Above Time & Space

"The mind is above time and space. If you decide not to complain, it will immediately compensate you with intuition."
-Yogi Bhajan, July 12, 1984-

Challenge yourself.....or someone else will

Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make You Happy

From: http://zenhabits.net/why-living-a-life-of-gratitude-can-make-you-happy/

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart

Post written by Leo Babauta.

Many days, I try to humble myself and hold a 2-minute gratitude session. I simply sit or kneel, with no distractions, close my eyes, and think about what I’m grateful for and who I’m grateful for.
I don’t do it every day, but let me tell you, on the days I do it, it makes me very happy.
Why should that be? Why should the simple act of thinking about who and what I’m grateful for make such a big difference in my life?
Just a few reasons:

• Because it reminds you of the positive things in your life. It makes you happy about the people in your life, whether they’re loved ones or just a stranger you met who was kind to you in some ways.
• Because it turns bad things into good things. Having problems at work? Be grateful you have work. Be grateful you have challenges, and that life isn’t boring. Be grateful that you can learn from these challenges. Be thankful they make you a stronger person.
• Because it reminds you of what’s important. It’s hard to complain about the little things when you give thanks that your children are alive and healthy. It’s hard to get stressed out over paying bills when you are grateful there is a roof over your head.
• Because it reminds you to thank others. I’ll talk about this more below, but the simple act of saying “thank you” to someone can make a big difference in that person’s life. Calling them, emailing them, stopping by to say thank you … just taking that minute out of your life to tell them why you are grateful toward them is important to them. People like being appreciated for who they are and what they do. It costs you little, but makes someone else happy. And making someone else happy will make you happy.

What do I give thanks for, privately, in my little gratitude session? It varies every day. I thank all the readers of this site, for the encouragement you have given me, for the donations you’ve made that have made me that much closer to realizing my dreams, for the criticism you’ve given that has made this site better … for the time you’ve given me, just reading the articles when you have the chance.
I thank my loved ones, for all they do to me. I thank strangers who’ve shown me little acts of kindness. I thank God, for the life he’s given me. I thank people around the world for the things they’ve done to make the world better. I thank myself, for things that I’ve done (it’s important to recognize your own accomplishments).
How to Live a Life of Gratitude
The thing is, simple acts of gratitude don’t cost you much (especially once you get over the initial discomfort some people feel with thanking others). But they can make a huge difference.
If you’re interested in living a life of gratitude, here are my suggestions:

• Morning gratitude session. Take 2-3 minutes each morning to give thanks, to whoever or whatever you’re grateful for. You don’t have to do anything, other than close your eyes and silently give thanks. This one act can make a huge difference.
• Say thank you. When someone does something nice for you, however small, try to remember to say thank you. And really mean it.
• Call to say thanks. Sometimes you might think about something nice that someone did for you. Perhaps you remember during your gratitude session. When you do, pick up the phone and call the person, just to say thanks. Let them know what they did that you’re grateful for, and why you appreciate it. Takes a minute or two. If it’s too early to call, make a note to call later. Even better is telling them in person, if you happen to see them or if they’re on your route. Almost as good is a thank-you email — keep it short and sweet.
• Give thanks for “negative” things in your life. There’s always two ways to look at something. Many times we think of something as negative — it’s stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate, difficult. But that same thing can be looked at in a more positive way. Giving thanks for those things is a great way to remind yourself that there is good in just about everything. Problems can be seen as opportunities to grow, to be creative. See the prayer below for more on this.
• Learn a gratitude prayer. There are many prayers, religious or not, that can remind you to be grateful. Find one you like, and print it out or make it your desktop wallpaper. Here’s a religious one, and here’s a collection from a multitude of religions. You can find many others on the Internet, or write your own. If you’re not religious, make one that doesn’t include the concept of God. A good one is below.

