meditate Archives - Ellen Farrell
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meditate Tag

April 5, 2018

Learning to Love – Power to the Seeds

Early Sunday morning, January 7th 2018, 3 poems kept me awake in their persistence to be born. Meditate on this one, if you please, as we all must continually remember – & choose, to be Learning to Love…

Posted on Facebook page: Core Star Matrix Healing & other books – by Ellen Farrell

 

POWER TO THE SEEDS

Words flow at me –
so many options,
like exotic concoctions,
some fully cocked, some half–
or is it half-baked?
Isn’t this all a crock?

Who decided what is a weed?
Or what’s a good breed,
and who’s a bad seed?

Why can’t I grow on my land,
what I hold in my hand?
Who owns the trees – the bees?
For millennia, we farmed Nature’s seeds.
Who said you monsters of greed
can do as you please – but not we?

I just want peace,
to be free, to breathe;
to stand with the flowers,
lemon yellows, pinks, and greens.
In the sunshine – to swim in sweet waters,
and deep blue streams.

I dance in my dreams with my beloveds,
from ancestors to those yet to be.

Arm in arm are we…
and all I feel is this endless love,
which is the seed
they planted in me.

By Ellen Farrell, New York, NY, Copyright 2018

www.ellenfarrell.com

 

By ellen
October 23, 2016

History of Yoga

NESTA Sport Yoga, Essay

 

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP, certified Instructor, NESTA Sport Yoga

At least two regions may have contributed to the development and teaching of yoga principles. With its shamanistic roots, a “Neolithic settlement” named Mehrgahr (now Afghanistan), had many parallels to early yoga/Hinduism.  Some of the earliest records of human civilization were also in the Indus River Valley where the sophisticated Indus-Sarasvati civilization existed (in what is now Pakistan/India). Both have goals of understanding how to apply inner knowing and transcendence to daily life, and healing communities. Also, 5000-year-old artifacts and records substantiate the claim that the practice and its related theories existed. Ceramic stone seals found in archaeological excavations (3000 -2700 and 1750 BC) revealed depictions of yoga postures being practiced, and officially “put yoga on the map”.

The Indus civilization was reportedly the largest and most modern of its time, with trade exported throughout the Middle East and Africa. Until the Sarasvati River dried up, due to a tectonic shift around 1900 BC, this was a thriving community. Some sources attribute decline to an invasion by “Aryan Barbarians”. Much of this civilization migrated south toward the Ganges River region, where around 1000 BC, a new civilization rose up.

The writings for which the Indus are known are the Vedas (Vedic period, 1750-800 BC). The Rig Veda was the first text to mention the word “yoga” as a discipline. They are the oldest scriptures in the world about Hinduism and how to live in divine harmony. Teachers of these texts later wrote about many of the rituals/rules for spiritual practices. The Brahmanas and Upanishads expanded on the Vedic literature, but did not go into detail about how to practice asanas.

New writings (Pre-Classical period – 800 BC to 600–500 BC) offered an alternative approach to liberation from suffering/karma. The Vedic tradition espoused externally sacrificing in order to achieve peace and abundance (karma yoga) – the “secret teachings” of the Upanishads involved inner sacrifice of ego to higher knowing (jnana yoga), and revolved around connecting the breath and mind through sounding “Om”/ breath control, renunciation, concentration, meditation, and contemplation, and absorption. The Bhagavad-Gita later became part of the eighth chapter of the Mahabharata epic (500 BC-300 BC), which is a “poem on yoga”. The Gita has had a profound impact on the culture of Hinduism. It combined three yogic approaches:

the paths of service, wisdom, and devotion. The Gita also refers to Buddhi yoga, which combines karma/action, and jnana/knowledge principles.

Around 560 BC, Siddartha Gautama was born. He is said to have achieved enlightenment (Buddha) at age 35. His practice of yoga influenced its growth, and his religion gained popularity as an alternative to Hinduism.

The predecessor to Patanjali was Kapila (400-200 BC) who delivered a “radical” teaching called Samkhya, which became the foundation for the mainstream view on yoga philosophy. Samkhya taught that the Divine doesn’t create the ‘seen’ world, and attachment causes suffering. With his Yoga Sutra Patanjali, the “father of modern yoga” (200-800 BC) standardized and defined Classical Yoga.

He espoused an eightfold path (self-disciplines), dualism, and a higher self/universal consciousness concept. The idea of dualism, and focus on meditation over practice of asanas, was later rejected. The Post Classical period to present day includes more holistic approaches and the introduction of Tantra, and Hatha yoga (9th-13th century), which saw the reason of suffering as the illusion of opposites.

In the late 1800’s, many gurus (Krishnamacharya, Krishnamurti, Yogananda, etc.) spread their yoga teachings, mostly derived from the Hatha influenced postures. Popularity and continued evolution of such practices (i.e., Iyengar, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Bikram, Sai) continues today as a tool to manage stress, support health and develop spiritually.

