Changing and growing

Here we are again at the end of another wonderful and busy year.

This year I have met many more people who are searching for a Meditation practise. It's a good sign that the collective consciousness is being raised and as we know it only takes one person to make changes to see the ripple effect this has on everything around us.
 
From a long time Meditators point of view, a daily practise is the single most important thing to do specially at this busy time of year.  It is a fact that when we Meditate twice daily we gain maximum release of stress, tension and fatigue, life flows and becomes frictionless.

Life is good when we are in touch with our inner Being and with Nature simultaneously –from the Absolute (our inner most quiet place) to Relativity –(life in Action.)  Sanskrit wording “Yogatha Karoon Kamani” – Estabilished in Being perform Action.  
 
I will leave you this year with some words of wisdom from our Guru Thom Knoles (Maharishi Vyasananda Saraswati)

• The world is for us as we can be for it.
  
  •Your own state of consciousness is all you know; to change the world, change your own state of consciousness. You cannot stop a collective from behaving in accordance with its state of consciousness. You, too, behave only in accordance with your own state of consciousness. 
  
  •Your suffering is the result of your inaccurate expectations; it is not the responsibility of another. 
  
  •Nothing new happened that did not exist already; it is a shame to be surprised when a walnut tree produces walnuts. Act accordingly.
  
  •”Leaders” are the mirror of the average state of collective consciousness; “leaders” are led by, and constrained by, a collective alone (there is no “leader” without enthusiastic followers). 
  
  •Raise the average; be personally exemplary of a higher consciousness state; until, personally, you lift the average, the collective behaves simply predictably. Don’t expect “leaders” to lift a collective; that is grass-roots activity, it is your activity. 
   

Until next time, I encourage you to be the change that you want to see in the world.
 
I wish you all a very Blessed and Happy Christmas, be safe and enjoy all you do.       
Love & Jai Guru Deva
Liz

PLEASE READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW

• INTRODUCING A NEW VENUE AT ENGADINE OPENING MONDAY 9th JANUARY 2017 – Come along and build this group with me. Meditation is for everyone and you are very welcome, whether you already have a practise or it's your first time. Bring your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.  It’s a small space but will be cosy. 

The group will run every Monday morning starting at 9.30-10.30am with an Introduction to Vedic Meditation, followed by Open Group Meditation at 10.30am.  
Address:  Upstairs above Engadine Family Medical Practice - No. 3, Suite 4 Station St Engadine, (cnr. of Station St and Princes Highway, Council parking available beside the building.)  

• ALSO AT ENGADINE -Every Monday night at my home free Introduction to Vedic Meditation for everyone @ 6pm and at 7pm Group Meditation for all Vedic Meditators.  Address 15 Goondah Rd Engadine (come down driveway at end of cul-de-sac to the last house, plenty of parking space.)
•  
• GYMEA – Every Wednesday night -Open Group Meditation at 7pm and 8-9pm Introduction to Vedic Meditation.  Address: Athena’s Gymea Wellness Centre 12 Dwyer St Gymea.  Everyone welcome.

STORIES FROM INDIA

 
Once again it was an amazing experience to be in India and to be with a great group of Meditators from all over the world and my Meditation Teacher Tim Brown.

Stories from India -The Sunsets over the Ganges River and Himalayan Mountains are beautiful and breathtakingly powerful.  Every day the city of Rishkesh came alive with the sounds of celebrations in the distance and where people from all walks of life come to experience this amazing city with it's rich history and heritage from ancient times. 

Wandering the streets and alleyways of Rishikesh is always exciting - meeting the little kids on the riverbanks, swimming in the Ganges, ducking and weaving in and out of the crowds of people and the cows that meandered freely amongst us.

Some highlights were visiting Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram– even after many years of being in ruins and an empty shell it is still so peaceful and beautiful to be there. Then the Sunrise at the Kunjapuri Temple high up in the Mountains with the backdrop of the Snow Capped Himalayas peaking through in the distance.

On our last day we took the plunge to go White Water Rafting down the Ganges River. Now that was a sight to behold!!  It was the first time rafting for most of us and what an experience it was. There was no fear attached we just went with the flow of the river. It was so peaceful and so quiet with the rugged mountains on either side, then whoosh down the rapids, sideways and every which way throwing us all in the air. It was exhilarating and so much fun.

The River Rafting has another meaning attached for me. It reminded me of what it is like being thrown into the rapids of life, shaking up the flow of our fast-moving lives and turning us upside-down. How do we handle life at those times? Often there is no time to think, all we can do is hold on and go with the flow to see where life takes us.   Taking the leap forward to go on the ride into the unknown can be the best decision you ever make.  It feels fantastic!

