It took me years to understand how important it was for me to set boundaries and honour my needs. I would feel guilty and uncomfortable putting my needs first and and when I did learn I faced the wrath of those who were so used to taking without giving back or those who just assumed I would always be there for them at their convenience. The first few “Nos” were tough but it got easier with time to say No, Not Now, Goodbye or Enough.
Today’s card is a timely reminder to invest more in our own inner selves, to honour our own needs and space. Even if it means disconnecting from those who use us, or waste our time or take endlessly from us. It is finding that inner balance, reaching that space where our own self love outweighs what the other person’s reaction to us being assertive means.
At some level everyone is suffering. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one. Or a loss of a job. Or the incessant gnawing in the pit of the stomach. Covid 19 has affected all of us deeply. But the force that seems to be far stronger than the suffering is the acts of compassion displayed by people in uncertain times across the world.
Acts of sheer generosity. Acts of caring for the community. Acts of caring for the street animals. Kind words, actions and support in difficult times which have brought people closer, restored faith and made us all feel a little better. Going beyond yourself to offer help, support, encouragement, a hand helps in bringing in a sense of wellbeing.
Tara Parker-Pope author of the book “The Science of Helping Out” says, “During a crisis, the people who cope best are those who help others.” The act of giving makes us feel not only better but in a small yet significant way, it raises the positive vibrations in this world, especially now.
What kind of acts of compassion can you extend in the lockdown?
Sponsor meals for migrant workers.
Pay salaries to your part time helpers. Find out if they need anything and help them with food supplies.
Sponsor meals for street animals and animal sanctuaries.
Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while
Tell a family member how much you love and appreciate them
Tell someone you know why you are thankful for them
Send a motivational text to a friend who is struggling
Send someone you know a joke to cheer them up
Reach out to call a friend, family member or neighbour who is experiencing loneliness or self-isolation
Donate to a charity.
Lend your ear – call a colleague and ask how they’re finding the change in routine
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In all honesty, I could not bring myself to write my regular Monthly forecast. It would be so trite to write the things I’ve written about for the past 10 years while the world was experiencing such grief and loss. I do hope you understand my reasons and am grateful you choose to join me as I explore the Lessons we need to learn from this Pandemic that’s taken so much peace so suddenly from so many of us. Call it an act of God. Call it a conspiracy. Call it a Law of Nature. The Coronavirus has become a household word and it’s here to teach us all something.
Each day has become a gift. The present moment has become a gift Cherish it. Give something back to the planet.
And there is so much to be thankful for. Our list of blessings increases with our mindfulness doesn’t it?
But WHY is all this happening to you, me, the entire human race? To teach us valuable life lessons to help us evolve and get out of the bubble we’d been in? To remind us that Lessons will repeat themselves until we learn. To give us the choice. Of Evolve or Repeat?
What do the Tarot cards have to say?
and the Tarot assures me that there is HOPE there is RECOVERY there is a NEW ORDER but first we need to learn.
Have a look at your sunsign.
Aries
If you’ve found yourself at a fullstop in life, you may be denying something within. Time to take more charge of your life and depend on fewer people. They’ve shown you their true colours. Time to march on. And knowing you, you will do it.
Taurus
For every shadow there’s a ray of light. For every tear drop shed there’s a smile. You’ve understood the cycles of highs and lows and learnt that nothing lasts. A part of you is ready for achieving something significant this year. Nobody can stop you but your own thoughts.
Gemini
As you discover the lies you’ve been living with, a part of you may no longer wish to associate with those who’ve used you or deceived you. You may realise a larger purpose to your life and associate yourself with a cause. Just get your finances in order before you take a leap.
Cancer
You’re stronger than you think and your deepest fear is only a figment of your imagination. You’ve learnt to express yourself instead of repressing your true feelings about someone or something. A creative side is waking up within you.
Leo
How much do you truly need? Reassess your life and your needs practically. All your answers are already inside you but don’t distract yourself from inner reflection and introspection.
Virgo
Love is forever and even though your old flames have moved on with their lives, there’s still a flame that burns bright. Maybe that is the secret to getting through? Maybe it’s time to whisper out what you feel to the one you love the most.
Libra
Crossroads come for a reason. Choosing between a new career path or the tried and tested. Staying single or marrying the special someone. The answers will unfold. And you’ll be glad you to took the right path.
Scorpio
Solitude and instrospection has its advantages. You’re able to think of life from a broader angle now and understand relationships a little better. Honesty with self and others is the best policy to prevent a misunderstanding.
Saggitarius
Staying busy brings a different kind of peace. Sorting, decluttering, reorganising and cleaning helps to make space for something better, something new.
Capricorn
Karma has a way of popping out just when we least expect it. The more you resist the changes in a relationship, the more it will hurt. Forgiveness does not mean what they did was okay, it means for peace of mind, you just have to let them go.
Aquarius
After the darkness will come the dawn. There is hope, there is relief, but only after processing the pain and the strife inside. A cycle ends and a new cycle begins. How will you make it different this time?
Pisces
Don’t underestimate yourself or your abilities. The time has come to have greater self belief and greater focus. Your dreams can come true and more and more people will see your greatness. But first you need to believe in yourself. Listen to the voice that tells you can.
