#goenka

[serenityatnight]

NEIROHI😘💖

The ship that didn't sail...but alas it touched our hearts for sure😍

[meredithalden]

just got back from meditation boot camp. have some goenka memes

[anutheauthor]

Body And Mind: Two Sides Of The Same Coin?

A few weeks ago, in this blog, I spoke about moving to the next level in life. Now, it has been a while since I moved levels, so I have forgotten what I did when I levelled up—in fact, I am not even sure if that concept existed for me back then. However, as I work at mastering this level, flashes of similar experiences resonate with me. This reinforces the belief that the universe wants me to…

[averycanadianfilm]

S.N. Goenka - Morning Chanting - Day 6

Students don’t chant. :-)

[spfqueen]

Vipassana

Vipassana means "seeing things as they really are" and is a meditation technique originating from India. It is the process of self-cleansing through self-observation. Impulsively once again, I decided to spend 10 days at a retreat in Asia learning this ancient meditation technique white cut off from all electronic devices and communication with the outside world.

I am a woman of science, I like evidence based, quantitative measurement and proof of theory and statistics. What the heck was I doing at a Buddhist meditation retreat right after my research fellowship?

I've always been drawn to Eastern philosophy. After earning my science degree I traveled to Bali to get a yoga instructor certification. That's where I first heard about Vipassana. I couldn't understand why anyone would willingly sign up for something so torturing. Two years later my own calling came: I felt completely disconnected from my body and disoriented from my goals. I went on the website and started looking for destinations, I filled out the declaration of interest not believing I would go. Vipassana centers exist all over the world, as well as in Greece. The only open place I found within 10 days was in Singapore. I was starting rural in two months so it had to be done asap.

My previous experience with meditation? Excruciating. I couldn't sit still for more than 10 minutes, my so-called monkey mind jumped around endlessly leaving me with negative feelings of failure and dissatisfaction. But wasn't that the goal? To go and learn how to do it.

I decided not to discuss this decision with my acquaintances, as I didn't want their opinion to influence me. I knew exactly how they were going to respond.

Three days before I left I told my brother that I was scared. He replied "It is that because you are scared you have to do it".

Two days before I flew I announced to my mother that I was going to Singapore for 10 days without a cell phone for a meditation retreat. The mother obviously freaked out. "Who organises this, what's the point, why don't you go find a place at the beach to chill instead of flying to Asia to meet hippies".

I packed my suitcase and took a taxi to the airport for a 20h trip. I commuted from the airport directly to the place appointed for pick up to the course location. I was there two hours early. "What am I doing? I have a family that loves me. Why did I have to go halfway around the world to calm my head - I could have chosen to go to a shopping spree instead. This meeting spot could easily be a white slavery organisation, I'd be kidnapped and no one would know where I was."

Slowly, Singaporeans and Indians began to appear with suitcases in hand and a look on their faces saying "I don't know what I'm doing - help me". I must have been in the right place because I looked like that too. They counted us, read our names and we boarded the bus. Half an hour later we had arrived at the camp and received our instructions and schedule for the next 10 days.

Program

04:00 wake up to the sound of the gong 04:30 - 06:30 meditation in our private room or in the hall 06:30 - 08:00 breakfast 08:00 - 09:00 group meditation in the hall 11:00 - 13:00 lunch (this was the last meal of the day) and rest 13:00 - 14:30 meditation in our private area or in the hall 14:30 - 15:30 group meditation in the hall 15:30 - 17:00 meditation in our private room or in the hall 17:00 - 18:00 afternoon tea break 18:00 - 19:00 group meditation in the hall 19:00 - 20:15 video course screening 20:15 - 21:00 group meditation in the room 20:00 lights off

Rules The participants must: Refrain from killing any living creature (including: for eating anything of animal origin. not even the mosquito that's buzzing around you) Refrain from stealing. Refrain from any sexual activity. Refrain from lying. Abstain from any kind of toxic substances. To follow polite silence - ALL conversations (and eye contact) are forbidden. There is segregation of men and women in the area. Physical exercise, yoga is prohibited. No reading, music, writing, use of cell phone and camera is prohibited. Shoulders and knees should be covered at all times, with loose and modest clothing.

