tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11444396052782162712024-02-21T12:21:52.413-06:00Life as SadhanaThe little bits that make it tickShrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-38229175513710033352011-05-10T11:21:00.000-05:002011-05-10T11:21:53.210-05:00Back to India!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have not had time to write lately, putting all my effort into studies and teaching.<br />
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I am heading back to India until August, so all classes are on hold in Minnesota. As always, people are welcome to come visit the Ashram in Vadodara. I will probably be teaching a few workshops while I am there.....<br />
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I am looking forward to being back with my Guruji.<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful summer!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5v9lIpUgGhAND_dgIzrwodmvZyGFzRrptXIe6Ok4Jg8mNrR54h52AyCoELUdqHxr4V1qOLP-9XZwOFt9C5UeSRRozeVHVSXqWjYcEmAoLakaQAjp7jYPMinWvAwwlKkDmDQiLfTjVXwj/s1600/168773_179671605387514_100000340260571_457869_1594565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5v9lIpUgGhAND_dgIzrwodmvZyGFzRrptXIe6Ok4Jg8mNrR54h52AyCoELUdqHxr4V1qOLP-9XZwOFt9C5UeSRRozeVHVSXqWjYcEmAoLakaQAjp7jYPMinWvAwwlKkDmDQiLfTjVXwj/s320/168773_179671605387514_100000340260571_457869_1594565_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-3271304023621190792011-03-16T15:38:00.000-05:002011-03-16T15:38:09.506-05:00Basics of Hatha Yoga, Yoga Studies in Stillwater Minnesota<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Jay Shiv Shakti!<br />
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I have started a small study group/practice group that will be covering the very basics of Hatha Yoga. The program is anticipated to run from now until May when I leave for India, and to cover the foundation of creating a traditional Hatha Yoga practice. The first few weeks will cover the foundational pre-meditative asanas, basics of pranayama, and body awareness practices. This is the start of a course that could potentially continue for years and work towards the higher practices of Yoga. These lessons are appropriate for everyone, and are the basis for creating a healthy home practice. <br />
No disco music, no push-ups!<br />
Good for all, beginner or experienced!<br />
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They will be held Tuesday nights at 6:45 in a residential location in Stillwater. <br />
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For more info send me an e-mail:<br />
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shrimatasharan@yahoo.com</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-28888117796569815212011-03-01T21:28:00.003-06:002011-03-01T21:33:19.322-06:00What is Kapha? The 5 main types of Kapha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Kapha is the quality that holds us together and gives us stability. The 5 types of Kapha, or subdoshas, all have this earth and water quality to them. The job of Kapha, and the subdoshas, is to protect the body from the damage caused by Vata and Pitta. They are kledaka, avalambaka, tarpaka, bodhaka, and sleshaka. Some asanas and pranayamas work wonders in balancing out these subdoshas and helping to maintain the harmony in the physical body.<br />
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Kledaka- This subdosha has it's main home in the upper half of the stomach. It lubricates and protects against the stomach acids(Pitta) that make digestion possible. <br />
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Avalambaka- Main home is in the chest, heart and lungs. This Kapha helps to protect the respiratory system, but is also considered the store house of our sorrow. If you ever talk to someone dealing with emotional pain, they will often motion to or feel pain in the chest. This is one place where emotional damage is stored in our physical body. Many Hatha Yoga Asana and Pranayamas are directed at this particular Kapha. Backbends are particulary useful for keeping this subdosha in check, as well as certain pranayamas. This subdosha is often associated with weight gain and clinging emotions as well.<br />
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Tarpaka- Lubricates and helps to protect the brain, the mind, and the nerves. It 's main location is in the heart and the brain. Meditation helps to promote and strengthen Tapaka Kapha, creating stability in the mind.<br />
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Bodhaka- Is located in the mouth and tongue. It takes form of mucous and saliva and is necessary for our ability to taste.<br />
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Sleshaka- Is located in the joints. It protects the joints from wear and tear, lubricates them, and provides stability to movement. Traditional Yogasana is excellent for regulating this subdosha.<br />
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One thing I look at one I practice is what is happening to the Doshas. If you increase one dosha excessively, other will diminish. To much Pitta (heat) or Vata (movement) will eventually wear on Kapha Dosha. Kapha is what gives us stability, sweetness, and nurturing when in balance. And, Kapha, especially Tarpaka, is a must for any seated practice!<br />
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</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-14084311469024187932011-02-16T21:06:00.001-06:002011-03-01T17:42:34.306-06:00What are the Vayus? The Five Pranas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We have many different aspects and dimensions to our existence. We are far more than just the body and our thoughts. This was elaborated on by the Great Sages who described the five sheaths of our existence. Having a basic understanding of this will help to understand the five main types of Prana. <br />
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In order from the most subtle to the gross the sheaths go:<br />
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1. Anandamaya kosha, our spiritual body.<br />
2. Vijnanamaya kosha, the psychic body/highest wisdom body<br />
3. Pranamaya kosha, the energy body<br />
4. Manomaya kosha, the mental body<br />
5. Annamaya kosha, the physical body, or the body sustained by food.<br />
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These koshas all work together to form the whole of our existence and experience. In Hatha Yoga class, when we do Pranayamas, we are trying to work with the Pranamaya Kosha. The five main energies of this kosha are known as Pancha Vayu, or the Five Pranas. They are prana, apana, samana, udana, and vyana.<br />
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1.Prana- in refrence to Panch Vayu, refers to an energy that governs speech and respiration. It's primary home is between the throat and the diaphragm. This energy moves down and inward, the same as the breath we breathe.<br />
