Three are better than two

If you’ve looked into the subjects of divination, soul travel, or even just meditation, you’ve probably come across the term, “Third Eye” more than once.

What is the Third Eye, how can you open it, and what will opening it even do for you?

The Third Eye is one of the human being’s most powerful energy centers, located in the center of the forehead. In Hindu mythology, the Third Eye is the energy centre which, if opened and activated, will allow the individual access to all powers, even those of creation and destruction.

Then, how can you open your Third Eye, and allow the massive power that already exists within you to be unleashed?

The Secret Door to Power is Hidden Next to Your Eyes!

The Cloud

1. The first thing that you want to do when opening your third eye is to relax your body, mind, and emotions. When you enter into real relaxation, you’ll discover how tense you are in your daily life.

One extremely effective visualisation for getting into a completely relaxed state is to imagine that there is a brilliant, white cloud floating above your head.

As you breathe in, imagine that the cloud comes down over the crown of your head. As you breathe out, feel all of the tension in the crown of your head disappearing.

It’s almost as if the bright cloud itself is absorbing all of your anxiety and stress.

Then, as you breathe in again, imagine and feel the cloud moving down over your eyes. Breathing out, exhaust all of the tension in your eyelids, forehead, and ears into the cloud.

Continue the visualization of the cloud moving down your whole body.

Once it reaches your feet, and even your toes are free of tension, imagine that the cloud simply disappears, taking your anxiety with it!

Focus

2. In this super-relaxed state, turn your attention to your forehead. Become aware of your skin, bones, and muscle in the centre of your forehead.

After only a few seconds of focusing your attention on the center of your forehead, you’ll also notice something that has nothing at all to do with your physical body.

You’ll notice a definite pressure in the centre of your forehead.

Breathe

3. Inhale deeply, and notice how the pressure increases.

In fact, the longer that you focus your attention on your Third Eye, the more intense the pressure will become.

As you exhale, rather than just letting air out of your lungs, let out a long sigh.

The sigh will sound like an “AH,” like you are discovering a new level of relaxation.

The AH sound is actually called a Bija Mantra, which is a Seed Sound – a powerful sound that literally commands the forces of creation, sustenance, and destruction.

As the AH sound leaves your mouth, you’ll feel the pressure behind your forehead, the power of your Third Eye, moving out of your Third Eye.

This will feel like a door has opened in your forehead.

As you continue to breathe in, building pressure in your Third Eye, and breathe out, releasing that pressure with the Bija Mantra, an actual vortex of power will stream out of your Third Eye into the world.

As you’re performing this SIMPLE meditation, you will indeed be generating a massive amount of raw power.

You’ll want to use this power in that moment to begin creating the situations that you’d like to experience in your life. Focus on those situations, and send the power of your Third Eye towards them.

Lift the Sky

Lifting the Sky is the first exercise in two of the most famous Qigong sets in the world: The 18 Lohan Hands, taught by the great Bodhidharma, and The 8 Pieces of Brocade taught by General Yue Fe. It’s safe to say that it is the most widely practiced Qigong exercise in the world. And for good reason. It’s awesome.

Ideally, you need to learn this exercise face-to-face from a teacher as the real secret is not in the movement, or even the breathing.  The energy flow really needs to be learned face-to-face. But in the meantime, it’s safe to try this on your own by following the instructions below.

Practicing Lifting the Sky for about 2 minutes a day is a great habit, and I highly recommend that you implement it. You’ll feel great, and you’ll unwind a lot of stress, which is the start of self-healing. 

Lifting The Sky – Posture 1

Your feet are close together.

Your mouth is gently open.

Your toes are pointing forward.

Your hands are relaxed by your sides.

Your posture is upright but relaxed.

Your chest is soft and open.

Your nose is pointing forward. 

Lifting The Sky – Posture 2

Your palms face down toward the ground.

Your fingers point toward each other.

Your fingers have some space between them.

Your arms are as straight as comfortably possible.

Your neck tilts down, as if looking at the hands.

Your body remains upright.

Your shoulders remain relaxed.

Your jaw is still relaxed. 

Lifting The Sky – Posture 3

Your arms arc up smoothly to the top.

Your nose follows the movement of the hands.

Your head ends tilting back comfortably.

At the top, you lift up gently from your heels to your hands.

Your arms remain comfortably straight.

Breathe in gently through the nose as you arc upward. 

Lifting The Sky – Posture 4

Your arms drop smoothly down, like a bird slowly flapping its wings.

Your wrists are no longer bent.

Breathe out gently through the mouth as your arms are dropping.

The neck gradually returns to normal with the nose pointing forward.

Finish in Posture 1.

Repeat.

The four postures are not static, of course. There are some slight pauses, but they should flow from one to another. They big secret is to make the exercise as comfortable as possible. 