Time to explore where I would sleep. Our room had the same size as my room in Athens with the small detail that it was destined for 6 women in bunk beds. How was I supposed to share a room with 5 other Asian girls without talking? The room looked like it hadn't been cleaned for a long time, the WC was two in one, bathroom and toilet. How was I, a sworn enemy of any camping activities going to last 10 days in that hell? I'd heard that many people can't complete the course and give up, but a more stubborn person than me is hard to find. Furthermore, I was a bit far from home (20 hour trip). The outdoor space was surrounded by a fence, hence limited walking area. On the other side of the fence I saw beautiful trees I have only seen in Asian movies. It was beautiful.

Days 1 - 3

The first three days were dedicated to the technique of observing the breath, called anapana. I got 5 pillows to make a little throne and be as comfortable as possible. For the first 2 days western life occupied my mind. I was thinking of captions for my fantastic instagram posts for clicks I'd never taken. I walked around our fenced area to count how many minutes I completed it in (it was 4), so I could repeat it as many times as it takes to walk 30 minutes a day. For self entertainment purposes, I walked barefoot on the grass to soak in the daily midday rain. Remember the rules. Besides, it was so hot that I had to go into every meditation hour in a wet shirt to endure.

I generally don't dream, but after the first day of meditation every time I went to sleep (naps twice during the day and sleep at night) I had very vivid dreams that I remembered clearly afterwards. I started to get used to myself without make up and actually like my face (note that at the time my friends never saw me without winged eyeliner and 10 days make up free was a personal record).

Day 4

On the fourth day I found out that so far we haven't been practicing vipassana meditation. That day we had to pick a sitting position and stay there for two hours without any movement. For two hours you had to harness your mind telling you to stretch your leg, scratch your shoulder, open your eyes. And just when you think you're not going to make it, you do. My leg went completely numb and I had to give it sometime before I was able to walk again.

Every day that went by, I got better at that technique. I had become more relaxed, and more "present". I noticed the trees, each leaf and trunk, the sunrise and sunset, the colors and position of the sun. I felt happier, so much so that I wondered if they were adding any substances in our food.

Slowly, I began to understand the meaning behind each rule. We couldn't eat heavily because it was hard to stay alert for meditation on a full stomach. We couldn't talk because, as they say, "comparison is the thief of joy." Each student was at a different stage in their path and each path is different. Also writing, cell phones and talking were ways we could avoid introspection. Exercise, even light yoga would be distraction as well.

Days 6 - 9

On the 6th day, the vipassana technique began. From then on, three times a day for one hour we had to stay still. Normally you should not label your meditation as good or bad. It is simply what it is. However, I was extremely proud of my meditation session on the 7th day. An hour of sitting went by like 5 minutes. It seemed unbelievable to me. After the session, I went outside, sat on the grass and observed the nature around me. Never in my life, had I ever felt such explosion of joy inside of me before. The feelings were unprecedented. I couldn't remember myself being so happy. I started wondering when was the last time I was happy. The last times I had felt happy were when I had published in one of the best dermatology journals, when I had presented at that American World Congress, when I went on a date with Mr X, Y, Z. It was all external ego boosters. And there, I found myself having created this huge feeling - all an inside job, with no gym endorphins, no shopping, no contact with people around me. I was crying.

I was thinking about The Beatles, one of my favorite bands, who had gone to meditate in India. I was singing "Let it be" in my head and, for the first time, with Goenka's vipassana teaching, the song really made sense.

Day 10

We were finally allowed to talk to each other. I so was eager to ask about their experiences, what had prompted them to come. I learned that Vipassana is quite popular in Asian countries. I was surprised to find out that many came for no particular reason, just for the experience. Some said they were looking for answers, others said they were depressed and wanted to heal. All of them felt grateful that they came. I felt a constant smile on my face which I could also see on everyone around me.

I don't know what exactly it was that prompted me to try Vipassana. But it was the best trip of my life.

Was it easy? Not at all. Should you go for it? No doubt. If I had to put into one single phrase what how felt, it would be "I was put back into my body". I can't help but wonder if I would have handled things differently if I had done vipassana earlier in my life. I made a promise to myself that I would continue meditating and would repeat the course that made me grateful to be me.

