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Awakening the Warrior Within: A Journey Towards Self-Mastery and Inner Peace

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“The basic wisdom of Shambhala, is that in this world, as it is, we can find a good and meaningful human life that will also serve others. That is our true richness.” ~ Chögyam Trungpa

Martial artists, Samurai warriors of ancient times in Japan, Native Americans, etc., were more than just warriors. There’re warriors who mastered life’s challenges and obstacles not through violence or aggression, but through gentleness, fearlessness, courage, and higher awareness.

True mastery is not mastering others, but mastering our former self, and adopting a morality centered on self-improvement. 

Chögyam Trungpa, in his work “Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior,” speaks of the sacredness of a warrior’s journey. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming obstacles in daily life, recognizing one’s inherent goodness, and taking charge of enhancing one’s life. As one starts to engage with their true self, they reveal the basic goodness that resides within them. On this individual journey of warriorship, we realize the sacredness in every situation. Let’s dig deeper into the Shambhala teachings and ways to imbibe the spirit of the sacred warrior.

Let’s dig deeper into the Shambhala teachings and ways to imbibe the spirit of the sacred warrior. 

Body and Mind synchronization – Importance of Good posture 

“You are working with your mind and body; when the two work together, you never leave reality.”

body and mind synchronization

There is a close connection between the body and mind; when they are in harmony, it positively influences both posture and breathing quality. Good posture facilitates natural breathing.

Conversely, when there is a lack of synchronization, our bodies tend to slouch and the mind may begin to wander. It’s like a badly made drum, the skin doesn’t fit the frame of the drum, so either the skin breaks or the frame breaks. 

By recognizing the importance of maintaining a good posture, we can achieve synchronization of our mind and body, leading to an ideal state of tranquility and individual dignity. 

Mind and body synchronization is not a concept or a random technique for self-improvement, but a basic principle of human existence. 

The body can be compared to a camera and the mind is the film inside the camera, the question is how we can use them together. When the aperture and shutter speed are properly set with the film inside the camera, we can capture high-quality images, as both components work in unison.

Similarly, when the body and mind are synchronized, we experience clear perception, and a profound sense of self without uncertainty, restlessness, or anxiety, thereby fostering a deeper connection with our inner selves.

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10 Psalms to Reignite Your Love of Christianity

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‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ ~ The Serenity Prayer

The Bible is a fascinating book, from old testament to new, but none are perhaps more accessible, than the Psalms. Located in the old testament, the psalms were written from the Israelite conquest of Canaan, to the post-exilic period, most likely compiled during the post-exilic period in the 5th Century BC.

Individual psalms were written as far back as Moses time, through the times of David, Asaph and Solomon, all the way to the time of the Ezraphites, who most likely lived after the Babylonian captivity, late 7th Century BC. This means the writing of the book spans one thousand years.

There are 150 psalms, and the book is divided into five sections, each ending with a doxology, or a hymn of praise. In English, the title translates into Greek, meaning ‘instrumental music,’ or ‘the words accompanying the music.’ The hebrew name of the book, Tehillium, means Praises, and they also address personal distress, and thanking god for deliverance.

The five main genres of psalms.

There are five main genres of Psalms, including: Communal thanksgiving psalms, in which the whole nation thanks god for deliverance. Wisdom psalms, reflecting the old testament’s wisdom literature. Pilgrimage psalms, sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, entrance and prophetic liturgies, and a group of mixed psalms which don’t fit into any category.

I highly recommend them as prayers and thoughts to meditate on. Perhaps you could read one a day, perhaps one every Sunday, alongside a spiritual ritual of your choosing. 

Here are 10 psalms to reignite your love of Christianity

Please note, these are not the Psalms in their entirety.

Psalm 84

Yea, the sparrow hath found a house,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
even thine altars O Lord of Hosts,
my King and my God.

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will still be praising thee. Blessed is the man who strength is in thee; whose heart are the ways of them.
For a day in the courts is better than a thousand.

