Lissa's Blog Archives - Page 8 of 15

24 Dec

Christmas, Christ, and Krishna

Two of the world’s greatest teachers, Jesus Christ of Nazareth and Krishna of Northern India, come from different times and different places, yet share the same poignant and profound mission: the salvation of humanity. They brought with them messages of love and peace, and provided a human form and living example from which we could learn.

JESUS CHRIST

Every year we celebrate Christmas as a glorious and sacred day – filled with love. But the very first Christmas, though it brought light to the world, was actually surrounded with darkness. And the Christmas story is filled with symbolism and messages for living a good life.

The world at that time was a dark place. Some of the writers of the day described it as filled with gloom, anguish, and contempt. Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, was written four centuries prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. Rome was in power, and the people of Israel were oppressed. Herod, a descendent of Edom, ruled in the Davidic city of Jerusalem, and soldiers walked the streets. The citizens felt like exiles in their own country. The nation of Israel was fractured as four opposing groups fought for leadership. This led to constant friction, and many riots.

The Virgin Mary, just 15 or 16 years old, was engaged to a much-older Joseph in an arranged marriage. Joseph was a highly skilled carpenter, but he was also poor, which is probably why he had not married earlier and had no children of his own. When they discovered that Mary was pregnant, Joseph planned to “divorce” her quietly. But one night Joseph had a dream in which an angel came to him and said, “Do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit: she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Mary also had a vision, the angel Gabriel came to her and said she was “highly favored,” and that “the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Adding more stress into the mix, Caesar Augustus decreed that a census, the first of its kind, be taken so that the Roman government could be sure that everyone paid their taxes. In Palestine, families were required to register in their tribal town, rather than where they lived. Joseph’s family was from the lineage of David, which meant that he and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a journey of about 100 miles. It was an arduous task on foot, and it took them three days to reach their destination. By the time they got to Bethlehem, Mary was ready to give birth. Since it was a mandatory census, many travelers were in town. There were no hotels back then, people generally stayed with family or friends in one of their guest rooms. When the bible says there was “no room at the inn” it likely means that there was no guest room available for the couple.

The homes in Bethlehem were mostly built to have two levels. The upper level was where the family slept, and the lower level was like a stable where the animals slept, and the family lived during the day. The warmth of the animals kept the upper level heated at night. Joseph and Mary, having no money to pay for a room, and no other place to stay, were probably offered this area of someone’s home. It was there, amongst the animals and the hay, that Mary gave birth. The stable is representative of the earth plane, and here they were very connected with Mother Earth. There were no walls, no people – it was quiet, still and pure. This represents how we are connected with the Divine through silence, and through nature.

Since there was no crib, the baby was placed in a manger, a food trough for animals. The manger represents humbleness and simplicity, that we don’t need anything fancy. Baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes, limiting mobility, which is used to soothe a baby. This represents the confinement and limitations that are imposed on us by a physical body.

A bright star appeared in the sky when Jesus was born. Wise men from the east, also called Magi (coming from the Greek word “magos,” or magic), educated in the sciences of astronomy and astrology, could follow the patterns of the stars. They knew this star was new and special, representing a great change in the Universe. They were guided to follow the star that would lead them to the king of kings. They first arrived in Jerusalem, and asked around: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” King Herod caught wind of this and felt that his power was threatened. He called for his top advisors, who explained that it was foreseen that this child born in Bethlehem would be a leader of the people, a king. King Herod then secretly contacted the Magi and sent them to Bethlehem saying: “As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

The three wise men followed the star and found Mary and baby Jesus in the stable. The baby Jesus glowed from the light within him. They could feel the divine energy. They bowed down to Jesus and offered precious gifts. Gold, associated with Kings, was given in recognition of Jesus as the King of Kings. Gold is also symbolic of love, as in gold wedding bands, and showed an offering of spiritual love for him. Frankincense, used in worship rituals in churches, showed that others would worship Jesus and learn from his teachings. Myrrh, a resin used in sacred oils, perfumes and medicines, was given to symbolize a willingness to actively serve Jesus Christ by living according to the truth that he teaches.

The three magi were warned through a dream that King Herod had a horrible plan, so they decided to not tell Herod of the baby’s location. Instead they left for their homes in another direction so that Herod would be thrown off. When Herod learned that the men did not comply with his scheme, he ordered the execution of all the male children in and around Bethlehem.

It was tradition in those times to name a son after his father. Naming the baby Jesus, rather than Joseph, broke with tradition, and symbolized a new beginning. Both Joseph and Mary knew that it was their role to protect this child, he needed time to grow up so he could fulfill his destiny. They left for Egypt so that Jesus could grow up out of the public eye and away from the wrath of King Herod. When Herod died in 4 AD the family returned to Nazareth.

KRISHNA

Flash back to more than 3000 years earlier, before the birth of Jesus Christ. This is when Lord Krishna was born in northern India. Krishna is known as the eighth avatar, or incarnation, of Lord Vishnu.

The situation at that time in India was dire. Mother Earth was unable to bear the sins and cruelty of the many evil rulers and kings. She prayed to the creator of the Universe, Brahma, to help unburden her of this problem. Lord Brahma then prayed to the supreme Lord Vishnu to reincarnate and free Mother Earth from the evil rulers.

