 Last week I spoke about Life being the Meditation Practice.
If you missed it, read about it here. Continuing on this topic, over the 23 years I have been practicing TM, much life has transpired. When I started my practice one might say I was a hot mess in some regards. More on that in a moment. I bring this up because another myth I hear is that meditation will "stop" the pain of life, feeling, loss, etc. NOT true, at all. Life is hard, takes effort, and is full of surprises no matter how much you meditate! What does improve is our ability to deal masterfully (by being present and seeing clearly to name a few) with circumstances. Over the 23 years I've been practicing TM, in a nutshell I have experienced the traumatic loss of my father, marriage, family drama, divorce, career transition, health challenges, relationship beginnings and endings, moves, a bunch of other stuff, and all the global issues that impact each of us. I attribute my ability to navigate these circumstances and get better with age, to my TM practice. By "better", I am not talking ego superiority. By "better" I specifically mean that my inner life and outer life are aligned. What I believe, think, say, do, and experience are one. There no longer feels like a separation with me internally and then with everything/everyone else. It's all one. Why? Because I listen to and trust the still voice within to guide my path. Some of you get what I am saying here. Perhaps another way I can explain it is by a quote I heard from Deepak, "Happiness and sadness are mental states; Joy is a spiritual state." I take this to mean that when we are solely in the grips of our humanness (our mind/thoughts/emotions/doing/circumstances/events) we lose perspective of who we truly are: spiritual beings clothed in a body... It's our spiritual connection that gives life depth. It is beyond doing, tasking, thinking, feeling. It's a state of being -- and when we access it, we know it as joy. Back to what I wanted to share about the reality of life. Allow me to summarize in 3 points. Hard! 1. Life is hard - at times it is harder than others. Stop wasting energy fighting it. Accept it is hard when it is hard. When it is easy, accept that too. Accept all of it...no separation. Separation = Suffering 2. Life takes effort. Accept this. Stop complaining. Tell the lazy human side to be lazy when it's dead. Choose wisely who and what you wish to invest your effort in. We don't get time back. 3. Life is full of unknowns. I share this often. When my dad died unexpectedly 3 weeks before my wedding when I was 29, I learned really hard and fast what "unknown" meant and would come to mean. Stop wasting energy in the future of unknown. Instead, remember the unknown is a powerful place of infinite possibility and creativity. When we accept life is hard, takes effort, and is full of unknown, we understand it's part of being human (the doing). We are also a being (human being right?). When we embrace all of it, the human, and the being, the mind stuff and the spirit, we get to live a full rich deep life. More to come on the topic of "what it means to be spiritual" as I am provoked by questions of religion, spiritualty, etc. Seems many have lost their way simply because they have no access to their own spiritual dimension. Namaste, Stephanie  MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE AT BRONXVILLE WELLNESS SACNTUARY
Most people are familiar with lymphatic drainage helping to release excess fluid in the body. However, our lymphatic system is widely diverse in its overall benefits. Lymphatic drainage is essential to stabilizing a healthy immune system, carrying white blood cells to fight off infection, as well as transferring toxins to be filtered out to the liver and kidneys. Since our lymphatic system does not have a pump (as our circulatory system does) the lymphatic fluid moves throughout the body through our muscles contracting, and through an intricate system of vessels and valves. However, sometimes our lymphatic system requires assistance in moving this fluid, and that's where manual lymphatic drainage comes in. What are the benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage? - Boosts immunity - Aids in moving toxins out of the body (through the liver and kidneys) - Releases excess fluid - Reduces tightness in muscles - Promotes overall relaxation and well being What happens in a Manual Lymphatic Drainage session? Is it like a massage? While MLD is a full body treatment, lymphatic drainage is nothing like a massage. It consists of incredibly light compressions, circular movements, and "pumping" actions. The touch of the therapists’ hands will feel like no more than the weight of a nickel resting on your skin. Some people when receiving manual lymphatic drainage describe it as "featherlike" in movement. Why is the pressure so light? When someone is used to receiving massage, it can be an abrupt change receiving lymphatic drainage, and can almost feel like "nothing." But, in fact, the exact opposite is true. The lymphatic system rests directly under the skin, and can only be accessed through light, pumping motions to encourage the lymph flow. If we used any other pressure heavier than what was previously described, we would actually be compressing the lymph fluid, thereby blocking it and obstructing it from moving throughout the body. What to expect after an MLD treatment: - You may feel "clean" or "light" - You may feel relaxed or energized - You may urinate more, and the urine may look or smell different than usual - You may feel nauseous - You may sleep really deeply, or not be able to sleep - You may feel clear headed Before Your Manual Lymphatic Drainage Session: - Do not drink/eat 2 hours beforehand - Make sure to use the restroom beforehand - Ensure you are not currently experiencing menstruation You are not eligible for MLD if you have any of the following conditions: acute infections or fever, bronchitis, congestive heart failure, renal failure, active bleeding, blood clots, circulatory problems, overactive thyroid, epilepsy, blocked intestines, diverticulosis, abdominal aorta aneurysm, diabetes mellitus, cancer (leukemia and lymphoma patients require a doctor's note), Crohn's disease, or any disease with inflammation in the intestines, adhesions in the abdomen due to surgical intervention, radiation therapy, any other health issues for gut, liver and kidneys, any abdominal surgery within 6 to 8 weeks (after this time period requires a doctor’s note), undiagnosed edema, acute asthma, burns, fresh scars, bruises, eczema, if you are currently menstruating, gynecological cysts and pregnancy Peter & Ricky offer this service. >>>BOOK NOW  Practicing Transcendental Meditation now for over 2 decades I finally understand what is means that life is the meditation.