Bibliography
1. ABC-of-Yoga.com_History of Yoga
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp –
Cached
2. Yoga Journal:
The History of Yoga
(Vedic/Pre-/Classical/Post- Periods)
http://www.yogajournal.com/history/ …
http://www.yogajournal.com/history/printarticle.html
http://www.yogajournal.com/views/392.cfm
3. Extra Gentle Yoga, History
http://www.extragentleyoga.com/ry/HistoryofYoga.html

 

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen
October 23, 2016

How Can I Feel More Energy?

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

 

Hey Ellen, how can I feel more energy? I am exhausted!

Well, according to Dr. Linda Page, naturopath and author of the best-selling book, Healthy Healing, A Guide to Self Healing for Everyone, the five most common reasons for feeling depleted are:

1. Lack of sleep
2. Stress
3. Adrenal Exhaustion
4. Thyroid malfunction
5. Over-use of stimulants (caffeine, sugar, drugs)

Dr. Page also states that “fatigue-related complaints are one of the top five reasons people visit their physician.” Here are some fun facts:

  •  “Lack of sleep drains your energy, reduces immune response…<Lose 90 minutes of the “8 hours”= reduction of daytime alertness up to 33%!>
  • Chronic stress takes an extra toll, targeting organs like the adrenal glands, taxing stores to depletion
  • The adrenal glands are most affected by stress, emotional strain, anger …
  • Because your thyroid gland governs your metabolism, its smooth running is crucial to providing vital energy resources.
  • Since World War II, an above average number have developed thyroid problems … (likely) due to new chemicals/pollutants in our environment.

*Iodine was removed from our food supply in the late ’80’s and many foods that had iodine such as flour for bread had endocrine disruptors such as bromine added instead. also, flouride and chlorine are often in the water supply – these also interfere with iodine uptake. Himalayan salt is better, and you can find sea salt with iodine added. Regular table salt is stripped of all nutrients and is toxic.
– nervous system stimulants wipe out adrenals, leading to lowered energy levels. <*also be wary of aspartame/”Nutrasweet”, and other processed sugars, and MSG in its many forms>

So what can we do to correct these areas of imbalance?

Some simple things to maintain energy are – don’t waste time/energy with over-worry. Plan well, and make adjustments as needed. Find/work at relationships with people who inspire and encourage you! Spend time in nature. If you can’t be in nature – meditate on it!! Eat right, don’t overdue – keep addictive substances like alcohol to a minimum, get wellness support as needed, and ask yourself – what do I need to do to be healthy? Then listen, and act!

*2016 Update: what is enough sleep for you? Do you get at least 5-6 hours of uninterrupted sleep, with about 8-9 per night (some can make due with less, especially in later years).

Read Dr. Rubin Naiman’s book,  Healing Night, or his blog posts for great information! Consider that environmental toxins are in our air, land and sea – and at the least, all non-organic food (chemically poisoned and stripped of many nutrients), has contributed greatly to immune & gut system issues in people, as well as to the degradation of our natural environments. Bees were added to the endangered list in 2016 – butterflies and birds, and fish have also been noted as having populations in decline.

Please invest in healthy sources of food, with no chemicals!

Buycott toxic food. Some good resources are:

http://www.nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts
http://www.march-against-monsanto.com
https://www.organicconsumers.org/categories/genetic-engineering
http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/about

 

Updated in 2016. Originally printed in the SCAD Chronicle 2006, under the heading, HEALTH GURU written by Wellness counselor, Ellen Farrell who was a clinical counselor and in 2006 she coordinated wellness and lifestyle management services in the department of student recreation and fitness.

 

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen
October 23, 2016

Meditation

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

Sometimes I get overwhelmed! How can I feel more centered?

Yes – a full life doesn’t have to mean an overcrowded mind!

Meditation is an easy way to achieve more awareness, and over time, an objective perspective.

A Zen story tells of a professor who visited a monk to seek wisdom. The professor explained who he was, going into extensive details about his education, knowledge, and accomplishments. Finally, the monk politely interrupted the professor, and asked him if he’d like some tea. The professor accepted and continued to speak.

The monk set out the tea and began pouring. He filled the cup to the brim, and continued pouring until the cup overflowed, spilling onto the saucer, table, and floor! The professor jumped up saying “What are you doing?”

The monk replied, “This cup, is like your mind. It doesn’t have room for anything else – it’s already full.”

Stop, listen, and go within (take a slow, deep breath).

Author/philosopher, Alan Watts spoke of the purpose of meditation:

“We could say that meditation doesn’t have a reason. It’s unlike almost all other things we do except perhaps making music and dancing.
When we make music we don’t do it in order to reach a certain point.
If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best.”

Practice going within creates awareness. This allows one to connect with inner peace, truth, and being-ness. Then we can make wise decisions and redirect as needed.

