Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Simply living
Karma, Jnana
AND BHAKTI YOGA
Youth Empowerment
IN KENYA
MEDITATION
& NEUROSCIENCE
www.heartfulnessmagazine.com
Heartfulness
Creative Team
ISSN 2455-7684
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MEDITATION,
NEUROSCIENCE
& COHERENCE
Dear readers,
A few centuries ago, scientists were at the mercy of the religious leaders of the day to validate their discoveries.
For example, Copernicus and Galileo could not convince the Church that the Earth orbited the Sun, so their
heliocentric worldview was not deemed correct despite the scientific evidence. Today, the opposite is true:
any mystical or spiritual experience needs to be validated scientifically for society to accept it.
One of the most popular fields of research in science today concerns the effects of relaxation, meditation
techniques and Yoga on emotional well-being, cognitive function, neuroplasticity and other physiological
functions. In fact, mind-body medicine has become a billion dollar industry, as more and more people
succumb to stress and depression.
The science of spirituality is coming of age, and in this issue we explore the research on neuroscience and
meditation. But does a serious meditator need scientific evidence to convince them of the benefits? They
have their own experimental proof in the form of personal experiences and inner changes. And of course
there are many inner experiences that go beyond science, beyond knowledge.
We also feature Kenya, both the inspiring wildlife of the Masai Mara, as well as the inspiring youth of the
country who are working towards a brighter future, despite many hurdles. We have part 2 of Daaji’s interview
with Philip Goldberg and Dennis Raimondi, and his article on Karma, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga. And we also
hear from Dr Joe Dispenza on heart-brain coherence and moving from thinking to knowing through the
instrument of perception we know as the heart.
Happy reading,
The editors
06 20 32
interview
Spirit matters
focus
Interview with Daaji
A Personal Journey – Part 2
34
Everyday perspectives
Q&R thought
On Neuroscience
08 in action
States of being IQ, EQ & SQ
Daaji
Theophile The Elder
Neuroscience & AUM
13 The Flow
22
Theories of consciousness
N S Nagaraja Environment
In search of Consciousness Geetu Bohra
16 From Waste to Resource
in the field 29
Youth
Elizabeth Denley
Kenya – Empowering the New
Generation
74
40 50 62
taste of life
it changes Nature
Satvik Swaminathan
desk of
what's up daaji
80 77
f co us
Never say any man is hopeless, because he
only represents a character, a bundle of habits,
which can be checked by new and better ones.
Character is repeated habits, and repeated
habits alone can reform character.
Swami Vivekananda
Q&R 1 Wh at do you feel
i s th e relevan ce
of sc i en ce i n th e
field of spirituality
an d Yoga?
2 Wh at fasc i n ates
you ab ou t
n eu rosc i en ce’s
recently, you could say that there is
a reunion of science and spirituality, u n derstan di n g of
as both can compliment one m edi tati on?
another with different perspectives,
illuminating our vision of the world
across multiple spectrums. 3 How are th e
di scover i es of
n eu rosc i en ce
One of the most fascinating aspects c h an gi n g ou r
of the growth of neuroscience
p ercepti on of
is its investigation of internal
phenomena, such as meditation. As
con sc i ou sn ess?
a meditator and meditation trainer
with a background in psychology,
R UBY CAR M E N I am intrigued to know about the
Psychologist and social worker different areas of the brain that are
London, UK activated or de-activated during
meditation. Indeed, longitudinal
studies in neuroscience offer
In ancient times, science, spirituality possibilities of examining changes
and Yoga were often treated as one, within the structures of the brain over
and science was viewed in a more time. This is providing evidence that
holistic sense that included spiritual correlates to the personal experience
aspects as well as the mundane. More of meditators.
8 He ar tf u ln ess
Eve r yd ay pe rspe c t i ves
Octobe r 2018 9
Ever yd ay pe rspe c t i ves
brain is more content-oriented – Today, we know quite a lot about the have revealed that in experienced
the verbal meaning of the language. effects of meditation on the brain meditators, the main modes of DMN
Artificial Intelligence is developing and behavior. Of course, there are are actually deactivated indicating
in a way that gives us so much more methodological and conceptual reduced restlessness. In long term
capability: if I want to find out what limitations in meditation research practitioners, this change has become
the weather is like in Jakarta at this and we may not be able to study all permanent.
moment, I can find out what the changes as objectively as we would
temperature is, the wind velocity; I like to, but the progress made in the Several theoretical frameworks are
can speak into a computer and order last few decades in uncovering neural postulated to study consciousness.
a 3D printer to print a cup. correlates of meditation is worthy of I personally find the ‘Global
appreciation. neuronal workspace framework’ very
We’re developing a huge capability fascinating, which tries to explain
that needs to be contextualized. So Functional MRI scans among long the conscious and unconscious
when we do that brain-computer term meditators have revealed processing of information. It also
interface, there will be a huge data structural changes (neuroplasticity) relates to long distance connectivity
stream that will be available to in the prefrontal cortex and between workspaces. Yes, these are
us. We have to slow it down and anterior insula, the brain regions still theoretical at the moment, but I
contextualize in order to make associated with improved attention, feel science has made a bold attempt
meaning and sense of it. That interoception and sensory processing. to begin exploring these aspects that
meaning and sense needs to in turn Changes include thickening of the were once regarded as mystical and
guide the big data stream, that AI, somatosensory cortex associated with subjective. There is some initial
which we can now harness. heightened self-awareness, and the learning from neurophysiological,
shrinking of the amygdala associated anatomical, and brain-imaging
https://braintime.com/story/ with fear and anxiety. data to support a major role of the
prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate,
Electroencephalogram (EEG) and the areas that connect to them,
studies, which analyze electric activity in creating the postulated brain-
of brains, have revealed heightened scale workspace. The future of
theta and alpha pattern among consciousness-related research will
meditators, reflecting calmer and only be even more exciting!
more relaxed states.
10 He ar tf u ln ess
Eve r yd ay pe rspe c t i ves
Octobe r 2018 11
Ever yd ay pe rspe c t i ves
believe but something that changes you measure the calmness or peace 24 years now and absolutely enjoy
us at the core level of our being. felt during meditation in absolute the experience, so much so that as
terms? We can only explain the part of my PhD I am conducting a
One of the main discoveries is that relative effect or difference in our study to see the effect of meditation
mind and consciousness are not states of mind. on the body, mind, heart and aura
limited to the brain. That is a very of a person.
narrow view, I believe. The more Although today we have several
scientists ‘dig’ into the brain and the psychological and mental scales, In my own work I have found that
activities of neurons to understand like the stress scale, and equipment when people see and understand
and explain consciousness, the more like EEG and MRI to assess what things objectively, it boosts them
they realize that they don't find it difference we feel with the practice to move forward. Their awareness
there. It is much more complex than of Yoga and meditation, science has or consciousness expands with the
that, and I believe that fields like not developed enough to measure the changes they perceive over time.
