People and their stories never cease to amaze me and serve as inspiration to us all! Losang Samten escaped from Tibet with his family by trekking over the Himalaya to Nepal and then India.

Losang Samten went on to become an accomplished artist, dancer, philosopher and teacher. He was the first person to make a sand painting in America with the blessing of the Dalai Lama. He was awarded the Pew scholarship, National Heritage, Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is the director of the Chenezrig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia.

Recently, Losang returned to Philadelphia in conjunction with the Gershman Y with an offering in the spirit of peace, a sand mandala. He worked for a month to complete the Kalachakra mandala. Working daily for hours of intricate labor requires skill, discipline, focus and dedication. Some people returned several times to watch as the month passed and the mandala slowly evolved. It was a pleasure to meet him and spend some time with him. He has a Zen-like presence and a hearty sense of humor!

*Here are some very educational and interesting things you can learn to make the meaning of a “simple” sand painting into a life lesson:

The best-known form of the Kalachakra mandala is the sand mandala, for which colored sand grains are painstakingly placed. This sand drawing represents a 3-dimensional palace of which every single detail has a symbolic meaning. A mandala is a symbolic representation of many aspects of a specific tantra. In the Kalachakra tantra, all elements of the mandala refer to the universe (outer Kalachakra), the body and mind (inner Kalachakra) and the practice (initiation, generation and completion stages).

Every detail of the mandala, from each deity to every adornments of the building, refers to time and the universe (Outer Kalachakra), physical and mental aspects of Kalachakra and ourselves (Inner Kalachakra), and also to aspects of the practice (Alternative Kalachakra).

The sand mandala is typically drawn in sand using a chakpu – a metal funnel with an opening through which sand is tapped out. The sand image is intended to be a two-dimensional representation of Kalachakra’s three-dimensional palace; therefore it is drawn in plan view.

The word Kalachakra means “Wheel of Time” and it is the name of the primary deity who resides in the Kalachakra mandala. In Buddhist teachings, Kalachakra is time itself.

Kalachakra is described as having black skin, four faces (one black, one white, one yellow, and one red), twelve arms, and twenty-four hands. He is represented by a vajra (or, “thunderbolt”), drawn in blue sand in the very center of the mandala. Losang Samten, the creator of the mandala, was carrying a bronze representation of a vajra in his hand during the ceremony]

The palace contains five stories, each divided into four quadrants by compass direction. Each quadrant is colored so as to represent the elements within the human body; East corresponds with the color black, North corresponds with white, West with yellow, and South with red (just as the four faces of Kalachakra are colored). The five stories consist of the Enlightened Body, Enlightened Speech, Enlightened Mind, Enlightened Wisdom, and Enlightened Great Bliss. They are drawn as exponentially-proportioned mandalas nested within each other.

Beneath the palace are four elemental rings and two outer rings (for a total of six). From the inside outward, they consist of rings of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and wisdom.

Dwelling within each story of the mandala and some of the outer elemental rings is a total of 722 deities, both male and female, of varying colors, dispositions, and symbolisms. They are usually depicted as dots called bindus, resting on the petals or centers of lotuses. The sand mandala is drawn as a temporary home for these deities.

As the final step in the process, the deities are dispersed through prayer, and the sand mandala is dismantled. The energy of the mandala is cut along the orthogonal Brahman lines using a vajra, and the sand is swept into the center and eventually into a special urn. On the edge of a body of water, such as a river or an ocean, monks pray for the purification of the environment and those within it. The sand is then poured into the water, as an offering for the welfare of all beings. Many of those who are unfamiliar with Buddhist thought are confused or taken aback by the destruction of the intricately detailed mandala. However, the dismantling serves an important purpose in acknowledging the impermanence of all aspects of life. *

Losang Samten travels the world bringing mandalas to people as well as dance, music, prayer, chanting and teaching Tibetan culture and practices. Broadening our horizons here in Philadelphia and everywhere he goes his presence and work are sure to be a delight and a blessing!

*Conley Cheaberlin contributed this portion of the mandala explanation & WE THANK HIM GREATLY FOR EFFORTS!

http://www.losangsamten.com/

http://kalachakranet.org/mandala_kalachakra.html

]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/the-kalachakra-and-losang-samten-culture-art-history.html/feed 0 http://www.totallyzen.com/how-do-michael-jackson-and-yoga-relate.html http://www.totallyzen.com/how-do-michael-jackson-and-yoga-relate.html#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:23:32 +0000 Stephanie http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=425 Continue reading →]]>

Balance              Letting Go            Living in the Present            Breathing              Focus              Peace

Happiness               Relaxation                         Energy                    Strength           Flexibility

These are invaluable tools, let’s call them assets that some people, even the most rich and famous, may or may not ever receive or find in their lifetime. If you practice yoga long enough you will be able to access these assets on your own.

