we don´t need to suffer

''The idea that we have to suffer or live in poverty in order to be spiritual is an old one and can be found in the belief systems of many philosophies. Most of us carry this idea around subconsciously, and we may be holding ourselves back from financial or emotional well-being, believing that this is what we must do in order to be virtuous, spiritually awake, or feel less guilty for the suffering of others.
While it’s true that there can be a spiritual purpose to experiencing a lack of material well-being, it is rarely intended to be a permanent or lifelong experience. What we are meant to find when material or emotional resources are in short supply is that there is more to our lives than the physical realm. Intense relationships and material abundance can distract us from the subtler realm of the spirit, so a time of deficiency can be spiritually awakening. However, once we recognize the realm of spirit, and remember to hold it at the center of our lives, there is no reason to dwell in poverty or emotional isolation. In fact, once our connection to spirit is fully intact, we feel so compelled to share our abundance that lack becomes a thing of the past.


If you find that you are experiencing suffering in some area of your physical life, perhaps your spirit is asking you to look deeper in your search for what you want. For example, if you want money so that you can experience the feeling of security but money keeps eluding you, your spirit may be asking you to understand that security is not to be found through money. Security comes from an unshakable connection to your soul. Once you make that connection, money will probably flow more easily into your life. If relationships elude you, your spirit may be calling you to recognize that the love you seek is not to be found in another person. And yet, ironically, once you find the love, your true love may very well appear. If you feel stuck in suffering to live a spiritual life, try to spend some time writing about it. The root of the problem will appear and it may not be what you expected. Remember, the Universe wants you to be happy.''  (Daily OM)

Porque deixamos tudo para depois?

''Preguiça, medo de não conseguir fazer como deveria ser feito, mau costume? O motivo talvez seja o que menos importa. Mas o fato é que, por conta dessa mania de deixar tudo para depois, muitas pessoas têm amargado uma sensação terrível de que a vida passou e elas simplesmente "perderam o bonde"! Claro que, vez ou outra, desafiar o velho e sábio dito popular que nos cobra "por que deixar para amanhã o que podemos fazer hoje" não é sinônimo de fracasso ou catástrofe. Porém, se o seu lema já se tornou o provocante "por que fazer hoje o que podemos deixar para amanhã", cuidado! Você pode estar ocupando o lugar de seu próprio inimigo! A vida não pára até que você se sinta pronto. Você é que terá de aproveitar o ritmo para se preparar. O tique-taque das horas pode ser uma melodia que embala você e o conduz às suas melhores ações, ou pode ser um capataz que te açoita e castiga, exigindo mais e mais sacrifícios. É você quem decide! E, sendo assim, de que forma realmente quer viver? "Empurrando com a barriga" ou "fazendo acontecer"? Toda vez que você deixa um compromisso, uma tarefa, uma conversa ou uma decisão para depois, está adiando seu sucesso, seus resultados ou, quem sabe, até a sua tão desejada felicidade. Portanto, minha sugestão é para que, a partir de agora, você só deixe para amanhã aquilo que, se feito ou decidido hoje, puder ser ruim. Nesse caso, nada melhor do que uma noite bem dormida para chegar a uma nova conclusão e, consequentemente, uma ação mais inteligente. Ou seja, use sempre a máxima protetora: "na dúvida, não ultrapasse". Mas não se deixe enganar: quanto antes você fizer o que precisa ser feito, mais rapidamente chegará onde deseja e mais intensa e profundamente estará vivendo cada dia da importante viagem que é sua vida!'' :: Rosana Braga ::

Obrigada Roop Verma

Como sabem, não tenho gúrus, mas quando se fala deste Senhor, eu ajoelho.
É com enorme carinho e saudade que recordo a sua calma, beatitude, alegria, inocência, paz, entrega e amor universal. Para não falar apenas da sua música sagrada e profunda. Para não falar apenas da importância que teve para mim em 2004, quando o ouvi pela primeira vez num retiro em Alpendorada.

Posso dizer que este Senhor ( este Menino) , foi responsável pelo meu 'clic' interior, que foi ele que 'ligou o meu interruptor' e que foi com ele que pela primeira vez senti em mim a demonstração de Energia, da força Sagrada acima de mim, dissociada da minha vontade ou desejo.

