Mindful Afternoon – No More Midday Slump


Good Afternoon,

“When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

After a busy morning, I settle on my desk, people lazy and drowsy this afternoon. The tryptophan and serotonin from my lunch is competing forcing me to doze of. My eyes are telling me to let go and give in to the demands of the neurotransmitter. My brain is clouded by a thick fog. I can’t see I can’t focus through the haziness of the thick fog. My body is craving for a mid-day pick me up to clear the haze. I take a few deep breaths with with my eyes closed. Now, I am ready.

afternoon

The blazing midday sun shining brightly on my face. I look out the window of see the shimmering in the heat of the midday sun. The sunlit buildings across me, are piercing the clear blue sky and inviting me to join them in bathing in the warm light of the sun. The small pecks of dust mites are dancing in the warm sunlight, slanting through the window. The harmony of the scorching sunlight and the specks are dancing together like shimmering diamonds, and asking for my attention. I look out to watch the fluffy white clouds drift lazily in the gentle breeze.

I join the party with long deep breath followed by short spurts of exhalation. Now, we have a harmonious symphony of rhythm. I have a deep breath and lift my heals. Now my mind choice the rhythmic symphony as I rock up and down for 5 breaths. With these steps I invite my body to join the chorus. My spine moves side-to-side. What an invigorating experience!!!

I take a deep breath and reach my arm to a “T” position. With my inhalation I reach my right arm overhead and sway to the left. I take another breath and bring back my arms back to the “T”. Exhale and sway to right. I continue the rhythmic dance for 5 breaths. I finally end the dance number with a side twist. My body is relax my mind is relaxed and I am energized.

I now close my eyes and let my senses take over. I take few deep breaths with my feet on the ground. I hear the quietness of my surrounding and the sensations of my body. I focus on the bright sun warming my body, my heart beating as the drum beats to the symphony of the sparking specks and the shimmering sunlight. Now my sense of smell, sound, and touch is leading the orchestra. I surrender myself to the senses as I take long breaths.

I am now grounded and energized. Our breaths are always happening in the present moment, always in our bodies. They can act as anchors that can bring us back from our thinking about the past or the future.

I tell myself, “I am here now, I am here”. I get up and take a short 5-minutes walk to continue the practice of being grounded. I am ready to listen, to the blazing midday sun shimmering in the bright blue sky, and sparkling in the horizon. I am taking in the strong golden glow of the sun over the buildings and roads, captivated by the beauty and radiance.

My mind is clear, my body is energized by the afternoon sun, ready to shine and complete the essentials tasks a head. I am read. It’s great time to start with gratefulness, positive thoughts and planning to make it right. Good Afternoon!!!

How do you get over your afternoon slump? Do you have any afternoon rituals that you follow? I look forward to your comments.

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meditation

The Beautiful World of Meditation


meditation

Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today, I want to share with you a post regarding meditation and it’s practice.

What is Meditation?

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I want to start by defining meditation. According to Wikipedia, “Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.”

Meditation isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. It’s about training in awareness and getting a healthy sense of perspective. You’re not trying to turn off your thoughts or feelings. You’re learning to observe them without judgment. And eventually, you may start to better understand them as well.

Types of Meditation:

Although there isn’t a right or wrong way to meditate, it’s important to find a practice that meets your needs and complements your personality.

There are 9 popular types of meditation practice:

  • Mindfulness Meditation
  • Spiritual Meditation
  • Focused Meditation
  • Movement Meditation
  • Mantra Meditation
  • Transcendental Meditation
  • Progressive Relaxation
  • Loving-Kindness Meditation
  • Visualization Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation:

Mindfulness meditation, my favorite and specialty, originates from Buddhist teachings and is the most popular meditation technique in the West. In mindfulness meditation, you pay attention to your thoughts as they pass through your mind. You don’t judge the thoughts or become involved with them. You simply observe and take note of any patterns. This type of meditation is good for people who don’t have a teacher to guide them, as it can be easily practiced alone.