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 62

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
He is my only rock and my salvation, he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah. 
Surely men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth to God.
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth to mercy: for thou renders to every man according to his work.

psalms to reignite your love of Christianity

Psalm 121

(a song of degrees)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 
My help cometh from the lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Isreal shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper: the lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 
The lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standing in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 37

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prosperity in this way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 138

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. 
When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He taketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 117

From the ends of the earth I call to you I call as my heart grows faint lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 612

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.
Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 
Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears you have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
I think you’ll agree, the Psalms are beautiful prayers, which hold the power to move mountains and part rivers. You may discover a favourite one, one which really speaks to you. You may even connect to the Holy Ghost while reading them, and incorporate them into your practice as you meditate or pray.
Praying is so important these days, especially as we approach turbulent times. Or even in times of peace, we can broaden our relationship with god, through a deeper awareness of his presence in our daily lives.

Psalms to reignite your love of Christianity

Holy Bible: PSALMS - Contemporary English Dramatized Audio (With Text)

Energization Exercises: The Secret to Recharging Your Body, Mind, and Soul

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“The whole purpose of true exercise is to awaken the inner source of energy which we have ignored throughout our lives.” ~ Paramhansa Yogananda

We are energy beings and the material world/ matter is simply a projection of underlying energy patterns. Sometimes, due to trauma, and unhealed emotional wounds, energy gets stuck in different places in our body; this leads to pain and unwanted physical and/or emotional symptoms. When practicing any form of mind-body discipline, the blocked energy releases and moves freely in our body. 

When the energy moves freely, we feel better – mentally and physically, with fewer aches and pains, and more joy and happiness.    

What are Energization Exercises?

Created by Parahamsa Yogananda, Energization exercises use a combination of concentration, will, and breath to direct energy flow into various body parts. It is based on the principle of drawing Cosmic Energy into the body through the medulla oblongata by the power of will.

When we consciously control (tense the muscles) and release (relax the muscles) the moving life force or Prana energy that flows through us, to certain parts of our body, we awaken our body cells and re-energize our body, mind, and soul. 

Energization exercises include a series of muscle tensing and relaxing exercises that incorporate “double breath” (more about it below) to oxygenate and detoxify the blood.

Yogananda once said that if we were stranded on a desert island and could have only one yogic technique, we should choose the energization exercises because through them we would eventually discover the entire science of yoga.

When I was introduced to Energization exercises, it seemed like a simple and mundane set of exercises, and there were too many of them, it didn’t quite capture my attention. 

“I am not really feeling energized,” I thought. Besides, I wasn’t very regular with it.  

Once I was initiated on the path of Kriya Yoga, I was compelled to do the Energization exercises right before meditation. After practicing it for a month, I began to feel a difference in my energy levels – emotional and psychological – physical fitness and mental health.   

I generally close my eyes and consciously follow the process of tensing and relaxing the muscles, feeling the subtle movement of energy through my body, it refreshes you instantly, you will feel the stress and anxiety diminishing.

As someone once said, There are many ways to go up the mountain, the most effective will be the one that resonates with you.

Medulla Oblongata – The Connection with the Higher Source

Scientifically, the Medulla oblongata is located where your brain and spinal cord connect, making it a major connection point for nerve signals to and from your body. It also helps control vital processes like respiration, cardiovascular processes, digestion, breathing, blood pressure, and reflex actions.

It plays a vital role in regulating vital autonomic functions necessary for our survival.

Spiritually, Yogananda believed that our bodies derive cosmic energy from the Medulla Oblongata; it is the gateway that connects our physical bodies with the divine or universal consciousness.

Energization exercises are a tool to open up the channel that aligns us with the Divine consciousness. When we tap into this portal, we can access deep insights, wisdom, and higher knowledge. 

According to Yogananda, the lips and tongue comprise the mouth of man, because this is where we eat physically, but the mouth of God is the medulla oblongata, inside the hollow point at the base of the skull. This is where we receive the divine energy that truly sustains us.

Benefits of Doing Energization Exercises

Energization exercises work on all levels – the body, mind, and soul. 

Boost your energy levels

Doing energization exercises increases the energy reserve in our body, so when you are tired, it will recharge your body instantly. When we fall sick, we can consciously direct sufficient energy to allow us to regain our health.

Improves Focus

The whole process of focusing on the movement of energy in your body also leads to better focus on the task at hand. 

Nourishes the Soul

When practiced before meditation, it becomes easy to slip into a deeper meditative state and feel the stillness rising within you.

