New Law of Attraction

Previous info on Law of Attraction has showed the importance of what you think and feel in order to create the life you want. Both are important yet at a deeper layer we need to go beyond surface thoughts and feelings to deeper states of peace from which character qualities are formed. Character in fact is what attracts the best into our life. In this you and the universe are co-creators.

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New Ideas – How Do You Generate Them?

Debby and I have for the past few months had thoughts germinating about a new book that we’d like to work on together. What’s our new book about?

Well right now that’s a secret but we’ll post more information when the time is right. So stay tuned!

Our thoughts have been building up over the last few weeks. The other night, Debby put our thoughts down on paper and created a clear outline for our new book.

I started to think how new ideas are generated.

I’ve found deliberate thoughts on generating new ideas are less successful than when you’re in a “free-flow” discussion. This is the reason why brainstorming exercises work so well.

You’re using your intuitive, creative mind to generate ideas without interference from your conscious mind. Debby and I have found that free thought that arises from a relaxed, creative space often yields best results for coming up with new ideas.

You’ll find some great examples of brainstorming strategies at Gallaudet University page on “Pre-Writing Strategies.” Debby and I have successfully used many of these strategies to generate ideas for our current book, Nexus: A Neo Novel.

Now we’re using them to generate ideas for our new book. We tend to use “Brainstorm,” “Outline” and “Mapping” in generating ideas. Which one will you use to unleash your creative powers?

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Inspired by Nature

What inspires an individual’s creativity in writing and other arts? The answer to this question would vary with each individual as perception shapes what is defined as “inspirational.” Though certain sources of inspiration have a common thread, since they are rooted in our shared human experiences. Life gives us everyday opportunities to experience inspiration , though we need our senses open to receive it.

One of the best sources of inspiration can be found in nature, which can inspire us to great poetic heights as evident in To Autumn by John Keats. Beauty of nature creates an aesthetic feeling that is uplifting and enlivens the senses. My writing partner, Deborah Morrison, wrote a beautiful passage “Beauty of Nature” in our book Nexus: A Neo Novel, which depicts the ecstatic experience of Logan Andrews as he is inspired by the beauty that surrounds him on a hilltop.

I find that stepping into natural landscapes changes my perception, since the contours and lines are rounded and less defined there. In cityscapes, everything is harsh and sharply defined and our sensibilities need to step away from the starkness of the city to be reinvigourated. We can compare the sharp boxed buildings found in many cities to the softness of trees found in nature.

This is why I make time to commune with nature and attune to her rhythms. In Southern Ontario, I also enjoy the seasons change. Deborah’s Sacred Circle is one of my favourite poems on the sense of wonder around seasonal changes. Copies of her first poetry book, Mystical Poetry, are now a rare item. In fact, a few weeks ago a used copy sold for around $200 on Amazon Canada. So someone out there is truly inspired by her poems.

The beauty of nature is inspiring at many levels and as artists we struggle to capture our experience of it. How to describe the intricacies of a snowflake? Or the migration of birds, butterflies, whales and other animals? Or the sunset on a beach? Sometimes we find the words or the image to commit to canvas. At other times the inspiration is there, yet we struggle to communicate the essence of our experience. The pristine experience is rarefied through our artistic endeavours.

We welcome you to share on what you find inspiring about nature. Or your own experiences of nature expressed in your own words or art.

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Full Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr

The serenity prayer is one the most beautiful prayers from the Christian tradition. It offers much solace and wisdom. Most people are familiar with the first part, though only a few know the entire prayer, which was an untitled prayer written by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930s.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with Him forever
in the next.

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Get a Grip on Stress

Healthy & Natural Journal, Feb, 2001 by Deborah Morrison

We all know how it feels to be stressed out. But what actually causes stress and what does it do to our bodies? How do we avoid the damaging effects of stress?

A medical definition of stress is that which disturbs a person’s mental and physical well-being. However, a more common definition is that stress is a heightened response to both routine and out-of-the-ordinary conditions and events.

Stress takes a daunting toll on our nation’s health and finances. Studies and surveys show that:

* 70 to 80 percent of all visits to the doctor are for stress-related illnesses.

* People who experience high levels of anxiety are four to five times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke.

* Stress contributes to approximately 50 percent of all illnesses.

* Stress-related injuries on the job have increased from 5 percent to more than 15 percent of all occupational disease during the past 10 years.

