Patanjali is one of the great fathers of yoga. He codified the science of yoga and wrote the Yoga Sutras. These sutras explain how one can live the path of yoga in the world. One concept from these sutras is Ahimsa, which means non-violence.
AHIMSA – Non-Violence
“It is blasphemy to say that nonviolence can be practiced by individuals and never by nations, which are composed of individuals.” – M.K. Gandhi
We are all able capable of violence. We have all been victims of violence, have committed acts of violence, and have witnessed many acts of violence. It is a part of being human. Violence is practiced in deed, word, and thought. In yoga, we do face and accept all of our parts and all of our feelings. However, violence does beget more violence. If we want to heal ourselves, our bodies, our relationships, our families, our friends, our communities, our rivers and streams, our nations, our world, and our Earth, we must learn and practice the ways of non-violence.
In his book, Yoga for a World Out of Balance, Michael Stone says:
“When we react out of fear and hatred, we do not yet have a deep understanding of the situation. Our actions will only be a very quick and superficial way of responding to the state of affairs, and not much true benefit and healing will occur. Yet, if we wait and follow the process of calming our anger, looking deeply into the situation, and listening with a great will to understand the roots of suffering that are the cause of the violent actions, only then will we have sufficient insight to respond in such a way that healing and reconciliation can be realized for everyone involved.” p.78
The process of Attracting Perfect Relationships with the Yogic Diet enables us to look and listen deeply so as to understand this suffering – of ourselves and our loved ones. When we understand the roots of suffering more deeply, and make a plan utilizing the Law of Attraction, we can begin to deepen our own relationship with non-violence and all of its healing ramifications in our lives.
Contact Monique to find out more information on our Attracting Perfect Relationships classes.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Monday, 11 October 2010
Pilgrimage to India
In the year 2000, I went to my teacher's ashram in India. Imagine hours of meditation in deep silence with the accompaniment of trickles of monsoon rains, sipping hot, rich chai made from buffalo's milk, chanting in the early hours of the morning as fans whirled full blast overhead, delicious mangoes, nighttime fireflies, the smell of gardenias, sipping coconut water with straws, deep, strong prayers for transformation, and the outside village and its cows, women carrying bundles on their heads, colorfully decorated cars, dogs, Indian men nodding their heads, hot springs baths, and holy places.
I had some miraculous experiences there. I had traveled on a several day journey from the States, but had no jet lag. I heard inner music playing when I was in deep meditation. My eyes lost their ability to see during one ecstatic chant. And more.
My intention for the trip was to learn how to offer seva, or selfless service. The funny thing is that I given a cushy, easy seva, but then I was yanked out of that half an hour later and put into a seva to deep clean vacant bungalows filled with dirt, stains, spiders, other bugs, and so on. I scrubbed and scrubbed. I became very happy scrubbing and sometimes even showed up for dinner unknowingly wearing badges of dirt from a day's work. One of my friends was a bit worried about me. But I was into it, happy, and fine. I believe that this seva prepared me for motherhood and some of the other things that I've come to be able offer in the last ten years.
Now ten years later, it is my great fortune to return to this ashram to deepen my sadhana,or spiritual practices. Soon, I'm going for a one week retreat that includes five days of silence. I feel excited and slightly nervous. And my intention this time is to shed light on some of the remaining dark corners of my life...some worries, fears, and old patterns that need to be released.
Thank you for your blessings and support and I will be bringing you all with me.
May we all deepen our capacities to heal and be healed!
Blessings,
Monique
I had some miraculous experiences there. I had traveled on a several day journey from the States, but had no jet lag. I heard inner music playing when I was in deep meditation. My eyes lost their ability to see during one ecstatic chant. And more.
My intention for the trip was to learn how to offer seva, or selfless service. The funny thing is that I given a cushy, easy seva, but then I was yanked out of that half an hour later and put into a seva to deep clean vacant bungalows filled with dirt, stains, spiders, other bugs, and so on. I scrubbed and scrubbed. I became very happy scrubbing and sometimes even showed up for dinner unknowingly wearing badges of dirt from a day's work. One of my friends was a bit worried about me. But I was into it, happy, and fine. I believe that this seva prepared me for motherhood and some of the other things that I've come to be able offer in the last ten years.
Now ten years later, it is my great fortune to return to this ashram to deepen my sadhana,or spiritual practices. Soon, I'm going for a one week retreat that includes five days of silence. I feel excited and slightly nervous. And my intention this time is to shed light on some of the remaining dark corners of my life...some worries, fears, and old patterns that need to be released.
