Omni Share is a place where our friends contribute their thoughts and information on lifestyle, practices, hobbies and so on, which we feel are congruent and conducive to our philosophy. In here, you may find ideas for gifts, inspiration for living a certain way, or simply useful and interesting information.
Mar 09: Life with the Tarot - An Introduction
Feb 09: The Flexible Truth about Yoga - an interview with a pair of teachers
Jan 09: The Sole Soul Artist - Visionary Art and Analysis
Nov 08: Bald Aspirations - stock broker paints her way into e-business
What is
Lymphatic Therapy?
Lymphatic Therapy is one of the most effective solutions to physical good health.
The lymphatic system within each of our body has over 60 million drains. It carries the much needed nutrients and other supplies to the rest of the body. More importantly, it also eliminates bacteria and viruses. If the lymphatic system is blocked, it is likely to cause a physical breakdown and the body may develop symptoms like rheumatism, muscular pains, paralysis or cancer in severe cases. The Lymphatic Therapy can effectively treat common pains like migraine, numbness and stiff neck by unblocking the lymph nodes.
Lymphatic Therapy involves:
· manually unblocking the lymphatic drains, and
· showing and explaining the manifestation of each block or lump.
Just one session of a Lymphatic Therapy could be more effective than the traditional or normal massage as the drains are carefully unclogged. Experiencing a session of the Lymphatic Therapy is likened to having done a marathon run.
Who should have a Lymphatic Therapy?
Everyone!!! Most people have lumps and lymph nodes blocked which will result in unnecessary pain over time. It is therefore recommended for all of us to have at least a Lymphatic Therapy once a month to drain out the toxin and to facilitate the flow of the fluid within our bodies.
Lymphatic Therapy offered by Kian
Duration:
90mins
Investment: S$70 per session
Location: Nearby Tiong Bahru MRT Station
For enquiries or appointment, please call 9386 1563.
Alternatively, you may email to blueberrykian@yahoo.com for more details.
Some people are scared of the Tarot. They think it’s the work of the devil. “I don’t want to know when I’ll die!” Others don’t want bad news. To them, It’s the cards of doom and gloom. Some even think it’s a conman’s tool. The trade of the trickster. Most, however, are just afraid of what they’ll find out. About themselves. About their lives.
There’s no need to be afraid. To know thyself is the most powerful thing you can do in life.
The tarot is not about predicting the future, it’s about co-creating it with the universe. We hold the key to our own future and reality, the tarot simply illustrates this through pictures. To see or not to see, that is the question. The tarot tells us the story of our lives in the given moment, it reveals the possible plots ahead and puts the pen back in our hands, so we can write our future and make our dreams real.
But how can 78 picture cards do all this? How does it work?
Not by accident, or by random chance for sure, but by over 600 years of continued evolution.
Over the centuries, scholars, spiritualists, magicians, psychologists and even priests have added value to the character of the Tarot as a psycho-spiritual tool for transpersonal development.
For the past 3 years, I’ve been studying and reading the tarot for friends and used it for plotting my own directions and understanding my life. The thing I’ve learned about the tarot is this: it’s only as powerful as we allow it to be. If we think it’s shallow it will be; if we use it as a ‘philosophical machine’ it will be as such; if we use it as a guide, it will guide us; if we treat it as a friend, it will remain faithful. It behaves and responds to us this way because the tarot is also a mirror to our soul.
It reflects the inner workings of our mind. It speaks to our intuition as we react to its images. It paints a picture of the state we’re in, so that we can understand ourselves and the forces and patterns that shape our lives. When such understandings become clearer, we can make better choices towards a more powerful and meaningful life. The tarot is a blueprint of the universe and our psyche working as one. It’s the road map for our personal journeys.
And as the journey of the human race evolves, so too will our understanding and use of the tarot as a tool. It is intimately connected to our growth because the images are archetypal in nature.
Each
of the 78 cards represents one aspect of the shared human experience.
Together, all 78 cards show us a holistic view of existence in a constant
state of change, the secret and overt workings of everyday life, the seen
and unseen forces that ebb and flow with our every breath.
These forces in total reflect the 5 elements of man and the universe. We understand them as Spirit, Fire, Water, Air and Earth. Everything living and non-living is made up of these five elements.
The structure of the tarot
The tarot is built on 22 major arcana cards, 40 minor arcana cards and 16 court cards totaling 78. Arcana means ‘secret.’ The majors represent spiritual and universal forces that influence our lives. The minors are divided into four suits for the four elements with 10 cards in each suit. They present the daily patterns of activities, emotions, thoughts and outcomes we experience in everyday life. The court cards are essentially personality types represented by knights, queens, princes and princesses.