[ies10]

GD Goenka University Gurgaon: Nurturing Excellence in Education

GD Goenka University Gurgaon: Nurturing Excellence in Education

Introduction:

Education is the foundation of human progress, and higher education plays a key role in shaping our future. Located in the heart of the bustling city of Gurgaon, GD Goenka University is a pioneer in quality education, innovation and holistic development. Striving for excellence, the university has earned a reputation for providing students with a world-class education that prepares them for the challenges of her 21st century. This blog explores the diverse features of his GD Goenka University Gurgaon and why it is a popular destination for higher education.

History and Legacy:

Located in lush Gurgaon, GD Goenka University was established in 2013. Despite being relatively recently established, the university continues the tradition of his GD Goenka group, which has been prominent in the educational world for over 20 years. The college is named after visionary educator Sri A.K. named. Mr. Goenka founded his GD Goenka Group with the mission of providing quality education and promoting the holistic development of students.

Academic Excellence:

GD Goenka University has quickly risen to prominence for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The university offers diverse undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in various fields. GD Goenka University offers comprehensive industry-relevant curricula, whether in engineering, management, law, humanities or other disciplines.

GD The faculty members of Goenka University are not only teachers, but also mentors who accompany students on their academic journey. With a mix of experienced academics and industry professionals, the faculty ensures that students get the best of both worlds: theoretical knowledge and practical insight.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure:

One of the main aspects that characterizes GD Goenka University is its state-of-the-art infrastructure. The campus is designed to create an environment conducive to learning, with modern classrooms with audiovisual materials, a well-equipped library, and state-of-the-art laboratories. The university also has a large sports complex, art studios, and well-maintained auditoriums for cultural events and seminars.

Campus is not just for academics. A place for students to explore their interests and passions outside the classroom. The quiet and green surroundings provide a tranquil environment for learning and self-development.

Industry Integration:

GD Goenka University recognizes the importance of work experience in today's competitive world. To bridge the gap between academia and industry, the university has built strong relationships with leading companies and organizations. Through collaborations, internships, and industry visits, students gain hands-on experience and gain insight into real-world scenarios.

In addition, the university invites guest lecturers and industry experts to share their knowledge and experiences with students. This industry consolidation makes graduates fit not only academically, but also in the industry, making them more likely to be employed.

Research and Innovation:

Research is the foundation of progress and GD Goenka University Gurgaon encourages a culture of research and innovation. The university's well-equipped research centers and laboratories provide an environment in which students and faculty can conduct cutting-edge research. A focus on research not only enhances academic experience but also contributes to the advancement of knowledge in various fields.

In addition, GD Goenka University actively participates in national and international conferences and collaborates with renowned research institutes to promote knowledge sharing and academic growth.

Global Exposure:

In an increasingly connected world, a global presence is essential for personal and professional development. GD Goenka University recognizes this and offers various opportunities for international exposure. Through exchange programs, study trips, and collaboration with overseas universities, students can broaden their horizons and acquire a global perspective.

The university also welcomes international students, creating a diverse and multicultural campus that enriches the learning experience for all. Interacting with students from different backgrounds promotes cross-cultural understanding and prepares students for the globalized world of work.

Holistic Development:

Education is not just about acquiring knowledge. It's about overall development. GD Goenka University attaches great importance to the overall development of its students. Apart from academic activities, the university encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, sports and cultural events.

There are many clubs and organizations that cater to diverse interests and allow students to pursue their passions and develop leadership and team skills. The university also has its own career development department, which offers advice and support for internships, internships and entrepreneurial activities.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation:

Innovation and entrepreneurship are the engines of economic growth and GD Goenka University strives to cultivate these qualities in its students. The university has established an Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) to provide advice, guidance and resources to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Through workshops, seminars and startup incubation programs, students can turn innovative ideas into viable enterprises. GD Goenka University actively promotes and supports student start-ups, thereby fostering a culture of innovation and independence.

Cultural Diversity:

The diverse student composition of this university reflects the multicultural structure of India. Students from different states and countries come together to create a vibrant and inclusive campus. This cultural diversity enriches the learning experience and helps students develop a global perspective.

GD Goenka University celebrates various cultural festivals where students can showcase their traditions and learn from each other. Such cultural exchange contributes to comprehensive education that goes beyond textbooks.