Let me leave you with a prayer of gratitude that I’ve always found … well, perfect:

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~

http://zenhabits.net/why-living-a-life-of-gratitude-can-make-you-happy/ 

I usually say Meditating is like the mental shower for the mind. And Yoga Bhajan's words make so much sense. Even on my second day of meditating, I feel off. I wasn't always like that but the more I changed my diet/lifestyle, the more in tune to the subtlies of shift that go in me. Not to say, one has super powers powers yet meditating is like using into a frequency, that biorhythm of life every morning before starting the day. Tap into YOU before electronics and the hustle takes you away from what is really important.
Because "When you consistency in contentment, even tea without sugar tastes sweet." YB

Nail therapy

I really enjoy doing my own nails and find it relaxing, or a nice treat in taking care of myself. While in university, I used to have "me time" every Friday night by taking a bath, doing my nails, reading a book (not school related) or what and stayed in. It was really relaxing, nurturing and even grounding. The "me time" basically tells me that I'm important too in this busy life and need the same amount of attention that which I give.

So with being in school again and trying to save money, I recently got the Gelish kit and UV lamp but wanted to experiment with using regular nail polish the Gelish system. And they do work HOWEVER you must have the nails dry before putting on the top coat of Gelish or else the nail polish will wrinkle. I also tried putting some nail art in of heart sprinkles. And they sealed in the "Gelish Sandwich" but again....it depends on the regular polish drying.

So if time is of the essence, but you still want to pampered yourself, use the Gelish nail polish. I love it! Your nails are 10x stronger and if your nails break off at a certain point like mine, you can grow them super long! I like having fun with nails art spribkles, stickers and konad stamps personally. The Gelish nail polish cures in 2mins under the UV lamp and is hard as a rock afterwards (you do need multiple coats as wells so a manicure takes 30mins or less. Then you can be on with life immediately. On the other hand, the regular nail polish will slow you down however....isn't that the point with having "me time" anyhow?   ;-)

Either way, have fun with taking care of yourself and not be so serious. The mistakes create opportunities for creativity.

You may be able to see some of the wrinkles (since the polish didn't dry completely)

In the end, it makes me smile =)

I read this quote today over coffee and it is such a good reminder of staying connected to your core (Self):

“Whenever you mentally lean on any outside energy, you are disconnected from your third chakra.” Yogi Bhajan

The 3^rd chakra is not about your ego but about connecting with your internal source and energy = keeping that "Core" Self powerful and strong. It’s primal relationship is connect to the physical energy to the identity and power of the soul.

Hope that helps decode the meaning of the 3rd Chakra today :-)

