Amanda May

A small but important truth

I want to share something that I consider a Universal Truth: 

Everyone has a need to be heard.  Everyone has something to say.  Everyone has a story.  So, LISTEN.  Listening truly is a gift for the person speaking.  It’s a gift of you, really, a gift of your time and attention. 

I know, right?  Duh.  It’s incredibly basic and so obvious.  Yet often the importance of these seemingly small things get forgotten in our day-to-day lives.  The reasons why are many…we get busy, are in a hurry, or even excited, wanting to say something ourselves.  Or maybe we listen partially to what someone has to say and then we find that we drift off.

Look, I’m not perfect.  I am not always the best listener myself.  (This is why I teach - so I can work on smoothing out my own rough edges.)  Yet sometimes all it takes a gentle reminder (like this one) to get back on track.

I hope you choose someone today and give them the gift of listening consciously.  It may seem small.  But doing this seemingly small thing that can make a world of difference to someone else.

Meanwhile, you’ll be doing your part to make the world a kinder, better place…one corner at a time.

Thanks for listening to me.  Sat nam and love,

Amanda

A Meditation To Help You Rise Above

Sat nam friends,

If you are anything like me, sometimes you can use a hand in life.  I’m a regular person with a family, work and a busy, stressful life.  I use meditation to help me enhance my day-to-day life and operate more gracefully and with less stress.  Yep, I use meditation to get through everyday situations such as parenting, commuting, moving and financial strain.

I want to share a simple meditation with you that helps lift you out of the drama and challenge of life and bring you back to emotional neutrality.  

It’s short and sweet.  This meditation consists of chanting a mantra, the Mul Mantra.  If you’re familiar with Kundalini yoga you may even know it already. 

Reciting the Mul Mantra in this particular way helps with navigating transition and coping with change in a positive way.  It also helps you cope with pain and heal the heart by helping you to be present to what is rather than avoiding it.  When we are present to what is – no matter how painful – we can heal and move on.  When we move on and release the past we can create the future that we wish for.  I think that’s one reason why Yogi Bhajan said, "The Mul Mantra… changes one’s destiny to complete prosperity.“  

Sada Sat Kaur (http://www.yogatech.com/Sada_Sat_Kaur) amazing yogi, master teacher and Kundalini recording artist, shared a story with me about this meditation.  Apparently Guru Nanek was lost in the Ganges river.  Everyone thought he had drowned but after 3 days he emerged from the water chanting this mantra.  This meditation has the kind of power to help you cope with whatever hardship might be right in front of you.  I’m just sayin’.

Chant along with me, wherever you are, around the world.  Whether you’re sitting or walking.  Or running.  Or driving.  Dealing with culture shock.  Or coping with the stress of parenting or a difficult coworker.  It can help you with any kind of day to day life stress; it doesn’t matter what it is.  Let the energy of this sacred mantra unfold within you and see what happens.  Let it help you find your center; let it help reconnect you with peace.

Give it a try!

I recite it three times on this audio clip and then close with “Sat nam”.

Here are the words.  The language is Gurmukhi.

I recite each line of the Mul Mantra while exhaling out the mouth, 
except twice, where noted.  

Ek ong kaar

Sat Naam

Karta Purkh (exhale out nose)

Nirbhao, Nirvair

Akaal moorat

Adjoonee

Saibhang 

Gur Prasaad

Jap!  (exhale out nose)

Aad Sach 

Jugaad Sach

Haibhee Sach 

Nanak Hosee Bhee Sach 

Here’s a picture for you to gaze at while you chant, if you’d like.

I’d like to share a sweet translation of this mantra given by Kundalini musical artist and teacher Snatam Kaur: http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/snatam-kaur-on-the-mul-mantra.  To paraphrase:

I am One with all beings.
In my core I am true.
God works through me…. God works through everyone in my life.
I am fearless.
I live in this moment in full compassion and acceptance of what is.
The purity of our efforts to live in a spiritual way never die… these efforts live on forever.
I am infinite.
Within myself I have the power to find light, to find love, to find joy.  I don’t need anyone or anything for this.
By the Grace of the teachings of the Gurus.
Meditate!
True in the Beginning.
True throughout the ages.
True here and now.
Spirit, Truth, Love, and Light…. these are the things that are true, and have always been true.

Here’s to living with a joyous heart.

Sat nam and love,

Amanda

Reputed health benefits of
the Master Cleanse:

·      helps detoxify the body

·      provides essential minerals

·      improves digestion

·      balances pH levels

·      reduces appetite

·      clears skin

Using the Master Cleanse to support your health

During times of stress the immune system can be weakened and the body is more susceptible to disease.  At times like these I start my day with the Master Cleanse water.  It keeps me hydrated, helps flush out toxins and keeps me feeling great.

Here’s the formula:
½ gallon of water (1.5 liters)
1 whole lemon, juiced (including peel, make it organic & well-cleaned)
2 large spoonfuls of maple syrup
A pinch of cayenne

If you don’t have a juicer, chop up the lemon, blend it with the water and then strain it out. 

The Master Cleanse can also be incorporated into your diet after a course of antibiotics.  However, it’s not a one-stop-solution; food and nutrients behave differently in different people.  What is best for every person varies because each person is biochemically unique.  Ultimately what is best for YOU is something you’ll want to figure out and know.

I hope I’ve been able to support you in your path to wellness.  Give it a try and let me know!

Stress and Happiness

Sat nam friends,

Like it or not, stress is a part of life.  We all have to deal with it regardless of who we are, where we live or how successful we are.  Coping with stress is definitely a recurring theme for me.  As I move through my own life, I am continually looking for new ways to cope gracefully with stress and pressure. 

I’ve recently found a GREAT meditation for alleviating stress.  It’s powerful, it’s simple and it works quickly.  I want to share it with you so I’ve included written instructions along with a video clip. 

·      To begin, find a comfortable place to sit

·      Rest your hands on your knees in Gyan Mudra (thumb & index fingers touching)

·      Close your eyes

·      Inhale through your nose in 8 equal strokes, and exhale out through your nose in 1 long powerful stroke

·      Continue this for 3 – 11 minutes

·      To finish, inhale deeply, hold your breath 5- 10 seconds; exhale.  Inhale again, hold your breath 15- 20 seconds and roll your shoulders; exhale.  Inhale one more time, hold your breath 15- 20 seconds and roll your shoulders as fast as you can; exhale and relax.

When we learn to control our body’s response to stress, we’re able to calm down and relax when we need to.  The capacity to calm ourselves down isn’t just good for our body, either.  It also helps us to be emotionally stable, make better decisions and frankly it affects how happy we are. 

And lets be honest: who doesn’t want more happiness in their life?

Life continually presents us with opportunities.  Sometimes these opportunities come to us wrapped in stress.  I share this meditation with you in the hope that it will support you in recognizing and seizing each opportunity that arises in your life.

May you continue to thrive wherever you are.