One of the evil kings was Kansa, ruler of Mathura. His sister, Devaki, was married to Vasudeva. On Devaki and Vasudeva’s wedding day a voice from above stated that Devaki’s eighth son would bring an end to Kansa’s rule and Kansa would be killed. Kansa, shaken by this, held the couple hostage, and then killed all seven of the children they gave birth to. Devaki and Vasudeva were afraid to have another child and made no effort to conceive.

One night, Lord Vishnu came to them, and said that he would appear as their son, and rescue them from Kansa. Devaki miraculously became pregnant. The day the divine baby Krishna was born, Vasudeva was magically freed from his prison. As he ran away with the infant, Lord Vishnu removed all the obstacles from Vasudeva’s path.

Vasudeva came to a home in Gokul, where he exchanged baby Lord Krishna with the newborn girl of another couple. He then returned to prison with the baby girl. When Kansa found out about this child, he tried to kill her, but she ascended to the heavens and transformed into the goddess Yogamaya. Yogamaya said: “O foolish Kansa! What will you get by killing me? Your nemesis is already born.”

Krishna was raised by his foster parents as a cowherd in Gokul and he learned to play the flute. When he returned to Mathura, he killed Kansa and restored his father Vasudeva to power.

THE PARALLELS

As you can see, there are many parallels in these two stories.

-Both Krishna and Jesus were born in difficult times. They came to take us from darkness to light, to awaken us.

-Both were born in non-traditional environments, Krishna in a jail cell, Jesus in a stable.

-Both were threatened by evil kings.

-Both fled their homes to be safe while growing up.

-Both provided a form for us to love and worship. It is difficult to imagine or worship the Absolute, but we recognize and have experience with form. We can worship the Divine in man.

-Both sets of parents had dreams or visions.

Their names are similar. Christ comes from the Greek word “Christos” meaning “the anointed one.” Krishna in Greek is the same as Christos. In Bengali Krishna is “Kristo” which is the same as the Spanish word for Christ, “Cristo.” Swami Prabhupada says: “Whether you call God Christ, Krsta or Krishna, ultimately you are addressing the same Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

In addition, as they grew up, they both attracted students. Krishna in the fields with the gopis and cows, and Jesus in the Temples. When Jesus was 12, Mary and Joseph thought he was lost until they eventually they found him in a Temple, amidst elders and pundits discussing scripture. Jesus looked unfazed – he asked his parents: “Why look for me? Don’t you know I must be about my father’s business?”

They both had an awareness about their divinity, and their followers recognized them as divine.

Krishna: “Think of Me.”

Jesus: “Follow Me.”

Krishna: “I am the light of the world – the light of all lights.”

Jesus: “I am the light over all things. I am the light of consciousness through which all things shine. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others.”

They provided a refuge:

Krishna: “I am the way, come to Me.”

Jesus: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well…”

Both were known as both sons of God and God incarnate:

Krishna: “I am birthless, I am deathless, Beyond this time and space. When goodness grows weak on earth, Then I am needed in this place. I come to deliver the holy, to re-establish what is right. Those who understand my role here Are guided to the light.”

Jesus: “If God were your Father, ye would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself but He sent me.”

Both advised in their teachings to work for the welfare of the state:

Krishna: “That man attains peace who lives devoid of longing, free from all desires and without the feeling of “I” and “mine.”

Jesus: “Him that overcometh “I” will make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out.”

Both were called saviors, and were the second person of the Trinity.

Krishna: “Brahma, Vishnu, Siva (Creator, Sustainer, Destroyer.)”

Jesus: “Father, Son, Holy Ghost”

Both emphasized the message of love and peace in their teachings.

Krishna: “Be friendly to all living beings. Show compassion to everyone. Be free from delusions of “I” and “mine.” Accept pleasure and pain as if one.”

Jesus: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

Krishna’s birthday, Janmashtami, is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India.

Jesus’ birthday is celebrated worldwide as Christmas.

——-

My new book is Song Divine: A New Lyrical Rendition of the Bhagavad Gita

Download

06 Dec

Krishna and the Peacock Feather

Some of you have asked about the significance of the peacock feather on the cover of my new book Song Divine. You know how I love symbolism – so here it goes:

When studying the Bhagavad Gita it is easy to become enamored with Krishna, the God incarnate who speaks throughout much of the story. Krishna acts as a guide, a friend, an advisor and a mentor to Arjuna, who stands in as an “everyman,” representative of you and me.

Krishna is quickly recognizable. His blueish skin represents the infinitude of the sky. He plays a flute, fashioned out of a piece of bamboo. The reed is empty, yet when Krishna, the god of love, breathes life into it, the flute sings. This represents how the heart can also become an instrument of God, if we allow it. Our suffering and pain are like the holes in the bamboo flute. We can offer our heart to God, and allow beautiful music to be played.

Krishna always wears peacock feathers in his crown. There are many different stories for the reasons behind this. One is that the music of the heart can be expressed through the head. In the Gita Krishna makes references to how knowledge and love, or head and heart, are needed together to fully express the divine. The peacock feather throughout the ages has been considered a sign of both beauty and knowledge. Beauty because it is indeed beautiful with its iridescent colors, and knowledge because it is in the form of an eye. Knowledge is acquired through observation, yet knowledge without love is cold and lifeless.

