I’ve found the man of my awakeness by guest author Alys Titchener My flatmate Kara-Leah and I were sitting on our lounge floor one afternoon doing some stretches before dinner. I was deep in thought and before I could censor myself, I blurted out; I feel like I’ve found the man of my awakeness. I wasn’t quite sure what I meant by that, only that this statement arose because what I was experiencing was… not so familiar. What has become familiar about those times I’ve fallen in love with … [Read more...]
Review: A Month of Mindfulness Meditation Practice with Peter Fernando
I’ve been a bit of a nomad these last six months, doing house-sits, camping, festivals, cruising in my van, and a bit of Wwoofing. I love the freedom of this lifestyle, but what I noticed after a few months was that I needed a routine that would give priority to my meditation practice no matter where I was or what I was doing. For that reason alone, I was excited when I heard Peter Fernando was offering an online course of his wonderful guided meditations, wisdom and insights. It’s … [Read more...]
The benefits and pitfalls of conscious community
by Aly Titchener Living in an intentional community in the city Given the discussions I often hear around me, and the positive reception from Jennifer’s recent article about family friendly spiritual communities, it seems like there are many people wanting to be involved at some level in a spiritually motivated community. Not only being a part of such a community group, there appears to be a growing swell of people wanting to live within a conscious and intentional community. I’ve … [Read more...]
I’m not flexible enough to do yoga
by guest author Alys Titchener It took me years to turn up to a yoga class. Years and years of liking the idea of yoga before actually appearing on a yoga mat. Why? Whenever I confessed I’d never done a yoga class; I’d always append the confession with – I’m not flexible enough. Never have been. I got dropped from the gymnastics club at the age of eight because I couldn’t reach my toes. I could do handstands, I could vault, I could balance on the beam, but I couldn’t touch my … [Read more...]
How does Gangaji describe the practice of enquiry?
The path of direct enquiry is the lineage of Ramana Maharshi and what he offered as a path to his own spiritual self-realisation. It is what Papaji taught, and what Gangaji now teaches. Ramana once defined the practice of enquiry by starting with the question: Who Am I ? For all thoughts the source is the 'I' thought. If thoughts arise, without trying to complete them, enquire; to whom did this thought arise. What does it matter how many thoughts arise? As each thought arises, be … [Read more...]
Rolling with Gangaji and how she scuttled my boat Part 2
My first impression of Gangaji, the person in real life, left me a little surprised. On the YouTube clips, I remembered her being a wise and encompassing energy, a presence larger than life with a chameleon of hairstyles. When I opened my eyes as we finished our coming-together mediation, I saw the energy of a child sitting up on stage. She was calm and so innocent. Her distinctive locks of hair were pulled back into a neat librarian’s bun. This is Gangaji? Slowly her presence filled … [Read more...]
Rolling with Gangaji and how she scuttled my boat Part 1
You know, I’m often tempted to start many of the article I write with marveling at how synchronistic our world is. How missing out on one event meant that I turned up to another. How I ended up at the right place at the right time. So forgive me for overstating it right up front, but isn’t life’s timing perfect! In this instance, I am referring to Gangaji’s visit to Australasia late last year. Timing had it that I missed out on her New Zealand visit, something I really wanted to … [Read more...]
What does it feel like to be in the flow?
by guest author Alys Titchener, author of the poetry blog Squashed Mosquito, in honour of Blog Action Day 2010 | Water Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action. What does it feel like to be in the flow? I came across this question on facebook today. Brilliant question! One thing I can point to … [Read more...]
How being kind to myself helped me do 108 sun salutations at Global Mala Wellington
by guest author Alys Titchener, author of blog Squashed Mosquito. Set up against all weather predictions, long term at least, Global Mala took to the outdoors on Wellington’s waterfront. An hour before, it was hard to tell if the blue sky was teasing us or accommodating us. From one hour to the next, it’s hard to know what the weather will do in Wellington. We arrived in optimism giving thanks to the sun; an attitude to befit an afternoon of sun salutations. Not having … [Read more...]
Equaniminity and the dying mouse
by guest author Alys Titchener, author of blog Squashed Mosquito. Below is a story I wrote about being open. Why? Because I found that when I shared this story at a meditation workshop earlier this year, there was a lot of empathy for the situation. And a real life story can start to build up a picture as to what it actually means to live with an open heart. In this workshop, nicely called Refuge and run by meditation teacher Peter Fernando, we found ourselves asking; What is being … [Read more...]