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16 September 2014

Dhyana yoga

What is meditation?

Dhyana yoga...the path of meditation....

"settling of the mind into silence.

When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature, which is unbounded consciousness.

Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind."

The yoga sutras of Patanjali

12 September 2014

Gratitude in Letting Go



"The only thing to do in the course of cultivation is to keep moving forward. Like a rocket shooting into the sky, we must keep discarding sections until there is nothing more to let go of. And when there is nothing in the mind, then let go of it. Let go even of letting go." 
 Dharma Drum: the life and heart of chan practice 
We all have lessons that we have come into this life to learn. My lesson in this life seems to be a constant process of letting go.  

Letting go for me has been a step by step process. Sometimes the layers come off like an onion sometimes they come off like garlic skin. Through joys and tears it happens. It has caused me to stretch in ways I never knew was possible.

Carrying pain, burdens, guilt, shame or anything other than what is in the moment can weigh you down like a 5 ton weight, literally. 

The inability to let go will manifest itself by digestion issues, it can manifest by acne or manifest itself through muscles tightening all over you body which may show itself as headaches, neck aches or back pain.

Methods of letting go.

Taking at least 5 to 10 minutes in meditation each morning. Set your intention as to what you desire to focus on that day. If there is a situation you are desiring to let go of focus on what in that situation you are grateful for. Once you isolate the items you are grateful for then when ever that situation pops into you mind immediately direct your attention to what you are grateful for.

Focusing on gratitude makes it easier to let go. Try it for at least 3 weeks and see what happens.


 (c) Tamu Ngina, All Rights Reserved.

31 August 2014

(c) Tamu Ngina, All Rights Reserved.

25 August 2014

The Patriot

I had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed by the local newspaper regarding our growing meditation sangha. Enjoy the read. Kutztown Meditation.


14 May 2014

Esoteric & Spiritual Nutrition

Those who know me well (my children/family) know that I am by no means a domestic goddess. Perhaps I am a domestic goddess wannabe and yes I do have my moments where I shine and moments, well, lets focus on the positive.

One thing that I have learned on my journey is that eating well is paramount and goes hand in hand with good physical activity and proper deep breathing.

With that said most of us in the "real" world are so rushed and constantly racing against the clock. Even those of us who try to live with conscious spiritual principles are often short on time and healthful eating takes the back burner.

Eating healthy is not just important for physical health it is also important for your esoteric processes and spiritual health. Foods high in vibration are important for allowing you to have the maximum amount of energy that your body can absorb.

When you eat healthy you are not only feeding your body but feeding your soul. The body is made of spiritual and material energy.

When preparing your food it is a wonderful idea to take time to say a blessing before commencing. Something as simple as saying, "I give thanks to all those who help make this meal possible".  

This thanks goes out to the Sun that shines, Rain that falls, Air that is rich with vital oxygen, the Soil and all it's inhabitants that help the Soil to be as rich as possible and to the Seed that followed its protocol and turned into a nutrient rich vegetable or fruit that brings nourishment. The planters and the harvesters. The truck drivers. The clerk at the store.

You ever heard of the saying, "This food was cooked with Love."? Well that is what happens when you are thinking positive thoughts when you are preparing a meal for yourself and or your loved ones.

So there is your good intention and energy going into the food. This good energy is just as important as the food itself.

There are a million and ten dietary fads out there. High carbs, low carbs, high protein, low protein. And the list goes on.

From my experience, 20 years of cooking for my family, I believe that moderation is the key. I also believe that meals high in veggies and dark leaf greens and the proper types of fats and good sources of protein is what is important. Animal protein should be the smallest amount of protein on your plate. The other protein should come from plant sources. Lentils are a wonderful and amazing source of protein. And your fats can come from plant sources. Hemp, Avocado, Sesame and Organic sustainable Red Palm Oil are good sources of good fats. 

Spices that are helpful as anti-inflammatory agents are awesome to use in every meal. Spices such as organic non-irradiated ginger, turmeric, curry and cayenne pepper.  These spices are amazing and their anti-inflammatory properties can possibly help ease aches and pains in your body.

Your salt should be as natural as possible. Unrefined Sea Salt, Celtic Salt and Himalayan Salts are the best salts to use. And yes, your body does need a certain level of sodium, as well as accompanying trace minerals, to help maintain health brain function and firing of neurons. BUT it is healthy good salts. 