The peacock feather is rare in that it contains all of the seven colors. Krishna wears the feather to signify that this range of colors, as the range of colors of people in the world, is also in him. There’s a sweet story about how Krishna was playing his flute, and the peacocks circled around him and began dancing joyfully, carried away by the beautiful music. When Krishna stopped, the King of the peacocks presented feathers at Krishna’s feet in gratitude. Krishna accepted the feathers graciously and put them in his hair, and from then on he always wore a peacock feather on his head.

Some say that the peacock feather represents the extravagant beauty of Lord Krishna. Although Krishna has many ornaments of gold and jewels, he chooses to wear peacock feathers, flowers and leaves. Others say that peacock feathers represent purity. They believe that the peacock is the only animal in nature that observes complete chastity in life, with no lust in his heart. When a peacock is happy, he dances with his wings aflutter, and his eyes fill with tears. The Peahen drinks those tears to conceive.

In nature, it is very rare for a feather to look the same on both sides, but this is the case with the peacock feather. It is said that the eye of the feather protects a person from the “evil eye” and destroys all negativity, anger, greed, and jealousy. The dark colors represent sorrow and sadness, and the bright colors represent happiness. This symbolizes that life comes with both happiness and sorrow, and that when one follows Krishna we can attain equanimity of mind and accept all life has to offer.

The peacock is an important figure in many cultures, and it is the national bird of India, fully protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. . Song Divine cover

09 Nov

The Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita

Song Divine cover I’m very happy to announce that my new book is now available: Song Divine: A New Lyrical Rendition of the Bhagavad Gita. Check it out at www.SongDivine.com. This book is very close to my heart. I have learned so much from the Bhagavad Gita. It contains everything we really need to know to live a purposeful, spiritual life filled with meaning.

I feel very fortunate that Swami Sarvadevananda, my teacher, and the head minister of the Vedanta Society of Southern California (vedanta.org) wrote the foreword to Song Divine.

As a sneak peek of the book – please enjoy the Foreword by Swami Sarvadevananda:

FOREWORD

The Bhagavad Gita is a holy book for all times, places and cultures. It doesn’t belong to one person, nor does it address any one group of people. It is a scripture for all the world and everyone in it, wherever they are in their spiritual quest.

The Bhagavad Gita has inspired many people with its powerful teachings and profound truths. It draws from the wisdom of the Upanishads, and wraps up all the essence of this wisdom as a practical guide to living. The deep spiritual lessons are as applicable in today’s modern world as they were back in the time of Krishna, more than 5,000 years ago.

It’s no wonder that the Bhagavad Gita, originally written in Sanskrit, is the second-most translated book in the world after the Bible. There are countless versions, in many different languages, and with a variety of commentaries on the verses. And now Lissa Coffey, or “Parama” as she is known to us here at the Vedanta Society, has brought us her own very special version of the Gita. This Gita is ideal for the western seeker in that the verses have rhythm, and they rhyme, making them very easy to both understand and memorize. Keeping the words of the Gita in the mind helps us to focus on what really matters in this life, and to remember the vital teachings that Krishna imparts to his friend Arjuna during their intense discussion on the battlefield.

The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata, a great epic filled with stories and philosophy. The Mahabharata contains 97,400 verses, while the Gita comes in at 700 verses. The Gita is said to be the spiritual core of the Mahabharata, expressing the same concepts in a much shorter narrative. Adi Sankaracharya, who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, was the first to recognize the greatness of the Bhagavad Gita, and wrote his wonderful commentary on it, thereby establishing the Gita as one of the fundamental texts of Vedanta.

The one theme that runs through the entire Bhagavad Gita is that the purpose of life is to realize our essential Being. In other words, to know and understand who we are, and why we are here on this earth. It may be called Enlightenment, Nirvana, Self-Realization, Awareness, Oneness – there are many different terms for this experience. But when we achieve it, we recognize that the experience, by any name, is the same for each of us.

I first met Lissa at the Vedanta Society in Santa Barbara. She quickly started attending our weekly Bhagavad Gita classes at the Hollywood Temple. Lissa, through her many books, has been able to bring some very big spiritual concepts to a mainstream audience by explaining them in a way that is easy to understand and also easy to apply to the modern day lifestyle. I’m very pleased that Lissa has embraced the Gita in this way, and I know that many more people will be blessed with Krishna’s valuable teachings because of her loving efforts in creating this book.

~Swami Sarvadevananda, Head Minister, The Vedanta Society of Southern California

24 Jun

A Lifetime of Sleep!

As human-beings we all need sleep. Just as every living animal does. But the amount of sleep we need, and the challenges that prevent us from getting the sleep we need, changes as we age.

