Abundance Challenge Day 19 and 20, The Power of Mantra
I have been successful in putting my inner critic aside, despite the fact that the underlying optimism in Chopra's guided meditation is very different from my personal philosophy. When I began this journey, I recognized that I needed some deprogramming from our cut-throat society, so I deemed it appropriate to indulge in pure positive thought.
I am really nearing the end of this wonderful challenge organized by @plantstoplanks and influenced by a phenomenon created by Deepak Chopra. Although the challenge ended a while ago, I have received terrific support from the #naturalmedicine tribe, allowing me to take my time.
For this self-help piece of art, me and my mother who has joined me along this journey, wrote the words digitally on a traditional composition as to preserve the wash.
The exercise for day 19 consists of finding things we like about ourselves.
- We love Abundance
- Our sense of humour
- Our resilience
- Our gentle kindness
- Our voice
- Our friendship
- Our cooking skills
- I see my uniqueness in the eyes of my friends and family
It has been amazing to work spiritually and see how beneficial it is find validation for myself when I am so used to expecting it to come from others.
I tend to lucid dream in my natural state but the narrative escapes me like sand between my fingers. As much as I like to encourage everyone to start a dream journal, I have yet to take the time to properly do it, but they do live on my blog.
I clenched on to this memory waking up this morning.
I remember being a gay preacher at a bar in his CK underwear but wearing a top. Jay Lo was waiting for me at the door for some reason. Not sure what makes one preacher more gay than another but I wasn't aware that I was in my underwear at first, so I guess my character was really Fringesque if you know what I mean.
I recently went to a Kirtan, a multi-faith mantra singing session accompanied with musicians.
It reminded me of my childhood when my parents brought me to an ashram of the Siddha yoga, the same spiritual movement that inspired the book Eat Pray Love. There too, I sang mantras with my little brother to my heart's content. I remember there being a show with clever dogs doing tricks, a night of 1000 lanterns for Gurumayi's birthday (her 40th maybe), and the Ramayana, a reenactment of the legends of Rama and Sita where the actors were all painted in blue.
It was a very powerful experience but also one of ordinary living, full of people who made mistakes, despite their quest for enlightenment. I was fascinated by the Fallsburg locale 130 kilometres northwest of New York City but the mosquitoes made it mighty hard to meditate outside. The woods and the lake made for a serene experience while the Hindu statues and the luminous meditation hall added mystery. I remember a mantra chant where it was raining over one part of the hall while the other bathed in sunlight, it was truly magical.
I am both grateful for the early spiritual headway and that this chapter of my life was short and sweet. This later helped me fit into mainstream society whereas a longer stay might have gotten in the way of the social integration ahead.
On the other hand, I had just gone to school in a rural environment so my horizons were essentially broadened.
The Kirtan last night felt like a deep scrub of the soul. After having sung in a choir just before, my voice seemed to fly away in the larger soundscape. There was a level of improvisation backed by a fantastic array of musical instruments and amplified vocal leaders. It sounded amazing although sometimes a little cheesy.
These are the mantras that we sang:
- Om Mani Padme Om, Buddhist (I learned it is pronounced pamé)
- Hine ma tov uma na - yim Shevet achim gam ya-chad, Hebrew
- Madana Mohana Murari, Haribol Haribol Haribol
- Be Still and Know That I Am God
I Am That I Am, and God is I (not my cup of tea) - Alaha Amin, Aramean
- Om Namah Shivaya, Hindu
- Om Tare Tuttare Ture Swaha, Buddhist
My favourite thing about holistic medicine is that it is preventative. In my experience, it will immediately boost self-regulation; after all, chakras are linked to major endocrine glands for a reason. In that sense, mindfulness and holistic medicine go hand in hand because increased attention to self will help notice the positive effect of rituals, concoctions, etc.
If you are looking for a quick fix, you may fail to notice the positive impact on your health.
Chopra's meditations, the hallmark of the challenge, also included mantras. I believe the hidden power of the Sanskrit phrases has given me courage and a feeling of being in charge of my destiny. Having not studied Sanskrit, I must admit to a level of blind faith but @bewithbreath has educated me quite a bit on the subject with their guided meditations which were truly hidden gems.
A love that is synonym with compassion is one that transcends the barriers between living beings. I hope that this series has helped you nurture that kind of love. You can look forward to the final entry very soon!
Thank you for being there with me!
Day 1 and 2
https://steempeak.com/naturalmedicine/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-1-and-2
Day 3
Day 4
https://steempeak.com/naturalmedicine/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-4-family-first
Day 5 and 6
https://steempeak.com/naturalmedicine/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-5-and-6-less-is-more
Day 7 and 8
https://steempeak.com/naturalmedicine/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-7-and-8-pranayamahahaha
Day 9 and 10
https://steempeak.com/naturalmedicine/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-9-and-10-i-wanted-happiness
Day 11
https://steempeak.com/naturalmedicine/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-11-mum-n-son
Day 12 and 13
https://steempeak.com/naturalmedicine/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-12-and-13-lucid-dreaming
Day 14
Day 15 and 16
Day 17 and 18
https://steempeak.com/@edouard/abundance-challenge-day-17-and-18-grateful-for-what-is-invisible
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I took part in this challenge in December, away from the platform and I found it so beneficial, firstly taking that time for myself and then expressing my gratitude for myself and others. That is so important. I love how you are sharing your journey and sharing your wonderful insights along the way. What a wonderful experience you had as a child attending the ashram of the Siddha yoga. Thanks also fro sharing those mantra's, I really enjoyed the ones in the abundance challenge. Best wishes @trucklife-family.
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It really was a wonderful experience at the Siddha yoga and one that has helped set me apart from the sleeping masses in that I can use many spiritual tools to deal with any challenge I encounter.
Thank you @trucklife-family, your encouragements are much appreciated. I feel like I am in intelligent company with you and that is a wonderful feeling! It is exquisite to learn the ropes of this ever evolving platform with you day by day. I am grateful to you and your family in light of this experience.
I am actually kind of pleased you didn't finish at the same time as others because I love this extended reminder of what a wonderful journey the Abundance Challenge is! I adore the little look into your life and relationship with your mother and still am so enamored with her spirit. I did giggle a bit with the specific reference of the CK underwear. Love it!