Wednesday, October 12, 2016


 Realness Illness


I suffer from an illness, 
called realness
So breathe deep. 
Relax, and you can feel this
I'll pour it out slow. 
Don't spill this.
Recall bullet points or make a checklist.

Understand, I am fearless, 
but hear this
I massage the epidermis, 
like a soul kiss
Got my hand in the air, 
pumpin' my fist
the black panther, 
I recall, likes to reminisce.

The snakes are all around, 
Hiss...hiss...hiss
An urge they can't resist, 
like when I take a piss
Had to learn this, 
it's on the syllabus
The curriculum requires 
me to study Chris.

I suffer from an illness, 
called realness
So bite down. 
Chew, and you can taste this
I served it up raw. 
Never resist.
Review bullet points and make a checklist.

'Realness Illness'
Christopher 10/2016




I felt an urge to write a poem that focused inward.  After realizing that my fear of showing my unique personality to others was part of my greatest strength.  I realize that what I called a 'fear' is actually an unwillingness to subject myself to unwanted scrutiny and judgement from others that lack empathy. It's also a major reason why I lean towards calling myself an introvert. 

  Knowing that being 'real' is far from an illness, I used that word to describe my attitude towards my short measure for Bull Shit, Lies, and Game Players.  It's treated like its an illness when I practice it because the ones that I get to address with realness (negative and/or shady folks) are the ones that disappear like I'm contagious. Well I am contagious...I also have allergies... allergic to 'Falseness'. Life is so much more simple and easy when things are confronted and addressed in a simplistic and basic manner. Need something from me, ASK.  Miss me, CALL or VISIT. Got something to say, SAY IT. Why complicate things?

  Being real with yourself and others is probably one of the best psychologically and emotionally detoxifying acts that you can easily practice to avoid stagnation and onset of many physical illnesses. There should never be a reason to add weight to your daily load simply because of self created obstacles that will eventually surface anyway, but usually with added problems.  
  
Self preservation is a multi-vitamin that keeps on giving.  Real talk.

Healthfully Yours, 
Christopher :) 
  




Friday, October 7, 2016

The Beauty of Om (ॐ) and Meditation



Meditation

What is the Om symbol and meaning?
Aum (or OM) is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters (ॐ), aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds.

I would love to know if this resonated with you. :)   LISTEN HERE


1. Pulsing Repetition 

Use a speed that is natural and comfortable: There are many rhythms in the body and mind, both gross and subtle. Imagine the sound of OM, rising and falling, at whatever speed is comfortable and natural to you. It may be very fast, several cycles per second. Or it may be slower, several seconds for each cycling of OM Mantra. Or it might become extremely slow, with the mmmmmm... sound continuing in the mind for much longer periods, but still pulsing at that slow rate.

Imagine it somewhat sounding like one of these vibrations:

OMmmOMmmOMmm...

OMmmmmOMmmmmOMmmmm...

OMmmmmmmmOMmmmmmmmOMmmmmmmm...

Meditation time and daily life: This kind of awareness of the OM mantra can be used both at meditation time and during daily life. The OM mantra is allowed to be somewhat of a constant companion. It brings a centering, balancing quality to daily life. This does not mean being in a dull, lethargic state. Rather, done well, it brings clarity of mind and a greater ability to be in the world, and selflessly serving others.

Breaking habit patterns: This is not intended as a blocking mechanism to prevent dealing with one's thought process or with the challenges of life. It is not a method of escapism. However, it definitely can have the effect of bringing focus to the mind, which can break a pattern of disturbing or distracting thoughts coming from the noisy or chattering mind. In this way, one has a greater openness to being aware of positive thoughts and spiritual realities that are always there.



2. With the Flow of Breath 

One method: Imagine the sound of OM Mantra internally, in the mind only, making no external sound. Non-vocal. Allow the mantra to flow with the breath. Repeat like this:

Exhale: "OMmmmmmmm..." Inhale: "OMmmmmmmm..."

Exhale: "OMmmmmmmm..." Inhale: "OMmmmmmmm..."