INSIDE THE MEDITATORS TOOL KIT

Living in today’s busy world we need to have a variety of tools in our kit to survive.  The number one tool for Meditators is twice daily Meditation. Diving inward first then taking the benefits out into action.

From our Meditation comes greater Adaptability – How we react in any given situation is paramount and always depends on our adaptation levels.  Our reactions and our thinking patterns are a measure of how adaptable we are or not.  Do I react appropriately or do I go into fight flight mode?  
Watch this great video on How stress affects your body -http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-stress-affects-your-body-sharon-horesh-bergquist
 
My teacher Thom Knoles was recently interviewed by a Vedic Meditation Teacher and colleague from Germany Ed Vero. Listen to this 2 hour interview here. Cost is $11.00 AUD.
https://soundcloud.com/emvero/the-essential-introduction-to-thom-knoles-life-teachings-and-knowledge-for-a-daily-life
 
One of the topics Thom talked about was “Being at the top of your game” meaning to adapt in any given situation.  If we are too rigid in our relationships with families and friends or take life too seriously or rely heavily on our social activities then we are missing the flow of Nature and the opportunity to grow and live life to the fullest.  Dependence on others is not where happiness comes from.  It's up to us to make ourselves happy. 

Thom calls the opposite to Rigidity - “Nimbleness.” Nimbleness definition- quick and light in movement; moving with ease; agile; active; rapid: nimble feet.  And to add childlike pleasures into your tool kit -don’t take life too serious.   Have fun and laugh!! 
    
Being at the top of our games also means that we have the Bliss chemicals printing out from the body.  We become intellectual, creative and clearer thinkers. We feel healthy, happy and more awake to listen to Natures cues. In the flow of life our foundations are strong. As Thich Nhat Hanh says "Mountain Solid."
 
Last week I gave the Meditators an exercise-
Using your senses (To see, hear, touch, taste and smell) What would your perfect day look like?  It can be whatever you like!   Write down your answer or just think about it.  Ask your friends and family to do the same then talk about it.  It’s a great exercise because the mind always wants to go in the direction of greater happiness.  When negativity and low grade thinking are removed the mind has the capacity to come to its senses ready to be in the Now where everything lies. 
Enjoy the experience!!

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

So much wisdom from Thom Knoles (Maharishi Vyasanand) over the past few weeks. The words that resonated with many of us - “Get yourself into that chair to Meditate, it’s the single most important thing that you will do each day.”

Why is daily Meditation so important? Because the world urgently need us to take responsibility for ourselves.  Many of you have heard me say “You are the most important person in this world that you will ever know.”

Taking responsibility for ourselves every day makes us more in tune with what Nature is calling us to do.  Self-Referral first then I can be of service to everyone and everything around me.  My personal space in this world is my responsibility.   It’s up to me to create a better environment, happier relationships and improve my health and wellbeing.  Always begin with Self first.

Challenges become opportunities, old anxieties change to courage and calmness. Negative thought patterns change to adaptability with positive outcomes and a right doing approach.  Creativity, Fearlessness, Love and shared experiences become the norm. 

Twenty minutes, is not a long time.  We sit comfortably, close the eyes to go within surrendering effortlessly to the process of de-exciting the body and going beyond to the source of all thoughts to the subtlest part of our thinking arriving at Pure Consciousness, our Being.  We go within with our special sound to purify and release stress, tension and fatigue, then we're ready for Action.

Vedic Meditators know the benefits that come from a daily practice so if you have fallen off the wagon and need support to start again please call me or come to Group Meditation or see me privately for a refresher.  Locations at – Engadine, Gymea, Caringbah, Sutherland & Cronulla at day or evening times for Group Meditation and Introduction to Vedic Meditation talks.  These meetings are free of charge and obligation, sometimes there is a charge for room hire and a donation would be greatly appreciated.  Love to see you again soon.

The website below offers some interesting information on the latest research and reasons why Meditation makes us feel so different.  

7 Ways that Meditation can actually change the Brain 

THOM KNOLES ON DRUGS

This month my teacher Thom Knoles (Maharishi Vyasananda Saraswati) is here in Sydney for just two weeks.  Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Thom, to hear the wisdom and knowledge from the world's foremost Vedic Master. You won’t regret it.  This event is open to everyone.

See below more information and links to Thom's upcoming events. 

This month I have linked the WelcomeEarthTV.  Watch Thom's talk on Drugs parts 1 & 2.   
Go to WelcomeEarth TV to watch more videos.    

