Life Changes Direction Once Again

After going through a number of twists and turns life has once again changed direction for me. From a content writer, to a travel assistant, to a blogger, freelance writer, ebook author, and now a Reiki Master, it has been an amazing journey of growth.

I've been through phases that I enjoyed, and some that I almost hated, but I recognize that each of them was required to help me reach the spot that I am at right now. I accept that the tapestry of my life is riddled with a number of different experiences and it is richer for each of them. No matter what I felt about them when I was undergoing the experiences.

Over the next couple of years I will be switching from working online as a freelancer to taking on Reiki healings and conducting workshops for attunements. It is my belief that being a spiritual healer is my Life Purpose and I am here to help heal the planet one person at a time. The tools of healing such as EFT, Crystal Therapy, Energy Healing, Tarot and Reiki are ones that I am now going to hone my skills at.

As with any lasting change, you need to work on each step along the way. So before I set out to heal the world, I must heal myself and my immediate circle of souls. I am in a way testing the waters to see how well I am able to swim in this new direction. There will be strong learning curve along the way, and I am sure there will be interesting times ahead.

I am thankful to everyone who has encouraged me to go down this path. The cheerleaders, who pushed me through each stage when I was swamped with self doubt, have my endless gratitude. The souls who supported me, wittingly and unwittingly, to reach this stage have contributed beautifully to my soul's contract with the Source and I thank them.

Spiritual Detoxification : Mind, Body and Soul

What this week is all about

About three years ago my family and I visited a place called Kaivalyadham in Lonavala. It was a Yoga, Ayurdeva and Naturopathy based residential healing clinic. People lived there for a week from Sunday to Sunday and underwent a regime of exercise, diet and talks which allowed them to detoxify their bodies, enlighten their minds and rejuvenate their souls. We all came back feeling amazing. It struck home that just a week was required to make a huge difference in lifestyle.

This week, when you undertake the spiritual detoxification program with me, I wish to replicate the same feeling of good health  and wellness in Mind, Body and Soul. Each day will be begun with the Daily Affirmation which has already been shared on Facebook for easy access. You can find it at the end of this post as well.  Then move on with the idea of enriching each section of your entity with one activity that day. Give yourself the permission to do what makes you happy.

Here’s an example – I want to go watch a play, but it is too far away to go. I make all kinds of excuses and don’t go. Eventually making myself unhappy at having missed the play.

MIND

The brain loses neurons much faster if it is not kept occupied. Scientific research has proved that people who play brain games like Sudoko, Crossword puzzles, and even cards are less likely to become forgetful as they age. Their mind stays alert. Unfortunately most of us keep our minds alert by worrying about all kinds of things that may never come to pass. Instead, let’s keep it active by doing a brain exercise like the ones mentioned before, or even picking up a new skill. Learning how to do something you enjoy is a great way to promote detoxification of the mind by replacing the toxic thoughts with something more valuable.

BODY

There are two main areas of focus for the body to stay healthy – food and exercise. Eating more raw and unprocessed foods is healthier for your system. The higher fiber content helps detoxify your system and by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids you ensure that it is all washed right out of your system.  In addition you can ensure that you do a form of physical activity that you enjoy. Rather than pushing yourself to do aerobics, why not just put on some of your favorite music and dance. You get the same physical value doing an activity that makes you happier. Find what works best for you.

SOUL

Your energy being is always there for you, and to honour it you should spend some time each day bringing value to it. Enrich your soul by doing a Reiki self healing, a guided meditation, self hypnosis, or just merely tratak (candle flame) meditation. If you come up with any other activity please feel free to share it with the group.

The Daily Affirmation

I love and accept myself just the way I am. My mind is alert, my body is healthy and my soul is joyous. I have all the qualities I need to conquer all my challenges. The universe helps me manifest success and good fortune on a daily basis. I am grateful for the abundance in my life. 

Before you start this week do a bit of journalling. Write down all the things that are stressing you out, irritating you, bugging you. Remember no one but you will read these notes, so just put down everything you want to improve in your current life situation. Once the week is over you will be able to come back to this list and see if these things are still bothering you.

