Assam, Meghalaya- bowled over by the cuisine and generosity- Part I

I remember learning the capitals of countries and states for a scholarship exam during my school days, and then Shillong was the capital of Assam. I liked the name ‘Shillong’; it had something musical to it. With my vivid imagination, I used to get lost in its beauty and the torrential rains of Cherrapunji. In 1972 when Meghalaya formed a separate state, I was captivated by this name too, it had an ethereal tone.

Home coming feeling

When we reached the forest guest house in Kaziranga after a strenuous journey from Bomdila (the roads were really bad and it took 3 hours to cover 80 kms), I felt like having reached home. 

We took some rest in the room and went out in the evening , had tea and took a look at the local shops. I found black rice which is used for making sweet interesting and bought a packet. We asked the girl in the shop to suggest a good place for the next day's lunch and she told us to go to Pelican dhaba. Then she asked us whether we would like to have some white tea. We told yes, really surprised at her generosity.

White tea is known to be one of the most delicate tea varieties because it is so minimally processed. It is harvested before the tea plant’s leaves open fully, when the young buds are still covered by fine white hairs, hence the name “white” tea.

                                                                                  White tea leaves
These buds and unfurled leaves from the newest growth on the tea plant are handpicked and then quickly and meticulously dried. The leaves are not allowed to oxidize as long as leaves plucked for green or black tea production. This minimal processing and low oxidation results in some of the most delicate and freshest tea available.  Studies have linked white tea with many health benefits, like it reduces the risk of heart disease, combats skin aging and helps with weight loss. I have to admit that the white tea had a certain vibration in it while drinking.

There was cultural show at 7 pm and we decided to see that. There were two dance shows, the first one was Bihu and the second was Zhumoir, which is folk dance of the tea tribe community. The local people were celebrating their Bihu festival. It is interesting how we get to see the local festival celebrations, even though  we just plan our trips according to our convenience.

Heart and soul in their performance

The Bihu dance had body movements and hand gestures similar to Cambodian dance that we had witnessed during Cambodia visit. It was a real joy watching them perform with full involvement and joy.

                                                                          Bihu dance

Zhumoir dance was performed by people who were working in the tea plantation during the day. 

                                                                     Zhumoir dance

What energy they exuded! When the performance was over, they came down the stage to the empty space in front of the audience and invited us to join them. I love dancing, so went ahead, along with my daughter and some others.  The dancers were so happy that we picked up the footsteps and hand gestures.

In both the dance performances, the dancers only were singing. As a dancer, I know how much energy is needed to do that. My heart filled with reverence for them.

Where all inhabitants are at peace and happy

Next day morning elephant ride was fixed for us in the Kaziranga forest. 

I had misconceptions regarding this, because I thought it was cruel to the elephants. But my attitude changed after the ride. The animals are so well taken care of in Kaziranga, it was a joy to see the rapport between the care takers and the animals.

We were three of us, plus the person taking us on one elephant. 

I think all of them were female elephants, and the baby elephants were also walking along. 

They were all having their breakfast on the way, uprooting and eating grass. Our mahout was very good in spotting birds and animals and we got to see rhinos, two types of deer, and many types of birds at close quarters. 

The energy around was so great that we were so refreshed by the time we completed the ride.

Bowled over by Assamese cuisine

Though only one day stay was planned at Kaziranga, we decided to stay for another day as the peace we felt there was beyond imagination.

After the elephant ride we had breakfast and then rested in the room.  For lunch we went to the Pelican dhaba and ordered Assamese thali for lunch. Oh my! What a delicious lunch it was. Each and every item was good and I was totally bowled over by their cuisine.

An afternoon of festivities

We were invited to join the Bihu celebrations by the employees of the Kaziranga forest department. It started at 2 pm and continued late into the evening. It was a joy to watch many performances by small kids, ladies and boys. They were all so happy and full of energy, totally enjoying what they were doing.

In between they invited us to have light refreshments with them. We had some nice local preparations, and they were serving with so much love, forcing us to have more.

Continued... For Part II - Click Here

Arunachal Pradesh- Better than Switzerland- Part II

For part I , click here

Towards Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh

After having just a cup of tea, we were on our way to Tawang on 14th morning.  It is located 10000 feet above Mean Sea Level, and has beautiful lakes around it.