The talks that Thom gives on Drugs is from Vedic and Scientific knowledge of the changes that occur inside the Brain from Drug Addiction.  He explains what happens to the Neuropathways and why drugs are so addictive.   There is also a very good talk by Thom on Living and Dying.

Meditation is an amazing healing tool for all areas of life including Addiction. I encourage everyone to continue your daily Meditation practice.  Refer your friends and family members to come and hear what Vedic Meditation works. Bring them along to an Introduction talk held either privately or in a group setting.  

If you wish to discuss or ask questions regarding Thom’s talks or wish to make a booking for Mentoring session, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0425 392 630.   

OPENNESS

Nature is waiting to reveal all of creation to us but first we have to be Open, Awake and Present.  

What happens when we listen to Nature is we have new ideas and thoughts, synchronicity happens, invitations come and new opportunities arise.  Sometimes it’s scary but it can be exciting and curious at the same time. The more we say YES, we are communicating to Nature that we’re willing to give it a try.  Trusting that you will be directed to what and where you need to be. 

We are all at different stages and cycles of life and if we find we’re in a repetitive cycle of old patterns of thinking (which are sometimes necessary for our learning stages) then the way to gauge this is to ask these questions –

* How much am I suffering because of this type of thinking? 
* What are the stories about that I keep going over in my head? 
* Do I over thinking things too much?
* What can I say next time?
* Who can I blame etc? 
 
We get caught up in these thoughts which takes us out of the Present Moment and we become clogged up with Speculation which equals Suffering.

Our Dharma (our life’s purpose) is to keep practicing to be Present, Open and Awake.  By looking for the signals that Nature is giving us our life purpose becomes clearer and we become willing to stay and play rather than fight or flight.

Neural Pathways and Cells in the body

Changing our thinking and repeating the new habits and behaviours will allow the new neural pathways to be created in the brain.  Old patterns will remain for a while but new patterns will emerge.  The cells in the body send new messages to the brain and the body starts to print out our new thinking through our senses.   Little by little old behaviour patterns start to unravel and change occurs.  New and progressive thoughts pop up giving room to create and pursue our full potential along with new opportunities and possibilities that life offers us.   

Being open takes courage, it means trusting yourself and listening to your higher SELF, the part of you that is the informant of your life’s purpose, it is the truth and knowledge of who you really are.  We come closer to that Inner SELF by practising Vedic meditation twice each day for 20 minutes.   

I invite you to spend time with me to refresh your Vedic Meditation practice free of charge or if you want to learn Vedic Meditation attend a free Introduction Talk.  Once you've attended the Introduction talk you are eligible for the Beginners 6 session Vedic Meditation Course of Instruction.  

See me privately for Mentoring or come to a free Group Meditation -  there are two groups that run weekly at Engadine (for Vedic Meditators) and Gymea (Open to everyone) both at 7pm also Sunrise Meditation and our new monthly Women’s Chakra Meditation group for Vedic Meditators.

A SIMPLE PRACTICE FOR PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS NEED TO FEEL IN CONTROL.

Written & with permission from Vedic Meditation Teacher James Brown May 2016    

A Simple practice for people who always need to feel in control.        

No one in the world is less in control than a baby. They can’t talk, walk, or feed themselves. And yet babies are      the happiest people on the planet. They laugh more than 300 times a day. Compare that to the average adult,   trying to keep it all together, to stay in control, who laughs less than 20 times a day.

So why do we adults enjoy life so much less than babies? Because we spend so much of our energy trying to    control life, to make it conform to our expectations. And whenever we feel that things are spinning out of control, we think the answer is to clamp down tighter, to work harder, to try to keep it together. It’s hard to laugh and be happy when you’re hanging on for dear life.

Research from Johns Hopkins found similar brain-wave patterns in infants, jazz musicians while improvising, and meditators. This way of using the brain allows us to cultivate a state that is all about being open and available to    the flow of ideas and creativity, to be present and enjoy all the richness of life that is to be found there.

This is the gift of a daily meditation practice. Of having a technique that gives us permission to let go. To let go of  our idea about what any given meditation session might be like. Will we go deep? Will we release some stress       and have a bunch of thoughts? It’s not our job to worry about it. Our job is to sit, close our eyes, and trust in the   process that’s unfolding. We think our mantra effortlessly and take it as it comes.