Exhale: "OMmmmmmmm..." Inhale: "OMmmmmmmm..."

Another method: Alternatively, imagine the OM mantra only on exhalation, if that feels more comfortable:

Exhale: "OMmmmmmmm..." Inhale: "(silence)"

Exhale: "OMmmmmmmm..." Inhale: "(silence)"

Exhale: "OMmmmmmmm..." Inhale: "(silence)"

Mind, breath, and mantra in unison: In this practice, you come to experience the mind, breath, and mantra flowing in unison. This synchronization has a beautiful effect on meditation. Simply allow the OM Mantra to come and go with each inhalation and exhalation. Allow there to be no gap, no space, no pause between inhalation and exhalation, or between exhalation and inhalation.

The speed naturally slows: As you gently allow the OM mantra to flow with the breath, the mind becomes calm. When the mind becomes calm, the body relaxes, and the breath becomes even soother and slower. That rate of speed at which the OM mantra is being repeated naturally slows down. It is not a matter of forcing the mantra to slow, but rather, this slowing comes quite naturally. Allow the mind to stay wide awake and alert, as the OM mantra and breath become naturally slower and slower. Meditation will deepen.



3. As the Object Called Universe 

Words have an object and meaning: Words usually have a corresponding object and meaning to go with that word. If you hear the word chair, then the concept of chair-ness arises in your mind. Some specific chair will probably come to mind. It may be a wooden chair or a metal chair, for example. It may be large, small, or this or that style, and it may be new or old. So, three things are there: 1) the word chair, 2) the concept of chair-ness, and 3) a specific chair.

The object that goes with OM is the universe: When the word OM is heard, what is the concept and object that comes to mind? What is that thing that goes along with that word, OM? The concept that goes with OM is the one-ness or entirety of the universe. The object that goes with the word OM is the entire universe, as a single unit, including the gross, subtle, causal planes of reality, both manifest and un-manifest. It means that whole, as if it was one, single object. It is that infinitely huge object, which is the object that goes with the word OM.

Awareness expands to contain the object: With attention turned inward, and reflecting on chair, the concept and image of chair arises. In the same way, do the same thing with the word OM, and allow your awareness to expand, as if it could contain the whole universe to go with that word.

Stretching the attention: There is a feeling of stretching, as if the attention had to get bigger and bigger, to contain the whole, the same way as the chair has a back, a seat, and legs, yet is collectively a chair. Continue to repeat OM, and continue to expand, so as to allow your attention to contain the whole of the object called OM.



4. Sound Vibration of the Universe

The subtle sound is always there: A vibration exists, underneath all of the grosser aspects of being, like a substratum. The subtle sound of OM Mantra is constantly there, and when heard in deep yoga meditation, sounds like a continuous vibration, ever sounding out mmmmmmm.... At a deeper level, it is extremely loud and serene.

Emerging from OM: The reality symbolized by OM Mantra is the ground vibration out of which all other vibrations, sounds and mantras emerge.

Receding into OM: That vibration represented by OM Mantra is the substratum into which all those vibrations, sounds, and mantras recede when followed back to their source.

Similar words: Some say that this everlasting, all pervasive vibration of OM Mantra is also the source and intent of Amen, Amin, and Shalom. Some say that this sound is the Word of God.

Silence from which OM emerges: Eventually, this leads to a deep stillness and silence, which paradoxically, is experienced as the silence from which the sound of OM itself emerged. In the sections below, the silence is described as being the fourth state, beyond the three sounds of A, U, and M, which are contained in OM Mantra. However, in this practice, as you internally repeat the sound of OM, imagine that underlying vibration of the universe, as if it were coming from all places, and through all things.

Listen to the vibration while remembering OM: There is a sound that can relatively easily be heard in your ears that is more surface level, coming from the brain. Some people experience this as a buzzing or ringing sound. By listening closely, the mmmmmmm... sound can be heard, like the end of the OM mantra (Or you might hear it as eeeeeeeee....) Listening to this vibration, with the awareness of OM is a good way to start with the vibration aspect of OM. Gradually, it will expand to deeper sound of the mantra. Listening in this way can be particularly enjoyable and insightful when recalling some of the other meanings of OM Mantra at the same time.

