Information about the Temple of Compassion ashram, inspirational stories of compassion, and thought provoking lessons on how to live a more compassionate life.

Caring for Self

Article 1: Ayurveda by Heidi Nordlund

Focus on Women’s Issues

This article focuses on women’s issues to include Ayurvedic advice for menopausal conditions; and something helpful to men too…  Read More
 
 

Article 2: Caring for Ourselves by Erin Jay

Loving Ourselves: The Magic and Importance of Self Compassion

Kriyavan Erin Jay shares her personal experience and thoughts on the divine, transformational power of self compassion, including 7 ways to practice this in our daily lives. …  Read More
 

Caring for Community

Article 3: A Retrospective by Leslie Schaefer

Texas Silent Retreat 2016

Reflections and photos from the first ever retreat at the Temple of Compassion…  Read More
 
 

Article 4: Postcard from India by Erin Jay

Hariharananda Gurukulum in Balighai, Odisha: 7th Brahmachari Training 

Our newsletter’s first foreign correspondent Erin Jay shares insights from the 7th Annual Kriya Residential Brahmachari Training Course at Hariharananda Gurukulum in Balighai, Odisha, India. … Read More
 

Caring for the World

Article 5: Let Your Compassion Bloom

One World Projects

The holiday season is upon us. It’s a time of good cheer, gathering with friends, forgiving differences, sharing food and drink, caroling, twinkling lights …  Read More
 
 

Slideshow: Compassionate Quotes

 
 
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Article 1: Caring for Ourselves: Ayurveda

Ayurveda for Stress, Insomnia & Weight Gain*

During autumn and early winter it is common to experience stress to a greater degree. Symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, waking up at night and feeling anxious are more prominent. Ayurveda explains why and how to correct the imbalances that lead to these symptoms. In this article, several recommendations are given to help you sleep better at night, experience greater peace, lose weight and feel balanced as you enter the New Year.

First let’s take a look at what causes the imbalances. Your body consists of five elements (ether/space, air, fire, water, earth) each corresponding to the five lower chakras. These elements combine to make up the three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). Everyone is made up of a combination of all three doshas. The doshas are responsible for the physical and emotional tendencies in your mind and body. If too much ether and air are present within, you will experience Vata imbalance, if you have too much fire, you will experience Pitta imbalance, and if you have too much water and earth you will suffer from Kapha imbalance.

Here are some common symptoms of the imbalances caused by the different doshas:

Vata

• Dry hair and skin
• Constipation
• Heart palpatations and racing pulse
• Insomnia – waking up between 3-5 am
• Joint pain that moves around from joint to joint
• Low backache
• Menstrual cramps before bleeding
• Anxiety and excessive worrying
• Lack of concentration
• Restlessness
• Fear
• Confusion
• Mood swings

Pita

1. Excessive sweating – inability to adjust to warm temperatures
2. Excessive hunger
3. Acidity – heartburn and hyperacidity
4. Inflammation in body or joints
5. Loose stools
6. Insomnia – waking up between 12-3 am
7. Menstrual cramps during bleeding
8. Excessive irritability and anger
9. Impatience
10. Excessive perfectionist tendencies

Kapha

1. Weight gain
2. Sluggishness – feeling of heaviness and lethargy
3. Edema in joints (esp. in the ankles)
4. Lack of motivation
5. Congestion and excess mucus

An important principle in Ayurveda is ‘like increases like’. The properties of Vata dosha are dry, cold, rough and movable and the fall and early winter seasons increase the Vata within your body and mind because it is dry, cold, rough, windy (movable) at this time of year. When your environment is presenting you with qualities that are Vata, it will enhance the Vata within you. Therefore it is common to experience Vata imbalances at this time of year.

Vata dosha rules over your nervous system and mind, and when the qualities of Vata increase, you experience more restlessness, racing thoughts and irregularity. If you are older than 50 years of age, you are in your Vata time of life and are therefore more likely to experience the imbalance of Vata. However, no matter your age, it is important to emphasize a Vata calming lifestyle at this time of year. Therefore, do your best to incorporate as many of the following recommendations into your daily life as possible. There are several things you can do in your daily activities to be well rested and happy. A calm balanced nervous system is key to having restful sleep and balanced emotions. Even small changes make a big improvement; do not feel that you need to incorporate every step.