* The cost of job stress in North America is estimated at $200 billion annually; this includes costs of absenteeism, lost productivity and insurance claims

* 7 out of 10 people surveyed said they felt stressed in a typical workday.

* Approximately 43 percent of those interviewed said they suffer noticeable physical symptoms of burnout.

Stress is a natural part of being human and can function as a source of motivation as well as a catalyst for problem-solving. Not all stress results from crises and obstacles. Stress can also be triggered by events that create intense feelings of happiness or excitement. So how do you identify harmful stress, how does it hurt you, and how can you manage it in your life?

What causes stress?

Our 21st-century lives are full of stress. We live in a fast-paced world where technology enables people to be active 24 hours a day. Our ancestors were forced to go to bed when daylight ended: in contrast, electricity allows us to stretch our working hours around the clock. We are now linked globally by jet travel and telecommunications, which contribute to the frenetic work pace. Our contemporary culture has a reverence for productivity at work; as a result, many people are under pressure to work longer and harder. Consequently, people often abandon leisure activities and family time.

Causes of stress are termed stressors. Stressors can be physical or emotional, internally or externally generated. Various stimuli, including physical violence and internal conflicts, can be found at the root of stress. Major life events, such as putting an elderly parent in a nursing home, a birth or a death, and a marriage or a divorce, are common sources of stress. Minor incidents, such as bouncing a check or being stuck in a traffic jam, can also be stressors.

Responding to stressors

A physiological process occurs as the body reacts to a stressor. This “fight or flight” mechanism is triggered by the autonomic nervous system and can be a lifesaver in times of danger. The brain releases the stimulating stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine (also called adrenaline) into the system. As a result, the heart beats faster, blood pressure rises, muscles tense, the senses sharpen and metabolism changes. The entire physical system is now prepared to respond to an attack. Physiologically, one feels apprehension, tension and nervousness. This reaction is clearly helpful when we’re in immediate physical danger. However, all too often, the “danger” the body is responding to is loss of a job, prolonged illness, or death of a loved one. Many modem stressors do not go away quickly, so the body stays primed to react. Ongoing exposure to stress can result in mental and physical symptoms such as anxiety and depression, heart palpitations and muscular aches and pains. If the stress is not removed or reduced , illness often follows.

A physical effect

When the body is responding to a stressor, breathing is quick and shallow. As a result, the flow of oxygen is depleted and cells are deprived of oxygen, which they need for maintenance and health. Being in a chronic state of stress also shuts down functions such as metabolism, causing indigestion, heartburn and decreased sex drive. Stress also weakens the cardiovascular and immune systems and generally depletes any of the body’s vulnerable areas.

The cardiovascular system can suffer some of the most debilitating effects of chronic stress. Stress can cause increased levels of cholesterol and other lipids in the blood and can accelerate the development of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and other types of damage to blood vessels. Stress hormones may result in the presence of excessive cortisol, which can produce lesions in the heart muscles that, over time, can cause the heart to pump so erratically that death may result.

Research is also showing that stress has a negative impact on the immune system. Stress triggers hormones that are thought to inhibit the activity of white blood cells–the cells that fight off disease. These hormones have also been connected to cancer in some recent studies. Stress hormones also decrease the size of the thymus, which is responsible for the development and maintenance of the body’s immune system. Researchers acknowledge that Iong-term stress definitely suppresses the immune response.

Deborah Morrison is a Writer, Therapist, Counsellor and Speaker from Ontario, Canada.  She has written numerous articles on health, healing and spiritual life.  Her first book showed her visionary capacity and shares similarities with Blake & Gibran.  She has also co-authored a novel of spiritual depth with Arvind Singh called Nexus.

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NEXUS Press Release

Deborah Morrison & Arvind Singh from Ontario, Canada explore their gifts as novelists through a captivating book called NEXUS. Deborah has previously written a book of poetry called Mystical Poetry, and she has published many articles on health and spirituality. Arvind has published a number of articles on spiritual and philosophical thought both in English and South Asian languages and this is his first book.

NEXUS is an amazing spiritual adventure of Personal Transformation & Empowerment. Readers have described it as Insightful, Captivating and Inspirational. It builds on the experiences of both authors as teachers of relaxation, breath and yoga therapies. Through a poignant journey to a retreat, each person in the novel is looking to overcome personal pain including the main character, Logan Andrews.

