How Poetry Affect What I See

"Be The Creator Of Light"

I encounter the darkness with outstretched arms

casting my light upon shadows and harm

Since I am the product of an old oak tree

I take steps on a bridge built before me.

My goal is to move forward leaving the past behind

and making the best of the future inherently mine

I leave light behind with every step that I take

to encourage any followers to stay consciously awake.

The direction I'm headed is to be totally free

from any type of poison or negativity

It frees me to roam to great places unknown.

We are particles of the universe, so this is our home.

"In The Mist Of It All"

A prayer for all who may be lost in the mist

I pray you are found or not on this list

there are so many ways I wish to assist

I prefer hands together instead of with a fist.

When the world is all foggy, it's easy to dismissed

that this thing called life, it comes with a twist

If you're not staying focused it can easily be missed

The fact that the 'purpose of life' still exist.

Finger tips up, pressed hands and flexed wrists

the stronger my prayers, the more I persist

recalling the feeling of first being kissed

That feeling revisited, I just can't resist.

"I Am One With The Universe"

Sunshine and blue skies I dance on the sand

wrapped in pure linen with a staff in my hand

I open my spirit to a higher command

as the wind change direction, I change what I can.

Bright clouds hang around my head like new friends

whispering stories, no beginnings, no ends

exposing my core in the breeze of the winds

with the essence of burning sage as I cleanse.

Together the elements and I are now one

my foot prints and shadows may fade with the sun

the edges I've mended might become undone,

but to the creator, I'm forever his Son.

I Am 100% Cancer Zodiac

Cancer Constellation Facts

• Cancer is visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
• In the Northern hemisphere the constellation can be seen from late autumn to spring.
• In the Southern hemisphere Cancer can be seen in the summer and autumn months, note that it will appear upside down.
• Most of the stars that make up Cancer are quite faint, as a result it is one of the dimmest constellations.
• The brightest star in the constellation is Altarf, which is over 500 times more luminous than the sun.
• In Latin cancer means crab.
• The Tropic of Cancer is named after the constellation.
• The Tropic of Cancer is a line of latitude which marks the most northerly point at which the sun can be viewed directly overhead.
• On this line the sun now falls within the constellation of Taurus at the summer solstice, but in ancient times it was in the constellation of Cancer.
• Cancer is based on a 3,000 year old Babylonian constellation which was named "The Crayfish".

What does the 69 sign for Cancer mean and where did it originate?
Long before the Zodiac signs were related to animals they were represented by numbers and explained through sutras—poetic phrase. The sign we call Cancer is sign number four.

This is an area which represents contentment and deeper rooting. The heart and emotional capacity as well as a sense of home and security are established here. It is where an individual begins to thrive through understanding and is given the opportunity to gain autonomy. The Lunar Goddess rules all of this and her phases lead us through monthly patterns associated with this ebb and flow of evolutionary progress.

The symbol of the sign number IV Cancer, is easily mistaken for numeral sixty nine, but it is not! Look more closely and you can see the two circles which represent the new and full moon and two crescents which represent the 1st quarter and the last quarter phases.

                

If You Are A Cancer, This Will Make Sense

Video Below: 12 Things Cancer People Value 

Water sign that flows with emotion and ever changing moods.

Moon sign that will always reflect the light of others.

 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 :) 

  

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'

SMOOTHIES & YOGA

 

 

 

 

Elevate yourself enough so that there is minimal opposition in reaching the desires of your being.  Allow yourself to keep your third eye open knowing that your portals are strategically protected yet welcoming and inviting.  Understand yourself enough to realize the meaning of infinite abundance and appreciation.  Mostly, work tirelessly at being an example of truth manifesting.

 

Namaste' 

 

 

Naps are Nice

There are multitudes of benefits to napping, when done right.

I live in a pro-nap-happy world. (pun intended) ...for maintaining optimal mental health & clarity. Let's face it, we all go through periods of foggy-ness, irritability, mood-swings, and/or feelings of disconnection. Any of those conditions may be instantly resolved within a blink of an eye. Some may require a rather lengthy blink.

Which style of napping will work best for you and/or your situation?

Blink nap. This is a momentary power nap you can easily enjoy, even without realizing! If anything, they're certainly the most amusing of naps; we've all witnessed someone do their best not to nod off while tired on the way home from work. For example, when you fall asleep during a train or bus trip this is considered a blink nap.
 