As we are made up of all 5 elements, so too do we live life that is intertwined with our emotions, thoughts, actions and outcomes.
To maintain a balance of all five elements in life is important; often times, we spend too much energy on one element. We either think too much, act without thinking, are overly emotional to the point of paralysis or too fixated on the outcome.
The cards can often remind us to strike a balance. It helps us to be more prudent and aware of what we’re doing. It tells us when we’re lost in the wild then gently courts us back to the house of safety. If we should ever falter or stray, the cards can help show the way home.
When drawing the cards to gain insights to a particular area in life or an issue or question, we are really exposing the forces and patterns that are shaping the situation and ourselves. When we understand these forces, we can decide what to do with it. The power is our hands.
Tarot:
A practical tool
While the general atmosphere of the tarot may seem too mysterious or esoteric for some, the meanings of the cards are grounded in practical advice and realism. There are cards that show you may need more courage, or that you should start another career that has greater meaning for you and people around you, new beginnings that require a great leap of faith, or the need to adjust yourself to new perceptions, or simply that you are thinking too much!
Sometimes the cards tell you to take a break or that your actions are too reckless. Some cards however, suffer misconceptions. Many people think the hanged man, death and devil cards are evil or bad.
Really, they’re not.
They are simply warnings (as the case of the devil meaning being too obsessed with something) or reveal transformative events (as the death card means death of the old, rebirth with the new and the hanged man means an enforced sacrifice for liberation of mind.)
The tarot isn’t out there to strike fear and vengeance in the hearts of people. Like every worthy tool for personal and spiritual upgrading, like every good teacher or life coach, the tarot is there to guide and give, nudge and inspire, empower and encourage us along our path in life.
Contact Information
Phone: (+65) 92732293
Email: strange.memories@gmail.com
Paul also writes and produces art. Explore his works and links at www.vontinuum.com
'Vonnie attended my free
talk when I was in HK in last September. I remember channeling some
information regarding her spiritual connection with Thoth, the Egyptian ibis
god, also known as Lord Hermes. Vonnie then showed me a soul portrait of
Thoth which she drew. I like the picture so much that I felt compelled to
tell my friends more about Vonnie and her artistic work.“
Ann
Vonnie
Boston, aka: A.B. See,
is a visionary art psychologist, and a writer, who has studied many facets of Energy Dynamics & Metaphysics in the US, UK, Middle East and India. Her gift in Visionary Art and Analysis is physically manifested in the form of Soul Portraits she is commissioned to produce. They are produced to help man rejoice in his eternal self.
Portraits for You
There is great joy in relating to your soul. It reveals the influences in your inner self and the aeons of knowing which people often ignore, but which are the ingredients of your eternal self. An analysis and reading is always a revelation and inspiration for the next phase in life. The Soul Portrait you receive is also a life time treasure as it is your story in colour, symbol and imagery which can help you understand your true purpose.
Portraits for Your Pet
To enshrine the soul of your pets in this special art form is the ideal way of ensuring they stay with you forever. Often the pet’s life is so entwined with the owner’s that much can be learnt about a person through their animal or bird’s soul print.
Those who believe in the continuation of the spirit have found the art print of their pet’s soul attracts its spirit.
Testimonial
“Your latest painting – again such imagery, and a beautiful blending of colour. When I looked at it my first thought was that the disconnected ‘globe’ was the energy of the family to come. There are so many symbols: the three flowers … the Trinity; the lone tree...the individuality, and the hint of a text between - all blended, but their own identities clearly defined. The medium-ship of art is so magical and so personal.” Bernice Croft J.P. Personal.Sec. to the Int. President, Theosophical Society. Chennai, India. www.ts-adyar.org/
“A.B.See has
done a soul painting of both myself and my little dog, above, who was
recently killed on the road. My painting was so beautiful, connecting me to
past lives of which I'd been unaware. It empowered and validated me. Seeing
my dog's soul role in my life helped me connect to her love and overcome my
grief!”
Dr. Susan Jamieson, Scotland, UK www.drjamieson.com
All A B See’s Images are copyrighted
By
day, Monica works as a stock broker. During her free time, she likes
to indulge herself in various personal and spiritual development seminars to
ensure balance of her mind, body and spirit. While she is attracted to
Psychology and Quantum Physics, her true passion is in painting. It is when
she has a paint brush in her hand
that when she finds peace.
