The September clouds are the best

After living here for 2 years now, as an avid cloudspotter I can say that the September clouds are the best in the DC area. :)

Tomorrow night, at the Freer and Sackler Galleries: the Asia after Dark event!

Understanding the consumer side of sustainability

RIP DJ AM
click here for some 2002 mixes

At the Sacred Circle Bookstore in Old Town Alexandria:

Friday, September 18 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Meet 2012 Expert Thia Belden

Thia Belden, M.S. spiritual life coach, teacher and intuitive, has spent 20 years studying spirituality and alternative healing with indigenous, vibrational medicine and new age masters including Drunvalo Melchizedeck. Synthesizing these combined studies, she has developed her own 2012 teaching and coaching practice in vibrational alchemy of ascension into the 5TH dimension. She will be presenting 2 workshops on Sept.20 and 27. FREE

A breathing exercise:
First, find a comfortable seated position, either on the floor or in a chair. Close your eyes and start to tune in to your breath. Notice the breath pace and pattern, temperament, and flow. As you begin to relate to your breath, notice where it gets stuck, then breathe into those areas to encourage a consistent flow of prana.

Once you've established a comfortable breath pace, inhale deeply through your nose to a count of 4. Retain the breath for 4 counts, and then exhale for 8 counts. Hold the breath out for 4 counts. Repeat for 10 cycles.

This breath pattern is called visamavrtti pranayama as the exhalation is twice as long as the inhalation. You can also try samavrtti pranayama, where you hold the inhalation, exhalation, and retention for equal amounts of time.

Give it a go, and see what works for you. Every body is as different as every day, so tune in to what you need and cultivate your sadhana (personal practice) with ease.

Don't worry

I hope this blog post gives you a moment of clarity and peace, along with some insightful knowledge. Breathe easy!

http://www.350.org/ : An international day of climate action, a global movement to solve the climate crisis, on my birthday this year! :)

CarbonFreeDC Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover: Home Improvement Volunteer Form Click the link if you're interested in helping volunteer in either Shaw or Deanwood for a weekend in September working with deserving families by installing energy efficient and planet-friendly products! You can indicate your availability to volunteer to install equipment at the homes.

Deep Green Autunm Retreat: The Journey Inward: Accessing Inner Wisdom through Yoga and Plant Medicines. I am planning to attend this retreat October 16-18, which looks to be in an absolutely lovely setting and promises to be transformative. Click on the link to visit the Deep Green Wellness page for a link to their retreats.

Idealist.org grad fair in DC, September 21st, at the Washington Convention Center 801 Mount Vernon Place NW DC

Currently listening to: Issamu's new mix. Legit. Also check out the link to his blog on my favorite links, Third Eye Buisness.

The summer night sky is filled with a multitude of the Milky Way's stars, hundreds of billions of stars making up its flowing river of soft light.

Seasonal recipe: Garden fresh pasta salad, I'd probably add some summer squash too, or maybe tofu.

Listen with your heart. Heart-centered listening, including how the heart communicates with the body and brain, can be used to create greater peace and love not just in your life, but in the world. You can help to gather the information to listen to in your heart by doing an anahata (heart chakra) kundalini meditation. Sitting comfortably on the floor in your meditation posture, place your left hand in front of your heart chakra face down and hold your right arm up, extended in the air at a 60 degree angle from the floor. The right had is collecting the information from the universe, while the left collects information from you lower chakras, and brings it all to the heart.

Thoughts on meditation via the Tricycle weekly newsletter:

Everything changes and all will wither away. There is no permanent and abiding "self." And to top it all off, life is suffering.

Wow, Buddhism can be a real buzz-kill. Sometimes, anyway. But there are many doors to joy. According to Vipassana teacher James Baraz, it's just a question of opening them:

Methods for opening the mind to joy and happiness are found throughout the Buddha’s teachings. One sure way is through skillful practice of meditation. Through seeing clearly, we can free the mind of grasping, aversion, and ignorance, allowing our natural joy to manifest. In fact, research has amply demonstrated that meditation increases activity in areas of the brain associated with positive emotions.

