mantra Archives - lah life

Inner Wisdom & Clarity Practice -Well Snap

June 29, 2016 by lah

Inner Wisdom & Clarity Practice – A healing meditation

What do I need more than anything to heal fast and well? Inner wisdom and clarity, of course.

I have been recuperating from knee injury and using all the tricks I know to cultivate these qualities and get a head start on healing.

We all have innate intelligence and when that is working well our bodies can find the most efficient ways to heal. In addition, creating clarity in our pituitary region and cultivating the energy of clarity can help with writer’s block and other aspects of mental flow necessary for just about everything we do!

Here is the practice I have found hugely helpful: a simple 15 minute breath and mantra practice that stimulates innate wisdom and clarity.

Click for Well-Snap – Inner Wisdom Clarity Meditation.

What the heck are Chakras?

May 18, 2016 by lah

Chakras are energy centers

Energy, life force, prana Chi. We need energy to be flowing smoothly in our bodies to function well, to digest, to feel calm, collected and balanced. This is a pretty abstract concept but if you work with some simple principles and leave your critical, uber-practical mind out of it, you may find this short practice to be a helpful part of your stress-less routine!

Chakra Mantram Practice – Click Here

Chakras are fun to play with as a concept.

Don’t get put off by this sanskrit terminology or the abstract energetic nature of the chakras. Chakras are nothing more than main energy centers said to exist as centers of swirling energy at different points up and down the spine and which correspond to different glands organs and functions of the physical body. It is important to keep these clear and flowing and this is what moving the flow of breath as in this practice does for you.

Chakra (sanskrit cakra – “wheel”) is thought to be an energy point or node in the subtle body.not the physical body, and as such, are the meeting points of the subtle (non-physical) energy channels called nadi. Nadi are believed to be channels that carry the the life force known as ‘prana’. There are seven chakras that are considered to be the most important ones.

The chakras to which this meditation refers are in the center of the body along what is know as Shushumna or central spinal column. When I instruct breathing up or down, it is that central channel to which I refer and the chakra’s are stops along the way as follows.

First: Root Chakra at base of spine. Color red. Sense of smell, fight or flight response, physical strength, stability.. Sound is Lam.

Second: Sacral Chakra below belly button. Orange color. Relating to water element, reproductive function, joy, desire, sexuality, creativity. Sound is Vam.

Third: Solar Plexus Chakra. Yellow color. Power, professional success. Confidence and respect for others. Sound is Ram.

Fourth: Heart Chakra or Spiritual Heart center. Green Color. Relates to air, relationships, Trust and love. Sound is Yam

Fifth: Throat Chakra. Blue Color. Our true voice. Self expression and communication. Sound is Ham.

Sixth: Third Eye Chakra. Indigo Color. Relates to deep inner knowing, wisdom, intuition. connected to the pituitary gland and visualized as in the center of the skull between forehead and back of head, upper palate and top of skull. Sound is Om.

Seventh Chakra: Crown Chakra. Violet color. Unifies energy of all previous six chakras and associated with nervous system, brain, higher forces and divine nature. Sound is Om.

Want a quickie lesson in stress release?

October 1, 2014 by lah 7 Comments

stress release mantra mudra — Sa Ta Na Ma – ultimate Stress Release.

Stress release that’s easy to do anywhere: turbulent situations like airplanes, office, subway, taxi, or as a quick break from any maddening situation.

I basically believe that contemplative practices are the ultimate answers to life’s troubles great and small. Some people say they can’t do breath and meditation practices because it makes them anxious (not so good when fighting for stress release.). I love a good practice that keeps both the mind and body busy enough to let the relaxation happen … and here it is.

Easy and comprehensible, though direct to you from the far fields of Tantric practices, it is both a Mantra and a Mudra and astress release strategy that’s completely different.

So, Mantra, shmantra, what’s a mantra? A repeated word. Add it to a mudra (hand gesture) and you have a walloping good practice for relaxation and stress release.

They say you will find enhanced wisdom, focus, energy and connection; all things which always seem in short supply.

Try it and see for yourself. Trying in the laboratory of your own experience is, after all, the only way to know.

For a guided version try this Well-Snap download from the Shop.

Theory: This practice, derived from something called Kundalini Yoga Kirtan Kriya, is invested with a lot of meaning but just take it as a simple practice and feel the benefits for yourself. It is in two parts: a mantra (or repeated sounds) along with a hand action (or mudra.) The five primal sounds Sa,Ta,Na,Ma have a literal Sanskrit connotation (meaning if you will): Sa means birth (some say infinity); Ta means life; Na means death; and Ma means rebirth. So as you chant you are theoretically sounding out the eternal circle of life: birth, life, death & rebirth while enhancing equanimity, intuition and creativity.

Practice: Use ‘Sa Ta Na Ma’ in a couple of ways. With eyes closed – First: chant it for a minute in your normal voice (the voice of action.) Then: whisper it for one minute (the voice of your romantic nature, the inner mind voice.) Next: repeat silently to yourself for one minute (the spiritual voice.) Then reverse the order until you are repeating Sa Ta Na Ma aloud.

Once you have mastered this, try adding the hand practice. On Sa touch the index finger to your thumb; on Ta touch the middle finger to your thumb; on Na touch the ring finger to your thumb; on Ma touch the little finger to your thumb. Apply a light pressure every time you touch the fingers. Continue touching the fingers in sequence throughout the exercise, even during the silent part.

When you are all done:

Inhale deeply, then exhale all the air.

Stretch your hands high above your head.

Spread and extend the fingers.

Stretch your spine up high.

Expand and take several deep breaths.

Finish with a deep satisfying, elephantine sigh.