breathing relaxes, so does the nervous system.

Breath awareness is to meditation what good lighting is to fine photography. The cost of stressful reactions is that they give negativity a foothold in the nervous system, which is then translated into unpleasant symptoms. During meditation, breath awareness short circuits this translation process. It does not eliminate the conflict, but helps prevent it from taking up residence. The phrase ' I need to go out, get some fresh air and clear my head." is exactly what meditation tries to do. When breathing remains relaxed and a steady focus of attention, problems are not so easily oversold to the nervous system and are less likely to overwhelm us.

Breath awareness is associated in yoga with a particular function of the mind, a function variously described as the ability to the inner witness of experience, to remain detached in the face of discomfort, and to act decisively.

I have personally used meditation in a positive manner. It's not hard to do, if you put your mind to understand what's going 'through' psychologically. In the classes, I would ask the students at the end of the physical exercises, to relax on the mat and focus their attention to their breaths again. If they had any thoughts coming through while relaxing, to either focus back on their breaths, and if they can't, to try and turn those thoughts into positive thinking.

I don't see meditation as religious. You can look at it from all different angles and choose how it will best help you. Meditation is universal. In Wikipedia Dictionary online, this is how it describes Meditation:- Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation often involves turning attention to a single point of reference. It is recognized as a component of almost all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. It is also practiced outside religious traditions.

Last but not least:- There are all sorts of meditation. Be decisive and choose wisely and base your decision on facts rather than opinions, understand what it truly is before commenting.

Okay, getting late now, night night and see ya later alligators.

Really, Why are the Chinese skinny?

Just came across this article from the Straits time and British writer Lorraine Clissold set out to discover what it was that kept the Chinese so skinny when they were eating large, delicious meals, while she and her British and American counterparts were suffering on bland salads and still not managing to lose weight.

Overall, she came to conclusion Chinese eat meals that are nutritious with vegetables as a 'must' for most dishes at dinner tables. Also the meals are simple but tasty at the same time. She went on to say most chinese people eat things to nourish the whole body, rather than being concerned with just its outer shape, which is the case with many Western diet regimes.

Surprisingly, Clissold made a research and her findings was that the Chinese actually consume 30 per cent more calories than Westerners but stay 20 per cent slimmer, a claim originally made by T Colin Campbell in The China Study, a comprehensive survey that examined the link between diet and disease in China and other countries.

If you are interested to read more about it, visit this site

Lucky

I was on my way to meet a friend for breakfast at the Country Patch coffee house but decidedly made a detour to the pet shop to get some fresh aquatic plant for my fishes in the studio. Was looking around the shop and was admiring the little 'Nemo' fishes (okay, I have no idea what is the correct name for this little cuties but I still think they are gorgeous) when something else caught my attention. There were two tiny terrapins in a huge fish tank. One was on it's back and wasn't moving. The other perched on a wooden plank and was dry as burnt lobster. And yes, being an ICU nurse came into reflex action, I cried out to the shopkeeper and said, " Have you been looking after the terrapins? Do you know one of it is probably dead?" The guy looked at me as if I was a mad woman on hot wheels. He lifted the one on it's back and true enough it was dead.

The other one was barely moving and looked as if it was dried out. The shell was super soft and I was nearly in tears. I bought him at full price regardless and rushed to the studio. I set him in a small porridge bowl and called him Lucky. I don't know whether he'll survive or not, but better something then trying nothing at all.

I called Peter up, who was still asleep at home, " Peter, get to the studio, you need to babysit Lucky. I found him in the pet shop and he doesn't look well. Please come!"

"Have you had too many coffees again? You're talking strange."

I was even more worked up after," Look, he doesn't look well. I need you to come over and give him some tender loving care. I need to meet up with a friend for a while."

" ..............you should be named Lucky and for me to be crazy to say yes to this."

"....(in my head, I was thinking...I know) I know..."

I told Elaine (my cousin) to keep an eye on it while Peter made his way to the studio. While having breakfast with my friend, I couldn't stop thinking about Lucky. After breakfast, I rushed back to the studio. He was looking a bit better.

Cross fingers, little lucky will be lucky to see through the week.

Thank Goodness it's Friday ........80's and 90's

Thank goodness it's Friday. Technically my day off. Ahhhhh. It's really weird. I would have thought all this yoga, teaching five classes maximum in one day would really send my muscles in SOS mode. In fact, I feel good. Well, okay except for yesterday. I was knackered. I felt as if my body was twice it's size and I wasn't able to keep my head upright. The feeling of knowing it's Friday soon is a sheer bliss.

Hmmmm, Izan was playing a couple of boy band music the other day. I was just recalling the boy bands I fancied back then. Ya, you guess right. I loved NKOTB. They were so cute then. It drove my family nuts that I was playing their music everywhere. Even when my dad was driving, I would reach out from the back seat and shove my NKOTB into the cassette player. His comment would be, " Every song is girl, girl, girl, girl. This you also like ah?" I would nod my head vigorously and smile from east to west. My favourite guy was Jonathan Knight. Oh, not to forget Tommy Page. What's that song again? Paintings in my mind. Alzheimer's has not set in just yet.