Suggestions to Relieve Stress, Calm Your Nerves & Improve Sleep

1. Stick to a regular daily schedule (as much as possible). Try to go to bed, wake up, and eat meals at the same time each day. Keeping to a schedule is a powerful way to re-set your sleep cycle for a good night’s rest.
2. This is an important component for healthy sleep. Practice frequent and consistent workouts according to your fitness level and interests.
3. Daily self-massage with warm oil. Oil massage is very soothing and will help you overcome anxiety and stress. For severe insomnia, do the massage at night before getting into bed. Keep a bottle of sesame, sunflower, olive, almond or coconut oil in the bathroom and apply oil to the whole body BEFORE taking a shower or a bath. This simple oil application nourishes your body, benefits your skin, produces softness, decreases the effects of aging, increases circulation and stimulates the internal organs of your body.
4. Take a warm bath. After applying oil to the whole body externally, take a warm bath with 2-3 cups of sea or Epsom salt and soak for 10-20 minutes while breathing long and deep to release stress and emotional turmoil.
5. Diet is an important component to calm your nervous system. Choose foods that are warm such as soups, stews, stir-fries and baked or steamed vegetables. Select ripe, sweet fruits. Enjoy hearty sauces (unless overweight) and healthy heavy foods such as dairy (unless lactose intolerant), nuts, seeds, grains, adequate oils and grounding vegetables (carrots, yams, beets, parsnips, pumpkins, winter squashes). Season the meals with lots of culinary spices such as ginger, turmeric, mustard, cumin, coriander, fennel, turmeric, basil, rosemary, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, clove and garlic. (Yogis typically avoid garlic because it is stimulating but garlic does have potent medicinal values.) Avoid light, dry, crunchy, cold and old foods.
6. Eat a lighter meal for dinner several hours before Lunch is the ideal time for your biggest meal of the day! Sleep can be difficult or uncomfortable with a belly full of heavy food. And if you eat too close to bedtime the food will not digest properly.
7. Avoid drinking stimulants like caffeine. Caffeine robs your body of energy and is a major cause of insomnia.
8. Engage in peaceful, relaxing activities in the evening after eating. Avoid loud and jarring music, violent or high-action television, video games and working on the computer, especially late at night. Instead create an evening ritual for yourself that is soothing; listen to soothing music, prepare a list of things you will do the following morning (to get them out of your head while you sleep), read a spiritual book, write in a journal and reflect.
9. Meditate. Meditation allows your mind to settle; producing relaxation and increased mental peace. By calming the mind, meditation reduces insomnia.
10. Drink a cup of warm milk (cow, goat or almond) or chamomile tea before bed. Add a pinch of cardamom and nutmeg to induce sleep. Ghee and raw honey also have a relaxing effect and will make the tea or milk taste even more delicious.
11. Get to bed by 10 PM. This will help you get into alignment with nature’s rhythms. Turn off the TV or computer at least 30 minutes before bed. Avoid watching TV, playing on the computer, or working in your bed room.
12. Massage feet with warm oil before bed. Keep a bottle or jar of sesame, ghee, almond, olive or sunflower oil by your bed and rub your feet and toes well before going to bed. This is an extremely effective way to settle your mind. If there is concern about the sheets, simply wear some thin old socks while sleeping.
13. Practice long, deep, slow breathing once in bed. This practice helps ease your body and mind. Kriya Yoga breathing is exceptionally beneficial, especially when you breathe into the lower lobes of your lungs and expand the abdomen upon inhaling. Belly breathing is a great technique to reduce stress.

If anxiety and insomnia continue to be an issue, Ayurvedic herbal support may be necessary. Some of the herbs to calm the nervous system are Vidari, Shatavari, Tulsi, Ashwaganda, Brahmi, Skullcap and Shankapushpi.

Yoga for Your Mind & Nervous System

Yoga is an important cornerstone in calming your mind and nervous system. Yoga understands the nature of the interrelationship of the physical, subtle and formless universes and shows how these exist within you. The benefits of Yoga are limitless and able to support you through each phase of your life.

Whether you have been practicing Yoga all your life or are new to the practice, it matters not. One of the beautiful aspects of Yoga is that you are able to start wherever you are, whatever your physical condition. As long as you go slowly, start with simple poses, breathe deeply and offer your full intent, you will progress. In general, a gentle, slow-paced yoga practice that emphasizes floor poses is recommended for the fall and early winter seasons.

• Forward Bends (sitting and standing)
• Downward Dog
• Low back bending poses such as Bridge, Cobra and Bow to nourish your adrenal glands and alleviate fatigue
• Supported Bridge lying on bolsters or blankets
• Bound Angle to increase circulation to the abdomen and pelvis
• Head on Knee to revitalize your adrenal glands
• Legs up the wall with raised and supported hips
• Pranayama – especially Kriya Proper, Brhamari and Nadi Shodhana
• Meditation

Weight Gain

While enjoying the holidays, it is common to gain a few pounds. Weight gain is most often caused by excess Kapha, or a thyroid problem due to impaired digestive power (agni), toxins (ama) or a sluggish liver.

If you are a women in your 50’s or older, the underlying reason for weight gain is likely a slowdown in your metabolic rate of about 10-15% compared to earlier in your life, and as estrogen levels fall, your appetite increases. Nature designed this change to assist you in putting on a supply of body fat which produces the estrogen and androgens your ovaries are no longer producing at the same rate. It is as if your body is trying to grow a little ovary made of fat, since fat produces estrogen. In midlife you tend to also lose lean muscle mass, especially if you do not exercise regularly, causing you to burn fewer calories. To determine your health risk, have your percentage of body fat measured; this can be accomplished through your doctor or at a health club.

On the other hand, spaciness and forgetting to eat are common with Vata imbalance and losing weight can become an issue. If weight loss is happening for no apparent reason, make sure to see your physician to rule out any medical condition.

Tips for Losing Weight

• Avoid all cow dairy, wheat and sugar.
• Eat a light, easy-to-digest dinner by 7:00 pm (no late-night meals!)
• Exercise, exercise, exercise
• Cleanse toxins from your body
• Strengthen and enhance digestion
• Ensure healthy and regular elimination of bowel movements
• Drink plenty of water. Hot water with lemon and raw honey is especially beneficial
• Ayurvedic herbs and/or cleansing may be necessary. Key herbs include black pepper, ginger, chitrak, gurmar, shilajit, guggulu, vacha and trikatu

*Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. Please consult with your physician before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

I’d love to hear from you. If you find this article helpful, please reply with a short comment.