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2. Apana is the energy that deals with expulsion of wastes from the body and any downward moving processes. It's primary home is in the large intestine, and the lower pelvic area in general. Often in Hatha Yoga we alter the flow of this energy by forcing it to flow in the opposite way.<br />
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3. Samana is the energy that governs digestion. Think of it as the wind that stokes the fires of digestion and you will have the right idea. It help with assimilation of all things from food to memories and emotions. It's main home is around the navel center.<br />
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4. Udana is the energy of self expression and movement. It is also active with the upward and outward flow of breath during an exhale. Udana allows us to move gracefully, hold ourself erect, and express how we feel. It's main home is the region of the throat.<br />
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5. Vyana is throughout the whole body. It helps to control all the activities and bring together the other pranas to function properly. <br />
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Any more info than this on the pranas should be obtained directly from your friendly Yogacharya! I am always leery when I see "vayu flows" in magazines, I have watched people get sick numerous times from doing practices in an improper or excessive way. Instead of trying to beat a prana in submissions or do poses directed at them, try feeling them as you do each pose. What happens to Apana in an inversion? What happens with Samana when you do a long seated forward bend? What happens with Udana in ekapadasana? <br />
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The are other minor Vayus, and the number depends on what school of Hatha Yoga or Ayurveda you talk to. They control very specific things like belching, sneezing, yawns, and others.</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-42658034500026171492011-01-15T15:02:00.002-06:002011-01-15T15:03:41.689-06:00Free Hatha Yoga Classes in Minnesota<div style="text-align: center;">Return of the free class!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ37l29mpovMXcHMHmorv_p3wudXraJrhiEMGCkH9YERQcuxv6ShihO-1WlwhhhTof7VyCxPY3qjwCGHUUETx5FOH4wD1R81yKbTHeBSEa3vvQRkN7IUoT9F7CsvtHBRPdIZszpJ2a81wY/s1600/PC310018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ37l29mpovMXcHMHmorv_p3wudXraJrhiEMGCkH9YERQcuxv6ShihO-1WlwhhhTof7VyCxPY3qjwCGHUUETx5FOH4wD1R81yKbTHeBSEa3vvQRkN7IUoT9F7CsvtHBRPdIZszpJ2a81wY/s320/PC310018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Right now I am teaching a free class at MN Hindu Mandir every Saturday morning 8-9:30 a.m.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(suggested donation for the temple $5, but come no matter what!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Classes include Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Yoga Nidra, Mantra, and much more fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hindumandirmn.org/Home.aspx">Mn Hindu Mandir Website</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The free Tuesday class in Stillwater will be starting again next week and workshops are in the works...more details soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jay Shiv Shakti</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-9544553317838492112011-01-07T16:15:00.000-06:002011-01-07T16:15:14.707-06:00New Year Meditation In Gujarat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-G1kmp-ZygAryRiRdlR31CI894einnmKQamRFI6pIj9-EjvgWIveDzlOUQ33ky1bc4DOaoDkKzATEEOyI-8wTXEoZY1G4KoqKVz7Rg_D0OcE5foXAZQ0ZdT8l2qr_nZyfzJw8XAuzzWv/s1600/168316_179671322054209_100000340260571_457865_5278859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-G1kmp-ZygAryRiRdlR31CI894einnmKQamRFI6pIj9-EjvgWIveDzlOUQ33ky1bc4DOaoDkKzATEEOyI-8wTXEoZY1G4KoqKVz7Rg_D0OcE5foXAZQ0ZdT8l2qr_nZyfzJw8XAuzzWv/s400/168316_179671322054209_100000340260571_457865_5278859_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU-kbqzA9J1W8W4AtqzXJ4_Vs_D4cFw05tI8QpJLYx82_AlbCYMOthdhAD1gV2EzKJzYbrzTHXzu-9XDrBsyG27yJJUI8EyGg4RO-WgEEwGVX11w8epw6XosSpub_yrthekYeNDMo8UTD/s1600/168773_179671605387514_100000340260571_457869_1594565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU-kbqzA9J1W8W4AtqzXJ4_Vs_D4cFw05tI8QpJLYx82_AlbCYMOthdhAD1gV2EzKJzYbrzTHXzu-9XDrBsyG27yJJUI8EyGg4RO-WgEEwGVX11w8epw6XosSpub_yrthekYeNDMo8UTD/s400/168773_179671605387514_100000340260571_457869_1594565_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrinUcEz-y4eAPTc2qY889ta4ByzRuCHZshn8SgAgxyWeYn_Gk99YlCnPJVKACYlrcsfifhXjkTKkOUkVcIVH0hVZwzCNqkZZ8vOnfBw3bEUn0fHx7o1Mx42aiOiolYxjU9RU2CZk0P_h/s1600/168773_179671608720847_100000340260571_457870_7964297_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrinUcEz-y4eAPTc2qY889ta4ByzRuCHZshn8SgAgxyWeYn_Gk99YlCnPJVKACYlrcsfifhXjkTKkOUkVcIVH0hVZwzCNqkZZ8vOnfBw3bEUn0fHx7o1Mx42aiOiolYxjU9RU2CZk0P_h/s400/168773_179671608720847_100000340260571_457870_7964297_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUo-ZbD1qnA1XQxGXPoX2zFir2nk02vQvmiPDYL8NdPMOzg-_-MQz6MxT0K9UchX8wLmRNrilPf-d72_ZGk9k9x8wdrstgBTkeQkpIyRIbOdTDmYxZ1rTc5HvSylRby9wTzUMkpfOy2tuO/s1600/168773_179671612054180_100000340260571_457871_5055438_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUo-ZbD1qnA1XQxGXPoX2zFir2nk02vQvmiPDYL8NdPMOzg-_-MQz6MxT0K9UchX8wLmRNrilPf-d72_ZGk9k9x8wdrstgBTkeQkpIyRIbOdTDmYxZ1rTc5HvSylRby9wTzUMkpfOy2tuO/s400/168773_179671612054180_100000340260571_457871_5055438_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m8DWOeq_bRFIu6V4l9rtSQMO1gPmZ_wIYH1u0b357IsFZjPg7JzkZZlERYuptaTwhDN9sbZj5-275gD-Ww_B-2wO4ZN4nTFmqv52wlsID44xB-1QeSUuCOercy9VqVx1UOZnYMydJd9G/s1600/168773_179671615387513_100000340260571_457872_6465574_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m8DWOeq_bRFIu6V4l9rtSQMO1gPmZ_wIYH1u0b357IsFZjPg7JzkZZlERYuptaTwhDN9sbZj5-275gD-Ww_B-2wO4ZN4nTFmqv52wlsID44xB-1QeSUuCOercy9VqVx1UOZnYMydJd9G/s400/168773_179671615387513_100000340260571_457872_6465574_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-7236839342304388982010-12-18T10:07:00.000-06:002010-12-18T10:07:57.591-06:00Finally, on my way to India!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNnr6shS_QDvSLu6oXyk-2yDmkvPpYuTU91anfq80d9TUkLk56gFSjyFMRL6YJnS0B-pYid1aAjiOdUVpKiUBX4oR1IgrQrCWE1O_VmyeshbaQrQ4im-puqC40bEh0PgUbQrGw56O5oXD/s1600/PC180001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNnr6shS_QDvSLu6oXyk-2yDmkvPpYuTU91anfq80d9TUkLk56gFSjyFMRL6YJnS0B-pYid1aAjiOdUVpKiUBX4oR1IgrQrCWE1O_VmyeshbaQrQ4im-puqC40bEh0PgUbQrGw56O5oXD/s320/PC180001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Bag is packed, and I dug my sandals out! Here I come Guruji, Mother India, and warm weather.<br />
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Last night I had a wonderful surprise when I checked my grades. All A's this semester, even in my Physics class that pushed my Yogic equanimity to it's limits. Many thanks go to Dr.K for the early christmas present and all the Physcis fun.<br />