Increases Awareness

As you begin your journey of transcending the limitations of the self, Energization Exercises increase your level of awareness of the movement of energy in your body. With a heightened state of awareness, we can direct the flow of energy to individual parts of the body.     

Improves your Willpower

“The greater the will, the greater the flow of energy,” ~ Yogananda

Will is the key to accessing cosmic energy. Our will gets exercised at a deeper level. By using our will, we can direct the flow of energy in the body, and tense and relax the muscles, which leads to greater awareness.

In daily life that is the case, when you want to do something you have all the energy in the world to do it, but when you don’t want to do something then you don’t have the energy. These techniques are a way to train ourselves to have access to that energy all the time.

How to do Energization Exercises

The complete set of the Energization Exercises includes 39 individual exercises. Once you become familiar with the routine it takes about 12–15 minutes to complete. 

The exercises are fairly simple to do, don’t get overwhelmed by the number. Practice at least once or twice a day.

(Modify the exercises if you have a back, neck, or shoulder injury, or are feeling ill or injured, don’t strain yourself.)

Here is the video to guide you through the Energization exercises

Energization Exercises of Paramhansa Yogananda

Begin with this prayer”

“O, Infinite Spirit,

recharge my body with Thy Cosmic Energy,

my mind with Thy concentration,

my soul with Thy ever-new joy.

O, eternal youth of body and mind,

abide in me forever and forever.”

Key points for practicing the energization exercises

Concentrate on the flow of energy

Before doing the Energization exercises, visualize energy coming into the body through the medulla oblongata and flowing through the body. 

Once you’ve learned the exercises, try to keep your eyes closed with your gaze upward toward the point between the eyebrows – also your Third eye chakra. 

This will help you to interiorize your consciousness and keep your focus intact.

Exercise your Will during the exercises

Runners, athletes, musicians who would practice all the time, are using a lot of will. 

As you consciously draw energy to various parts of the body, you use your will to tense and relax the individual body parts. Tensing and relaxing not only recharges the body with energy but also allows us to control the flow of Prana. 

Tense and relax gradually

Tense your muscles in the specific parts of your body, gradually and not in a quick manner. Hold the tension for about 3 seconds, and relax completely.

Isolate the body parts being tensed

Isolating the individual body part might be a challenge initially, but with practice, it becomes a lot easier. When we put our mind to an individual part, the energy flows to that part automatically.  

Double Breathing

A double breath is a short inhalation through the nose followed immediately by a short and long exhalation through the nose and mouth, making the sound: “Huh, Huhhhh (with the breath only).” 

This way we can inhale and exhale more deeply and also increase the oxygenation of the blood.

Practice Energization any time of the day

Whenever you are feeling tired, stressed, or low on energy, take 10-15 minutes to do a round of Energization exercises. You will instantly feel the difference, as the entire process of tensing and relaxing, control of Prana flow will release tensions in your body. You can also practice Energization before getting into meditation, you will go deeper and be able to sit more still.

Energization exercises facilitate the access to the vast energy residing within you by enhancing your willpower.

Although these exercises are fairly easy, you have to use your will to wake up and do it every day to see the outcome.

When you engage your will, strong will creates a strong magnetism and the magnetic force around you keeps all negativity, illnesses, and bad financial situation – all those things away. Once you gain the will, it brings energy, which brings magnetism and attracts inspiration.

Reference

Medulla Oblongata
The scientific hypothesis of an “energy system” in the human body

3 Persian Films to Increase Your Love of Islam

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Films serve as a compelling medium for exploring what it means to be human, giving us insight into human nature at its best, its worst, and all the nuances in between.

Far from the quotes of Rumi and Hafiz, these three Persian films will make you enter a world you may not be familiar with, and surprise you with how people live, how the Persian film industry is, and how beautiful Islam is.  

Three Persian films in Islam, two about innocence and children, one about women’s rights and divorce.

Here are 3 Persian Films to Increase Your Love of Islam

This article, covers the following topics :

Children Of Heaven

Children of Heaven centers around Ali, and Zahra, two children with an ill mother and a willing father. One day, Ali loses Zahra’s shoes (they’re all shared), at the grocers. The landlord argues with Ali’s mother because she is five months behind on the rent, and they are also in debt at the grocer. So Ali chooses not to tell them about the shoes, instead, taking it into his own hands to win her a new pair of shoes.