Most important: remember to be compassionate and loving toward yourself. Jai Guru ॐ

In Light, Love & Compassion,

Heidi Nordlund

ABOUT HEIDI NORDLUND

Heidi Nordlund is a certified Ayurvedic Doctor (AD).  She is passionate about guiding those who are ready to live their best lives. For more information about Heidi and her services please visit www.NamaskarHealing.com 

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Article 2: Caring for Ourselves by Erin Jay

Loving Ourselves, the Magic and Importance of Self Compassion

When you look in the mirror what do you see? Do you scrutinize yourself and see lots of flaws? Do you berate yourself for your shortcomings? For not being perfect? This experience is common to all of us. We are, after all, fallible human beings.  When you look in the mirror are you able to see the Divine in yourself? Are you able to love That inside of you?

If compassion means “to suffer with” and compassion negates suffering by meeting it with love, then by turning that inwards and meeting our own suffering as we would someone else’s, we can heal our hearts and love ourselves whole again. This deepens our compassionate nature and allows us to employ it more fully in our inner and outer worlds.

It’s hard to show up for others, to help others be ok, if we are not full of love for All – including ourselves.  This facilitates our experience of Oneness and our ability to experience the Real in everything.

Recently, I was very sick while in India. Probably more sick than I have been in my adult life and with an illness I had never experienced before or known anyone to have. Its symptoms were alarming.

Half way around the world seemed profoundly remote from loved ones, home, my language, medical treatments, and everything familiar. Although I was tremendously well cared for, I was fighting hard not to give into the fear and feeling of being very alone.

Forced to surrender and accept my situation, fear, discomfort and weakness, I couldn’t stop crying. I had to admit to myself that even though it felt silly and childish, all I wanted was a little bit of loving human contact. I knew God was taking care of me. That I was being held and healed by the Divine, but I needed to experience that love in a more material way. So I asked, and God came to my rescue in the form of my wonderful roommate. She gave me a giant hug and let me cry on her shoulder.

That was a turning point. Acceptance of my situation encouraged me to really recognize what I needed. Practicing self compassion allowed me to seek and ask God in the world around me for help, and it came with profound love. It was a golden opportunity to see and feel God working in the world and experience Oneness.

I pray that we are able to Know the Divine in ourselves, and love ourselves more and more this holiday season.

Surely we will all experience situations in which we feel we fall short of expectations. It’s also common to experience some feelings of sadness this time of year.

The first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is the sorrow, dejection, and grief of Arjuna. It is the beginning of the hero’s journey and the cause of Krishna’s teachings. The last chapter is about liberation.

When negative feelings arise, take some time to gently examine them. Really listen to what your emotions are expressing to you. Then give yourself the love and compassion you would someone else who is suffering. Love and comfort the part of you that is having a hard time without judgment, and experience the relief and healing that extending compassion towards yourself brings.

Remember, as Paramahamsa Hariharananda taught us, we are all God in human being and human being in God.

May our love and compassion deepen and grow – inwardly and outwardly – offering these gifts to All.

Seven Ways to Practice Self Compassion

1. Gently, lovingly examine your feelings. Remain present with them. Don’t suppress them and don’t express them negatively. Witness them with love. 

2. Remember that you are a fallible human being, loving and worthy of love. 

3. Physically, honor the Divine in your body. Create a sacred space and take a hot bath, go for a run or treat yourself to a delicious and nutritious meal remembering that you are worshiping the Divine in the body temple. 

4. Expand your awareness to encompass the issues rather than letting the issues be bigger than you. 

5. Most importantly, make time for daily meditation, even if it’s only 20 minutes a day. 

6. Practice forgiving yourself and others. 

7. Remember that you are as much a part of God’s creation as everyone and everything else.  

 
 
 
 
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Article 3: Caring for Community: A Retrospective by Leslie Schaefer

Texas Silent Retreat 2016

The first Texas Silent Retreat at the Temple of Compassion was a grace-filled success!  The small group of approximately twenty Kriyavans in attendance felt the intimacy of God’s presence in every aspect of the program on November 18-20, 2016. Under Swami Atmavidyananda Giri’s loving guidance, the devotees were encouraged to remain in silence throughout the program.  They were very successful in their efforts, resulting in a higher degree of tuning-in to the divine in the harmonious atmosphere of the beautiful new ashram. Everyone present felt the divinity of this sacred space nestled in the Texas hill country. And all enjoyed the peaceful company of the divine couple, Karuna and Rishi, the resident Brahmi cows of the ashram. Most importantly, everyone took advantage of this special, silent time to seek God within.

Meditation and classes were held in the main house with Swami Atmavidyananda Giri giving discourses on the Isa Upanishad and Adhyatmananda Giri  teaching selected verses from the Bhagavad Gita.  These treasures inspired and motivated listeners to desire to become better people, to strengthen their faith and devotion, and to enliven their love.

Interestingly, the male Kriyavans at the retreat contributed so much divine motherly love and support to this women’s ashram which is in its infancy. Twice as many men were present at this retreat than women. Male devotees did the dishes-after-meals seva every time.  And the entire group of men at the guesthouse (and it was full) washed and dried all of their sheets and towels before they left at the end of the program. Surely all these considerate actions reflect the divine consciousness!

In addition to that, the seva week of preparations for the retreat had a low participation and had several cancellations so the main work was done by two male kriyavans.  One stayed the entire week and the other stayed two days, driving four hours each way to come and do seva.  Another Kriyavan baba devoted a day of selfless hard work constructing a temporary shelter for Karuna and Rishi. Yet another man donated much needed tools to the ashram.  In addition, during the program, a group of men committed to putting the Meditation Dome together, resulting in a future seva weekend for that purpose.  These men are role models to the world for giving loving support to efforts of change for women. It feels like the men are right there beside the women, offering supportive help the whole way. 