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Jay Shiv Shakti!<br />
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Jay Gurudev!!!!Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-54712816374456646252010-12-17T10:59:00.000-06:002010-12-17T10:59:32.219-06:00Yajnavalkya and Understanding the Atma<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Yajnavalkya, the greatest seer and sage, said: " Maitreyi, verily, I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">am going away from this house into the forest to enter another order</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">of life (Sannyasa); therefore let me divide my property between you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">and Katyayani " .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Maitreyi said: " My venerable lord, if this whole world with all its</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">wealth belongs to me, tell me truly, could I attain immortality " .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">" No, " replied Yajnavalkya, " Like the life of rich people will be your</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">life; but there is no hope of obtaining immortality by wealth " .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Maitreyi: " Of what use would be wealth to me, if I do not become</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">thereby immortal? Tell me, O venerable lord, any means of attaining</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">immortality of which thou knowest " .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Yajnavalkya replied: " Come, sit down, my beloved Maitreyi, I will</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">explain it to thee. Try to understand well what I say " .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Yajnavalkya said: " Verily, not indeed for the husband's sake the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">husband is dear, but for the sake Of the Self the husband is dear.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Verily, not indeed for the wife's sake the wife is dear, but for the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">sake of the Self the wife is dear. Verily, not indeed for the sake of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">the son the son is dear, but for the sake of the Self the son is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">dear. Verily, this immortal all-pervading Atman or Brahman is to be</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">seen, heard, reflected and meditated upon, O Maitreyi: Atma Vaare</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Drashtavyah Srotavyo Mantayo Nididhyasitavyah " .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">O Maitreyi! When there is duality, one sees the other, one smells the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">other, one tastes the other, one salutes the other, one speaks to the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">other, one touches the other, one knows the other, but when the Self</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">or Atma only is all this, how could one see the other, how could he</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">smell the other, touch the other, know the other? How could he know</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Him by whom he knows all this? That Self is to be described by " No,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">no " (Neti, Neti). Atma nor the Supreme Self is imperishable. He is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">free and unattached. He is not subject to pain or destruction. How</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">could one know the knower? Thus, O beloved Maitreyi, thou hast been</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">instructed " .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Having said this, Yajnavalkya went to the forest.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)</span>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-13566852120276451742010-12-11T16:26:00.001-06:002010-12-12T07:32:30.236-06:00Snowed InOver 12" of snow today, and the windshield is below zero....true Minnesota winter.<br />
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The weather outside is frightful, but my asana is so delightful. The more time to sit the better! I think this is the first time I have ever really appreciated a blizzard, besides when school was cancelled. <br />
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Warm thoughts to everyone stuck in the snow, I hope you make the most of it. <br />
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Jay Shiv Shakti!<br />
Jay Gurudev!Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-64301026709085147932010-12-07T12:26:00.003-06:002010-12-11T22:37:02.597-06:00The Nature of the Atman, Nature of the Self<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I had a lovely chat with my friend today after class...one of those get to know each other a little better talks. I am pretty open about sharing my past and the things that have happened to me, from all the joyous times to the heartbreaks and traumas. They are all pieces that make me who I am. So, she asked how I made it through some of the difficult trials. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Well I often find my self stumbling along this path, I always come back to my spiritual views. With the guidance of Shri Guruji, and the teaching of non-duality I have made it this far. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">One of the texts I come back to again and again is the Adhayatma Ramayana. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This is one of my faviorite parts, Sundara Kandam: Hanuman's sermon to Ravana v.15-19</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>"</b><i><b>The real 'You' or the Self has none of the miseries arising from body, intellect, and the sense, because the real 'you' is only the unperturbed and unaffected witness of all these changes. The actual involvement in these changes belongs to the body-mind complex. it is just like the experience of one sleeping. The series of dream experiences which sleep brings about, end with the dream; they are the effects of the delusive ignorance characteristic of sleep. As far as the real Self is concerned, the bodily experiences are unreal in the same way. This unpertubedness and unaffectedness is the truth in regard to the nature of your real Self. You are by nature changeless; for the Self being non-dual, there can be no cause to effect change in it. Like the all-prevading Akasa which pervades objects but is not affected by it, your real Self, though pervading the body, is not affected by the bodily experiences because of it's subtlety. All bondage arises from the sense of identification of the complex, body-mind-Prana- with the real Self. And liberation consists in experiencing: I am Pure Consciousness, I am Unbound, I am Deathless, I am Pure Bliss."