Some Stars of the Meditation Hour

Lovely group energy during the Meditation Hour this morning (May 11). Anjana nearly hidden - we will have to do this again for the photo op, ha ha, as well as the meditation!

Fabulous Meditation, Wonderful Reiki - in Geneva, Switzerland

Did a meditation workshop for a fabulous group of six women - the energy was high, the fun and laughter contagious, the learning intense. And a great setting too. We could see trees through the windows and hear the sound of birds. Heard some traffic too, but the meditation either blocked it out or turned it into a friendly sound!

We ended on a high note with some hasya yoga - which did not end with the formal practice!

Did some pretty wonderful Reiki sessions too. So much beautiful Reiki energy all around me. I am so blessed! :)

Meditation and Reiki in Geneva

Energizing presentation on meditation and Reiki to a group of lovely, aware women in a beautiful house with fabulous energy just beside Lake Geneva.

A meditation workshop and several Reiki healing sessions to follow.

And I haven't forgotten my meditation group back home in Singapore - next Meditation Hour in Singapore on Saturday, April 20, starting as usual at 10 a.m.

My father's book launch tomorrow!

From Partition to Operation Bluestar

Tales of a Journalist, Bureaucrat, Spy

- by Som Nath Dhar

Book release by Prof. Kirpal Singh, Director, Wee Kim Wee Centre, Singapore Management University, on 3 April 2013. 

Unfortunately, my father passed away just before the book was published; but he was happy it was in the works, in the very last stages of publication.

Working on this book with my father - organizing and editing it, finding a publisher etc - has been a real labour of love and one of the most satisfying things I have done in my life!

I am so happy to see it doing so well in India and internationally. 

The book is available on amazon.com as well as in all major bookshops in India and Singapore. 

Mantras

One of the most effective Sanskrit mantras is Om, or Aum. It raises one’s vibrations, brings peace and clarity. It is not a word with a specific meaning attached to it. Therefore it does not lead the mind anywhere, not even to a contemplation of the meaning of the word that is being chanted. The mantra can certainly become meaningful to those who chant it, but that understanding comes from a deeper space within us, not from the mind. Last but not least, it is a very short mantra and, so, very easy to learn!

Some other mantras from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions:

Om shanti shanti shanti. This is a mantra that brings peace, calmness and serenity.

Om mani padme hum – Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus. In Tibetan, this mantra changes slightly:
Om mani peme hung.

So hum. Another short mantra that helps one go within. It can also be “chanted” silently – say “so” on the in-breath and “hum” on the out-breath. You may find yourself quite naturally switching words after a while (ie. “hum” on the in-breath and “so” on the out-breath). Let it happen.

Once your chosen mantra brings you into a meditative state, let yourself be led where you go. You might find the chant changing slightly, in tone, rhythm or even in the order of the words/syllables. Or you might find yourself so still and so receptive to God, or your own Higher Self, that you stop chanting. Just go with the flow and know that everything that comes to us in meditation is good.