Invest in Love: the ideal gift

The Thou Art Yoga page was set up today on Facebook. Stay connected to receive news of upcoming Thou Art Yoga products and ventures—all designed to spread love, raise awareness and connect you more deeply to yourself and others.

Current venture: Invest In Love: the ideal gift
Pricing, order details and other info on site.

Last words for Satya

A few months ago my friend Nicola in Peru sent me an email and cc'd someone (Satya Amrit Singh from Chile) whom she said I may want to be in touch with, as he is also a musician, composes music with Kundalini mantras and practices/teaches Kundalini Yoga.

Satya sent me a link to his music (please listen here), I sent him a link to mine and we exchanged a few emails, mainly about music and Kundalini Yoga. He was happy to know that his name was the same as the name of my laptop. He struck me as a gracious, honourable and friendly person. He had performed in a few places around the world and was saying that one day he would like to come to Trinidad to play.

After the first two or three emails we were not in touch for a long while. Just about two weeks ago I got an email from him saying he was in India at Miri Piri Academy. He asked me if I wanted to Skype. I sent him my Skype name but, being busy, did not get around to connecting immediately.

However, we managed to connect a day or two later. We spoke for a while about Kundalini Yoga, music, life, he told me about Miri Piri and I helped him to set up a Reverbnation account for his music. I couldn't stay long and, as we said goodbye, he told me that he hopes one day we will work on some music together.

Yesterday as I sat at Moksha waiting to go into the Tuesday yoga class, I got a call from my friend R whose son is studying at Miri Piri—to say that Satya was found dead in his room, cause unknown. So sudden, and unexpected to those who are left behind, yet for his soul, it was simply the time to go.

This letter on his Facebook page makes an official announcement of his passing.

Prior to our Tuesday class we chanted Akal (mantra for departed souls) for him. I didn't know him well or for long, but from our brief interactions, I could tell that he loved life, loved people and had no doubt touched many with whom he came into contact.

As I'm writing this and listening to his music, it strikes me—one day we are here, one day we are not. Who are we when we are here? Who are we when we leave and exist in the words and memories of others?

To his blood family, his Kundalini family and his network of loved ones, may you be granted Love, Strength and Peace that transcends the inexplicable suddenness of his passing.

Sat Nam

Try the Water Taxi

Boarding the water taxi

On Monday my friend Patti and I took a trip from POS to San Fernando on the water taxi, to see what it was like.

Sadly, in T&T we encounter a lot of poor customer service, things not working properly, poor time management (i.e. things running late), etc.

However, the water taxi is the exact opposite of this. As Patti kept saying to me in genuine amazement: "Are we still in Trinidad?"

Courteous employees, all smiling, saying good morning, gently guiding us along the plank, telling us to watch our step, telling us to have a good trip, etc. The water taxi was on time, clean, crisply air-conditioned, comfortable (we fell asleep), speedy and super smooth. Those who suffer with motion sickness (as Patti does) need not worry.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. $30 return and they leave at different times during the day (on weekdays only). The journey takes 45 minutes.

The name of our water taxi was Paria Bullet, but I was walking along the plank while taking this shot and didn't get the full thing.

We are all healers

Yesterday I attended a Meridian Chakra Healing workshop led by a visiting yogi (Yogi Aftab, who introduced Kundalini Yoga to TT in 1973). He was a student of Yogi Bhajan (the Mahan Tantric who brought Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1969). You can read more about Aftab and the workshop in this article. We learned massage and trigger point simulation to balance the meridians and chakras.

There were 28 of us in all doing the workshop. We partnered up to practice the points/techniques on each other. Simple and powerful. I love doing hands on healing work.

Of course, for any healing technique to be effective, the person has to want to be healed. What Yogi A. told us about relaxing the person to facilitate healing is similar to the premise of SPHE-RE healing (which I learned earlier this year) where the body goes into such a deep state of peace that self-healing occurs. 

One of the points we learned yesterday was one which Yogi A said Yogi Bhajan had indicated was all that was necessary. Touch those two points for as long as you want (e.g. 15 mins) and the healing is done. When he showed us the point it reminded me of one of my earliest and clearest childhood memories:

My sister Vanessa was a baby, so I was four.  Maybe she had recently been born and I was fascinated, because I was standing by her crib in my parents' room watching her cry.  I remember mummy being in the kitchen. After a short while of watching her, I took my finger and touched her third eye (although as a four year old child I would not have known that name for it). The crying stopped instantly and she fell asleep as soon as she felt my finger. It was like pushing a button to turn off something.


We are all healers, whether we realise it or not. We know naturally and instinctively what to do to heal ourselves and others. However, as we "grow up", various things happen—doubts, fears and other inhibitors rise up and block our natural instincts, we become dependent on doctors and medication, we cease to listen to the body and trust its ability to repair itself.