To know what you wish to focus on, ask yourself a few questions. Identify the area of life that you wish to detoxify. It could be something as simple as stressing out less over daily irritants, or something more complicated such as making a relationship enter a happier phase. You set your focus and ensure that you do an activity every day of the week to make that area of life a little better.

Remember it all starts with acceptance.

Law of Attraction and Angel Therapy

Law of Attraction and Angel Therapy have a whole lot on common. Essentially both get you to think your life better.

The power of the human mind is as infinite as the universe itself.

The mind is a wonderful thing. One second it is looking at the chair you are about to sit down in and the next it will flit to how you sat on your mom's lap when she sat in that chair. One minute you are looking out the office window and the next you are thinking of how nice it felt when you were tucked under your warm quilt in your bed this morning.

The mind can literally take you places in a matter of a few seconds. It can be fickle and difficult to train. It can also be a great tool to get what you want out of life once you decide what it is and focus on it. That is called the power of attraction. You use the mind to play with the law of attraction to bring from the universe that which you want.

Law of Attraction

The law of attraction states that you can bring what you want to yourself. You think about something long enough and wish that it was with you and viola the universe will attract it to you in a matter of time. The fact is that while it sounds fantastic at first you can actually see that it works just fine it you give it a chance.

It may be difficult to control your negating thoughts when you say I want a million dollars. Instantly your inner mind will recoil with a thought that says yeah, like that's going to happen. The universe will sense that you don't really believe that you can get the million dollars and then it will not present it to you. So start with small things and work your way up to get less skeptical.

Angel Therapy

Even to manifest small things by your own self can be a daunting task. That is where manifesting with Angels helps. You see yourslef as weak, and angels as all powerful beings. So you project your desire to them and then wait for them to bring the object of your desire to you.

Thinking that it is not your mind, but the power of the angels that will help you make effective use of the law of attraction. Plus you don't negate your wishes as you know in your heart that angels can overcome any problems that may be in the path of manifesting your desire. That is why it is all the more effective to use the law of attraction along with Angel Therapy.

Spiritual Travel continues : Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi Tour

There is a saying that you can never undertake the Vaishno Devi Tour unless the goddess of the temple has summoned you. Some people want to visit the temple for years on end before they can finally make it. Others who have absolutely no plans to visit the temple suddenly find themselves swept up in plans to go there. While some might dismiss it as mere superstition, others firmly believe that the summons is vital to making the trip to the temple. Perhaps the location of the temple has something to do with this belief.

Located in the mountains with a treacherous and long climb up to the temple, it is easy to see why people believe that you can only undertake the Vaishno Devi Tour with the blessings of the deity. The only way up was to walk. If you could not walk you were carried up in a “Palaki” which was a seat that two men carried on their shoulders. Some more adventurous souls even chose to ride up on mules. Reaching the summit with aching backsides. If you were to make the trip even two decades ago, it would have seemed a miracle. However now that the road has been made and the steps up to the temple have been well set, it is not as difficult a trip as it used to be.

Sure it is quite a climb, but it is not as bad as it once used to be. In fact there is even a helicopter service being operated from Jammu which allows you to skip most of the arduous climb, dropping you but a mile away from the temple. This is the ideal way for the elderly who are keen to visit the temple to make the trip. The younger ones are able to make the journey up by foot quite comfortable. You still have the mules and the “Palaki”s running so that’s an option you can exercise should you get too tired. The difficult climb is supposed to add to your merits in the eyes of the goddess, so many people prefer to climb even when tired. Then after they have visited the temple and obtained her blessings they take a mule ride back down.

It is also the belief that as you feel that you can not climb any more, the goddess comes to your rescue and you get a second wind. When you do reach the top, you must now get through a hole in the mountain which will take you to the holy cave inside. This sanctuary of the goddess “Sherawali” or the “one who rides a tiger” is the destination of millions of people worldwide. People from across the borders come to thank this goddess for boons that she has granted. In fact many miracles are given to her credit. It is also believed that once a person has obtained her blessing, he will no longer suffer hardships on earth.