Of course the Divine Mother’s loving energy flowed through women also. One Indian mother gave her selfless service by preparing delicious food for everyone the entire program. Another devoted Kriyavan ma helped in the open-air, outdoor kitchen starting at 4 am every day and they worked until day’s end. Sevamayee Ma worked tirelessly, orchestrating meeting all the responsibilities of the ashram and program. And several women came to the ashram during seva week to help prepare for the program. 

As Guruji Prajnanananda had instructed at the inauguration of the ashram, everyone–both men and women–worked to develop their compassionate nature and gave service at the Temple of Compassion.

It was an amazing weekend of renewal, of being steeped in the vibration of pure love and God consciousness, of being prepared to go back into the world and radiate love from our Soul under guidance of God and the lineage of Gurus, Swamis and Monks for support.  What a Holy gift this Thanksgiving weekend brought! 

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Article 4: Caring for Community

Postcard from Brahmachari Training by Erin Jay

Our newsletter’s first foreign correspondent Erin Jay shares insights from the 7th Annual Kriya Residential Brahmachari Training Course at Hariharananda Gurukulum in Balighai, Odisha, India.

Guruji during “Go Navaratri” in Balighai, celebrating the first day of 9 days celebrating Cow as Divine Mother

Navaratri at Hariharananda Gurukulum

Postcard from Brahmachari  Training

My Dearest Self,

God morning and Happy Holy-Days.

How is your mind today? Is it busy noticing all the ways we are different from each other? All the things that are different in the world? Is mind busy with “me and mine”? Guruji has been emphasizing the importance of truly experiencing Oneness in All. Not only in the people we encounter daily, but in all of creation – the whole global family, environment, and everything mind can conceptualize.

As Gurudev said, if we cannot see God in All we cannot see God at all. By discriminating we are denying God in All and God in ourselves as well.

Let’s work on experiencing Oneness and remembering we are all a part of God’s miraculous creation.

Love love love from Gurudev’s Gurukulum

 
 
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Article 5: Let Your Compassion Bloom

One World Projects
The holiday season is upon us. It’s a time of good cheer, gathering with friends, forgiving differences, sharing food and drink, caroling, twinkling lights, gift giving and remembering those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
This holiday season we have an opportunity to help the less fortunate by purchasing our gifts through One World Projects. One World Projects’ focus is, and always has been, firmly on the welfare of artisans, their families and communities. Not only will 35% of each purchase go to the Temple of Compassion but a percentage of each sale will also help an artisan and their family in one of more than 25 developing countries across Latin America, Asia and Africa.

One family that OWP has helped is a story of two brothers. Rajeev and Umesh had been living in the streets near Delhi. Their days were spent hanging around railroad stations where they survived by stealing from pedestrians. One day they were caught by the police and sent to prison. In prison they received an education. While there, the brothers made a promise that when they were released they would start a business to rescue other children from the streets. They have rescued many children of all ages, providing them with housing, mentoring and education. When appropriate, they provide the older children with a skill set, such as sewing, that allows them to create an income for themselves and be productive in the community.

Lakshya, (meaning goal) is the organization started by the two brothers in 2004. It is a child and youth rehabilitation center located in a small village a few miles from Delhi. Rajeev and Umesh started by training a few village women in making newspaper bags. The village women grew from 8 to 150 over the years, and today make newspaper and other paper packaging bags which are supplied to several stores in India and can be purchased through One World Projects.

The brothers are also part of a larger youth rehabilitation group in New-Delhi. Many youth and children, who have either runaway from homes or orphaned are found at public places such as railway stations and bus stands. These locations are closely monitored. When these youth and children are brought to the shelter, the local police are informed. In some cases, parents or relatives are contacted and the children are sent back. In other cases they stay at the shelter. Some escape again, while some stay on. Currently, Lakshya supports a mixed group of 25 youth and children in the age group of 7-25 years.

The younger children in the age group of 7-16 years are sent to local schools. Funds are limited, so the organization has not been able to send children for higher education. Instead, the youth learn several vocational skills which will help them to earn a living in the future. Five or six youth are trained in making patchwork shoulder bags, back packs, wallets and other accessories; including diary covers, belts, and handmade wooden pencils. Other vocational training includes administrative jobs, cooking & catering, auto mechanics, and more. Lakshya sells the handmade bags and other products made by these youth at the shelter through exhibitions and a few stores across India, as well as through One World Projects. The organization hopes to rescue and rehabilitate more children and youth who have run away from their homes, and is constantly trying to provide them with a more meaningful way to live.

What started with the arrest of two brothers has blossomed into a compassionate organization dedicated to getting children off the streets and educating them. See and purchase some of the products made by Lakshya.

One World Projects has hope to help many people throughout the world. At Balashram in India, it hopes to help some of the children who will not be going on to trade school or college. Some of the ideas include helping Balashram graduates to set up their own businesses, by providing sewing machines, teaching them how to use them, sending a designer to work with them, and developing markets for their products all over the world.

We are reminded of what Guruji has said:

“Compassion requires that we emerge from our narrow shell and expand our love and empathy to those beyond our immediate circle.”

Let your compassion blossom this holiday season. Please consider doing all your holiday shopping through One World Projects. For more information and to make your purchase, follow this link: One World Projects or go to their website and enter KYITOC when the shopping cart asks for a Promotional Code or Coupon upon check out; either option will ensure that Temple of Compassion receives a donation that is equal to 35% of your purchase.