Sentir na pele pela primeira vez esta Verdade, é qualquer coisa que por muito que se tente, não se explica, só quem sente...é preciso vivê-la. Da mesma maneira que não se explica um beijo apaixonado de alguém que se ama, um pôr-do-sol, o mar, uma trovoada, a noite, etc. E para cada um poderá ter contornos, antecedentes, 'acessórios', processos, timmings diferentes. Mas importa chegar lá...é que depois...depois não se quer voltar para trás nunca!

Para mim foi a 2ª música que este Senhor tocou naquele 1º dia . E quando digo 2ª, foi porque na 1ª eu estava entretida a pensar na energia a percorrer o meu corpo. Quando cheguei cá fora num intervalo, comentei com uma prima que nunca tinha meditado que não sabia como era, e o que tinha feito. Ela disse-me: não penses em nada.
Resultou  (;), porque eu entrei e apenas concentrei-me na música a crescer dentro de mim...até hoje, mesmo sem música...



Posted on September 21, 2011, 2:00 pm, by cindy@krfcfm.org, under Live@Lunch, Podcasts.

“Roop Verma is an internationally respected sitarist, composer and accomplished teacher of Indian Classical and Sacred music. His training comes from two of the greatest masters of our time, Maestros Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. He has lectured and taught at major universities on three continents and has delivered celebrated concerts in some of the most prestigious concert halls they have to offer. Among his reputable outreach in music are the healing music and meditation seminars he conducts throughout the world.


He has been an honored guest of the Belgian Government and was the featured artist and composer of Acceptance, a work written in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. His memorable 1997 concert at Berwaldhallen, Stockholm was produced by Swedish National Television and Radio, and has been released as one of his many recordings.

Tracy and Roop Verma ~ Photo by Cindy Schneider

He composed original music for the documentary film Dalai Lama Renaissance, which received 12 international awards and was also released as a soundtrack.


www.dalailamafilm.com


In addition to being a resident and visiting professor at the Eastman School of Music and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Roop Verma is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities Award for 2006 as Distinguished Visiting Professor at Hartwick College.


As director of the East-West School of Music in Monroe, New York, he teaches summer and winter courses on the application of science, principles and techniques of Indian classical music to primarily but not limited to Western students of both instrumental and vocal music. An all inclusive course, its participants range from beginner to professional.


Roop Verma is considered one of the musical pioneers of neo-impressionism and has established his place in the world of music. The magic of his music is appreciated worldwide, with simplicity portrayed through the peace and healing experienced as a result of his music.”

http://www.krfcfm.org/?powerpress_pinw=1614-podcast (entrevista/música, 59m e 27s )






(tirado daqui )

Different ways of navigating

''We're all in the same boat. We just have different paddles, and perhaps we find ourselves on different rivers. We all live in human bodies. These are the vehicles in which we move through our world. We are all made of flesh, blood, and bone, with brains, hearts, and lungs to power us. Our paddles—the tools we use to move through the world—vary, as do the bodies of water—the environments—in which we find ourselves.


Some of us use our high IQs to get where we want to go. Some of use our smiles, others use kindness, a gift with language, or athletic ability. Some of these qualities we were born with and others are skills we have learned. Considering this metaphor in light of your own life can be very enlightening. What tools are you using to get from point A to point B in your life? Chances are, you and the people you know have used many different tools in various combinations throughout your lives to get where you needed to go. Just as with oars or paddles, a balanced approach is best. If you rely too much on one thing, like beauty, to open doors, you fail to be well-rounded and you may eventually lose your equilibrium. And if you lose that one quality, you have no paddle at all. This is inspiration to develop multiple tools to navigate your world.


Some of us may be moving along paths that are like rushing rivers; others may be on a large, still lake. We have all felt, at one time or another, tossed about on a stormy ocean. Through all this, we are never really alone, even though it might seem that way. There is inspiration all around us in the form of other people making their way through the world, in the very same boat. Remember to look around you for role models, companionship, and encouragement.'' (Daily OM)

Putting someone on a pedestal

''When we fall in love with someone or make a new friend, we sometimes see that person in a glowing light. Their good qualities dominate the foreground of our perception and their negative qualities. They just don't seem to have any. This temporary state of grace is commonly known as putting someone on a pedestal. Often times we put spiritual leaders and our gurus on pedestals. We have all done this to someone at one time or another, and as long as we remember that no one is actually "perfect," the pedestal phase of a relationship can be enjoyed for what it is—a phase. It's when we actually believe our own projection that troubles arise.