The red cloth with golden border which is called her “Chunri” is carried back with people along with the “Prasad”. These are then tied to vehicles such as cars and scooters to get her constant protection. It is also a way for the driver of the vehicle to proclaim that he has made the difficult journey to the temple and back with the blessings of the goddess. While taking the helicopter in and out is the easiest way to do this tour, if you are more religious try and climb at least part of the path to feel good about journey. If she has sent you the summons you will go and visit her for sure.

Spiritual Travel : Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath Yatra


The Amarnath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage taken to the Himalayas by the devotees of Lord Shiva. In the Amarnath cave every year the drops of water form a stalagmite in the shape of the Shiv Ling. That is the symbol of Shiva that all devotees worship. The natural occurrence of this shape of stalagmite is supposed to be considered highly auspicious and many devotees undertake the strenuous journey each year to see it. Some people trek for miles even before they can reach the mountains. Others come in vehicles till Pehelgam and make camp at the base of the mountain range that they must now climb.

The cave in question is myth logically supposed to be the place where Shiva told Parvati, his wife, the secret of immortality. Since he wanted to ensure that no mortal being heard the secret, he took her to this distant and inaccessible cave. After they reached here, he divulged the secret to her. Only trouble is that after the long climb she was so tired that she fell asleep half way through the narration. Yet as he continued to talk some one keep saying “hmmm” and he continued the narration. It later transpired that a white bird had heard it all. When Shiva realized this he told the bird that it would be immortal, but would never be able to leave the cave for too long. This was to ensure that the bird did not pass on the secret to any human being.

No matter how fit you are, this is one demanding hike. The religious faith and zeal are what keep most of the people going. There are huge community kitchens set up at regular distances to feed the people. Some tents are also provided to offer shelter from the elements as you break for the night. The climb is difficult but it is not uncommon to see entire families making the journey together. You will have grand parents, parents and children all climbing up the slippery and treacherous slopes together. Falling, recovering, and supporting each another with physical help and encouraging words.

The journey is perhaps better than the actual destination. As the actual amount of time that you get to spend in the cave is severely limited. The security personnel are told to ensure that the line keeps moving, so you will barely get a feel of the cave before you have to move out again. The sight takes some getting used to, plus the stalagmite is cordoned off so you really wonder about just what you got to see as you get ushered out of the cave. Sure you will be given the “Prasad” and you will have a great sense of achievement at completing the trek up, but the actual site seeing can be over rather fast.

On the way down, one needs to be more careful than on the way up. Coming down moss laden paths is difficult at any time. So when it comes at the end of a couple of days of climbing up, you need to be alert and careful. At the end of the Amarnath Yatra the people who went along with you would have started out as strangers and wound up as best friends. It can be one of the best experiences of your life, as long as you prepare yourself for the trek well. Make sure that you carry adequate woolens and any medication that you will need. There is literally nothing available in the wilderness. There are no shops from where you can buy things. You will be dependent on what you carry or what others are willing to share with you.

I believe in Angels

Of late Doreen Virtue and her Angel Therapy Workshops are playing on my mind. I first heard of them about a month or two ago from my Aunt who has attended them. She had with her an Angel Daily Guidance Pack which she used to give me guidance in that time. I was not too happy with the way my life was going at that stage and was looking for a change. The card I drew was the Ocean. At that point of time I was not conversant at all with Tarot or Angel cards and don’t remember too much of the reading details.

What I do remember was that my Aunt told me to get creative. Do something artistic or even write a book. I had always written poetry and prose as a child and some short stories as well, but after marriage and baby had never gone back to it. So I thought it over and decided to combine two big passions of mine cooking and writing to come up with a cook book. That project was barely begun when I got diverted into the world of online freelancing.

I had not even begun to get a hang of that when I got into Tarot reading. My life started changing in small ways as I became more creative. I was laughing more often, feeling more satisfied and happy doing what I was. One simple act of Angel Guidance helped me change my life. It was the final push I needed to do something about what I wanted in life. I still have not attended a workshop, but am happy doing what I love. The time for the workshop will come just when I am ready for it.

