|
Secure Site
|
 |
Archive for the 'intention' Category
 Take back your time Based in Seattle, the Take Back Your Time (TBYT) organization advocates an examination of America’s time deficit. Developed four years ago as an initiative of The Simplicity Forum (an alliance committed to achieving simple, sustainable ways of life), the group encourages people to consider their time as significant, to spend it well, and to take a stand against institutional forms of time deprivation.
As part of the initiative, the organization designated October 24 as the annual Take Back Your Time Day to bring large-scale attention to the time famine. The event helps participants in the United States, Canada, and Europe address their stress with various ideas for enjoying life — rather than rushing through it. TBYT invites you to celebrate on October 24 in the following ways.
Sleep late
Cancel something
Celebrate your spiritual tradition
Ask an older person about his or her life
Set aside one night a week for a family dinner
Enjoy some poetry
Listen carefully to children’s ideas
Reflect on the balance of labor, leisure, and consumption in your life
adapted from Body + Soul, October 2006 by Jodie Jordan
 Bowl Gong Timer and Alarm Clock for a Gentle Wake UP Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in intention, sleep, Truth, wake up alarm clock
 do it yourself facial Massaging Your Face
This is a great way to loosen muscles scrunched into habitual expressions. “This brings blood to the surface, clears out puffiness, and reduces fatigue in the skin,” says Chris Haas, owner of Ra Organic Spa in Burbank, California. Don’t have time for an appointment? At home, all you need is the following ingredients for a facial serum. Barbara Close, founder of Naturopathica, recommends a base of evening primrose and avocado oils with rose geranium, lavender, and German chamomile essential oils for dry skin, or apricot kernel oil with juniper, lemon, and rosemary oils for oily skin. How? Starting at the chin, move your hands in small circles and continue to the cheeks, around the eyes, and to the forehead. By doing this, you’re stimulating circulation and bringing more nutrients to the skin. Follow with a warm compress to increase the absorption of the serum. Here are some DIY recipes for facial serum, based on your type of skin:
For Dry Skin
Ingredients
1-ounce bottle
1/2 ounce avocado oil
1/2 ounce evening primrose oil
6 drops rose geranium essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops German chamomile
Directions
Fill bottle halfway with avocado oil. Add essential oils, cap bottle, and shake well. Top off with half ounce of evening primrose oil and shake again.
For Oily Skin
Ingredients
1-ounce bottle
1/2 ounce apricot oil
1/2 ounce hazelnut or jojoba oil
6 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops juniper essential oil
4 drops neroli essential oil
Directions
Fill bottle halfway with apricot oil. Add essential oils, cap bottle, and shake well. Top off with half ounce of hazelnut or jojoba oil and shake again.
For Sensitive Skin
Ingredients
1-ounce bottle
1/2 ounce jojoba oil
1/2 ounce rosehip seed oil
3 drops everlasting essential oil
2 drops German chamomile
6 drops rose geranium essential oil
Directions
Fill bottle halfway with jojoba oil. Add essential oils, cap bottle, and shake well. Top off with half ounce of rosehip seed oil and shake again.
adapted from Body + Soul, October 2010
 Chime Timers and Clocks with Chime in Bamboo, Walnut, Maple, and Black Lacquer Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in Chime Alarm Clocks, intention, mindfulness practice, Well-being, Zen Alarm Clock, Zen Timers
 what energizes me? Universal fixes help, but managing your energy levels can also be a very personal process. Here’s what some whole-living luminaries do to recharge:
“To paraphrase Thoreau, my tonic is the wilderness. When I am low on energy, I go to nature, and it restores me every time. Whether I’m sitting next to a lake or canoeing in it, just being in a place where plants thrive feeds my energy.”
–Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist, teacher, and founder of United Plant Savers
“Doing deep yogic breathing, Sun Salutations to fun and upbeat rock music, and inverted poses like handstands get me going. Plus, I conserve my energy and redeploy it into the priorities of what must be done, cutting out all extraneous activities, like internal dialogue (negative and overwhelming banter), anger, frustration, and fears.”
–Ana Forrest, yoga pioneer and creator of Forrest Yoga
“My dogs walk me twice a day, and they’re the best energizer I know. There’s nothing like getting out in nature with two joyous beasts who don’t have to think twice about the meaning of unconditional love, both for me and the trail, however well beaten a track it is.”