The benefits of the Alert nap are dubious, since one is generally not asleep long enough to truly relax. In this case it’s like a 'sleep attack', similar to a Blink nap. Shown to be surprisingly effective at shedding sleepiness. This is a longer nap, ranging from 2 to 5 minutes. Studies indicate that a power nap of this length can significantly reduce tiredness for the remainder of the day and also help improve alertness. Even though this type of nap has benefits, it's not something to regularly practice or make a habit.

Sleep Fact:

Large companies in the U.S. are convinced by the benefits of power naps.  So much so that Google have adopted the power nap to their policies by providing 'sleep pods' for staff on their lunch break.

 

Nap Trick:

When doing the alert nap, it will be helpful to hold a pencil (or small object) in your dominant hand while drifting off.  As you fall into a sleep, the hand-held object will become unstable, allowing your auto-reflexes to gain a grip.  Your reflexes will disallow you to fall into a deep sleep.

For a Quick Boost of Alertness, experts say a 10-to-20-minute power nap is adequate for getting back to work in a pinch. This is probably the one that gives you the best bang for the buck. This naptime even work great with coffee drinkers. By drinking 4 to 6 ounces of warm coffee, the body gets more relaxed. The caffeine will take about 15-to-20 minutes to kick in. Although longer than the other two, it is still relatively short in length, limiting your rest to NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, making it easy to hit the ground running when you wake. Sleeping up to ten minutes longer than this may cause 'sleep inertia' - the groggy feeling which takes considerable time to ease off before the power naps' restorative benefits shine through.
 
For Cognitive Memory Processing, however, a 60-minute nap may do more good, Dr. Mednick said. Including slow-wave sleep helps with remembering facts, places and faces. The downside: some grogginess upon waking.
 
For a Full Cycle of Sleep, the 90-minute nap will likely involve a timer to wake up to. A full cycle of sleep aids creativity and emotional and procedural memory, such as learning how to ride a bike. Waking up after REM sleep usually means a minimal amount of sleep inertia.

In addition to those recommendations, one surprising suggestion is to sit slightly upright during your nap, because it will help you avoid a deep sleep. And if you find yourself dreaming during your power naps, it may be a sign you're sleep deprived.

　

...............Required Sleep:...............

Newborn.................... Up to 18 hrs

1-12 months................... 14-18 hrs

1-3 yrs............................ 12-15 hrs

3-5 yrs............................ 11-13 hrs

5-12 yrs............................ 9-11 hrs

Teens................................ 8-10 hrs

Adults................................. 6-8 hrs

It is best to get regular sleep on a regular schedule at presicely the same time daily.

Sun Salutations Fun & Easy

(see video below)

Greet  each and every day with a warming salute to the Sun (an essential provider of life) by repeating a series of flowing poses.  The most familiar of asana sequences, Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) is as rich in symbolic and mythic overtones as it is in physical benefits.

   One of the means of honoring the sun is through the dynamic asana sequence Surya Namaskar, better known as Sun Salutation). The Sanskrit word namaskar stems from namas, which means "to bow to" or "to adore." (The familiar phrase we use to close our yoga classes, namaste—te means "you"—also comes from this root.) Each Sun Salutation begins and ends with the joined-hands mudra (gesture) touched to the heart. This placement is no accident; only the heart can know the truth.

 

 

The eight basic postures, in order of performance, are:

 

Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Lunge

Plank Pose

Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose)

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog Pose)

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)

The transition from posture to posture is facilitated by either an inhalation or an exhalation. As you move through the sequence, watch your breath closely. Slow your pace or stop and rest entirely if your breathing becomes labored or shuts down altogether. Always breathe through your nose, not your mouth: Nasal breathing filters and warms incoming air and slows your breathing down, thereby lending the sequence a meditative quality and reducing the risk of hyperventilation.

   Remember, this is only a half-round; you'll need to repeat the sequence, switching left to right and right to left to complete a full round. If you're just starting out, it might help to work on the poses individually before you put them together
 

   Launch your practice slowly with three to five rounds, gradually building up to 10 or 15. If this seems like a lot, remember that the traditional number of rounds is 108, which may take you more than a few weeks to work up to. You can pace the sequence briskly to generate heat and cleanse the body-mind, or more moderately to create a moving meditation.

   The goal is to practice, not to be perfect.   Nature will handle that.  Namaste’

Simplify

 

With today's busy lifestyles, It always seem to be something that needs to be done... yesterday.  Some might call it multitasking, I call it loosing the value of the present, thus not benefiting fully by being present.  Even when we are sleeping, we should be as present as possible. Know that the time slotted for rest is set-up for rest. 

