I mentioned in the morning yoga class about this – benefit of “OM’ing or chanting – why the sounds can be therapeutic other than for just love of music – well, okay, it’s not even music – sounds – pure sounds, YOUR sounds that creates ripples, vibrations that fills the space —> consciousness. If you can talk, you can make a sound – it does not matter if you can sing or not. Have you ever been to a Japanese funeral or a temple – there’s a droning buzz created by monks reciting a sutra, mantra … chanting and the air is calm but with quiet … energy. It’s a BUZZ – a natural high… that stimulates the sense of balance in your ears, your brain …snap crackle and pop! That kind of “clearing” aids our meditation practice. It “clears” the air as it does your brain fuzz. In Japan, It is believed to instill supernatural mystic powers …
There’s a well written article to read, rather than merely listening to me muttering (actually doing it:) incessantly about the benefits of meditation (check out this link to Forbes article written by Alice G. Walton, on this fascinating subject) . Our ancestors designed yoga practice (In places like Japan, yoga landed around 1000 years ago but it did not spread like in the US as a fitness model – now it is) so that we can settle our body first, then mind and that leads to a spiritual awakening. As for yoga, the following is a good summary:
& interesting what Cate Blanchett shares in an article, “Cate Blanchett on Wellness” on The Cut dated October 20, 2015
My general health advice is: It’s all about divesting yourself of all these things that we think we need but we don’t. We’re in the process of moving house, and it’s a real gift, in a way, because you shed and you give things to other people. …I would love to find the place where I find the time to exercise because it’s important to have those little rituals and routines throughout the day since days pass so quickly. Someone will say, “What did you do yesterday?” and you really have to think because we don’t in-build those moments to sit down.(my “yoga class”:) My next step is meditation. …I have this very dear friend, one of the best actors in Australia, and he started to meditate a few years ago. I told him I was worried about that because don’t you need to have that slight tension in your body to be onstage? Don’t you need to have a hunger? And he said it actually allows it to be there more. The fact that he said that, I thought, okay, I’ll give it a go.
THAT’S what I mean. You don’t have to book formal sessions; you don’t have to sit Zazen although an experienced “guide” is always helpful so that you can be relieved of that “monkey mind” by simply following the guide until you get handed off to your own inner-guide; and also that you NOT fall asleep both in your feet (ouch – blood clots – lol) or brain waves-wise . Incorporate the meditation practice into your yoga practice …THAT to me is the ritual. Yes, you can do it 5 am in the morning alone BUT group yoga class – the energy is sweet. That’s why I go to a group yoga class even though yes, sure, I can be alone and do it in the confines of one’s own home. ( which btw also has its benefits if there’s no dog begging for walks, others knocking on the door, phones ringing , ping goes the phone, distractions, distractions) BUT Something about being with fellow humans – the quiet vibes, the energy – the aura we bask in each others’ light – so we can all shine brighter, all “lit up”. Never forget we are tribal creatures. We seek out inter-connectedness because before our arrival to this live this life, we all came from one bright source of light.
Off to the Lake and the Mountains to frolic in the snow:) Bundling up!
May you all have a wonderful Easter – whether Christian or not, does not matter. May we all celebrate Light from Darkness.