Logan, a journalist in his mid-20s, struggles with depression to the point of suicide. Can he control his troubled mind before its too late?

In a vivid dream, Logan is guided to a spiritual retreat where he meets his lost love, Sarah, along with an arrogant millionaire, a grandmotherly woman and two insightful teachers.

Problems soon emerge for Logan and others at the retreat. What happens to each character and the depth of their personal experiences makes NEXUS a journey of transformation and a compelling read.

I’ve read many spiritual books but this one succeeds where others fail. It successfully combines a poignant story fraught with true human emotions of personal pain along with remarkable spiritual insights. James Bertrand

Nexus made me laugh and it made me cry. The story touched on many issues that I have struggled with in my own life and it gave practical advice on transforming my life. Its perfect for anyone looking for an Inspiring, Spiritual book filled with practical wisdom. Harpal Singh Khalsa.

A simple story with a simple message, Nexus invites you in to explore the characters’ thoughts and feelings along side your own. Nancy Noble

This book is totally amazing!!! It works like a dream at a subconscious level of understanding even if consciously you’re unaware of its full spiritual dimensions. Aaron

Quality Paperback edition

Published by Manor House Publishing

Available online from

Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | Chapters-Indigo

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Dalai Lama on Compassion

Compassion forms the primary message contained in the pages of Nexus, where through empathy and genuine feeling of oneness with others, transcendence from ego-centeredness is possible. Then compassion and genuine love can be enshrined within.

The following excerpts by the Dalai Lama shed practical wisdom on bringing compassion into our daily lives:

Where Compassion Starts

“Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness. “

“The next matter to be understood is whether it is possible to enhance compassion and love. In other words, is there a means by which these qualities of mind can be increased, and anger, hatred, and jealousy reduced? My answer to this is an emphatic, Yes! Even if you do not agree with me right now, let yourself be open to the possibility of such development. Let us carry out some experiments together; perhaps we may then find some answers.”

“For a start, it is possible to divide every kind of happiness and suffering into two main categories: mental and physical. Of the two, it is the mind that exerts the greatest influence on most of us. Unless we are either gravely ill or deprived of basic necessities, our physical condition plays a secondary role in life. If the body is content, we virtually ignore it. The mind, however, registers every event, no matter how small. Hence we should devote our most serious efforts to bringing about mental peace rather than physical comfort.”

Transforming the Mind

“From my own limited experience, I am convinced that through constant training we can indeed develop our minds. Our positive attitudes, thoughts, and outlook can be enhanced, and their negative counterparts can be reduced. Even a single moment of consciousness depends on so many factors, and when we change these various factors, the mind also changes. This is a simple truth about the nature of mind. “

Developing Compassion

“Self-centeredness inhibits our love for others, and we are all afflicted by it to one degree or another. For true happiness to come about, we need a calm mind, and such peace of mind is brought about only by a compassionate attitude.”

“Many forms of compassionate feeling are mixed with desire and attachment. For instance, the love parents feel for their child is often strongly associated with their own emotional needs, so it is not fully compassionate. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion, but it too is usually attachment. Even in marriage, the love between husband and wife…depends more on attachment than genuine love. Marriages that last only a short time do so because they lack compassion; they are produced by emotional attachment based on projection and expectation, and as soon as the projections change, the attachment disappears.”

“Compassion without attachment is possible. Therefore, we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment. True compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason. Because of this firm foundation, a truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change even if they behave negatively. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the needs of the other.”

“When you recognize that all beings are equal in both their desire for happiness and their right to obtain it, you automatically feel empathy and closeness for them. Through accustoming your mind to this sense of universal altruism, you develop a feeling of responsibility for others; you wish to help them actively overcome their problems. This wish is not selective; it applies equally to all beings. As long as they experience pleasure and pain just as you do, there is no logical basis to discriminate between them or to alter your concern for them if they behave negatively.”

“Given patience and time, it is within our power to develop this kind of universal compassion. Of course our self-centeredness, our distinctive attachment to the feeling of a solid I, works fundamentally to inhibit our compassion. Indeed, true compassion can be experienced only when this type of self-grasping is eliminated. But this does not mean that we cannot start to cultivate compassion and begin to make progress right away.”

Our Connectedness & Universal Compassion

“I believe that at every level of societyfamilial, national and internationalthe key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in a particular ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities. I believe that the cultivation of individual happiness can contribute in a profound and effective way to the overall improvement of the entire human community.”