</b></i></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Jay Shiv Shakti </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Aum Hum Hanumate Namaha</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Jay Gurudev!</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-58767526917233534222010-12-03T17:58:00.003-06:002010-12-04T21:01:28.902-06:00Tis' the Season to Give of Yourself!<div style="text-align: center;">One of the questions I hear most often from my students is, "How do I start to do more advanced Yoga practice?" I always smile and of course have a long list of things one can do depending on capacity. But, top of the list is the same for everybody, do at least one hour of volunteer work in your community a week. One hour of service when you expect nothing in return. This is the path of action and activity without selfish desires, <i>Nishkaama Pravrutti Marg</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jay Shiv Shakti</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jay Gurudev!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDumR2VnYksJD8kB9yLbYw8B-67B4ufkum4u9WDzaxYLjchc-SvaGJtqJB19R_AC1IMTgHXL71P6oppbiCBynkVhJlx35d-2M3-5Ug7XhJmw21tFrd6pMsVa_Cnx9QEU0-zCMNmHV7Rw4V/s1600/156200_169692249718783_100000340260571_395621_6751388_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDumR2VnYksJD8kB9yLbYw8B-67B4ufkum4u9WDzaxYLjchc-SvaGJtqJB19R_AC1IMTgHXL71P6oppbiCBynkVhJlx35d-2M3-5Ug7XhJmw21tFrd6pMsVa_Cnx9QEU0-zCMNmHV7Rw4V/s400/156200_169692249718783_100000340260571_395621_6751388_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-37919761642539530962010-11-28T16:32:00.000-06:002010-11-28T16:32:37.733-06:00Ayurveda and Hatha Yoga Workshop in Minnesota<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda Workshop</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">with Shrimata Sharan</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">December 12th</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">5:30 p.m-8:30 p.m.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AEtSxADC1IyFlp5tA_LKE0fjnFEgMsHC0f1F0HggMZmfhkki8MPrPExgaj8F5i3YlmggjMovp32GEjDgUDdlsBU6M6Mdcp1rCY6x-VrNgYOcmjl6jRIYHbyacU3k8sglfuSkLv2VtR9A/s1600/ayurveda_img.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AEtSxADC1IyFlp5tA_LKE0fjnFEgMsHC0f1F0HggMZmfhkki8MPrPExgaj8F5i3YlmggjMovp32GEjDgUDdlsBU6M6Mdcp1rCY6x-VrNgYOcmjl6jRIYHbyacU3k8sglfuSkLv2VtR9A/s1600/ayurveda_img.gif" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine and lifestyle management from India. Having a basic understanding of Ayurveda and the uniques constitution that each person has will deepen our Hatha Yoga practice. Come learn how to cultivate a practice that creates health, equanimity, and endures through the years.</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The workshop will cover:</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The basics of understanding our own unique constitution (Tri Dosha)</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The five great elements (Pancha Mahabhutas)</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The twenty attributes of matter (Gunas)</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">General guidelines for Yoga practice for each constitution</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Understanding common health issues as related to constitution</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yoga Postures to help alleviate common ailments</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cost: Sliding Scale (Suggested $25 donation)</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Location:</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: times, serif;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1290978000_0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: text;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">209 Laurel St. W. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Stillwater, MN 55082</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Rsvp with Anne:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">amartens74@yahoo.com</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Jay Shiv Shakti</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Jay Gurudev</span></div></span></span></div><div><i><br />
</i></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-19341275061775892832010-11-27T12:57:00.002-06:002011-03-01T21:34:18.949-06:00Rig Veda quote from Guruji Shri Shriyogeshvaraji<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">aya</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">ṃ</span></strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> devānāmapasāmapastamo yo jajāna rodasī viśvaśambhuvā |<br />
vi yo mame rajasī sukratūyayājarebhi skambhanebhi</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">ḥ</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">samān</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">ṛ</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ce ||</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Rig Veda, Mandal :1, Sukt:160, Verse : 04)</span></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><strong>Among the skilful Gods most skilled is he, who made the two world-halves which bring prosperity to all;<br />
Who with great wisdom measured both the regions out, and stabilised them with pillars that shall never decay. I pray to thee, O God Supreme. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Explanation : This world is functioning by many different Gods like Indra (The King Of the Heaven), Marut (The God Of Wind and Air), Varuna (The God Of Water), Agn (The God Of Fire)i, Surya (The Sun. The God Of Life On the Earth), Soma (The Moon. The God Of Plants and Herbs, natural medicines) ... they are very capable and skilful in their respective area. But the most skilful is the one who created this all world and defined it in two parts, Prithvi (Earth) and Heaven (Svarga). Both these parts are so well balanced and stable that it seems as if they are supported by pillars, but in reality they hang in cosmos without any outer support. It is a very well organized creation. It has been established with such stability and firmness that the unseen support can never be destroyed (because it is the support of the Supreme One). I pray, sing the glory of, this Supreme God (Para BrahmaN), who is the master of all Gods.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">-Guruji Shriyogeshvaraji</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">taken from <a href="http://samvad.maxforum.org/">Samvad Forum</a></span></div></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-45705404556703211572010-11-25T22:11:00.002-06:002010-11-27T12:02:44.296-06:00Ahhhh! Black Friday!As many rush out to do x-mas shopping, I will do mine sitting at home on the computer. When I think about celebrating the birth of Christ I think of the compassion he extended to all, not consumer electronics. So, instead of dumping more "stuff' into the lives of the people I love, I donate in their name to a charitable organization. While there might be a few awkward moments when you tell your loved ones that you bought a lama in their name for a family in Peru, your gift could make a huge difference in someones life. Chickens for a family in Cameron or a small business loan to a family in Bolivia, to me, pails in comparison to the latest gadget or shiny new shoes.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><div>Below are links to the two charities that I have been donating to for some time. Check them out, make a difference in someone's life, and have a great Holiday season!</div><div><br />
