TIME & EMOTIONS

TIME & EMOTIONS

Time is an artifact of imagination, prompted by the experience of space/time (relativity theory of Einstein). Time is eternity, which means no time. So, no event can cause another. Cause and effect is an illusion of the mind and senses since this would include the factor of time, which is unreal.

Therefore Physical, Emotional and Spiritual issues occur at the same time. One type may be more pronounced than the others but they do occur at the same time. So dealing with emotions means dealing with the other two at the same time.

nitya gopal

Ayurveda - The Science of Life

Ayurveda - The Science of Life
Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing. Tibetan medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the classical ayurvedic medical texts dating back thousands of years.

Ayurveda is much more than a system of treating illness. Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life,Veda = science or knowledge). It offers wisdom to help people stay vital while realizing their full potential. Health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda provides guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the use of our senses.

Human beings are part of nature. Ayurveda describes 3 fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments: movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth), these primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. Each of us has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature. If Vata is dominant in our system, we tend to be thin, light, enthusiastic, energetic, and changeable. If Pitta predominates in our nature, we tend to be intense, intelligent, and goal-oriented and we have a strong appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, we tend to be easy-going, methodical, and nurturing. Although each of us has all three forces, most people have one or two elements that predominate.

For each element, there is a balanced and imbalanced state. When Vata is balanced, a person is lively and creative, but when there is too much movement in the system, a person tends to experience anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and difficulty focusing. When Pitta is functioning in a balanced manner, a person is warm, friendly, disciplined, a good leader, and a good speaker. When Pitta is out of balance, a person tends to be compulsive and irritable and may suffer from indigestion or an inflammatory condition. When Kapha is balanced, a person is sweet, supportive, and stable but when Kapha is out of balance, a person may experience sluggishness, weight gain, and sinus congestion.

An important goal of Ayurveda is to identify a person’s ideal state of balance, determine where they are out of balance, and offer interventions using diet, herbs, aromatherapy, massage treatments, yoga, music, and meditation to reestablish balance.

DISCOVERING YOURSELF!

DISCOVERING YOURSELF!

Between the banks of pain and pleasure the river of life flows. When the mind refuses to flow with life, when it gets stuck at the banks, life becomes a problem.
Flowing with life, means acceptance, letting go. Letting come what comes and go what goes. Keep moving, flowing. Allow life to carry you along. Do not desire, do not fear, do not get stuck. Simply observe the actual, as and when it happens. You are not what happens, you are only to whom it happens.
The wind of desire, the wind of pleasure and pain, stirs the mind. Then, a reflection of the real You appears in the mind. You appear restless. It is not the real You that is restless. Your reflection in the mind appears restless because your mind is restless. Just like the reflection of the moon in water stirred by the wind.
All is in the mind. Desire, pleasure, pain. The real You stands beyond the mind, aware, but unconcerned. Discover the real You. Learn how to still the mind. Learn to meditate!

nitya gopal

DEMOCRACY AND YOU!

DEMOCRACY!
Your representatives, the politicians, need lots of money to be able to persuade you electing them to power, using the media. It is a huge scale commercial and indirect media control, as a result. The cost is paid by the elite few, the ruling class. They never loose, as they can afford to buy all possibility, all parties, all politicians. They are all on their payroll. They even own or control the media. To them it makes no difference who wins an election. Needless to say that they are not after your best interests, or the country's, but theirs, at your expense!
Your choice, your vote, is not serving your interests, nor the country's, only theirs. It is influenced by advertisement, it is based on false impressions, crafted by the political parties and the politicians and projected by the media. You can have first hand experience, a direct opinion, of someone you personally know, of someone living in your neighbourhood, of someone you interact with in your everyday environment. But your vote is in effect the result of manipulation, of false projections aiming to deceive you, by using crafted opinion.
It is not that you don't know. No, this is not the issue. The issue is that you elect to play their game, you knowingly join their side, hoping to gain personally at the expense of others, your neighbour, your colleague, at the expense of the whole, the country, the majority. Even your indifference, your inertia, suits them fine. No wonder then that we are where we are. No wonder that you are where you are. Because contrary to what you may believe or think, your personal interest is inseparable from that of the whole, of the majority and the nation or country!

COMMANDING THE MOMENT TO REMAIN

One night we were sitting after dinner looking across the lake. The silence, broken only by the goat bells, the stars dimmed in the velvet of the night by the peaceful flaring of his cigar.

Suddenly he said: "Out of a life of long and varied experience, the most valuable piece of advice i could hand on to you is to know how to command the moment to remain"

Winston Churchill to his daughter Sarah

Meditation helps you command the moment to remain.