Yoga bring complementary views effects of meditation completely. For Here we are talking about individual
that give us a better understanding example, if a person today were to consciousness, but if things have to
of the whole picture. go back 200 years in time, he would change at a global level there has to
wonder why people are struggling be some groundbreaking discovery
with small things. If a person from that can produce a shift in the
200 years ago travels to today’s consciousness of human beings
time, she would be wonderstruck collectively. Neuroscience also
at the advancements! She is likely shows the potential of meditation
to look at a plane flying in the sky to affect people on a large scale and
and exclaim, “Is that a new species bring about a change in our global
of bird?” Similarly may be science consciousness.
backing spirituality, which we have
not discovered yet. Ultimately, at any
point in time it's difficult to explain
everything scientifically, because
science is also evolving.
12 He ar tf u ln ess
Neuroscience
& AUM
AUM
is the original sound that
DAAJI shows us how ancient Yoga and manifested at the time of
modern neuroscience converge in their creation, and that sound is still
understanding of the different states of brain there in our innate memory within the soul, starting from
A to U to M, and finally the emptiness that follows the
functioning. He explores these states of A, U, M. These three sounds all have tremendous significance,
M and the soundlessness that follows AUM, but it is the soundless sound that follows the M that we
must capture. It is actually the empty silence that follows
in the light of brainwave frequencies and yogic
the sound of AUM that reminds us of the fourth state of
states of consciousness. our consciousness, known as the Turiya state.
Octobe r 2018 13
These states of consciousness are experienced every day by When we are in an active waking state, consciousness is
all of us, and can also be measured with an EEG machine: moving outwards, away from the Source in the search
for knowledge, and from this is born the field of modern
1. The A of AUM: the alert waking states are science. As the brainwaves frequencies become slower, it
characterized by brainwaves of higher frequencies: shows that we are turning inwards and moving into deeper
Gamma waves, 31-120 Hertz, occur with hyper states of consciousness. The consciousness of the dream
brain activity such as learning and problem solving. state is somewhere between the waking and sleeping
Beta waves, 13-30 Hertz, occur when we state, where we dream of slokas, poetry, ghazals, etc. It
are active in conversation and activit y. is all about the inner search, and is related to the inner
world. In the deep sleep state, consciousness gravitates
2. The U of AUM: the contemplative dreamlike state towards its Source, the soul.
is characterized by medium frequency brainwaves:
Alpha waves, 8-12 Hertz, occur when we are If you are familiar with the scientific research that has
relaxed, contemplative, absorbed in a beautiful been done on those meditating with Transcendental
piece of music, daydreaming or starting to meditate. Meditation, various Buddhist systems, Mindfulness and
Heartfulness, they have conducted experiments on monks
The dream state is characterized by Theta waves, 4-7 and ordinary people, new meditators and experienced
Hertz, and occurs when we are drowsy and drifting meditators who had done ten thousand, fifteen thousand,
into sleep and dreams. twenty thousand hours in meditation.
3. The M of AUM: the deep sleep state is characterized In research studies, meditators have experienced Delta
by Delta waves, 0.5-3 Hertz. frequencies, normally found during deep sleep, the dream-
like Theta frequencies, the relaxed Alpha states, and spikes
of high frequency Gamma brainwaves in patterns not
14 He ar tf u ln ess
normally associated with waking states. In fact, in yogis And then we move to the next stage, where we take
who meditate regularly, Gamma oscillations are found this condition out into daily life with eyes open. We
to be much more common and significantly greater in transcend Turiya to the Turiyatit state. The Turiya state
amplitude than in other groups. So the spectrum of is available only when we are in meditation, whereas the
brainwave frequencies expanded in both directions as a Turiyatit state emerges when we carry that deep meditative
result of meditation. state with us all the time. It encompasses all the states:
A, U, M and the soundless sound.
The brainwave spectrum of the Turiya state encompasses
the full range of the spectrum, even that of deep sleep or We transcend
Sushupti, indicated by Delta waves, although the person from A – the external wakeful state,
meditating is simultaneously completely aware. Yogis to U – the inner dream-like state,
and monks crave for this state with all their might, and to M – the deep sleep state of Sushupti,
sometimes meditate for thousands of hours or perform to the soundless silence of the Turiya state,
penances and practices in order to reach it. With the help and finally to the Turiyatit condition.
of Yogic Transmission, it becomes quite easy to experience
this Turiya state. Even if you have never meditated in your So while it is good to meditate regularly, it is even better
life, when you are exposed to Heartfulness Meditation to be in a meditative state all the time. We are actively
with Transmission somehow it awakens your consciousness meditating daily and meditatively remaining active all
at a different level so that you expand into the Turiya the time.
condition. While your body is fully relaxed, your mind
is able to perceive things. You are not sleeping, but you
are in a relaxed state as rejuvenative as deep sleep. That
is the true Turiya condition.
Octobe r 2018 15
In Search of
CONSCIOUSNESS
‘I
n Search of Consciousness’ is What is consciousness? Is the experience a physical
a nicer title than the article phenomenon, arising out of complex
itself, and you will find out Let us start with a simple definition information processing in the brain?
soon enough! This topic is all about by Dr Christoff Koch: “Consciousness Or is it a non-physical phenomenon
a self in search of itself. For what is everything that we experience.” associated with constructs like the
purpose? When the finder finds soul or the self, or some universal
oneself, who will know the answer? We have a physical body that field of energy?
The finder or the found? Sometimes performs many functions. Likewise,
philosophy sounds like this, doesn’t we all have, “Something in us that Some philosophers consider
it! The purpose of this article is to makes awareness or perception experience as the hard problem
capture key ideas about consciousness possible.” We know the simple of consciousness. Some scientists
from the perspectives of philosophy, sensory inputs of smell, taste, sight, argue that once we understand how it
spirituality and science, and to touch and sound, which generate works, it will be yet another physical
motivate you to Google more – this rich inner experience. The inner process. This article will list some of
is certainly not an exhaustive list. Not experience can be joy, pain or complex the key intuitive approaches (spiritual
only that, this indexing type of article imagination, and so on. approaches) and more mechanistic
may encourage you to search, think approaches to consciousness.
and tinker with consciousness itself !
16 He ar tf u ln ess
The Buddhist concept THEORIES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Way back in 400 BC, Buddhist
philosophy proposed that
consciousness is the life force that
continues across rebirths, and also
posited that there are 9 levels of Plato Integrated Information Theory
consciousness: and Consciousness Meter
Around the same period, Plato
Levels 1 to 5 arise out of the five theorized that the mind receives Many scientists have tried to derive
senses: eyes – sight, nose – smell, information through senses, and the an understanding of consciousness
ears – hearing, tongue - taste and soul uses this information to create by starting with the laws of physics,
body – touch; form and perception. and the relationship between
consciousness and the brain is still
Level 6 is the mind consciousness The allegory of Plato’s Cave is a a subject of deep research. On the
related to ideas and thoughts; simple thought experiment that gives other hand, Integrated Information
interesting insights on how Plato Theory (IIT) is a body of research
Level 7 is the inner life that creates viewed the problem of perception. that seeks to explain consciousness by
the sense of self and is associated Aristotle, who was Plato’s disciple, first accepting its existence, and then
with emotions and attitude; argued that the soul is seated in the reasoning about what sort of physical
heart and is the principal power by entity could manifest consciousness.
Level 8 is the subconscious, the which life itself happens. Aristotle
repository of all karmic effects, that seemed to imply that consciousness IIT was first proposed by Giulio
lives beyond this life; and is the property of the soul itself. Tononi in 2004 and has since
undergone many improvements.
