Next to Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer is, in my opinion, one of the greatest metaphysicians in modern times. I think I have everything the two of them have ever put out in books and videos.

In Dr. Dyer's book, Getting in the Gap, he has some ideas he expresses about meditation that I think are important:

* "There is no such thing as a bad meditation. Anytime you spend in silence is valuable, even if your inner voice is persistent and loud. Don't judge, just observe."

* "With time your inner dialogue will shut down. We all know that mastery is seldom achieved without practice. Meditation is no exception. Perhaps that is why it's called practice."

* "There is no right or wrong time to meditate. Each of us finds our most comfortable time of the day, so don't try to do this on someone else's schedule."

* "There is no correct meditation length. A few moments can be nurturing."

* "There is no correct posture or place for meditating. Find what makes you comfortable and trust it. Sitting, lying down, kneeling-whatever works for you is the perfect posture."



Dragonflower Meditation Tip:

In a quiet place, in whatever position is most comfortable, close your eyes and put all of your attention on your breathing. Just relax and focus on your breath. Do not force it, but try to breath slowly and deeply from your abdomen rather than high chest breathing.

After focusing on your breathing for a few minutes, just relax and breath as you would normally. Let your thoughts float by without focusing on them. Just take the next few minutes as your time to do nothing but relax.

More meditation and relaxation tips later in the week.

Take a few minutes today and everyday to just breath

Dragonflower

The VATA type find it very difficult to maintain regular habits, that is, to eat and sleep at regular times. But this is the most important thing for them to do. When Vata is out of balance this may feel almost impossible, but an effort to establish a regular routine is very important for all people with a Vata body type. Rest sufficiently, and choose foods, behaviors, personal relationships, and environmental circumstances which can be instrumental in balancing vata characteristics. It is also important to regulate mental and physical impulses and to modify mental attitudes, emotional states, and behaviors in supportive ways.

Sweet, sour, and salty tastes decrease vata influences, so include these tastes if vata influences need to be diminished. Milk, wheat, rice, and some fruits and berries can provide sweet and sour tastes.

Regular exercise should be relaxed and moderate. Hatha yoga practice in a meditative mood is good, as are t'ai chi, walking, and swimming. Avoid strenuous, competitive, frantic activities.

When possible, associate with people who are calmly purposeful. Meditate every day for deep relaxation.

PITTA constitutions will be upset by alcohol and cigarettes, as well as by overwork, overexertion, and overheating. When out of balance, they are susceptible to feeling such negative emotions as hostility, hatred, intolerance, and jealousy. Therefore it is very important for Pittas to keep cool (literally and figuratively) and to lead a pure and moderate lifestyle. Choose foods, attitudes, behaviors, personal relationships, and environmental circumstances which can be instrumental in balancing pitta characteristics.

Because sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes decrease pitta influences, include these in your food plan if pitta characteristics are too pronounced. Complex carbohydrates, milk, and some fruits are sweet; some green, leafy vegetables are bitter; beans and some green vegetables are astringent.

Do things that cool the mind, emotions, and body. Avoid conflicts. Cultivate the virtues of honesty, morality, kindness, generosity, and self-control.

KAPHA'S are prone to lethargy, sluggishness, depression, and overweight, Kaphas need activity and stimulation. Daily exercise is more important for them than for any other type. Getting out of the house and actively seeking new experiences is also valuable. Be receptive to useful change, renounce impediments to progress, be intentional in implementing life-enhancing actions, and choose foods, mental attitudes, behaviors, exercise routines, and relationships and environmental circumstances which can be instrumental in balancing kapha characteristics.

Pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes decrease kapha influences. Black pepper, ginger, cumin, chili, and some other spices provide the pungent taste; bitter is provided by some green leafy vegetables; and some green vegetables and beans provide the astringent taste. Note that the taste that decreases a dosha usually increases one or both of the other two. For general purposes, mildly increase the proportion of foods which are helpful while somewhat decreasing the proportions of others-having a sampling of all six tastes at your major meal.

Meditation can be more intensive for kapha constitutions than for vata or pitta constitutions. Schedule time every day for prayer and meditation.

To learn more about the Doshas and Ayurveda go here:
http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv_home.htm

Be sure to take the test in the previous post to help determine your Dosha

Dragonflower

Here are my (Dragonflower) results (look below for the link so you can take the quiz and in the next post I will talk more about this concept) For now, just take Part One

Your scores are Vata: 5 Pitta: 5 Kapha: 0

Based on your results, you are a VATA-PITTA: Vata is the principle of movement and change. It can be identified as the Wind element. People with a predominance of Vata in their nature tend to be thin, light, and quick in our thoughts and actions. Change is a constant part of life. When Vata is balanced, they are creative, enthusiastic, and lively. But if Vata becomes excessive, they may develop anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, or irregular digestion.

Vata Characteristics Mind: Creative, quick, imaginative
Body: Thin, light frame
Skin: Dry Hair: Dry
Appetite: Delicate, spontaneous, often miss meals
Routine: Variable, spontaneous
Temperament: Welcomes new experiences, excitable, friendly, energetic
Conversation Style: Loves to talk!!
Shopping Style: Buy, buy, buy.
Stress Response: What did I do wrong? Tendency to blame oneself

Pitta is the principle of transformation represented in our digestion of ideas, sensory experiences, emotions, and food. It is associated with the Fire element. People with a predominance of Pitta in their nature tend to be muscular, smart, and determined. If balanced, a Pitta is warm, intelligent, and a good leader. If out of balance, Pitta can make us critical, irritable, and aggressive.

Pitta Characteristics
Mind: Sharp, intellectual, direct, precise, discerning
Body: Medium build, warm, muscular
Skin: Sensitive, flush, acne-prone
Hair: Tendency towards early graying or thinning
Appetite: Strong, can eat just about anything, anytime
Routine: Very precise and organized
Temperament: Passionate, driven, courageous, strong sex drive, good leader
Conversation Style: Speaks to convey a point
Shopping Style: Spends on luxury items
Stress Response: Irritable, tendency to blame others.

The Dosha Quiz

In hollywoodok's layout, using the Black Hat method of Feng Shui, her garage is in the Helpful People area. This is going to be tricky... Helpful People concerns those who are benefactors which can be friends, family, employers, etc. You can imagine what a cluttered mess would bring to this life path area! So it would be beneficial to try and keep the garage as clutter free as possible and in good repair. If it were me, I would hang a crystal in the middle of the garage.

Her layout also shows that there is another bedroom and it is in the SE corner of the property. This bedroom falls in the Knowledge Area according to this particular layout. This would be a great place for a home office if it is not needed as a bedroom. Computers, book shelves and anything that has to do with learning (certificates, diplomas, awards, etc.).

Now looking towards the right hand side of her layout between the Garage and the Kitchen is her Children's Area. This is a very tricky house to try and balance with Feng Shui! I will have to see this area to be able to suggest how to work with it.

On the left side of her layout between both bedrooms would be the Ancestors Area. Again, I would need to see the house to be able to suggest tips for balancing the area here as I don't see any room on the layout that suggests a hallway between the two bedrooms, they appear to be separated only by a wall.

The middle of the entire house is the Health Area. From what I can tell on this layout it would be between the Living room and Dining room. Here isn't too hard to work with because we can use the colors of yellow, orange, and earth tones. Statues are good to place in Health areas too.

Sorry I couldn't be more specific but without seeing the house at this point it is really hard to give tips on what to do. I look forward to seeing the house, I love a good challenge!

Dragonflower