“We all share an identical need for love, and on the basis of this commonality, it is possible to feel that anybody we meet, in whatever circumstances, is a brother or sister. No matter how new the face or how different the dress or behavior, there is no significant division between us and other people. It is foolish to dwell on external differences because our basic natures are the same.”

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Opening Stanza of Sikh Morning Prayer (Japuji Sahib)

Both transcendence (nirgun) and immanence (sagun) aspects play an important part in the awareness of spiritual life. Transcendence requires an expansion of our awareness through Grace, while immanence requires for the Divine to be brought to our level of understanding.

The Opening Stanza of the Sikh Morning Prayer, Japuji Sahib, offers an exploration of transcendental attributes from a unique perspective. Contemplation of Transcendent qualities of the Supreme Soul, Paramatman, will fashion our own soul.

Here is a rendering of the Opening Stanza of Japuji Sahib called Ml Mantra with explanatory notes below each attribute:

1 OM Manifest,

1-on-kr

Please read Connectedness in Ik Onkar Symbol for a detailed explaination of this attribute. It is a transcendent quality that is both manifest and yet always remains unchangeable in its oneness. Ordinarily our mind is in dualistic thought, dividing reality into categories, labels and opposites. During a mystical encounter with the underlying Oneness behind appearances we are granted an undivided, non-dualistic vision.

Truename,

Satinmu

Satya, derived from Sanskrit root “to be,” refers to “existence,” “being” and “consciousness.” The truth rests in conscious awareness. Therefore, Ikonkar and Satinam together can be translated as “The One Onkar, whose name is existence.”

Creator Person,

Kart Purukhu

This attribute signifies that the doer of all actions is the Supreme. By ascribing all actions to a higher power, we can control pride and ego.

Fearless,

Nirbhao

In our life, we have fears – fears of economic hardship, political instability, crime, war and ultimately of death. These fears originate from attaching ourselves to temporally real and changeable aspects of life. When, however, we recognize the eternal ultimate reality behind appearances all our fears are erased from our mind.

Without hatred,

Nirvairu

Hatred can often be rooted in our own projected fears. When we fail to examine our own shortcomings, we have to tendency to see them in others. If we examine our own heart, we would recognize that what we hate in others is often an aspect of us that we have hidden from awareness.

As we connect to the Real, we lose our fears and no longer need to feel hostility to others, since our self regains its natural confidence in knowing its real spiritual worth.

Eternal form,

Akal Mrat

The physical forms in the temporal world are not eternal. This is a quality of the spirit-soul, atman, as the eternal form.

Unincarnated,

Ajn

Literally “not of the womb,” hence unincarnated. This also shows transcendence over transmigration of the soul from countless births and deaths. The Real is omnipresent and cannot be limited to any human birth.

Self-existent.

Saibhang

In the natural world, existence depends upon an external cause. A human being came into existence through parents. Even one-celled organisms derived their existence from the division of a “parent” cell through fission. Fire cannot burn without fuel and in an ecosystem a balance is achieved through the interdependence of various animals upon one another.

Self-existence means that your personal existence is no longer dependent on something outside you. The Real is complete on its own and requires no other support for its existence.

By Guru’s Grace

Gur parsdi

We believe that we create all changes in our life, yet the presence of a Higher Power in our lives can transform us. Our belief of independent action is only true to the extent that we are guided and inspired by Divine Grace. Personal effort has a place, yet it yields to Grace to refashion the senses, the heart and mind. We have difficulty controlling or forcing change in our lives on our own, though with sincere prayer we find strength to persevere.

We are like farmers of our consciousness, who through our efforts till the soil with meditation, plant the seeds of good action, and take out weeds of egoism. Yet without Grace like the farmer waiting for rain during a drought, our efforts will not yield harvest and at such trying times our faith is tested.

When the time is right, Grace will enter our life. We cannot control when it comes and instead we develop gratitude for all gifts including our life at all times – whether good or fraught with difficulties.

See also:

First Verse of Sikh Morning Prayer (Japuji Sahib): Path to Truth

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The Yoga of Eight Limbs Postures

YOGA IN NEXUS

Most people have set images of yoga in terms of flexible postures, yet that is only one aspect of a varied practice. In Nexus, Deborah and Arvind were influenced by different aspects of yoga along with other practices that foster spiritual growth. Our novel explores them through the journey of a group of people looking to overcome pain.