Allowing thoughts to come and go: While listening, it is best to gently allow other thought patterns to come into the field of attention, and then allow those thoughts to drift away. There is not really any intent of doing anything with these thoughts, either engaging them or pushing them away. In other words, the listening for OM is not used to suppress thoughts and emotions. Rather, attention is allowed to expand, but at the same time, non-attachment is learned by staying with the vibration, and letting go of the thought patterns. This is one way to gain access to the ability to be a neutral witness of the stream of thoughts in the mind, as is sometime described as being like watching leaves, sticks, and logs floating by in a river.



5. Gross, Subtle, and Causal Planes

Remembering four planes with OM: The OM mantra designates the whole of the universe, including the gross, subtle, and causal planes (realms, or levels) and the absolute reality of which they are a part. The explanation below can sound a bit technical, but this truly is a very practical use of the mantra, once you understand the meaning. It does require working with the mantra and the meaning, but then it becomes clearer and quite insightful.

Four parts of OM: The OM Mantra has four parts. First, is the sound like "Ah," then "Uuuu," then "Mmmm," and finally the silence beyond the mantra. Thus, the mantra is also written as AUM, as well as OM. The three sounds, and the silence have the following meanings:

The A sound refers to the gross world.

The U part refers to the subtle realm.

The M refers to the causal plane, out of which the gross and subtle emerge.

The Silence after these three, refers to the absolute reality that is the substratum for each of the other three realities.

Start slowly in remembering the parts: When using the mantra in this way, it is easiest to begin by remembering the mantra very slowly, allowing time to be aware of each of the levels. Be aware of the four parts of the mantra separately (though forming a continuous sound), something like this:

AaaaaaUuuuuuMmmmmm.....Silence.....

When the "A" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the gross world, including the objects of the world, the people, and your own physical being. Actually allow your attention to scan these aspects of the world. Do not get caught up in these objects; just be aware of this level of reality, and then let go of it, so as to go beyond.

When the "U" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware, as best you can of the existence of the subtle or astral realm, including whatever objects you might intuit. As with the gross world, do not get caught up in these objects; just be aware of this level of reality, and then let go of it, so as to go beyond.

When the "M" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the causal, the background stillness out of which the subtle and gross emerge, and into which they rest when not active. This can be difficult to imagine. It might help to think of it like being the canvas on which a picture is painted, or the screen on which a movie is projected.

When the Silence comes to the mind field, be aware of the absolute reality that permeates each of the other three layers. This fourth level of the mantra the absolute reality, is experienced in a shallow way at first, and only deepens with continued practice of contemplation and yoga meditation. (To better understand this, please refer to the paper on the Mahavakyas, the great contemplations. From that, you will see how the mantra and the contemplations go together.)



6. Waking, Dreaming, and Deep Sleep

Four states of consciousness: The four parts of AUM also refer to the levels of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, as well. The three sounds, and the silence have the following meanings:

The "A" sound refers to the waking state of consciousness.

The "U" part refers to the dreaming state of consciousness.

The "M" refers to the deep sleep state of consciousness.

The Silence after these three, refers to the witness consciousness that is observer of the other three states of consciousness.

The question can arise of why a spiritual seeker cares about the states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. It is said that the states of deep sleep, samadhi, and death are very close together, that they function at the same levels. To understand this further, it would be good to read the paper on OM and the 7 levels of consciousness.

Begin by remembering slowly: As in the last practice, it is easiest to begin by remembering the mantra very slowly, allowing yourself time to be aware of each of the levels. With practice, it moves more quickly, as attention longs to rest in the silence.

When the "A" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the waking state of consciousness. This does not mean thinking of the objects of the world, but rather, being mindful of your personal waking state, in relation to the world and your inner mental and emotional process. This simply means being aware of being awake.