–Kenny Ausubel, founder of the Bioneers Conference and co-executive director of the Collective Heritage Institute
 wilderness is a tonic “A frothy cup of green matcha tea and some breathing exercises help get me energized, as does an invigorating swim in my pool. Plus, looking forward to something with excitement always motivates me.”
–Andrew Weil, M.D., author of “Healthy Aging” and editor of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Self Healing Newsletter
“I love my work and get pulled in by endless to-do’s, often chugging along until I’m exhausted and ‘too-done.’ While exercise, yoga, and meditation help keep my energy high, so do regular breaks from the usual routine. I keep my knitting bag, beading box (I love to make malas and prayer bracelets as gifts), and a fast-paced mystery novel handy for 10- to 15-minute breaks three or four times a day. Letting go of responsibility to bask in creativity, or to drop into a fictional world very different from my own, keeps the juices flowing.”
–Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., psychologist and best-selling author of 12 books, including “Saying Yes to Change”
adapted from Body + Soul, September 2006
 Bamboo Zen Timer and Natural Alarm Clock with Gentle Chime Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in intention, Meditation Timers, Meditation Tools, mindfulness practice, nature, Walking Meditation, Well-being, zen
 Stress Cures From traffic jams to lost luggage, holiday travel can leave you frazzled. This year, get the holidays off to a stress-free start by arriving at your final destination composed and energized. Just follow these simple tips from Kate Hanley, author of The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide.
Stretch It Out
Where stress starts, tight muscles follow. Ease the strain of hours sitting in the sky or on the road with a simple, seated stretch Hanley calls The Number Four: Place an ankle over the opposite knee (making the shape of a four) then lean forward and rest your elbows on your shin.
Apply Pressure
If icy roads or midflight turbulence leave you with a pounding heart and racing thoughts, Hanley recommends a little acupressure. Simply curl each finger down until it touches the palm. The subtle move lessens anxiety by slowing down the heart and, in turn, quieting the mind.
Say It Out Loud
“The very act of traveling requires an element of surrender,” says Hanley. When plans go awry (a delayed flight, a missed exit) — and they will — slowly repeat the mantra “I’ll get there when I get there.” This helps you stay mindful of what’s out of your control.
Wish Them Well
With everyone rushing to get from point A to point B, you’re guaranteed to run in to someone who will ruffle your feathers. “The trick to not losing your cool,” says Hanley, “is to develop compassion.” Instead of flying off the handle at that impatient driver or curt customer service rep, try a kindness meditation. Hold an image of them in your mind and put yourself in their shoes with an empathetic thought: “I’m sure he’s anxious to see his family” or “I bet she’s had a long day.”
adapted from Body + Soul November 2009
 Zen Timer for your wellbeing practice Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in Chime Alarm Clocks, intention, Meditation Timers, Meditation Tools, mindfulness practice, Now & Zen Alarm Clocks, Well-being, Zen Timers
 mood mists Oil and water may not mix, but in the case of essential oils, they form a divine — and useful — combination. Extracted from leaves, fruit peels, petals, and other plant parts, essential oils capture nature’s subtle fragrances and can even balance your mood, aromatherapists say.
Some, like peppermint and eucalyptus, are believed to be stimulating and uplifting; others, like lavender and frankincense, are considered relaxing and centering. These mists are the simplest way to experience aromatherapy for yourself. Spray the air around you, mist your hair and skin, or spritz them on linens to leave a light scent. (They won’t stain.) Whether you’re stressed or sluggish, one of these mists will suit your mood.
Ingredients
The Pick-Me-Up
1 drop eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
2 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
3 drops peppermint (Mentha piperita)
The Calm-Me-Down
2 drops bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
1 drop frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
To Make the Sprays
1. Fill a clean, dry mini spray bottle with 4 ounces of pure distilled water.
2. Using a dropper, carefully put the selected blend of essential oils directly into the spray bottle.
3. Tightly close the bottle and shake vigorously to combine. Be sure to shake it before each use, as the water and essential oils tend to separate.
adapted from Body + Soul, June 2006 by Donna Garlough
 Zen Alarm Clock with Maple Leaves Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in intention
 Spiritual Seeker? What comes to mind when you think of a “spiritual” person? Maybe it’s someone who never passes up a dharma talk, sings in the choir, or spends every weekend volunteering. Maybe she says prayers before each and every meal.
