Weekly Meditation Experience

Sat Nam all,
This week's experience is given by Akal Dev Kaur. This one is a whole class experience. Thank you Akal Dev Kaur

Kriya for New Lungs and Circulation ~
Wahe Guru Kriya ~
Kirtan Kriya ~
Amazing gong layout ~

These are the treats I was rewarded with this evening. Although my heart sank a little when I realized we were doing the same kriya as last night, I committed myself to pushing my way through it. It's a great kriya, New Lungs and Circulation, albeit a strenuous one and my body was not ready for it so soon. The teacher was kind by shortening the times. Next came Wahe Guru Kriya which was a blessing because just this morning I was thinking my Fifth Chakra needed some work. The Universe has a way of providing what one needs and with this kriya it took care of me.

During Kirtan Kriya a vision began to formulate. At first a mass of brilliant red and orange, circular and inviting. I focused my mind sharply to make out the blurry shape and to my delight it was a Peony bloom. These are one of my favorite flowers and normally they are a softer color, however in this vision it was a flaming mass of red and orange. A quick Google search upon my return home turned up a Chinese painting of a red peony.

Deeper into the meditation the vision became sharper and now I could make out a small figure perched on one of the Peony petals. This tiny figure turned out to be a single Mandarin Duck. I could feel my spirit in this tiny duck, it was me in the form of this tiny duck. It was smiling and happy. From the right corner another figure emerged...slowly, tentatively making it's way towards the little Mandarin Duck. It was a male Mandarin Duck, strong and virile. I could not tell by looking at it that it's male, but I could sense it in the vision. He came right up to the "me" Mandarin Duck and sat down next to me, nuzzling my neck, smiling. I felt an overwhelming sense of being loved, protected and cherished.

The image begins to fade out as we enter the silent portion of Kirtan Kriya. It's Ok, I am smiling in meditation, content and peaceful with the lovely image I just witnessed. I could feel my body completely relaxed, like a willow branch, bending gently in the wind. No pressure, no conflict, just peace.

Back to whispering Sa Ta Na Ma and here comes the vision once again. Slowly fading back into my consciousness. A bigger smiles emerges on my face as I recognize the comforting image of a pair of Mandarin Ducks perched on the Peony bloom. They are still sitting there, nuzzling, happy, loving.

Louder now, Sa Ta Na Ma..pressing the pads of my fingers in synchronicity with the sound. Firmly cementing the image in my mind...it's brilliant again....fiery red petals sprinkled with an earthy orange and still those two little Mandarin ducks are enveloped within.

Corpse pose....the amazing gong...a soft smile covers my face as my body melts into the floor. The vision is still brilliant and etched forever in my mind. Waves of sound wash over my body, pushing it deeper into relaxation....the image begins to change. Ever so slightly the pair of ducks glide towards the center of the Peony..side by side...they enter the center, peeking their little faces out, smiling. As the gong reaches its crescendo the Peony blooms begin to fold in, enveloping the pair of Mandarin ducks. Those blooms form a safe, protective circle around them.

The image fades away as the gong reaches its end. I am told to move my hands, feet, stretch but my mind cannot comprehend the words. Slowly my consciousness returns, circling my wrists, cat stretch, spinal rolls. I have returned from my peaceful slumber...refreshed and excited at the possibilities presented in my vision.

Sat Nam and Blessings
Akal Dev Kaur
(Akal Dev Kaur teaches at Yoga Phoenix on Monday nights at 7pm)

Remember, this is available for anyone to post. Whether it's a blissful experience like this one, or it's the full realm of emotions that makes up a 40, 90, or 120 day sadhana. The goal is to share your experience.

If you're interested in posting, please email raisingh108@gmail.com
Sat Nam

Rai Singh's "No Bones About It" Recipe for the week, July 1st, 2010

This is my first installment of my "No Bones About It" Recipe of the Week. I encourage everyone to experiment, taste your food along the way, and for goodness sakes HAVE FUN.

This is one of my favorites and it is a simple, tasty recipe that goes well with just about anything from chips to grilled veggies.

Tomatillo Salsa w/Avocado
(Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free)

12-15ea Medium Tomatillos, husked and cleaned
1/2 Yellow Onion, cut into chunks
1 bunch Cilantro, rinsed
1-3ea Serrano Chiles, cut into 1/2, depending on how spicy you like it,
1ea Avocado, peeled and seeded
1-2cups Water
Salt and Pepper to taste
Makes about 2 quarts.

Start by removing the husk from the tomatillos and rinsing them well. (They have a sticky coating on them that you want to get off.) Next, rinse the cilantro in cold water and shake off the excess water, then find the point on the cilantro bunch where the majority of the leaves start and cut off the stems. In a blender, I use a Vitamix*, add all the ingredients and start with about 1-cup of water. You may need to add the other cup of water and sometimes more, depending on how ripe the tomatillos are. You are looking for a smooth salsa consistency. At this point, you can add more serranos if you like, and season it with salt and pepper. It will require more salt than you think because of the avocado and the tomatillos.

Tips and Comments about this recipe:

-I like to make it extra spicy, because the avocado will provide a counter-balance to the spiceyness.

-If you have the opportunity to make this a day ahead, DO IT. It will get amazingly better and hotter, so be careful.

-Vitamix is the bomb!! I use mine all the time. Whether it's for pureed soups, salsas, juices, or ice-cream. http://www.vitamix.com/ or call Costco and find out when the next demo is coming to town. They can tell you which store and when if you call any of them. It is a little expensive, but worth the money.

-You can omit the avocado and use this recipe as a marinade for tofu or veggies, use it as a sauce for green chile tofu tacos or burritos.

-Don't be afraid to adjust the seasonings if you feel they need it. Tomatillos and chiles can be a little inconsistent throughout the year, so let your tongue to guide you.

Lastly, please, please, please, don't hesitate to post a comment or concern, refer your friends here, link this page or email me directly, raisingh108@gmail.com for anything related to food or to this posting.

Sat Nam and enjoy your food, it always tastes better when you make it yourself.
Rai Singh

Weekly Meditation Starting in July

July is a busy month here at YP. We are starting a weekly recipe post, and now a meditation post.

This will be designed as a teachers resource as well as a students opportunity to find new meditations to practice at home as a personal sadhana.

We are strongly encouraging anyone who is willing to contribute to this blog and offer their personal experience with a particular meditation and we will post it here. This opportunity to share helps to affirm and confirm the experience of others. It can also add insight for others who have already practiced the meditation as a sadhana.

Sat Nam!!

All Teacher Training Graduates of Any Level

To all past Kundalini Yoga Teacher Trainer graduates-

Our job is to replace ourselves in the classroom, not just the following year, but for years to come. As teachers, we have a responsibility to recognize and encourage those students that are looking for that next step in their growth as yogic practitioners, students, and/or potential teachers of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

You can point them to the YP website http://www.yogaphoenix.com/, and we will also have brochures soon. Our teaching team is one of the finest, and we are fortunate to have such a tight knit community to draw our resources from.

Yogi Bhajan came, to create teachers, not to gain students. Let's be an active part in continuing the legacy.

Sat Nam

Rai Singh's "No Bones About It" Recipe for the week.

I'm happy to announce that I, Rai Singh, will start posting a new recipe each week starting in July 2010. These tasty treats will always be vegetarian, most times vegan and gluten free, and many times raw. I encourage you all to check back each week for a new installment of my yummy, healthy, and practical recipes that will surely liven things up.

Week one--
Raw Tomatillo Salsa with Avocado
This is the BOMB at parties or home on the couch.

See you in July!!

Sat Nam!!
Rai Singh