I am now a believer in Angels and I also know that they gently nudge me into fields as I get mentally prepared for them. For me that single card of the ocean started a series of events that helped me get to where I am today. I thank my guardian angels for all the work that they do for me.

Words Fail Me

Of late my experiences on the internet have not been great. Specially related to work. Mostly owing to my own foolishness and gullibility. I am a person given to believing the good in others because I see them as a reflection of my own personality. Since I would never cause a person discomfort or actually con them, I feel that the rest of the world is also like that. It has recently been brought to my notice that it is not. That people exist who will willingly dupe you and have no regrets about it.

I have been feeling low and out. Wondering how they can not realize that the law of Karma is going to catch up with them. That they will have to repay all the wrongs that they do in this life in the future. I feel sad that they keep pushing back the salvation that they can earn in human form and plunge right into a cycle of birth and rebirth. Don’t they see that the only way to get their lives under order is to make sure that you don’t take anything without giving back in return?

The moral question troubles me more than the financial loss. Then I give thanks to the fact that even if I don't make a single dollar this month I will not feel a pinch. I give thanks to the fact that I have a financially sound background and that I do not need to earn my keep. I give thanks for the fact that my family and social life do not get affected by these incidents. I try and release my negative feelings so that I don’t harbour ill will towards these individuals who have conned me. That will be most detrimental to my own self.

I don’t want to be reborn as a low life form just because I was too venomous in my reaction to wrong doings against me. I will be happy to consider that the work that I did was a repayment of an older due, maybe from a past lifetime. That I have been able to pay in full this time round. It makes it easier to think of it this way and close the chapter. If I think that it is a new due that is to come to me, I will just get upset and not know what to do, specially as it will mean that I will need to be reborn to allow that individual to make good his karma.

I only pray that more people in the world realize that there is more to life than getting a great deal at another person’s expense. After all it is better to be kind and true in the long run than to be petty and mean. Any one will tell you that. So now I end with a small prayer to forgive those who have conned me as I bear them no malice. They made me wiser and I am glad for the life experience that they provided.

May be in the new year I will do better and be more careful about what I get into. Perhaps the life lesson I had to learn was not to be so trusting. Unfortunately I am still the same and I probably will do another person the charity of writing for them without getting paid for it. Take it with my blessings. I have exhumed my demons, but you might still be plagued by yours. DO the right thing. Leave the rest in the hands of the powers above.

The Militant Element

I was talking about the recent terrorist attacks on Mumbai(who isn't talking about them) to an aunt of mine. She is an intensely spiritual person. A Professional Tarot Card Reader and Teacher, with a firm belief in the law of Karma. The theory she put forth was very interesting. She is a firm believer in the fact that if you owe someone anything you will come back to make good to that person in your next life. To the extent that she will ensure that she pays her taxi fare to the last paise because she does not want to come back to live another life just to be paid a rupee by the cab driver.

According to her the militant trait never existed in Hindus till this century. So she says the people who were born into this religion now have come from the people who have hurt or harmed Hindus in a previous life time. Now focus on the conversion by the sword carried out by the Muslims. In the last century the Muslims who ridiculed Hindus as infidels and created Jihad on them killing many millions, have all died, and been reborn as Hindus. They needed to learn about the Hindu religion and they have. What they have not learnt is tolerance for other religions.

The militant traits in Muslims came to them from the warriors of the Crusade. In her opinion these lost souls are doomed to rebirth after each such fanatical life in all the religions that they ridicule or harm. They need to learn tolerance and till that happens this militant streak that is visiting our world in the guise of terror attacks will continue.

I felt it was a very interesting theory. What do you think?

Words = Life

Here's a simple poem that came to mind.

There was a time when words flowed through me effortlessly.
Then the bubbling well dried up.
The silence that was forced on me made me unable to string three words together.
Ideas jostled in my head, ramming against the inner walls.
Seeking but never finding that much needed release.
The feeling of being trapped at the bottom of a dry well.
Where light rays would refuse to enter.
A lost cause, as if it were, that no one was willing to adopt.
Despair and helplessness crowded together in the frame of my mind.
Not a pretty picture at all, as any one could plainly see.
Loneliness, like a single pebble trapped in a metal can, rankled.
Anything positive would fly away the minute it saw the gloom prevalent in my mind.
But cyclic is the nature of life and no matter how hard you try.
You can want to hang on to a situation with all your might, still it will turn.
In that desolate and arid landscape once again a spring burst forth.
Waters cooled the parched earth, flowers of ideas began to blossom.
Once sequestered and reclusive words flow through me again.
Words are spoken, thoughts are expressed, the circle has turned a full cycle.