                                                                                    Sela pass

After two hours we reached Sela Pass and stopped at a small teashop for breakfast. The whole area was covered with snow and we had to walk through it.

The mountain roads were cleared of the snow by army people. The drive was strenuous.  

                                                       Winding roads through snow

But the scenes on either side were breath taking; the misty mountains and cloudy weather had a romantic touch:

On reaching a hotel in Tawang, we were offered a room on the fourth floor and the hotel had no lift.

We went to see the room any way and it felt very gloomy in there. We had a local contact person for arranging the trip to Bum La pass. When we came down, thinking what to do, he came to meet us. He took us to hotel Dekyi Pelbar and we got a beautiful room on second floor with a small balcony overlooking the city with the backdrop of mountains.

'Taste of Tawang'

It was lunch time and we went down to the nearby restaurant, 'Taste of Tawang'. The food was so spicy and greasy, leaving an awful feeling in the stomach. 

                                                                       Biriyani and kadhai vegetable

We did not have any food for the rest of the day. The temperature was around 0 degree and I had tough time sleeping as the head ache from high altitude was also troubling.

In the evening we went to the Tawang Monastery. 

It was very disappointing to feel the energy level there, especially since I had amazing experiences in the monasteries of Vietnam, Bhutan and Karnataka.

On 15th morning we had breakfast and started for Bum La pass in a local vehicle with driver. There was lot of snow around, many pot holes and pools of water. I could feel the gratitude exuding from our car for not subjecting it to that drive. On reaching the Bum La pass we got down from our vehicle. There were other vehicles too; about a hundred people were visiting on that day.

The views we got during this drive were heavenly:

Indo China border

In small batches we were taken by walk for about ten minutes through the snow, by army men. Then they explained about the importance of the region and the meetings that happen there. There were many old people also in the group, and one lady fell down and slipped twice while trying to get up. It was because she left the hardened snow path and tried to walk on the side, which had very soft snow.

I couldn't understand the need to make the army area a tourist spot.

No food or drink was available throughout the journey, except the warm water provided at Bum La pass. During the return journey, the mist had cleared and the sun was shining. The scenes around looked so different, we saw many beautiful lakes, with half their area frozen. We reached back the hotel by 4pm. It was surprising that we didn't feel like eating at all. After having tea we went under the blanket. I just couldn’t do anything in that freezing temperature. 

Frozen stomach

On 16th morning we took a nice hot water bath, and started our journey back after just a cup of coffee, as we didn't feel like eating anything. While we were nearing Sela Pass, I could feel my frozen stomach getting thawed out and the appetite returning. This time there was much less snow and it was very sunny, so we got to see a different kind of beauty all around.

We stopped at the same tea shop in Sela pass and had delicious noodles. Then it struck me that from 14th afternoon to 16th morning, we just had two meals, a lunch on 14th and breakfast on 15th!  Along with the thawing stomach, I could also feel the dull energy of Tawang leaving us.

Arunachal rivals Switzerland in beauty

We had visited Switzerland a few years back and I was bowled over by its beauty. After seeing Arunachal I realised that it surpasses Switzerland in natural beauty and the diversity in it.

However it must be mentioned that the infrastructure in Switzerland makes the travel and stay much more comfortable.

Arunachal Pradesh- Better than Switzerland- Part I

                                                  Breathtaking beauty of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

                                                       

After conducting the Endodontic workshop in Kanpur on 7th of April 2018, we drove to Lucknow and stayed with relatives for two days. I got the best 'meetha pan' that I ever had in my life there.

On 10th morning we started for Darbanga. It was 'Bharat bandh' that day and we had to face many delays on the way. At one time when we were behind several kilometers of static trucks, two local cars took a detour and we followed them.

After sometime we saw another long line of vehicles. It was due to some accident that had happened and there was no way to go beyond. As if Godsend, two police vehicles appeared from nowhere. When they saw they also couldn't go ahead, they turned around and took a different route along very narrow roads through villages. 

                                                          Driving through thickly populated village

 Immediately we followed them. When vehicles came from the opposite direction, a police officer would get down, stop them and make way for their vehicles to pass. Then we also got to move ahead.

Kushinagar on the way

We visited the Buddha temple in Kushinagar on the way. Kushinagar ia a principal center of Buddhism, where Lord Buddha passed away near the Hiranayavati river and was cremated at the Ramabhar stupa.

