Monthly Archives: February 2013

Feb28

Meditation – A State of Zen!

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Meditation – A State of Zen!

All consciousness is essentially one – Fritjof Capra

Magnificient Himalayas

Magnificient Himalayas

On my way to explore the magnificient Himalayas, I met a yogi who claimed to have been meditating for several years. When he told me that meditation would do me good, I had two thoughts in rapid succession – both terrifying. First was, that I will get bored and Second, I will miss something. But accepting his conviction that, in seeking out for the unknown, I was a ripe candidate for meditation too. This is when I started meditating. Sometimes I was bored, but I lived through it, gaining some paitence in the process. And I don’t think I’ve ever missed anything during meditation except a few phone calls I could return later.

We live in a glittery world with lots to attract our attention. Those of us who find the notion of meditation least appealing – we who are especially fond of action, momentum, excitement, and adrenaline-have an even greater need for this quieting practice than those calm people we’ve never understood much. We devotees of the high life tend to approach yoga class with the attitude, “I’ll do the exercise part, but I’ll leave before we have to just sit there or, heaven forbid, chant.”

Like it or not, however, yogis both ancient and modern insist that the raison d’etre of hatha yoga is to prepare the body for meditation, a practice that can still the thoughts, awaken the institution, and lead to peace of mind and freedom of spirit. Even when meditation is done without Continue reading “Meditation – A State of Zen!” »

Feb27

Substance with Style is a Winning Combination

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Substance with Style is a Winning Combination
Clooney is known for his sophistication and charm

Clooney is known for his sophistication and charm

Men with a good heart and great conversational skills breeze through in wooing the fairer sex, and to top it all if they have a razor sharp sense of style; who can turn them down 🙂

What is it about these men that sets them apart, that elevates them above the average and into a level all their own? Surely the fact that they’re famous plays a role, but could a low profile business man or a journalist potentially find for himself that which made John F Kennedy such an engaging individual? Absolutely.

Ask several people what it means to be a man, and you’ll receive a variety of responses. There are those who’ll tell you that it’s about how much money you have in the bank, or about how many favors you can call in on any given day. And then there are who’ll cite humility and respect as the primary traits. Wealth and power are two things that many (if not all) men aspire to attain, but it’s not the stuff of substance. Character and charisma count for much more than dollars and connections. A man is defined by how he treats those who can do nothing for him, and how he treats those who serve him. A man is defined by how instinctively he offers his seat to a lady , young or old. A man is also defined by his willingness to put honesty and the welfare of others ahead of his own happiness and benefit – and in the case of Continue reading “Substance with Style is a Winning Combination” »

Feb26

Make peace with your plate

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Make peace with your plate
foods considered tamasic and rajasic

foods considered tamasic and rajasic

You may have noticed it already. If not , it’s sure to happen to people practicing Yoga. Their nutritional revelation. You’ll be tending to the business of grocery shopping or ordering from a menu, and it will hit you “I am eating better than I used to, and I didn’t even realize I was doing it.”

Our lives are not in the lap of the Gods, but in the lap of our cooks – Lin Yutang

Virtually, all those who have been into Yoga for a while find themselves eating healthier foods. The yogic explanation for this is that doing asanas, pranayama, and meditation changes you at a cellular level. My affinity towards yoga started when I was 21. I tried all kinds from Bikram yoga (a.k.a Hot yoga) and Power yoga  to Hatha yoga. The first lesson I learnt, more than anything was about food, and how food can completely re-design your body and mind.

Foods that are greasy, chemically preserved, or excessively sweet simply stop looking good. Beyond this gradual leaning toward more natural, healthful foods, yoga teachings themselves include a detailed philosophy of Continue reading “Make peace with your plate” »

Feb25

Real or Fake?

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Real or Fake?
ha haha ..he he...ho.ho..hoho

ha haha ..he he…ho.ho..hoho

Real or Fake we all laugh. Importance of laughing is being communicated to us through several channels like media, television and famous spiritual leaders. In this busy world people are joining laughing clubs to maximize their life spans.The true prayer is laughing in the morning. Don’t just be laughing outside but from deep inside. The laughter comes from the center of our Being, from the core of our heart. Our belly is so full of laughter that the laughter permeates and comes out of every cell of our body. True laughter is true prayer.

Nature provides everything including laughter. When you laugh, nature also laughs with you. It echoes and resounds and that is really the true meaning of a worthy life. When things go well, everybody around laughs and takes part in it, but if everything falls apart and if you can still laugh, that is evolution and growth.