So meditate, and learn to be present in each moment.

The result is feeling more grounded and centered – and able to deal more effectively with life and its challenges as you are faced with them.

 

Printed originally in the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) Campus Chronicle 2006, under the heading, HEALTH GURU written by Wellness counselor, Ellen Farrell who coordinated wellness and lifestyle management services.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen
March 23, 2001

EMOTIONS and THOUGHTS are Medicine!

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

 

What kind of habits are you reinforcing?

Our reactions to external and internal stimuli affect how we feel, and can influence what actions we will take! You can create balance by making a choice about how you want to respond to your own thoughts and emotions, and how you want to respond to external cues instead of reacting automatically. Make the choice to be healthy and true to yourself. Become aware of healthy options – and then take the time to choose wisely! How do you want your healthy future to feel? One healthy option is making meditation a regular part of your stress management routine, to:

– Connect with intuition and wisdom
– Consciously access your truth
– Develop focus and clarity in each moment
– Feel more balanced and grounded
– Reduce anxiety and depression
– Begin a new and health-supporting habit

… HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:

1.) USE HUMOR!! See if you can find another way to think about your situation!
2.) DO YOU CHOOSE LOVE OR FEAR? We choose one or the other every moment of our lives. Being loving is the key to happiness.                                      3.) BE IN THE MOMENT OF NOW. Practice being present in the here and now! How? Stop, go within, initiate slow deep breathing, and follow the breath in the moment. Feel your feet touching the earth; take an Epsom/ Himalayan salt bath with healing/balancing aromatherapy. Be in Nature, notice what is beautiful; follow your intuition; choose to take action that supports health – listen to the inner voice and try something spontaneously fun or nurturing!
4.) MASTER YOUR PHYSICAL BODY, and its appetites – it’s your servant, not your ruler, but it has its own truth and wisdom – listen!Respect it! Consider that you’re more than just your body.
5.) MASTER YOUR EMOTIONS – don’t let your emotions push you around! HOW do you want to respond, even to yourself?
6.) MASTER YOUR MIND – it’s the tool we use to create our reality!
7.) NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL POWER TO ANYONE OR ANYTHING! EVER AGAIN! You don’t need to act like a victim. Don’t give your power to your 5 senses, your physical, emotional, or mental selves, your subconscious mind, or another’s expectations.
8.) USE YOUR PERSONAL POWER ONLY IN SERVICE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Otherwise it’s misuse of power.
9.) LEARN SELF–LOVE!! Not egotistical love, but self-love. If you don’t love yourself you may exclusively or excessively seek love, worth, approval, and acceptance from others, which will throw you out of balance.
10.) PRACTICE ATTITUDINAL HEALING… when you start feeling bad, examine if attitudes or beliefs (and actions) are causing you to feel that way. Consider changing the ones that aren’t healthy. Explore your healthy options!
11.) ALL MISTAKES ARE LEARNING EXPERIENCES! Forgive yourself and others, and begin to heal. Often so much energy is tied up in resentment, fear, anger, blame, and grudges that there isn’t much left over for the rest of your life. Choose not to waste time-draining energy with guilt, shame, and regret. Acknowledge it, let it go and heal your self – re-focus on healthy goals!
12.) THE EARTH IS A BIG SCHOOLROOM! Look for the lessons in everything that life brings you – especially the ‘bad’ stuff. Acknowledge what you learned so you don’t have to repeat the same lesson over and over.
13.) WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE. (See #10!) Language is one of the things that guide what you create. Practice beginning sentences and thoughts with words like: I AM, I MAKE, I CREATE, I LOVE, I CHOOSE, etc., followed by a positive TRUTH – i.e., “I choose to be healthy”. Identify negative and unhealthy language and replace it. Your life will begin to change for the better if you speak the truth with your words!
14.) PRACTICE DEEP LISTENING – try truly being present, listening and observing – without planning what you will say/do next. Be aware of distractions, yet return to the moment. Focus all attention. REALLY LISTEN.
15.) STAY GROUNDED. One really good way is to get out in nature. Honor and enjoy it – especially when you’re feeling depressed, or stressed out – or proactively to prevent burn out! Nature can bring balance and joy. Or meditate about being in Nature!
16.) HANG OUT WITH INSPIRING PEOPLE AND READ INSPIRING BOOKS. Try reading books/listen to music that inspires you, is fun, or uplifting – also, if you continually feel drained after being with someone, consider seeing them less often, and start making new spiritually and emotionally healthier friends.
17.) CHOOSE TO BE HEALTHY & TRUE to your highest aspect of self…

  •  Count your Blessings (have an attitude of gratitude)!
  •  Believe in yourself, and follow your intuition!
  •  Focus on your healthy goals (dream – and follow your heart)!
  •  Meditate!!!

This article was originally printed for Ellen’s workshops provided at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), where Ellen was a Counselor from 2001-2006.

 

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen