Final Post

http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/meditation-can-offer-help-for-suffering/

I am going to apply all the meditation and montras to my volleyball team. I want to apply the positivity to all our games and use it. I would like to use breaths to use when in stressfull times during the games. I am also going to try doing yoga or meditate once a week.

http://www.ri.net/RInet/Fr_Doyle/schoolsports.html

 I am also going to continue working on my writing skills because I have noticed that when I work on it and care about it the thoughts come to me. I enjoy writing and if I continue I think I can improve a lot.

Final Project

I am working on my final project with Kayla. We are creating a childrens ABC book all about yoga. We have a bunch of different terms that reflect yoga and what you have to do. We are then taking pictures of the different words and putting them together like a collage.
The project represents what I have learned this term because it combines all the ideas around yoga. It includes books such as The Prohpet and the Baghavad Gita. The book will include all the knowledge that you have given us about yoga and the east.

http://www.rrsd.mb.ca/resourcesandprojects/grade4/grade4.html

On Beauty (The Prophet)

http://jhh.blogs.com/reflections/

Beauty is not just what is on the outside. Its not the superficial exterior on a person. Beauty is what comes from the inside. Beauty should be what shines from the inside out not the outside in. When you have a beautiful inside you exude beauty. Society has told us to believe that beauty comes from the outside such as models ect. I think that beauty that radiates from the inside is the most beautiful beauty that you can find!

On Prayer (The Prophet)

People can pray in times when they are hurt and down or in times of happiness and gratitude. Prayer is what you make of it. Everyone prays for a different reason whether it be positive or negative. Prayer is where you can put your darkest secrets in return for advice or a place to give thanks to those who deserve thanks in return karma. Pray is something that no one can learn but can do. When there is no one to help He answers in return and is always there for you no matter where you are. Pray is the go to place when there is no one.

On Talking (The Prophet)

Talking is a mere expression of how people react to thoughts running through their heads. When your inside emotions can not be controlled that is when the words from your heart spill through your lips. When you talk your thoughts are running so fast that sometimes what is in your heart does not come out through your mouth. Many people feel the need to talk when they fear something may happen so words come up and mean nothing. Many people use talking to sounds smart however the opposite comes out. They are thinking only with the brain so nothing that they say sticks with someone. Talking to people through yourself, feelings and truth is when people will listen the most. Those words are the ones that stick with people forever.

http://www.photoshopdaily.co.uk/featured/transform-your-portraits/

On Friendship (The Prophet)

http://media.photobucket.com/image/friends+are+like+stars/nguyen95138/M175Good-Friends-Are-Like-Stars-Pos.jpg

Your friend is someone that you can tell anything too. Someone that makes you happy and shows you love. Your friend is the person that is there with you through the good and the bad. Your friend is able to listen to you through the words you say in your heart not just what comes out of your mouth. A true friend is someone that you want to be with no matter what your mood. You want them to be there when you are having your last breathe. A friend is someone that will always no matter how far apart will always be there. Friends can share your pain and love, but a true friend is someone that feels your pain and love.

Pain (The Prophet)

Pain was another one of my favorite passages from The Prophet. I like how it tells you pain is something that you can control. You have the power to say what is painful and what is not. Sometimes it can be misunderstood through emotions. Even when something terrible happens there is always a good side that is going to come out of pain. You must listen to others to coax your pain and help them help you. Pain can be something that you can control but when you put up a barrier because of previous pains you will miss out!

http://playstationlifestyle.net/2009/05/24/psn-review-pain/

Reason and Passion (The Prophet)

I loved the section Reason and Passion. It conveys such a strong and important message that you have to use your heart and you head have to do the thinking. So when you have that gut feeling to do something then that is you heart and head talking. My favorite line was about the pace maker and how we should be our own. It was a really good analogy that made me think I would do a lot of stupid things if that shock of a gut feeling did not kick in. You should believe in your reasons behind decisions and let your passion go to make decisions.

http://blogz.org/Blog571775-Human-Heart-Conditions-Does-Your-Heart-Beat-For-God.htm

Yoga Nov 4, 2010

http://www.yogadork.com/news/study-restorative-yoga-defeats-depression-in-breast-cancer-patients/

Today I did restorative yoga because my foot was so swollen it was hard for me to bend it. Everyone around me was moving, and there was talking in the background from the movie. A couple months ago I would have never been able to find quiet in a noisy room. When I first shut my eyes the movie was probably the most distracting part, however moments later I came to my breathes that seemed to echo in my head and drain out the movies noise. I said my mantra for the day over and over breathing it in and out. Focusing mainly on my own thoughts I was able to complete restorative yoga and end feeling better then I did at the beginning of class. I felt more grounded and through the rest of the day I was able to stay focused. I feel like I was more focused because of the restorative yoga I did while others were doing active. Did it teach me disiplin?