Hare Rama Hare Krishna

My parents were with us for a few days and we decided to take the opportunity to do a few excursions into neighbouring towns. It has been my experience that one never goes to places close by to do sightseeing till some one gives you a push. So here we were my parents, my husband my son and I all on our way to Mathura. Krishna Janam Bhoomi to be precise.

We met up with our local guide on the highway at Mac Donald's since it was the most prominent landmark we remembered from our drive to Agra from Delhi the year before. Then we proceeded to the room that they had so kindly arranged and freshened up before heading out to the temples.

The first one we went to was the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. It was reminiscent of my visits to Ayodhya. The narrow lanes that you walk through are infested with monkeys that come and grab anything that you have in your hands, usually resulting in loss of whatever sweet you had brought to offer as prasad. The curtains were closed when we reached as the "Bhog" was on and we whiled away time chit chatting before the actual darshan.

We were let into the little enclosure up close to the gods and my son was picked up from out of my arms by the priest who took him right upto the altar to do his namaskar. WHich my little kutti kannan did without protest amazing all of us given his distrust of strangers. Then we did the mandatory parikrama and hopped out of there with our garlands and prasad.

Then we went to the ISKON temple at Vrindavan which is called the Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir and houses the samadhi of the founder of ISKON. It was very clean as compared to the first one and had a predominance of white colour everywhere. Also in every corner we heard the chants of "Hare Rama Hare Krishna, rama rama, hare hare" the tune made world famous by Dev Anand. We picked up the Gita in English and a little Krishna Statue that now sits on my altar.

By the time we finished it was 12.20 and we were told that temples close down for the afternoon at that time till 4 in the evening and so we retreated to the room again for lunch and siesta. Once again we set forth for Krishna Janam Bhoomi temple. this is the prison where he was born. I found myself wondering how the guys who lived right next to the temple must feel. They could walk over everyday for darshan and must be plagued by the millions who come to pay their respects.

At the temple we got a guide from among the policemen who were guarding the shrine. He took us through the cell which he claims has not been changed since the time of Kansa, but which I seriously doubt. The masjid next door was also shown given its infamous debut some years back in the news. We saw a mechanical doll show giving us a dekho into all those mythological tales we heard as kids. Then a little tunnel walk again depicting scenes from Rama and Krishna's lives. All in all quite nice.

After this my son wanted to know if we were going home...and when told no we had to visit one more temple his direct-dil-se answer was "Kyon?" Anyway not withstanding his reluctance we headed out to the temple of Dwarkadhish. The king of Dwarka's court. We went through the entire length and breath of the old city winding our big car through small alleys and thanking the lord that the car was not ours but a fauji one.

We reached took our darshan and headed back to the car only to be waylaid by a guide who insisted on us going to the ghat of the Yamuna near by and showering us with the so called holy water. He also kept up a steady litany of what Krishana did where in that stretch of land before finally releasing us. We finished and headed back to the room only to stop near Brijwasi and pick up the famous pedas.

Then we were returning to the room to pick up our car and head back to Agra when the staff car decided to stop in the middle of the crowded road. So we shifted to the pilot gypsy and rode back much to the discomfort of the entire retinue assigned to us. They were feeling bad and we were enjoying the unexpected adventure. Eventually the car did catch up with us at the room just as we were leaving. The drive back was uneventful and this post is too long so will continue the Gwalior exploits in the next post.

Principles of Reiki

Just for today,
1. I will live in the attitude of gratitude.
2. I will not fear or worry.
3. I will not anger.
4. I will do any work honestly.
5. I will be kind to everyone and everything.

These were the principles devised by Dr Mikao Usui for not wasting the energy given by Reiki.