Canned and processed foods DO NOT have healthy good salts.

Keep it simple is my motto, for the most part! Especially when it comes to healthy eating. Keep it simple takes the stress and strain out of proper eating.

There are two books that I would like to recommend to you on your culinary spiritual journey. Both of them written by an esteemed spiritual teacher and medical doctor. 

Conscious Eating

 

Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and the Awakening of Kundalini

Both books written by Dr. Gabriel Cousens, M.D. of http://treeoflifecenterus.com/

I have to note that while he strongly advocates a strictly raw/vegan diet I prefer to take the middle ground of moderation. This is my personal preference. At my optimal I find that a 80 to 90% vegetarian diet with about 70% raw being what works best for my body. 

Everyone must find the middle ground that works for them.  Never blindly follow anyone's advice always think and research thoroughly and remember that no amount of theory ever takes the place of practical action in practice. What I mean is take action, try it out and see what works best for you.

Last but not least I will share with you one of my quick and easy stomach pleasing and vibration raising soups. This soup can be eaten in the summer, fall, winter or spring. It is extremely easy to prepare. It is light and soothing.

I call it garden soup.

To make one serving:

Gather a hand full of fresh garden greens. I used curly kale and young collard green leaves. These are greens that I grew in my mini micro garden plot of about 3 feet wide by 8 feet long.

Wash the greens and roll them up length-wise. Slice the greens very thinly at most 1/4 inch thin to 1/2 inch. The thinner you slice them the better.

Bring two to two and half cups of water to a boil. Drop in the greens and a small serving or rice noodles. Put the lid on and turn the water off.  Allow this to set for about five minutes. Add a half teaspoon of organic ginger and  1/2 teaspoon organic turmeric. Once the noodles are tender pour into your plate. Since the greens are young and tender and cut very thinly it will not take long for them to be reading to nosh down.

Once in your bowl (nice BIG bowl) Add a tablespoon of Organic sustainable yield Red Palm oil. In order to get the good benefits of turmeric/curcumin fat is need to absorb it. For protein and 1 to 3 tablespoons of Organic Raw shelled Hemp seeds (they are absolutely delish). A dash or two of Braggs amino acids for good taste and a touch of good sodium and sprinkle cayenne for good measure and metabolism help. Now this is for the vegan audience. For those not concerned with being strictly vegan a dash or two of goat feta tops this dish off.


I prefer to serve mine in my carved Kenyan olive wood bowl and eat with my olive wood chopsticks! Enjoy!

One of the ways to judge of a meal is good for your body is to take note of how you feel after you have eaten. Do you feel stuffed/full even when you had a small portion? Do you feel heavy and drowsy 10 to 15 minutes after eating? Do you feel you need to nap after you have eaten? If you answered yes to any of these questions then your meal is too heavy and it is a burden on your system. If you feel "full" or bloated afterwards more than likely you are deal with inflammation of the bowls.

Some people say that they do not feel satiated unless they have eaten pasta or bread with their meal.  What they may be experiencing after eating these flour products is inflammation not merely a full belly. That is a topic to cover on another day, stay tuned.

(c) Tamu Ngina, All Rights Reserved.

DISCLAIMER: Information given is from personal experience and should be taken as anecdotal.  As an active ordained Esoteric & Interfaith minister I provide esoteric spiritual advice to help those on their religious/spiritual path. My advice and information shared covers mind, body and spirit/soul topics and does not take the place of traditional medical help or consultation. All information is to be consumed at your own discretion. When in doubt ask your medical care provider.

13 May 2014

Your Mission





“Would you like to save the world from the degradation and destruction it seems destined for? Then step away from shallow mass movements and quietly go to work on your own self-awareness. If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.”

-Lao Tzu

06 May 2014




(c) Tamu Ngina, All Rights Reserved.

I have...