There is a reclining statue of Buddha, which is more than 6 meters long in the Mahaparinirvana temple. The image, which represents the dying Buddha reclining on his right side, was unearthed during the excavations of 1876

The powerful mantra

Before we started our journey I had come across a very powerful mantra, which I by hearted. Throughout the journey I was chanting it and experienced many miracles that made our trip smooth. Apart from the above two incidents, whenever we were in doubt of the road, the roads looked too deserted to be comfortable, or the condition of the road was too bad with stagnant water, two local cars would appear in front. Then it was easy to just follow them.

We were looking around for a hotel to stay at night, around eight o'clock we reached Darbanga and spotted a hotel. Luckily we got a reasonable room and called it a day.

Invisible road

Next day morning (11th) after breakfast we were on the road again. The traffic was more and for quite a stretch the road was hardly visible due to fog. 

One white broken line on the center of the road just in front of the car was all that could be seen. We had informed our friend in Bongaigaon that we would reach and he gave us his address. He told that the drive would take about eight hours, for us to reach around five pm. Due to the traffic conditions it didn't seem possible and we thought of halting somewhere as it was getting dark.

Ultimately we had to drive up to Bongaigaon as no hotels were in sight. Since we didn't want to get inside the city to find our friend and as we found a good hotel to stay, we ended that day's journey at eight o'clock.

Reaching Bomdila

On 12th morning we started towards Bomdila. 

                                                                                    Bomdila

                                                                        Monastery in Bomdila

Now the temperature was going down and I don't like the cold weather at all. It was drizzling in between and by the time we reached Bomdila it was dark. After a little search we got a room in Hotel La.

Throwing a tantrum
 

Since the three days drive had gotten into my nerves, I asked my husband what the next day's plan was. When he told that Tawang was the next destination (again full day drive), it blew my fuse off. More than the distance, something about the future experiences came on my mental screen and I threw a big tantrum, though later I realised that a discussion would have been sufficient.

Due to my reaction he made two changes in the plan. On the next day we were to drive just for an hour and halt at Dirang and stay at Sangti valley, which is considered a magical place. Second, he would hire a vehicle for the Bum La pass visit, instead of taking our car.

Magical mountains

We reached Sangti valley and started looking around for the 'magical experience'. 

                                                                           Sangti valley

It was a bit of disappointment and so we drove to the popular Pema Ling hotel. They didn't have any rooms and when we were about to drive ahead, a man rushed towards us and said, 'If you are looking for a room, we have in our Tourist Lodge'. And it shared the wall with Pema Ling hotel.

And what a room we got! It had four big windows that showed snow clad mountains. Look at the views from our room:

After the lunch we took a walk around and saw some beautiful birds. At dusk time I meditated looking at the mountains and saw the silhouette of Rishi Vashishta, got his message and witnessed the expanding, dancing aura of the mountains.

Continues.. Part II Click here

Aura – the invisible Halo

Auras are electromagnetic energy fields that surround every living being. Physical condition, emotions, level of consciousness, thoughts, and physical surroundings influence the color of an aura. Spiritual awakening alters one's state of being, which naturally changes colors of the aura.

Aura readings have become popular in the recent years. The scientific name for aura is ‘Bio-plasma field’, and it is the electromagnetic field, or energy body, emitted by all living things. An individual’s habitual thoughts, emotions, and health conditions radiate as energy into the bio-plasma field. Over time, the energy forms colors, patterns, and vibrations that are very individualistic. An experienced aura reader can literally see extremely detailed information, such as emotions, fatigue, thinking patterns, personality traits, character traits, and health states.

Kirlian Photography

Kirlian photography has proven the existence of bio-plasma fields, or auras. Semyon Davidovich Kirlian and his wife Valentina are credited with inventing the first photographs of auras in Krasnodar, Russia in 1939.

                                                       Kirlian photography of the hand

                                                    Kirlian photography while meditating

The accuracy of the Kirlian photos depends upon the quality of the Kirlian camera, which is very expensive.

Clairvoyants can see the aura

People have sensed auras around other people since ancient times. The concept is reflected in the halos seen in artistic representations of Buddha, Jesus and great sages, in Indian concept of Prana( a person’s life energy), and “Chi” in Chinese philosophy. 

                                                                           

                                                                       The Halo     

              

Auras represent our current state of mind, and they constantly change. Only certain people have the ability to see them with naked eye.