So there is nothing in life that is more worthy than your laughter. Never lose or trade it , whatsoever. Events come and go. Some are a little pleasant, some are unpleasant, but whatever happens, they all leave you untouched. There is some area deep in you that is left untouched. Hold on to that something that is Continue reading “Real or Fake?” »

Feb24

Making and Breaking Bonds…

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Making and Breaking Bonds…

Have you long envied every girl with a straight mane and wished you could turn your wavy crop into a curtain of silk strands. But if the story of hair damage is keeping you away, here is some expert advice to flaunt your straight tresses without fear.

soft as silk

soft as silk

Straightening the hair involves changing the hair structure with physical methods such as ironing and using chemicals. In ironing, small sections of hair are ironed using a hot iron to smoothen the curls and straighten them. This is a temporary straightening method, since the hair goes back to its original form after the first wash. Use a flat iron or a blow dry and use a flat or round brush for movement at the ends. Those who want to go for a hair makeover in the form of straightened hair can opt for permanent straightening with the help of chemicals. Permanent straightening involves smoothing and re-bonding with the use of chemical solutions and flat iron. There are different types of chemical hair straightening treatments such as the Brazilian and Japanese straightening, chemical relaxers et al.

Styling Tips

Straightened hair can be treated just like you did before, as far as styling is concerned. If the hair feels very dry and frizzy within the first week, it is best to go in for an intense moisturizing conditioning treatment. Always use heat protective products when styling your hair. Not only do they prevent your hair from further damage but also help in holding the style longer.

Excessive styling of the hair can cause thinness and eventually breakage of the hair. The chemical treatments make your Continue reading “Making and Breaking Bonds…” »

Feb23

Hungry Souls – A Spiritual Retreat !

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Hungry Souls – A Spiritual Retreat !
Knowing the 'Self'

Knowing the ‘Self’

A wise man is said to have four things. Both inwardly and outwardly there are four techniques. They are called Sama, Dama, Bheda and Danda.

To deal with people in the world, to be in the world, the first thing you use is Sama. Sama means in a peaceful and understanding way. When that doesn’t work out, then you go to the second method as the rescue. The second method is Dana. Dana means allowing it to happen, forgiving, creating a space. When people don’t recognize your generosity in allowing them space, then the third principle comes, Bheda.

Bheda means to create a discrimination, make a difference, intentionally create a gap. If somebody is at loggerheads with you, first you talk to them. All problems arise because of lack of communication. If you communicate properly, talk to them with love, an evenness starts. When that dosen’t work out, then, with the same love, you just ignore them. If somebody makes a mistake, then ignore their mistake. Don’t take notice. Allow them to realize it for themselves. Your generosity, your letting go, should make people realize their mistake. If they don’t notice even then, then you start using difference, Bheda – create a difference. If two people are there, then you be Continue reading “Hungry Souls – A Spiritual Retreat !” »

Feb22

Tying Times for the Fashion Forward

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Tying Times for the Fashion Forward

Ties

“A well tied tie is a first serious step in life” – Oscar Wilde

knot too skinny !

knot too skinny !

One simple accessory that totally changes a man’s look is a tie. This has resulted in more and more men opting for ties as it reflects a part of their personality. When matching your tie and your shirt, remember to keep it subtle and simple. Keep it minimalistic rather than fusing too many patterns. Here’s how one can take their look from passable to polished.

Choose a tie that compliments your look. It should look great on its own as well as fit in with the rest of the outfit effortlessly. The width and the length are of primary importance. Ties tied with a dimple in it is like an icing on the cake but not always true, as we have some fashion experts who claim that tie well tied can still look perfect without a dimple as the finishing touch.The width should be neither too thin nor too wide. As for the length, for a more formal look, opt for a waist length tie and a short length one for casual outings. A contrast works well and looks striking but not everybody can carry it off. A beige suit with a purple tie is super hot but not for everyone. So you can go for a monochrome pairing which makes it look sophisticated and yet gets you noticed. When you are opting for a tie bar or a tie clip, make sure you choose a slim bar for a slim tie and a wide bar foe a wide tie. There are over a dozen ways to tying a tie. So master the art in any Continue reading “Tying Times for the Fashion Forward” »

Feb21

Yoga – the ethical precepts

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Yoga – the ethical precepts
Yoga Divinity!

Yoga Divinity!

We all enroll in yoga class expecting to engage in stretching and strenghening movements that, over time will make us look and feel better. Maybe want to lose some weight or have a firmer, more toned body. Or we have stressful jobs and want to work off some of the tension we bring home from them. Or we feel guilty about not exercising and figure we ought to do something physical.