Something as simple as a shift in mindset ... and healing occurs.

Musical Beans

Yesterday I was invited to judge the "Investigative" category at a Girls' High School environmental/science fair. One of the entries I really liked was called "Musical Beans". The girls had grown 4 red bean seeds in similar conditions over a 3 wk period. The only difference was the music played to them 3 hrs/day. 

The Gospel music bean rotted & got maggots, the soft rock bean remained dormant & also got maggots, the dub/reggae bean grew a bit but shriveled up and died, the Hindu bhajan bean was tall and flourishing.

Their basic hypothesis was that sacred/spiritual music has a positive effect on us. 





 

You will love this raw gift

Raw Lasagne

Interested in bringing a little raw eating into your life? 

Over the next few days I will be recreating and documenting measurements of some of the raw dishes I have created since 2008—and packaging these recipes in a compact and attractive form that you will love. The perfect gift—for Christmas or otherwise, for you and/or loved ones.


Stay tuned for more.

The irony of God's love ... as exhibited by some

Early this morning I went to the computer place on the main road to get a document printed. While there, one of the two girls at the counter (perhaps having just read an article in the papers) said loudly: "Anybody who have sex wit an animal deserve to be strike down by God!" She closely followed this, just as loudly, with: "All of dem wit their bestiality and homosexuality! God should strike all a dem dong!"

The hatred, vitriol, venom spewing from her tone was horrible, but not surprising. WWJD? Certainly not exhibit that kind of behaviour.

Normally I would have said something to the girl, but for some reason this morning I continued what I was doing without making a comment, leaving her to enjoy her moment of feeling "better than them".  Poor, misguided girl. What kind of upbringing has she had? Being raised to believe that "God" is as venomous and vengeful as she is.

The self-righteous attitude of many who proclaim to be "Christians" (which I'm sure that girl was) is one of the greatest ironies of this life. Their statement of "Love the sinner, hate the sin" seeks to elevate them above "others" while omitting the fact that they themselves are not perfect . . . in fact, often far from.

There's a lot to be said on this, but for now, just have a look at the below letter, sent to me by a friend. Complete with grammatical imperfections, it speaks of a Christian pastor ("converted from the homosexual lifestyle to heterosexuality") who is supposed to be visiting Trinidad from this weekend (complete with detailed itinerary) ... to spread the word on "sexual health". 

SMART CHOICES FOR PRECIOUS PEOPLE.

SEXUAL HEALTH

Dear Youth Director

Greetings!

Today there are many voices clamoring for our youth’s attention We are sure that you do not want the loudest ,trendiest our most attractive to win. Hence for this reason we wish to partner with you in equipping them to make right choices, and find answers to their many questions .To this end we are hosting an interactive seminar on sexual health. Our primary presenter is Philip Lee.

Pastor Philip Lee of His Way Out Ministries/Exodus International is a born again believer converted from a homosexual lifestyle to heterosexuality. He has piloted the ministry to the Gay community in his homeland and in Guyana through seminars & workshops through local churches He will be with us for 1 week in October.

On Saturday 23^rd October He will be addressing our youth (13-35 years) at Naparima Girls High School auditorium. The meeting begins at 4.00 p.m. and will end no later than 7.00 p.m. The extended time is needed to allow all questions asked to be answered. There will also be health professionals present to

assist in the discussion.

Please bring/send your young people to be enlightened and empowered. Give them an opportunity to understand what the Word says about their sexuality, and to have a clear biblical and factual response to those who want to entice them in an alternative lifestyle.

  You may even consider this meeting as your young people’s meeting/ outing for the month

We look forward to engaging with you and your group.

Yours in Christ

______________________________

Kimlin  Philip

 

Love at first sight

Gloxinia

On Friday one of my yoga students  who was unable to make it to last week's Humee Hum Brahm Hum gave me this flowering plant as a gift. She couldn't remember the name of it, so I said I would ask my father (who's a Botanist).

Later, I emailed to let her know that it's a Gloxinia. She emailed back with this site and indicated what the Gloxinia flower stands for: Love at first sight.

Great gift. Better yet when it's mutual.

Ask me a question & contribute to Daisy Chain

The fine tuning of Daisy Chain has been an interesting and involved process. Nothing was changed in terms of content, but there were words and phrases which, although not "wrong", are all the better for having passed through my editor, Jeanne Mason. She is currently not based in Trinidad, so for the past while, we have been back and forth via e-mail, tweaking and tightening. We are on the final stretch—and I now understand why people have editors. It's like pruning a tree to produce a stronger, more attractive plant.