Thank you for your blessings and support and I will be bringing you all with me.
May we all deepen our capacities to heal and be healed!
Blessings,
Monique
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Day in the Life of the Yogic Diet
Many people have practices that they do to keep themselves fit, happy, and steady. Some people emphasize different areas of fitness over others. To be well rounded, happy, peaceful, healed, and whole we should aim for a balance of keeping ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually fit. It is essentially the sum of these practices that I call "the Yogic Diet." Your yogic diet will be different from mine and from your teachers and friends. What are some of the practices of your yogic diet?
Experiencing the "light" of yoga makes me tick. So, many of my practices revolve around lighting up what I feel needs to be regularly re-lit and re-freshed.
1. First, I aim to LIGHT up whatever is going on in my mind. Mornings are best.
- I do about 15 minutes of spiritual practices to quiet my mind and then I affirm what I really want for myself and others in my life. If I'm worried about something like "Will I have enough participants to make a new class?" Them I affirm, "I feel successful and attract abundance into my life. My classes naturally attract an abundance of clients. I release all worry and concern."
- I also use this process to pray for others. If my parents or kids are struggling with something, then I affirm a positive way for it all to work out for them.
- I stay with it until I release every last worry. When I finish, I feel positive and happy...lit up.
2. Time to LIGHT up the body
- I walk briskly to get my heart rate up, feel energized, and burn calories.
- Practicing hatha yoga helps to light up whatever feels tired or achy in the body, to open the energy flow, to stretch and strengthen my muscles, and to draw my senses within.
- I mostly eat a light diet that is filled with fruits and veggies, nuts, some dairy, lots of water, healthy added oils, and less snacks.
3. Filling up with LIGHT
- Once I've cleared my mind and refreshed my body, I sit for meditation. This practice is my lifeline. Going within I have so much more to give out. I can focus more on "How are you?" rather than so much on "How about me?"
Believe it or not, this set of practices has taken years to develop. And though these practices give me great happiness, a feeling of steadiness, and the ability to serve others with my heart, sometimes I can still go days without doing them. Then when I go back to them, the steadiness returns. I feel that when I can do them like a world-class athlete who practices 2 x 7 x 52 x 10 (2 times a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year - for 10 years), it'll be time for my PBS special!
All my classes are essentially about learning to develop, practice, and deepen your own yogic diet. Contact me for more details on how to develop your yogic diet today.
Love and Blessings,
Monique
Experiencing the "light" of yoga makes me tick. So, many of my practices revolve around lighting up what I feel needs to be regularly re-lit and re-freshed.
1. First, I aim to LIGHT up whatever is going on in my mind. Mornings are best.
- I do about 15 minutes of spiritual practices to quiet my mind and then I affirm what I really want for myself and others in my life. If I'm worried about something like "Will I have enough participants to make a new class?" Them I affirm, "I feel successful and attract abundance into my life. My classes naturally attract an abundance of clients. I release all worry and concern."
- I also use this process to pray for others. If my parents or kids are struggling with something, then I affirm a positive way for it all to work out for them.
- I stay with it until I release every last worry. When I finish, I feel positive and happy...lit up.
2. Time to LIGHT up the body
- I walk briskly to get my heart rate up, feel energized, and burn calories.
- Practicing hatha yoga helps to light up whatever feels tired or achy in the body, to open the energy flow, to stretch and strengthen my muscles, and to draw my senses within.
- I mostly eat a light diet that is filled with fruits and veggies, nuts, some dairy, lots of water, healthy added oils, and less snacks.
3. Filling up with LIGHT
- Once I've cleared my mind and refreshed my body, I sit for meditation. This practice is my lifeline. Going within I have so much more to give out. I can focus more on "How are you?" rather than so much on "How about me?"
Believe it or not, this set of practices has taken years to develop. And though these practices give me great happiness, a feeling of steadiness, and the ability to serve others with my heart, sometimes I can still go days without doing them. Then when I go back to them, the steadiness returns. I feel that when I can do them like a world-class athlete who practices 2 x 7 x 52 x 10 (2 times a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year - for 10 years), it'll be time for my PBS special!
All my classes are essentially about learning to develop, practice, and deepen your own yogic diet. Contact me for more details on how to develop your yogic diet today.
