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Nurture your Thoughts, Emotions, Actions

RECEIVING is giving

27/6/2022

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This weekend I was treated to a beautiful therapeutic foot bath, nurturing cup of tea, and sharing of warm, compassionate wisdom and mindful presence from my beautiful friend and co-founder of the wonderful non-profit Nurture People, Jana. It left me feeling nourished on all levels.

It reminded me of how difficult it can be to receive sometimes, but what a gift our receiving can be to others too. As Marshall Rosenberg, creator of non-violent communication says - when we give from the heart, from a place of compassion, we do so out of a joy that springs forth whenever we willingly enrich another person’s life. This kind of giving benefits both the giver and the receiver. The receiver enjoys the gift without worrying about the consequences that accompany gifts given out of fear, guilt, shame, or desire for gain. The giver benefits from the enhanced joy and self-esteem that results when we see our efforts contributing to someone’s well-being.

This quality of compassion, which he refers to as “giving from the heart,” is expressed in the following lyrics by Ruth Bebermeyer:

GIVING FROM THE HEART
I never feel more given to
than when you take from me — when you understand the joy I feel
giving to you.
And you know my giving isn’t done
to put you in my debt,
but because I want to live the love
I feel for you. To receive with grace
may be the greatest giving. There’s no way I can separate
the two.
When you give to me,
I give you my receiving.
When you take from me, I feel so
given to.


Jana runs a weekly service from Nature Baby in Newmarket Auckland, every Friday. Her non-profit Nurture People also offers a beautiful nurturing, supportive and educational service and parent classes to new parents and caregivers. Find out more here.
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patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga: A Brief Introduction

27/2/2015

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It helps to think of these 8 limbs as the tree of yoga:
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The Tree of Yoga

1. Yamas tell us how to interact with the World, they are the roots of the tree because they connect us to others and everything outside ourselves. Without strong roots, a tree, no matter how strong in other respects, will fall.

2. Niyamas tell us how to interact with ourselves, they are the trunk of the tree, providing stability.

3. Asana are postures. Loosely translated asana means comfortable and stable seat. Feeling comfortable within the physical body. The main purpose of asana is to prepare the physical body for long periods of meditation. Thus asana represents the branches of our tree, the baby steps toward transformation, which happens through meditation.

4. Pranayama refers to breathing techniques and expansion of life-force energy; these form the bridge between our minds and our bodies. Pranayama are the leaves of our tree absorbing energy to nourish us.

5. Pratyahara is often translated as sense withdrawal. In a world of constant stimulation, distraction, and mental chatter, pratyahara represents an intentional withdrawing from the outside world, and with enough practice, our own racing thoughts. Pratyahara is the bark of our tree, protecting us from external distractions and diversions.

6. Dharana loosely translated as concentration or focus, is the life giving sap of our tree because where our attention goes, our energy flows, and for good health, energy must flow freely to where it is needed.

7. Dhyana or meditation, not the attempt to meditate but the state of meditation, forms the flower of the tree. It is the culmination of the preceding limbs.

8. Samadhi, or the state of true bliss, forms the fruit of our tree, the seeds from which transformation and new life ultimately flourish.
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Yamas: Ahimsa in Daily Life

8/2/2015

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Norman, the Eco Warrior, shows us how to make a few tiny changes that have a big impact to our planet.
  1. Research renewable energy sources.
  2. Switch to reusable bags. Helpful tip: Attach a carabiner to your grocery store loyalty cards and reusable bags. If you remember one, you remember both.
  3. Conserve energy. Turn down the heat. Turn off your computer at night. Don't go out for just one thing but bundle your errands. Every bit of energy we don't use is some energy we don't have to produce.
  4. Upcycle junk. Have fun turning trash into treasure. 
  5. Conserve and reuse water. 
  6. Recycle! I know it's old news, but it still makes a difference. The energy used to make one brand-spankin'-new aluminum can makes up to 20 recycled cans!
  7. Eat fish that are sustainably caught or raised. 70% of the fish species we love to eat are dying out. 
  8. Tell your friends! If everyone who watched this video challenged three friends to make one tiny change, before you know it, it would make a big difference. When we combine our efforts, we make serious progress.
*Tips via Upworthy
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Yamas: Ahimsa

8/2/2015

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In the yogic tradition there are five moral principals known as the yamas (restraints). 


The yamas are not about 'moral law' per se, but are part of a ‘practice’ to live a more harmonious life. The five yamas make up the first of the eight limbs as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. 


The first yama is AHIMSA: non-harming and having compassion for all living beings (including ones self). It's not all about ‘hugging trees’, or becoming a vegetarian. By simply making small steps to refrain from harming, and becoming aware of our thought patterns that lead to harmful behavior, our lives become more harmonious.




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Asana: Exploring the Edge

19/12/2014

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There is so much wisdom wrapped up in this two minutes. The speaker neatly merges the concepts of ahimsa (non-violence) and tapas (determination) as practiced on the yoga mat and in daily life. The aim is to seek the middle path that neither calls us to withdraw into ourselves nor fight with ourselves or the world around us.
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“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship.
I see your beauty. I hear your need. 
I feel your feelings. 
My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. 
Let us work together for unity and love.” 
​
– Mahatma Gandhi –

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