Why? The discipline it takes to sit everyday for 20 minutes in silence is a habit that translates to all areas of life. When I started my TM practice 23 years ago I felt like I "had" to. I was looking for a healthier way to manage my mind and emotions. I am a passionate triple LEO with a strong personality and opinions! Now I "get" to do my TM practice. Meditation really isn't a "doing" anyway. It's actually about sitting with self, observing thought, emotion, story, etc. and realizing we are none of it. We are much more. Once we "get" this, we start to see life differently...and experience life differently. Examples include: we show up calm instead of activated; we respond instead of react; we think before we speak; we look at emotions as messengers rather than excuses to "act out"; we are present, in the moment, not distracted / controlled by past or future. The list is endless. What we learn / experience sitting in meditation begins to merge with our life. By this I mean: when we are meditating, we are meditating. When we are playing, we are playing. When we are working, we are working. When we are in relationship, talking and engaging, that's what we are doing. Whatever we are "doing" gets our full, 100% attention. We are present. Meditation teaches us how to be present in our life. Many think meditation is woo woo. It is not. Meditation is hard. It takes incredible discipline and courage to sit with self and be willing to look at all our beauty and our pain. That's life. A paradox. >>>Learn More  Stay Ahead of Allergy Season!
Along with the beautiful blooms of Spring some of us suffer from allergies. It can feel like migraine headaches, sinus pressure, congestion...not fun! Did you know massage therapy is a great way to alleviate this discomfort and irritation? Here at Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary our massage is designed to address your specific needs. If you suffer from allergy/sinus/congestion/migraine headache book a massage for yourself. By using various sinus massage techniques on your head you will experience a decrease in congestion and pressure while increasing circulation bringing about most welcome relief. Be sure to tell your therapist you want to focus on the head during your session! We also offer a 45 minute head, neck, shoulder massage if you are strapped for time and want targeted relief. >>>Book Now  I love transformation. That said, the transformation process doesn't usually start out easy or pleasant. This is a brief story of transformation I want to share about my dog Rocky. It's a story from heartbreak to heart full 💙 My amazing sister Christine rescued Rocky in October 2022 and was planning to bring him to the shelter for adoption. I am VERY sensitive and don't like re-living the details. I don't understand how people can mistreat any living being. It makes me very angry. Because I am here to raise consciousness on the planet, I channel my anger into helping people awaken. That's my superpower. What I will say about Rocky is that for the first 12 months of his life he was severely neglected by a human. It was hard for me to even look at him when we met. And yet - I couldn't stop looking into his sweet brown eyes. I had no plans of ever having a dog 🙀 I have 2 cats, easy. The longer I found myself looking into his eyes, the more I knew he was to be with me and me with him 👁️ I had no idea HOW. Nothing was making sense. I like when things make sense. I cried for days not understanding this connection. I kept asking: why me, why now. Life is good, easy.. 😻 I do what I do to get clear 💎 I humbly bow my head in Prayer, meditation, shamanic journey asking for guidance. 🌟 I got crystal clear confirmation Rocky came into my life to teach me the next set of lessons in love and life ☺️ I said YES. 🤓 Terrified of course.. and also excited with a deep knowing I am supported ✅ Pictures below show transformation from October 2022 to March 2023🔥 It's incredible what happens when we say YES. When we commit fully. The physical transformation of Rocky has been amazing. I make him 3 yummy meals per day. We play on the beach every morning. He is showered with love. Rocky is now up to 79lbs and is the sweetest smartest boy I know 🥰 He is so sweet that I am feeling he is meant to work with me therapeutically in my energy healing practice. The transformation I am experiencing is well underway! Rocky is a mirror. When I am tense, he is tense. When I doubt my obedience training, he isn't confident. When he comes in wet and muddy on the white floors, I dig deep to let go. When I yell at him for being a dog when I am impatient or tired or confused, I realize I am projecting onto him. I ask him to forgive me and he always does. When he barks louder I am learning to talk softer. Now we are learning to communicate without even speaking. Incredible. These examples are only a sliver of the daily transformation I am undergoing. I am reminded that I may not always know HOW, yet I am 100% certain it will be fine, and we will be fine as we figure it out together. Not perfect, quite messy at times, and still fine. Who knew life could get even better and more fun, even when I lose my patience more than I ever have with puppy life and obedience and all that cat chasing 🥲 Huge shout out to my sister and all our beach buddies + trainers who are a constant source of support, wisdom, laughter, and grace. What's your transformation story? Who or what was the catalyst? What are you learning? >>>Email Me, I'd love to know! |
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