Let’s start at the very beginning; newborns sleep from 16 to 20 hours a day. Of course, not all of the hours a baby sleeps are in a row – as new parents know very well! It can be challenging to get your little one into a sleep routine so that they sleep through the night, and their parents can, too. After 4 months, babies want to sleep through the night, but they might not know how. Here are some sleep strategies you might want to try:

Avoid using a pacifier for nighttime sleep. Some babies start to depend on a pacifier to get to sleep. The problem is that when their binky falls out at night, they don’t have the fine motor skills to put it back in their mouth. At about 8 months of age they have enough dexterity to manage a pacifier on their own.
Play some white noise. In utero, babies hear all kinds of muffled sounds, so they find this soothing. Use a fan, a white noise machine, or look online for some white noise MP3s to download.
Work with your pediatrician to gradually cut back nighttime feedings so that baby doesn’t wake up and expect a bottle.

By 12 months of age Baby should be easily sleeping all through the night, for about 12 hours.

Toddlers will continue to take naps as they grow, but they will take fewer naps as they get older, and get all of their necessary sleep at nighttime by the time they reach six years of age.

When children outgrow their crib and move into their first bed they often want to delay bedtime and “stay up.” This is when sleep habits start, so it is important to get kids on a good sleep routine. It’s always a good idea to have your child participate in the bedding decisions so that they really love spending time in bed. Allow them to choose sheets with their favorite cartoon characters, for example, so they look forward to going to bed. It is important to purchase a new mattress for your child so that they are comfortable and supported during sleep.

Keeping in mind that grade school kids need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep a night, look at the time they need to wake up and work backwards to set their bedtime accordingly. A good routine to follow is the three Bs: Bath, book, bed. The bath will help them relax. The book will give them quality time with a parent where they read together. And then they’ll be ready to be tucked in with goodnight kisses.

There’s another change when children reach adolescence. People have a “circadian rhythm,” a kind of internal clock that cues us when to fall asleep and when to wake up. Hormonal changes seem to affect this cycle, causing teenagers to prefer both staying up later at night, and waking up later in the day. However, high school tends to start classes much earlier, so students struggle with having to get up before they feel that they’ve slept enough, and they get tired during the day. In addition, teens often spent time in artificial light, especially computer screens as they do homework late at night, making it more difficult to get to sleep when they finally turn in. Here are some sleep tips for teens and college students:

Make sure to get some sunshine as much as you can every day. Also during the day, avoid caffeinated beverages, especially after 2 pm.
Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Power your computer completely off before you get into bed, and keep it on the other side of the room. If light bothers you, invest in some black-out shades, or wear a sleep mask. In the morning, open the curtains wide and turn on the light to wake up more easily.
Take a warm bath or shower before bed to help you relax. It’s good to have some break between computer time and bedtime to help the brain prepare for sleep. Listen to some soft music and maybe do some easy yoga stretches.
If you need a snack before bed, keep it small. Carbohydrates will help you feel warm and sleepy. Graham crackers, a piece of toast, or a few crackers and hummus are all good choices.

During the teen years kids are growing a lot, so make sure that their mattress is keeping up with them. Most college dorms provide extra-long twin beds for their students. However, your child is not obligated to use this mattress, feel free to provide your own to assure the quantity and quality sleep your student needs.

The older we get, the more likely we are to have sleep disturbances. Harvard University Medical School says that 7 out of 10 adults experience problems that affect sleep quality. Many of these sleep problems are particular to women, related to their cycle, pregnancy, new motherhood, or menopause. We have a more in-depth article about Women’s Sleep Issues posted on BetterSleep.org.

Chronic medical conditions that often come with age, such as arthritis, congestive heart failure, depression, and digestive issues can cause sleep problems. In addition, respiratory disorders can cause awakening during the night. Restless legs syndrome, which results in an uncontrollable need to move the legs while drifting off to sleep, makes it difficult to fall asleep, or stay asleep. One home remedy for RLS is putting a bar of soap under your sheets near your feet. No one knows why this works, but 40% of people who tried it said they had good results. You could use lavender soap to get the added benefits of the relaxing aromatherapy that comes with it. Fortunately, when any underlying medical disorders are treated sleep dramatically improves.

Because older adults have more trouble sleeping, they are more likely to suffer from chronic sleep deprivation, causing them to unintentionally nod off curing daytime activities. But sleep problems don’t have to be a part of aging, there are many solutions to help us sleep better. Here are some tips that can help:

If a nap is required, keep it to the morning hours so that it doesn’t interfere with nighttime sleep.
Let your doctor know when you are experiencing sleep difficulties so that you can work together to solve the problem.
Make sure to get some exercise every day, both mentally and physically. Be up and active as much as possible in the day so that you can feel sleepy at bedtime.

If you are caring for an aging parent or grandparent, the best gift you can give them is that of a good night’s sleep. Look into their needs, and see if a mattress that elevates the head would be helpful for them.

At 115 years of age, Susannah Mushatt Jones was asked what her secret is for living such a long and healthy life. She said simply: “I sleep.” That is good advice for all of us, Susannah. We will follow your example. Thank you!

30 Mar

The Four Pearls and The Four Squirrels

THE FOUR PEARLS AND THE FOUR SQUIRRELS

New Book Provides Four Pearls of Wisdom for Finding Happiness While Avoiding Distractions

In the time-honored tradition of the fable, author Lissa Coffey has created a whimsical, meaningful book that will delight readers of all ages. The Four Pearls and The Four Squirrels: A Modern Fable About Happiness and Distraction is a modern-day classic filled with wisdom. It inspires and enlightens in the same way that Jonathan Livingston Seagull has for generations.