Love and Blessings,
Monique
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Keeping up the Resolutions
My teacher once said that in this day and age it is easy to give up our resolutions when something becomes challenging...not very challenging, just challenging.
What are some resolutions we may have made?
- Stop snacking between meals
- Give the kids/spouse/dog more attention
- Jog/Practice Yoga/Lift Weights X days per week
- Read scriptures
- Meditate daily
- Cut carbs
- See the good in everyone
- Reduce gossip
- Just say no to diet cokes
- Release the past and forgive everyone
What are some challenges we may face in keeping them?
- Time
- Faith
- Fear
- Success
- Emotions
- Hormones
- Working, eating, sleeping, drinking, talking, doing too much
- Fatigue
- Carelessness
- Boredom
So, how can we follow ever through? After he arrived in India in 1959, a Buddhist lama was asked, "How did you manage to escape from Tibet and cross the high and snowy Himalayas by foot?" He replied, "One step at a time." And so it is with our resolutions.
Each time we take a step in the direction of fulfilling our resolutions, we add to the momentum of change, of fulfillment, of heightened self-esteem. And so what if we take a few steps back? We owe it to ourselves and our families to find our resolutions, dust them off, and begin anew. Doing so helps us live an inspired and inspiring life.
Also, beginning over and over again and sticking with our resolutions does bring lasting change. One step at a time, we find ourselves more and more lit up from the inside and surrounded by abundance on the outside.
May we all release the hold that we have on our obstacles and the hold that our obstacles have on us. May we feel successful and attract abundance into our lives.
Namaste,
Monique
What are some resolutions we may have made?
- Stop snacking between meals
- Give the kids/spouse/dog more attention
- Jog/Practice Yoga/Lift Weights X days per week
- Read scriptures
- Meditate daily
- Cut carbs
- See the good in everyone
- Reduce gossip
- Just say no to diet cokes
- Release the past and forgive everyone
What are some challenges we may face in keeping them?
- Time
- Faith
- Fear
- Success
- Emotions
- Hormones
- Working, eating, sleeping, drinking, talking, doing too much
- Fatigue
- Carelessness
- Boredom
So, how can we follow ever through? After he arrived in India in 1959, a Buddhist lama was asked, "How did you manage to escape from Tibet and cross the high and snowy Himalayas by foot?" He replied, "One step at a time." And so it is with our resolutions.
Each time we take a step in the direction of fulfilling our resolutions, we add to the momentum of change, of fulfillment, of heightened self-esteem. And so what if we take a few steps back? We owe it to ourselves and our families to find our resolutions, dust them off, and begin anew. Doing so helps us live an inspired and inspiring life.
Also, beginning over and over again and sticking with our resolutions does bring lasting change. One step at a time, we find ourselves more and more lit up from the inside and surrounded by abundance on the outside.
May we all release the hold that we have on our obstacles and the hold that our obstacles have on us. May we feel successful and attract abundance into our lives.
Namaste,
Monique
Monday, 13 September 2010
A Mirror
About ten years ago, I was visiting one of my teacher's ashrams and a woman who was leading one of the programs made an impression on me. She was beautiful, confident, down to earth, and warm. I noticed she was happily married to another yogi and they made a lovely couple. I remember feeling that I'd like to be like her. I wanted to be more powerful, confident, and whole in my life. I wanted my husband to join me more fully on the yogic path. It was an impression and a thought...and it was gone.
Fast forward ten years. Last summer, I was attending a retreat with my family at another one of my teacher's ashrams. The energy was as powerful as I remembered. I easily tapped into my own greatness and inner divinity and to that same greatness in others. This is the power of yoga. I watched my husband and children shift in powerful ways. It was an amazing retreat and a blessing for my family.
One evening, I sat down with some ladies that I had not had a chance to meet. We hit it off and began sharing about our lives. One lady shared that she was a life coach and had her own business. Wow, just like me. She also taught kid's yoga. Just like me. She was attending the retreat with her family. Just like me. She felt very powerful and strong in her life as she had healed many issues by following the path of yoga. She still sometimes struggles and is open and honest about that with her clients. Just like me.
Then it hit me. This was the woman that I had seen years ago. I asked her if she had indeed been there leading that program and she confirmed my intuition. The thought of wanting to be like her had manifested. Through grace, she had returned to mirror and show me how much progress I have made over the years. I told her my experience of wanting to be like her and we marveled over our parallel lives.
The magic, mystery, and power of yoga practices continues to amaze me. Yoga works. Yoga transforms. Yoga heals. Yoga empowers.