It is really disturbing to think about the lack of sanity, music produced, performances and his tumultuous lifestyle in the last 15 years because Michael Jackson was one of the greatest talents. Hearing him sing the old classics were like heaven & earth syncing and riding on the high-speed train to ecstasy. You could dance and sing to his songs anywhere, anytime. His voice, music and movement were seamless, effervescent and full of magic! Not many people on this earth are blessed with as much talent as he was so fortunate to have bestowed upon him.

That being said, what makes a life peaceful and fulfilling possible? We are not able to choose our family or life circumstances as we enter this life. Many times we never transcend them for the sake of ourselves.

Feeling trapped, burdened, uncomfortable, unstable, angry, jealous, hurt, fearful, anxious, overwhelmed as a result of what we experienced that was so traumatic that we may never escape or overcame the circumstances that we felt were beyond our control.

I am living proof that yoga can empower such a change. It was so hard in the beginning and never a day goes by I am not reminded some way of my painful past that haunts me. In every way, I am, like everybody else, the person I am today because of what happened in my past. You cannot help that. In fact, if you do not make peace with it and let it go; it can destroy you. In Michael Jackson’s case I believe this happened to him. He was a victim of his own life and legacy. Not able to move beyond what occurred in his youth or what became of his life as an adult. He was not able to take control, to dig deeper, to rise above, to get the right help, to reach out, to make changes he needed to survive his own life and even find peace and happiness.

What devastation for anybody to feel and live in and especially when you are so talented and have so many opportunities. In many ways famous people serve as an example for those of us who live in a different fashion but carry the same light.

Yoga has been my salvation and the catalyst to change, growth and evolution of my being. Yoga is a healing art. Yoga has the ability to help you heal your mind, body and spirit. The benefits of yoga continue to exceed any other activity I have ever experienced in life.

It is a powerful tool to incorporate into your life to become more whole, free and in tune with yourself and the world.

Today, we send out a big Aum, a vibration of peace and harmony in honor of Michael Jackson and all those that suffer and hope that they find a way to serve their soul so that they may prosper in happiness, health and spirit.

FIND YOGA, FIND PEACE.

*The Recording Academy — the people behind The Grammys: “Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide claim. A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael’s career transcends musical and cultural genres, and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news, and our hearts go out to his family and to music lovers around the globe who mourn this great loss.”-Neil Portnow, CEO/President, The Recording Academy

]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/how-do-michael-jackson-and-yoga-relate.html/feed 9 http://www.totallyzen.com/the-five-fundamentals-of-qigong-part-v-the-benefits-of-practicing-qigong.html http://www.totallyzen.com/the-five-fundamentals-of-qigong-part-v-the-benefits-of-practicing-qigong.html#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:03:47 +0000 Stephanie http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=357 Continue reading →]]>

Either to garner some interest and enthusiasm to begin or to remain committed to a practice of Qigong; we should know how many ways we are improving our lives by practicing Qigong.

Sometimes instantaneously or after a period of time you can feel the tingling, heat or vibration in your palms. Eventually your internal self will feel warmer. Your three tan tiens, or energy centers, will feel more vibration when you do your energy work, which strengthens the energy at each center. Your root will heat up because you are cultivating energy there as well.

Other Types of Improvements found as a Benefit from Practicing Qigong:

Increased Health and Vitality-
Reduces blood pressure, resting heart rate, and cholesterol levels.
Improves vision and hearing, bone density, digestion, arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Improves immune system with regular practice you can relieve or cure allergies, asthma, senility, chronic fatigue and more.

Chronic Pain- can be managed with practice. Through visualization and mind/body control you can reduce or eliminate pain.

Better Circulation- with the practice of regular breathing you increase the oxygen within the body. Then through movement and focused intention you move this energy throughout your body.

Builds Moral Character- by creating virtue and wisdom.

Spiritual Development- evolves by clearing your mental state and nourishing your intuition. As the focus turns inward you can begin to
see the interconnectedness of all things and beings.

Oneness with the Universe- is developed by removing all the obstacles and thoughts to develop Universal intention and energy during your practice.

Inner Peace- is established by the peace and calmness you feel in your practice. Happiness, gratitude, compassion can be truly experienced.

Stress Reliever- by decreasing your stress response. Helps obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression, anxiety and Type A personalities.

Increased Intelligence- by integrating different states of consciousness and developing more awareness.

Develops Discipline- by practicing anything on a regular basis you create discipline.

Improves- coordination, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility.

Builds Self-Esteem and Self Confidence-by allowing you to feel good and comfortable in your own skin.