When the "U" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the dreaming state of consciousness. This does not necessarily mean that you are experiencing those dreams, but that you are mindful of the dream state that is beneath the waking state.

When the "M" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the deep sleep state of consciousness. Be aware of how the mind is in complete stillness in that state, where there is no active thought process, no images, no pictures, and no words. All of these have come to rest in a dormant, formless form.

When the Silence comes to the mind field, be aware of the consciousness that permeates all of the other three states of consciousness. In other words, consciousness flows through the waking state, the dreaming state, and even the deep sleep state (although there is no active content in deep sleep). Imagine that you can somehow be witness to waking, dreaming, and deep sleep from a higher vantage point that is aware of all.

Focusing more inwardly: When using the OM mantra in this way, notice how very personal the practice is, in that you are consciously cultivating awareness of the levels of your own internal states. It has an 'in-here' focus. By contrast, the use of OM with the levels of gross, subtle, causal, and absolute reality (above) has more of a focus 'out-there'. Ultimately, they merge into one awareness.



7. Conscious, Unconscious, Subconscious Mind

Levels of consciousness: The four parts of AUM also refer to the levels of conscious, unconscious, and subconscious, as well as the consciousness that permeates these. (Note that some psychologies or systems use the words unconscious and subconscious in reverse, or use different terms. The meaning is what is important, not the particular choice of words). The three sounds, and the silence have the following meanings:

The "A" sound refers to the conscious level of mental functioning.

The "U" part refers to the unconscious level of mind.

The "M" refers to the subconscious level, the storage place of mind.

The Silence after these three, refers to the pure consciousness, which permeates the conscious, unconscious, and subconscious levels of awareness.

Begin slowly: Once again, it is easiest to begin by remembering the mantra very slowly. With practice, it moves more quickly, as attention longs to rest in the silence.

When the "A" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the conscious level of mind. The easiest way to do this, is to contrast conscious to the unconscious. There is the conscious, that we are aware of here, in this external world, and there is the unconscious that is not seen in the deeper mind.

When the "U" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware, as best you can, that your mind is presently functioning at an unconscious level as well. There is a tremendous amount of thinking process normally going on, that is out of view. This is what psychologists call primary process. It is going on behind the scenes, much like the microprocessor in a computer that is invisibly doing its work.

When the "M" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the latent part of the mind, where all of the countless memories of people, objects, and day to day information is stored. It is there, like the information stored on a hard disk of a computer. Until it is needed, it just sits there in a latent, dormant form (It is actually in a formless form, somewhat like the data on the hard disk that is stored only as raw data, with no images as such). Be aware of that stillness, that is the storage of your deep impressions and habit patterns.

When the Silence comes to the mind field, be aware of the consciousness that permeates all of the other three levels. In other words, consciousness flows through the unconscious functioning. Consciousness is there in the latent part of the mind, even though those objects are not awakened into action at the moment. Eventually, this Silence expands to being the awareness of the other three states. It is at this stage that one is called a Seer, in that all of the other levels of mind are witnessed from this vantage point.



Integration of the Practices

Three methods from same levels: Gradually, one comes to see that the last three methods of using AUM (above) are manifestations of the same levels of being. Notice how the "A" represents, Waking, Conscious, and Gross levels. The "U" represents Dreaming, Unconscious, and Subtle levels. The "M" represents Deep Sleep, Subconscious and Causal. The Silence represents the fourth state, which is above or higher than the other three.

Namaste'

Monday, August 15, 2016

 

Living Healthy with Yogi


When the average person thinks of living healthy, the first two things that comes to mind is diet and exercise... but there is so much more to it than eating right and sweating.  It's a combination of things that works for you as an individual. The object is to strategically find what combination works for you. 90% of the time it's instinctual, but if it's not rendering the results that you desire for optimal health, then utilize the other 10% to practice change. The health of your body, mind and spirit may differ from that of others, but there are a few simple things (in modified variations) that works for all.