Monica has been involved with several charitable organizations that has provided her a platform to give back to society. She has participated in the fund raising campaign of the Children’s Cancer Foundation by shaving her head.
Monica's Mission is to make a
difference in the lives of underprivileged children, giving them a reason
and purpose in life, helping them realise how each and every one of them
have a place in this world where they are significant in their own right.
Her vision is to create schools where children can learn new skills, put
them into practice by creating products and be rewarded for them. Thus,
finding value in themselves and eventually respecting themselves.
Driven by this vision and her passion in art, Monica started an e-business this year, selling her paintings and greeting cards through the website www.monicamirpuri.com. Insha'allah, this will evolve to become a platform for others to use their talents for the sake of the underprivileged children.
Whilst I cannot
touch my toes and look elegant at the same time in any position, I do appreciate
that Yoga has a spiritual bent to it, and that I wasn't likely to find out
what it is by joining a place that hands you a towel when you enter and
pumps out music that can resuscitate the dead. We were most delighted,
therefore, when we discovered for ourselves this little setup that sings of
"mastery that caters to all". At the trial lesson, Janaki had me at
Hello with the way she chanted the opening prayer; this is the kind of heart
felt authenticity I am hoping for, I thought.
Unfortunately my own sincerity, heartfelt notwithstanding, did not stop me from discovering just how much cultivation there is behind the seemingly simple asanas (poses), and I was reminded of it for the next 2 days in the form of aching muscles and sore throat from overstretching my neck!
After the interview, it dawned on me how I seemed to have taken for granted Janaki's and her sister, Sumukhee's hospitality, generosity and patience; it was so natural to expect them to accept our invitation to the interview, to be greeted with a lovingly made cup of spice tea and to oblige us with our questions and endless curiosity.
How did you two become yoga teachers?
It all started by chance actually. The question is, “does the guru choose the student, or the student chooses the guru?” The answer is the guru chooses the student.
Out of the blue, we decided to go on a yoga vacation and after some searching, we found a place in India which offered a very structured schedule which suited us. After spending 5 weeks in an ashram in Kerala, we stayed for one more week touring before returning home. We kept up the practice after that, and eventually wanted to explore further, which was when we joined a teachers training program in Canada. That was in Quebec, in 2005. After the training, we still hadn’t wanted to be teachers actually. We stayed back for two more months, firstly assisting the teacher with the classes, then gradually started teaching at some of the classes with our teacher supervising. In February 2006, our teacher in Canada facilitated an advanced teacher training in India, and invited us along; we took it as a vacation, but had to cut it short in the end due to sickness. Before leaving though, our teacher asked us to open up a centre in Singapore. Our answer was YES, but at the same time, reminding him that we were Indonesians living in Indonesia at that time, and didn’t know how it was going to work. For some reason our efforts never made it in Indonesia, and we had more luck when we tried it in Singapore! Since then, our classes have expanded in number and we have been moving our centres to accommodate.
How does doing yoga benefit the person?
Yoga means “union with the higher being”. Doing the asanas (poses) is to prepare for meditation.
How does twisting yourself into those complicated postures help with meditation?
Indeed, how does twisting like a pretzel help with meditation! Actually it is not just physical, it is about getting it right anatomically. When you conquer your physical self, you can then conquer the mind. Performing the asanas helps with coordination of body, concentration and breathing; during practice, each pose brings meditative and relaxed state, not strain; you bring your senses inward, you begin to feel a little different; with the more concentrated mind, it becomes quieter, and you can begin to think differently, begin to think in other ways, and think other things. It’s like tasting honey, you can describe it all you want, but you have to really experience it first before you can truly appreciate it.
Is doing yoga enough, or would you recommend other activities too?
If it is practiced everyday and done correctly, then it is enough. The asanas work on strengthening the muscles, stimulating the glands and internal organs, including cardio-vascular training with some poses. However, if you cannot be doing it so regularly, then by all means do other things like running or swimming. No one is saying yoga is the best exercise. If you approach yoga on a purely physical level, without involving the mind, then it is a physical exercise only.
For beginners who are not very flexible, would they still benefit?