Some of the artisan stories and the projects that OWP is assisting with throughout the world will be highlighted in upcoming posts to the Temple of Compassion website. In addition, if you would like to receive a monthly newsletter about the artisans, the products that they produce, and updates about compassionate projects around the world that you can become involved with, please consider adding your name to the Compassionate Trade Newsletter.

The post Newsletter – Issue #2 appeared first on Temple of Compassion.

You are invited to a very special conference call this Friday, October 14, 2016 on “The Role of Compassion in Owning Our Feminine Authority.” This call is being hosted by the Charter of Compassion in cooperation with the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

The excellent speakers on this conference call are all power houses, inspirational leaders in their fields of spirituality, interfaith respect, and global compassion. When they spoke at the most recent Parliament of the World’s Religions, their words brought thunderous applause and standing ovations from the crowds who had come to hear them share their wisdom.

On the anniversary of that Parliament, you now have the opportunity to hear their inspirational messages about The Role of Compassion directly in this free conference call.

The post Invitation: The Role of Compassion, October 14, 2016 appeared first on Temple of Compassion.

Information about the Temple of Compassion Ashram, inspirational stories of compassion, and thought provoking lessons on how to live a more compassionate life.

The format of this issue is in keeping with the mission of TOC, “caring for ourselves, our community and the world.”

Article 1: Caring for Ourselves: Ayurveda

Peaceful and Happy Autumn with Ayurveda*

Ayurveda practitioner Heidi Nordlund shares Ayurvedic self-care practices, lifestyle tips and recipes for you to enjoy. … Read More

Article 2: Caring for Our Community: Soap-Making

Spotlight on the Handcrafted Arts Subcommittee

Erin Jay handcrafted this article about the TOC Handcrafted Arts Subcommittee and their recent success making soap… Read More

Article 3: Caring for Our World: Prachi Walk

Explore the mystery of the sacred Prachi Saraswati River in India and how an ancient prophecy connects her to you today.

Ages ago a powerful, sacred River Mother rushed eastward across the surface of India, tumbling and cascading in strong waves… Read More

Article 4: Face of Compassion: Saint Teresa, Mother of Compassion

What drives a person to be compassionate?

What compels someone to take action to make a significant difference in the lives of others? This issue’s “Face of Compassion” article features a look at the life of Agnes Bohaxhiu, who came to be known as Mother Teresa, who was sainted this month… Read More

 

Slideshow: Compassionate Quotes

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Article 1: Caring for Ourselves: Ayurveda

Peaceful and Happy Autumn with Ayurveda*

It is a great joy to share Ayurvedic home remedies, self-care practices, dietary and lifestyles tips, recipes, and various other recommendations related to women’s health in this quarterly Temple of Compassion newsletter.

I often think that Kriya Yoga is the answer to everything and as long as I practice daily with love, compassion and sincerity, no harm can happen to me. Reflecting on almost 17 years with Kriya Yoga, l can say that there is a lot of truth to this belief and I am deeply grateful to God and Gurus. At the same time, the practices of Ayurveda have made the path easier, understanding why certain imbalances occur, how to deal with them, and how to return to balance, well being and a place of compassion and love.

I hope you find these recommendations useful and inspiring and will incorporate some of them into your life so you can experience the benefits. The Divine Mother is within you and you have the power to change your life.

The seasons are changing and as without so within; the environment has a profound effect on your body and mind. The fall and spring seasons are times of change and transformation. You may have noticed that things get stirred up physically, mentally and emotionally this time of year and it is common to experience more imbalances. This is an ideal time and opportunity to rest your digestion and to rid your body from toxins. Here are a few suggestions:

Simple and Cleansing Lentil Soup (Dal)

Ingredients

• 1 cup split or whole mung beans, or red lentils
• 6-8 cups water
• 1″-2″ ginger, grated or blended with water
• 1 TBSP mustard seeds, soaked in hot water for 10-20 min. and blended with water
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 5 bay leaves
• 1 large handful leafy greens (kale, mustard, chard, collard or dandelion)
• 3-4 stalks celery
• Little oil for frying spices (ghee, coconut, sunflower)
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp ground fenugreek
• Handful celery
• Fresh squeezed lime juice
• Lots of love and compassion
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Soak lentils overnight or for at least a few hours
2. Rinse the lentils well
3. In a large pan, boil together lentils, turmeric, blended ginger and mustard seeds, bay leaves, leafy greens, celery and water. Alternatively, for a quick recipe, pressure-cook the lentils
4. In a wok or frying pan, heat the oil. Turn the burner to warm and add the cumin seeds and fenugreek powder. Add to the cooked lentil mix. It will sizzle as you add it. Cook for ten minutes to let the flavors mingle.
5. At the last minute, drop in the cilantro
6. Add lime juice, salt and black pepper to taste.

Fast on this dal for 1-5 days and take plenty of water and rest.

Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Application)

Massage your body with love and compassion for 15-30 minutes before you shower.

Warm about ¼ cup oil (sesame, coconut, almond, sunflower or an Ayurvedic herbal infused oil).

Apply the oil to the whole body and massage briskly in circular movements on your joints and up and down strokes on your long bones (fingers, arms, neck and legs).

Whole body massage can be done any day of the week, but ancient texts and common practice say that oil should only be massaged into the hair and scalp on Fridays for women, or on Saturdays for men. This works with a natural cycle of nature.

This massage done before you shower will allow the oil to deeply penetrate all layers of your skin, lubricate and loosen toxins.