The only part of Daisy Chain which I'll change (in terms of content) is the vignette entitled THE AUTHOR, ELSPETH. Much of what I wrote in the introduction for this version of Daisy Chain was originally contained in that vignette. So, rather than be redundant, I've decided to write something new for THE AUTHOR, ELSPETH.

However, for some reason, I am sticking on this vignette, with no idea what to write. In keeping with the involvement of blog readers in aspects of the writing of Daisy Chain (e.g., blog readers suggested three of the female names toward the end of the novel, which helped when I was racing to complete the 50,000 words for the deadline), I am giving you the opportunity to contribute.

HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO DAISY CHAIN
1. Ask me any question you want. Anything you want to know about me—simple or complex. Your questions will be answered in the section of Daisy Chain entitled THE AUTHOR, ELSPETH.
2. I will only answer questions left as comments on this post. (One question per person)
3. Since I don't know how many questions will be asked (and I don't want this vignette to be too long once questions are answered), I will select only some of the questions. This will be done randomly, placing the questions in a hat and choosing 5-10 of them. To be transparent, I'll get someone else to do the random selection.
4. If your question is chosen, you will be credited, so write your name after your question as you would like it to appear in the novel. Questions without names will not be considered.

Final date for submitted questions—Sunday 17 October 2010

Thank you for your contribution.

Elspeth

How many ...?

How many stars does it take to fill the sky?
How many times have your feet touched the ground since birth?
How many times did you cry as a baby until someone either picked you up and cradled you in loving arms or shouted at you to be quiet?
How many keys are on all of the key chains in the world?
How many words in total exist in all of the sacred texts throughout history?
How many women across the globe are menstruating right now?
How many men shave their beards every morning?
How many species of animals would there be in the world today if extinction did not exist?

(From NAOMI, Daisy Chain. Stay tuned for the print version).

Crystal Received

Just before going into yesterday's yoga class, Claudia appeared with my crystal. The moment of receiving the package and having her explain a few things was like having a birthday all over again.

I haven't taken a photo of the crystal pendant, but it is lovely, finely crafted with sterling silver with an additional small amethyst piece worked into the design. The quartz crystal is from Tibet. (Claudia gets her crystals from all over the world).

The pendant came in a sheer pinkish bag with gold roses and leaves on it. In that bag were also two cards (see bottom of this post). All of this was in a larger white paper bag which contained a rolled piece of paper with information on crystals—what they are, how they can heal and how to cleanse them. Also included in the white bag were two sticks of fantastic-smelling incense (sage and something else) and a tiny ziplock bag containing a little bundle of a scented herb (sage?) wrapped in pink netting and tied with a small pink bow.

The energy with which Claudia gave this gift to me was so loving and out of the blue. All I can say is Wow. It's great when people follow what they feel and give to others as their spirit directs them to give ... without worrying about what the person will think of them or the gift.

As one of my yoga students pointed out, I seem to receive special gifts on Tuesdays. At a recent Tuesday yoga class, I had just collected Lynn's pocket book from the Post Office and was showing it to her before the class.

This is the wording on Claudia's call card, in case anyone is interested in seeing what she has to offer:

Claudia's Crystals

868 473-1408

claudiascrystals (at) yahoo (dot) com 

(N.B. I wrote out her e-mail address like this so robots crawling the web for addresses to use for spamming won't detect it)

Individually hand crafted wearable art made from the finest stones from all over the world, wrapped by hand with sterling silver, creating unique one-of-a-kind pendants for you or that special person in your life ...

Gift of a Crystal

The small piece of quartz I found

The other day at the yoga retreat I was walking on the stony road leading to the house and found a small quartz crystal. I kept it in my pocket.

At the beginning of the retreat, because the room was full of participants, I placed my mat outside of the northern verandah door. Inside, near the doorway to the front verandah, there was a woman who had a large crystal in front of her mat. At some point during the session, I automatically got up and moved my mat to the eastern doorway, so that I was next to her. I noticed that she had many more crystals all around and on her mat.

During one of the rest periods, we got to talking. Turns out she is deeply into crystals and makes fantastic jewelry with them (some of which she was wearing). I showed her the little piece of quartz I had found and half-jokingly suggested that maybe the little quartz piece felt drawn to her crystals (its distant cousins) and wanted to be near to them—hence my getting up out of the blue and moving next to her.

Yesterday I got a great email from her with the message that she couldn't stop thinking of me and my crystal and she was compelled to make me a Quartz pendant as a gift. When she laid out her quartz points in front of her with the intention that one is for me, a particular Quartz popped out at her. She says it's the most sacred of all crystals, known as a Record Keeper. (Read more about Record Keepers here)

Amazing gift. Can't wait to receive it.