And when we begin to heed this lesson in our practice, it becomes a little easier to apply outside of meditation. Which is good because the best life has to offer does not come as a result of our attempts to control it. The best relationships, whether they are with a lover, a child, or a friend, are not those in which we are controlling what    that person does or thinks. The best travel experiences come from those happy accidents—the missed train, the closed hotel—that we allow ourselves to embrace and flow with. The best music and art come from being open    and available to allow creativity to move through us. The best athletic performances come when we’re “in the zone,” not when we’re holding on too tightly, not when we’re overthinking things.

So, in closing, I offer this simple addendum to Bobby McFerrin’s advice: 1) Meditate. 2) Don’t worry. 3) Be happy.

GROWING SEEDS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

As Meditators we have a unique gift with our Meditation practice that allows us to go deep within to reach the real core of who we are.

When we raise our Consciousness the flow of life becomes seamless.  Nature loves to put on a "show" for us but in our busy lives when our Consciousness is low we may miss the "show".

Here are a few questions to ask yourself -
How I am feeling right now? What am I thinking about? What will it take to raise my awareness of “self”? What is it that I’m ignoring that prevents me from being present? Am I missing the cues that Nature is offering me.

Here are some daily practices to incorporate to raise your state of Consciousness.

• Ayurvedic Lifestyle & Daily Routine - recommended by Ayurvedic practitioner Raman Das Mahatyagi website www.yatan-ayur.com.au

Ideally get up by 6am, to take advantage of the end of the Vata period (2am to 6am).  The energy at this time of day is light and fresh. If you wake up too far into the Kapha period (6am to 10am) everyday, you will feel duller and more sluggish throughout the day.
 
Ayurveda Morning routine:

1. Go to the toilet.
2. Before eating or drinking anything – brush the teeth and rinse your mouth to remove the toxins that have built up in the mouth during the night. 
3. Scrape the tongue to remove toxic residue that has been produced by the digestive system during the night. 
4. Drink 1/2/3 glass of filtered water (luke warm/ hot), limewater/ gingerwater/ honeywater(not hot).
5. If you usually take any form of exercise, for example yoga/running/walking, or pranayama and or meditation it should be done now.
6. Take a shower.  Do not use too much hot water.  After taking a shower you should comb your hair and rub an oil into your face and body. 
7. Eat breakfast.

Continue to ........

• Live in the present moment (listen to Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now)
• be of service in the community (what you give you receive back in abundance)
• let go of old negative habits (remember the 3 R’s Recongnise, Realise, Respond)
• be self-referral (come back to the self before blaming everything/everybody else around you)
• raise my awareness of others by putting myself in their shoes – “What’s it like to be you?”
• surrendering my preferences in my relationships gracefully and without resentment
• giving to others what I want to give to myself i.e. if I want affection then give affection, if I want attention then give others my attention. Whatever I want for myself -give it -then you will get it.
• no expectations, no judgment, no sarcasm, no negativity
• give freely and without keeping score

Everything is conceived, structured and perceived in our consciousness. Remember what I put my attention on grows so be mindful of what you are attracting into your life.  One of my favourite sayings is “As we think so shall we be”. 
 
This year I will follow Nature’s directions and pay more attention to the world around me.  I will ask what I can give rather than what I might take.

Until next time......

Lost in Morton National Park NSW

Have you ever been lost in a National Park? Really lost? I have- here is my story of Natures guiding powers.

I was with a group of people after a meditation retreat.  At the end of our retreat my Meditation Teacher Tim took us to the Morton National Park at Bundanoon. Tim had done this walk many times before, he felt confident that this particular track was going to be perfect for us after our 3 days in deep meditation.

The walk was about 4 kilometres round trip it was a medium grade trek, not too many steep inclines and plenty of bush and wonderful views of the Park. 

For me the terrain was quite steep in parts and some of the rocky areas were a challenge.  The views were spectacular and the bush flowers were in bloom.  We stopped a number of times to take in our surroundings; Nature was putting on an amazing display for us that day. 

After one hour of walking we came to the end of the track.  On our return journey we were given the choice of going back the same way or to walk along the gravel road which would take us back to where we started.  Myself and another Meditator decided we would walk back along the gravel road together.

We walked and talked, getting to know each other, engrossed in our conversations, not paying attention and didn’t realise we had missed the turn to take us back to our meeting point.

An hour went by, we thought we were still on the right track but after another long period we knew something was very wrong.  Nothing was familiar and by this time it had started to rain and not a good idea to turn back. There were other tracks to take but these were unfamiliar.  We decided to keep going in the hope of finding our group or to come across other people or a Ranger. The rain was torrential; the only things we had was water and the cloths we stood in.

Anxiety began to creep in, however there was a sense of calmness inside from our meditation retreat.      