Qigong is one of the fastest , most effective forms of health maintenance and therapy. It will enrich your life in many different facets of life and living. 

Meditation is the next layer you add to a yoga practice once you have found posture and breathing. Building a yoga practice bit by bit takes hard work, just like anything you really want to succeed at in life. Indeed, yoga is a life skill and in this hectic world we live in meditation can be as essential as yoga. They compliment each other; but in yoga the real work does not begin until you learn how to meditate because then you can tap into the internal and external energy. It is my deep belief that if everyone meditated there would be a lot less hostility in our world. This is how powerful, transformational and critical meditation can be to your health and happiness and everyone else’s.

Moments of time connected by nothing but breath & clear presence are the crux of meditation. Finding things you might have lost along the way we engage in meditation to reconnect to the source. Deep relaxation can be achieved by participating in a regular practice of meditation. Awareness to the self and others can be cultivated by means of meditation.

When we were babies we had no constant ticker tape of thoughts trailing our every move. We had no information highway, bills, business, relationship woes, concerns or considerations. As we get older the chips start to stack and the pile gets so large just thinking of it can raise your blood pressure, make you sweat, frown, curse and sometimes a lot worse. Just think of all the tragic abuse and killings we hear about every day in every corner of the world.

Meditation helps you regain your center so that all these problems become manageable and approachable. You can take action instead of get stuck in stress of many types; like: fear, anxiety, worry, anger and other more negative emotions.

How do we learn to meditate?                                              

It starts with your breath in a quiet place and an intention to build breath energy without thought. (Refer to the breathing post from 7/3.)

Once you learn how to deep breathe in a constant, cyclical manner you have begun the rhythm or energy.
To transform this energy, which is your breath into clear and positive white light. 

People suggest many different types of concentration and awareness tools:

Some people like to chant, others like to visually see the breath as white light, another method is connecting to the sensation that is your breath. Focusing on a point outside the self or within the self are still other forms of meditation. I began by counting the breath because it is hard for thoughts to enter in your mind when you are counting.

Don’t try too hard and do not get discouraged. I did not learn to meditate for about two years. It depends on your concentration and focus, your openness and effort, your intention and desire.

Start with nine deep breaths without thought once, twice or three times a day. Later you can sit, lie or walk in meditation for longer periods. Build your meditation strength and skill as you would any other learned skill or behavior.

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Ultimately, your goal is to return and join with universal conscious-ness, the divine power, a higher force that exists around you and within you. The One that helps you elevate your level of consciousness so that the “little things” that used to alter your mood or behavior are now more manageable because you have a tool to feed you that true power. Eventually, this leads to peace and contentment.

The show was well thought out, had a nice flow to it and represented the whole of her work; in fact, you could say very Zen-like.

The exhibition began with photography; it was there I got to know her beauty. There was an audio accompaniment that was very informative. I learned at fifteen she was injured in a train/bus accident, a piece of iron punctured her body, and her spine, collarbone, ribs were shattered.

If we think back, medicine was not as sophisticated then; so, these types of injuries were not easily rectified. She subsequently had thirty operations and was never without pain after her accident. It was then that she began painting.

Because her life had been so drastically altered she depicted some of her disturbing life in amazing yet turbulent works of art. The theme of her work usually depicted Mexican folklore, life or self-portraits. She claimed to use herself as a subject because she knew herself best. Her work mixes symbolism, surrealism and realism and hone in on her astute mind and higher knowledge.

The feature of many of her works of art made the spine a prominent fixture. As a girl, about her age, I suffered whiplash that left me in pain for years. So slight was my injury as compared to hers; still once you have a spinal injury or back/neck pain you will never be the same. A constant aching and degree of pain may follow you through years of your life. Eventually, I was fortunate enough to find yoga. After years of practicing yoga, relaxation and getting tons of bodywork I am almost free of any spinal pain. But, it wasn’t easy and it takes tons of time to heal the spine.

When I saw her painting, The Broken Column, it shows her naked body being supported by a broken column, being held together by a brace, with nails piercing her body in pain, tears flowing from her eyes. Another painting has flames and rods coming out of her spine and there is no head attached. The Two Fridas paints her self -separated in two bodies sharing her internal organs.

As the exhibit moves on you can start to connect to how she must have been tortured. Even with such great talent and vision she had no relief. If painting brought her joy it was only temporary; as her body aged it deteriorated as a result of the trauma it experienced previously.

She looked to the universe as she painted scenes of heaven and earth, religious leaders, ancient ruins and warriors as if she was trying to discover or make peace with the meaning of life. The depth of her soul bled on the canvas showing all her complexity, vulnerability and confusion. The pain she must have endured as she kept herself engaged in creating art for all the world to view.

