“Come up, O lions, and shake off the delusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortal, spirits free, blest and eternal; ye are not matter, ye are not bodies; matter is your servant, not you the servant of matter.”

“Freedom is the motive of the universe, freedom its goal. The laws of nature are the methods through which we are struggling to reach that freedom under the guidance of Mother. This universal struggle for freedom attains its highest expression in man in the conscious desire to be free.”

“Everything that we perceive around us is struggling towards freedom, from the atom to the man, from insentient, lifeless particle of matter to the highest existence on earth, the human soul. The whole universe is in fact the result of this struggle for freedom.”

“Ignorance is death, knowledge is life”

Excerpts from The Complete works of Swami Vivekananda-Addresses at The Parliament of Religions & Teachings of Swami Vivekananda

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The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (Sanskrit: महामृत्युंजय मंत्र, Mahāmṛtyunjaya Mantra “great death-conquering mantra”), also called the Tryambakam Mantra, is a verse of the Rigveda(RV 7.59.12). It is the most auspicious mantra described in Vedas. It is addressed to Tryambaka “the three-eyed one”, an epithet of Rudra, later identified with Shiva. The verse also recurs in the Yajurveda (TS 1.8.6.i; VS 3.60)

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sughandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Urvar-ukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat

“Tryambaka we worship, sweet augmenter of prosperity.  As from its stem the cucumber, so may I be released from death, not reft of immortality.”  — Rig Veda 7.59.12, translation by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1889)

SAVITRI (Gayatri) MANTRA

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।
तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धि यो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Oṃ Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥa
Tat Savitur Vareṇyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥa Pracodayāt

“We meditate on the effulgent glory of the divine Light; may he inspire our understanding.” S.Radhakrishnan

AMRIT SANJIVNI NIDYA MANTRA                                                                                                                                          (SAVITRI & MAHAMRITYUNJAYA Mantra - with samput in mahamrityunjaya mantra)                                                      

Om Hoong Joon Sah
Om Bhoor Bhuva Swaha                                                                            
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Om Tatsavitur Varenyam
Om Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Om Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Om Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Om Diyo Yo na Prachodayat
Om Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat
Om Svaha Bhoova Bhoo
Om Sah Joon Hoong Om

Samput : Samput are some specific words used in the mantra. These can be used at the start, middle or end of the mantra. The samput has great shakti and should be used carefully

Use Mantras with CAUTION: Mantras are energy based sounds. Pronouncing them creates various “energetic-effects” in the physical and the subtle body. They can be likened to fire, as mantras evoke powerful energies and should therefore be treated with respect. The information outlined here is intended as an inspirational insight into the world of various mantras. The author is not and cannot be held responsible for the consequences of any practice or misuse of the information outlined herewith.

When the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
Was Coursing in the Deep Prajna Paramita,
He Perceived That All Five Skandhas Are Empty.
Thus He Overcame All Ills and Suffering.

Oh, Sariputra, Form Does Not Differ From the Void, and the Void Does Not Differ From Form.

Form is Void and Void is Form; the Same is True For Feelings, Perceptions, Volitions and Consciousness.

Sariputra, the Characteristics of the Voidness of All Dharmas Are Non-Arising, Non-Ceasing, Non-Defiled, Non-Pure, Non-Increasing, Non-Decreasing.

Therefore, in the Void There Are No Forms,

No Feelings, Perceptions, Volitions or Consciousness.
No Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue, Body or Mind;
No Form, Sound, Smell, Taste, Touch or Mind Object,
No Realm of the Eye,
Until We Come to No Realm of Consciousness.

No Ignorance and Also No Ending of Ignorance, Until We Come to No Old Age and Death and No Ending of Old Age and Death.

Also, There is No Truth of Suffering, of the Cause of Suffering, of the Cessation of Suffering, Nor of the Path.

There is No Wisdom, and There is No Attainment Whatsoever.

Because There is Nothing To Be Attained, the Bodhisattva Relying On Prajna Paramita Has No Obstruction in His Mind.

Because There is No Obstruction, He Has No Fear,

And He Passes Far Beyond Confused Imagination,

And Reaches Ultimate Nirvana.

The Buddhas of the Past, Present and Future, By Relying on Prajna Paramita, Have Attained Supreme Enlightenment.

Therefore, the Prajna Paramita is the Great Magic Spell, the Spell of Illumination, the Supreme Spell, Which Can Truly Protect One From All Suffering Without Fail.

Therefore He Uttered the Spell of Prajnaparamita, Saying

Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha.

The mantra of the Prajna Paramita is found at the end of a Buddhist scripture, The Heart of the Prajna Paramita Sutra, often called The Heart Sutra or The Great Heart of Wisdom Sutra. ‘Prajna’ means ‘wisdom.’ ‘Paramita’ means a crossing over, or going beyond.

“Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha“. Translated as;

“Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond. Oh what an awakening! All hail!.

“http://www.scribd.com/doc/20070514/Prajna-Paramita-Heart-Sutra

The 5 Tibetan Rites is an ancient exercise system from Tibet. These Rites activate and stimulate the seven key energy vortexes or chakras in the body, and the subtle bodies of the auric body system(aura). These are namely starting with the first layer The Etheric Body, The Emotional Body, The Mental Body, The Astral Body, The Etheric Template Body, The Celestial Body and finally The Causal body. Chakras or clockwise spinning energy vortexes are located few inches outside of the skin and directly linked to the spine and nervous system. The chakras process energy from nature. When they become blocked or slow down in frequency, the body’s ability to sustain it’s overall energy level and the proper function of the immune system is impared. The five Rites restore any imbalances in the chakra system and also enhance the innate energetic power of the human body and mind.

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The Five Tibetan Rites, The Thyroid Gland, Vishuddha Chakra & Pharyngeal Plexus:

The Vishuddha Chakra: It is the centre of the ether (akasha) Principle, and the power of hearing, speaking, self-expression and creativity. It is also associated with the faculty of higher discrimination, between choosing what is right and wrong. Colour: Sky blue, the fifth chakra, is located in the throat. Element: Ether (crossing over between the physical and spiritual dimensions). Plane: Spiritual. Endocrine Gland: Thyroid, parathyroid. Location: Pharyngeal plexus in the throat. Area of influence: Throat, neck, jaw, mouth, teeth, ears.

The Pharyngeal Plexus is a network of nerve fibers innervating most of the palate, larynx and pharynx. It is located on the surface of the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle. Energy blocks at this chakra affect thyroid and parathyroids.
The Thyroid Gland produces hormones that help control metabolism. i.e maintaining the human body’s temperature, immune strength and hormonal balance. The main purpose of the thyroid gland is to make the hormones thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃). Thyroid hormones control the speed of many vital body functions and cause the body to burn up calories more quickly. A decline in the secretion of hormones from the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can result in poor concentration, memory problems, confusion, cold hands and feet, weight gain, menstrual problems, dry skin, sleep disorders, thinning hair and low energy levels. An underactive thyroid is also a major cause of a common painful musculoskeletal condition known as fibromyalgia. The Parathyroid Glands (two on each side of the Thyroid) regulate the metabolism of calcium and phosphorous in the body via the secretion of their hormone PTH (Parathyroid Hormone).

The Five Tibetan Rites Help Thyroid: The five Rites stimulate the thyroid gland to work at its peak efficiency and help improve its function by regulating the hormone secretions. The thyroid gland is mainly responsible for correct weight and youthful appearance as it controls metabolism. They also tone the neck, as well as strengthen the overall nervous system.

Back and Forth movement of the neck through the 4 Rites

Additional Stretching Exercises: It can also help loosen the surrounding muscles by doing neck rolls or neck stretches. When practicing the stretches, gently hold the position for 20-30 secs. to loosen muscles on each side.

Breathing Guidelines throughout the Rites:
Rite 1: Breathe slowly and evenly as you spin.
Rite 2: Breathe in as you raise your head off the floor, breathe out as you lower your head and legs back to the floor.
Rite 3: Breathe in as you lean backward, breathe out as you return to starting position.
Rite 4: Breathe in as you raise your torso up, breathe out as you return to the starting-sitting-position.
Rite 5: Breathe in as you move your head back, breathe out as you return to the arched position.

For more information about The Five Tibetan Rites and Mantras please see the bottom of page The Five Tibetan Rites.

“Once upon a time, I, Chuang Tzu, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Tzu. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man. Between a man and a butterfly there is necessarily a distinction. The transition is called the transformation of material things.” Chuang Tzu (c. 369 B.C. – c. 286 B.C.)

Quotation sourced to the book known as Zhuangzi 

“Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?”

“If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.”

“Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?”

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Pablo Picasso Quotes

 ”The highest purpose is served by the simple performance of our duties. That is Dharma. This is no easy matter. The duties cannot be recognized and performed properly, unless there is a keen intelligence. Then it is necessary to have a strong mind in order to meditate without wavering upon God. In order to acquire a strong mind there must be moral discipline. Therefore, all three are necessary: duty, discipline and devotion.”

“God has sent Wisdom with you. Wisdom is your friend. Wisdom plays with Desire and by their unlawful contact they gave birth to Mind. This Mind marries a girl named Chapalata or Restlessness and by this he got the five senses. This Mind has got another wife too whose name is Hope and by this second wife he got two sons namely Anger and Greed. Thus a family is set up and they make a home to live in this body. This unlawful playing of Wisdom and Desire is Avidya or Ignorance. And in course of time, as Mind experiences fears and anxieties through the five senses, he becomes much distracted or disturbed, and then turns back to his mother Wisdom and cries for help. Wisdom then comes and consults YOU, meaning Soul, who then tells her to renounce her family and to remain in communion with YOU or Soul. This communion with Soul, is what we call Realization or Bodha.”