Level 9 is pure consciousness – a life Some characteristics it attributes to
force that creates complete harmony consciousness are:
of the internal and external, and a
sense of connectedness or oneness. • It exhibits composition where
there are distinct elements in it
Buddhism provides a set of that are part of the experience.
practices to expand or deepen
consciousness through meditation
and contemplation.
Octobe r 2018 17
Theor i es of c o n sc i o u sn ess
• Each experience is distinct Tononi and team have developed a Imagine you are seated in a theater,
and differentiated from other tool to measure the consciousness looking at the stage. On stage there
experiences in the past or future. level of a person. The Zap and Zip are many actors, objects, the backdrop,
• It is unified and it cannot be Technique involves sending an movement, colors and sound. Now
reduced to smaller experiences intense magnetic pulse through imagine a spotlight focused only on
of phenomena inside it. the skull and recording the induced one actor and his actions. Everything
• IIT lays down certain postulates electrical flow in the neuronal else is still there, but it is not the
on what a physical entity networks. A simple algorithm is then focus. The director, technicians,
like the brain that manifests used to compute the complexity of audience and all other activities have
consciousness needs to have. It brain activity. When tested on normal slipped into the background and the
should have cause-effect power, people, people under the influence of spotlight highlights the one actor and
meaning it can influence other anesthesia, and people in a comatose his movement as the main focus. All
entities and can be influenced state, the values obtained have the complex co-ordination, support
by other entities. consistently shown that it is possible and direction processes are all hidden.
to quantify and determine whether The conscious part is seen by the
IIT also gives an account of why someone is conscious or not. Further audience, directed by the spotlight.
conscious brains might have evolved: research might help us understand Hold on to this idea.
brains that reflect the causal structure how widespread consciousness is
of their environment in their internal in nature. Now think that the whole brain is a
causal structure can adapt better. theater, with many parts of the brain
References: performing various functions. Now
IIT lays down facts about assume that our focus (spotlight) is on
relationship between the brain and Integrated information theory, http:// some set of thoughts or experiences;
consciousness as well as providing www.scholarpedia.org/article/Integrated_ our conscious awareness is mainly
certain inferences and extrapolations information_theory on one thing, and all others are in
about consciousness. For example, Integrated information theor y: from the background. Global Workspace
the cerebral cortex is more likely consciousness to its physical substrate, Theory proposes that all sensory and
to manifest consciousness than https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2016.44 other inputs are communicated to all
the cerebellum, because the cognitive functional components of
neurons in the cerebral cortex can the brain. The conscious experience is
form a complex large enough for generated as a result of some focused
consciousness whereas the neurons neuronal activities, and many others
in the cerebellum do not. are hidden in the background to
support this. According to GWT,
IIT also predicts that experiences can consciousness in an integrative
be had even when the cerebral cortex function of the brain to generate
is silent, like in states of meditation. the rich experience. Bernard Baars
This body of knowledge has become is the architect of this theory, which
an important step in advancing our provides an interesting perspective to
understanding of consciousness. origins of consciousness.
18 He ar tf u ln ess
The o r i es of c o n sc i o u sn ess
Octobe r 2018 19
THOUGHT
in action
22 He ar tf u ln ess
to the progress of humankind at
all levels, and at the same time be
happy, enjoy living, creating and
sharing.
Y: [Feeling mischievous] Youth will Y: Maybe I’m being too fast for
have its way! you. Let’s quietly come back to it
and be kind to our elders.
E: Taoism is the ideal tool for it.
It places man between Heaven and Both friends, in good fellowship,
Earth. The Taoist Masters naturally b u r s t o u t l au g h i n g. Th e n t h e
integrate all levels of existence in Elder continues, more seriously.
their teachings.
E: When I told you about Taoism, I
I’ve always been interested in immediately thought of the ‘Flow’,
Taoism and its spiritual guides, which is the state of excellence
their eclecticism, their freedom psychologists describe in ‘positive
of thought and their benevolence. psychology’.
They will respect everything and
everyone. They let the breath of Y: Why is it called ‘positive’?
life go through them. They are
cheerful, neutral to the point of an E: Because it cares for the persons’
apparent carelessness, though they well-being, for their happiness,
fully partake in this world. They are and because it does not consider
a good illustration of the bird and its human beings according to
two wings that Heartfulness gives their pathologies, as traditional
as an example. They are naturally psychologists and psychiatrists
poised between the material and do. Neurosciences are gathering
the spiritual. momentum. After further research
on human beings, scientists have
Y: That is the sort of wisdom I’d reached interesting conclusions.
like to gain, but I’m only at the
beginning of my life. I feel like living Y: Emotional intelligence, for
it intensively. I want to contribute instance?
Octobe
October r2018
2018 23
I Q, EQ & SQ
E: They have realized that the intelligence. It is the beginning of So f irst there was
Intelligence Quotient (IQ) depends a new era. IQ, followed by
on the neocortex, where the
information received is integrated Y: Didn’t you tell me that the heart EQ for emotional
in order to ease decision-making. had been highly valued in traditional intelligence. And now
However, occupying a managerial Chinese medicine for more than five
position and being efficient requires thousand years, for example, in the there is Heartfulness,
more than this sort of intelligence. Ling Shu, to start with, and then and the awareness of
Emotional intelligence plays its in The Secret of the Golden Flower?
part. Feelings are just as important a spiritual quotient
as the intellect and, among other E: It is true that modern science or SQ, involving an
things, they help empathy develop. is hardly one hundred and fifty
Therefore scientists have developed years old. Youth may be arrogant; obvious connection
an Emotional Quotient (EQ). A they think they know everything. between the heart
business leader needs Emotional Just think, in the seventies science
Intelligence if he wants to take the decreed that acupuncture was no and the brain via
right directions, understand and longer an esoteric topic since it was neural pathways.
detect market trends, enter into now possible to operate without
contracts with as yet unknown resorting to anesthesia, and using SQ shows the heart’s
business partners or colleagues who four or five needles was enough to leverage and its
are rarely benevolent; and there I stimulate some particular areas.
remain moderate. A researcher had injected a tiny intelligence. It is the
amount of radioactive substance beginning of a new
Y: [Bemused] I can help you discover in an acupuncture point, thus
some of them. demonstrating that meridians era.
existed. Meanwhile, the science of
E: So first there was IQ, followed acupuncture had been practiced for
by EQ for emotional intelligence. more than 3,000 years!
And now there is Heartfulness,
and the awareness of a spiritual Y: I saw a program featuring a
quotient or SQ, involving an obvious surgical operation called craniotomy,
connection between the heart and using acupuncture analgesia. It was
the brain via neural pathways. SQ impressive: the patient was even fed
shows the heart’s leverage and its during surgery.