Taking a warm or hot shower or bath afterwards will penetrate the oil further and allow for greater benefits such as toning your muscles, calming your nerves and leaving you with a feeling of being cared for.

Do not oil your body after the shower or bath!!! The oil or lotion/cream will then clog your pores leading to more toxins. Instead take the time to oil your body BEFORE you shower. Just try it, I bet that you will LOVE it! ?

Gandush (Ayurvedic Oil Pulling)

Another wonderful way to gently cleanse is oil pulling, this is an ancient Ayurvedic self-care practice. During oil pulling, enzymes are activated which draw toxins out of your blood. Oil pulling cleanses, detoxifies and whitens your teeth, reduces bacteria and plague, and relieves teeth sensitivity. Children can also do this with less quantity of oil provided they have control and practice not to swallow the oil.

Avoid if cuts are present in the mouth since infection can occur by germs through those cuts.

Directions
Oil pulling is best done first thing in the morning before brushing your teeth. To accelerate the healing process, it can be repeated three times a day, but always before meals on an empty stomach.

1. Pour 1 tablespoon of sesame, sunflower or coconut oil into your mouth.
2. Hold the oil in your mouth without swallowing it. The oil will start to get watery as saliva mixes with it. If there is an unbearable urge to swallow and if it becomes too unpleasant, spit out and try again. It can be a bit unpleasant at first, but soon not bothersome at all, just like brushing the teeth. When the oil has become saturated with the toxins it has pulled out, it may become whitish and a thinner, milky consistency, depending on the type of oil used. It can take a different amount of time to get to that point but 20 minutes is a general rule of thumb. If there are metallic substances in the mouth such as tooth fillings or implants, do oil pulling for only 5 minutes to prevent heavy metals from being reabsorbed into the body.
3. Spit out the oil in the sink or trash can and rinse the mouth with warm salt water, or simply warm tap water, use your fingers to clean your mouth. Salt water is not necessary but is helpful as an antimicrobial and is proven to be effective in rinsing out toxins which may be left in the mouth.
4. Then brush your teeth.

*Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. Please consult with your physician before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

I’d love to hear from you. Please reply with a short comment about how you like the suggestions.

Wishing you a wonderful seasonal change. Remember to be compassionate and loving toward yourself. Jai Guru!

In Light, Love & Compassion,

Heidi Nordlund
Health Practitioner & Spiritual Healer
720-771-8534 ׀ Heidi@NamaskarHealing.com
www.NamaskarHealing.com
www.LoveYourNewborn.com
Healing Your Body Is Your Choice ~ Make It Now! 

HEIDI NORDLUND is on a mission to uplift those who are ready to walk the path of transformation and heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. Heidi is an Advanced Practitioner of Ayurveda with multiple degrees in Ayurvedic medicine. She has completed three certified Ayurvedic degrees: Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner (Bhishakgwara) and Ayurvedic Practitioner (Ayurved Vaidya) from Alandi Ayurved Gurukula in Boulder, CO, as well as Ayurvedic Practitioner from the Rocky Mountain Institute for Yoga and Ayurveda. In addition, Heidi has completed advanced intensives in pulse reading, marma chikitsa, herbology and clinical assessment with Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, NM.

 

 

 
 
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Article 2: Caring for Our Community: Soap-Making

Spotlight on the Handcrafted Arts Subcommittee

Such exciting times for the Temple of Compassion village as we work together to make Gurudev’s vision for this ashram a reality!

From the Fundraising Subcommittee to the Land Search Subcommittee everyone is coming up with ideas and adding their time and talents. It is a wonderful feeling to be a part of such noble work and to take part in such a golden opportunity.

The Handcrafted Arts Subcommittee has been busy too. It is said that the hands bring the heart into the world. Here is what Core Team Member Cheryl Dockery has to say about the committee, their projects, and how the work will bring more compassion into the world.

What is the Handcraft Subcommittee and what is its purpose in the greater Temple of Compassion picture?         

The Handcrafted Arts subcommittee (initially dubbed Cottage Industries, which was confusing) is formed to organize participants to make products at their own location, or the Texas Ashram, to be sold in fundraising efforts for the Temple of Compassion.

What kind of projects do you have in the pipeline? (Short term and still further out)

Our initial project is handmade scented bar soaps, and our initial batch is currently in the curing stage.

Other projects in the future are in the idea stage and are only limited by our imaginations and talents.  Some of the named ideas so far are shawls, scarves, saris, pillows, cards, pouch bags, jewelry, spices, teas, seeds, etc.  Some products will be made by individuals, some made at the Texas Ashram, some will be ordered wholesale with our Temple of Compassion logo on them.

Items will be for sale at the Texas Ashram, possibly sold in local communities with high tourist count, and the soaps sold at the Miami Ashram.  We aspire also to create an online store where all can shop, and handmade items can be shipped from the makers’ locations.

How does compassion play a role in the projects you choose?

As you can tell from some of the named items, they relate very much to our practice of meditation, self-care and healthy foods.  Compassion is the attitude, outreach in other areas as well is the action.

Who makes up this subcommittee?

An Austin Kriyavan has been instrumental in many design ideas for a minimalist contemporary presentation and appropriate products. She also is the inspiration for the online sales aspect of this work.

Each of the Core Team Members supervises several subcommittees and helps get it off the ground and running; so initially I have been active in Handmade Arts in that aspect.  The same is for Sevamayee helping out on this subcommittee with its initial soap product.  There are 7 people from across the nation who have specifically signed up for this committee, and it is now being organized enough to begin to include them.   I expect there will be many more as it begins to take more formation.