What else was so 80's and 90's? Curly hairs, puffy sleeves, Jane Fonda, big sun glasses, plastic bangles (they have been in fashion until now), big granny pants, bermuda pants, Tiffany, Reebok, glitters in the face and hair..........(not that I ever did it myself...ahem....) I am sure there would be a lot more than this......K, will continue this a bit later. Gotta go. Class to teach.........Here we go with a few more warrior poses.................................

Yoga Cheers For Malaysia

Malaysia Backs Down From Yoga Ban

Got back home, logged into blogsite and notice Nora R. url online message. One click and since then I can't stop smiling. What a relief! I am so glad the ban is off. It's so nice and wonderful when nation's leaders stand up for their people's rights and beliefs.




So, if you like to read more about it, do click onto http://danurasana.blogspot.com/2008/11/exhale.html

Hand me a cuppa!

Yesterday was a busy day. I was doing some overdue errands for the studio while trying to audit the studio's log book. Feeling a bit weary for the last few days after the yoga buzz, I had a surprise visit from S. Pablo. It was nice to have finally met him in person and was glad he was able to join us for yoga in the evening. He has such a heartwarming character with lots of enthusiasm for life. It was nice to have his moral support during all this yoga commotion. So, hopefully we will see him soon again.

The night ended with an ashtanga yoga session. The student turnout was great. We did lots of arm strengthening, balancing and inversions. Even though the sitting series of ashtanga was a challenge, the students determination and will power to flow through the series were amazing.

Anyhow, I left the studio late last night at 10pm. I arrived home in Kapok and ate some noodles and headed off the bed only to have my alarm clock ringing off at 4.30am sharp. My eyes were still half shut as I walked blindly towards the bathroom. Trying to force my eyes open with both hands was really a sight to see....or not. I grabbed hold of something that felt like a towel and dragged my tired feet to the washroom. My eyes stubbornly refused to open. It was like peeping through a keyhole to see the rest of the world. I don't even remember what shampoo I grabbed to use. Maybe it wasn't a shampoo. ...oh well, messy hair is in fashion nowadays....Even after spending 10 minutes in the shower, I still had my eyes half closed.

I dressed up what I thought was a right combination of sportswear and took off in my monster vehicle to the studio. The radio was full blast just to keep me awake. The morning DJ played all 80's songs which kind of help me think back to my early days. Aiyah, feel so old lar.

I arrived at the studio 5.30am and was ready to have a kip before the first class start, but it didn't happen. Too busy cleaning the studio.

Three classes, one after the other, was enough to be 'yogeeeek' out. 2 cuppa coffee and I am still dozing off while writing this.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............................

Sultan questions yoga ban - The Straits Time

Nov 24, 2008

Sultan questions yoga ban

KUALA LUMPUR - BEFORE banning Muslims from performing yoga, Malaysia's top Islamic body should have first consulted the country's nine hereditary sultans who are considered upholders of Islam here, one sultan said on Monday.

The unprecedented comment bordering on rebuke by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah exposes the deep divisions caused by the Fatwa Council's edict in this Muslim-majority country against yoga, a form of Indian exercise, breathing technique and mind control popular worldwide.

The council said on Saturday that yoga is rooted in Hinduism and its practice could corrupt Muslims. The edict angered many ordinary Muslims who said they have been performing yoga for years without losing their faith.

Sultan Sharafuddin and the other eight sultans of nine Malaysian states form the Conference of Rulers and take turns to be the country's king. The rulers occupy a largely ceremonial and titular position but command great respect among Muslims.

The king is seen as the supreme upholder of Malay tradition and symbolic head of Islam, while the sultans occupy that position in their own respective states.

None of the other sultans - including Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the current king - have commented publicly on the yoga ban.

In his statement, Sultan Sharafuddin said he hopes 'that in future, any fatwa decision that touches on issues involving the general public should be referred to the Conference of Rulers to be approved first before it is announced'.

'This is to ensure that the process of channeling the fatwa decision is implemented wisely to avoid any confusion and controversy,' said Sultan Sharafuddin, who rules the central Selangor state.

Decisions by the Fatwa Council are not legally binding on the country's Muslims until they are enshrined in national laws or Shariah laws of individual states.

Sultan Sharafuddin said the fatwa on yoga 'is still not enforced in Selangor because it has not been brought to the Selangor State Fatwa Committee'.

The committee will meet to 'discuss this matter in greater detail regarding yoga activities in Selangor so that a decision is not made hastily,' he said.

It is the first time that a Fatwa Council's decision has been criticised by a state sultan - a sign that the country's Malay Muslims, who are 60 per cent of the 27 million population, have not accepted the fatwa uniformly.

Still, the edict reflects the growing influence of conservative Islam in Malaysia, a multiethnic country where minority ethnic Chinese and mostly Hindu ethnic Indians have been clamoring for more rights.

Recently, the Fatwa Council said girls who act like boys violate Islam's tenets. The government has also occasionally made similar conservative moves, earlier this year banning the use by non-Muslims of the word 'Allah', the Arabic word for God.

Analysts say the fatwa could be the result of insecurity among Malay Muslims after their party - in power since 1957 - saw its parliamentary majority greatly reduced in elections because of gains by opposition parties supported by the minorities. -- AP

Article extracted from The Straits Time dated 24th November 2008