Spiritual Meditation:

Spiritual meditation is used in Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Daoism, and in Christian faith. It’s similar to prayer in that you reflect on the silence around you and seek a deeper connection with your God or Universe. This practice is beneficial for those who thrive in silence and seek spiritual growth.

Focused Meditation:

Focused meditation involves concentration using any of the five senses. Try counting mala beads, listening to a gong, or staring at a candle flame. As the name suggests, this practice is ideal for anyone who requires additional focus in their life.

Movement Meditation:

Although most people think of yoga when they hear movement meditation, this practice may include walking through the woods, gardening, qigong, and other gentle forms of motion. Movement meditation is good for people who find peace in action and prefer to let their minds wander.

Mantra Meditation:

Mantra meditation is prominent in many teachings, including Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This type of meditation uses a repetitive sound to clear the mind. It can be a word, phrase, or sound, such as the popular “Om.” It doesn’t matter if your mantra is spoken loudly or quietly. After chanting the mantra for some time, you’ll be more alert and in tune with your environment. This allows you to experience deeper levels of awareness.

Transcendental Meditation:

Transcendental Meditation is a popular type of meditation. This practice has been the subject of numerous studies in the scientific community. This practice is for those who like structure and are serious about maintaining a meditation practice.

Progressive Relaxation:

Also known as body scan meditation, progressive relaxation is a practice aimed at reducing tension in the body and promoting relaxation. Oftentimes, this form of meditation involves slowly tightening and relaxing one muscle group at a time throughout the body. This form of meditation is often used to relieve stress and unwind before bedtime.

Loving-Kindness Meditation:

Loving-kindness meditation is used to strengthen feelings of compassion, kindness, and acceptance toward oneself and others. Because this type of meditation is intended to promote compassion and kindness, it may be ideal for those holding feelings of anger or resentment.

Visualization Meditation:

Visualization meditation is a technique focused on enhancing feelings of relaxation, peace, and calmness by visualizing positive scenes or images. With this practice, it’s important to imagine the scene vividly and use all five senses to add as much detail as possible. Many people use visualization meditation to boost their mood, reduce stress levels, and promote inner peace.

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Part 3 of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura


Part 3 of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation: 

Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today, we will try to open up the solar plexus chakra.

Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura:

The Solar Plexus, or Manipura, refers to the third chakra. It spins in the area around the abdomen above the belly button up to the breastbone.  Meaning “lustrous gem” in Sanskrit, the Manipura chakra provides a source of personal power and relates to self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation. This third chakra is the center of willpower. While the Sacral chakra seeks pleasure and enjoyment, the third chakra is all about the perception of who you are. It is the center of your self-esteem, your willpower, self-discipline, as well as warmth in your personality.   When the Solar Plexus chakra or Manipura is open and the energy in this center is balanced, these functions naturally find a clear and effortless outlet. However, in case the flow of energy is disturbed, whether because the Manipura chakra is overactive or blocked, symptoms may range from energetic and emotional to physical.

Location:

The solar plexus chakra or Manipura is located in the solar plexus area (upper part of the belly, where your diaphragm rests); it is the third chakra from the bottom in the traditional system counting 7 chakras. Some traditions place it more loosely in the navel area. Closely connected to the digestive system, especially the gastric and hypogastric plexi, its main function is to help transform matter into energy to fuel your body. It governs metabolism and is commonly associated with the pancreas.

Element:

Solar plexus chakra or Manipura is associated with the element of fire. However, some contemporary healing movements connect it to the element of air. It has a connection with the sun, heat, the energy of light, all forms of power.

Color: 

Yellow is the color for this chakra, so use it in during your relaxation or meditation. A nice and powerful visualization is making your center radiate like the sun. Higher frequencies of this chakra can turn into golden yellow. Additionally, since it’s associated with the element of fire, it is also sometimes depicted with yellowish red.

Symbol:

the solar plexus chakra

The symbol for the solar plexus or Manipura chakra is a circle with 10 petals in which is inscribed a downward-pointing triangle. The inverted triangle represents the fire element and the transformative power of this energy center. Fire turns matter into energy that can be used to propel, move forward. The ten petals are often represented with the color blue, like the blue color of the flame.