<div><a href="http://Kiva.org/">Kiva Micro Loans</a></div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://heifer.org/">Heifer International</a></div></div></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-44187523115671948882010-11-21T18:20:00.006-06:002010-11-25T22:16:10.755-06:00Understanding the Atman<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I have been so busy with travel, teaching, and school I have not had time to post on the blog. I did on the other hand get a chance to talk with my Guruji the past few days. At times we laugh about some of the 'yoga' being taught in the US and in India, which always leads me to ask questions about what Yoga really is. How should we view our practice? How should we look at the life we have to live? This was his answer to that last question, thought I would share because it is so beautiful:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Every life is important and special. One must know the value of Self, the value of body and mind. If you will understand this then you will understand the soul.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>-Guruji Shri Shriyogeshvaraji</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk-w_lYmodOWdLKO7t6E1RL_1BLzH4auTMXPRNMmwFgrv75q4j9cg5XMHJwz-KKhf0_pr_DPk8WBGfrj9LFyNPazlSBJ85ADwRHgxa6oHxl8aiKJeUPz6FcVF5Rnh8Vzaa6wCekBfc3Up/s1600/Shriyogeshvara01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk-w_lYmodOWdLKO7t6E1RL_1BLzH4auTMXPRNMmwFgrv75q4j9cg5XMHJwz-KKhf0_pr_DPk8WBGfrj9LFyNPazlSBJ85ADwRHgxa6oHxl8aiKJeUPz6FcVF5Rnh8Vzaa6wCekBfc3Up/s200/Shriyogeshvara01.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aum Gum Gurave Namah</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Other quotes on the nature of Yoga and Sadhana can be found in past articles:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://shrimatasharan.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-is-yoga.html">http://shrimatasharan.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-is-yoga.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://shrimatasharan.blogspot.com/2010/10/one-hell-of-dream-and-adhyatma-ramayana.html">http://shrimatasharan.blogspot.com/2010/10/one-hell-of-dream-and-adhyatma-ramayana.html</a></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-42173270244173288772010-11-18T21:48:00.001-06:002010-11-18T21:49:19.012-06:00Rasa, The Six Tastes and AyurvedaHere's part of the notes from the workshop on the six tastes......if anybody lost their copy. You can find more on 5 elements and 3 doshas in older articles under Ayurveda.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 26.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The Six Tastes and Rasa<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The word Rasa means taste. There are six distinct tastes that are composed of a combination of the elements. The six tastes are the basis of creating an Ayurvedic diet. Based on the consumption of them, doshas will either be increased or decreased in the body.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">Sweet<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The sweet taste is made up of the earth and water elements. It has the quality of being heavy, moist, cool, stable, smooth, and soft. The consumption of sweet nourishes the body and the tissues. It is a necessary taste for all types, but the sweet taste is best for Vata and Pitta individuals. It includes all carbohydrates, sugars, and fats. Most fruits and grains are considered sweet as well as milk. It is the most dominant taste in all of our forms of food as well as the water we drink. Sweet taste increases all the tissues of the body and helps to build ojas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">Sour<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The sour taste is made up of primarily fire and water. It has the qualities of being heavy, hot, moist, and stable. The consumption of sour aids in digestion and removing wastes from the bodily system. The taste is most beneficial for Vata, but very small amounts can be consumed by Pitta and Kapha. All organic acids and some fruits are considered sour, such as; lemons, limes, and strawberries. Other foods such as yogurt, pickles, and miso are also sour. It nourishes and tonifies most tissues of the body and helps to improve digestion as well as increase circulation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">Salty<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The salty taste is made up of water and fire. The two major qualities are that it is moist and warm. It hydrates the body and nourishes the rasa dhatu, plasma. The salty taste is best for people of Vata nature because it is heavy, moist, and warming; though it should be used in small quantities. This taste stimulates digestion and cleanses the bodily tissues. Besides salt as a spice, the taste is found in seaweed and other vegetables with high saline content like cucumber and tomato.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">Pungent<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The pungent taste is made up of the fire and air elements. It has the quality of hot, light, mobile, and dry. The pungent taste stimulates digestion, stimulates the appetite, and helps to maintain healthy metabolism. It is most beneficial for Kapha, used in small amounts for Vata, and sparingly for Pitta. Spices like ginger, garlic, hing, peppers, and chili peppers are examples of the pungent taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">Astringent<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The astringent taste is made up of the elements earth and air. It has the qualities of being dry and cool. The astringent taste is typically used medicinally. It is constrictive in nature, tonifying the tissues of the body and helping it to heal. Very small quantities can be used by each dosha, but Pitta and Kapha can use more than Vata. Most medicines are astringent in nature as well as most beans, cranberries, and pomegranate. