Day 21 - Ayurvedic Journey
A WALK IN THE FOREST
THE JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN
“Be still and know [embody, understand, embrace] that I am God.”
A WALK IN THE FOREST
by Liz Glover Wilson
Barefoot I walked through the forest. The leftover Fall leaves provided a carpet, the trees nodded in approval, the rocks shared their wisdom and the animal brothers smiled.
Barefoot I walked through the forest. My tears rolled gently down my face, as my laughter rose to meet them. How beautiful and magnificent is this planet.
Barefoot I walked through the forest. Here is all I need. My soul wants to stay here; saturated in the unity of this expansive ecosystem. Here is where all are unique and different, yet truly one.
Barefoot I walk through the forest. I look up and see in the trees your infinite wisdom. I see your expansive love. I become saturated in your wisdom and my heart merges with yours.
Barefoot I walk through the forest. Now I find a space to sit. To soak. To cry. To laugh. To feel your presence and hear your heart. Thank you Divine.
May we all open our hearts and minds to you.
Be still and know . . .
SEEKER | SEER
The illuminated eye of the seer perceives that all leads to good; for God is all and God is sarvamangalam (meaning "happiness to everyone" and is meant to be chanted in six directions: north, south, east, west, nadir and zenith).
We spend time in silence and merge with the vibration of God Divine. It is said that to be capable of silence, stillness, illuminated passivity is to be fit for immortality.
We long for good always, but the path of Ayurveda and Yoga reveals that the improbable often happens, and they surrender to God Divine. The Seeker sees and rises above reason to the direction of illuminated knowledge.
REST | NIDRA
Yoga texts describe the awareness of your anandamaya kosha, or bliss sheath, the innermost layer of consciousness, as a condition of total relaxation and bliss. You become aware of this body by permeating the four outer layers of consciousness during meditation.
PRANAYAMA | BREATH
Undo the inner knots with pranayama. The ancient Indian system of yoga identifies prana as the universal life force or energy which distinguishes the living from the dead. This life force energy or chi as it is called flows through thousands of subtle energy channels they called ‘nadi’ and energy centers called ‘chakra.’ The ancient yogic seers observed the power of the breath to increase one’s prana and developed special breathing techniques to increase life energy, maintain health and create a calm, clear state of mind that is conducive for meditation.
MEDITATE | PRAY
Hindu’s have offered us Transcendental, Chakra, Kundalini, Mantra, Spiritual and Tantra meditations. Christian monks have brought us the meditations of Lectio Divina in the West and Hesychasm in the East. The Zen, Loving Kindness, Vipassana, Samatha and Anapanasati meditations derive from Buddhists. Additional Chinese meditations, include the peaceful healing movements of Tai Chi and qigong. There are meditations for body health, for a clear mind, for a healed planet, and for the many things we experience on this human journey.
As a devotee of the Christ-consciousness, I embrace the beauty of many meditations; benefitting form ancient wisdom. There is something beautiful about these age old meditations that still have such relevance and power.
MANTRAS | FOCUS
Do you remember the rhymes and the songs of your childhood? Do you remember the sensation of joy when singing or saying them? It was not the words so much that you related to, but the vibration that elevated the sensations. We can also repeat negative things and it will have adverse impact.
A mantra is a sound, a syllable, or a set of sounds. It is known not by its meaning, but by its vibrations. It provides a focus for the mind and helps one become aware of his or her internal states. The Mantra is an important means on the path of Self Enlightenment. You are encouraged to practice meditation regularly, to remember your mantra, and to make it part of your life. When meditating, use the mantra silently and consciously.
“All that is required to realize the Self, is to be still.”
In your contemplative practice, return to these questions and allow divine light to show you the way. All your answers are right within you.
What are your four or five goals in life (Puruṣārtha)?
1. Karma/Seva/Service/Healing
2. Dharma/Purpose
3. Artha/Prosperity
4. Kama/Love
5. Moksha/Freedom
“In stillness the world is restored.”
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