______________________________________

sim·pli·fy

/ˈsimpləˌfī/
verb
verb: simplify; 3rd person present: simplifies; past tense: simplified; past participle: simplified; gerund or present participle: simplifying. -make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand. -"an overhaul of court procedure to simplify litigation"
synonyms: make simple/simpler, make easy/easier to understand, make plainer, clarify, make more comprehensible/intelligible; paraphrase
"please simplify your answer"
antonyms: complicate

_______________________________________

There is an art to simplifying, and there are also substantial benefits. The art of it is to just do it.  Begin somewhere.  Make an effort by doing, and not just let it be wishful thinking. Begin with consciously thinking and knowing that things will not simplify themselves.  On the most part, everything performs best at its simplest.  Unadulturated.  The same applies to living well and being well.  The basics are the essentials, all else reduces its simplicity.

Do you want to simplify your eating and work out habits?

Here are 4 solid reasons why it's a good idea.

1) Less stress. Your health and fitness regimen should enhance your life. It’s something that should REDUCE stress, and not increase it.
When you keep things simple you won’t be overwhelmed or stressed out as is common when trying to revolve your life around a rigid diet and complicated routine.

2) Develop habits that stick. If something is simple, you’re more likely to do it consistently, and consistency is what develops long-term habits. Long-term habits ensure you achieve and maintain results.
This is main goal – to make certain habits fit into your lifestyle so they eventually become effortless, or at least so they don’t require much thought.

3) Greater flexibility. A few simple guidelines allow you to accommodate for everyday occurrences. Let’s face it – life is unpredictable and can throw us curve balls, but simplicity allows us to adapt. For example, if you have the goal of eating real, whole foods most of the time, you can indulge in your favorite not-so-healthy treats and meals when a special occasion presents itself or you have a craving.
You’ll also be able to make a good food decision, no matter where you’re eating if your sole goal is to eat mostly real foods.

4) Greater focus. When you choose to focus on a few BIG things instead of a dozen or more smaller things, you’ll be significantly more focused. That means you’ll get more done.
So as you can see, there are some great arguments for simplifying your health and fitness regimen. If you’re convinced of the benefits, it’s time to start simplifying and experiencing the results for yourself.

How to simplify!

1) Begin by changing ONE thing, and one thing only.
Where are you struggling the most in your health and fitness routine? Do you work out consistently but struggling to make better, more consistent nutrition changes? Then make the only change in your current routine be to eat more slowly. Or maybe you can focus on eating more real, whole foods. Just pick ONE simple thing to focus on, exclusively, for a period of 4-6 weeks. Once you’ve nailed that one thing as a habit, do one more small thing.
Are you having trouble sticking to a workout program? If so, why? Is it because your current routine doesn’t fit your schedule or you’re trying to force yourself to work out too often? If so, follow a two day per week or a three day per week program that more easily fits your schedule.
Or perhaps you want to save time and would rather do bodyweight workouts at home.
Whatever the case may be, find a way to make your routine fit into your life and don’t revolve your life around an unrealistic routine.

2) Ask yourself, “Is this essential?”
There’s a good chance you’re focused on too many small things that don’t have much of an impact on your goals.  Some things may only increase stress or cause you to get too concerned with insignificant details. For example, if you find yourself obsessing over small details like, “Should I eat white or brown rice?” ask yourself, “Is this essential? Is trying to decide between white or brown rice essential to improving my health or reaching my goals?”
The answer, in this case, is “No”.  Focus on the main things that produce the vast majority of the results, and forget the rest.

3) Stop searching – start doing.
According to Wikipedia, analysis paralysis is an anti-pattern, the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome.
I understand – you want to do the right things. You want to be armed with knowledge, so you go to those other fitness websites or flip through the latest magazine. Perhaps you even read debates and research articles. As a result of consuming so much information, we get too caught up in looking for the next big thing, the best workout program, or waiting until we have all the information before we take action.

The details of nutrition and fitness will always be debated, but most people can agree on a few key principles.

• Eat a variety of mostly real, whole foods
• Be physically active whether you choose to strength train,  participate in sports, play instead of exercise, or any combination thereof
• Get enough sleep
• Do these things consistently

Take action and do those things consistently, and you’ll be well on your way to improving your health and fitness.  If you’re not achieving the results you want or find yourself constantly searching for the next big thing – simplify. Focus instead on the few things that matter most and experience the benefits for yourself.

I'm Label-Free

truth and authenticity

 

Visually, the first thing that may be seen about me is my coily locs and my rich brown skin. A speedy conclusion may lend itself to beleive-in the stereotype (based on ones own experiences and influences).

*LOOK! Don't be deceived by appearances - men and things are not what they seem. All who are not on the rock are in the sea!

When given a sincere opportunity to allow expression, only then will there be an invitation to my sea, the bigger part of me, beyond what you think you see.