Everyone has problems, flaws, and blind spots, just as we do. When we entertain the illusion that someone is perfect, we don't allow them room to be human, so when they make an error in judgment or act in contradiction to our idea of perfection, we become disillusioned. We may get angry or distance ourselves in response. In the end, they are not to blame for the fact that we idealized them. Granted, they may have enjoyed seeing themselves as perfect through our eyes, but we are the ones who chose to believe an illusion. If you go through this process enough times, you learn that no one is perfect. We are all a combination of divine and human qualities and we all struggle. When we treat the people we love with this awareness, we actually allow for a much greater intimacy than when we held them aloft on an airy throne. The moment you see through your idealized projection is the moment you begin to see your loved one as he or she truly is.


We cannot truly connect with a person when we idealize them. In life, there are no pedestals—we are all walking on the same ground together. When we realize this, we can own our own divinity and our humanity. This is the key to balance and wholeness within ourselves and our relationships.'' (DailyOM) 

Set Yourself Free

''It is good to remember that one of our goals in life is to not be perfect. We often lose track of this aspiration. When we make mistakes, we think that we are failing or not measuring up. But if life is about experimenting, experiencing, and learning, then to be imperfect is a prerequisite. Life becomes much more interesting once we let go of our quest for perfection and aspire for imperfection instead.
This doesn’t mean that we don’t strive to be our best. We simply accept that there is no such thing as perfection—especially in life. All living things are in a ceaseless state of movement. Even as you read this, your hair is growing, your cells are dying and being reborn, and your blood is moving through your veins. Your life changes more than it stays the same. Perfection may happen in a moment, but it will not last because it is an impermanent state. Trying to hold on to perfection or forcing it to happen causes frustration and unhappiness.


In spite of this, many of us are in the habit of trying to be perfect. One way to nudge ourselves out of this tendency is to look at our lives and notice that no one is judging us to see whether or not we are perfect. Sometimes, perfectionism is a holdover from our childhood—an ideal we inherited from a demanding parent. We are adults now, and we can choose to let go of the need to perform for someone else’s approval. Similarly, we can choose to experience the universe as a loving place where we are free to be imperfect. Once we realize this, we can begin to take ourselves less seriously and have more fun. Imperfection is inherent to being human. By embracing your imperfections, you embrace yourself.''  (DailyOm)

Staying Conscious

1. Live simply and live deliberately. By choosing not to get caught up in the details of this fast-paced world, you are doing your part to slow down. You will discover that you have more time to enjoy being alive.


2. Stay in touch with yourself. Soul searching, meditation, and journaling are just a few of the many activities you can take part in to stay aware and learn as much as you can about your emotions, reactions, likes, dislikes, dreams, and fears. Having a solid sense of self gives you a firm foundation for living in this world.


3. Support or teach others as often as you can. This can help you form connections with people while also giving you an opportunity to make the world a better place.


4. Consciously choose what you will allow into your being. The media bombards us with visions of hate, war, and pain. Be judicious about what you read, watch, and listen to.


5. Acknowledge the beauty that resides around you. Whether you live in a sprawling metropolis or a stereotypical suburb, there are natural and man-made wonders just waiting to be discovered by you.


6. Nurture your ties to your tribe. If you don’t have one, create a community that you can belong to. Modern life can be isolating. When you have a tribe, you have a circle that you are a part of. Its members – loved ones, friends, or neighbors - can be a source of support, caring, guidance, and companionship.


7. See the larger picture. Remember the way that you choose to live is not the only way to live. Widen your perspective by exploring other modes of being through research, travel, and discussion.


8. Embrace the challenges that life presents to you, and challenge yourself often. After a time, even the most exciting jobs or lifestyles can seem routine. Never stop assimilating new knowledge about whatever you are doing, and your life will never seem dull.


9. Move your body. In this busy world, it can be easy to live a sedentary life. Movement reacquaints us with our bodies and connects us to the earth in a visceral way. It also restores our vitality.


10. Make time for stillness, silence, and solitude. The world can be noisy, and we are subject to all kinds of noises nearly every waking hour. We are also often “on the go” and unable to relax. Being alone in a peaceful place and making time for quiet can help you stay in touch with yourself.