24 He ar tf u ln ess
I Q, EQ & SQ
E: And to cap it all off, he recovered effective in life. The objective for Y: [Feeling fiery] There are people
faster. them is to make us better persons whose intellects are coarse and
and achieve excellence. Meditation primitive. They want money and
Y: Do you really believe that is a precious tool for personal power, and they get it because they
scientists care for spirituality and development. are the best, the strongest. It’s ‘I’
meditation? first and foremost – ‘my’ personal
Y: I’m not really keen on that notion interests, ‘my’ club – except that
E: They started doing so about sixty of excellence. It makes me think of they hold the banner of education,
years ago. Nowadays, Mindfulness the entrance exams for accessing culture and civilization. But it
and Heartfulness meditations are the most prestigious schools, or of doesn’t fool anyone, does it?
being introduced in all quarters, formatting intellectual elites and
businesses, schools, universities of training ‘killers’ who would do Theophile the Elder sends out a wave
and education circles, and they also anything to rise atop of industry or of calm and serenity.
appeal to those who are in search of government and take power. Just
themselves and of a better balanced look at the way graduates from the E: Here, achievement and
life. École Nationale d’Administration excellence are closely related to
and politicians behave. If they still the self. You can be happy only if
Y: There was a time when meditation have a heart, where do they hide it? you live in agreement, in harmony
was restricted to ‘visionaries’ like with yourself. Then you are naturally
yourself, who were considered to E: Keep calm, Theo. We all have ethical and moral. It’s bound to
be rather weird. a heart, but sometimes we ignore be so. By meditating on the heart,
how it works. we become what we have always
E: Now many people admit that been: universal beings who are in
meditation helps us to be more agreement with our environment
and ourselves. We become aware of
our smallness as well as our grandeur
whenever we behold the starry
nights in our inner cosmos and
firmament. Heart-based meditation
allows us to make both our left and
right brains work better, as they are
ruled by our hearts. The heart is a
wonderful integrator, and a potent
and faithful friend.
Octobe r 2018 25
I Q, EQ & SQ
Y: To i m p r o v e b u s i n e s s
performance?
26 He ar tf u ln ess
I Q, EQ & SQ
Octobe r 2018 27
I Q, EQ & SQ
28 He ar tf u ln ess
From Waste
to RESOURCE
GEETU BOHRA is passionate about the 3Rs of waste management – Reduce, Reuse
and Recycle. Here she shares some thoughts on how we can all do much more to reduce
our footprint and care for our beautiful Mother Earth.
Octobe r 2018 29
Env i ro n m e nt
M
ost of the waste that we create in our households, 2. When you buy a shirt or other item, leave
and which we dump outside, can be made into behind the packaging. If everybody does
something else. When I heard that Sweden that, then the sellers cannot keep storing the
imports garbage and waste from other countries, it really packages and after some time will have to tell
shook me. What they do with it is amazing: they produce the manufacturers to stop.
half of their electricity with that waste. They segregate
the waste and convert most of it into other resources. There are many things we can do to reduce our garbage. If
you come up with some ideas, please share them with us.
In our houses, roughly 60% of the waste is from the
kitchen – vegetable peels, leftover food, and so on.
Recyclable items, like polythene and plastic, make R EU S E
up approximately 30%, and a small amount may be
hazardous, like e-waste. So just imagine how much waste I have seen in my native place, a small town in a hilly
we can make into resources! We start with segregation region in northern India, that people take their own
at the source. bags or vessels to buy things. Even for oil they use a
recyclable can. In the West today, there are many stores
There are 3 Rs to waste management: where people take their own vessels to buy goods. To
achieve this we need to transform our lifestyle and lead
a life where we reduce our waste by reusing things.
RED UCE
Some people think so creatively and do amazing things.
We need to change our lifestyle. Nowadays we prefer For example, instead of throwing away an old T-shirt or
comfort. If there is a disposable plate and a washable giving it to someone else, you can make a bag out of it in
plate, many of us will grab the disposable plate so that just two minutes! You can also involve your kids. When
we can eat and throw. We just leave it there, but we they do something on their own, they learn.
don’t realize how much that small act of ours is going
to impact the whole ecosystem.
30 He ar tf u ln ess
Env i ro n m e nt
This flower vase is actually a toilet cleaner A hand-wash bottle and a toilet cleaner bottle have been made into
bottle. a pencil box and pen stand.
If we teach our children, they can learn by having fun. With one act we can do something good for so many
people. So make sure that your waste reaches the right
places.
RECYC L E
We do not need to be so dangerous to the environment.
Recycling starts with segregation. After we segregate, We need to think, act and implement to make the future
it’s very important to take the waste to the right place. better for us and for all our friends, the many species of
Most of us think that by segregating waste our job is plants and animals on Earth. And that is in our hands,
done – no. Here are two examples of recycling: my friends, in your hands and mine. We have to work
towards waste management as a team, but let’s start by
1. Depending on the quantity, our wet organic implementing it as individuals!
and food waste can be made into Biogas, or
we can make our own manure.
Octobe r 2018 31
Know you are one,
pure awareness.
Ashtavakra Gita
A Personal
Journey
Par t 2
Spirit Matters Podcast is a very popular site showcasing an eclectic mix of talks about
contemporary spirituality. The hosts are DENNIS RAIMONDI and PHILIP GOLDBERG.
On 1 July 2018, together they interviewed DAAJI about his life, spirituality and his new book,
The Heartfulness Way. Here we highlight excerpts from the interview. You can listen to the whole
interview on the Spirit Matters Podcast website at http://spiritmatterstalk.com/daaji.
34 He ar tf u ln ess
Spi r i t ma t te rs
DAAJI We l l , t o
begin with we
recommend to meditate for about
experience, and allow that stillness
or calmness that was a result of
meditation to continue.
is to play with this consciousness
actually. How wonderfully we can
play with this consciousness in
20 minutes or half an hour in the such a way that we don’t gather
morning, and then let this effect And if per chance you want to impressions.
of meditation, which becomes repeat it again and maybe make it
a meditative state, continue more intense – I am working in a Let me explain to you a little
throughout the day during all your pharmacy for example and suddenly bit about these impressions or
daily activities. there’s something that upsets me samskaras or the impact of our
Octobe r 2018 35
Spi r i t m a t te rs
36 He ar tf u ln ess
Spi r i t ma t te rs
DAAJI We l l , i t ’s
ver y simple
actually. You cannot help but
start transmitting at some level
of consciousness. When a person
is evolved to a certain level, or is
interested in learning this art of
transmitting, he can come to one
of our ashrams and submit that, “I
would like to train others also, and
make sure they all benefit, my family
members benefit and my community
benefits from what services I can
provide later on in life.”
Octobe r 2018 37
Spi r i t m a t te rs
38 He ar tf u ln ess
Spi r i t ma t te rs
DAAJI So we go
beyond the
Ajna Chakra in order to train
was their own, and sooner or later
they became business partners, the
actual business people – even the
with your meditation experience.
Continue with your own guru; there
is no need to change your guru or
someone: “Okay, you’ve gone beyond employees – and they were able to system to see how this benefits us.
Mooladhara, you’ve gone beyond run the business as if it was their
Swadhisthan, you’ve gone beyond
the Heart Chakra and the Atma
Chakra, and the fire point and the
own business. And right now the
same way it’s going on, where they
don’t require my presence actually.
PG Thanks for being with us.
I hope our paths cross in
India or the US.
water point and the air point.” And They literally own it as business
you go beyond this Ajna Chakra and
tap into this source of energy, where
partners.
DAAJI Definitely! I look
forward actively
your sankalpa or your suggestive
ability becomes subtler and very DR I want to thank you for
taking the time; we’re
to meeting you one day.