10037119 – detailed solar plexus chakra vector illustration

Mudra for Third Chakra – Rudra Mudra: 

Rudra Mudra is a powerful healing mudra that gives a lot of energy to the body. Rudra mudra constructs by a connection of the thumb (fire element) index finger (air element) and ring finger (earth element). This connection leads to the powerful combination of fire, air, and earth elements in our bodies. Thus, this mudra keeps us mentally fit and physically fit.   First, sit in any comfortable yoga asana, such as Padmasana (lotus position) or Vajrayana (thunderbolt pose). If you are not comfortable to sit, you can practice it standing. Now, close your eyes and focus on the ‘in and out’ movement of the breath. This will help you generate awareness. Next, fold your index and ring fingers towards the thumb. Now touch the tips of index fingers and ring fingers with the thumb. Leave the remaining two fingers extended as much as possible. Do this with both hands. Now, without disturbing the posture of fingers, place both your hands on upper thighs.

Yoga Poses for Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura:

Practicing yoga postures with mindful breathing helps release tension in the solar plexus, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The warrior poses build confidence and align the third chakra. Sun salutations warm up the body and connect with the fiery energy of the sun. Boat pose is another excellent posture for strengthening the abdominal muscles, balancing digestion, and bringing a sense of personal empowerment.

Mantra – RAM:

Singing mantras or sound vibrations to open solar plexus mantra is RAM. RAM is the vedic bija mantra. By chanting RAM like you would OM, but more continuously, works on the same vibrational frequency.

My dear lovelies! Hope this post helps you open up and activate your solar plexus chakra or Manipura. What do you do to find empowerment? Please leave your response and any suggestions in the comment below.

In the meantime, please subscribe to this blog or follow me if you have wordpress account. This way every time a new post is added you will be notified. Check out my other posts as well (Part 2 Of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Sacral Chakra Or Svadhisthana; and Part One Of 7 Chakra Series – Root Chakra Or Muladhara). Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij. Are you on Bloglovin? Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

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Part Two of 7 Chakra Series – Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana


Sacral Chakra: 

The second chakra or the Sacral Chakra is located just above the pubic bone and is responsible for passion, sexuality, intimacy, money, creativity, and joy. The balance of the Sacral Chakra allows us to improve our relationships with ourselves and others. It is associated with the water element and is characterized by movement and flow in our emotions and thoughts. It also supports personal expansion and the formation of identity through relating to others and to the world.

Color of Sacral Chakra:

The sacral chakra is most commonly represented with the color orange. However, since it’s associated with the element of water, it could also take the color of very light blue or white on more rare occasions. The orange of the second chakra is translucent and has a transparent quality.

The Shakti Mudra:

This feminine mudra for the sacral chakra works to harness sexuality and sensuality.  With your palms in front of your chest, press your pinky and ring fingertips together. Fold your thumbs into your palms, inside of your index and middle finger.

Mantra – VAM:

Vam is the bija, or seed, sound of the sacral chakra. When chanting the mantra, vam, the power of the sound vibrations is believed to cleanse this chakra, which is the energy center of creativity, pleasure, and sexuality.

 

12931900 – the sacral chakra

Yogis chant vam to heal the sacral center physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mantras, particularly single-syllable bija mantras, are usually chanted for their healing sound vibrations, rather than any specific meaning. Chakra mantras like vam are thought to clear the subtle energy pathways in the body in order to create positive change.

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Gratitude Meditation


Hi there my lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today I will share with another short but effective meditation technique. It’s called Gratitude Meditation. This 5 minutes meditation will help you have compassion towards yourself and be grateful for your life.

Through this meditation, you will give thanks for the small things in your life. This in turn will bring compassion and love towards yourself. You find calm and gratitude through this guided meditation. Hope it is as helpful to you as it has been for me.

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij and Twitter page @allaboutme3181. Are you on Bloglovin?  Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

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