By joining a gym or taking up jogging can only make you lose those extra pounds and accomplish those goals. We are drawn to yoga looking for something more, either consciously or at some deeper level. We may be seeking more meaning in our lives. Or greater self-control. Or to know ourselves better.These are among the promises of yoga.

As individuals, we may have strong spiritual beliefs, but our culture frowns on letting these strongly affct our dealings in the real world. Things were quite different in ancient India, where Yoga developed. There, the touchstone of reality was the spiritual world, and life on earth was seen as a mere reflection, described by the Sanskrit word Maya.

If you have made up your mind to find joy within yourself, sooner or Later you shall find it – Paramahansa Yogananda.

Paramahansa Yogananda - A true Yogi

Paramahansa Yogananda – A true Yogi

Believing that development of the soul was the purpose of living in a body, yoga’s early teachers would only take on prospective students after they had mastered yoga’s ethical precepts. It is different in the twenty-first century West. Usually only serious students who Continue reading “Yoga – the ethical precepts” »

Feb20

Girls best friends!

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Girls best friends!
Trendy and snazzy

Trendy and snazzy

Roses are red, Violets are blue and these are a few of my favourite things…..rings a bell? Ofcourse it does 🙂  Accessories, the most happening throught out the fashion globe and they are getting bigger and better as we breathe. Clutches, Shades and Jewellery not in any order have become so close to women, that no outfit is complete without them. Basic clothing with chic accessories can completey re-vamp your look from a girl next door to a fashion diva.

“Accessories are important and are becoming more and more important every day. They can completely change the look of an outfit, and men and women like the idea of having a wardrobe thats versatile. For instance, a trendy pair of sunglasses can complement any outfit” – Giorgio Armani

Cluthches are designed to help women hold their necessities like phone, credit cards and lip gloss for a daytime event or an evening out. From art auctions to birthday bashes, there is no end in spotting women with clutches.They are preferred to be worn on any outfit and can look snazzy when carried in one hand. Some of them have detachable chains or straps so they can be worn on the shoulder.They come in different shapes and sizes. Whether it’s a box shaped or triangular, satin smooth or covered in beads and sequins, these small accessories are available in a various different styles and personalize any outfit by adding the right amount of glam. My picks would be a Botegga Knot and snake skin Chanel. For all the teeny boppers, who are still in school and cant afford the big labels can stick to Vince Camuto or Ivanka Trump for their designs.

Shades n Style !

Shades n Style !

Sunglasses come in all kinds of shapes and colors. Tinted shades are what’s hot this season, but so are aviators, wayfarers, rimless shades, oversized frames,tea shades and plenty of other styles. You can get as hip as you can Continue reading “Girls best friends!” »

Feb19

Magic Mushrooms………………

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Magic Mushrooms………………
Hyms and charms of Ayurveda

Hyms and charms of Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the mother of all medical systems, proves the saying ‘old is gold’. It is 5000 years old and helps in some great cures. It does not emphasize on fighting specific diseases as such but focuses on the well-being of the whole system, and helps to develop total good health. In medical science too, despite the many branches, it is said that there is one ultimate medical system from which every other system arises. This ultimate medicine system is Ayurveda. While biology and modern medical science deal with knowledge and remedies of specific diseases, Ayurveda deals with every aspect of life – dharma (essential duties as per status or position), artha (wealth or goals), karma (actions and obligations) and moksh (liberation from every bondage).

Western Herbal medicine is very limited in its approaches to chronic pain conditions and instant reliefs. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers various techniques and different formulas for treating the sick after good amount of time is spent on diagnosis while on the other hand Ayurveda looks into the holistic well-being of individuals and global societies. Ayurveda considers eating mushrooms as tamasic in contrast to Chinese medicine which claims eating mushrooms in good for mind and ability to meditate.

shroooooms ......

shroooooms ……

Ayurveda is thus both classical and progressive in the sense that its eternal character helps to solve contemporary problems. Knowledge of the human body has always been of fundamental importance to mankind for its survival and attainment of physical, mental and spiritual development. Based on the writings of the disciples of Atreya (one of the great Indian sages), Ayurveda covers eight disciplines, also called Ashtanga Ayurveda. Ayurveda came about as a science at a time when spiritualism and yogic technologies failed to stop the spread of ill health and diseases and epidemics were widespread. Causes of diseases, signs and symptoms, and drugs to restrict their spread were thus learnt through a scientific methodology. This resulted in the holistic and integrated approach of Ayurveda.

Preventive medicine is one of the most Continue reading “Magic Mushrooms………………” »