Charlotte Brontë
LIVING
HE ART CEN T ERED
42 He ar tf u ln ess
He a r t-bra i n c o h e re n c e
S
ince our human ancestors first began etching their
histories upon cave walls and stone tablets, like
a thread through the needle of time, the heart
has appeared as a symbol to represent health, wisdom,
intuition, guidance, and higher intelligence. The ancient
Egyptians, who referred to the heart as ieb, believed
the heart, rather than the brain, was the center of life
and the source of human wisdom.
Octobe r 2018 43
Hear t-bra i n c o h e re n c e
44 He ar tf u ln ess
He a r t-bra i n c o h e re n c e
Octobe r 2018 45
Hear t-bra i n c o h e re n c e
feelings. These dedicated individuals return to their rage, competition, and retribution have resulted
homes, where the positive effects they’ve produced in an endless, unnecessary trail of pain, suffering,
in their own lives ripple out to positively affect their oppression, and death. The results have caused
families and communities, continuously expanding humans to live in opposition and conflict rather than
their vibrational influence of harmony and coherence in peace and harmony. This is a time in history when
throughout the world. we can break that cycle. This is a pivotal moment in
the story of humanity where ancient wisdom and
By repeatedly practicing the regulation of heightened modern science are intersecting to provide us with
emotional states, in time the constant feeling of the technology and scientific understanding to learn
elevated emotions creates a new emotional baseline. not only how to more efficiently and effectively
This baseline then begins to continuously influence a manage our emotions, but also what that means for
new set of thoughts equal to the heightened feelings. our health, relationships, energy levels, and personal
The summation of those novel thoughts creates and collective evolution. It doesn’t require moving
a new level of mind, which then produces more mountains – only changing our internal state of
corresponding emotions equal to those thoughts, being. This allows us to alter the way we act with one
further sustaining that baseline. When this feedback another, replacing stressful situations with positive
loop between the heart (body) and mind (brain) experiences that give us energy, fill our spirit, and
occurs, you are in an entirely new state of being – the leave us with a sense of wholeness, connection, and
consciousness of the unlimited mind and the energy unity. The brain may think, but when you turn your
of profound love and gratitude. The repetition of this heart into an instrument of perception, it knows.
process is what it means to recondition your body,
rewire your brain, and reconfigure your biology equal
to your new state of being. Now you are naturally,
automatically, and regularly broadcasting a different
electromagnetic signature of energy into the field.
This is who you are, or who you have become.
Countless history books could be written through Excerpt reprinted with permission from Becoming Supernatural:
the lens of incoherent emotions. Whether the How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr Joe
result is a Shakespearean tragedy, genocide, or a Dispenza. It can be found online at hayhouse.com or amazon.
world war, survival emotions such as blame, hate, com.
46 He ar tf u ln ess
Eyes:
t he W i n d o w s
to t h e S o ul
NELLA AROSSA is now in her eighties. She has dedicated a large part of her life to research
in the field of natural medicine, having studied iridology at the Heilpratiker Fachschule Saarbruken
in Germany and subsequently at the University of Urbino in Italy, where she also explored the use
of medicinal plants, phytotherapy, natural nutrition and oligotherapy. Nella lives in Torre Pellice
in the north of Italy, surrounded by the natural beauty at the foot of the Alps. In the 1980s, as a
Hatha Yoga teacher, she saw a picture of Ram Chandra of Fatehgarh on the cover of a book. It
was the intensity and depth of his eyes that attracted her attention and inspired her to explore an
inner world which she had always felt existed, and which those eyes promised.
F
ascinating, my ster ious, The soul, which has now incarnated
unsettling ... there are so many as a human being, needs to make
different ways of describing itself known in all its fullness.
the eyes, the organs which are part Its most visible dimension, the
of our visual system. Their task is to physical body, is only one aspect;
allow us to see – but to see what? there are also the mind and the
spirit, though these are less visible.
It is said that when a soul decides But the organs which are best able
to come to live on Earth,it chooses to express all three dimensions –
the place and person most suited physical, mental and spiritual –
to its purpose. On the basis of this are the eyes. They are in effect a
choice it defines, a priori, from the internal functionalities, organs means of communication, a way
largest to the smallest detail, the and systems that will make that of transmitting information from
man or woman it will represent on life one of growth. Then, once its the inside to the outside, and at
Earth. A physical structure comes task has been accomplished, the the same time able to capture the
into being with all the necessary physical entity will dissolve. outside world and bring it inside.
Octobe r 2018 47
Na t u ra l t h e ra pi es
E D U C AT E YO U R E Y E S .
They were created to see,
even beyond what you think.
—Paul Coelho
The eyes are the windows through A detailed examination of the is important to point out that this
which the soul makes itself visible. iris using a special magnifying is not a diagnosis, but a reading of
apparatus allows us to ‘map’ our the underlying ‘terrain’.
When we meet someone, it is their systemic health. In the same way
eyes that first attract our attention: that geographical maps indicate When used correctly, this
their color, their luminosity, their the location of places and routes, information helps us to adopt a
expression – all are taken in with a an iridology chart is a way of lifestyle corresponding to our real
glance. According to iridology, the representing the state of our requirements. It not only allows
examination of the characteristics functional systems and internal us to respect our bodies and
of the tissue of the iris, the genetic organs, as well as their future path. recognize our physical potential,
code that defines the individual An iridologist examines the tissue but also helps us to know the
constitution, its characteristics and of the iris, its colors, patterns and weak points of our constitution
internal functional organization, flecks, and is able to make a reading and hence our limits. By doing
are impressed on the iris. of a person’s basic constitution. It so, these negative tendencies may
48 He ar tf u ln ess
Na t u ra l t h e ra pi es
We could go on indefinitely
describing all that the mind
communicates through the eyes,
but this is not our purpose here.
The aim is simply to make us
more sensitive and attentive to
this means of communication.
To develop the ability to
capture information through
the eyes that can enrich our
understanding of others.
Octobe r 2018 49
be
Don't forget love;
it will bring all the madness you need
to unfurl yourself across the universe.
Mirabai
KARMA , JNANA &
BHAKTI YOGA
– part 1
Even before the texts of the Vedas were written down, the three fundamental elements of yogic
practice were known as Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. Here DAAJI enlightens us on
how these three elements arose, and how mastering karma, jnana and bhakti can help us to reach the
stage of oneness known as Yoga.
52 He ar tf u ln ess
S c i e n c e of spi r i t u a l i t y
I
t is fascinating to me that the most unified concept As a result, the veil of darkness collapsed and time
in the world, Yoga, has been subdivided into so was born. Individual identity arose, the ‘I’, and
many branches. Just as medical doctors specialize consciousness experienced fear because it was now
in certain organs of the body and certain illnesses, Yoga separated from the Source. Fear arose because of the
practitioners often specialize in just one or two aspects feeling of separateness or individuality. But as a result
of Yoga. And like medicine, these yogic specializations of thinking and understanding, fear disappeared, as it
may take us deeper into each area of specialty and still does today whenever we face fear. The Being that
provide very useful and important understanding, but existed at the dawn of time wished to expand, and
the underlying purpose of Yoga has been lost in the that wish was the beginning of desire, and it began to
process. grow. From then on it was called Brahman.
