The Light of Christ in You

💫The Light of Christ in You💫

We are so much more than our physical bodies.

"We are spiritual beings having a physical experience."

This life is known as maya, meaning 'illusion'. Not that it isn't 100% real, but because this isn't who we are originally.

We can learn to feel more and more into our spiritual selves to help us navigate this life and tap into spiritual gifts that are our birthright. This is done through a DAILY spiritual practice that is not just about meditation and eating healthy (although those are two important practices). It's all about our ability to access and hold onto Prana - life force, chi, the light of Christ...it's that spiritual charge that animates all of life.

The following is an excerpt from the book, "Awake as in Ancient Days" by Felice Austin, also known as Nam Joti Kaur :

"According to ancient masters, “Prana is a mystical force that is found in all living physical entities, but which is non-physical. It is in the air without being air. It is in water without being water. it is in food without being food.” The ancients said that wherever there is life in the universe, there is prana. Without prana, all would be dead, lifeless matter. The word prana is derived from the Sanskrit word signifying absolute energy, divine energy, or as I know it, the Light of Christ.

The scriptures say that the Light of Christ “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space” and is “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed.” Though prana fills the immensity of space and is in all things, humans have a special relationship with prana because of our intellectual capabilities, which empower us to receive and transfer prana. Consequently, we can choose to fill ourselves with more prana, and we can also “send” prana to others for healing purposes."

Usually when "Christ" is spoken of, we are referring to the Master, Jesus Christ. Christ is a title rightly given to the Lord Jesus Christ as he was a master of prana, or life force energy.

Jesus tells us in John 14:12 that we can do greater works than his. Um...wow. Right? And...how?

We have the Light of Christ in us:
"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." John 1:4
“You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14
"The anointing that you received from him abides in you." 1 John 2:27

The Light of Christ is in you! Christ is the anointing, an oil. Literally. Inside our bodies.

We become "closer to Christ" by following the Holy Spirit (our own intuition - also known as our Higher Self) and following the Word of God.

We become "closer to Christ" not by simply "being" Christian and believing, but practicing daily. The quickest way to do this is by gaining an understanding of, and harnessing, the power of prana with daily, intentional spiritual practice.

Follow along for more insight and get tips on how to purposefully and more properly make use of prana in your everyday life.

Prayer Circle

A couple nights ago I joined a prayer circle with a handful of other woman.  It was beautiful and so simple.  It was hosted over Zoom.  One at a time we took turns to share what is happening in our lives right now, mostly what we are struggling with.  I found myself resonating with almost all of what was being said from the others and my heart breaking for those that are struggling with so much.  The energy seems to be intense lately and everyone seems to be feeling it. No one stopped to say, "I'm so sorry" or "Have you tried this?" We just listened and held space for each other.

We were then reminded that when life is hard, instead of asking for things through prayer, it is best to simply give praise and gratitude.  This was followed by a simple 11 minute meditation: hands at the chest, mantra is "wahe guru". When you say "wahe" one arm goes out to the side and when you say "guru" the arm is brought back the the heart then repeat with the left.  The movement is very slow and gentle.

Then a beautiful prayer was said on everyone's behalf.  I hope we do it again soon.  Maybe someday soon it will be in person.

Let the Mind Expand

"There is no harm for any man or woman letting the mind expand to lay hold upon all that God has revealed, and to ponder upon it, as the ancient children of God did. . . . When we have prepared ourselves by getting all the knowledge we possibly can from that which is written, God will give us more". -Orson Pratt 

Love this quote!  There is so much to reflect on.  Here is another thought to consider:

 "One of the grand fundamental principles of 'Mormonism' is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may." -Joseph Smith

Some thoughts:

• Do we allow our minds, let alone our hearts, to be open enough to receive truth "come from whence it may"?
• As LDS we have been taught if we are righteous and obedient and seek the things of God, our faith in Jesus Christ can grow until we are worthy to have all things revealed to us (Ether 3:1-20, James 2:14-20, Ether 12:6, D&C 88:67-68;93:1, 27-28) and when we are prepared, the Lord will reveal more sacred records to us (Ether 3:21-4:18, 2 Nephi 27:7-11).

I know that sadhana, a daily spiritual practice, is helpful here.  Searching, pondering (meditating), and praying daily to receive further light and truth. Some kind of daily practice is crucial.  It takes commitment.  It even takes courage.  But it is so worth it!

Sat nam,
Samantha

Changes Ahead

Sat Nam!  It has been far too long.  I have been busy learning and growing and finding my own purpose, which is still gloriously unfolding.  I have a project I have started.  It's an exciting journey into the unknown.  More details to come in the future. One word: daunting  daring.  Words have such power...I better watch out ;).