Yogi Bhajan, The Master’s Touch is a Great Crutch

 Sat Nam Dear Family,

 As I traveled from Ashram to Ashram, I learned that hosting the Master was an interesting education. Although there was a theme which ran through the care given to our Teacher, every Ashram Director dealt with him and his situation differently. I was blessed to see how our Master was able to shift gears in dealing with each Director. This is the "Master's Touch" in action. This is the blessings of having a Teacher of this sensitivity, a Teacher who cares enough to make your personal elevation his duty. Let me give you an example.
We visited an Ashram in late 1982. Upon our arrival, the local Director presented me, as well as the Masters staff, with a list of expenses to be shared, things like telephone calls and food. Naturally, neither the Master's staff nor I appreciated the warning. The Director of this Ashram was a cheapskate. This was not something the Master liked. He taught that prosperity is a blessing and is bestowed upon those who display gratitude in giving. You can't be a cheapskate and be bestowed the gift of prosperity. So, the Master had to teach this student how to expand into a different mindset. Remember, he's a Saturn Teacher and liberally used tests as vehicles for student growth.
I asked myself, "O.K. now, how's he going to teach this student? He taught him in a very base manner. He began to spend the Director's money. How much mental torture he had to provide so this particular student would hear was the only variable. It was actually painful to watch. But, our Master would take any risk to talk to each student in a way they could hear. So, the money flowed. We went shopping, and then we went shopping again. With each purchase I could see the insecurity of the Director increase, until almost exploding. To his credit, he held it together.  And, mercifully, eventually, the shopping spree stopped. The experience was a shock to everyone's awareness, but, it worked. It worked in allowing this Director to hear what he must do in order to grow.
Here's the best part, I know the Master was heard because I saw it in action. Over the next 20 years, I had the occasion to revisit this center regularly. I can confirm that the financial parts of our visit were handled much more gracefully. I was blessed to see the Master teach this student in a way that promoted the student's growth. In this case, the Master's actions may have freaked many of us out. But, just because we judged it didn't mean it didn't work. This Director changed.
On another occasion, we were at one of other larger Centers. This Director was unique. They were all unique, but some were more unique than others (I know there's no such thing as "more unique," but I say it for emphasis). The more unique a Directors was, the harder it was to figure them out. That's why they were more unique than others. This Director had a virtue the Siri Singh Sahib liked very much. He had a confident command in his voice that attracted a lot of people and made gave them security. This was a good thing. The Master felt that if he could teach this Director to command the right way, for purity, the Director would become great. He rarely confronted this Director. He knew he wouldn't have any chance of being heard unless communication was non confrontational. The Director's image was his limited self.  He wouldn't allow anything to challenge this persona.  So, the Master accommodated, as he did with all of us, in order to be eventually heard.  In this case, the Master left his ego intact so the test for his growth could be eventually accepted..
This kind of test usually takes longer to see results.  It's a test between Teacher and student, communicated on a subtle level.  This requires more sensitivity of the student. The Director set a personal boundary which necessitated a different approach. The Master challenged this Director to improve his communication.  However, rather than telling the Director what change needed to happen directly,  he instructed others in the Ashram to communicate with the Director in a way which would force him to communicate differently.  So the game was on and a taciturn acceptance of this test was the result.
This new image change was to overcome the deficits which occur from the Director's current habit of communicating half truths for his perceived benefits. Whenever a student sets limits on the Teacher, the test the Teacher gives can be more dangerous as it limits the Teachers available tools.  But we all do it. We state either verbally or internally, "I won't do this or I can't do that." So, the Master gave this Ashram Director a test which forced him to change without him consciously knowing how it came about, a test which was non-confrontational.
 This Director wanted to be special. There's nothing wrong with that. But, here's the kicker. The Master expected real specialness, not perceived. He demanded us to assume all the responsibilities and not just the privileges that go with being special. He expected his students to "match up," not just get by. Tests on a subtle level are constantly ongoing.  And although great results can be achieved, diligence and perseverance are perpetually required.  Therefore, the results can never be truly in. The results of this test are shown by the increase of true humility, reverence, and harmony in communication: humility in understanding the need to change, reverence in the knowledge that service is not self-interest, and harmony that creates relationships.  You can't fake consciousness. It is self evident to almost everyone. 
These are examples of how the Siri Singh Sahib was a blessing to all. How he adjusted to each student as the situation called for. He talked to people so personally that almost everyone who communicated with him experienced the "Master's Touch". The Master's Touch is the flexibility he demonstrates in being heard and understood by each for their benefit, whether it be a student, friend or enemy.  Whether in person, or on a subtle level, he's there for all, he's there today, all you have to do is call upon him.
 As the Master's students came, he directed each to a spot in the organization where their growth could best flourish. Of course, many argued that they deserved better, but that's "par for the course." If those he directed understand what I'm saying, then they've learned a great lesson and earned a great blessing from the Master. The lesson is the understanding that it doesn't matter who you were, in fact, it doesn't even matter who you are, everyone is equal in the game of service. So, there's no fear, guilt, or judgment about believing in yourself.  The blessing in the experience of doing whatever is required in the service to the One who takes care of your life; the blessing of doing and not doing at the same time.
  The Master is there to bestow great blessings upon the sincere student.  Some saw this in him and couldn't keep up; while, others didn't see it in him at all, but wanted to; while, still others, viewed the Master as special and have maintained that reverence. No matter where you stand, please know this: he's still available with no judgment attached. Surrender is the key to his blessings.  We surrender who we think we are to the concept of who he knows we are.  We surrender to our Teacher, our Guru, and our God.  Surrender what you want for what they want. He would then say, "Do it honestly for you and be your own judge. This is where spiritually begins." This is the result of the "Master's Touch." Stay tuned,
In Humility of Service and Gratitude,
MSS Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa

This message was sent to valerie.ramrattan@gmail.com from: Nine Treasures | 718 McCurdy Rd. | Espanola, NM 87532

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