CANDIDA ALBICANS

CANDIDA ALBICANS

Candida is a common yeast present in our environment that usually does not cause any major health issues. However, if your immune system is suppressed you may have difficulty maintaining defenses against candida, which can cause serious infections. Most people with candida are better off by thinking of "accumulated toxicity" rather than infection. Due to a weak digestive or metabolic strength, the body accumulates toxins that inhibit vitality and immunity.

People with candida can follow these steps for 40 days:
1. Regular, twice-daily relaxation, contemplation, nature walks.
2. Eat a healthy, natural diet with few fats. In general, favor warm, light foods that have pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. Reduce foods having the sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
3. Take two triphala tablets twice a day and one guggulu tablet twice a day. Triphala and guggulu help strengthen digestion and release toxins.
4. Drink ginger tea several times a day to help clear toxins from the body’s channels of circulation.
5. Drink half a cup of kefir, three times a day, before your meals.
6. Avoid snacking between meals.

If after 40 days you still feel your immune system is vulnerable, there are several immune-strengthening ayurvedic herbs that you can take to replenish your body’s defense mechanisms: ashwagandha, guduchi, and amalaki. Choose organic, wild grown and certified products.

nitya gopal

ON CHOOSING A PATH

Choose to walk on a path that has a heart!

FATIGUE, LOW ENERGY?

FATIGUE, LOW ENERGY?

Ask yourself and understand what is happening in your life:
• Am I happy and enthusiastic about my job?
• Do I like and respect the people I work with? Do they like and respect me?
• How is my appetite? What am I eating?
• Am I exercising regularly?
• How is my elimination?
• How well am I sleeping at night?
• Are my most intimate relationships nourishing?
• Can I openly communicate my feelings and needs to my family and friends?

Based on your understanding and your responses to these questions, take steps to eliminate the toxins that are preventing you from experiencing the flow of vital energy and joy in your life. As you release the physical and emotional toxins, you will gradually but steadily recapture the vitality you have been missing.

nitya gopal

SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUES

SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUES

The details of individual situations vary, but everyone who feels stuck or in pain, is suffering from the same problem: Contracted awareness. With fear and constriction, every step forward feels like a battle. You keep doing more of what never worked in the first place, and as frustration mounts, you feel more and more exhausted. As Albert Einstein said, “No problem can ever be solved at the level of awareness at which it was created.”

When awareness expands, you no longer feel fearful, and love and fresh ideas have space to grow. In this state, solutions spontaneously emerge. Instead of trying to rely on the limited ego or mind, you are guided by a source within, a source of peace, clarity and wisdom. With clearer vision, you no longer feel confused. At the level of pure awareness, no problems exist. You are aligned with the infinite field of all possibilities. There is no struggle, and your desires are spontaneously fulfilled. It may seem a long time to reach pure awareness, but at every moment, pure awareness is in contact with you, sending creative impulses.

All that matters is how open you are!

nitya gopal

YOU ARE IN CONTROL!

Ask yourself, are you in control of life?
I am not suggesting that we remain passive, do nothing.
We need to take responsibility for our lives, act, make every effort, give our best self. Without action there is no interaction and therefore not many possibilities to materialize.
"We are not in control" means that having done your best, we do not insist in defining the result. This is beyond our control and the harder we try to define the result the less content we are with life!

Nitya Gopal

SEE FURTHER!

See further, see deeper, see through the eyes of the heart!

TO STAY HAPPY!

To stay happy, you need to step out of your comfort zone often, change often, exceed yourself often!

ATTACHMENT!

Attachment is when our mind thinks that anything at all, is ours, for ever.
Nothing is ours, our own life is not ours, our loved ones are not ours, our possessions are not ours. Remaining unattached means playing, enjoying the toys of life, whilst always remembering they do not belong to us.

Nicos

PLAY THE GAME!

Life is a game to be played, to be enjoyed.
When enjoying a game you don't think that you may get injured or that you may loose.
Life is a game.
Enjoy it!

Nicos

YOU ALREADY KNOW IT!

If someting is over, if it is dead, leave. Do not continue watering a dead flower.
If you feel that you have done all that is possible, given your circumstances, if you feel that you cannot love any deeper, beyond selfishness or judgment, if there is nothing left to admire, to inspire you, you are most likely watering a dead flower.
Deep inside, beyond the noise of the mind, you know it.
You don't need me to say anything else!

Nicos

FEAR!

Deep, at the core of all your issues is fear.
Faith dissolves fear!

Nicos

HYPER THYROID CONDITION

HYPER THYROID CONDITION
Ayurvedic Natural Hyper Thyroid Care

The Thyroid's major function is to produce hormones which are responsible for metabolism in the body. In Ayurveda, this is related to metabolic activity, which is responsible for all activity in the body, down to cellular level. It is how quickly or slowly transformation-energy flows throughout the body.

