Last week, I had the flu. I had not been sick in a long time...not even a sniffle. But somehow I knew that when my housekeeper starting sneezing around the house that I was going to get this one. Never mind that this year I had the second flu shot that I've ever taken in my life. I knew I was going to get it.
Then it came...the sneezing, fever, body aches, painful sinus cavities, naps, moaning, etc. No fun, not happy. C'est la vie. However, on the 5th day when I was still napping for three hours in daylight, I decided to see a doctor.
Fairly randomly, he asked me to go to the lab and do blood work. Half an hour later when the test results came back, he called me in and said that I had a problem, but the flu and the hurting nasal passages weren't it. He said my hemoglobin was down to 7 (12-16 is normal). And since we live in a developing country where the medical can be sketchy, he asked me to fly to Singapore the next day for further tests.
Imagine my shock as I sat in the waiting room of an Oncologist's office in Singapore the next day. I was panicking and my husband didn't look too relaxed either. Anyhow, to make a long story short, I didn't have the C word. It seems that I have an iron deficiency anemia. This means that I've been running around with about half a tank of oxygen and didn't even really know it. But looking back, I do see some signs: the dizziness that I felt doing Sun Salutations, the shortness of breath I felt when running around the block, and my growing need for afternoon caffeine weren't just in my mind.
Now why is this nutrition/healthy lifestyle person getting anemia? I believe that there are spiritual as well as physical reasons. On the physical side, I had not been really paying attention to eating particularly iron rich foods and my female cycle has gotten heavier over the last few years...a common reason for anemia. On the spiritual side, I can see that I've been pinching off the joy in a few areas of my life. And now I have a relatively small wake up call to make these right.
I did have a big pity party for about five days after the diagnosis. I got mad that I physically need more rest and naps and I felt afraid. But I'm coming out of the fog. Tonight, I did my first yoga practice in two weeks with an attitude of sheer joy and delight. Yoga is amazing...what a life affirming practice.
I TRUST that I will be well and that all will be well. I will listen to my body, keep up the iron, and smile, laugh, and give my love more often. May we all optimize our capacities to heal and be healed each and every day. ACHOO! God bless you.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
A Quiet Mind
Recently, a friend of mine starting meditating and she loves it. She says she looks forward to her meditation time every day. I understand her enthusiasm!
One time I was at a yoga retreat where we engaged in many kinds of yoga practices. As you may know, most yoga practices and exercises are ultimately aimed at quieting our minds so that we can meditate. Well, we did lots of yoga and I had an interesting experience.
As the chattering voices around me became silent, due to us all being engaged in yoga practice, I could hear my own chattering mind more clearly. Several things came up in my mind that I recognized that I wanted to work on. So this was a good thing as I was able to pray and meditate on these items and then kind of let them go.
Then, my mind became more silent. This felt so good, peaceful, and refreshing. One yoga sutra says that when the space between our thoughts expands, the bliss inside of us grows. I could definitely feel that.
However, what happened next was the most touching experience. I found that as my own mind/voice became quiet, I could hear an Inner voice more clearly. That voice said to go here and do that. That voice was in the flow. It was a deeper, more intuitive voice. That voice was inside me and I could hear it clearly since I was quiet.
My mind is not nearly as quiet in my regular life as it is on retreat. However, just remembering that experience draws me back to my meditation mat and yoga practices again and again. Just a few moments of touching that silence space in meditation still infuses my day with sweetness and reminds me that I have access to that Inner voice.
May you create the time and space for your spiritual practices and attain all the benefits of a quieted, trusting, peaceful mind.
One time I was at a yoga retreat where we engaged in many kinds of yoga practices. As you may know, most yoga practices and exercises are ultimately aimed at quieting our minds so that we can meditate. Well, we did lots of yoga and I had an interesting experience.
As the chattering voices around me became silent, due to us all being engaged in yoga practice, I could hear my own chattering mind more clearly. Several things came up in my mind that I recognized that I wanted to work on. So this was a good thing as I was able to pray and meditate on these items and then kind of let them go.
Then, my mind became more silent. This felt so good, peaceful, and refreshing. One yoga sutra says that when the space between our thoughts expands, the bliss inside of us grows. I could definitely feel that.
However, what happened next was the most touching experience. I found that as my own mind/voice became quiet, I could hear an Inner voice more clearly. That voice said to go here and do that. That voice was in the flow. It was a deeper, more intuitive voice. That voice was inside me and I could hear it clearly since I was quiet.
My mind is not nearly as quiet in my regular life as it is on retreat. However, just remembering that experience draws me back to my meditation mat and yoga practices again and again. Just a few moments of touching that silence space in meditation still infuses my day with sweetness and reminds me that I have access to that Inner voice.
May you create the time and space for your spiritual practices and attain all the benefits of a quieted, trusting, peaceful mind.
Monday, 13 December 2010
A Spiritual Trap
For the last several weeks, I have been adding more spiritual practices to my daily schedule. I've been getting up at 5 am to meditate or chant for an hour. It's been pretty good. I feel like I give some time to God right from the beginning of my day. This is a really good thing, right?
Well, for me it was kind of not a really good thing and I just realized that I have been falling into a "spiritual" trap.
You see, my husband leaves for work really early. Our routine for many years is that I make him a cup of tea and sometimes a sandwich to carry to work. Then we visit for a while as he gets ready to leave and gets mentally prepared for his day.
For the last few weeks, he did not get his tea. He did not get his bread. He did not get a visit either as I have been engrossed in my "practices." I have managed to squeeze in a "Bye, I love you. Have a good day!" before the next line of text in my chanting book as he headed out of the door.