No matter what the outward signs, if you don’t happen to share those habits, you might feel lacking in the divine department. Not so, says Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D., spiritual program director at Canyon Ranch and author of “Return to the Sacred.” “Spirituality is an essential dimension of being human, and as much a part of us as our bodies and minds. It’s not a matter of whether or not you’re spiritual, but of what kind of spiritual personality you have.”
Indeed, one person’s brand of spirituality might look entirely different from another’s. Chances are good that your interest in certain types of work, play, and other activities may be reflected or balanced by what engages you spiritually. The key, says Ellerby, lies in discovering your unique style so that you can optimize your spiritual tendencies and talents.
To that end, he has identified four distinct spiritual types: body, mind, heart, and soul. While we all embody some characteristics of each, chances are you lean more strongly in one direction or another. Read on to find the right expression of your sacred nature and connect with a sense of the divine in a way that really works for, inspires, and energizes you.
Body-Centered Seekers
If you gravitate toward physical activity and even derive satisfaction from physical chores, this is you. “The body is just as wise a teacher as the mind or the heart because spirituality is more than an idea,” says Ellerby. “It’s an experience.” What’s working for you in the spirituality department is that you appreciate the joy of being fully and physically present — and that’s vital to a strong spiritual practice.
Your Challenge
Because you’re athletic, you get competitive in practices such as yoga. This attitude can take you out of the more grounded, peaceful mind-set. And when pride and ego take hold, you may miss the spiritual aspect of a practice altogether.
Explore
See yoga, tai chi, qigong, or any other mind-body movement classes as a vehicle to spirituality, not just a sweaty workout. Incorporate movement into your own spiritual practice, even if it means doing a walking meditation every day along your favorite path. “By setting an intention as you begin any of these types of practices,” says Ellerby, “you’ll give your movement focus, changing the nature of the activity and gain a greater sense of connectedness and joy.”
Mind-Centered Seekers
For you, intellect and knowledge lie at the heart of spirituality. You may be a philosophy or an English major, a deep thinker, a lover of books and brainy discussions. Life for you begins and ends in consciousness, in your ability to study and analyze ideas.
Your Challenge
You’ve been accused of overthinking things, not to mention living entirely in your head. Sometimes this can cause you to get stuck — mentally and spiritually.
Explore
Use your intellect as a vehicle for spiritual growth, as opposed to an end in itself. That might mean diving into more spiritual fare (say, the Bible, the Tao Te Ching or the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh). Consider forming a spiritual book group to add a new dimension to your study. You’ll engage your intellect while connecting with like-minded folks.
Heart-Centered Seekers
Your sense of satisfaction rests on your feeling emotionally connected and invested. Relationships are your interface with the world, whether that means with others, with the divine, or with yourself. More intellectual pursuits (like studying spiritual texts) may leave you cold, unless they facilitate connection with similar souls. In other words, you may enjoy reading Eckhart Tolle, but not as much as you would talking about it with others.
Your Challenge
Because you value connection so much, you risk being overly dependent on others. You may lose yourself in someone else’s spiritual path rather than shaping your own.
Explore
Capitalize on your emotional intelligence and knack for cultivating relationships. Find nourishment in volunteer work or other forms of service to your community (helping out at church or dedicating your time to a charity event). These people-centered activities naturally engender a sense of connection to others. If you’ve felt spiritually at sea in the past, you might benefit from working with a spiritual mentor, such as a life coach, rabbi, priest, or yoga teacher.
Soul-Centered Seekers
You possesses a deep and intense awareness of spirituality. You devour stories of saints and mystics, fantasize about traveling through India, and wonder about the monastic life. What you want most is to take your spiritual experience to the limit.
Your Challenge
A hyperawareness of the transcendent may make you vulnerable in some ways. You risk going to extremes, using spirituality as a form of escapism.
Explore
Maintain a healthy, realistic mind-set and consider where you’re at mentally before you take on soul-centered challenges (e.g., starting an intense fast on the heels of a bad breakup). Mentorship is important, too. Plenty of organizations provide support and supervision to safely explore the kind of experiences you crave, says Ellerby.