How can anyone see (sense) the aura?

The ability to see auras is considered a psychic skill. Rather than being weird or mystical, it is now a recognised neuropsychological phenomenon which is thought to affect about 4% of the population. Some argue that synesthesia may help to explain the claim that people have auras–a subtle field of energy around them which can be read.

Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.  A sensation is produced in one modality when a stimulus is applied to another modality, as when the hearing of a certain sound induces the visualization of a certain color.

How is the aura seen?

In the beginning I could see aura as a transparent moving part, something like how you see a mirage. 

Aura has a combination of vibrating colors. Depending on the person’s energy at that moment, certain areas will appear brighter or darker than others. An energetic block or sadness can show up as a dark spot in the aura.

All healers tend to think they have superb auras and to get confirmation of this, they keep getting their Kirlian photography done. One healer recently told that he got himself one. I didn’t ask any further question, but he continued, ‘But that day I was so much stressed beforehand.’ That explained he was not happy with the picture he got.  

Ethics in reading auras

Many clients ask me to read their auras because they want to hear that their auras are looking good, a confirmation that they are progressing spiritually. I always tell them to assess their mental status. Are they happy inside? Can they remain stable and think clearly in stressful situations? That is a more realistic assessment of one’s spiritual progress.

Seeing/sensing aura is one thing and interpreting it is another.  When you see another person’s aura, you are seeing it through your own aura. You are seeing it through your own perceptions, your knowledge, and your beliefs. So there are chances of misinterpretation and one has to be very cautious of this fact.

The aura seen in the moment is just that, in that moment. One needs to be careful about interpreting aura colors of other people. Providing the information is in my hands, but once given, it is difficult to remove from the receiver’s brain.

I have seen clients who got fixated over the statement from their healer, who said, ‘You have dark energy’ years back and even now they are stressed about that.

Seeing somebody's aura is like looking into someone's bedroom and intruding on their privacy. So unless I think it is important to provide some information which can definitely be of help, I never give any information on anybody’s aura.

If I happen to see auras without consciously focusing on it, I treat what I see with highest regard for the person. I have learned many years ago to extricate myself, shift my focus away, and let go of what I have seen.   

References:

http://aurareadings.com/aura-facts--questions.html

https://www.refinery29.com/aura-reading

https://www.refinery29.com/aura-reading

Request Reiki for anything at all

When people get disillusioned by allopathy, they turn to alternative therapies. I can't remember any client who has not tried allopathy treatment before coming to me for Reiki healing. Majority of Reiki channels, including me, learn Reiki to stay away from allopathy medicines. Without doubt, Reiki brings amazing results for physical problems, sometimes even magical outcomes.

Lighting a bulb

After a few weeks of me and my two daughters becoming Reiki channels, we tried to revive a CFL bulb that was flickering by giving Reiki. When my husband saw the three of us doing this, he was amused. He said, 'If you can make that bulb stay lit for five minutes, I'll give hundred rupees.' And we got that money from him. That bulb was used for at least two years more. In between whenever it started flickering, we used to give Reiki.

Reiki while cooking

When my children were small, they had dislikes for certain vegetables. While cooking them, I would give Reiki to the effect that they ate them without any fuss, and it used to happen.

For obtaining visa

In the early years of my Reiki practice, one client said to me,' I want to ask you for something. But please don't laugh at me.'

I said that I won't laugh. She said that her ninety year old, physically  fit mother- in-law wanted to visit her daughter in Switzerland, but was refused visa twice. She wanted to know whether Reiki healing will grant her the visa. I was not sure, but I was ready to experiment.

We fixed one week Reiki healing and she applied for visa once the healing sessions were over. Voila! She was granted visa and visited her daughter. 

For getting jobs

There are innumerable incidences where Reiki has helped people to get jobs and improve businesses. 

Electronic devices love Reiki

When you are away from home and expecting an important call on your mobile, if it shows low battery, don't worry. Just keep the mobile between your palms and give it Reiki. It will remain alive till you get that call. Then of course you have to charge it on reaching home.

Many people have reported problematic  laptops and computers working smoothly on giving Reiki.

Need a parking space?

In big cities getting a parking space is a problem. Reiki can really help you here. Start sending Reiki about three minutes before reaching the place and you will get a parking space.