The Handmade Arts subcommittee is looking for a person to come forward who would like to spearhead the projects and organize the efforts under the supervision of the Core Team member. Also, suggestions for products and processes are much welcome.  We are just now getting this subcommittee off the ground, and I think that there is probably no end to the creativity we are about to discover.

If anyone is interested in participating, or has some ideas, we’d love to work with you! You can sign up here https://templeofcompassion.org/get-involved/, or drop us a line.

What is the soap project? Is it only soap? Do you plan to expand to other products? If so, what?

At its current stage, it is soap.  Our future ideas will come from those becoming familiar with our direction and share with us their ideas and talents.  The soaps could evolve into liquid soap, lotions, facial products, beard oil (yes, we shall not forget the gents).

What was the inspiration for it?

Swami Sampurnananda (we have known her as Katharine Ma all these years) provided Sevamayee with a recipe and said we can sell the soaps at the Miami Ashram at Gurudev’s Birthday Celebration in May.  So with that permission, we moved forward!

How can people purchase the soap and where will the proceeds go?

They will be sold at the Birthday of Gurudev Celebration at the Miami Ashram May 26-30, 2016. We will let you know after that if there are any left, and the plan for the next batch.  There are 54 bars total.   The proceeds will go to the Temple of Compassion.

What is your process? Ingredients?

The saponification process mixes 100% food grade sodium hydroxide with water, then it is added to various oils in a heated process.  We used combinations of olive, sunflower, castor, coconut, apricot oils and shea butter.  We added tea tree essential oil for one set, Orange essential oil for another and combined Spearmint with Lemongrass for the third set.  Once they set, they were cut into bars and cured in a dark, warm environment for 3-6 weeks.  We are packaging them with unbleached cheesecloth wrap, tied with twine and a logo label including the ingredients.

How is this process/project compassionate and/or raising your awareness of compassion?

Self-loving care is a compassionate action.  Of course, you can also give as a gift!

Anything else you’d like to add about compassion, the soap project, or the subcommittee?

One of the visions many of us have is the community efforts in handmade arts, groups of loving people coming together for creating and organizing.  In the communities outlying our Ashram we would like to see our products portray compassion in an effort to reflect who we are.  This subcommittee will become a highly viable aspect of our Ashram, and we look forward to seeing it develop.

Our soaps are still curing so they are not wrapped at this time, but here is the inspiration for our packaging that came from an Austin Kriyavan:

We are the bubbles, make us the sea….
 
 

 
 
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Article 3: Caring for Our World: Prachi Walk

Secrets of Saraswati

Ages ago a powerful, sacred River Mother rushed eastward across the surface of India, tumbling and cascading in strong waves until it reached the Bay of Bengal. She was called Prachi (or “East”) Saraswati and life thrived along her banks. Sage Kapila made his home near her shore.

 

An ancient scripture, a Purana, sadly foretold of a time when Mother Saraswati would withdraw her waters from the face of the earth, hiding herself underground. The once mighty river would virtually disappear from view and would conceal herself under the surface of the earth. In time this prophecy was fulfilled and modern history knows Prachi Saraswati as only a series of small ponds or trickles of a stream along its path to the bay.

 

However, the ancient Puranas not only spoke of the mysterious disappearance of Saraswati; they also foretold her return. And they prophesied that Saraswati would have assistance in making her reappearance. It said one day a monk will come and the river’s water flow will be restored to its full glory. 

 

February 28 to March 5, 2016 marked the 5th year that Paramahamsa Prajnanananda and Kriyavans walked the path of the Prachi Saraswati River in Eastern India, from its source to the Bay of Bengal and back. Amazingly, since Guruji Prajnanananda has been walking the banks of Sri Saraswati, her water is increasing its flow!

 

Guruji and the Kriyavan group revered the sacred Saraswati, celebrating pujas on her banks daily and picking up trash that had been polluting her waterways and shores. Local media took note of Guruji and the Kriyavans cleaning up the environment, and TV news programs and newspapers carried stories of the event.

 

The media spotlighted the sacredness of the river, which had been forgotten, and pointed out the importance of caring for the environment. With each visit that Guruji Prajnananda makes to the area, local villagers grow in understanding the sacredness of the river, and they are learning to respect Nature and not pollute it. And also with each visit that Guruji makes here, amazingly, the flow of this mysterious River Mother is increasing! (…one day a monk will come and the river’s water flow will be restored to its full glory.)

 

Paramahamsa Prajnanananda has a strategy for bringing back Mother Saraswati’s flow.

Guruji has announced plans to increase the river’s current by installing ghats (a platform of steps used for entering the water) on the banks of the river and planting the right kinds of trees which will make the water “gush,” Guruji said. It is an established scientific fact that while some trees will draw water from land and leave the earth drier in an area, other trees will work with Nature to increase a river’s flow. The ghats construction and native tree planting project will require considerable funding but will make a huge environmental impact. Ghats will increase the public’s interaction with Prachi Saraswati, and bringing in river trees (or “riparian” native species) will help protect the banks and draw water to the place. If you would like to help in this project to restore Mother Saraswati’s water flow, you can make a donation at www.kriya.org – click on “charity” and “donate.” Make a note that you’d like to support the Prachi River Project.

 

The lesson Baba is giving us about caring for Mother Nature and revering Mother Saraswati is far reaching. Not only is he showing the importance of respecting the environment, he is also breathing life back into this beautiful, ancient River Mother and the communities along her shores. His strategy of making the annual Prachi walks, raising local villager awareness, building community ghats and planting the right trees is the perfect plan.