Look to balance larger-than-life adventures — such as pilgrimages to spiritual sites, wilderness expeditions, solitary retreats — with more moderate ones. Rather than a 40-day vision quest in the woods, “try two days of isolation, just in your apartment, for instance,” says Ellerby. Or take a digital fast, shutting off the phone, TV, and Internet. Don’t discount your capacity to access the deep spiritual experience in the everyday.
adapted from Body + Soul Magazine, September 2009 by Terri Trespicio
 Zen Alarm Clock for Spiritual Seekers Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in intention
Life this time of year can feel like a marathon of family gatherings, shopping, and general overdoing. Instead of relying on vast amounts of caffeine to keep up the pace, try a homemade herbal chai to build your body’s reserves.
 how to make a tea to improve your stamina This energy-enhancing blend stars eleuthero (also known as Siberian ginseng), which helps the body adapt to stress; burdock to gently detox the liver; and licorice to balance the adrenal system (omit if you have high blood pressure). Ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom warm your body and add a spicy-sweet flavor.
Ingredients
Makes 1 quart
- 3 teaspoons dried eleuthero
- 2 teaspoons dried burdock root
- 2 teaspoons dried licorice root
- 1 teaspoon dried (or 2 teaspoons fresh chopped) ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips (or 1 cinnamon stick)
- 1 teaspoon cardamom pods
Directions
Set your Now & Zen Timer with Chime for 20 minutes. Simmer herbs in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes. Strain and discard herbs. Pour a cup, adding milk and honey to taste if desired. Keep remaining tea in a jar or thermos. Tea will keep for two days in refrigerator.
adapted from Body + Soul Magazine, 2010
Chime Timers and Clocks with Chime in Bamboo, Walnut, Maple, and Black Lacquer Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in intention, Zen Timers
 Snow at Itsukushima by Watanabe Shozaburo 1. Power
Giving to others is the most powerful thing we can do for ourselves.
2. Honor
Approach gift shopping as an opportunity to honor the people you really love.
3. Strength
Share your strengths — and be open to others’ gifts.
4. Need
Help others because they need it, not because you need to provide it.
5. Kindness
Kindness is in our nature; practice giving and receiving it freely.
6. Discovery
Teach what you know, and you’ll discover what you’re ready to learn.
7. Presence
Simply being present is often the most valuable gift you can give.
8. Abundance
Contribute to abundance: If you no longer need something, pass it on.
9. Contribution
Give yourself time to consider what you most want to contribute to the world.
10. Welcome
The right gifts are just as welcome in simple packages.
adapted from Body + Soul Magazine, 2009
 Natural Chime Alarm Clocks and Timers Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Steet
Boulder, CO 80302
Posted in Bamboo Chime Clocks, Beauty, intention, mindfulness practice
 how to start a walking meditation Instructor John LeMunyon, co-owner of Heartwood Yoga and Body-Centered Therapies (heartwoodyoga.com) in Birmingham, Ala., is a licensed massage therapist and registered yoga teacher whos been meditating for over 25 years.
What is it? This component of numerous meditation traditions slows the walking process with the intention of bringing into awareness its most basic partslifting the foot, swinging it, placing it downin order to bring a greater consciousness to daily life. When we break down the motion of walking, we realize how each action is actually a collection of sub-actions, and how the mind and body work together to create physical movement. This is not walking for transportation, its walking as a tool for developing mindfulness in the present moment, says LeMunyon.
You can practice walking meditation by itself, or combine it with one of the seated styles. Used as an interlude, the walking technique is a good way to embody the insights gained during seated practice and heighten their relevance to daily life.
Walking meditation shows clearly the Buddhist precept that all action is preceded by intention, says LeMunyon. Theres always an intention, and when we are present to the moment there is always a choice. Its at the level of intention that we make our choices of how skillfully we want to live our lives.
Whats it good for? When you find yourself restless or agitated, a physical practice like walking is a great way to quiet the mind and find grounding in the body. It can also help ease the transition from sitting meditation to the motion of real life, and vice versa.