Sign up for Tek Har Kaur

Sign up here to the mailing list of Tek Har Kaur and:
(a) receive updates on newly recorded mantras, performances, Thou Art Yoga events, products and more.
(b) enjoy the exclusive fan download of the Humee Hum Brahm Hum mp3

A little side story about this special mp3:
The total length of the song, including the Thou Art Yoga tag, is 1:53 seconds. This was not planned. The recording was made in the flow of the moment. Then one morning I was checking the time of the mantra and realised that the exact length of the Humee Hum Brahm Hum mantra itself (minus tag) is 1:43.

If you have been reading this blog, you will know that 143 is the "code number" for I LOVE YOU (based on the number of letters in each word):
1= I
4 = Love
3 = You

As the saying goes: Nothing is a coincidence.

No better gift

Yesterday was a fantastic birthday from my first conscious breath upon waking to my last conscious breath before sleep. It gets better every year.

Last night's celebration can't be put into adequate words.

When I got home after, and all was quiet, it struck me in a massive wave—the realisation of the magnitude of love I have in this lifetime, within and all around me. There is no better gift.

Today is Birth Day

Thou Art Yoga presents

Humee Hum Brahm Hum

A Celebration of Birth

(on the night of a Super New Moon).

All are welcome.

DATE: Thursday 7 October, 2010,

TIME: 6:00 p.m. sharp – 9:00 p.m.

DRESS: White (as much as possible)

(In Trinidad):  Studio Lounge, 62 Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook (opp. Kid’s World)

(Abroad):  Gather with loved ones, tune in to your heart and chant the mantra.

*

THE EVENING’S PROCEEDINGS

6:00 p.m. OPENING 

Tune in to the Heart.

6:03 p.m. WELCOME MESSAGE

6:08 p.m. CHANT

The Kundalini Yoga mantra Humee Hum Brahm Hum. We are We, We are God (Whatever is to be already is).  Throughout the night, whenever this version of the mantra is played (1.43 minutes), special things will happen. (To be announced at start of event, so please be on time).

6:10 p.m. onward: SURRENDER TO LOVE (an interactive exhibition with a difference)

An exhibition of photographs by Elspeth Duncan, wrapped as gifts—so the images cannot be seen. This is an opportunity for you to surrender to the Unseen and trust the gift/message that is for you. (A total of seventeen images available).

Special price of $44 per image (for 7-10-2010 only). Walk with two $20 bills and four $1 bills.

6:05 p.m. onward: CELEBRATE

Mix, mingle, enjoy great company and the special musical selection.
DJ-for-the-night: Irukandji.
Enjoy the intimate ambience of Studio Lounge as you sip on in-house Lounge drinks or special home-brewed Yogi Tea.

*****

"Thou Art Yoga is a global movement for creative consciousness. THOU = You. ART= Creation. YOGA = our connection with the Divine. Not everyone may come to know Yoga by way of a yoga mat and daily practice. But Yoga (Divine connection) is already in all of us and simply needs to be realised. My intention is for Thou Art Yoga to be a catalyst for the global upliftment of people and awakening of consciousness through Yoga (particularly Kundalini) and the Creations (music, art, workshops, events and more) inspired by it."

(Elspeth Duncan/Tek Har Kaur, October 2010)

Words to live by

This poem by Mastin Kipp was in today's Daily Love email. Spot on truth:

Love everyone as best you can, but only invest in people who invest in you.

 

Your heart and dreams are precious things, they should be in hands of people who will help to guide them, protect them and nurture them.

 

As you embark out into the unknown on the Journey of your Dreams choose wisely your traveling mates. Your team and who you surround yourself with is one of the most important decisions you can make and a great influence on whether you will complete the journey successfully.

 

Treasure your dreams, follow them with trust and surround yourself with only they best.

 

Don't think twice about dropping the rest.

Please keep Thurs 7 October 2010 open

Last year's invitation

Please keep 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday 7th October 2010 open. There will be a special gathering to celebrate my birthday and more. All are invited, wherever you are in the world.

The 7th October 2010, night of a Super New Moon, is a powerful night to be present in yourself, as you are, where you are.

Last year I got married. (Read about the ceremony and the vows here)

This year I give birth.

Details soon.

Sat Nam.

Gathering

Somehow referring to Friday evening yoga (or even Tuesday evening yoga) as "a class" doesn't feel right. It feels more like A Gathering ... all of us sitting on our mats, in what always feels like a circle (even if it isn't exactly one geometrically speaking), on the pool terrace, under the moon, stars and the clear sky (which always holds up for us no matter how rainy every other day has been).

Three new (and one semi-new) people joined us yesterday.  We are all committing to a 40 day sadhana, starting on the morning of 7th October 2010.

It is amazing how life unfolds. All that is meant to be already is.

Humee Hum Brahm Hum.

Happy October!

Libra

With open arms, we October Librans welcome the greatest month of the year ... our birthmonth.