Quotes of the day: "There is great power in patience because it cuts through arrogance and ingratitude. It is the path that lets us move from resistance to acceptance and spontaneous presence. Holding on to our judgments about others and ourselves is a major cause of impatience. Repeating softly to ourselves, “May I be happy just as I am” and “May I be peaceful with whatever is happening” helps us accept our vulnerabilities, imperfections, and losses: everything from chronic physical and emotional pain, to the death of loved ones, the end of a job or relationship—even nightmare traffic jams."

"Life is really generous to those who pursue their destiny." Paulo Coelho
my thoughts: I believe this is true, as long as you have realized your destiny through divine listening.

Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. Once you have determined the spiritual principles you wish to exemplify, abide by these rules as if they were laws, as if it were indeed sinful to compromise them. Don't mind if others don't share your convictions. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer.

Epictetus (c. 50-120)


We don’t open our heart and mind because we haven’t experienced the benefit of doing that. Once we have experienced the truth, there isn’t even an issue. There is no worry. The whole question of whether we are ready to open our heart and mind to the truth isn’t even a concern.

What do you want out of life, Really?

blog post by Russell Bishop via the huffington post

mantra for abundance : Om Shreem Maha Lakshmieye Swaha

40 farmers under 40 via MNN - Mother Nature Network

Wyndmere Naturals, essential oils. "Aromatherapy is a holistic therapy that uses pure essential oils to positively influence the mind and body and to enhance emotional and physical well-being. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from the aromatic part of the plant. They are wholly natural molecular substances, which when inhaled are transmitted to the part of the brain that controls memory and emotional response. When used topically, they are highly effective due to their ability to penetrate the skin and stimulate the body’s ability to heal."

Generally, the Maharishi Effect may be defined as the influence of coherence and positivity in the social and natural environment generated by the practice of the TM and TM-Sidhi programs.

Meet two new quantum particles: Spinons and holons

Listening to: Mishka presents Keep Watch volume X

Wiki of the day: Doula

A breathing exercise via the pure prana newsletter:

August has arrived and so has the sweltering summer heat indicative of the DC metro area. This month when you start to feel overheated, take a few moments to breathe and practice Sitali Pranayama.

How it Works

Sit in a comfortable seated position with a straight spine. Curl your tongue and push it slightly past the lips. Inhale deeply through the tongue and mouth. Exhale through the nose. To begin, continue for 10 breaths and work your way up to 5 minutes. Close your eyes, relax, and sit and breathe for a few moments. Repeat this cycle for two more rounds. If you can't curl your tongue, try Sitkari, which is similiar, except that the tongue is flat and the tip is pressed against the two front teeth.

Why it's good for you

Sitali helps to cool the digestive fire as well as the firery pitta dosha. It's a great way to get through hot flashes or triple digit summer day.

Democracy Now

Enlightening radio programs the last 2 days on my drive to work from Woodbridge.
Monday's subject was the American diet and nutrition, and today global warming and healthcare were discussed.

Tuesday August 4: Rep. Henry Waxman on Healthcare Reform, the Waxman-Markey Climate Change Bill and the Expanding Role of Private Contractors in the Battlefield

Monday August 3: Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler: “The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite”

http://www.democracynow.org/

Hypnagogia + Fire the Grid : : Be Present

Image via Astronomy pic of the day: Few auroras show this level of detail. Above, a standard digital camera captured a particularly active and colorful auroral corona that occurred last week above Alberta, Canada. With a shape reminiscent of a flower, the spectacular aurora had an unusually high degree of detail. The vivid green and purple auroral colors are caused by high atmospheric oxygen and hydrogen reacting to a burst of incoming electrons. Many photogenic auroras have been triggered from a solar wind stream that recently passed the Earth. The auroras were unexpected because the initiating Sun has been unusually quiet of late.