Encouraged by their mentor Merlinda, four squirrels set out on a quest to find a treasure hidden in the forest. The four pearls they search for represent profound truths that lead to happiness and peace of mind. The squirrels also discover that these truths are the antidote to the many distractions that can keep us from achieving our goals.

· The First Pearl: Look at what you have, not at what you don’t have.

· The Second Pearl: Look at what you are doing, not at what anyone else is doing.

· The Third Pearl: Look at the opportunities, not at the obstacles.

· The Fourth Pearl: Look at what matters, not at what doesn’t matter.

These pearls of wisdom, along with their associated Happiness Principles (Gratitude, Focus, Fortitude, Faith) form the basis for a philosophy that helps readers through challenges in every aspect of life.

More info about the book at FourPearlsBook.com

The book is designed both exterior and interior with a unique lettering style created by Ray Mawst RayMawst.com

About the Author

Lissa Coffey is the author of The Four Pearls and The Four Squirrels. Her mentor, Deepak Chopra, says: “Your heart will thank you for Lissa’s helpful and heartful vision.” Lissa has written several books, including the bestselling “What’s Your Dosha, Baby?” She is a lifestyle expert who has been featured on The Today Show and many other national and local television programs. Visit Lissa online at her site: CoffeyTalk.com.

The Buzz

“The Jonathan Livingston Seagull for a new millennium. The Four Pearls and The Four Squirrels is a wondrous tale that minds us of the true route to happiness and self-fulfillment.”

-Scott Stantis, Editorial Cartoonist, Chicago Times and USA Today, and creator of the comic strip Prickly City

“For those of us fortunate enough to have had mentors, we know what a difference such guidance can make in our lives. With this book, author Lissa Coffey has also taken on the role of mentor in bringing this sweet, clear, profound wisdom to her readers.”

-From the Foreword by Marilyn Schlitz, PhD

“The Four Pearls and The Four Squirrels is a charming tale! I love that the story emphasizes patience, gratitude, wisdom gained along the way, and to keeping your mind open in the changes our journey through life presents to us. Lissa Coffey takes us on a whimsical journey of discovery with humor, honesty, and a few bumps along the way!”

-Cristina Ferrare, New York Times Best Selling Author, TV Talk Show Host, Philanthropist

ARTICLE AND SEGMENT IDEAS FOR EDITORS AND PRODUCERS

· Do You Want to Be Happy? Pearls represent pearls of wisdom, what we need to remember when we feel unhappy in any way. Squirrels represent the distractions that often keep us from being happy. Lissa discusses the four pearls, and the four principles of happiness that we can use anytime, anywhere, to bring ourselves to that peace of mind that we crave.

· Mentorship Changes Lives! Lissa has been a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program. Research shows that one-on-one mentoring programs have real-life positive outcomes in children’s lives: http://www.bbbs.org/research/ Lissa will go over some of the data, and introduce viewers to a successful Big and Little match.

· Save the Squirrels! When people learn about the hardships animals face each day, they are more willing to take a proactive approach toward protecting the natural environment and the habitats of our wild neighbors. Lissa gives tips for how we can co-exist with, and respect wild animals in our communities.

www.FourPearlsBook.com

The Four Pearls and The Four Squirrels

April, 2017 – Personal Growth/Inspiration – Paperback / ebook – 102 pages

Price: $13.99 – ISBN 978-1-88321-225-4

Available on Amazon and everywhere!

10 Nov

Post Election Prayer

This is a prayer that is featured in my book “Bhakti: 108 Prayers of Devotion” – I think it is appropriate for what a lot of us are feeling right now. It applies to many situations. I keep reminding myself: “God’s got this.” It’s very comforting.

Dear God,

I’m glad You’re in charge.

Sometimes things don’t go the way I’d like them to go,

Or the way I think they should go.

And I feel frustrated, or hurt, or disappointed.

But then I remember You’re in charge. I remember that You have a plan.

I remember that however things “seem” to be – is probably not how they really are.

It is comforting knowing that I don’t have to exhaust myself

Trying to make things different.

Because I trust that You have it covered.

I might forget, and get stressed out.

So when I forget, please remind me.

There are so many ways you are present in my life.

Open my eyes to beauty. Open my heart to joy.

Grant me patience, and peace, understanding and acceptance.

I can’t control everything. And I really don’t want to.

So I’ll just leave it to You.

I’ll just let go, and let You do your thing.

Thanks.

Amen.

07 Nov

Everything You Never Knew You Never Knew About Sleep!

Sleep. It’s something we all do, an important part of our lives from the very beginning, and every single day. We might think we know about sleep, because we have gotten very good at it over the years, but here are a few facts about sleep that may surprise you. Take note, this information may come in handy if you’re ever a contestant on Jeopardy!