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">Bitter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;">The Bitter taste is made up of the air and ether element. It has the qualities of being light, dry, cool, and mobile. The bitter taste helps to detoxify the body and cleanse the internal organs. The bitter taste is good for everyone in medicinal quantity. It exists in food like turmeric, aloe, neem leaves, lettuce, endives, and goldenseal.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;"></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 17px;"> </span></div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-insideh-themecolor: text1; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev-themecolor: text1; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 191;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Rasa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Element<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Qualities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Dosha Effect<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Agni<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Reduce/Tonify<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Sweet<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Water, Earth<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Heavy, moist, cool, stable, soft, smooth<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">V-, P-, K+<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Decrease<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Strongly tonifying<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Sour<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Fire, Earth<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Heavy, moist, hot, stable<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">V-, P+, K+<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Increase<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Tonifying<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Salty<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Water, Fire<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Hot, moist<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">V-, P+, K+<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Increase<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Mild tonifying<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Pungent<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Fire, Earth<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Light, hot, dry, mobile, hard<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">V+, P+, K-<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Increase<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Reduces, except rakta dhatu<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Astringent<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Earth, Air<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Cool, dry, stable, hard<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">V+, P-, K-<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Decrease<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Tonifying, except rasa dhatu<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Bitter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Air, Ether<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Light, cool, mobile,dry<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">V+, P-, K-<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Decrease<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.1in;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Strongly reducing, especially rakta<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times; font-size: 13pt;">Table 81, from Principles of Ayurvedic Medicine, vol. 2, Dr. Halpern<o:p></o:p></span></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-62710961363849062092010-11-15T15:49:00.001-06:002010-11-18T21:49:54.429-06:00Sunshine and FriendsMany thanks go out to my friends Julie and Barbara, they put the whole trip to Cali together.<br />
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It was so great to spend time with everybody and enjoy the sunshine!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KQTN14jzLH0qvCExJ1dxGMFnD61BJyFFYoS7CNV-xwI6QAqdDioB4YCEvCUP5RbFTZyxjd8tlyF52-EVQkUrNUxmqcQEyz9AzNLQm21kOkUDoz15Owk4fr4sR4iYxE9Ad8l_1ydLdLUn/s1600/PB110001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KQTN14jzLH0qvCExJ1dxGMFnD61BJyFFYoS7CNV-xwI6QAqdDioB4YCEvCUP5RbFTZyxjd8tlyF52-EVQkUrNUxmqcQEyz9AzNLQm21kOkUDoz15Owk4fr4sR4iYxE9Ad8l_1ydLdLUn/s320/PB110001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-24112358939427554242010-11-13T19:00:00.001-06:002010-11-18T21:50:03.995-06:00California Love!~<div style="text-align: center;">Many thanks to all the wonderful people who came out today for the workshop!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anytime, really-Just let me know when you want me back, and I 'll be here!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got nothin' but love for all the new and old friends that I had the chance to share sadhana with today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Aum Hrim Namaha</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jaya Shiv Shakti</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_379440671"></span><span id="goog_379440672"></span></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-17830196343660381942010-11-10T16:33:00.002-06:002010-11-10T16:34:04.153-06:00I'm goin' back-back to cali-caliI'll be back tomorrow! Come for morning session, afternoon, or both! Jay Shiv Shakti!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1722; font-family: Optima, Skia, Futura, 'Lucida Grande', LucidaGrande, Lucida, 'Lucida Sans', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 21px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="blocks_image" class="imageStyle" height="640" src="http://www.en-er-gy.com/yoga_workshop_with_Shrimata_Sharan_files/blocks_image_2_1.png" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="487" /></span></div><div></div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-85231371585964219962010-11-08T21:33:00.001-06:002010-11-08T22:25:20.754-06:00Shambavi Mudra, Why Do We Gaze at the Eyebrow Center?After teaching at the mandir last week a student came up and asked, "Why do we gaze at the space in between the eyebrows when we chant Aum and during certain asana?" So, I defer to the great Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Chapter 4 verses 36-38.<br />
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<i>With internalized (one-pointed) awareness and external gaze unblinking, that verily is Shambhavi mudra, preserved in the Vedas.(36)</i><br />
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<i>If the yogi remains with the chitta and prana absorbed in the internal gaze motionless, though looking, he is not seeing, it is indeed shambhavi mudra. When it is given by the guru's blessing, the state of shoonyashoonya arises. That is the real state of Shiva (consciousness).(37)</i><br />