Aquarids: The Aquarid meteor shower is expected to peak tonight, the Moon's brightness may interfere with observation.

via wikipedia:
Hypnagogia (Greek ὕπνος, húpnos "sleep" + the root found in ἄγω, ágō "to lead away, conduct, convey", ἀγωγεύς, agōgeús "conveyor", ἀγωγή, agōgḗ "abduction, transport, leading away" etc.), often misspelled hypnogaia or hypnogogia, is a term coined by Alfred Maury for the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep.

Seasonal Eating: Organic Blackberries
This week is the peak of blackberry season in our region. Don't miss out on sweet, juicy, luscious organic black berries bursting with ripeness!

"Let the beauty you seek be what you do." -Rumi

Fire the Grid: Tonight at 6:19 pm EST. I've posted a short summary paragraph from the website below, but for more detailed information just click on the "Fire the Grid" link.

To summarize, what we will do on July 28, 2009 at 19:19 Rio di Janeiro time — 18:19 (6:19 PM) in your time zone — is unite as one, sharing our purest intention to create a new world. As each of us as individuals see the earth in its true potential, collectively we will begin to create a world with untold possibilities. Hold that intention for an hour. During that time, the energy stored in the crystal beds under Brazil will be released and we will allow that energy to pass through us on its way back to Source.

The energy of Fire the Grid is ready to go back home. Please join us on July 28, 2009 at 19:19 Rio di Janeiro time — 18:19 (6:19 PM) in your time zone — for Fire the Grid II as we choose consciously to be present and accountable in the energetic creation of a new world.

Tofu Loves You!

Kuroshio Sea

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

Go Slow. Life in Progress.

via Gaia's weekly email:

Most people believe only in degrees of jeopardy and live in degrees of greater and lesser anxiety, but never in true relaxation. The assurance of safety is a vital and wonderful resource that we need to share with one another.
- Paul Richards -

The ability to relax is one of the most important capacities any of us of can develop. It's impossible to really connect with anyone when you're in a state of stress; indeed, when you're stressed, it's impossible to be truly tuned into the deeper messages of your own heart and spirit and soul. Relaxation—true relaxation—is absolutely essential to authenticity, and to really being yourself.

Sometimes I get a little sorrowful thinking about this, because these days it seems there are fewer and fewer people who are capable of really relaxing. And sometimes it feels like the world we live in is dead-set on training us to do anything but relax—just look at the news, and at the values pushed in schools and universities and work environments. Relaxation is not something we speak much about, either—we talk about how stressed we are, and how busy, but rarely about what we're doing to relax. And so we contribute neither to relaxation in our own lives, nor in the lives of those around us.

things on my mind after working at pure prana tonight... natural medicines...being a locovore...the power of positive thinking...
"Theres something slippery about summer, and that's the beauty of it, a season so brilliant, sensual and bold, that it eludes your efforts to contain it and instead it wraps you in abundances, swaths of sunlight, and long lazy hours...none of which is really even yours to keep. Therein lies the lesson."
May all beings everywhere attain happiness and freedom.


Practice letting life spin around you in bright concentric circles, filling you with light.

Lumenhaus

LUMENHAUS is Virginia Tech’s 2009 entry to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition. www.lumenhaus.com for more info!

89.3 Jazz & Justice

Pick up these natural air allies from your local nursery: philodendrons, spider plants, and ivy.

They are just a few of the green friends that can help scrub harmful compounds from household air. Just one plant per 100 square feet of living space will help absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Also,
RealAge Benefit: Having a good social support system of family and friends can make your RealAge up to 3.5 years younger.

via RealAge.com

Heard this song on the best radio station in DC, 89.3 Jazz & Justice, last night. Summer in the City by Regina Spektor. <3 Check out her myspace page http://www.myspace.com/reginaspektor

I also really love their hip hop show at 10pm weeknights. Click here for the full list of programming/DJs. Another one of my favorite shows is the Sunday night "Sounds of Brasil." :)

More or Less at the Hexagon in Bmore tonight.

Word of the Day:

dulcet \DUHL-sit\, adjective:

1. Pleasing to the ear; melodious; harmonious.
2. Generally pleasing, soothing, or agreeable.
3. (Archaic) Sweet to the taste.