Nexus takes place at a spiritual retreat, where individual transformation of each person is encouraged through the practice of yoga, meditation, visualization, and psychological and spiritual insights. So on Nexus Novel Blog, we will present aspects of these practices in order to foster understanding and personal growth. We hope that our site and book will inspire others.

DEFINITION OF YOGA

Yoga is derived from Proto-Indo-European root yeug meaning “to join” or “to unite.” It allows for the release of energy blocks that impede the free flow of vital energy found in breath, called prana () in India and Chi or Qi in China. Through meditative yoga techniques, the mind becomes easily focused and purified of extraneous thoughts.

Ultimately, yoga looks to unite the mind, body and spirit. Since tension at any level will impede progress in other areas, so whether the focus is on development of the body, mind or spirit, it will still bring holistic benefits.

Statue of Yogi from Indus Valley Civilization circa 3000 BCE

FORMS OF YOGA

People are attracted to yoga for different reasons. Individuals focused on the body respond to any yoga with a focus on physical postures, while those attuned to introspection respond well to meditative exercises. Due to the variety of motivations for practicing yoga, various forms of yoga have developed over time.

CLASSICAL YOGA

The classical form of yoga found in the aphorisms of the sage Patanjali from around the 2nd century recommends eight practices called ashtanga. They are as follow:

1. Yama Five restraints of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual purity and non-possessiveness
2. Niyama Five Practices of purity, contentment, introspection, and self-surrender
3. Asana Physical postures
4. Pranayama Control of the breath
5. Pratyahara Withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana Focused attention on a single object
7. Dhyana Contemplation
8. Samadhi Non-dualistic state of mind

Painting of Patanjali

The yoga outlined by Patanjali is called Ashtanga or Raja (“Royal”) Yoga, since it follows the royal path of first disciplining the mind. The mind controls the body, and so the emphasis in Raja Yoga is on development of the mind.

HATHA YOGA

In contrast to Patanjali’s approach, Yogi Swatmarama, 15 century sage of India, introduced the system of Hatha Yoga through compiling the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This form of yoga is most familiar to Westerners. It starts with a focus on the health of the physical body, which can then lead to the purification of the mind and vital energy (prana).

Hatha Yoga is influenced by Tantra, a group of esoteric traditions that originated in India. Tantric ideas influenced the imagery of rotating energy vortices called Chakras (Sanskrit , “circle” or “spinning wheel”) and the kundalini energy lying dormant at the base of the spine. Even though many forms of yoga have developed over time, classical yoga of Patanjali and Hatha Yoga offers a unique contrast between them.

IMPORTANCE OF SANKHYA PHILOSOPHY

Yoga has roots in Sankhya, which is one of the eight philosophical schools in Hinduism. It regards the universe as comprised of two eternal realities, consciousness called purusha and the source of manifestation called prakriti. The duality between purusha-prakriti becomes an impediment through misidentification of limitless consciousness with only the physical body. Dicriminate knowledge can allow for the eternal and temporal to be differentiated, which is the conscious purusha and unconscious prakriti. The school is often called Sankhya-yoga because of the strong influence of sankhya on yoga.

So next time you associate yoga merely with a posture, recognize yoga is a rich and varied practice that can be multi-faceted.

Note: Deborah has experienced many aspects of yoga in her life experiences as a Certified Yoga Instructor and as a student of Swami Vishnudevanda, from philosophical discussions to physical and mental practice. Arvind has likewise delved into many aspects of yoga through personal study and practice. Through both of their understanding, they bring subtle aspects of yoga into the experience of Nexus.

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Soul

To find out our Soul begins with a basic question, “Who am I?” How do you define yourself?

Is it by a name you were given? By your nationality, ethnicity or religion, which is often the result of where you were born?

Do you view yourself as young or old? Tall or short? Thin or fat? Many of these characteristics are relative and depend on comparison with another person to be meaningful.

How about your emotions and behaviours? Do you define yourself as sad, happy, caring or a selfish person? Or by some other characteristics?

What about your thoughts? Do you consider yourself intelligent, simple practical or impractical? Or maybe you subscribe to certain political views, so you might label yourself liberal or conservative. Yet none of these are truly you because they are conditionally real. They are not permanent aspect of your being.

Once we go beyond all the various labels you start uncovering your true nature, which is often described as peeling the layers of an onion.

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