Reduce Stress in 60 Seconds with QiGong Breathing

Two thousand years ago, in China, they discovered that our breath, or lack of it, is at the root of most of our stress and health problems. It’s no secret that meditative breathing can help bring down your stress level. Well, with QiGong breathing, you can change your whole outlook! In this guide, you will learn a simple QiGong (chi kung), or breathing technique, that will shift your outlook on life in 60 seconds.

Open Up to Relaxation

Your body is made of energy—as is everything in the universe. The energy field that you are can get tight and squeezed when we are under stress and don’t breathe fully. So, as you sit back and enjoy the sensation of the body loosening, opening, and being massaged by the rhythm of your own breathing, allow this energy field of your being to just “let go” and to be expanded open by a silken effortlessness that begins to permeate your being.

Feel your entire being “un-gripping” and surrendering itself open to the expanding lightness that is permeating you. Expand your energy to be open with it, like an unfolding blooming rose. It is a feeling of simply lightening up on yourself and the world all around you.

As you practice this breathing technique and your body become familiar with it, you will begin to allow the breaths to fill you, and relax out of you. Don’t force it, or strain. T’ai Chi and QiGong are the arts of learning to live “effortlessly,” so you just let the breathing “breathe you,” as you relax out of the way, almost being massaged by the rhythm of your own breathing.

Breathe for Stress Reduction

Before you begin, make sure you have a quiet space where you can be uninterrupted and without distraction. Read through this exercise, then practice it step-by-step to get familiar with it. Once you understand the exercise, go through it all with your eyes closed for one or two minutes, completely surrendering yourself to the full breaths and the absolute letting go suggested.

1. To begin, sit comfortably upright, preferably in a straight-backed chair. Lightly touch the tip of your tongue to the gum line just behind your front/top teeth.

2. Let your eyes close easily and naturally, as you just sit back and enjoy the sensation of your body filling and emptying of breath. Let your shoulders relax down away from your neck, and allow your torso muscles to relax around your rib cage. Think of the 50 trillion cells of your being absolutely letting go on each releasing breath.

3. Now, as you breathe in, think of breathing into your dan tien, or upper pelvis. Of course your lungs don’t go down that far, but thinking of breathing into the upper pelvis will cause your lower lungs to fill first …

… and then your chest will naturally inflate as well.

On your sighing exhale, again let your shoulders sink and relax down away from your neck, and let every one of your 50 trillion cells let go of everything. The air will empty out of your chest first …

… and then will empty out of your lower lungs, as you allow your abdominal wall to gently relax inward.

4. With eyes closed, repeat this for a minute or two. Let it become very relaxed, as your body and torso “relax open” to a full breath—filling from the lower torso, and then on up to fill the upper chest as well. On each sighing exhale allow every aspect of your being—your mind, your heart, your body—to let go of everything it’s been squeezing on to.

As you exhale, think of the brain-mind beginning to let go of all the tight thoughts it’s been squeezing onto. It’s as if the brain were a muscle that you’ve unconsciously squeezed for no reason at all … and now you can enjoy the sensation of the airy fibers of your mind beginning to un-grip, to unfurl, and to relax open this this expanding lightness as you exhale. As you let that breath sigh out of your relaxing body, it’s as though your brain could exhale and let go.

Think of your heart beginning to let go of all the tight feelings it’s been unconsciously squeezing within it. Enjoy the effortless sensation of your tight heart beginning to exhale and let go of everything that it’s been holding onto. Enjoy that silken effortless lightness that expands through your heart and chest and torso, as the heart lets go again and again and again.

5. As you continue breathing with the tip of the tongue lightly touching the gums behind the top/front teeth, and deeply letting go over and over again, allowing the silken effortlessness of this soothing energy to permeate you, and to expand you open and outward … just let go of the process.

Let the breath breathe you, as you relax out of the way, being massaged, loosened and opened by it.

6. Before you open your eyes, give yourself a few moments to just bask and soak in this ocean of expanding radiance that you have become. Be lifted, lightened, and opened by it. Let yourself float in this field of absolute safety, and complete acceptance. Nothing to rush off to, nothing to measure up to … you are held dearly floating in this field of lightness … cherished and appreciated for who you are.

Let this expanding radiance hold you and embrace you. Let yourself be loved. You are loveable. You don’t have to earn it. You are floating in a field of absolute safety and love.

Just breathing, and letting go.

And in a few moments, whenever you are ready, very slowly, and very gently … open your eyes.

If the experience of doing this QiGong breathing exercise did not blow your mind and relieve you of your stress, you need to try it again—and don’t try so hard this time. The problems we face with these techniques are never because we didn’t try hard enough, or weren’t precise enough … it is usually because we try way too hard. 

