Obstacles

Daily Reflection
Obstacles. We all encounter them along our path. There are external obstacles and internal obstacles. Sometimes an external obstacle (loss of a job, move to a new place, death of a loved one) creates an internal obstacle (those thoughts and patterns that we hold on to that no longer serve us). Spend a part of today reflecting on both your external obstacles and your internal obstacles.

In your journal write down a list of your external and internal obstacles. Think about how one effects the other. Think about the relationship between the two. What is your biggest obstacle right now? How might you work more harmoniously with this obstacle? Is there a way to make it softer and less intrusive in your life? Are you ready to let it go?


Swami K

Day 22 - Food Fasting

Today's Tarka Practice

Today I want to talk about food fasting as a way to help you learn to have more control over your mind and your body.

 

Disclaimer – before beginning any type of fast, please check with your doctor first and be aware of any types of medical conditions that may not allow you to do a traditional (water only) fast.

 

There are many ways to fast. You do not have to give up all food for the whole day or for several days. You can begin to have more control over your mind and body simply by eating less. In fact, this is the method suggested for those who have specific types of medical problems and are unable to do a traditional fast. Again, please check with your doctor first.

 

If your doctor allows it, you can then progress on to removing only one meal or one snack during your day. As you practice food fasting more and more, you can eliminate more meals slowly until you are eventually drinking only water for one day. If you can never eliminate all food for one day, this is fine. You will still learn the same spiritual lessons.

 

The spiritual benefits of food fasting are to gain more control over the body and mind and to connect more deeply with your spirit. This happens because while you are fasting the body becomes irritable and you begin to become consumed by thoughts of eating. When you start fasting, you will notice that all you can think about is food. Trying to stop these thoughts helps you gain control over your mind and body. We realize that we are not the body. The body really doesn’t need this food. We are disciplining ourselves. We are trying to break free of our bodies. We are trying to master our bodies. We become more aware of our spirit.

 

If your doctor allows it, pick one day this week and begin your fast by just eating less during the day. In your journal, record what happened during your fast. Was it easy or difficult? What came into your mind? What type of relationship do you have with food? Observe all irritations you experienced and record them in your journal.

 

When you are ready to progress, do the fast again and eliminate one snack, and then one meal and so on. Each time you fast, write about your experiences and see what you learn about yourself and your relationship to food. It might surprise you.

Day 32 - New Beginnings

Today's Tarka Practice
Yesterday was the new moon. In yoga philosophy, this symbolizes the beginnings of things. It is an opportunity to step back, reassess and set a new goal or start a new practice. If there is something you have always wanted to try or a new habit you would like to form now is the time to begin. It is a chance for a do-over. It is a time for a change in consciousness.

In your journal, make a list of some things you would like to begin anew. Make it simple. Make it something that you can do in less than 30 minutes a day. For example, perhaps you would like to eat better. Commit to adding more fruit and veggies to your diet. Maybe you want to go back to school. Spend 30 minutes a day or less doing a little research on what it will take to get you where you want to go. Once you have selected one thing from your list do this practice until the next new moon. And, don't forget to journal about your experience. Smiles.

Shanti

Day 35 - Ganesh Part 1

Today's Tarka Practice
As many of you already know, in Hinduism there are many gods and goddess. Why so many? Because while there is one form of ultimate reality, it can be looked upon in many ways. This is often called Brahman or Brahma. Each god and goddess represents this total reality but in a different way. Each god or goddess is a symbol for an aspect of that reality. Reality and truth can be called by many names and it can have many forms but it is still one totality.

Because using symbols in our practice can be a powerful way to connect with ourselves and heal ourselves, this week I wanted to talk about the symbolism of Ganesha. Ganesha or Ganesh can be thought of as the Lord of Beginnings and Wisdom as well as the remover of obstacles.

Ganesh has the body of a human and the head of an elephant. The head symbolizes wisdom, understanding and intellect. All things that one would need in order to have a perfect life. A perfect life is self-realization or the ability to see and understand the truth about oneself and about reality. Your task, then, is to use your wisdom and intellect to come to an understanding of yourself/reality. In other words, you are to use the wisdom you gain in your practice to move towards greater enlightenment. You are Ganesh. Ganesh is you. You can remove your own obstacles. Obstacles are removed by gaining greater wisdom.

For today's tarka practice, I want you to think about the obstacles in your life. What do you see as your greatest obstacles?

Shanti

Day 36 - Ganesh Part 2

Today's Tarka Practice
This week we are talking about the symbolism of Ganesh. You may want to go back and read part 1 first.

Ganesh has the large ears of the elephant (rather than human ears) and this represents the idea that we should listen more. We need to listen more to our inner wisdom (intuition); we need to listen more to others when they are speaking  and we need to listen more to the beliefs and ideas that are being presented to us. When we are listening to these ideas, we need to determine whether or not they are bringing us closer to self-realization or farther away. For example, harboring anger towards someone and carrying that anger with us all of the time will bring us farther away from self-realization, but forgiving someone might bring us closer to self-realization.

For today's reflection think about the experiences you have had over the past week and write them down. See if you can identify what experiences brought you closer to self-realization and what experiences brought you farther away. For example, your journal entry might look like this:

Got frustrated with my son and shouted at him - this brought me farther away

Gave my husband the opportunity to go to a workshop in his field on the weekend - brought me closer self-realization

Studied some passages in the Gita - brought me closer to self-realization

Found my mind wandering to my own obstacles when my friend was discussing hers - brought me farther away

Shanti

Day 37 - Ganesh Part 3

Today's Tarka Practice
This week we are talking about the symbolism of Ganesh. You may want to go back and read parts 1 and 2 first.

At the feet of Ganesh lies food for the taking. This represents that the whole world is there for your asking. In other words, this world is abundant rather than lacking and we can partake in this abundance. We are not meant to deny ourselves or fear scarcity but to embrace all that is available to us.

How many times have you sacrificed something you wanted because you thought there wasn't enough to go around? Sacrifice is not needed because there is plenty for all. Most of us do not see the abundance in the world. Our fear covers it. However, when you awaken, when you move towards greater self-awareness, when you gain wisdom through self-realization, you will see greater and greater abundance and greater and greater beauty.

Here, I am reminded of the book and movie The Celestine Prophecy. If you view the movie, it can give you a visual experience of what it means to awaken to abundance and beauty. The characters that have awakened "see" the world differently. It glistens and shines. It is beautiful as it glows. It is heaven on earth. The characters that have not awakened see the dull, darker, world that is less beautiful, that is plain, that is bland, that is violent, greedy and selfish.

All we have to do is metaphorically "open our eyes" to see this beautiful, abundant world.

For your journal practice set aside some time to watch the movie or pick up the book. After watching the movie or reading the book, write down your thoughts. How did you react to the movie/book? What did it make you think about? Were you able to see more abudance in your life after watching/reading? How can you carry this practice into your life everyday?

Shanti