The word “sleep” comes from the Proto-European base word “sleb” meaning “to be weak.”
Most of what we know about sleep science has come about in just the last 25 years.
Sleep is a characteristic of complex living beings including insects, mollusks, fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
Among animals, the giraffe sleeps the least amount, fewer than 2 hours a day in five to ten minute intervals. The koala sleeps the most, up to 22 hours a day. Cats sleep an average of 12 hours a day, and dogs sleep about 10 ½ hours a day – this is in addition to nighttime sleep.
The dolphin’s brain is unique in that one half of it sleeps at a time. This is called “unihemispheric sleep” – where one hemisphere of the brain is awake while the other hemisphere sleeps. Because of this, dolphins can sleep under water without drowning. Like humans, dolphins spend about one third of their lives asleep.
A “catnap” is a short sleep, usually not in bed. People can take catnaps with their eyes open and not even know it.
People typically dream four to six dreams per night, lasting a combined total of more than two hours. This adds up to about six years of dreaming.
Upon waking, half of a dream is forgotten in the first five minutes. When ten minutes has gone by we have forgotten 90% of it. Although 42% of people say they have had a dream about something that later came true.
12% of people only have dreams in black and white.
There are at least 84 identified sleep/wake disorders.
More than 70 million people in the USA suffer from a sleep disorder. Of those, more than 60% have a chronic sleep disorder.
People can survive longer without food than we can without sleep.
Modern society has such high numbers of sleep deprivation that what is really abnormal sleepiness is now considered normal.
Sleep deprivation, when applied systematically, is said to be the most effective form of torture. One reason is that sleep deprivation causes the body to produce higher levels of the stress hormone corticosterone.
Somnambulism is the scientific word for sleepwalking. Even though they can talk, walk, and even eat while asleep, most sleepwalkers don’t remember much about their experiences. Scientists believe that sleepwalking has a genetic component.
When one partner snores, he or she wakes his non-snoring partner 20 times a night on average, with a sleep loss of about one hour a night.
Snoring usually worsens after drinking alcohol. Alcohol has a depressant effect on the tongue and throat muscles, narrowing the upper airway space.
Brains are more active during sleep than while watching television. You also burn more calories sleeping than you do when watching television.
Charles Dickens suffered from insomnia. He believed that he could fall asleep faster in the middle of a bed facing north.
William Shakespeare often wrote about sleep in his plays. Scholars believe he gave such clear descriptions of insomnia because he suffered from the disorder. “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” –The Tempest
The saying “good night, sleep tight” came about when mattresses were set upon ropes woven through a bed frame. When the ropes started sagging, they were tightened with a bed key.
The phrase “hit the sack” dates back to the 9^th century when homes were one big room used for all activities. At the end of the day, families would clean up after dinner and make up a bed by putting hay in a sack.
The largest bed ever constructed is the Great Bed of Ware in Great Britain. Built in 1596 it measured 11 feet by 11 feet and was said to sleep 12 comfortably.
Waterbeds became all the rage in the 1970s, but they actually date back to the 19^th century when they were available in hospitals. The water eliminated pressure points so they could be used to support patients with bone fractures, bedsores, or even paralysis.

Today we have more choices than ever in mattresses, materials, styles, and sizes! If you’re not getting either the quality or quantity of sleep that you need to feel great and be productive, check out the many options available. Like Goldilocks, you’re sure to find a bed that is “just right” for you! More info about all things sleep at BetterSleep.org

Sources:

“What You Never Knew About Beds, Bedrooms & Pajamas” by Patricia Lauber

“Counting Sheep: The Science and Pleasures of Sleep and Dreams” by Paul Martin

Online Etymology Dictionary

“Encyclopedia of Sleep and Sleep Disorders” by Michael Thorpy and Jan Yager

cats sleeping

16 Jul

Detox & Disconnect at the Four Seasons!

Detox and Disconnect – the Taste of Wellness Package at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, California.

Sometimes you’ve just gotta get away. You know? Life can’t just be all about sitting at a computer and making phone calls. But now that we carry our technology with us we can’t really go anywhere and leave the world behind. Even if we’re “off the grid” we’re still stressing about what we’re missing, or should be doing. Except there is one place that helps you put “you” and your health first… and I found it!

The California Health and Longevity Institute at the Four Seasons Hotel is an oasis of first class healthy fabulousness. Yes, that’s a word, and there’s no other word to properly describe this place.

There is everything under the sun at CHLI to help you take care of you in style. You can get anything from a full comprehensive physical, your teeth cleaned, a mammogram, and a massage. You can take cooking lessons in the Wellness Kitchen, or partake in one of the fun “Wine Wednesday” tastings with a variety of wine and food to sample. You can hang out for fitness classes or yoga, or enjoy any of the amazing amenities at the hotel, including the beautiful garden.

To give you a sample of all they have to offer, The Four Seasons Westlake and the CHLI have just launched a program called “Taste of Wellness.” If you just want to spend a few hours getting away and focusing on yourself for a bit – this is for you! Sounds like a great idea to me, so I gave it a try – and here’s my report:

I chose the “Detox and Disconnect” package. The title alone had me intrigued… I definitely need to do both of those things! And don’t we all? I have a healthy diet and lifestyle, but I could really use a detox from all the stresses that have built up. Those things get into your cells and weight a person down. And disconnect? Of course. But possible? Let’s see.