*Most things are judged by thier jackets. They do not pass for what they are, but for what they seem!

The furthest thing from the truth is that people can be categorized by appearances. A total untruth. A part of caterizing untruth is to call it a name and give it a label.

*The important thing is not what others think of me, but what I think of myself.

...in short, not only are things not what they seem, they are not even what they are called! Let experiences, joys and passions define themselves.

-Namaste'

Sun Salutations

 

   Greet each and every day with a warming salute to the Sun (an essential provider of life) by repeating a series of flowing poses.  The most familiar of asana sequences, Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) is as rich in symbolic and mythic overtones as it is in physical benefits.

   One of the means of honoring the sun is through the dynamic asana sequence Surya Namaskar, better known as Sun Salutation). The Sanskrit word namaskar stems from namas, which means "to bow to" or "to adore." (The familiar phrase we use to close our yoga classes, namaste—te means "you"—also comes from this root.) Each Sun Salutation begins and ends with the joined-hands mudra (gesture) touched to the heart. This placement is no accident; only the heart can know the truth.

 

The eight basic postures, in order of performance, are: (see image above)

 

1.       Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

2.       Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)

3.       Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

4.       Lunge

5.       Plank Pose

6.       Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose)

7.       Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog Pose)

8.       Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)

   The transition from posture to posture is facilitated by either an inhalation or an exhalation. As you move through the sequence, watch your breath closely. Slow your pace or stop and rest entirely if your breathing becomes labored or shuts down altogether. Always breathe through your nose, not your mouth: Nasal breathing filters and warms incoming air and slows your breathing down, thereby lending the sequence a meditative quality and reducing the risk of hyperventilation.

   Remember, this is only a half-round; you'll need to repeat the sequence, switching left to right and right to left to complete a full round. If you're just starting out, it might help to work on the poses individually before you put them together

 

   Launch your practice slowly with three to five rounds, gradually building up to 10 or 15. If this seems like a lot, remember that the traditional number of rounds is 108, which may take you more than a few weeks to work up to. You can pace the sequence briskly to generate heat and cleanse the body-mind, or more moderately to create a moving meditation.

   The goal is to practice, not to be perfect.   Nature will handle that.  Namaste’

 

 

The Law of Attraction

There is so much to say about the subject of attraction and the laws that surround it.  If you look at it in these few ways, you might get a better understanding of how it works.  Even though we desire something, or want something, we won’t fully get it simply because it is just a passing thought.  It requires a bit more work than just the asking.

1.       It requires a full set of conscious thoughts to create an action plan to achieve any perspective goal.  This means, planning, sorting-out, realizing the end results and making a physical move towards that goal.  When you begin to utilize all of the above efforts, something changes in the way of making a thought transform into a reality.

Example:  when you write something down, it requires you to first think of what you want to write.  Then you get something to write with and on.  Then you have to tell the brain to make your hand move to put your thoughts on paper. Then your eyes visually see that you have written (verifying your thought).

2.       There are universal vibrations that go along with your thoughts.  When you are focused and clearly thinking of what you want and making strides towards it, the universe tends to draw like-minded individuals together (or persons that share that common thought).  Just as in music, there are harmonious tones that works well together and sounds perfect in pitch… there are different levels of vibration frequencies’ that blend well and complement each other.  It’s like building a house and teaming up with other construction workers that shares a common goal.  Common things are drawn to each other, which usually promotes growth.  Protect your portals by not allowing any outside influences side-track your destiny.

Example:  You may have heard the expression ‘misery loves company’; well the same applies to success.  Success is attracted to success.  You will not find a very successful person in continuous company of failures, losers, and dead-beats.  That is not a trait of a successful person, nor should it be the trait of obtaining your goal.

 

3.       Put your future in the present.  Live your dream today as if you already have what you are asking or wishing for.  Imagine yourself already being the person that you wish to become.  Live it as though it is happening today.   Own it!

Example: ‘Fake it til’ you make it’ is an expression that comes to mind.  This means just do it.  All resources that you need, will come to surface to get the job done, you just have to be present.  For instance, if you have a goal of vacationing on an island, put into your consciousness the feeling of being surrounded by water, smell the ocean, hear the island sounds, taste the island food, walk through the island villa with sand still attached to the bottom of your feet… etc…

 In essence, to attract the things you want, surround yourself with it (mentally, emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually).  There is no doubt that we manifest our own destinies through what we think and what we do.  Attract good by doing good, and GOOD will follow.   This is a very brief overview (not in its entirety) to begin an understanding of attracting what we desire through a few basic laws.