The thyroid gland is extremely sensitive, and easily responds to stress and stimuli. If the thyroid gland is overactive as in “hyper” thyroidism, metabolism is just too high, it takes place too fast. We see symptoms such as irritation, anger, over-anxiety, rapid heart rate, low weight, deep shallow respiration, diarrhea, heat intolerance, flushing, menstrual disturbance, fatigue and bulging of eyes. In this case, all organ functions are sped up.

For hyperthyroid activity the herb Kaishore Guggulu is helpful.

Yoga therapy for the 5th throat chakra, when practiced daily, helps to heal the thyroid gland. Beneficial asanas are shoulder stand, plough, fish, and lion poses. Cooling Shitali breath is good for hyperthyroid. Slowly chanting out loud the mantra “Hum” for the throat chakra, balances thyroid function. Wearing blue colored gemstones on the throat energizes the 5th chakra. Nutritional recommendations for the thyroid would be to follow a balancing diet for pitta (hyperthyroid). Foods with natural sources of iodine are watercress, sea weeds, nori, dulse, kelp, hijike, Irish moss, spirulina, chlorella, red marine and blue green algae. Coconut oil is found to especially help in improving thyroid metabolism.

Nicos Pavlides
Ayurvedic Consultant

HYPO THYROID

HYPO THYROID
Natural Ayurvedic Thyroid Care
The Thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland in the front of the neck. It is one of the most important endocrine glands in the body. Its major function is to produce hormones which are responsible for metabolism in the body.
In Ayurveda, this is related to metabolic “strength”, which is responsible for all activity in the body, down to the cellular level. It is how quickly or slowly the life-energy flows throughout the body. The thyroid gland is extremely sensitive, and easily responds to stress and stimuli. The rate of metabolism depends on how much hormone Thyroxin is produced. When the rate of metabolism is low or weak, a person experiences “hypo”thyroidism. The slow metabolic rate may result in symptoms such as weight gain, tiredness, lethargy, cold intolerance, edema, depression, poor memory and concentration. All organ function is slowed down. The slowed metabolism may also result in symptoms of constipation, dry skin, brittle hair, muscle stiffness and hoarse voice.
Ayurveda has certain herbs that can help balance the thyroid gland. “Kanchanara Guggulu” is the most potent herbal formula for treating thyroid problems including tumors and goiters. It cleans the deep tissues. The Guggulu resin moves toxins out of the lymph system. The pungent herbs inside this formula speed up metabolic activity. Other Ayurvedic herbs like Triphala, Shilajit, Punarnava, Gokshura and Brahmi are combined to treat symptoms such as edema, swelling, constipation and depression.
Yoga therapy for the Vishuddha or fifth throat chakra helps to heal the thyroid gland. Beneficial asanas are the shoulder stand, plough, fish, and lion poses. Ujjayi Pranayama should be practiced for hypothyroid. Slowly chanting out loud the beej mantra “Hum” for the throat chakra, balances thyroid function. Wearing blue colored gemstones on the throat energizes the fifth chakra.
Nutritional recommendations for the thyroid would be to follow a balancing diet (hypothyroid). Foods with natural sources of iodine are watercress, sea weeds, nori, dulse, kelp, hijike, Irish moss, spirulina, chlorella, red marine and blue green algae. Coconut oil is found to especially help improve thyroid metabolism.

LOOKING BACK!

Looking back at our lives, we may be regretting for doing or not doing certain things, for behaving or reacting in a certain way instead of another. We seem to ignore that answers depend on where we stand and observe.
When regretting a past action or reaction of ours, the most likely answer (in retrospection) will be "i should have tried harder". But life only exists in the present moment. The rest is theoretical, it only exists in our heads!
If you feel that you are doomed to live in doubt, it is only because the past lives in your head, although it does affect your present.
Having tried our best under the given circumstances, we need to surrender our effort and allow life to take its course. We are unable to control life. If we think we can, or we will, our ego is deceiving us. What comes is always what we need. It arrives when we are ready. It may not be exactly what we think we want but it is what we need. Life is about learning how to grow, how to be loving, compassionate, human. Our experiences, our encounters on the travel are our "teachers". Nothing is ours and nothing lasts for ever.

Nicos

THE CRAFT OF CREATION

BELIEFS & CREATION!

"Beliefs have their own logic and evidence. Each belief has its relative truth and perspective. For example, if someone poor thinks it is rightful to steal from the rich because the rich exploit the poor, they are likely to become a thief and even feel good about it. They have actually created all the reasons to think this way.

So we are only able to understand and create in our life what we believe is our truth. We see what we believe, not more, not less. There is no other reality out there than the one we create inside. Things don’t just ‘happen’ to us, we also make them happen.