Once it happened with my daughter that in spite of sending Reiki she didn't get a parking space and she had to go back without visiting the shop that she wanted to buy something from. Next day she went again, got the parking space, and  told the shop keeper that she couldn't come to the shop the previous day due to parking problem. Then he exclaimed, 'We were closed yesterday, madam.'

See, that is why we say Reiki is an intelligent energy. It can see things that we can't and with time we realise this and will accept Reiki's decisions whole heartedly. Our faith deepens and we can totally surrender to Reiki, which is the ultimate step.

Effect on weather conditions

My sister had to catch the train at 4 am from Trivandrum after her yearly vacations. Many times it would be raining cats and dogs at that time and she used to send Reiki. The rain would stop for the time needed for her to reach the railway station.

We were travelling with kids many years back in Paris, Sweden and Utah. The weather forecast used to tell there would be snowing. I don't like extreme cold weather and used to send Reiki. It so happened that it snowed in all these places the day we flew out. My daughter was angry with me for many years that because of me she couldn't see snowing.

Reiki to improve relationships

Reiki is really helpful for improving relationships. It will at the same remove people, who are not conducive for your spiritual growth, from your life.

Mind is the only limitation

We can request anything to Reiki and it will materialise if it is in tune with the Universe and it is conducive for our growth. It can help us get out of any tough situation. Once you experience this, whenever anything happens in life, first thing that comes to your mind will be, 'Reiki, please help me', and help will definitely be there.

If we can expand our mind and involve Reiki in our day to day dealings, it will open up a whole new world.

Karmic lessons to be dealt with

Reiki can't prevent your karmic lessons. You can request Reiki to help you go through those experiences in a calm state and you will be surprised at the way you start handling things that you thought would break you down.

Why do Reiki masters/channels stop giving Reiki healing to others?

Last month the client who came to learn Reiki told me that her father was a Reiki IIIA channel and he had helped many people heal through Reiki. He used to give Reiki healing to many friends and relatives, who benefitted tremendously. But now he only does self-healing, no more healing for others.

‘Why,’ I was curious.

“Because he started picking up symptoms of clients and suffering himself.”

I asked the most obvious reason, ‘Was he giving them healing free?’

‘Yes.’

I have come across many Reiki masters also who do only attunements. They don’t do healing for others.

The reasons for picking up symptoms

Over the years I learned many things the hard way. In the initial years I used to feel very hesitant to ask a fee for the Reiki healing. My teacher told me strictly that it should not be given free.

Once a close friend came for healing and she told she will pay me later. I agreed and continued with the 21 days healing that we had fixed. After a week I had an acute suffering with the problem she was taking healing for. After two hours of suffering it struck me. I called her up and told that I would be forced to discontinue healing unless she paid up immediately. And I was relieved of the symptoms!

I always stress in my classes the importance of having an energy exchange for healing. It need not be always money. It can be a worthy gift, a service rendered or something similar. Giving Reiki healing free is the commonest reason for picking up symptoms.

Free things are not valued

Imagine while walking on the road you find a costly pen lying on the road. You pick it up and come home. Most probably you will just keep it somewhere in the house and go ahead with your routine. Now another scenario. You go to the shop to buy a costly pen. You take time to choose and buy a similar pen as in the previous example. Now when you reach home, you will keep that pen somewhere safely before doing anything else.

When people fix up for distant healing, they are supposed to sit at a certain time to receive the healing energy. I have seen that when they don’t pay for it, they will miss out on sitting to receive healing, giving so many excuses. Once a payment is done, they usually are regular.

Clearing Karmic debt

It is always give and take in the Universe. Karmic debts are to be cleared even if it takes another life time. Once Reiki healing is given free, to negate that debt, both these souls may have to wait for many eons to incarnate together.  If the energy exchange is done immediately, the slate is clear to proceed in your journey of life.

When you think you are the healer

When one begins thinking he/she is the healer and starts feeling high, there comes the problem of suffering from the clients’ symptoms.

In this aspect I was lucky that my Reiki master grilled into my brain that ‘You are not the healer. It is the client who heals himself/herself. You are just a Reiki channel, providing energy for them to heal themselves. Don’t ever feel proud and think they are your achievements. Just thank Reiki for making it happen.’

Ground yourselves while giving Reiki to others

Another situation where you may pick up symptoms is when you are not grounded while channeling Reiki energy. You are grounded when your feet are touching the ground. Problem comes when the floor is made of wood, which prevents grounding. In such situations, one has to ask for white light protection from Reiki before starting the healing session.