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<i>Shambhavi and kechari states, though there is a difference in the place of concentration or influence, both bring about ecstasy, absorption in void, in the experience of chit shukha or the pleasure of consciousness.(38)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhwds0GZ4OhaKiY13H5gbR75uFtWu2OX9TYgKqWBVs-BSggVGAxB6UDYan2oJcxoNQVFBB8Ug4STd3H5ZdGRs0bw12-2ianqWBUpVKE751ajbeAY5Vgx13UYWuynHp4-4lSh0be4-B3Xp/s1600/nick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhwds0GZ4OhaKiY13H5gbR75uFtWu2OX9TYgKqWBVs-BSggVGAxB6UDYan2oJcxoNQVFBB8Ug4STd3H5ZdGRs0bw12-2ianqWBUpVKE751ajbeAY5Vgx13UYWuynHp4-4lSh0be4-B3Xp/s320/nick2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Regular practice of Shambhavi is reputed to strengthen and stop the degeneration of the pineal gland, and because of this it is recommended for children eight onward to help with emotional development (under competent guidance of course). When practiced, the calming effect is evident as it help to relieve mental strain and emotional stress. It develops concentration and when taught by your Guruji, as said in the quote, can lead to the state of Shiva.<br />
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In Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha it says:<br />
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<i>Shambhavi is the wife or consort of Shambhu and both are aspects of Shakti and Lord Shiva. According to the tradition, Shambhu taught Shambhavi the practice of shambhavi mudra as a means of attaining higher awareness. It is said that practicing this mudra will stir Shambhu and make him appear, meaning that it will induce higher states of consciousness within the practitioner. The practice is also known as bhrumadhya drishti; bhru means 'eyebrow center' and drishti means 'gazing', hence this is the practice of eyebrow center gazing.</i><br />
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Jay Shiv ShaktiShrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-3410706016804011472010-11-06T10:23:00.001-05:002010-11-08T21:07:45.684-06:00Sri Lakshmi Puja<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EVE11izVZjt9IbkEUU_YUfm2_cqK2yy45oKjSHkNG1mFA8B3mGMAFC4DqwvW7yI_v-eePLjye_S3xFoKZn0JKGNX5QYbBR4B8dEdWcQ_hmMBMfOwGwYNHFSvA_jTuyVqc0vgNGn9l548/s1600/04Lakshmi400X600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EVE11izVZjt9IbkEUU_YUfm2_cqK2yy45oKjSHkNG1mFA8B3mGMAFC4DqwvW7yI_v-eePLjye_S3xFoKZn0JKGNX5QYbBR4B8dEdWcQ_hmMBMfOwGwYNHFSvA_jTuyVqc0vgNGn9l548/s1600/04Lakshmi400X600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Once, the Devas and Asuras churned the Ocean of Milk in search of obtaining Amrita, the nectar of immortality. Many divine and celestial objects emerged as well as the Goddess Lakshmi. This form of Lakshmi, this is a picture of the murti at MN Hindu Mandir, is from Southern India known as Perundevi. It was made after the image of the deity at Lord Varadaraja Temple located in Kanchi, Tamil Nadu, India.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mahalakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. She is the Goddess of generosity and prosperity, and the Goddess who help devotees obtain their spiritual goals.</i></div><br />
Last night the temple was overflowing with thousands of devotees. I talked to people from all over the country... People visiting from India, some from Kanchi where the image of the deity comes from, locals from Minnesota, many people who traveled from chicago, from milwaukee, and many others who I did not have the chance to meet. Everyone was so very happy to be there on Diwali. I sat with a hundred other devotees who sponsored the Laksmhmi Puja in the main hall as crowds moved through out the temple. The sound of Sanskrit echoing through the temple as priests did puja to Mahalakshmi, Bhagavan Shiviji, and Shri Ganeshaji.<br />
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I just closed my eyes, and felt the vibration of the Sanskrit flow over me, the smell of incense and the sounds of bells ringing....it was all most like being back in India again.<br />
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As I left late last night, parents were still in the parking lot lighting of fireworks with their children, everyone was smiling, laughing, and wishing each other a Happy Diwali!<br />
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Jay MaaShrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-24648722812436634232010-11-05T11:35:00.001-05:002010-11-05T11:36:26.482-05:00Inner Illumination and DiwaliI'm heading out to MN Hindu Mandir, where I teach Hatha Yoga a few times a month, for the Diwali celebrations tonight! Always a joyus time to visit the Mandir, you can find more info about the Mandir at: <a href="http://www.hindumandirmn.org/Home.aspx">http://www.hindumandirmn.org/Home.aspx</a><br />
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I also stumbled on this amazing writtting from Swami Sivananda. You can find it at : <a href="http://www.dlshq.org/religions/deepavali.htm" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288974506_4"><span style="color: #366388;">http://www.dlshq.org/religions/deepavali.htm</span></span></a><br />
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DEEPAVALI<br />
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Sri Swami Sivananda<br />
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DEEPAVALI or Diwali means "a row of lights". It falls on the last two days of the dark half of Kartik (October-November). For some it is a three-day festival. It commences with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed the next day by the Narak Chaudas, the 14th day, and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day.<br />
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There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.<br />
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In South India people take an oil bath in the morning and wear new clothes. They partake of sweetmeats. They light fireworks which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day. They greet one another, asking, "Have you had your Ganges bath?" which actually refers to the oil bath that morning as it is regarded as purifying as a bath in the holy Ganges.<br />
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Everyone forgets and forgives the wrongs done by others. There is an air of freedom, festivity and friendliness everywhere. This festival brings about unity. It instils charity in the hearts of people. Everyone buys new clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees.<br />
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Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta (at 4a.m.) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement. It is on Deepavali that everyone wakes up early in the morning. The sages who instituted this custom must have cherished the hope that their descendents would realise its benefits and make it a regular habit in their lives.<br />