On Clothes

"On Clothes" talks about how clothes hide your true beauty. The human body is a complex beautiful thing that clothes only hide. Although clothes express your individuality they are not to be ostentatious. Clothes can be a cover of something that is hidden under. " For the breath of life is in the sunlight and the hand of life is in the win." Clothes should not stop you from doing what you love to do. I think that the section is not referring to clothes at the material possesion but rather you as a person. Do not let things cover you up and make the outside look beautiful; but have the inside shine even brighter.

http://www.bulldogblog.net/category/community-events/

Bucket List

1. Sky dive

2. Travel

3. Marry

4. Drag Race

5. Live in Italy for a year

6. Hike Mt. Everset

7. Huge road trip going to every place

http://www.silveroaklimo.com/street-talk-blog/bid/40934/Nashville-Before-There-Was-a-Bucket-List

The Prophet (On Marriage, On Children, On Giving)

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/vintage-on-etsy--the-prophet-by-kahlil-gibran--1958-by-dogwoodvintagebooks

On Marriage: In "On Marriage" Kahlil Gibran is talking about how marriages are with someone you feel you have known your entire life. There may be fights between the two of you but let them happen and learn and grow from them. In marriages you make mistakes so let them happen. You should let love be love, but not have to force it; it should come naturally. Even if the two of you are different share the light and the love and be happy.


On Children: Children are a blessing from G/d. Although you have it and make it, the life is passed by G/d onto you. You should love them your entire life and share with them what you would want to hear if you were them. Children should be children while they can you should not stop them from being who they are or what they want to become; let them dream big.


On Giving: This one was really hard to comprehend however I think it is not just the thought of giving away what you owned, to think you have done good. However it is your internal giving making yourself aware of what you have done. It is self absorption that makes people think they are all good inside.  However we give so little to others and more to ourselves that we do not realize what we are doing. We feel pitty for ourselves more than we do others. I like to think of it as tunnel vision we cant see the whole picture but what we can see we will do something about. The blind spots on the side is where we give back to ourselves, so there is more self giving then giving.

Love Prompt #18

Love is an indescribable feeling that only the lucky ones get to experience. Being at the young age of only 17 love has not crossed my radar. There have been times when I have liked someone a lot but not nearly close to the feeling of love.
Love (n.) a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
I dont think that love can be described in a mear definition. Love is that feeling that when you experience it it is the most amazing feeling that can not be repeated. Love is amazing in ways that it can manipulate a person and make them better or worse. It is like no other feeling that you can feel. Love is pure.

Prompt #17

Without concern for results,
perform the necessary action;
surrendering all attachments,
accomplish life's highest good.

I think that this is an important part of the Gita because it talks about how we should not expect anything after working hard. As David explained that once we are able to reach this we will be happy. I think it is important to not expect anything for working hard because it is what we should do. The picture below should not be your motivation.

http://myspace-comments-myspace-graphics.pizbo.com/GetCode.php?img=/congratulations/congratulations-graduation-comments-graphics-images/images/hard-work-paid-off.gif

Prompt #16

Write a paragraph or two about why it speaks to you and how it could be relevant to your own life.
Chapter 2 was the easiest chapter to understand for me. I was able to comprehend a lot more then I thought I would be able to. My favorite passage in chapter two was in 47-47 because I was able to relate to it...

You have a right to your actions,
but never to your actions' fruits.
Act for the action's sake.
And do not be attached to inaction.
Self-possessed, resolute, act
without any thoughts or results,
open to success or faliure.
This equanimity is yoga. (47-47)

I have always been afraid of failing and letting the pressures that others give me effect how I view myself. Failing for me can mean that B+ that is so close to and A- because I feel like I failed myself. It is not just about the grade but it is that one time that I did something where I could have been doing something else more productive. If I did that something more productive I could have moved from that B+ to the A-. However I then realized that the only reason why I care so much is from the pressure that others give me and expect of me. If that pressure was not their I would not feel like I cheated myself because I would not know the expectations. I want to be able to set my own standard and not have the standard that people want. Having my own expectations will make me more concentrate on what I have to do. I will not be as worried and stressed because I would not be compared to people and their standards and expectations.