Is energy exchange mandatory in every single case?

It is not. Suppose you are giving Reiki healing to your mother. It is ridiculous to ask her anything in return. Already she has given you so much that you will never be able to repay. So wherever there is already an energy exchange, healing can be given free.

In another situation, your friend came to know that you have learned Reiki and out of curiosity wants to experience it. Go ahead and give a healing, no exchange needed. But if he/she felt so relaxed after the healing and got a very good sleep that day, and brings the parent for healing for disturbed mind, there has to be an energy exchange.

For the Universal good

This is another area where, as Reiki channels we come together to stream Reiki energy in situations of natural calamity, a plane hijack, or any other condition where large group of people are in pain and suffering. Even if you are sending healing individually for this purpose, no exchange is necessary.

What is to be expected during a distant Reiki healing session?

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a healing method that utilizes Universal healing energy to bring about physical healing. It also brings to you whatever is needed to improve one’s worldly life or spiritual life.  Long term physical ailments which showed no improvements despite a vast array of treatments have vanished after 21 days of healing or sometimes much less.

It has helped many of my clients to leave behind suicidal tendencies, improve relationships and bring self confidence to many youngsters in facing life’s challenges.

How many days of Reiki healing is required?

For sudden or acute problems, seven days of Reiki healing will be sufficient, and its effect can last for at least 21 days. For chronic or long term problems, 21 days of daily healing is advised, the effect of which will last for at least three months. Then if the problem is not completely resolved, you can go for another 21 days session, or better still, learn Reiki and do self healing every day and watch your life taking a totally different direction that is amazing.  

What are the effects of Reiki healing?

Basically Reiki brings about a deep relaxation that can induce good sleep. It dissolves energy blockages and cleanses the body of poisons. It supplies Universal Life Force energy and increases the frequency of vibration of the body that strengthens the immune system, thus enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

It reduces pain and the side effects of drugs. It functions on all levels –physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social. It gives clarity to solve problems.

What should be expected during Reiki healing sessions?

Once the Reiki energy reaches your body, it starts its healing work. Whether you feel the energy’s presence during the healing session or not, is dependent upon your sensitivity or your sixth sense.

Sensitive individuals will feel various things like heat, cold, vibrations, air movement, numbness or tingling sensation. Some clients have even reported that during distant healing sessions they could sense my presence near them, transmitting the energy. One client said she felt vibrational energy entering her body through her feet.

If you are not sensitive, you may not have any physical sensations, but just a deep sense of peace.

Should I take any precaution during the Healing period?

Since Reiki starts eliminating toxins from the body, it is very important to drink lot of water to facilitate this. When you sit to receive the distant healing, be totally open to receive the energy and surrender to its soothing embrace.

Should I have faith in Reiki for it to be effective?

Faith is not mandatory for Reiki healing to work, since Reiki works on animals, plants and electronic devices. But it is important to see that you are not harbouring strong negative faiths that oppose the healing energy. For example, majority of people believe that diabetes is not curable, and they will never be able to get rid of the problem. But I know people who have overcome it because they could keep an open mind and give chance for Reiki to work.

What outcome should I expect?

Many times the cause for which Reiki is being given (pain, lack of sleep etc.,) will be eliminated in one or two days. You will start experiencing a peaceful attitude.

But in rare cases it may take longer to see the expected results. This is because Reiki works on the root cause, like emotional blockage. It will first dissolve this blockage (which won’t be palpable) and then the elimination of pain or other effect will become apparent.

Will distant healing work?

When I sent distant healing for the first time to a close friend way back in 1997, it was to just satisfy the curiosity of my skeptical mind. And wasn’t I surprised at the astonishing results! She was the one who brought her friends for Reiki distant healing, and they in turn brought their friends, thus expanding my client base. I have helped people from around the world heal through distant Reiki. So, yes, distant Reiki healing is equally effective.

Significance of Full Moon and lunar eclipse

Many youngsters ask the question, “What is the significance of full moon for meditation?”

I wonder whether this is a result of living life, considering us humans separate from the Universe. When we think we are higher than the natural forces, there comes a tsunami or earth quake to make us realise our vulnerability.