Permission to Simply Be

''The elation we feel when we have learned an important lesson, achieved a goal, or had a big breakthrough can sometimes be met with a period of downtime afterward. During this period of transition, we may feel unsure and not know where to turn next. Many people, during the pause between achievements, begin to wonder what their life is about. These feelings are common and strike everyone from time to time. Human beings are active creatures—we feel best when we are working on a project or vigorously pursuing a goal. But there is nothing inherently wrong with spending a day, a week, or even a month simply existing and not having a plan. Just be. It won’t be long before you embark upon your next voyage of growth and discovery.
The quiet lull into we which we fall between ideas, projects, and goals can make life seem empty. After accomplishing one objective, you may want to move immediately on to the next. However, when your next step is unclear, you may feel frustrated, disconnected, or even a mild depression. You may even perceive your lack of forward momentum as an indicator of imminent stagnation. To calm these distressing thoughts, try to accept that if your intent is personal growth, you will continue to grow as an individual whether striving for a specific objective or not. Spending time immersed in life’s rigors and pleasures can be a cathartic experience that gives you the time you need to think about what you have recently gone through and leisurely contemplate what you wish to do next. You may also find that in simply being and going through the motions of everyday life, you reconnect with your priorities in a very organic, unforced way.

The mindful transitional pause can take many forms. For some, it can be a period of reflection that helps them understand how their life has unfolded. For others, it can be a period of adjustment, where new values based on recent changes are integrated into daily life. Just because you’re not headed swiftly to a final destination doesn’t mean you should assume that you have lost your drive. The stage between journeys can become a wonderful period of relaxation that prepares you for the path that will soon be revealed to you.'' (Daily OM)

A Question of Balance

''One of the most beautiful qualities of an intimate relationship is the give and take of energy that occurs between two people. In the best-case scenario, both people share the talking and listening, and the giving and receiving of support, equally. Occasionally, within any relationship, the balance shifts and one person needs to listen more, or give more. Generally, over a long period of time, even this exception will take on a balanced rhythm; we all go through times when we take more and times when we give more.

However, there are also relationships in which the balance has always felt one-sided. You may have a friend whom you like, but you have begun to notice that the conversation is always about their life and their problems and never about yours. You may also have a friend who seems to require an inordinate amount of support from you but who is unable or unwilling to give much in return. Over time, these relationships can be draining and unsatisfying. One option is simply to end the relationship, or let it fade out naturally. Another option is to communicate to your friend that you would like to create a more equal balance in which your concerns also get some airtime. They may be taken aback at first, but if they are able to hear you, your friendship will become that much more sincere. They may even thank you for revealing a pattern that is probably sabotaging more than one relationship in their life.

A third option is to simply accept the relationship as it is. There are many one-sided relationships that actually work. One example of this is a mentor relationship in which you are learning from someone. Another example is a relationship in which you are helping someone who is sick, disabled, or otherwise needy. In these instances, you can simply be grateful that you are able to help and be helped, trusting that the balance of give and take will even out in the big picture of your life'' 

(Daily OM) 

You are what you are, not what you do

´''Our perception of the traits and characteristics that make us who we are is often tightly intertwined with how we live our life. We define ourselves in terms of the roles we adopt, our actions and inactions, our triumphs, and what we think are failures. As a result it is easy to identify so strongly with a decision that has resulted in unexpected negative consequences that we actually become that “wrong” decision. The disappointment and shame we feel when we make what we perceive as a mistake grows until it becomes a dominant part of our identities. We rationalize our “poor” decisions by labeling ourselves incompetent decision-makers. However, your true identity cannot be defined by your choices. Your essence—what makes you a unique entity—exists independently of your decision-making process.



There are no true right or wrong decisions. All decisions contribute to your development and are an integral part of your evolving existence yet they are still separate from the self. A decision that does not result in its intended outcome is in no way an illustration of character. Still, it can have dire effects on our ability to trust ourselves and our self-esteem. You can avoid becoming your decisions by affirming that a “bad decision” was just an experience, and next time you can choose differently. Try to avoid lingering in the past and mulling over the circumstances that led to your perceived error in judgment. Instead, adapt to the new circumstances you must face by considering how you can use your intelligence, inner strength, and intuition to aid you in moving forward more mindfully. Try not to entirely avoid thinking about the choices you have made, but reflect on the consequences of your decision from a rational rather than an emotional standpoint. Strive to under! stand why you made the choice you did, forgive yourself, and then move forward.


A perceived mistake becomes a valuable learning experience and is, in essence, a gift to learn and grow from.
 You are not a bad person and you are not your decisions; you are simply human'' (Daily OM)