The obvious is food: The quality, quantity, and type of product itself of what you put into your body determines the same of what you can/will get out of the usage of it.  The nutrient value, fat content, and sustainability of energy it can promote are some determining factors that should be considered when choosing what to eat. Remember to eat the rainbow. There are some foods that are grown from the earth that are called complete foods, meaning it has the ability to completely be properly absorbed and used by the human body.  Those are the foods that should be chosen more often than foods with a lot of empty calories and void of nutrients. (Insoluble fats and sugary-sweet processed foods). The key is a balanced diet.

Getting the right vitamins and minerals is what regulates our bodies for optimal performance, proper healing after injury, and adequate growth when needed. But as we get older it is also important to be aware of how the changes in our bodies can demand a change in our dietary needs. For example, women require more iron in their reproductive years to aid in possible fetal housing, as young men require a bit more proteins in their formative years to promote strength and rapid muscle growth.

Avoid doing anything in excess, especially bad habit-forming activities like smoking and drinking. Making attempts to stop smoking can be a difficult thing, but by doing so, it will prove to have huge benefits like adding years to your life. Also, by limiting your alcohol usage/drinking can impact your life in many other positive ways.



Be proactive about your health and get regular exercise.  Keep your joints moving, blood circulating and heart pumping strong by creating a routine of fun things to do on a daily.  You don't have to over exert yourself with a sweaty set of this or that's, but do something that will elevate your heart rate and keep a full range of motion of your joints. Please see you doctor before starting any physical routine to avoid further injury of any pre-existing conditions. It is also important to get regular checkups to ensure that you are on the right track.

Create balance, stay connected and reduce stress. Work as hard as you play, and remember that there should be a yin to your every yang.  Society puts unnecessary pressure on what we might think are needs, when in actuality its the needs of others that we adopt. It's okay to say 'no' to situations that you feel uncomfortable about, and it's okay to not beat yourself up about making that decision.
Healthy relationships are very important to maintaining overall health. Having a circle of friends, relatives and loved-ones are beneficial in adding fullness to our lives, it nurtures our spirit and adds depth to our personal being.
Excess stress can be a killer. The stress that comes up in areas of our lives as we try to do it all can really add up without notice and can lead to heart disease and other serious health issues. Attempt to manage the stress that you do have by simply stopping just to breathe with a deep inhale and a slow but steady exhale. Various aspects of yoga is my go-to stress reliever. Do what you can to avoid and eliminate stressful situations before they happen, it's a primary key to a healthier lifestyle.

Accept yourself just as you are.  Before there can be room for improvement, you must first realize what goodness you're working with.  It's mental, and the mind is very powerful. Understand that what others might see as flaws are actually our own, personal uniqueness.  Don't beat yourself up about anything you wish to change, change it from a good perspective by accepting it, embracing it as belonging to you, then work on it with compassion.  Giving yourself permission is a sure way to accomplish setting and achieving a personal goal.   

Have fun. Notice how good you feel when you are laughing, smiling and thinking good thoughts.  Simply enjoying your life is just as important as any other point of living healthy. Having a positive outlook and making sure you take time out to have fun can actually have a positive effect on your spirit health too. A single step in the right direction, taken every day, will get you where you want to go, so you might as well have fun getting there.
Go out, conquer your world.  Live Healthy.

Namaste'

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Internal After Effects



Feed me, hydrate me with fresh water and bathe me with lots of pure & natural sunshine...

I will continuously GROW.


...and GROW

...and GROW

...and GROW
 
 
Namaste'
 


Tuesday, May 17, 2016

My Aura




Write about me and the aura that you see
but make sure it captures my full personality
 
Could it be infrared
ultraviolet
something unseen
blue
red
or a color in between

First gather all you can on what makes me tick
then think of black, or brown
where the opacity is thick


Then go from there, to the color of my hair
the shine in my eyes and the way that they stare
for those that dare
it's beyond compare
the questions not how
or why ...but where?
 
Write about my smile
write about my style
write about the God in me
something worthwhile
 
Write about me and the aura that you see
please don't forget to use the word mahogany
 
A deep shade of handsome with complexity
and undertones of integrity
higher than a basic mentality
oh well...
enough about me
 
Its not about the blackness of my skin
but the substance of content deep within.
 