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In a happy mood of great rejoicing village folk move about freely, mixing with one another without any reserve, all enmity being forgotten. People embrace one another with love. Deepavali is a great unifying force. Those with keen inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voice of the sages, "O Children of God! unite, and love all". The vibrations produced by the greetings of love which fill the atmosphere are powerful enough to bring about a change of heart in every man and woman in the world. Alas! That heart has considerably hardened, and only a continuous celebration of Deepavali in our homes can rekindle in us the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path of hatred.<br />
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On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. The homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthern oil-lamps. The best and finest illuminations are to be seen in Bombay and Amritsar. The famous Golden Temple at Amritsar is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps placed all over the steps of the big tank. Vaishnavites celebrate the Govardhan Puja and feed the poor on a large scale.<br />
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O Ram! The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul.<br />
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He who Himself sees all but whom no one beholds, who illumines the intellect, the sun, the moon and the stars and the whole universe but whom they cannot illumine, He indeed is Brahman, He is the inner Self. Celebrate the real Deepavali by living in Brahman, and enjoy the eternal bliss of the soul.<br />
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The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightnings shine and much less fire. All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in this light of lights and enjoy the supreme Deepavali.<br />
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Many Deepavali festivals have come and gone. Yet the hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the new moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance. O man! wake up from the slumber of ignorance. Realise the constant and eternal light of the Soul which neither rises nor sets, through meditation and deep enquiry.<br />
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May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! May you all attain the inexhaustible spiritual wealth of the Self! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as spiritual planes!<br />
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</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-27940999475522309522010-11-04T21:10:00.002-05:002010-11-05T11:24:27.441-05:00Happy Diwali!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKdnvaq1K4KHTxUa368HqvfkJFRk3c2_SRnk5VvtWjlfC2bkA4kjw6JoVm-eq8j2Ys9q_e2gfI-5Jskiom31jh1hoavIe9BIAMryNzP_XUpzI3lJuncqyDH_5tXEnlH2SV51dlc78iYoa/s1600/Happy+diwali+wallpaper+ganesh+ji+laxmi+mata+photo+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKdnvaq1K4KHTxUa368HqvfkJFRk3c2_SRnk5VvtWjlfC2bkA4kjw6JoVm-eq8j2Ys9q_e2gfI-5Jskiom31jh1hoavIe9BIAMryNzP_XUpzI3lJuncqyDH_5tXEnlH2SV51dlc78iYoa/s400/Happy+diwali+wallpaper+ganesh+ji+laxmi+mata+photo+pic.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Wishing you all a very happy Diwali!Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-27258023317049009302010-11-02T16:54:00.002-05:002010-11-05T08:37:39.399-05:00The Mother GoddessAfter mentioning Chandi Maa, and carving her into a pumpkin with the greatest of respect, people asked who is Chandi? While I don't claim to know how to explain the Goddess, I thought of a few verses that always make me smile and reflect some of the qualities of the Great Goddess.....from the Ratri Suktam in Chandi Path<br />
v.4-8<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>tvayai taddharayate visvam tvayi tat srjyate jagat</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>tvyaitat palyate devi tvamatsyante ca sarvad</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>visrstau srsti rupa tvam sthiti rupa ca palane</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>tatha samhrti rupante jagato sya jaganmaye</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>mahavidya mahamaya mahameda mahasmrtih</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>mahamoha ca bhavati mahadevi mahasuri</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>praktistvam ca sarvasya guna traya vibhavani</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>kalaratri maharatrir moharatrischa daruna</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>tvam sris tvam isvari tvam hris tvam buddhir bodhalakshana</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>lajja pustis tatha tustis tvam santih ksantireva ca</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The universe is sustained by you, and the perceivable world is created by you. You protect what you create, Oh Divine Goddess, and you are the end for all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As the creator, you are the form of the creation, and as the form of circumstance, you are it's maintenance. Then at the conclusion as the form of dissolution of perceivable existence, you are the All-Mighty Measurement of Being.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Great Knowledge, The Great Measurement, The Great Intellect, The Great Recollection; the Great Ignorance too, and your Ladyship, the Great Goddess and Great Source of Strength.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are Nature, and the three qualities that you manifest in all: The night of Time, The Great Night, and the Night of Ignorance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are Prosperity, you are the Consciousness of All. You are Humility, you are the Intellect, and the goal of all Knowledge; modesty, increase, then complete satisfaction. you are the Peace and Patient Forgiveness.</div><br />
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Om Namaschandikayai<br />
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Jay Shiv ShaktiShrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1144439605278216271.post-89213850675707127252010-11-01T16:10:00.000-05:002010-11-01T16:10:26.292-05:00Halloween<div style="text-align: center;">I'm not much for the costumes, but I do love carving Pumpkins!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This year I did Chandi Maa, the great Goddess who tears apart thoughts</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and tears apart the demons of our ego!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Aum Namaschandikayai!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Shrimata Sharanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05185122331157808824noreply@blogger.com2