We exist in the solar system and we need to live in accordance with the sun’s movements to have a balanced life. Sun has a major role in balancing the Melatonin/ serotonin production in the body. These chemicals regulate our sleep and feel good factor. Getting up before sun rise and going to sleep at a reasonable time is important from this aspect. Of course it is impossible to get up at sun rise and go to sleep at sun set, which our ancestors did, in today’s life style.

Influence of the Earth and planets

It is because of earth’s gravity that we can stay on its surface, or we all will be just thrown off into the atmosphere. Similarly, each planet has an influence on our lives.

Have you noticed how the sea water behaves on new moon and full moon days? Tides are highest during the new moon (when moon and sun pull in the same direction) and during the full moon (when they pull in opposite directions). When we remember that the average adult human body is 50-65% water, it is easy to understand that new moons and full moons affect our body too.

Siddhars and Siddha medicine

Siddhars are a type of saints in India who are said to have had many powers and achieved a ‘god-like’ state through specific secret practices that were known only to them. These powers spanned from controlling time and space, to transforming the body, manipulating matter at the molecular level and achieving immortality. They were endowed with ashta siddhis and ten secondary siddhis.

I had the opportunity to do a course on Siddha medicine and got very important information from the course. They say that the lunar region or the ‘Chandra Mandalam’ is in the head. There are 30 places which are the seats of nectar in the human body, and they are influenced by the waxing (growing) and waning (decreasing) of the moon in the sky.

The seat of nectar in the human body for both in men and women stands in the toe of the right foot on the New Moon day. It passes on to the toe of the left leg on the first day after the new moon and goes up rising to the head. The position on each day can be viewed in the following pictures:

It is better to avoid surgeries on the body parts when the nectar is present on the area as there may be delayed healing.

The lunar eclipse

The lunar eclipse takes place when the shadow of the earth falls on the moon and the three celestial bodies - the sun, the earth, and the moon - fall in a line and plane. The physical phenomenon involving the three celestial bodies does have some impact on human health. It may affect sleep as the intensity of moonlight will be seemingly more during the night because of a lunar eclipse. The increased presence of light outside can cause a disturbance in our sleep pattern, which can manifest itself as feeling lethargic and stressed on the following day.

In the medical science, a man is called a ‘lunatic’, and the hospital where they are treated is called a ‘Lunatic Asylum’. Again the word ‘lunacy’ means a kind of madness, which aggravates on full moon days, proving that the lunar region is the head on full moon days.

Practices to follow

The increase in the subtle basic Raja-Tama in the atmosphere during the period of an eclipse affects food as well as the digestive processes. Hence it is advisable to avoid food during the period of the eclipse, or have light meals.

Due to the potent energy released by an eclipse, emotions (both positive and negative) can be heightened and mishaps can happen. So it is important to be mindful of our thoughts, words and actions.

There is an inward pull on our consciousness during eclipse, making it ideal time for spiritual practice. People who make the effort to do intense spiritual practice during the time of an eclipse will benefit up to 30 % more spiritually. It is a good time to do chanting and meditation.

References:

1.       http://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins-religions/incredible-powers-ancient-siddhars-001447

2.       http://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/lunar-eclipse-today-effects-on-human-body-what-not-to-do-during-the-period-chandra-grahan-pregnancy-effects/194117

Gratitude after 15 years

We were invited for the Alumni of Baglakot Dental college, where my husband and I had worked for more than a decade. It was a well-organized function on 19^th January 2018 and we were enjoying our dinner when a young dentist approached our table.

“Madam, you may not remember me. You left the college in 2005 and I had the opportunity to listen to just one lecture of yours. And it influenced me so much,” he said.

I was very curious to know what it was that influenced him so much.

“It was one sentence from your lecture, that ‘If you cut even one millimeter of a healthy tooth, you are jeopardizing the health of the patient’. It changed my approach to dentistry. Even now I keep on telling this to my subordinates and patients.”

I was overwhelmed to hear that. Not damaging the healthy tooth structure is the basis for my approach to dentistry till today. Somebody hearing that once and following it in the dental practice was very gratifying. I know many dentists who say, ‘Just keep on cutting the tooth till you can locate the canals’, and I find that very heart breaking.

‘Thank you so much for letting me know,’ I said.

“Madam, I wanted to meet you personally and say thanks all these years. Thank you so much.”

He went off, brought his wife with him, and they took a photograph with us.

It is at moments like this that I thank God for making me a teacher.