May the universe continue to guide each one of us toward the people, places, teachers, and ideas that show us a glimmer of who and what we are capable of being.
Namaste
Fast forward ten years. Last summer, I was attending a retreat with my family at another one of my teacher's ashrams. The energy was as powerful as I remembered. I easily tapped into my own greatness and inner divinity and to that same greatness in others. This is the power of yoga. I watched my husband and children shift in powerful ways. It was an amazing retreat and a blessing for my family.
One evening, I sat down with some ladies that I had not had a chance to meet. We hit it off and began sharing about our lives. One lady shared that she was a life coach and had her own business. Wow, just like me. She also taught kid's yoga. Just like me. She was attending the retreat with her family. Just like me. She felt very powerful and strong in her life as she had healed many issues by following the path of yoga. She still sometimes struggles and is open and honest about that with her clients. Just like me.
Then it hit me. This was the woman that I had seen years ago. I asked her if she had indeed been there leading that program and she confirmed my intuition. The thought of wanting to be like her had manifested. Through grace, she had returned to mirror and show me how much progress I have made over the years. I told her my experience of wanting to be like her and we marveled over our parallel lives.
The magic, mystery, and power of yoga practices continues to amaze me. Yoga works. Yoga transforms. Yoga heals. Yoga empowers.
May the universe continue to guide each one of us toward the people, places, teachers, and ideas that show us a glimmer of who and what we are capable of being.
Namaste
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Turning Into a Sugar Monster
It all started so innocently. I had been studying about the amazing health benefits of coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut meat. I had been using coconut oil to cook all my veggies and using the coconut milk as a base to soups and smoothies for several months. I even found a lady here in Sumatra who presses the coconut oil fresh from coconuts for me to buy! I had been noticing higher energy levels, less food cravings, and much smoother skin. It was all good. Then came the coconut ice cream.
I started making coconut milk ice cream for my kids as a healthier alternative to dairy ice cream. And they loved it. I made maple walnut, strawberry, orange cream, and the undeniable best (beast), chocolate. I was making a new batch everyday almost as a religious ritual. The problem is that I was eating it too.
I convinced myself that it was fine because it was coconut after all. It was just a bit of sugar. I became an after dinner dessert eater and sometimes an afternoon cream tea person. I also started craving artificially sweetened chewing gum to sweeten my mouth in the mornings and then the afternoons. My veggies and fruits were seeming a bit more boring than before. The sugar monster had crept in undetected and I was blissfully unaware.
The first crash came with my emotions. I started being short, impatient, and grumpy with my family. My husband inquired if it was "that time." No, it was not thank you. My face broke out with lovely little pimples. Then, the dreaded moment for many women...the jeans were much, much tighter. That just makes a person mad! And for me, it can make me feel a little panicked as those old body image patterns resurface.
Well, of course I cut out the ice cream and the gum cold turkey once I realized what was going on. But that is not the real miracle of the story. The miracle is where the yoga came in. After doing some yoga practices one morning, I had a powerful experience. These words arose within me so clearly as a prayer of gratitude, "Thank you God for this experience and for allowing me to learn more about myself and go deeper into the yogic diet." I felt a tangible, positive shift and my body softened. My mind relaxed.
Releasing fear and anger and embracing love for who I am and acceptance for how I may still struggle is the true gift of all of those yoga practices.
I started making coconut milk ice cream for my kids as a healthier alternative to dairy ice cream. And they loved it. I made maple walnut, strawberry, orange cream, and the undeniable best (beast), chocolate. I was making a new batch everyday almost as a religious ritual. The problem is that I was eating it too.
I convinced myself that it was fine because it was coconut after all. It was just a bit of sugar. I became an after dinner dessert eater and sometimes an afternoon cream tea person. I also started craving artificially sweetened chewing gum to sweeten my mouth in the mornings and then the afternoons. My veggies and fruits were seeming a bit more boring than before. The sugar monster had crept in undetected and I was blissfully unaware.
The first crash came with my emotions. I started being short, impatient, and grumpy with my family. My husband inquired if it was "that time." No, it was not thank you. My face broke out with lovely little pimples. Then, the dreaded moment for many women...the jeans were much, much tighter. That just makes a person mad! And for me, it can make me feel a little panicked as those old body image patterns resurface.