Just remember to sit back and let this happen to you, just for the fun and pleasure of it. Breathe, and let go. Open and lighten, as you let the lightness and radiant energy expanding through you open you. You just relax out of the way. QiGong gives you the sense of lightness, which is who you really are. 

You are a being of light, bathe and luxuriate in your incredible lightness of being. Enjoy the peace.

The Idiots guide to Transcendental Meditation

I have always struggled to meditate, I just can never seem to get the hang of it. And it seems I am not alone. It can takes years of practice to achieve the meditative state we all read about.

I struggled so much I gave up on it for many years. But now I am now trying again. Below is a little bit of information about meditation and at the end is the meditation I am currently using.

What is Meditation?

Everyone thinks that the purpose of meditation is to handle stress, to tune out, to get away from it all. While that's partially true, the real purpose of meditation is actually to tune in, not to get away from it all, but to get in touch with it all. Not to just de-stress, but to find that peace within, the peace that spiritual traditions talk about that passes all understanding. So, meditation is a way to get in the space between your thoughts. You have a thought here, a thought here, and there's little space between every thought.

According to wisdom traditions, this space between the thought is the window, is the corridor, is the vortex to the infinite mind – the mystery that some people call the spirit or God. We don't have to use those terms, but it's your core consciousness. And the more we learn about this space between thoughts, we find certain things to be true of it:

•It's a field of infinite possibilities – infinite possibilities, pure potentiality. 

•Everything is connected to everything else. 

•It's a space of infinite creativity, infinite imagination. 

•It is a place where there is something called the observer effect, or the power of intention, which means intention is very powerful when brought to this space and it orchestrates its own fulfilment – what people call the law of attraction – so those are wonderful qualities of your own spirit.

In meditation, we get into this space so we find infinite possibilities, infinite correlation, infinite creativity, infinite imagination, and infinite power of intention. That's what meditation is really about.

Where to Meditate?

Any safe place you choose where you will not be disturbed.

When to Meditate?

Morning and evening coincide with our body's quieter rhythms. Our body knows how to be still; we just have to give it opportunity. Studies show that routines begun in the morning last the longest, but any time you look forward to meditating is the right time.

Body Position

Being comfortable is most important. It is preferable to sit up straight on the floor or on a chair to help cultivate alertness, but if you are ill or need to lie down, that is fine. The mind has been conditioned to sleep when the body is lying down so you may feel sleepier. Your hands can relax on your lap, palms up or any way that you feel most open.

Thoughts

Thoughts will inevitably drift in and dance around your mind, but that's normal. Don't try to do anything with them – let them be. If you find yourself thinking about what's passing through your mind, just return to focusing your awareness on the mantra or your breath – you will soon slip into the space between thoughts.

Breath

When we pay attention to our breath, we are in the present moment. In an unforced, natural rhythm, allow your breath to flow in and out, easily and effortlessly.

Meditation Length

The effects of meditation are cumulative, and setting aside as little as 15 minutes a day to retreat and rejuvenate is beneficial. Many schools of meditation prescribe 30 minutes of meditation twice a day, and as your meditation practice evolves, you can extend your time. It's better to spend just a few minutes meditating every day rather than meditating for an hour a week.

What is Transcendental Meditation?

Transcendental Meditation was brought to the world by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi 50 years ago and has been learned by five million people. Transcendental Meditation is the purest, simplest, and most effective form of meditation the world has known. It is the pure technique of transcending – settling to the simplest, most powerful state of awareness – untainted by any mind control or thought process.

Transcendental Meditation allows the mind to simply, naturally and effortlessly transcend thinking and to experience a state of restfully alert consciousness. This deeply restful experience of transcending rejuvenates mind and body, leading to a wide range of benefits in daily life.

Transcendental Meditation is unique. It is fundamentally different from other systems of meditation and relaxation. A recent study on brain activity during meditation, identified three fundamental categories of meditation: focused attention, open monitoring or mindfulness, and automatic self-transcending.

Many people pay a lot of money to be trained in this form of meditation and it has become a big business steeped in mystery. But in truth it is a very simple form of meditation, well the theory is... in practice.... it takes practice.

It uses a simple mantra, to help you focus the mind.

What is a Mantra?

The word mantra has two parts: man, which is the root of the Sanskrit word for mind; and tra, which is the root of the word instrument. A mantra is therefore an instrument of the mind, a powerful sound or vibration that you can use to enter a deep state of meditation.

According to the Vedic tradition, the ancient sages were able to hear the subtle vibrations produced by everything in nature―the sounds of the wind, thunder, butterflies, rushing rivers and all other creations. They recognised that these sounds are the manifestation of spirit into matter. They identified “Om” (or aum) as the most elemental sound, representing the infinite universal consciousness. For thousands of years, people have used this mantra to expand their awareness of the divine.