I have no parents: I make the heavens and earth my parents.
I have no home: I make awareness my home.
I have no life or death: I make the tides of breathing my
and death.
I have no divine power: I make honesty my divine power.
I have no means: I make understanding my means.
I have no magic secrets: I make character my magic secret.
I have no body: I make endurance my body.
I have no eyes: I make the flash of lightning my eyes.
I have no ears: I make sensibility my ears.
I have no limbs: I make promptness my limbs.
I have no strategy: I make 'unshadowed by thought" my
strategy.
I have no designs: I make "seizing opportunity by the forelock" my design.
I have no miracles: I make right-action my miracles.
I have no principles: I make adaptability to all circumstances
my principles.
I have no tactics: I make emptiness and fullness my tactics.
I have no talents: I make ready wit my talent.
I have no friends: I make my mind my friend.
I have no enemy: I make carelessness my enemy.
I have no armor: I make benevolence and righteousness my
armor.
I have no castle: I make immovable-mind my castle.
I have no sword: I make absence of self my sword.

Annonymous Samurai, fourteenth century

(c) Tamu Ngina, All Rights Reserved.

07 February 2014

Esoteric vs Exoteric

Esoteric means "within" and refers to the unseen energies and forces available to our spiritual evolution. It is also called the still, small voice within.


Exoteric, by contrast, means "from without"-- often expressed as institutional doctrine and dogma.

*Sancta Sophia

There is a deep wellspring of knowledge/wisdom that is born within each and every one of us. Some of us are older or younger souls having lived many life times in various forms yet presently in human form.

We come into this world being close to the Source of Life but as we  age and are conditioned by our parents, friends and society we generally tend to shut down or suppress that inherent connection with the Oneness of Life.

Deep breath work and meditation are ways to open and re-established our connection to our center within and allow us direct communication with Source.

It is an esoteric journey, and esoteric path within the very core of our soul's heart, our own Self. A peeling away of conditioning so that we may hear the faint call of the small voice within refining our keen hearing so that it is a loud or normal voice that guides our soul to its authentic expression.

(c) Tamu Ngina, All Rights Reserved.

21 January 2014

O Nembutsu - Namo Amida Bu

Enjoy the melody while sing through the song.


O! Nembutsu!
(Sung to the melody of “Amazing Grace”)
[Traditional, Lyrics ©2003 by José M. Tirado]

O! Nembutsu!
The Name that calls
Wells up inside of me.
I call that Name
It calls me too,
Namo-Amida-Bu!

Unhindered Light...
Infinite Life...
Amida surrounds me.
This little self, 
This little me,
No greater Love than this.

How warm your Light
Bright´ning my heart,
How warm your Vow 
Of Life!
Your promise filled,
Yes, verily,
And taken just for me!

O Primal Vow
The First Promise,
Whose power takes me home!
To that Pure Land
From which I can
Be wakened and released.

Bright Light of Life
Of Purity,
Light shining on us all:
The young or old,
The rich or poor,
All taken, as we are....

O! Nembutsu!
The Name that calls
Wells up inside of me.
I call that Name
It calls me too,
Namo-Amida-Bu!



Please respect copywrite. O! Nembutsu!
(Sung to the melody of “Amazing Grace”)
[Traditional, Lyrics ©2003 by José M. Tirado]
If you desire to contact author please use contact form to the right. Enjoy.
(c) Tamu Ngina, All Rights Reserved.

01 January 2014

New Beginnings

You can look to the stars in search of the answers
Look for God and life on distant planets
Have your faith in the ever after
While each of us holds inside the map to the labyrinth
And heaven's here on earth

We are the spirit the collective conscience
We create the pain and the suffering and the beauty in this world

Heaven's here on earth
In our faith in humankind
In our respect for what is earthly
In our unfaltering belief in peace and love and understanding

I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise
Of ordinary people leading ordinary lives
Filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and sacrifice

Heaven's in our hearts
In our faith in humankind
In our respect for what is earthly
In our unfaltering belief in peace and love and understanding

Look around
Believe in what you see
The kingdom is at hand
The promised land is at your feet
We can and will become what we aspire to be

If Heaven's here on earth
If we have faith in humankind
And respect for what is earthly
And an unfaltering belief that truth is divinity
And heaven's here on earth

I've seen spirits
I've met angels
Touched creations beautiful and wondrous
I've been places where I question all I think I know
But I believe, I believe, I believe this could be heaven
We are born inside the gates with the power to create life
And to take it away
The world is our temple
The world is our church
Heaven's here on earth

If we have faith in human kind
And respect for what is earthly
And an unfaltering belief
In peace and love and understanding
This could be heaven here on earth

*Tracy L. Chapman
Heaven's Here on Earth