Yes, because it’s not about being flexible, it’s about doing each asana correctly. By correctly, it means understanding the core purpose of each pose, and knowing how to breathe and how to perform the exercise accurately from an anatomical aspect. For example, a simple pose such as sitting with legs outstretched in front and reaching for your toes with your hands (sitting forward bend pose); for the less flexible, they may only be able to reach their ankles or lower leg, but the point of this exercise is actually to stimulate the digestive system & posterior stretch. To do it correctly, you’ll first need to close up the space between the abdomen and the lap. So even if someone is very flexible and can reach all the way to her toes, but then her back is arched and her abdomen not reaching for the laps, then it would be incorrect and she would not be benefiting from the pose. You do not have to look like the pictures in yoga magazines to be benefiting from it.
Do more complicated asanas have more benefits?
Only in the sense that there are additional elements required, but the core benefits are still the same. For example, more strength and balancing sense may be needed when performing the aforementioned pose standing up instead of sitting down, but the core purpose is still to stimulate the digestive system and posterior body stretching.
What are all the different yoga variations?
Actually practising asanas is just one small part of yoga. When you say yoga, you are actually talking about 4 Paths – Raja (meditation and Hatha yoga), Bhakti (connection to higher being through devotional path), Karma (selfless services) and Jnana (philosophical or intellectual approach). All asanas are under Hatha yoga, and over time, various teachers may have invented their own variations and given them their respective names and branches. At present, we are still practising Karma yoga with our teaching, since the money collected is all used to fund the operational of the centre. My (Janaki) background is in Accounting and I work for an Indonesian company in Singapore. We only teach yoga part-time.
What keeps you going with the practice?
Things happen, we notice positive changes, everything from diet, to how we make decisions, how we think, habit changes, and so on. We see the same with our students, usually starting with physical and health changes, they become more calm, followed by curiosity with meditation, vegetarian food, cooking and so on.
Well it was a relief to know that you don't have to be flexible to be correct and to benefit from the practice! It was also fascinating to be learning about the holistic yoga philosophy with the 4 Paths, and how twisting like a pretzel could enhance the mind and spirit; that certainly enhanced my intelligence and motivation with this way of life. I guess that's it, it's a whole way of life in itself, and its sophistication reaches way beyond developing flexible joints. Nevertheless, as with any other ways of life, it is not THE way, merely A way.
The quest continues...
Andy
29 Jan 09
Contact Janaki and Sumukhee for a FREE Trial at:
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
+65 90679100
69M Spottiswoode Park Rd (opp SGH)
During my recent working trip to
Hong Kong, I connected with many beautiful souls. Zuey participated in my
Isis Alchemy Healing Course (Level 1), where I came to learn that she is a
passionate food lover and formerly an organic cafe owner. Here, Zuey shared
with Om-Niews her views and feelings for cooking and especially organic
eating.
Ann
For more tips and recipes on healthy eating, you may contact Zuey at iamzu@hotmail.com, or check out her blog http://www.xanga.com/harmonycafe
I am a passionate eater. I can identify myself with my love for food so strongly that, few years ago, I quit my job as a magazine editor, and started a small business - an organic vegetarian restaurant, Harmony Café. Having worked with food closely for three years, I was inspired in awe and wonder by everything related to food, cooking and healthy eating.
A typical session of preparation in the kitchen: shop for fresh ingredients, cleanse with water, cut into desirable sizes, season to combine flavors, heat or cool with proper method, divide into appropriate portions, garnish and serve the dish on dining tables – to make it pleasurable for the palate and also the eyes!
In the making of every dish, I see not only the transformation of food energy but also emotions and human relations. A restless mind can be soothed by the sight and smell of a carefully prepared dish. A friendly smile upon finishing the meal, to me, is evidence of initial doubt being dissolved. The magic is in the air and I guess this is why people relate cooking to alchemy!
Working with fresh produce everyday, I am constantly amazed by the abundance demonstrated in food - fruits and vegetables alone can give rise to such varieties in tastes and textures. With a common structure and form, every piece of veggie is unique in shape, color and flavor, and this abundance is an unconditional gift to us from Nature, shared by everyone on Earth.
Organic eating, to
me, is to eat naturally and accept the blessings of Gaia in her original
form. It is also a way to be closest to her blessings. Even when we are
living in cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong, as we eat, we are directly
connecting to the motherly Love of Gaia.
May you enjoy fully the unconditional abundance offered by Gaia.
May you nourish the temple of
your soul with the best of food you can reach for!
Home | Free Resources | What We Do | Omni Share | Channeled Messages | Writings | Products | Links | Contact
Copyright © 2007 Omni Horizon LLP All rights reserved.
Revised:
26/10/09.