The word ‘Yoga’ itself means ‘union’ or ‘to bind’, and That first stir faced no friction; nothing prevented
the practices of Yoga are all about unification of the it or slowed it down in any way, and so it found an
lower self with the higher Self; union of individual opportunity for infinite expansion. Thus there was
consciousness with universal consciousness; and the movement or expansion (karma) and thinking (jnana),
integration of body, mind and soul into a purified and before these two existed there was the original
whole. Despite this focus on union, Yoga has connection with the Source (bhakti). These three
also traditionally been classified into three major – karma, jnana and bhakti – have been there since
disciplines – Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti the very beginning of the universe, as fundamental
Yoga. What are these three disciplines and how do elements of life, and together they dance and weave
they fit together? Is there some purpose to this triadic our existence through the fabric of time. They are
classification? To understand this, we really need to inseparable, and dependent on each other.
go back to the time of creation.
K ARM A J N AN A
CREATION
What was there before the creation of the universe?
There was indescribable and infinite darkness. Then,
into this absolute state of nothingness came a stir,
and that very first vibration caused the big bang. It
was also the first manifestation of consciousness,
described in Yoga as AUM. The whole world rests
upon it. It is the Absolute Base and foundation of all BHAK TI
creation.
Octobe r 2018 53
Scie n c e of spi r i t u a l i t y
The first and fundamental element is bhakti. We movement and expansion that is critical to all life is
usually translate bhakti into English as ‘love and what we call karma.
devotion’, but it is more fundamental than that. It is
the feeling of connectedness with everything through So in Karma Yoga we learn to express life through
the heart; the link of our individual consciousness action according to the natural law. If life is expressed
with the universal divine consciousness. Without in this natural way, without harming anyone or
bhakti, karma and jnana are missing that vital element anything, there is neither merit nor wrongdoing in
of enthusiasm and spark; so they become purposeless it. When we spend time observing newborn babies,
and futile. In these two articles we will explore all we soon see that there is no consciousness of right or
three of these elements, their interplay, and the role wrong in their actions, or any thought of legitimate
of spiritual practice and Pranahuti in refining them or illegitimate. Every action is so natural, in response
towards our purpose. to the most basic needs and stimuli. The ideal Karma
Yogi is like a newborn – so pure that there is no need
for ‘right or wrong’ consciousness.
KARMA
But are we there yet? Instead we are entangled in
Karma is action. Why is action necessary? It is the thoughts of right and wrong, creating bondage and
practical manifestation of existence. Without action the need for ethics and values. When we act in
we cannot infer life, as action expresses life. Karma accordance with mundane desires, we develop a chain
is the ‘movement’ part or the ath of the atman or of karma after karma, of desire after desire, and we
soul. Karma was also the movement of that stir at the become trapped in that net. Then the need to free
time of creation that became the ongoing ‘expansion’ ourselves arises, otherwise it would not even enter our
part, the bruha, of Brahman or God. This aspect of thought.
54 He ar tf u ln ess
S c i e n c e of spi r i t u a l i t y
Octobe r 2018 55
Scie n c e of spi r i t u a l i t y
values, collective consciousness and experience. So to Your authority is in action alone, not in its fruits.
know if an action is legitimate, make sure that the The motive for any action
following things are all in sync: should not be in its fruits,
nor should you cling to inaction.
Your religious or ethical principles,
The sacred and philosophical texts you follow, While abiding in Yoga, engage in action!
Your Guide’s teachings, and Let go of clinging, and let satisfaction and frustration be
Your own conscience. the same;
for it is said that Yoga is poise.
When these are in agreement, an action is legitimate;
if they differ, it is illegitimate. But with this ethical guidance comes an apparent
paradox of karma to be resolved in our hearts: on one
In religious and spiritual texts, and the philosophy hand we have the above statements by Lord Krishna,
of ethics, a lot is made of the principles of right and also his instruction to live life like a lotus in a
action. In fact, right character is considered to be muddy pond – unaffected by the dirt and sludge
the cornerstone of most value systems, such as the around. The great sage Ashtavakra also speaks about
Buddha’s eightfold path, Confucius’ aphorisms, Plato’s the importance of contentment as one of the five
Republic and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s The Sovereignty great qualities to be imbibed.
of Ethics. Probably the most famous slokas from the
Bhagavad Gita, which can be recited by most school On the other hand, Patanjali advocates intensity and
children in India, are slokas 47 and 48 from chapter 2, sincerity in our approach to Yoga. He says that if this
in which Lord Krishna tells Arjuna: intensity in practice, intensity of love, is not there,
then we will not achieve the spiritual goal. We cannot
56 He ar tf u ln ess
S c i e n c e of spi r i t u a l i t y
The real enlightenment some purpose. This is so evident in worldly life, for
example, reciting C6H12O6, the molecular formula
comes when we have for glucose, is not going to elevate my blood glucose
full consciousness of the level when I am hypoglycaemic, although repeating
the formula shows that I have the knowledge of the
condition that has been formula for glucose. And reciting the formula for
enlivened in us at each water – two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom,
H2O – is not going to quench my thirst! Similarly, to
chakra, and we become make a wooden chair I will have to practice carpentry
one with it. and wood turning; and to learn swimming I will have
to get into the water.
Octobe r 2018 57
Scie n c e of spi r i t u a l i t y
To be continued.
58 He ar tf u ln ess
Menses Problem
Octobe r 2018 59
THE PRINCIPLE OF
I
am intrigued to see new brands of in the conjugal relationship This leads us to explore the idea
clothing, nutrition and perfume of marriage. Lack of purity in of simplicity. Simplicity is related
called ‘Purity’ and ‘Pure’. Despite relationships creates separation, to purity, ,while complexity is not.
this trend, I feel that the idea of feelings of guilt, and other Everything in its own nature is
purity is repugnant to many complications of insecurity, pure and anything pretentious is
people. It has a religious or moral disappointment, anger and loss of not. Don’t we say ‘pure and simple’
connotation, and people cringe and discernment. No one is perfect, and all the time?
their minds close. They withdraw yet the idea of cheerful acceptance
and avoid the conversation, for they of each other is farfetched. Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur
feel uncomfortable with any ritual says, “Be simple to be identical
or worship that focuses on purity. Adulteration of any kind causes with Nature.” Is Nature simple? It
They don’t associate purity with impurity, not just in relationships has so much variety and grandeur.
the presence of love, forgiveness, or in the mind. Can we mix oil Its origin is fascinating and its
empathy and compassion that could and water? Do we rear goats and sustenance mind-boggling. Still
inspire them. Instead they feel lions in the same cage? When we say that to be simple and in tune
judged because of their impurity, everything is in its own space and with Nature begets happiness and
and dislike the self-righteousness time, in character and content, we joy in living.
of those who preach purity. can say there is purity. In other
Also, in many people’s minds the words, when there is no adulteration Natural forces can be powerful and
idea of purity is limited to fidelity there is purity. awe-inspiring. They may be simple,
60 He ar tf u ln ess
yet when unleashed they can create the point of view of what comes we head in the right direction, we
huge disasters and also sustain the from nature and what is man-made. feel happy joyful and expansive, and
creation on an enormous scale. The that is also Nature cooperating. We
sun shines daily and sustains the life When the mind creates things for can also augment our level of purity
of trillions of life forms. It is a blind the sake of itself or its identification, by acts of kindness and generosity.
force. It is majestic and serene at the it ends up complex. Such complexity
same time. What is this character is adulteration or impurity. It is When we become pure:
in Nature that makes it simple in not simple addition but complex We see the interconnectedness
spite of being so majestic? accumulation, which takes us away of being.
from our true nature of purity. We respect and cherish each other.
