Meditate and Move On: A Lesson from My Mala

Meditate and Move On: A Lesson from My Mala

In 1996 while traveling in India I received a gift of a simple rosewood Mala from a man who I believe was a holy messenger. One of those sent by the divine when we are most lucky or most needing a nudge or reminder of something greater than our smaller, less cosmic concerns. I met Surendra in Haridwar near Rishikesh as I was walking through the marketplace. He was a professor of music and full of life wisdom. We had a wonderful time over those legendary cups of Indian chai discussing Vedic astrology, sacred music and other intriguing topics. After a rich afternoon of conversation I mentioned to Surendra that I was leaving for Rishikesh the next day by train and we said our goodbyes. I was waiting at the station the following day and Surendra magically appeared on the platform just before my train was due to arrive. He walked slowly up to me and handed me a very simple dark rosewood mala and said to me in a deep and sincere voice “Meditate.” Then he walked away.

So extraordinary life is. As I was writing this story about the meaning of malas in my journal I went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and my treasured rosewood mala caught on the kitchen cabinet and broke.

They say when a mala breaks you are not supposed to fix it. You are supposed to gather its broken pieces and place the beads on your altar. It is time to move on and let them go because you have learned something, or made a breakthrough. New lessons are ready to come your way in this university of life. It’s time to connect with and choose a new mala.

There is a part of me that wants to fix this mala and ignore the wisdom of letting go. It is the third one this year that has broken on me. The first one was a mala that had an African Jade stone at the end. I was more attached to the beauty of this one than the sentiment or energy of it and so I let it go quickly. The second was a sandstone mala I had bought for my beloved husband as a gift, which I chose to wear one day as adornment. It was unthinking to wear someone else’s mala beads. This third one made me really quite sad. It was a special gift steeped in meaning and given to me with a specific message in a city regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus.

In Hindu mythology Haridwar is one of four sites where drops of Amrit – the elixir of immortality – accidentally spilled over while being carried in a pitcher by the celestial bird Garuda. The Kumbha Mela, a holy festival held every 12 years in Haridwar, attracts millions of pilgrims, devotees and tourists. These seekers congregate here to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganges to wash away sins and attain Liberation.

I have been wearing those prayer beads on and off over the last 16 years stopping now and then to think about the profound gift of them and who they came from. Now the words “meditate” float in the ether around me. No beads imbued with a reminder of this practice that leads to immortality. The message seems more profound now especially as I have of late recommitted to deepen my practice. To meditate I do not need anything except for my desire to feel peace and communicate with the divine, with the source, with my own divinity. Surendra, thank you. Perhaps those difficult planets you mentioned that have been obstructing the course of discipline in my practice have also shifted and the timing is perfect for the creation of something new to come into being. I am sure somehow this was all destined and 16 years was the exact life span intended for this most treasured mala.

And I pass along to you a virtual mala with a message in honor of Surendra:

Meditate. Move on. Meditate.



How Breathing, Yoga and Positive Thinking Can Increase Intelligence

First let’s define what it means to be smart.

There currently isn’t a universal way to measure intelligence. Some people use the standard benchmarks, for example, test scores and grade point averages to determine intelligence; however, such variables have proven inconsistent and biased. High scores can mainly be a result of studying for hours and hours. In our current educational system, these tests are sometimes a better indicator of a capacity to remember versus understand.

Although there seem to be several controversies in the field of measuring intelligence–some individuals take test scores as evidence that a person is “smart,” while others prefer to look at problem solving abilities–nearly everyone accepts that a well-developed brain promotes intelligence. But in the field of alternative therapy, where humans are studied from the perspective of their energy field and the chakras, intelligence has a clear indication which is actually measurable.

The human body is basically made up of two parts: the visible physical body and the invisible physical body, also known as the energy body or aura. In the energy body there exist energy channels and energy centers, called the chakras. Chakras are like power plants that are responsible for the proper functioning of different organs in the body. Every chakra is basically in charge of regulating and controlling certain vital internal organs.

The upper chakras, in this case including the Ajna (third eye); forehead; crown and back head, energize the whole head including the pituitary and pineal glands, and the brain. This means that in order for the brain to work at an optimal level, the upper chakras should be strong and activated.

Chakras also have psychological functions. The throat and third eye chakras, in this case, are believed to be the focal points for detailed thinking, abstract thinking and creativity. This implies that the healthier and stronger the human chakras, particularly the upper ones, the more intelligent the individual.

Here are four simple practices which can actually increase your intelligence:

  1. Combine Physical and Breathing Exercise

Body and mind are somehow connected to one another. Therefore, to have a sharp and intelligent mind, we need to have a healthy physical body. Regular physical exercises not only detoxifies the body from used up energies, toxins and waste materials, but it also helps to increase the blood and energy circulation. The effect is a healthier and stronger physical body.

Breathing exercises in yogic systems are known as pranayama, meaning extension of breath or life. These exercises refer to various rhythmic breathing techniques that are normally practiced as a part of one’s spiritual practice. In such techniques, abdominal versus chest breathing is often used, as it has cleansing and purifying effects on the chakras. This includes the solar plexus chakra. It also increases the energy levels in the body.

Breathing exercises in this case, because of their specific rhythmic pattern, help in relieving stress and calming emotions. The effect is more clarity, sharpness and awareness. Increased energy circulation in the body also improves the energy levels of the brain, therefore improving its various functions.

  1. Meditate

Meditation in general helps to calm emotions and clear thoughts. It increases both the clarity and sharpness of the mind. Based on research done using GDV and Kirlian cameras, meditation has been proven as an effective habit for cleansing the energy body and balancing the chakras.

Meditation is a very powerful technique that can flush out the clouds of unfavorable thoughts and emotions by bringing down tremendous amounts of divine energy to the system. It further activates the human energy centers, including the heart and the crown chakra, and in return improves both intuition and intellect. Meditation can create positive effects on the brain and nervous system by improving memory, focus and clarity.

  1. Think Positive

The more positive, blissful and happy we are, the more sharp and alert we become. Positive feelings nourish the soul. Negative emotions and thoughts clog the aura and contaminate our chakras, which in return clouds our perception and distracts our attention. Positive thoughts and emotions create a soothing and calming effect on the mind and body.

Have you noticed that whenever we are positive, our minds get clearer and our attention gets focused? We even become more productive. In order to think clearly and become smarter, it is very important to regulate emotions and think positive thoughts.

  1. Build Stronger Chakras

Certain chakras are basically gateways to greater levels of intelligence and intuition. When these chakras are activated and made stronger, our intelligence levels increase. The upper chakras that control and energize the brain have a direct influence on the brains ability to function.

There are many techniques, meditations and healing systems that can help us to achieve bigger and stronger chakras, including Pranic Healing, Reiki, Qigong and yoga. Such systems introduce simple yet very effective techniques for cleansing, energizing and strengthening the human chakras.

Consciously practicing these tips will improve functionality and intelligence.

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