The ancient seers also identified all the primordial vibrations or mantras that make up the universe and these were eventually recorded in the Vedic literature―the four texts that form the basis for the Hindu religion. You can actually hear all the mantras yourself if you sit quietly. You’ll notice a background hum in the air, and as you practice focusing on that hum, you’ll ultimately hear every mantra the sages recorded long ago.

Why do we silently repeat the mantra?

Silently repeating a mantra as you meditate is a powerful way to enter the silence of the mind. As you repeat the mantra, it creates a mental vibration that allows the mind to experience deeper levels of awareness. As you meditate, the mantra becomes increasingly abstract and indistinct, until you’re finally led into the field of pure consciousness from which the vibration arose.

Repetition of the mantra helps you disconnect from the thoughts filling your mind so that perhaps you may slip into the gap between thoughts. The mantra is a tool to support your meditation practice. Mantras can be viewed as ancient power words with subtle intentions that help us connect to spirit, the source of everything in the universe. As you experience deeper meditative states, all thoughts and worries drop away and you experience the quiet that always exists beneath the noisy internal dialogue of the mind. In this stillness you may feel oneness with all life and profound peace.

Why do some people use different mantras each day?

Each mantra induces specific vibrations in the mind, which is why people use different mantras depending upon their intentions. However, mantras don’t have particular meanings―they are simply vibrations of consciousness. When they’re silently repeated, they help us disconnect from the thoughts filling our mind and slip into the gap between thoughts.

Although it is great to have different mantras for each day, for beginners, just have one.. keep it simple.

THE SO HUM MEDITATION

The So Hum meditation is a simple but powerful technique that uses the breath and the repetition of a mantra to quiet the mind and relax the body. This meditation will help take your awareness from a state of constriction to a state of expanded consciousness.

Step 1

Choose a place where you won’t be disturbed. Sit in a chair or on the floor, using blankets and pillows to make yourself as comfortable as possible.

Step 2

Close your eyes and for a few minutes and take a few moments to observe the inflow and outflow of your breath.

Step 3

Now take a slow, deep breath through your nose, while thinking or silently repeating the word So.

Step 4

Then slowly exhale through your nose while silently repeating the word Hum. Continue to allow your breath to flow easily, silently repeating So . . . Hum . . .with each inflow and outflow of the breath. Whenever your attention drifts to thoughts in your mind, sounds in the environment, or sensations in your body, gently return to your breath, silently repeating So . . . Hum.

Step 5

Whenever your attention drifts to thoughts in your mind, sounds in your environment, or sensations in your body, gently return to your breath, silently repeating, So . . . Hum.

Step 6

Do this process for 20 to 30 minutes. Just breathe easily and effortlessly, without trying to concentrate. When the time is up, sit with your eyes gently closed, taking a moment to rest in the stillness and silence of your meditation.

Never rush to or from meditation. Just allow the peace and calm to soak into your body, and you will carry a little bit of this peace and calm with you as you move into the activities of your day.

Sun Salutation – The Perfect Yoga Workout

This morning was my first day attempting to re-familiarise myself after a 15 year absence from Yoga.

I had forgotten how tough it can be for a beginner. Only 10 minutes of the sun salutation and my muscles were certainly feeling it, and even though it was a bit chilly this morning, I worked up a serious sweat.

I only did the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) to begin with and it is a great single mantra to stay fit, the 12 powerful yoga asanas (postures) provide a good cardiovascular workout and these postures are a good way to keep the body in shape and the mind calm and healthy.

Surya Namaskar is best done early morning on an empty stomach. Each Sun Salutation round consists of two sets. The 12 yoga poses complete one set of Surya Namaskar. To complete the second half, you need to repeat the same sequence of postures, only moving the left leg instead of the right , so as to be sure to exercise each part of the body equally. 

You are certain to find several different versions of doing Sun Salutation. There are books and videos on youtube and apps. However, it is best to stick to one particular sequence and practice it regularly for best results.

This is the sequence that I followed. But I was focusing on my breathing rather than precise body posture, as breathing is a very important factor in any form of exercise and also my flexibility was rather poor. Another factor to consider is also your fluidity of linking each pose. It is a good idea to watch some videos.

I actually use an Android App called "Daily Yoga". It has lots of free workouts which are great for beginners. You can find out more about it here.. http://www.dailyyoga.com/

Besides good health, Surya Namaskar also provides an opportunity to express gratitude to the sun for sustaining life on this planet. My aim is to eventually achieve 12 rounds of Sun Salutation, followed by other yoga poses . 

Just start off simple.. and build it up, do not push yourself too hard. Enjoy it.

You too might just find that this could be your mantra to stay fit, happy and peaceful. 

A mantra whose effects last through the day.