Children of Heaven is a beautiful example of bravery and innocence. Ali and Zahra battle like heroes without telling their parents, and ultimately seize the day.

Their innocence is captured in the motif of them watching the goldfish swimming in the pond in their shared garden outside the house, and giggling. They stick up for each other like true heroes and have great honour, showing remorse and catharsis throughout the film. It’s beautifully shot and has themes of innocence and honour.

The Colour of Paradise

“Our teacher says that God loves the blind more because they can’t see. But I told him if it was so, He would not make us blind so that we can’t see Him. He answered “God is not visible. He is everywhere. You can feel Him. You see Him through your fingertips.” / Now I reach out everywhere for God till the day my hands touch Him and tell Him everything, even all the secrets in my heart.” ~ Mohammad

persian films

The Colour of Paradise is about a blind boy, Mohammed, who is released from a special school. His father, not so interested in Mohammed, gets busy trying to marry a local woman.

He palms Mohammed off to a blind carpenter to apprentice with him, so Mohammed doesn’t get in the way. Mohammed’s grandmother, when she realises what he’s done, walks in the rain and weeps for the shame of it, and gets ill and dies.

The Colour of Paradise is about dishonour, and the force of the grandmother’s love for Mohammed is beautiful. She is brave in her quest, and shows honour through her actions. Mohammed is innocent and an example of how Islam see children, as close to God. 

A Separation

A Separation is about Simin, a woman with a 10-year-old daughter called Termeh, wants to leave Iran, and has compiled the visas, but her husband wishes to stay in Iran. They file for divorce.

The husband pushes Razieh, a pregnant woman to look after his father, the reason he wants to stay in Iran, out of his flat, and she falls down some stairs and apparently suffers a miscarriage. After many twists and turns, Simin and her husband wait to find out who their daughter will choose to live with.

(Shahab Hosseini) “Why do you think we beat our wives and children like animals?”

(Shahab Hosseini) “I swear on this Qoran, we’re humans just like you.”

(Shahab Hosseini) “You know, my problem is that I can’t speak like them. I just lose my control soon.”

A Separation is a beautifully shot, fantastically twisty plot. It brings up questions of feminism and women’s rights, and is an excellent Islamic film.

So there you have it, 3 Persian films to increase your love of Islam. I recommend you watch every one, and more. 

Image source

Colours of Paradise

Persian Films

Islamic artwork

7 Fascinating Connections Between Fractals and Human Behavior

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Fractals are self-repeating intricate patterns that are found throughout nature. From trees, leaves, flowers, ferns, to the tissues and cells of our brains, lungs, kidneys, our artery network and capillaries to the mountain ridges, river beds, or coastlines, fractals form an integral part of our surroundings and our own being.

What are Fractals?

Benoit Mandelbrot, the Father of Fractal Geometry, coined the term ‘fractals’, observed recurring patterns in real-life objects characterized by rough edges and surfaces. Instead of ignoring it, he believed that they represent some essential features and mechanisms worth investigating.

As a result, Mandelbrot came upon the most popular fractal, ‘Mandelbrot Set,’ which was named after him to honor his work in this field. When we look at a Mandelbrot set, we are looking at infinity, because although it is finite in structure it is infinitely repetitive and self-similar no matter “how far down” we inspect it. 

Fractals are much more than beautiful images – they are the metaphorical representation of chaos and order. We live in a complex world, we are always trying to find order in chaos, and through fractals we can learn important lessons in a world of chaos – and comprehend some deep spiritual questions.

Let’s dive deeper into this magnificent phenomena, fractals are an inherent part of nature, and we are full of fractals. 

Here are 7 ways fractals are closely connected to us, let’s explore the connections between fractals and human behavior

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References:

Brain Networks Supporting Complex Thought Mirror Fractals
Fractal patterns in nature and art are aesthetically pleasing and stress-reducing
Research showing Fractals reduce stress
Aesthetics and Psychological Effects of Fractal Based Design
Fractals: the hidden beauty and potential therapeutic effect of the natural world