How long does it take? To begin, try walking for about 15 steps in two directions, about five minutes. Beginners can try interspersing this with five minutes of sitting meditation.
 mindfulness walking How Do I Do It?
1. Find a private place indoors or out with level ground and at least 20 feet of space.
2. Stand in a relaxed position with your feet parallel, shoulders loose, arms draped at your sides or clasped lightly in front of or behind you. Focus your eyes softly on the ground about 6 to 8 feet ahead (looking right at your feet can be distracting).
3. Breathe in again as you lift the heel of your right foot. Pause and breathe out, leaving your toes resting on the ground.
4. Breathe in as you slowly swing your right foot forward. Place the heel of your right foot on the ground as you exhale and roll the rest of the foot down, transfering your weight so its balanced equally between both feet. Pause for a full breath.
5. Repeat with your left foot, matching each movement with an inhalation or exhalation, and continue for about 15 steps. The goal is to keep your mind fully focused on your bodily sensations; it may help to think or softly say, lift, pause, swing, place, transfer, pause as you perform these movements.
6. When youve completed your paces in one direction, come to a stop with your feet parallel, and pause for a few breaths. Then turn slowly, using the same movement pattern, and match each movement of your turn with an inhale or exhale. Pause again, facing the path you just walked. End by retracing your steps back to where you started.
Tip: You may feel self-conscious walking this way, so try it in your hall or backyard rather than a park where onlookers may distract you.
adapted from Natural Health Magazine, By Frances Lefkowitz
 Zen Chime Clock, Meditation Timer and Alarm Clock for A Progressive Awakening Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in intention, Meditation Timers, Meditation Tools, mindfulness practice, Zen Timers
 mindful eating Conscious eating
Just as you bring mindfulness to your yoga practice, you can be mindful at mealtime. Yoga philosophy and all of the world’s healthiest diets recommend a conscious eating practice for optimal health. Mediterranean cultures traditionally regard meals as experiences to be savored and a life pleasure meant to be enjoyed. Asian cultures consider eating an aesthetic experience and reverentially enjoy beautifully prepared and presented foods that nourish the senses—to see, smell, touch, taste, and observe any sounds—while slowly eating the meal.
The Slow Food movement is reviving and sharing the benefits of conscious eating and the enjoyment of wholesome foods. Slow Food USA, part of the international Slow Food movement, is dedicated to supporting local farmers, the production of regional foods, and small producers. The movement promotes a slower lifestyle that cultivates time for conscious food preparation and eating, and opposes the fast life exemplified by corporatized foods and degradation of farmland.
 conscious eating, a mindfulness practice Eat Here Now
How can you incorporate mealtime mindfulness into your own life? Try the following essential components of a conscious-eating practice.
1. Schedule time for meals. Allocate at least twenty minutes each for meals and/or enough time to truly experience the food you eat. Avoid overeating. Set your Zen Timer for at least 20 minutes.
2. Eliminate distractions during meals. Eat slowly in a calm, quiet environment without a blaring television, loud music, or your computer as an accompaniment. The experience of the meal should be the focus of your attention and entertainment.
3. Enjoy conscious eating. Practice a state of awareness while you eat. Savor the appearance, smell, and taste of your food, so you can be truly satisfied. Chew each bite twenty times, which will help digestion and keep your attention in the moment. Enjoy the rasa, or “juice” of the food, through our senses.
4. Practice snacking awareness. Avoid mindless snacking, eating while you’re talking, and snacking just because food is present.
5. Use tasteful presentation. Small portions beautifully arranged on an attractive plate nourish the senses and encourage you to savor each bite.
6. Practice cooking meditation. Feed your soul by incorporating mindfulness as you cook. Allow cooking to express your love and be the ultimate gift to others, as the food we eat literally becomes a part of us physically, mentally, and spiritually, in our cells, skin, bones, and thoughts.
7. Count your blessings. Before your meal, experience a moment of thankfulness for having food.
adapted from Natural Home Magazine, November/December 2005 by Elaine Gavalas
 Bamboo Zen Timers with Chime Now & Zen
1638 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(800) 779-6383
Posted in Beauty, Chime Alarm Clocks, intention, Meditation Timers, mindfulness practice, Well-being, Zen Timers
« Previous Page — « Previous Entries
Next Entries » — Next Page »
|
|
|
|