 

 

Interestingly, hiding beneath the surface of this strategy is a profound lesson for those willing to reveal it. To do so requires looking at some symbolism, that is, what may be represented by ghats, trees and sacred water flowing.

 

Guruji has helped us understand that, in literature, water often symbolizes divine love. Ghats are the steps that people use to enter into a river. And a monk comes along and plants trees which have deep roots that tap into the water and make the water gush. Perhaps the deeper meaning is that when divine love within us seems to have receded, this same monk, this Paramahamsa, is showing us the way to make divine love flow freely again. And the way to do this is to enter into the banks of the river of divine love and plant ourselves there, putting down deep roots through our saddhana and meditation. Then not only will the mysterious Prachi Saraswati happily flow again with divine love, but the torrent of divine love will flow freely in us, too.

 

Tat Sat Om

 
 

 
 
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Article 4: Face of Compassion: Saint Teresa, Mother of Compassion

What drives a person to be compassionate? What compels someone to take action to make a significant difference in the lives of others? This issue’s “Face of Compassion” article features a look at the life of Agnes Bohaxhiu, who came to be known as Mother Teresa, who was sainted this month.

Little Agnes ran home from school, excited about hearing another spiritual adventure of missionaries who were traveling abroad. She rushed to her family’s map of the world, found the missionaries’ location on it and scrawled important notes there. Agnes was an ordinary child in Albania early in the 20th century but she had a special quality: she was powerfully inspired by stories of saints and missionaries.

At the tender age of 12 she declared she wanted to be a missionary but her mother said she must wait until she was grown. At 19 years, Agnes made her dream a reality and joined a teaching order of Catholic nuns. She took the name Sister Teresa and was sent to India to teach, first in the Himalayan foothills in Darjeeling and then in Kolkata (Calcutta) at a high school for girls of wealthy families.  Sister Teresa was very happy with her vocation but there was a longing growing inside her to help the poor. She was teaching the affluent but had a calling to help children whose families couldn’t afford schooling.

On the 10th day of September, 1946, the day she called, “Inspiration Day,” she heard God speak to her and ask her to start a new order of sisters to help the poorest of the poor. She heard the call again and again, “Wouldst thou not help?” With this calling burning inside her, she was compelled to action and got permission from the archbishop to start a new order. At first she was alone, the only missionary, educating impoverished children without a school building. She gathered children together and taught them basic hygiene, using sticks and dirt instead of pencils and paper. The students warmed quickly to her love for them and the classes grew in size. In time, she started visiting the children’s families. Some fortunate ones lived in ramshackle homes but many lived on the streets in the open air.

Sister Teresa later recalled that she would never forget the sight or smell of the first extremely sick and destitute person she took in. The woman lay dying on the street, bitten by rats and insects. Teresa, stirred with compassion, felt this woman’s pain and desperation of dying alone in this pitiable condition and she could not pass her by. She felt she must do something to help ease her suffering. Teresa lifted the woman and carried her to a hospital. At first the hospital employees refused to admit the dying woman but Teresa insisted they help her. The Sister of Charity would not leave until they admitted the woman and helped her. The hospital workers relented. And thus it began–Mother Teresa’s lifelong mission of helping the needy was firmly established in her heart.

She asked Kolkata city authorities for a place where she could care for people who were destitute and dying in the street. They gave this Catholic nun an empty building in a Hindu temple–and she filled it with patients in 24 hours! She gave people human dignity during their illness and death. Teresa’s former students came to help and some became the early Sisters of Charity. The work continued and Teresa taught the sisters to see the Divine’s presence in the face of each person. She quoted Jesus’ words from the cross, “I thirst,” and explained that God thirsts in the life of each needy person. The sisters saw it as an opportunity and responsibility to serve God in their fellow men and women.

Paramahamsa Hariharananda taught that service to our fellow man is service to God and Masters. There is no separation. A similar teaching is found in Jesus’ statement, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” How beautiful it is to see in Mother Teresa’s life such a compassionate example of this teaching in action.

In 1979 Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work and the work of her Sisters of Charity. She accepted the award on behalf of what she called “the throwaway society,” the forgotten poor, the “pavement people.” And she humbly requested that the celebratory, grand gala dinner be canceled and the money be given to the poor in Kolkata. India recognized her achievements and bestowed upon her the title of Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India). Her work in the streets of Kolkata became world famous and crossed all religious boundaries and she was praised not only by Catholics but also by Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and others. Her ranks of missionaries has grown to more than 4500 Sisters and Brothers serving the needy in the slums of over 160 cities with hospitals, schools, hospice care and more. Mother Teresa left her body in 1997.

In 2011, Kriyavans from 35 countries around the world visited sacred sites in India on a pilgrimage honoring the 150th anniversary of Lahiri Mahasaya’s initiation into Kriya Yoga by Babaji Maharaj. Mother Teresa’s tomb was one of the holy sites they visited. Kriya pilgrims described the feeling of love and compassion they felt there as “tangible” and “profound.”

This month, the same month that we inaugurate the Temple of Compassion ashram, Mother Teresa was canonized by the Catholic Church and officially made a saint.

Let us bow to Saint Teresa in gratitude for her work with the destitute, a shining example of compassion in our world. Let us remember how she recognized the Divine’s presence in each person, how she felt their pain and took action to help them. Let us recall her teaching that God thirsts in others and know that we can reach out to help our brothers and sisters. Let us pray for more understanding, more love, more compassion and also for the strength and conviction to put that into action.

 
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