Something (Intuition) kept telling me to stay on the gravel road.  A long time passed again and still we had no idea if we were going deeper into the Park or where we were. Every time we came to another bend in the road we were hopeful of seeing something familiar but there was nothing.  

Then suddenly we saw in the distance a hut with a shelter over it. The relief of being out of the rain and somewhere safe was incredible. What we had done was walked back to the entrance of the Park. We were safe and extremely relived. To our delight there was a map of the park showing where we were and where we had come from.  We had walked about 10 kilometres and walked ourselves out of the park.

With no mobile phone or way of telling Tim or our group we decided to stay there and wait for someone to come.

By this time the weather had turned really nasty.  Then we saw a car, it was Tim.  He was very relieved to see us and concerned by what had happened.  When the group realized we were not coming they had gone back into the bush searching for us and calling our names. Thankfully none of them got lost.  

We were all safe, drenched, unharmed and relieved. It had been a challenging experience for everyone. I was grateful that I had listened to my intuition to stay on the gravel road and not turned down any of the many tracks we saw. Nature had taken good care to steer us in the right direction.

What I learned from that day I have thought about often and put into practice the following valuable lessons.

* Don’t let anyone out of your sight after a 3 day Meditation Rounding retreat.

* Keep everyone together at all times, never split up especially after a deep meditation

   program.

* Take a mobile and back pack with the essentials.

* Pay attention to instructions listen carefully and read the signs along the way to ensure you’re not taking the   wrong path.  

* Keep on track and don’t get distracted, you may miss the turn in the road.

* Draw on you inner calmness and follow your intuition.

* Don’t give up, keep moving forward.  Be aware and trust that Nature will always be there to support us. 

Two years later I did another retreat with Tim and the same walk. This time Tim bought his wife along to keep an eye on us or should I say on me I think.

This time we stayed together and to my delight we took the gravel road back to the starting point. This time I was paying attention.  My senses were raised, I was aware of every turn in the road.  Tim pointed out where we had taken the wrong turn that day.  It looked so easy this time.  It was good to retrace our steps again with a different awareness.  

Reflecting back today I see how far I have come. I know for sure that my Meditation had a lot to do with the outcome of that day. I learned to listen to my Intuition and to trust it because that is where Nature lies inside of me.  I am more aware of all the gifts I receive every day from my Meditation practise and from Nature.  I wake each morning looking forward to the day.  

"Today I will see the beauty of Nature in my life and be grateful for all that has happened, the good parts as well as all the challenges."

Happy New Year

Dear Meditators

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let us make 2016 a year of growth, shared happiness and inspiration.

Here is a great New Year saying for you to think about... "Go for what you want, not for what you know you can get.”  It's time to think of what you want to do in 2016. Go for what you want and desire.  Instead of running away or putting obstacles in the way, embrace what you want. Ride the wave of the unknown and take a leap.

Once you have worked out what you want - see it as if it has already happened,then go for it because you know you can. Be Fearless, be present and Nature will support you especially when you meditate twice daily.

Here is a special treat to begin the year - a talk by my Teacher Thom Knoles who is a world famous Vedic Masters. The talk is on Listen to Life Without Fear: Cultivating Personal Invincibility - go here to listen on SoundCloud.  

Read on.........
Thousands of years ago Buddha sat under the Bohdi Tree and gained enlightnment. He took time to contemplate and meditate whilst under the tree of knowledge and wisdom. Let us be as Budda was - take time out to be alone to contemplate and become aware of the quietness that is growing inside us from our meditation practise.  We too can become enlightened when we sit quietly. 

Now while you are taking time out alone perhaps under your own tree, look around at what your senses are showing you. Look at the Sky and at Nature.  Become acquainted with the feeling of the stillness inside, where is it in your body? What does it feel like?  Our goal as Meditators is to feel the quietness on all levels of consciousness - waking, sleeping, dreaming and in meditation. This quiet place inside bring you closer to the real truth of who you really are in every moment.

Let your mind wander to see what it is you really want in your Spiritual life and in your Relative life.

---

Our Group Meditations and Sunrise Meditation are on again in January.  The Beyond Thinking Meditation website is having a complete overhaul and upgrade. I will let you know when it becomes live.  Any comments and thoughts about the new website would be greatly appreciated.  Please consider writing a Testimonial for the new website with “What has been your own personal experiences and journey since learning Vedic Meditation?

And finally for the Meditators who have fallen off their Meditation practice, I will be running a refresher course for you and anyone who wants to join in. Details coming soon. 

I’m looking forward to seeing your shinning faces again soon.

Until next time
Love & Jai Guru Deva
Liz