Well, of course I cut out the ice cream and the gum cold turkey once I realized what was going on. But that is not the real miracle of the story. The miracle is where the yoga came in. After doing some yoga practices one morning, I had a powerful experience. These words arose within me so clearly as a prayer of gratitude, "Thank you God for this experience and for allowing me to learn more about myself and go deeper into the yogic diet." I felt a tangible, positive shift and my body softened. My mind relaxed.
Releasing fear and anger and embracing love for who I am and acceptance for how I may still struggle is the true gift of all of those yoga practices.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Sugar, Sex, Violence, Dysfunction, Medication
Recently, I just returned from spending the summer of 2010 in the USA. As our family is stationed overseas, we return home to the US for summer vacations. We are so excited and emotional when we pass through US immigration that every year I shed a few tears when the immigration officer says "Welcome home." This year was no exception.
It is wonderful to see so many people of different races, colors, and religions living for the most part peacefully together. There is a feeling of youthful energy in the air that can make one feel that "It's never too late" and "There are always second chances." Infrastructure works, there is minimal obvious corruption in daily life, people mostly abide by laws, and as my friend says: it's place where all things are possible. In many ways, it's the greatest place on earth.
However, after I eat my first pint of blueberries, reconnect with friends and family, drive on the "correct" side of the road, and fill my suitcases with Target and Old Navy's newest items, I feel like I'm being hit over the head with a culture that is pushing sugar, sex, violence, dysfunction, and medication. Oh, how I wish it was more like "Water, connection, peace, healing, and meditation."
There was a time when Jerry Springer TV was confined to a few late afternoon programs. However, now it's on the morning shows, Animal Planet, evening shows, and Cartoon Network. It is all day, everyday, everywhere.
Most nice restaurants offer huge portions of fried food and sugar in lieu of tasty, nourishing, and light fare. I found that the only edible thing on most menus was salads. And I did have some amazing salads. Still, it was disappointing that such a great country has so much nutritionally poor/calorie rich food. Some Australian friends of mine traveled to Florida's Disneyland and said that they could not find one healthy item to eat in the whole park.
My intention here is not to complain. I am proud to be an American and I love my country. At the same time, I am so grateful that my family is in a place with fresh, healthy foods that are not polluted with artificial sweeteners, chemical cocktails, and that are pesticide free. Cartoon network just has children programming and not commercials about how to make bail. I am not prompted to ask my doctor about needing the latest medication on the market.
I just hope that when we move back to the US, we see a trend towards healthier lifestyles. And I pray that even if that is not the case, that we can continue to practice what we have learned. In the end, positive growth and change are more about love than fear. May we Americans love ourselves and our families enough to, as Ghandi said, "Be the change we want to see."
It is wonderful to see so many people of different races, colors, and religions living for the most part peacefully together. There is a feeling of youthful energy in the air that can make one feel that "It's never too late" and "There are always second chances." Infrastructure works, there is minimal obvious corruption in daily life, people mostly abide by laws, and as my friend says: it's place where all things are possible. In many ways, it's the greatest place on earth.
However, after I eat my first pint of blueberries, reconnect with friends and family, drive on the "correct" side of the road, and fill my suitcases with Target and Old Navy's newest items, I feel like I'm being hit over the head with a culture that is pushing sugar, sex, violence, dysfunction, and medication. Oh, how I wish it was more like "Water, connection, peace, healing, and meditation."
There was a time when Jerry Springer TV was confined to a few late afternoon programs. However, now it's on the morning shows, Animal Planet, evening shows, and Cartoon Network. It is all day, everyday, everywhere.
Most nice restaurants offer huge portions of fried food and sugar in lieu of tasty, nourishing, and light fare. I found that the only edible thing on most menus was salads. And I did have some amazing salads. Still, it was disappointing that such a great country has so much nutritionally poor/calorie rich food. Some Australian friends of mine traveled to Florida's Disneyland and said that they could not find one healthy item to eat in the whole park.
My intention here is not to complain. I am proud to be an American and I love my country. At the same time, I am so grateful that my family is in a place with fresh, healthy foods that are not polluted with artificial sweeteners, chemical cocktails, and that are pesticide free. Cartoon network just has children programming and not commercials about how to make bail. I am not prompted to ask my doctor about needing the latest medication on the market.
I just hope that when we move back to the US, we see a trend towards healthier lifestyles. And I pray that even if that is not the case, that we can continue to practice what we have learned. In the end, positive growth and change are more about love than fear. May we Americans love ourselves and our families enough to, as Ghandi said, "Be the change we want to see."
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