WATCH: A Moment of Gratitude ~ Guided Visual Meditation

Mar 27, 13 WATCH: A Moment of Gratitude ~ Guided Visual Meditation

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I highly recommend taking 10 minutes out of your day to watch this video!  It’s a compilation of gorgeous time-lapse photography by Louie Schwartzberg, set to the words of Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast.  A reminder of where to find gratitude in your life.  Beautiful. Watch this video on YouTube...

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3 Strategies for Quieting The Mind ~ Meditation

Mar 25, 13 3 Strategies for Quieting The Mind ~ Meditation

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Have you ever sat down to meditate, just to have your mind RACE with thoughts?  How can you quiet a mind that just wants to run wild?  Here are three of the best techniques for quieting the mind, and mastering meditation. 1. The Mantra Deepak Chopra really advocates using a mantra.  Mantras can be any word or sound  that tends to relax you.  Deepak promotes the use of ancient words that he claims the ‘soul will recognize’.  The word ‘Om’ (or Aum) is considered one of the most elemental sounds on his list, and is a common choice.  If the idea of chanting a mantra out loud makes you uncomfortable, don’t worry – its not necessary!  My experience shows that Mantras are best used in your head (at least for me.). A simple mantra for beginners to try is just to say the word ‘Calm” on your inhale and ‘Peace” on your exhale.  You want to put all your focus into reciting the sound with the goal being that it drowns out all other thoughts.   It’s hard to think about your grocery list or that stupid thing you said yesterday while you’re sinking into the feeling of the word ‘peace’.  If your mind wanders, just refocus on the words, one for your inhale and one for the exhale.  Keep those nit-picky thoughts at bay! 2. The Count-Down This is a method advocated by Spirit Science. (a great YouTube Channel, I highly recommend looking up some of their videos if you haven’t before.)  Find a quiet place, relax, close your eyes and slowly count backwards from 100 to zero.  In this case, you use the numbers just like the mantra – to block out other thoughts.  You want to focus on the numbers.  I like to say 99 on the inhale, 98 on the exhale etc. The countdown is really effective because mentally, you learn to manage the boredom of being in the 80’s, and then the anticipation of being in the 20’s  🙂...

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VIDEO of the MONTH ~ Sadhguru Talks Enlightenment

Mar 25, 13 VIDEO of the MONTH ~ Sadhguru Talks Enlightenment

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Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is an Indian Spiritual Guru.  In this video he shares his moment of ‘Enlightenment’ and shares what this experience is like, and how we can seek it for ourselves.  I really enjoy listening to Sadhguru as he has a gentle sense of humour and is very down to earth.  He’s very practical and non-prostelitizing.  (I also find him easier to understand than the Delhi Lama!;) The question ‘What is Enlightenment’ can be a long discussion, with many differing opinions.  But if you are curious, this is a great introduction to the concept and at the same time it is entertaining and inspiring.  I found this one at www.TED. (If you are not familiar with the site, get familiar!  It’s the best!) Let me know what you think! Watch this video on YouTube...

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Paul & Jaylee Spring 2013 Visit

Mar 21, 13 Paul & Jaylee Spring 2013 Visit

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Paul & Jaylee Balch are International Spiritual and Personal Empowerment Coaches.  They travel the world offering workshops, healings and knowledge.  Below is a list of their upcoming programs in Durham Region (Ontario, Canada for our international guests). We’ll try to keep this listing updated, and if you would like to participate in any of these events, please RSVP with us!  We would love to have you! RSVP For a...

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Sprouting Class! – March 27th

Mar 19, 13 Sprouting Class! – March 27th

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If you need to improve your diet, sprouting is a fantastic way to do it.  It will help you get the optimal nutritional value out of seeds, nuts beans, legumes and grains!  Plus, there is nothing happier than a window full of joyful little green sprouts! Join us at Optymal Health Studios on March 27th, at 7:00pm. (For only $20.00!) and we’ll go over the benefits of sprouting, with lots of demos, handouts and recipes to share!  We’ll also be snacking! If you are interested, please contact us and say you’re coming!  We’d love to have you! I’m Coming!...

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