In Nature there is predictability. The We contribute to the communal and
laws of nature operate inexorably. Our intuitive appreciation of purity collective well-being.
There are no double standards or drives us to value purity, while we We begin to weave our destiny.
pretention. In other words, there also struggle with the tendencies that
is no complexity. Nature is diverse make us impure. It took time for us If we accept that purity weaves
and yet it has no complexity in its
character. It is pure and simple.
When we become pure: We see the interconnectedness
Looking at human beings through of being. We respect and cherish each other.
the same lens, we can say we are
physiologically complex, with so
We contribute to the communal and collective
many organs, connections and well-being. We begin to weave our destiny.
signals passing through us, with
extraordinary interdependence, yet
the human body works like Nature. to become impure, so it’s reasonable destiny, then our destiny is here
Where we find the most complexity to think that it will take time to awaiting us. We shape our existence
is in the mind. become pure once more, when we so that our life is infused with purity
are awakened to the possibility. – and this shaping is in the proper
When we describe people as simple If we have impure thoughts and learning, doing and becoming.
on one side and complex on the actions, we need to examine them We weave it into our existence by
other, what is the characteristic that and reverse them, like rewinding a becoming pure and simple as Nature
defines that spectrum? Let us look at tape in forward motion, for the past intended us to be.
it from the same standard of viewing is the past. A conscious process will
Nature. Are we the same externally take less time than the unconscious
as we are internally? Do we exhibit one that resulted in our current state.
trustable, predictable behavior?
The true nature of our being is to
Think about the distinction between be pure. As Nature is also pure, it
man-made versus natural. Even in becomes our ally once we undertake
shoes, the label distinguishes man- a conscious journey towards purity.
made materials from natural leather. Nature cooperates: when we head
So simplicity and complexity, too, in the wrong direction, there are
may have to be understood from obstacles, pain and suffering. When
Octobe r 2018 61
The powers of creation and destruction
are both present in Nature. Wherever the
power of creation exists, there also exists
the power of destruction along with it.
64 He ar tf u ln ess
A PHOTO ESSAY
The Masai Mara National Reserve spreads over 1,200 square kilometers
across the southwestern part of Kenya, Africa. In August 2018, SATVIK
SWAMINATHAN had the opportunity to visit these sprawling grasslands and
get a glimpse of the life that coexists here in all its magnificence.
T
he first stop was a point from where I could see We saw the whole spectrum of wildlife in Africa: herds
the rift valley, through which we would pass to of elephants and giraffes; groups of wildebeest, deer,
reach Masai Mara. The view from the top was buffalos and zebras grazing in the grasslands; gigantic
spectacular. It filled me with wonder, as I imagined hippos lazing in ponds and waterholes; warthogs,
what could be the future changes on the face of the ostriches and mongooses; the carnivorous lions, cheetahs
Earth. This bigger picture in the divine scheme of things and hyenas; and the scavenger birds also with their share
glaringly demonstrates the insignificance of human life, in the Savannah. To see all these animals coexisting in
with its whole spectrum of joys and sorrows. It was a the open, in a single frame, was quite an enthralling
truly humbling feeling. experience. I felt like an awestruck time traveler who
had just landed in the prehistoric era!
The entrance to the National Reserve is through
the Oloolaimutia gate, which is an archway without The soil in Africa is very fertile, almost dark maroon
any boundary wall. The first view of Masai Mara is in color, and this helps the growth of grass, which in
magnificent, as the real feel of the Savannah grasslands, turn attracts the wildebeest and zebras to cross the
with endless space and one lone tree here and there Mara River for greener pastures. Almost a million
standing upright, is quite spectacular. It can only be animals migrate every year to Masai Mara in August,
experienced. braving the mighty river filled with hungry crocodiles.
Octobe r 2018 65
Nature
66 He ar tf u ln ess
They then return back to the Serengeti in Tanzania in
October. With the abundance of prey, the lions and
the other carnivores rule here.
67
Na t u re
has more than the thought of just eating for today, but Morality is the connection with the innermost
it also has the concept of saving for the future, selling, feeling of the heart at that particular moment.
and all the other man-made layers associated with it.
Only we human beings have the concept of saving for To perceive the innermost feelings of the heart, we
the future, which in itself is an unnatural act. So I came need to dive deep and remove any obstacles. Once we
to realize that it is not what we do that matters, but experience and realize that essence which is the same
the attitude and feeling with which things are done. in everything, be it animate or inanimate, then even the
question of being moral or not disappears and anything
Morality cannot be taught, it can only be felt. we do is in sync with the Ultimate.
68 He ar tf u ln ess
XXX
Octobe r 2018 69
S an c tua r i es
i n t h e W i l der nes s
A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and author of three successful
books, including Sacred Mountains: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Meanings,
DR ADRIAN COOPER has been fascinated with wildlife and conservation
since early childhood. Here he recounts some of the experiences of pilgrims
traveling to wilderness environments, and how it helps them to grow naturally.
70 He ar tf u ln ess
Wi l d e r n ess
W
ilderness environments have fed the human no other place. And it’s where I feel I can grow in the
imagination since the dawn of history. Today, most natural and organic way.”
mountains, forests, mangroves and other
challenging natural places are the focus for pilgrimage George, a software designer from London, UK, shares
journeys for increasing numbers of people from all over a very similar experience:
the world. While traditional pilgrimage destinations “Walking in the Scottish Highlands is my true sanctuary.
such as Rome or Jerusalem may not always satisfy a It distances me physically and emotionally from all the
pilgrim’s search for solitude and sanctuary, mountains hassle and hypocrisy of modern living. Out there I can
and forests often do so in glorious abundance, with breathe and feel restored. It’s a sanctuary that I crave
many surprises along the way. for, and which I need in my deepest soul.”
Traditionally, sanctuaries have been thought of as simply There are also times when pilgrims reconcile their
places of reflection, meditation and prayer. However, spiritual search with a personal scientific quest to
in remote natural environments, that is only part of understand local ecosystems, and to align them within
the story. On a mountain slope or deep in a forest, for their pilgrimage. This type of reconciliation between the
example, pilgrims learn that rational knowledge of spiritual and scientific aspects of wilderness sanctuaries
their new sanctuary is never enough. There is a need is clearly described by Lucille, an artist from Rouen,
to seek more. France:
“For me, and a lot of my family and friends, there can
As humankind finds its way through this bewildering never be a limit put on spiritual growth. We must always
new millennium, the greatest challenge facing each grow in any way we can. I love to learn about wildlife.
individual is to find ways of becoming spiritually I keep my own journal, which combines my mystical
reconciled to the sacred inspirations within this planet’s experiences with my notes about counting birds or
last remaining wilderness environments. sketching the grasses and other plants.”
For Harriot, a teacher from Seattle, Washington, her In all these ways, wilderness environments offer pilgrims
wilderness sanctuaries are most frequently discovered on life-changing lessons in the sanctuaries they discovered.
Mount McKinley, often known by its Native American Consequently, these extraordinary individuals have
name of Denali. It is the highest peak in North America, learned to become more than who they were before
and one of the most isolated mountains on Earth: their journeys began.