I was having a nagging feeling lately that we are not as connected recently as we usually are. It has been a bit easier for us to feel grumpy with each other. And we haven't taken as many opportunities to visit and chat. The ironic thing is that one of my intentions for my practices is that I hope to be better in my roles of mother, wife, and teacher.
But, yeah! Today I woke up to what has been happening! Thank goodness. As independent as my husband is, he does need some thoughtfulness and nurturing from me...especially as he sets off for his day. And I have time later in the day for practices. I do.
So, I have a new practice. I've been really getting into making homemade Chai tea which is yummy, has lots of healing spices, and feels like heaven as it goes down the throat. So, I will wake up and do a 5 minute chant before I make delicious Chai tea for me and hubby to share. Of course, I'll make his sandwich too. But most importantly, I will make the time and space to be present for this very dear man that I love.
Email me for an easy chai recipe if you're interested.
Well, for me it was kind of not a really good thing and I just realized that I have been falling into a "spiritual" trap.
You see, my husband leaves for work really early. Our routine for many years is that I make him a cup of tea and sometimes a sandwich to carry to work. Then we visit for a while as he gets ready to leave and gets mentally prepared for his day.
For the last few weeks, he did not get his tea. He did not get his bread. He did not get a visit either as I have been engrossed in my "practices." I have managed to squeeze in a "Bye, I love you. Have a good day!" before the next line of text in my chanting book as he headed out of the door.
I was having a nagging feeling lately that we are not as connected recently as we usually are. It has been a bit easier for us to feel grumpy with each other. And we haven't taken as many opportunities to visit and chat. The ironic thing is that one of my intentions for my practices is that I hope to be better in my roles of mother, wife, and teacher.
But, yeah! Today I woke up to what has been happening! Thank goodness. As independent as my husband is, he does need some thoughtfulness and nurturing from me...especially as he sets off for his day. And I have time later in the day for practices. I do.
So, I have a new practice. I've been really getting into making homemade Chai tea which is yummy, has lots of healing spices, and feels like heaven as it goes down the throat. So, I will wake up and do a 5 minute chant before I make delicious Chai tea for me and hubby to share. Of course, I'll make his sandwich too. But most importantly, I will make the time and space to be present for this very dear man that I love.
Email me for an easy chai recipe if you're interested.
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Greater Yogic Diet
In Thich Nhat Han's book, The Art of Power, he describes a greater yogic diet which is part of the Buddhist Fifth Mindfulness Training. He says:
“Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society, by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I shall work to transform violence, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.”
Is it really true that we can take in toxins from TV programs, media, and conversations?
In yoga, all matter is composed of three kinds of energy: sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Sattvic evergy is pure and helps the mind be restful and at ease,rajasic energy is over-stimulating and over-exciting, and tamasic energy makes one feel tired, heavy, lethargic, and lazy. So, it makes sense that our TV programs and conversations can be classified in the same way.
Noticing:
- Have noticed that if you watch too much TV or talk to others for many hours, that you feel tamasic, tired, and drained?
- Have you noticed that watching TV right before bedtime may lead to a rajasic, disturbed, uneasy sleep?
- Gossip may be entertaining and attractive to indulge in on the internet and in conversations, but how do you feel after?
- Do you see a link between violent TV shows and video games and violence and disrespectful behavior in society? How about in your own mind and behavior?
- How about our purchases? Is retail therapy just a quick fix high or are our purchases bringing us deeper levels of tranquility and contentment?
On the other hand, if you are mindful and pursuing a greater yogic diet, you may be spending some time in prayer, meditation, positive thinking, exercising, scriptural study, charity work or selfless service, religious services, and other spiritual practices. You may see the link between these kinds of practices and sattvic energy that puts the mind at ease.
So, everything in our life can be worthy of our contemplation and part of our yoga practice.
May your greater yogic diet give you a strong, stable, and peaceful foundation for your life. And may all your yoga practices bear great fruit for you, your family, and your community.
Namaste,
Monique
“Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society, by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I shall work to transform violence, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.”
Is it really true that we can take in toxins from TV programs, media, and conversations?
In yoga, all matter is composed of three kinds of energy: sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Sattvic evergy is pure and helps the mind be restful and at ease,rajasic energy is over-stimulating and over-exciting, and tamasic energy makes one feel tired, heavy, lethargic, and lazy. So, it makes sense that our TV programs and conversations can be classified in the same way.
Noticing:
- Have noticed that if you watch too much TV or talk to others for many hours, that you feel tamasic, tired, and drained?
- Have you noticed that watching TV right before bedtime may lead to a rajasic, disturbed, uneasy sleep?
- Gossip may be entertaining and attractive to indulge in on the internet and in conversations, but how do you feel after?
- Do you see a link between violent TV shows and video games and violence and disrespectful behavior in society? How about in your own mind and behavior?
- How about our purchases? Is retail therapy just a quick fix high or are our purchases bringing us deeper levels of tranquility and contentment?
On the other hand, if you are mindful and pursuing a greater yogic diet, you may be spending some time in prayer, meditation, positive thinking, exercising, scriptural study, charity work or selfless service, religious services, and other spiritual practices. You may see the link between these kinds of practices and sattvic energy that puts the mind at ease.
So, everything in our life can be worthy of our contemplation and part of our yoga practice.
May your greater yogic diet give you a strong, stable, and peaceful foundation for your life. And may all your yoga practices bear great fruit for you, your family, and your community.
Namaste,
Monique
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
AHIMSA - Non-Violence
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.
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.
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
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