by atmara | Feb 19, 2015 | Compassion, Happiness, Meditation, TED Talks, Video
According to TEDx Talks: “Neuroscientist Sara Lazar’s amazing brain scans show meditation can actually change the size of key regions of our brain, improving our memory and making us more empathetic, compassionate, and resilient under stress.”
Enjoy this interesting talk.
For those of you not familiar with TED Talks here is a brief summery from www.ted.com: “TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences — the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Oxford UK each summer — TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and Open TV Project, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize”
“About TEDx:
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)”
——————————————————————————————————–
I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by atmara | Aug 18, 2014 | Art, Mandala Monday, Mandalas, Sacred Geometry
Interior of the rose at Strasbourg Cathedral.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
For the past several centuries in Europe, most of the great cathedrals have at least one stained glass rose window that is place in a primary architectural location on the building. Though people admire the great expanse of these incredible stained glass windows (some are up to 45 feet diameter, or 8 stories tall), plus the beautiful colors of the glass, few are aware of the deeper significance of why rose windows were put there in the first place.
The builders of the cathedrals were the master Masons who at the time still had the esoteric knowledge of sacred geometry, and how to use its effects to elevate the spiritual nature of man. Unfortunately, most people today, and even back then, believed the cathedrals were built for the purpose of religious ceremony and ritual, but this only true on a basic understanding. As always throughout history, the master initiates of spirituality would pass on their teachings and knowledge in a way that the common folk could learn of by experience, rather than intellect. In other words, the cathedrals surrounded the people with a precise geometric structure that had subtle effects on their spiritual nature, and thus slowly helping them to awaken to their true understanding of themselves as conscious spiritual beings.
For example, the entire building was made of some type of natural stone, like granite, marble, or sandstone, which the Masons knew had the ability to carry the etheric energy of the earth, the same as the great pyramids in Egypt. They also understood that shape and form also affected this energy, thus the cathedral, like the pyramid, was constructed entirely by the use of sacred geometry, which means each part of the building was mathematically based on one master geometrical relationship. There were no such things as haphazard sizes. Every stone and every shape was based on this geometric master formula. This caused the etheric energy within the cathedral, specially underneath the central dome, to elevate anyone within its field. This knowledge is forgotten today.
The rose window, usually placed in an elevated position, actually represents in physical matter, what happens when the “third eye” (in the center of the forehead according to yogi meditation masters) opens up in a state of deep meditation, this eye becomes a doorway to the higher realms of spiritual dimensions. So in the cathedral, the stained glass rose window is actually a meditation mandala that can be used by anyone sitting in the space to focus on, and help them to open their own spiritual window of consciousness.
Though only a few aspects of the cathedrals were touched upon in this article, you can understand that the original shape and design of these buildings were for most people, the religious practices of various beliefs, but in reality, on the inner realm, were designed for the spiritual elevation of consciousness. And of course, they still have the exact same effects today, since in the world of sacred geometry, these principles of construction are eternal.
You can visit and learn how to have your own stained glass rose window for both simple beauty and artwork added to your space, and also for your personal meditation mandala that you can use anytime. Visit http://www.rosewindowcompany.com
Andrew Shimanoff has studied sacred geometry and used it in his custom woodworking business for the past 20 years. His company specializes in making stained glass rose window frames for hobbyists, artesans, churches, and buildings. Visit at http://www.rosewindowcompany.com
——————————————————————————————————–
I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by atmara | Jun 30, 2014 | Art, Healing, Mandala Monday, Mandalas, Meditation
Mandala healing is not one of the most well known forms of alternative healing. However, the integration of a mandala image into a meditation session can certainly boost the effectiveness of the process. That is why the concept of mandala healing deserves a closer look.
Meditation has long since been used as a means of promoting proper restorative mental health benefits. When a person meditates, it becomes possible to calm and relax the mind. This can put an end to much of the psychic noise that is present within the deep recesses of the mind. Now, this is not to say that meditation alone will cure all mental and emotional ills one may possess. Yet, it can definitely help in many regards towards calming the mind and allowing the healing process to take place.
Some may have certain preconceived notions as to how meditation is performed. They will often look at meditation from the traditional perspective of performance in the Zazen position. While this is most definitely a helpful means in which to perform meditation, there are various other ways meditation can be performed effectively. For example, walking and moving meditation is quite popular and so are two-person meditative drills as well. Then, there is also the lesser known process of integrating mandala healing into the process of meditation.
In traditional Zen meditation practices, koans are used to enhance the meditation process. Koans are parables without clear meanings that are meant to be pondered. With mandala healing, a painting or other artistic image or symbol is what is to be pondered upon.
What exactly is a mandala and how is it possible to integrate its symbolism with mandala healing? It is a circular diagram that originated in Hinduism and has found its way into Zen Buddhism. In time, the mandala was heavily integrated into tantra meditation practices. In the most simplistic terms this involves looking into the imagery and outside of the natural world. In essence, you will look beyond yourself and into the mandala to fully maximize your meditative experience.
So, where can you acquire a mandala? This is the fun part: you can make one yourself. No, that does not mean you need to be the most talented artist in the world or even possess a modicum of artistic skills. You simply need to have the basic ability to craft a decent mandala based on words and symbols that are meaningful to you.
When you meditate upon mandala imagery that you have created, you will be doing so in a highly personal manner. That will allow the mandala healing process to achieve its highest level of perfection since it has been deliberately tailored to your specific needs and goals. This will greatly enhance the entire meditation process and make it far more effective.
Try out Mandala healing by creating a simple circle and filling it with a word or basic symbol that has meaning to you. Color it in with your favorite colors, taking time to enjoy this creative process. Then when its done, tape it the the wall, sit comfortably and meditate on your new mandala for 15 minutes. You will find yourself feeling refreshed and calm and thats what mandala healing is all about.
Cat Williams is a freelance writer and advocate of mandala healing. To find more info on the benefits of mandalas, go to her website at Internet Marketing For Newbies Review.com.
Article courtesy of GoArticles.com
——————————————————————————————————–
I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
Like this:
Like Loading...