Words do have power.  It's fascinating really how we say that and even know that on a certain level, but forget to check our thoughts for how we are describing our life to our inner world.  That's my other project, a course on the power of our minds and our thoughts with lots of meditation tools.  I am aiming for this to come out by the end of this summer 2016.

But above all this I will try to post more often - not daily - but weekly hopefully.  There is so much to share!

Many blessings,
Samantha

Is Yoga Compatible with Christianity?

Short answer:

Yes.  I believe it is completely compatible.  I have my own experience of my faith deepening immensely when I began my practice sincerely and there are so many other faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints and Christians of other denominations who have found the same deepening of their faith due to their own personal practice.

Long Answer:

I believe wholeheartedly that it most definitely is, but unfortunately some do not understand the strength yoga can provide spiritually and they say no to its compatibility, their reasoning being that:

"The practice of yoga is based on the belief that man and God are one. It is little more than self-worship disguised as high-level spirituality." (Source)

I strongly disagree.  For example:

•  Look at the word "Atonement" more closely = At - ONE - ment: 

"The literal meaning of the word "Atonement" is self-evident: at-one-ment, the act of unifying or bringing together what has been separated and estranged." Jeffrey R. Holland

• The definition of "yoga" comes from the same root as "yoke" and means "union," specifically union with God.

And there are numerous accounts in scripture to help us understand:

• Psalms 82:6 - "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." 

• Luke 17:21 - "For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

• 1 John 4:16 - "...God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 

• John 10:34 - "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"

• John 17:11 - "That they may be one, as we are."
• John 17:22 - "And the glory which though gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one."

I want to point out our egocentric notion of what "Christianity" means with a few quotes:

"... non-Christian faiths teach many truths too ... God raises up wise men and prophets here and there among all the children of men, of their own tongue and nationality, speaking to them through means that they can comprehend; 'not always giving a fullness … of the gospel of Jesus Christ; but always giving that measure of truth that the people are prepared to receive.'” - R. Lanier Britsch

“The world’s religions are not just corruptions of an original message but rather the product of a purposeful plan of God to reach all of his children, meeting them exactly where they need to be met. While some of the truths in other faiths may be the product of the original gospel passed on, many had brand new beginnings in meetings between the founder and his God. Falling into this category would certainly be Nanak, Zoroaster, Abraham, Muhammad, and Baha’u’llah. God seems to have given them new messages designed to raise the people of their day to new spiritual heights.” – Roger R. Keller, Light and Truth: A Latter-Day Guide to World Religions.

“Now we stand in the full blaze of the restoration of the Gospel.  If people in other spiritual traditions and philosophies even without the restored Gospel, obtain such marvelous manifestations as those recorded in the world’s spiritual literature, it may be that many of us have hardly begun to plum the riches and powers of the restored Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” – M. Catherine Nelson

And finally...Fear not:

• "Fear not the reproach of men." - Isaiah 51:7

• "God hath not given us the spirit of fear."- 2 Timothy 1:7

• "Fear not little flock; for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." - Luke 12:32

*   *   *

Yoga is consistent with Christian teachings and in alignment with Christ-centered values and beliefs, such as taking care of the body and growing closer to God.  There are also reasons why people with no religious affiliations are drawn to it.

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Tiehard de Chardin

When one uses yoga and meditation as a tool to grow closer to God, self-worship is not a part of the picture.  In fact, it is a sacrifice, a personal commitment which develops self-discipline and builds character.  I can see how the adversary does not want that, so I guess there will always be the naysayers.

Webinar Topics

40 Days Closer to Christ

A Nourishing Journey for Body, Mind and Spirit

“Be not conformed to this world,

but be ye transformed by the

renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:1-2

Weekly Meeting Topics

Week 1 - Prayer, Praise, and Power

"You are very powerful, provided you know how powerful you are." - Yogi Bhajan

Take a close look at meditation and why so many people are drawn to yoga.
Find out how not praising God daily is like holding your spiritual breath.
Learn how to meditate and the power of sadhana (a daily spiritual practice).

Week 2 - The Body and the Breath

"There is more wisdom in your body than your deepest philosophies." - Freidrick Neitzche

Explore the connections between the spiritual and physical bodies.
Find out how our physical bodies are influenced by our spiritual health.
Learn useful breathing techniques to help you feel centered and calm.

Week 3 - Feasting, Fasting...and Fear

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 56:3-4 

Explore how daily habits and food choices determine consciousness.
Learn why an intellectual understanding of nutrition alone is insufficient to change behavior.
Discover how to balance temporal and spiritual needs.

Week 4 - Matters of the Mind

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth." - Colossians 3:2

Where is the mind and what does it mean to be conscious?
Take a deep look at the subconscious mind as well as the positive, negative and neutral minds.
Learn techniques for retraining the mind and clearing the subconscious.