The deeper truth is that Life is not based on beliefs or ideas. Consciousness creates from within itself anything it wants, without limitations. In human form we are here to learn consciously the craft of creation."

ENERGY FOLLOWS THOUGHT

ENERGY FOLLOWS THOUGHT
We all contribute to the current state of unbalanced affairs, by passively participating in the generation of negativity, fear, anger, feelings of revenge, etc.
Whenever we listen to the news we may feel the urge to pass judgment. We may catch ourselves directing anger against those ‘responsible’ and take side with the innocent, out of sympathy or sense of righteousness. We may feel outraged or personally threatened.
Although it seems to be the right thing to do, the moment we are drawn to pass even the slightest judgment or take sides, we help to prepare the ground for renewed conflict. It is time to realize that our thoughts, both positive and negative are so powerful that can have great bearing on others and on society as a whole.
Energy follows thought. All the thoughts generated by thousands of people day after day have a much greater influence on events than their original causes do.

THE LAW OF THE UNIVERSE

In fact we teach that the essence, the still center, of everything is God. God is the hub of the universe. Everything has its roots in the same hub. Our egos live on the surface but if we let go of our egos and follow our roots to their source there we will find God, the source of all things. We are separated from God only by the ego, which defines itself in terms of individual personality and physical characteristics. Once we let go of this and look beyond surface form to internal substance, everything in the universe is composed of one basic substance, pure conscious, or God. God uses His own creative power to transform portions of His substance (he had to start with something and in the beginning - as there was nothing but Himself - he had to use Himself as the substance) into the various objects of this created world. So, in terms of both substance and essence, everything is God. Our job is to let go of our identification with our external forms and egos (surrender). When the ego is gone - only God remains.
This is not just the teaching of Ananda Marga. It is the teaching of every major mystic tradition - including Sufism.

There is a beautiful mystic story that illustrates this point. Once, far out on the ocean, there was a small wave. She was upset and thought to herself, "Why am I so small and other waves so big?" Then, when a particularly giant wave came rolling past her she called out to it, "Great wave, tell me, why am I so small and why are you so big?" The great wave replied, "My child, the problem is in your thinking. You are thinking, "I am a wave", I am thinking, "I am water". The small wave was small because she identified with her limited surface form, the giant wave was huge because she identified with her limitless inner substance.

This is what we do in meditation - let go of identification with the tiny surface form and focus on the universal substance of everything (including us) which is God. Where you put your focus is where you will experience. One who focuses on God in himself and in all things experiences God everywhere. His life becomes filled with God. One who sees evil in himself and in all things experiences evil everywhere. His life becomes filled with evil. As you think you become. This is the law of the universe.

Dada Krsnasevananda

LIVING CAN BE VERY EXHAUSTING!

Living becomes very exhausting when we are always negotiating and comparing.
If our projections are not satisfied, we drop back into judgement and resentment.

As we become more aware of the space within, we feel fullness.
It is awareness. Presence, living the very moment.

When we see in diversity the unity, all is well.
This is not imagination, it is not fantasy. There may be no image, no form, yet everything is in it, it is perceived in it.

Nicos

SUFFERING: LIFE BEGINS WHERE OUR COMFORT ZONE ENDS

SUFFERING: LIFE BEGINS WHERE OUR COMFORT ZONE ENDS

Why should there be suffering in life? Why can't we just go through it enjoying, without suffering? Why is there pain?
Why should it be so?

Because life, existence, is all about evolution. Look around, see the history of human evolution, see how the universe evolves, expanding. We are no exception. Life pushes us to our limits, bringing us face to face with our worse fears. Why? Because stuck in our comforts zones, we have no reason and no intention of moving forward, into unknown territory. We have no intention of facing our fears, bypassing our wants and desires, to emerge not only wiser but also more ... human, compassionate, able to love unconditionally. Besides, when is there suffering?

The real suffering is our expectations. When not fulfilled, pain arises. So drop expectations. Remain open to whatever happens. Don't have any fixed ideas and much of your suffering will disappear. Life is not about controlling, it's about being open, being present, aware, and allowing it to come.

The paradox is that life takes a new meaning, an unforgettably mellow taste, as we shift living beyond our boundaries, our mind's limits (not limitations). There, although nothing is easy, when seen through our mind's vision, everything is effortless. There the unknown, the mystery, is seen as we used to see it, or perceive it, during our very early years of innocence. Life only exists in the present moment, what happens in the next will always remain a mystery, a risk, a danger. Yet, the one living the moment does not see it that way. The risks and dangers bring each moment to life, give it thrill, colour, taste, complete meaning.

Nicos