We’re all connected. We’re all in this together as human beings. And we’ll all emerge transformed in some way. It’s not easy, and it’s not smooth but we’ll do it.
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Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya | Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya | Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih || *****
This morning I heard a solitary conch blow in the distance.
Someone somewhere was evoking the Gods. Invoking blessings, peace, health and happiness. Purifying the atmosphere with its vibrations, ringing out the primordial sound “Om’ into the atmosphere. Removing the darkness bit by bit.
Someone somewhere was praying for all of us.
And to that someone somewhere, I will always be grateful. And I pray their prayers are heard.
****
Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya | Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya | Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Meaning: 1: Om, (O Lord) Keep me not in (the Phenomenal World of) Unreality, but make me go towards the Reality (of Eternal Self), 2: Keep me not in (the Ignorant State of) Darkness, but make me go towards the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge), 3: Keep me not in (the World of) Mortality, but make me go towards the World of Immortality (of Self-Realization), 4: Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
This is one of my favourite renditions of this powerful mantra.
As anxiety levels rise in our lives so must our precautions. Whether it’s the News which affects us, or the uncertainty around, it is in the knowing that “this too shall pass” which will allow us to clear these times. Our bodies too have been naturally designed to help us release built up stress and fear in the simplest and most natural manner with our breaths.
When we are stressed or afraid, our breathing is rapid and shallow. Our bodies tense up and our blood pressure increases with lesser amounts of oxygen. Some of us feel nauseous or dizzy and unable to stay still.
Conscious breathwork, or calming breath techniques offer immediate relief. Be they in the form of Pranic Breathing, Chi Breath or just simple long deep breaths which help.
Here’s what has helped me and many other over the years when the anxiety levels begin to go up.
Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.
Make yourself comfortable.
Focus on your breath. (You will be distracted by thoughts, but keep returning to your breath)
Inhale deeply extending your stomach to a count of 6.
Pause for a count of 3.
Exhale slowly, retracting your stomach to a count of 6.
Within 90 seconds a palpable difference is felt. Blood pressure normalises and a space of inner calm can be felt as your thoughts go quiet and you focus only on your breath and slowly realise this too shall pass.
Last night’s Delhi riots have triggered a lot of people. My 82 year old dad spoke at length today about 16 August 1946 in Calcutta when thousands lost their lives due to communal violence. He was 8 and had been instructed to stay at home and take care of his younger siblings. Curiosity got the better of him and he climbed on the table to look out the window. He witnessed the mob chase down one of his neighbour uncles and hack him to pieces. Not something a child of 8 should see, but the memories were still so clear as dad described the horror. The loss of a neighbour who ruffled his hair and retrieved his cricket ball. An inoccent hardworking man. With a family who waited for him. With a little boy who never forgot him even after 74 years. (Who shared his story with his daughter who could do nothing, but cry and pray for the loss of inoccent lives down the passage of time.)
“Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Radza Samudgate Soha” the Medicine Budha
One does not even need to go into the details of the suffering around the Corona virus to know that what the world needs right now is healing energy not the destructive energy of fear, ignorance and suffering.
If the news is disturbing you, or if you’re struggling with an ailment or are taking care of a loved one who is ill, the Medicine Buddha Mantra brings peace at a deep level. It can be chanted by anyone, healthy or otherwise and is believed to raise the purifying vibrations on this planet. Tibetan doctors believe if this mantra is recited 108 times by the patient into his glass of water, the water becomes charged by the Medicine Buddha and can be repeated till healing occurs.
“To the Bhagawan with equal compassion for all Whose name when just heard dispels lower realms’ suffering Dispeller of disease and the three poisons I prostrate to Medicine Buddha Lapis Light.”
Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Radza Samudgate Soha
During my morning meditations ill be this Medicine Mantra will be chanted for the next 40 days and if you’d like your name or a your loved ones name to be included for healing energies please add them in the comments.
image from buddhaweekly.com
“The patient is to recite the long Medicine Buddha mantra 108 times over a glass of water. The water is now believed to be blessed by the power of the mantra and the blessing of the Medicine Buddha himself, and the patient is to drink the water. This practice is then repeated each day until the illness is cured.”
Bless the hearts of the founders of Salam Balak Trust and all their volunteers for giving love, food, shelter, education and employment to the boys who live in their shelter in New Delhi.
Being a child on the streets of Delhi is no playground.The harshest, roughest neighbourhood brings out a strong, survival instinct, and a certain intelligence that’s a blend of street smart and an intuitive understanding of Life. Raising them right too requires a sensitivity and a firmness inculcating a sense of discipline and eventual purpose.
When I walked in this morning armed with my notes on teaching kids how to manage their anger, I was surprised by their answers. Each one had a particular insight to share.
When asked how do you handle anger, almost all of them spoke of bashing up the bad guy except one. “When I feel angry, I just go to my room and dance” He already knew how to channel the energies of anger.
Guided healing meditations with the boys
When we spoke of breathing techniques and practiced sharp exhales, one boy remarked “I know this, this is kapaalbhaati and it’s good for health” The session continued in dialogue, laughter and shared learnings.
When they closed their eyes in meditation and received hands on healing I understood the real meaning of ‘all is one”
Thank you young souls, may you grow up to be the change our world needs. And heartfelt thanks to my friends and family who support me:)