http://www.scadconnector.com/opinion/editorial-cartoons/students-under-pressure/

Prompt #15

http://mirror-us-ga1.gallery.hd.org/_c/leaves/potato-sprouting-in-soil-with-roots-visible-rotated-small-AJHD.jpg.html

Add captionhttp://www.ehow.com/care-for-bamboo-plants/

          My bamboo tree looks happy. Always trying to have a positive outlook on life and living life everyday to the fullest. My bamboo lives life like a Panda Bear will eat it tomorrow. It is full of life and bubbly personality. However my bamboo is showing at the top of the soil but it has not reached its potential. It is taking time to  have it full come out of the ground but it will soon. Everyday I will water it with a kind gesture, the golden rule and being grateful for what I have not what I do not have. When my bamboo is ready it will grow 3 feet everyday until it can not grow anymore.

Prompt #13/#14

http://gospeltoday.ning.com/profiles/blogs/let-your-light-so-shine

Saturday: 
I sat down in a dark room with a candle lit on my dresser and laying down on my floor with a warm blanket underneath. Laying there for what I thought was 10 mins, I woke up looked at the time and it had only been 3 mins. I was to hyper to do it during the day so at around 11pm I did the same thing but this time i was tired so i sat up and mediatated counting my breathes. I was able to really concentrate on my breathes and what was going on around me I was very nice. I ended up with a total mediation of 22 mins. After I felt extremely tired so I crawled into bed and went to sleep counting my breathes as I fell asleep.

http://www.climbing-frames-etc.co.uk/trampoline-14ft-round-sk14g.html

Sunday:
Since it was soo nice out today at around 4 I went outside with my laptop and played meditation music. I decided to sit on my trampoline to really test my concentration. I counted my breathes...1,2,3, hold, 1,2,3 ect. I sat out there for a total of 13 mins. To my surprise it was much easier to meditate outside rather than in a room. The nature noises put me right into meditation and as the music played I was able to focus more. Being outside was much more relaxing then being in a room with a bunch of distractions. I was able to even sit on a trampoline and not have to urge to stop meditation and jump up and down.

Prompt #12

http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/42-21521863.html

          The definition of self is someone who is proud to be who they are. To only look through their eyes and not make what other peoples eyes want to see. Self is someone who has control of their emotions and body. I would define myself as happy. I try to stay positive as much as I can and to think realistically about what is going to happen. Self is how you define yourself and how others can not define you. It is how you choose to see yourself.

Blog #11

My Samskaras -->

Photo from google.com

• Checking facebook
• Doing the same thing in the shower (wash hands, wash face, shampoo, condtioner, wash body).
• Listen to music in the morning while getting dressed.
• Wake up in the morning and wash my hands and go to the bathroom.
• Repeat myself.
• Have breakfast.
• Doing something athletic after school.
• Play with animals then go do homework.
• Have to get to sleep by 10.
• All the lights have to be off when I go to bed and I shut the shades.
• Cant sleep without my 2 cats on the bed at night.

Sweet Enlightenment

http://community.livejournal.com/bakebakebake/1048087.html

http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2010/03/26/chocolate-chip-banana-cake-2/

          In the section Indonesia I think that Gilbert is a lot more self aware. She talks about herself in the form of a cake. Gilbert says, "That basically [she's] the cake that just came out of the oven, and it still needs some more time to cool before it can be frosted. [She doesn't] want to cheat [herself] out of this precious time. [She doesn't] want to lose control of [her] life again."(Gilbert, 284). I feel like Gilbert is trying to show that it takes time to reach the highest point. When she is ready it will come and be sweet- so to speak. She knows how to control her life now and everything is starting to go her way. I feel like in the Indonesia section of this book Gilbert is finding her way to enlightenment. 

           The mood has changed in Indonesia from India in a positive way. In India Gilbert was still a little lost and not knowing how to focus and meditate. In Indonesia Gilbert is more focused and working on the small things. When she meets Ketut it seems that her whole attitude turns around. She is able to be more friendly and free going. Gilbert is letting go of control and is letting things come naturally to her. For example Gilbert said, "I've been here only a few weeks and I feel a rather mission-accomplished sensation already. The task in Indonesia was to search for balance, but I dont feel like I'm searching for anything anymore because the balance has somehow naturally come into place." (259). She is telling herself that instead of pushing like to find this sense of inner awareness immediately that she has to take time and experience it and let it come naturally without being stressed while finding it.