I had so many thoughts running through my head as I left her exhibit. I felt this deep compassion and sorrow for her life and plight. I was overwhelmed by her skill, drive and communication.

As time has passed, I returned to the images of her spine and all the pain she expressed through her art. I remembered how THANKFUL I am for my health, my spine and the ability to move freely through my life pain free. What a blessing to be reminded of any day, any time.

http://www.fridakahlo.com/bio.shtml

On so many levels they got it “right”. Their characterization of each person was dead on. The writer really knew her characters. The sets made you feel you were either at your house or a neighbor or friend’s home. The music ,like the way they narrated the story, created another layer of combining what is modern with vintage. The way the story was told flowed so smoothly the movie never dragged and in fact quickly flew by. I found myself wanting to stay in Juno’s world!

The story revolves around a young girl who got pregnant the first time she ever became intimate with a guy. Bad luck? Well, she turned whatever her fate was into a blessing. A way of saying life’s tone is all in your perspective. She wanted to have an abortion; but on the way to the clinic ran into a classmate that was picketing in front for pro-life. Immediately, Juno decided to have the baby and then give it to a less fortunate couple.

I was struck by her unnerving strength and single-mindedness in what must be a very hard life decision. I kept thinking she is thirteen and she knows without question what she wants to do and never rethinks or questions her decision.

I thought back to a lot of times in my life where I did not trust my instinct or did not feel secure in my own mind what the correct path to take was at that time. In watching the film I recognized how I got this feeling of calm that is the result of being resolved in your own judgment.

How to trust your inner voice, your instinct is something you are either aware of or not. You either practice or not in life. I have found that as I analyze my life and some of the decisions that shaped my life’s path there were times when my spirit or soul was “talking” to me and I was not listening. My inner voice had a message and I ignored it or went directly against it brushing aside “that feeling”. Being unsettled internally and/or externally is usually the cause.

So, how does a girl who is thirteen know exactly what is best for her and thinks beyond just herself in making her decision. She appeared to have a strong foundation, a good spirit, and a rationale mind. These are all great qualities to have in a person and help you stay balanced in life.

Personally, I find that if you have veered off the path of conscious living or being “right” minde self   all you have to do is decide where you are going and keep walking down that path. Following the “right” way, with no questions or detours, will move you in the “right” direction as expeditiously as possible. This takes self-discipline and practice. It is something only you can implement and monitor for yourself. But, you will know the difference once you experience that feeling of being in harmony with the world within you and around you. It’s not a matter of haste but being at peace in your own mind, body and spirit.

Can’t wait to share my journey through sound w/you! Peace Out!

                                                          ************************************

Well, it was a fabulous trip to Austin to visit old friends & be one w/so many different vibrations sounds. You know music is vibration. Vibration is energy. That is a very important fact to remember when choosing what music you might like to spend your time listening to in life. Good, positive music brings you the same kind of energy & follow that thought across the spectrum of music. I LOVE MUSIC & I LOVE ALL TYPES OF MUSIC! But, since I have studied energy I choose more carefully what music i surround myself with because, in fact, it does make a difference in your attitude which filters through to your life; not to forget the people or spirits you attract because of the music you listen to & the way you present yourself.

Anyway, in Austin, Texas people are mostly friendly, open; hospitable. I hadn’t been back to Austin much since graduating from college there. What a GREAT place! It is just big enough, just sophisticated enough, has the right blend of weather, rolling hills, cheap food, lotsa party spots & good folks! I have to remember to get back there more often!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Austin City Limits Music Festival brought to us by C3 was a seemingly effortless well run 3 day show that hosted about 120 bands & 75,000 concert goers a day. Impressive by anyone’s standards. The amount of music w/5 stages was actually overwheming! I saw so many bands: The Killers, Arcade Fire, Bjork, Blue October, Crowded House, The IndigoGirls, LCD Soundsytem, Cold War Kids, Gotan Project, Zap Mama, Blonde Redhead, Ben Kweller, Peter Bjorn & John, Louis XIV, Queen of the Stone Ages. There were so many other bands I wanted to see!

It was like being a kid in a candy shop w/only so much money. Money there was time.. How to schedule yourself to get more bands in.. The long walk across the massive Zilker Park Grounds to catch a few minutes of someone you really wanted to check out. Arriving not quite as early as I had wanted to & leaving as the last people left the park trying to fully absorb the experience.

It is said you can experience Zen when you are present in the moment & in equal balance within & around you. I got that feeling there many times as I let everythng else go but that connection to my environment. As I took in & expanded out my moments of bliss in Austin, with my friends, listening to great music, feeling connected to the people & all the energy that went into creating & being a part of those moments in time, I know I am truly blessed!

http://www.austincitylimits.com/