Week 5 - The Thoughts We Think

“Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” - William James

Identify beliefs that are behind subconscious thought forms.
Learn how to manage your personal thought energy.
Learn what is at the heart of all addictions.

Week 6 - Conversion, Commitment, and Confidence

"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." - Thomas Moore

Is it possible to "master time"?
How to "Keep Up."
More ways to Communicate with God

*PLUS*
Nourishing recipes
Weekly tools and techniques
Group challenges
Meditations and yoga kriyas
Private Facebook support group

Are you up to a 40 day journey that will bring you closer to Christ?

Join now!
It is not too late!  
You can still get started with the video of the first class.  
(Our next 40 days will begin again in August.)

New course beginning at the end of August!  Stay tuned!

The Many, Many Benefits of Meditation

I've wanted to share the many benefits of meditation but I kept getting overwhelmed - there are so many.  And there is study after study.  But then I found this awesomeness:

 Source

Seriously.  This stuff should be taught in schools.  Oh. Wait.  It is!

"Well conducted mindfulness interventions have been shown to be popular with students and staff, and capable of addressing the problems of the young people who take part, and improve their wellbeing, reduce worries, anxiety, distress, reactivity and bad 23 behaviour, improve sleep, self esteem, and bring about greater calmness, relaxation, and self-regulation and awareness as well as improving aspects of cognitive function, and also some aspects of physical health. Mindfulness correlates positively with wellbeing, positive emotion, popularity and friendships, and negatively with negative emotion and anxiety." - Katherine Weare, (2013) "Developing mindfulness with children and young people: a review of the evidence and policy context", Journal of Children'sServices, Vol. 8 Iss: 2, pp.141 - 153

6 more days until my webinar course where I will cover how to meditate along with  how to develop habits and behaviors that take you to a deep, meaningful practice!  Join me!

The Power of Mantras, Part II

The Power of Mantras, Part I

Yesterday my 5 year old son was tossing toys from one hand to the other trying to "juggle."  I told him, 

 "Ya know, doing Sa Ta Na Ma meditation helps with coordination so you can do things like that." He has heard me do this meditation many times.  When I first started he would go around the house chanting "Santa Mama."  The actual name for it is Kirtan Kriya. 

I broke it down into smaller parts for him but he actually did the whole thing, including tuning in and out and holding his breath for 10 sec and silence at the end.

During the middle of the meditation, when we chant silently in our head, I noticed he was moving so I peaked at him thinking he was having a hard time sitting still.  He was wiping his eyes.  He quietly told me, 

"I'm crying for happiness." 

He was crying gently out of pure joy.  

That is a small example of the power of mantra meditation.  You don't even have to know what the mantras mean in order for them to be effective.  Some people say that the meaning is the same as "Sat Nam" since it has the same letters (the meaning is described in The Power of Mantras, Part I).  But it can be broken down even further:

Sa - birth

Ta - life

Na - death/change

Ma - rebirth

This is very reminiscent of Christ's life and resurrection and his promise that we, too, will live again. (John 14:19)

This mantra  has the power to break habits because it accesses that level of the mind where habits are created.  I will be covering in greater detail more about mantras and how they help to clear out the subconscious mind in my upcoming course 40 Days Closer to Christ.  Don't miss it - only 10 more days!

More about Kirtan Kriya
Kirtan Kriya is one of the most studied meditations and can help in the prevention of Alzheimer's and current patients. See the article on the Alzheimer Research and Prevention Website.

Here is another study that shows improvement in patients with dementia from practicing this daily meditation.

Here is another article: 3 New ways Kirtan Kriya Helps Keep Your Brain Sharp.

A how to video by my  amazing teacher and mentor, Felice Austin/Nam Joti Kaur.

More about mantras The Power of Mantras, Part I

Sat Nam,

Samantha

The Language of the Soul

"We pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. In our worship there are two elements: One is spiritual communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is the meditation. Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as “a form of private devotion, or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued reflection on some religious theme.” Meditation is a form of prayer.

Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord. Jesus set the example for us. As soon as he was baptized and received the Father’s approval, “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Jesus went to what is now known as the mount of temptation. I like to think of it as the mount of meditation where, during the forty days of fasting, he communed with himself and his Father, and contemplated upon the responsibility of his great mission."

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, (2011), 29–37, Chapter 4, Elements of Worship

The Power of Mantras

When I first heard the chanting in Kundalini Yoga, it scared me off to be honest.  But when I looked deeper into the matter (years later) I realized how beautiful the mantras are.  They are all about praising God, plain and simple.  I suddenly knew there was nothing to fear.  Next, something beautiful happened.  Immediately I experienced spiritual blocks falling away.  And this was just from learning about the mantras, later I would go through many more experiences that taught me the power of words and mantra.