“I love to go hiking on Denali… I can tell you that
it is my one and only true sanctuary. It’s where I go
to find my deepest meditations; I can pray there like
Octobe r 2018 71
Heartfulness Yogasanas
Sit with the legs crossed. Look straight ahead and gently rock
the right leg back and forth sideways
Take the right foot with the right in both hands as if cradling a baby. BENEFITS
hand, and place it in the crook of
the left elbow. Do the practice with normal Stretches the hips, thighs and
breathing for 30 seconds. groin.
Bend the right knee in toward the
trunk and place the right knee in Relax and repeat the practice for Eliminates pain in the thighs.
the crook of the right elbow. Right the left leg.
elbow supporting right knee and Relaxes the lower body from
left elbow supporting right foot. upper thighs to the ankles.
The right hand wrapped aroud the
right leg. Increases flexibility in the hip
joints.
Draw the right shin in towards the
chest. Calms down the mind.
72 He ar tf u ln ess
Octobe r 2018 73
IN T H E F IE LD
Kenya N
I
O
A T
E R
EM N
PO W GE
WERIN
G THE NE
Th e fi r s t e ve r I n t e r n a t i on a l
Heartfulness Conference on African
soil was held in August 2018 in
As Africa emerges as a continent of growth, Nairobi.
positive change and potential in the 21st
Since 2016 Heartfulness Institute
century, ELIZABETH DENLEY travels
has been affiliated with the CAP
to Nairobi, Kenya, for an international Youth Empowerment Initiative, a
Heartfulness Conference with a difference local NGO offering life-skills and
employability training for youth
– the average age of participants is between from disadvantaged sections of
20 and 25! The atmosphere is dynamic, society. CAP and Heartfulness
vibrant and full of the hopes and dreams of work hand in hand to provide a
humanitarian and self-sustainable
a new generation. approach to supporting the needs
of youth. It is a mutually beneficial
74 He ar tf u ln ess
Yo u t h
Octobe r 2018 75
Yo u t h
76 He ar tf u ln ess
Yo u t h
“The Kenyans and the African peoples’ openness to And the Deputy Governor for Kiambu County said
Heartfulness knows no boundaries.” that the best ideas come from youth; it is for them to
be innovative.
When asked what youth empowerment means to them,
some of the youth shared: In the words of one participant, “The conference ended
leaving us with hope in the heart, joy and contentment
“To support us to become what we want to be.” for the youth of Africa, as well as all youth in the world.
We are ever so grateful for the friendships, the spiritual
“Talking to that potential energy inside each one of us. Also, partnerships and lessons for life that we have received
there is nobody that is less than anyone else.” over the course of this conference.”
“ You go from a zero to a hero.” There is still a lot to do. Not all of these youth receive an
income, even after being trained. Many live in poverty,
At this last one, everybody cheered! and do not know where their next meal is coming
from. There are still obstacles to them finding jobs or
Emily Maina, the Minister for Education, Kiambu starting businesses, despite the good intentions of the
County, spoke about the government’s policies: “Our government to support them. The fact that such joy
youth need space to express themselves both physically was evident during this conference is a tribute to the
and virtually. The government wants to give authority human spirit. Imagine how much more joy is possible
to the youth and has implemented several policies and if we come together in oneness, in Heartfulness. And
programs that focus on women, on deprived youth, and so the work continues …
on the training of experts who can connect youth on
their targeted capabilities.”
www. h e a rtfu ln ess.org/sz p
www.heartfulness.org, www.brighterminds.org
info@heartfulness.org, 1 800 103 7726
www.heartfulness.org/szp
THE DE SK
of Daaji
Yoga
STU DY B U DDY
You-niversity DEGR EE IN O M
HE ARTSAPP
by Heartfulness Heartfulness Yoga
In this video series, you’ll Teacher Training Course
Login to your heart. learn tools that help
Meditate.Observe. you live a happy and Post Graduate Diploma
Transform. fulfilling life: Meditation in Advanced Yoga.
and the Evolution of Learn to teach the eight
Download on Consciousness limbs of Yoga. Merge
www.heartsapp.org the traditional art of
info@heartsapp.org A Hear tfulness and Yoga with a modern
Udemy Video Series. professional approach.
Register today.
Limited time offer: 50% www.heartfulness.
discount org/yoga-trainers
in.wellness@heartfulness.
daaji.org/udemy/ org
80 He ar tf u ln ess
more
magazine
OR DER I NG
Heartfulness Magazine M ASTER ING
B EING
3 masterclasses B O O K NO FU RT H E R
To order copies online - In these online The Heartfulness Way
single, 12 months masterclasses, Daaji will
subscr iption and 24 teach you the practical In this uncommon text,
months subscription - benefits of meditation you will discover a special
please go to: and other yogic collection of meditations
www. practices. and an exceedingly rare
heartfulnessmagazine. feature known as Yogic
com Masterclasses will be Transmission. Together,
HEART MARKS THE
subscriptions@ SPOT available online each they awaken the depths
heartfulnessmagazine. Find a trainer near you! day after you sign up of human potential and
com and accessible throughout initiate a mystical inner
Explore centers & the day. Each class runs journey. In this process,
Printed copies will be ashrams to find your between 35 and 45 the heart becomes a
available at selected stores, groove in group minutes. p e re n n i a l s o u rc e o f
airports and newsstands, meditation and events. wisdom and guidance to
and at Hear tfulness http:// help you navigate life’s
Centers and Ashrams. heartspots. en.heartfulness.org/ twists and turns and lead
heartfulness.org masterclass a life more connected to
heartspots@ yourself and others.
heartfulness.org
Available through
www.heartfulnessway.
com, at major bookstores
and on Amazon.
Octobe r 2018 81
for O CTO B ER 20 TH
201 8
Why we ourselves
plan our greatest
challenges BEFORE
INNER we are born?
HARVEST
life
Rob Schwartz, hypnotist
and autor of Your Soul ’s
DANISH RE TREAT Plan: Discovering the Real
CE NT E R
Meaning of the Life You
Planned Before You Were
Press pause on the pace CO NSCIO U S Born, explores the pre-
of everyday life and take
L IV ING IN STO CK birth planning of physical
time to connect with your HFNLife strives to bring illness, having disabled
Self. Experience the inner products to make your life children, deafness,
peace and mental clarity simple and convenient. blindness, drug addiction,
that come with a deeper alcoholism, the death of a
connection with the heart. loved one, and accidents.
We do our tiny bit to
Retreats are silent and last fulfil l your mater ial During this webinar he
three to 15 days; retreats needs by bringing in a will talk about his own
for men and women are set of curated partners spiritual path and how he
separate. Several secluded in apparels, accessories, came to write two books
apartments are available eye-care, home staples, about how we plan our
for retreatants, who organic foods and more. lives BEFORE we are
prepare their own meals The affiliation of our born. He will touch on
in the retreat center's partner organizations with the five main reasons we
kitchen. Heartfulness Institute plan great challenges for
The retreat center is open h e l p s i n fi n a n c i a l l y ourselves. He will also
to all who have practiced sustaining the programs share some true stories
Heartfulness Meditation which we conduct in of pre-birth planning.
regularly for a minimum various places across the
of one year. world. http://webinar.
heartfulness.org
For more information http://hfnlife.com
please send an email to:
retreat@
vradssandeashram.dk
82 He ar tf u ln ess
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