Quote of the Day:
Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping; For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together; For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow. -Khalil Gibran

Alive

I love Masuda's Radiance Yoga emails. Here's a list of 20 ways to celebrate life. I want to make my own list when I have more time too :)

20 WAYS TO CELEBRATE LIFE

1. Laugh.

2. Eat ice cream.

3. Run on the beach.

4. Call someone who is ill or lonely. Listen to their story.

5. Listen to music that touches your heart.

6. Sing in the shower.

7. Visit the grave of a loved one and celebrate your breath.

8. Play with a dog.

9. Thank yourself for putting up with all the things about yourself that drive you nuts.

10. Apologize to someone you have wronged in any way.

11. Take a day, or even a few hours off to do something you always wanted to do.

12. Eat something you never indulge in and savor every bite. No guilt permitted.

13. Re-watch your favorite funny or happy movie in your most comfortable clothes.

14. Make plans with 2 friends that you are crazy about but never see.

15. Go outdoors, sit in a quite place and listen to the world.

16. Smile

17. Place this list in an envelope and visit it periodically to see how you are celebrating.

18. Connect with your heart.

19. Follow the path that matters.

20. Believe and feel that change you want to see.

Something I read in the BC water news today:
Twenty years ago, a photographer shot the then-little known, ghost-white lilies that bloom mid-river on the rocky shoals of the Cahaba. Something about those pictures of the fragile flowers helped change perceptions of the river and stimulate a drive to protect it.

This idea made me think about the oneness of the universe and the connectedness of it all. By doing something you love, like this photographer, who knows what positive effects will come of it to the world and all of humanity.

Woke up this morning
The white light of Father Sun
Tickling the olive tree outside
Its golden essence dancing across my walls
The birds, too, are enlivened
By the dawning of the uplifting solar song
A Lovely One begins to
Chant dulcet tunes
Not an arm's reach away
As I slumber beneath downy duvet
A window pane our only separation
She serenades me awake
"Wake up, Wake up"
She sings -- the way only She can

Green Power for a Sustainable Future

via the Carbon Solutions Group, a short article on Renewable Energy Credits

Karma Kitchen

Such a cool idea! I visited the Karma Kitchen last time I was in Berkeley, and now there's one in DC! The Karma Kitchen is open on Sundays for lunch in Dupont, it's volunteer run, and there are no prices, so you pay what you can for the meal.
Karma Kitchen is held at Polo India Club, 1736 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-483-8705. Open for lunch Sundays noon to 3.

Namaste

Aphelion: On July 3 at 9:00 pm EST, Earth reaches its most distant orbital point from the Sun for this year: 94.5 million miles (152.1 million km). Earth is 3.1 million miles (5 million km) farther from the Sun at aphelion than when it is at its closest point (perihelion), in January.

The Ancient Code (click to watch the trailer) a movie that was just released about 2012, also references sacred geometry. Here's a quote from the movie:
On a misty morning take a walk outside and into nature. You will have revealed to you a clue to the code of the ancients, for you will suddenly find millions upon millions of beautiful mathematical structures that you did not see before. Your eyes have been opened.

How to Start on the Path:
Don't be overwhelmed by the number of teachers and teachings. Just start by doing a little bit of something, even five minutes of meditation, but do it every day.... Once you put one foot in front of another, the dharma path has a way of leading you where you need to go.

Dean Sluyter, Cinema Nirvana

Open yourself to yourself:

When you don't punish or condemn yourself, when you relax more and appreciate your body and mind, you begin to contact the fundamental notion of basic goodness in yourself. So it is extremely important to be willing to open yourself to yourself. Developing tenderness toward yourself allows you to see both your problems and your potential accurately. You don't feel that you have to ignore your problems or exaggerate your potential. That kind of gentleness toward yourself and appreciation of yourself is very necessary. It provides the ground for helping yourself and others.

Chögyam Trungpa, The Sanity We Are Born With

R.I.P. Michael Jackson