A mantra is a word or a sound repeated to help an individual concentrate during meditation.  It is also a slogan repeated frequently.  It is not the same as "vain repetitions" (Matthew 6:7). Vain means to have or show an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth and, in this case, repetition mean much speaking.  A mantra is the complete opposite.

In Kundalini Yoga and Meditation the mantras are in the language Gurmukhi, and I think they read like Psalms in the bible.  Here is an example:

Mantra Title: Aap Sahaee Hoa

Aap Sahaee Hoa Sachaa Daa Sachaa Doaa, Har, Har, Har

Translation: 

You, Divine One, have become my refuge. True is Your support, Great Creative Infinite

Psalm 91:2 reads:

"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."

Pronouncing these ancient words correctly vibrates different parts of the roof of the mouth, touching on meridian points, balancing and stimulating different parts of the body and brain.  Take the technology part of it and combine it with the command to praise God and you start to see the power behind the practice.  Actually practice it and you will start to feel it.

Sat Nam,

Samantha

Sat Nam....(pronounced Sut Nom)
it's the most frequently used mantra in Kundalini yoga
SAT means truth
NAM means name, identity, to identify with or to call upon
Sat Nam can be translated to mean, "Truth is my identity."  When spoken as a greeting, you are essentially saying, "I see your true nature" or "I recognize the divinity within you."

The Power of Mantras, Part II

Why 40 Days?

The number 40 appears across many faiths and belief systems.  Here is just a sample:

• Christ fasted 40 days and 40 nights. (Matthew 4:2, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:2)
• During Noah's time, it rain for 40 days and 40 nights. (Genesis 7:4)
• It took the Israelites 40 years to reach the promised land. 
• One of the prerequisites in Judaism for a man to study Kabbalah is that he is 40 years old.  
• The Israelites were challenged twice a day for 40 days before David defeated him (Samuel 17:16). 
• Jesus appears to his disciples after his death and stays with them for 40 days before ascending to heaven. (Acts 1:3)
• Lent consists of 40 days preceding Easter although it differs from East to West on the inclusion of Sundays in the count. 
• In Islam, Muhammad received his calling at age 40.  Believers have also been encouraged to devote themselves to God for 40 days to see wisdom come forth.
• In Hindu tradition some of the fasting periods consist of 40 days.

But when I heard a lecture given by a Kundalini Yoga instructor about the science behind how consciousness is changed after doing something consistently for 40 days, I was amazed.  He states that the iron in our blood is a recordable substance much like the old cassette tapes.  We make more than a million blood cells with every beat of our hearts and with that it records on the bone marrow of your body everything about who you are (and who you think you are or are not) then and there at that moment emotionally and physically.  That's why meditations are given in minutes (11 minute, 31 minute...).  It isn't about the minutes spent meditating but the approximate beats of the heart.  Your red blood cells live for about 112 days.  In 40 days there's a "tipping point" when the new blood cells start to overpower the old blood cells.  Now there will be a whole set of new blood cells that are carrying with them a brand new intention and attitude.  So that is why there are 40 day Sadhanas.(Sadhana means daily spiritual practice, or devotional in Christian terminology.)

Isn't that just cool?! Here is the link to the You Tube video if you want to hear it from him.

Instinctively I always felt that the popular "21 days to build a new habit" thing wasn't long enough.  It actually takes an average of 66 days so hopefully your first 40 day journey Closer to Christ is a good start to continue for a lifetime.

“Therefore when we do sadhana, what do we do? We challenge the weakness, the laziness and our self-destruction. We challenge everything which is going to destroy us tomorrow.” 
–Yogi Bhajan, 1/21/88

So, of course, if you can go beyond 40 days and keep up - endure, you will become the person you truly wish to be - with Christ's help, as always.

Sat Nam,
Samantha

40 Days Closer to Christ Journey

Are you ready to take your spirituality to a whole new level?  

Step up your commitment to Christ by diving deep within. 

This 40 day journey will open your eyes and your heart to intentionally connecting with God and help you find greater access to Christ's atoning sacrifice.  With an LDS perspective that supports how yoga fits perfectly into a Christ-centered life.

"...for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:21

"The truth is; we've got it backwards.  We're working life from the outside in, when it's really an inside job to begin with." -Dr. Habib Sadaghi

40 Days Closer to Christ: A Nourishing Journey for Balancing Body, Mind & Soul

In this webinar course you will:

• Learn how diet and daily habits determine consciousness
• Learn why an intellectual understanding of nutrition alone is insufficient to change behavior
• Find out how to balance temporal and spiritual needs through ancient practices of yoga and meditation
• Discover meaningful happiness by examining your true divinity 
• Participate in weekly challenges for personal growth and daily journaling exercises
• Have access to a private Facebook support group where participants share their stories, questions, challenges and achievements

*Registration for this class is now closed....