Excerpt from; Long Pilgrimage, The life and teaching of The Shivapuri Baba by John G. Bennett

Shivapuri Baba, also known as Swami Govindanath Bharati, was a Hindu saint who reportedly lived from 1826 to 1963, making him 137 years old at the time of his death. He was one of the first spiritual teachers to travel to the West, where he met various European heads of state, including 18 visits to Queen Victoria, as well as U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt,  before returning to India in 1915.

 As outlined in previous posts, colour as a therapeutic tool has been used in healing temples of colour and light in ancient Egypt and Greece. e.g. seven rays of the Newtonian colour spectrum can be used to stimulate the 7 key vortexes or chakra’s in the body. Colour healing has also been utilized in the Chinese tradition of Taoist healing principles e.g. colour combined with sounds to stimulate internal organs (see posts; Colour, Sound & Taoist healing principles, Chakra’s Colours & Mantras, and Colour=Sound=Energy).
Besides these, the colour pink is known to be the universal colour of healing and unconditional love, which has an immense relaxing and soothing effect on the physical, mental and spiritual body. Pink colour is known to suppress aggression, hostile and anxiety ridden behaviour in short time. The sedating and muscle relaxing effects of pink has been tested in geriatrics, prison reform, adolescent and family therapy.
Some healing properties of pink: Heals grief and sadness. Restores youthfulness. Skin conditions and inflammations, immune system. Brings you in contact with your feelings. Pink represents love, joy, happiness, affection and kindness. Related chakra: heart chakra – 4th chakra

ENERGIZING & HEALING WITH PINK COLOUR EXERCISE I:
1. Breathe gently, slowly and adopt a peaceful state of mind.
2. Visualize colour pink
3. Breathe in pink air from eye level(or in your mind’s eye) for several times.
4. See your physical body filled with pink colour; start either from feet upwards or from head downwards. e.g. one can imagine standing under a waterfall.
5. Smile; inwardly to your organs and outward appeareance.
Repeat 3 times. This exercise can be practised daily.

ENERGIZING & HEALING WITH PINK COLOUR EXERCISE II:
1. Breathe gently, slowly and adopt a peaceful state of mind.
2. Visualize colour pink
3. Breathe in pink air from eye level(or in your mind’s eye) for several times.
4. Mentally direct it to the area you wish to improve.
5. While holding your breath(few seconds), visualize it as perfect.
6. Smile to the area you wish to improve.
Repeat 3 times. This exercise can be practised daily preferably in the morning -before getting up and/or evening.

A WORD OF CAUTION:
The exercises outlined here are intended as an educational and inspirational insight in to the world of bio-energy. They are not intended as an alternative to any professional medical treatment. The author is not and cannot be held responsible for the consequences of any practice or misuse of the material herein.

“In our everyday life we see the phenomenon of love. The first lesson that love teaches us is: ‘I am not; thou art’. The first thing to think of is to erase ourselves from our minds and to think of the one we love. As long as we do not arrive at this idea, so long the word love remains only in the dictionary. Many speak about love but very few know it. Is love a pastime, an amusement, a drama; is it a performance? The first lesson of love is sacrifice, service, self-effacement.
There is a little story of a peasant girl who was passing through a field where a Muslim was offering his prayers. And the law was that no one should pass by a place where somebody was praying. After a time this girl returned by the same way, and the man said, ‘O girl, what a terrible thing you have done today.’ She was shocked and asked, ‘What did I do?’ He said, ‘You passed by this way! It is a great sin. I was praying, thinking of God!’ She said, ‘Were you thinking of God? I was going to see my young man! I did not see you; how did you see me when you were thinking of God?’ ”

From; The Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan, The Alchemy of Happiness, Volume VI

IN DREAMLAND
‘Our schoolmaster used to take a nap every afternoon,’ related a disciple of Soyen Shaku. ‘We children asked him why he did it and he told us: “I go to dreamland to meet the old sages just as Confucius did.” When Confucius slept, he would dream of ancient sages and later tell his followers about them.
‘It was extremely hot one day so some of us took a nap. Our schoolmaster scolded us. “We went to dreamland to meet the ancient sages the same as Confucius did” we explained. “What was the message from those sages?” our schoolmaster demanded. One of us replied: “We went to dreamland and met the sages and asked them if our schoolmaster came there every afternoon, but they said they had never seen any such fellow.”‘

From; Zen Flesh, Zen Bones compiled by Paul Reps