The day started off at noon at the beautiful lobby restaurant. Everything on the menu looks yummy and health, with the healthiest options highlighted to help with your selection. I modified the vegan salad that is made of quinoa and greens – they are very accommodating at the restaurant – and it was absolutely delicious!

Next up, I had a “life strategies” consultation with Dr. Ilana Kukoff. Wonderful conversation with a smart and savvy woman, and I came out smiling and empowered with new ideas and possibilities.

Then, off to the spa where I changed into a comfy robe and slippers and put everything else in my locker. Yep, phone went in there, too! The spa is the most gorgeous spa I’ve been to – and I have been to many spas in my time. There are orchids everywhere – absolutely breathtaking! I spent a few minutes enjoying the “Tranquility Room” before my next appointment with the “SomaDome.”

The SomaDome is really a meditative experience. It looks like an egg shaped, sci-fi lounge chair. You sit inside, pull down the top, and choose a meditation from a number of menu items like “love,” “heal,” “manifest,” and more. Headphones on, a combination of music, sound, and words guide you into a deeply relaxed state. A fan pipes in wonderful oxygenated air whenever you want it. And color light therapy adds to the multi-sensory experience. The whole thing lasted about 20 minutes, but I could have stayed there for hours!

Fully relaxed I was now ready for the “Detox Body Wrap.” Massage Therapist Theresa met me in the Tranquility Room and escorted me over the red bridge into a lovely massage room, complete with a private marble shower. Part I: Full Body Exfoliation with a sugar-ginger-lime scrub that smells so good it could be in a cocktail! Ginger-tini, anyone? There’s definitely some aromatherapy going on with this intoxicating fragrance. Once thoroughly scrubbed I was told to shower off, towel off, and then suit up!

The “suit” in question is a thin white plastic-y material that fits neck to toe, super baggy, and zips up the front. Feet are fully covered, but hands are free. Once zipped up, you get tucked in to a super heated sleeping bag-like blanket to comfortable sweat it out.

While you’re laying there, your body blissfully releasing all those nasty toxins, your friendly massage therapist indulges you in a collagen facial. Yes, please, do take those years off my face! And if that’s not enough, you also get a head and neck massage. Ahhhhh, deep sigh of contentment. I didn’t want to get up off that table. But alas, I was only in for the 50-minute session. There is an optional 80-minute session – I will do that one next time for sure!

While at the spa you can soak in the whirlpool, spend time in the sauna or relax in the steam room. You’re encouraged to take your time and enjoy the amenities. When you’re there, look for me, I’ll definitely be back!

For more details on all the terrific Wellness Packages available at the Four Seasons Westlake Village: www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/wellness

To check out all the offerings at the California Health and Longevity Institute:

www.CHLI.com

SomaDome FSspa3 FSspa FSspa2

27 Jun

Desire as a Personal Power

We generally do not think of desire as a form of empowerment. But it is actually a personal power of immeasurable influence. The problem is that most of us don’t live out of desire. We live, rather, out of should, ought to, have to, obligation, loyalty and lots of other synthetic demands. These synthetics were manufactured in a society that demands that we conform to its obligations to image as a way of maintaining the social order.

Most of us have a long list of obligations, duties, shoulds, ought tos, have tos. We have to go to work, we should spend quality time with the kids and the spouse, we ought to be there for Mom or Dad, we have a duty to be there for our friends, the church, temple or mosque in which we participate, and we are loyal to the government, city, state and federal. All of these obligations and duties, tie us to the mule, so that the mule and its labor are our only focus. Desires come around only when we are exhausted, and with a deep sigh of regret, we implode “I wiiiish I could have….” These longings have been dismissed, repressed, put on the back burner while we live lives full of the synthetic—that is, false, fake, unreal, contrived—obligations placed on us by the external world.

But we are so often afraid to allow ourselves to live out of our desires for fear that they will make us selfish. We will become self-involved, self-absorbed, selfish, self-invested, all-about-me kind of people. Because there is nothing inside of us that desires anything for anyone besides us, right? We want only for ourselves. We never want for anyone else. But think about it. Is that really true? Don’t we also have deep desires for the happiness of our loved ones? Don’t we long for that? Even when they are making all the wrong decisions, going down all the wrong paths, aren’t we praying, pleading, cajoling for them to choose a life with more promise of happiness?

What we don’t know, have not been taught, is that compassion is also a desire. We have not been taught this, however, because we have all made an under-the-table of consciousness agreement to deny that the inner world has anything of importance to give us. Rather the should, have to, ought to, of the external world’s bidding is what we are obligated to do. We have all agreed with the powers that be that the inner world is of no value, while the mores of society are the truth. Therefore, body image, ego, ego aggrandizement and obligation are the orders of the day.

But if we look within, we find all manner of interesting messaging systems and personal powers. Desire is a personal power. It asserts the authentic Self in the real world, that is, IF we allow it to have a say in our decision-making processes. Desire is a sacred connection to the authentic Self. In expression, it is an I AM. In fact, the ancient root word for the Jewish God is desire. It is hava’ ‘aher hava’, which has been translated as I AM that I AM. The word hava’ means to fall, to exist, to become, to happen. It is rooted in ‘avah, which means desire, incline, covet, wait longingly, wish, sigh, want, be greedy, prefer, crave, long for, lust after; and in hayah, which means to be, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out. The word ‘aher means which, who, that which, that, when, since, as or a conditional if. The name became Jehovah Hwhy, the existing one, the primitive root words of which are hyh (hyh), to be and hwa (hwa), to desire.

Of course the Jewish God is not everyone’s God, nor does everyone have or need a God. But the point can be made here that desire is sacred. Yet, we have put it on the back burners of our lives because we fear its power to make us selfish. Indeed, as a general rule, we fear the inner sanctum of the individual and collective humanity.

When we get past the identifications with the external world, however, the desires of the authentic Self are sacred. The do not make us selfish. They make us Self.

~Andrea Mathews

Learn more about Andrea at www.andreamathews.com

26 May

Dream a Little Dream

Our dreams give us a little bit of insight into our psyche. It’s where our subconscious comes out to play. A lot of our dreams are just the brain kind of downloading and interpreting all the information that we picked up during the day. But they can also offer some clues for us to look at what’s going on that we might not be seeing while we’re awake. And it’s interesting because the symbols that we get in our dreams are not always what they seem to be!

Our dreams often speak to us, helping us to solve problems and give us direction. In ancient Egypt, dreams were a kind of science, recognized as a way for us to “wake up” to things we need to pay attention to in our daily life. The ancient Egyptian word for dream is rswt, which means “an awakening.”

While we sleep, our brains are still busy. During REM (rapid eye movement) is when we have our most dramatic dreams. Research from Harvard Medical School says that while REM sleep helps us to consolidate learning and memories, it also helps prepare the brain to be awake.

We experience emotions in dreams that we need to express while we are awake. A dream is a kind of “dress rehearsal” for this experience. Because the brain doesn’t hold memories very well during the sleep process, if we want to remember our dreams we need to write them down. This involves waking up fast, with little movement after sleep, and making that effort to put pen in hand. Since bad dreams wake us up more quickly we tend to remember them more often. Dream interpretation can be fun and insightful! Here are some common dream “themes” that you might have experienced – and the meaning behind these dreams:

— Taking a Test: This very common dream theme has to do with anxiety. You feel you are being “put to the test” or analyzed in some area of your life. This dream could be telling you that you feel unprepared, that you fear failing, that you have set your goals too high or that you are being judged. To understand your dream, look at what part of your waking life is causing you anxiety, or making you feel inadequate. Remember that test taking dreams are never about the content of the test itself, it’s about the process and the feelings experienced while taking the test.

— Being Naked in Public: In your dream you are going about your usual business when you are suddenly aware that you are completely naked! Or, you are wearing pajamas, or you forgot to put on pants, or a variety of other combinations. Look at how you are feeling when you make this discovery. A “naked” dream could indicate that you are feeling particularly vulnerable, or insecure. It could mean that you are hiding something and are afraid that you will be exposed. It could also mean that you feel a sense of freedom, carefree and completely honest. Most times in a dream even though you are aware of your nakedness, no one else seems to notice. Take this to mean that you may be amplifying a given situation and that you are more concerned than anyone else is about it.

— Losing Your Teeth: In these dreams your teeth may fall out, or crumble, or become loose or crooked. There are many different interpretations to this dream, so look at what is going on in your life that could be the cause. This dream often occurs when you are in a transition in your life, either in a new job or a new relationship. A losing teeth dream could mean that you have having a hard time communicating, and you should speak up for yourself. It could mean that you are feeling anxiety about your appearance. It might also be that you fear being embarrassed about something, or that you feel powerless. Because of the association with the tooth fairy, many say that this dream means you will be coming into some money!

— Being Chased: We have the built in “fight or flight” response to any physical threat, so it is natural to run from an attacker. The attacker in your dream could be an animal, a monster, or some unknown figure attempting to harm you. This is another dream that indicates there is some anxiety being experienced in your waking life. If you are having this dream, ask yourself what you are running away from. What are you afraid of? Is there something you are avoiding? In your dream, turn around and ask why you are being chased. You will find clues in the distance between you and your pursuer. If this person is getting closer to you, then the problem you are having is a bigger problem. If you can get away easily, then you have a handle on things and the problem will subside.

— Flying: This can be a fun dream, as most people say that the feeling of being able to fly is joyful and exhilarating. Look at how high you are flying, which direction you are going, and how fast you are going. The higher or faster you go shows your level of confidence. Flying low is an indication that you are feeling content with your current life. If you fly backwards that means you are thinking about your past. If you have any fear while you are flying that might mean you are afraid of some challenge being presented to you, or that you are not ready for it. Are you facing any obstacles during your flight? This means that someone, or something is in your way in your life. Look at who or what might be preventing you from going forward. Flying dreams where you are in control show your personal power. They might be telling you to look at things from a different perspective, or they may be sending you a message to take on a challenge because nothing is impossible!

Remember that your mattress is the foundation of a good night’s sleep. If you’re tossing and turning, or having nightmares about your bed, check your mattress for signs of wear and tear. If your mattress is more than 5-7 years old, it probably needs to be replaced. For lots more sleep tips visit BetterSleep.org. Sweet Dreams!

Watch my YouTube video on Dream Interpretation HERE

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