 
 
Behind the poem
This poem was written by me in 2000
 
Routine day, Washington, DC, 2000 riding the metro 7-o-clock in the morning on my way to work for the largest hospital group in DC... DC General Hospital, Medicaid Division.  My co-worker expressed herself with a pad and pen in hand constantly and spoke with poise and metaphors that reinforced an essence of majesty and royalty within the black culture.  She wore her wavy black hair sporadically braided that laced against the sides of her face into fuzzy nests of silk.  Sometimes adorned with a real wild flower or an antique piece of jewelry of her distant kin.  I had known her and her family for at least 10 years.  She had a style of her own. Her name was Lisa, she lived poetry.
On this day, I remembered a poem that she recited out loud on the subway.  Within the poem, I recall words that colored my morning to have me feel like I was more than a passenger on a train, on my way to work.  I began to feel like I am a vital part of everything in this life.  She stood there in the middle of the aisles, armed with only words.  Words that floated out of her mouth with deeper meaning.  Words that blended together so well that every set of ears on the train was listening with the content of motherly advice.
I felt so in tune and captivated with her impromptu performance, the articulation of her wording, the raspy crispness of her voice, and her gentle yet aggressive approach to the unknown public.  I love words, and she reminded me of the pleasure to use them artistically.  At the last stop on our morning commute, before we separated into our own morning rituals and off into our offices, I asked her to 'write about me and the aura that you see.'
I pressed record on my cellular flip phone, recorded those few words and didn't stop talking until this poem was written.  It wrote itself.
 
 

Sunday, May 15, 2016


Creative Exploration
 
 
 
cre-a-tive
[kree-ey-tiv adj]   
adjective 
1. having the quality or power of creating.
2. resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative:
creative writing.
3. originative; productive (usually followed by of).
4. Facetious. using or creating exaggerated or skewed data, information, etc.:
creative bookkeeping.

ex-plor-a-tion

[ek-spluh-rey-shuh n] 
noun
1. An act or instance of exploring or investigating; examination.   
2. The investigation of unknown regions.




There is a very unique and strange yearning inside most of us to be creative... but to be creative, it involves a certain amount of exploration to get the creative ball rolling.  What am I wanting to express?  What should I use?  How should I this or that?  Well the process itself is the art and the complete product is the creation, thus the process of creative exploration.

There are quite a hand full of commonalities that (so called) creative individuals share.  Even though there is an abundance of uniqueness, point of views, and variations of a theme, many completed works end up with some sort of tell tale signature that separates their expressions from the likeness of others. An Andy Warhol print has its own signature just as Annie Leibovitz' photos are creatively and visually hers. 

Creative explorers tend to be daydreamers. They get out of their own head and surrounds themselves with beauty.  Many like to people watch and observe everything in great detail within subtle glances. They also gravitate to work hours that work for them.

There is something almost spiritual about this, but Creative explorers take time for solitude, and with the daydreaming component, they lose track of time. They turn life’s obstacles around easily, partially due to a willingness to seek out new experiences. They usually “fail up” because they ask the big questions in order to take calculated risks.

Creative explorers view all of life as an opportunity for self-expression within following their true passions and connecting the dots. They constantly shake things up within themselves in an attempt to scratch the creative itch. One trait that is most understated is they make time for mindfulness.


...The creative exploration process could either be having to go deep into a cold, dark hole that challenges your entire being, your mere existence, to pull back a shadow that covered your life and stolen many breaths that shaped, formed, and stunted the growth of your essence. 
...It could be the harnessing of a single moment where you caught yourself in the middle of climbing out of the hole and suddenly found the strength in knowing that there is hope, a possibility for a deep inhale of real change.
...It can also be that moment where you consciously make a decision to realize and understand the location where you are is the location where you exactly belong at this precise moment.  Whether you are exploring within the hole, partially hanging around the hole or nowhere near the hole, creative exploration is a process.

Enjoy the process!


-Namaste'