Social Responsibility:

As a responsible citizen, it is important to give something back to society. GD Goenka University instills a sense of social responsibility in its students through various community outreach programs and initiatives. Students are encouraged to make a positive impact on society by organizing health camps, conducting awareness campaigns, and participating in environmental conservation activities.

Conclusion:

GD Goenka University in Gurgaon is more than just an educational institution. It is a hotbed for excellence, innovation and holistic development. The university's commitment to academic rigor, state-of-the-art infrastructure, industry integration, and global presence prepares students to excel in a rapidly changing world. As the successor to the

GD Goenka Group, the university is a testament to the vision of its founder Sri A.K. Goenka believed that quality education was the key to a better future. GD Goenka University continues to uphold this vision, shaping the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, contributing to the progress of society and the country.

[twiichii]

Quintessence of Silence in the Second Month of Summer

“Never too old, never too bad, never too late, never too sick to start from scratch once again.” – Bikram Choudhury After living in the Philippines, I devoted a month to Thailand. Spending time with my partner and Peace Corps host families in Chumphon was my priority! Amazing how much has changed in three years… so grateful to call this place home! 🤗💖💖💖 #hostfamily #garden…

[squiggiily]

My Vipassana Experience

It’s hard to put into words all the things I experienced in these 10 days. But I would say as a whole, I walked away from that space with a profound sense of presence. Understanding what it means to BE HERE NOW. I feel like I could always somewhat understand that that is what it truly means to be alive, but never knew how to actually make it my reality, how to walk that path. And I don’t think I do truly KNOW, but I am one step closer to understanding that at a deeper level now more than I ever have before. 

The whole technique is based on the concept of “Anicca” It refers to the Buddhist concept of impermanence that all existence is temporary and everything changes. That is the core of what you begin to understand there. You understand that there IS only NOW. 

Our thoughts constantly run between memories or regrets of the past and aspirations or anxieties of the future. And this is what causes suffering, because they are cravings or aversions to what is happening right now in this actual moment. 

The experience was much like a prison, or mental hospital, a controlled environment where you must stay within the boundaries and follow the schedule to a tee. At times these boundaries were comforting, and other moments they were suffocating. 

Schedule

04:00 morning wake up gong 

04:30 meditate in your room or in the hall

06:30 breakfast

08:00 *meditate in the hall*

09:00 meditate in your room or in the hall

11:30 lunch

13:00 rest

14:00 meditate in your room or in the hall

14:30 *meditate in the hall*

15:30 meditate in your room or in the hall

17:00 tea and fruit 

18:00 *meditate in the hall*

19:00 Discourse by Goenka

20:30 meditate in the hall

21:00 day is finished

21:30 lights out

I attended the course in Stowmarket, England. The course is run entirely by volunteers and the teachings were recorded lessons by Goenka, who I grew to admire and love very much. He is so wise and humble, and has such a way with words and explaining the teachings, and a beautiful sense of humor. What an honor it was to receive his teachings. My heart exploded with love and compassion for him on the last day, I couldn't stop crying when the last recording ended.

Understanding Sankharas

The teachings talk about eradicating Sankharas. Goenka explained it like this,

Saṅkhāra is usually translated as mental formations or volitional activities.

Those that are light are like a line drawn on water, which quickly disappears. Those that are medium are like a line draw in sand, which disappears after a while. Those that are heavy are like a line carved in rock, which disappears only after a long time.

The whole technique is about having the thought, and letting it pass, like the line through the water surface. And the more you train your mind to allow the sensations to rise and fall, the quicker they rise and fall. The more you try to hold onto these sensations the longer they will stick around and haunt you, the deeper you dig this thought into the rock and the more difficult it is to let it go. Every time you let your mind get carried away with your cravings or aversion it draws this line. And when you get stuck on this memory or dream, it digs the line deeper and deeper, rather than letting it fall away and pass by quickly. And this creates your suffering. 

Day 1-3 you spend simply observing the sensation of the air coming in and out of your nostrils. Days 4-10 you begin the actual technique of vipassana. Which is doing a body scan of sensations in the body. You begin with noticing the sensations on your scalp, then the forehead, eyes, ears, cheeks, nose and all the way down the body to your toes and then back up. Going slowly and deliberately. Every day you alter the pace and technique just a little until you can get into a free flow of moving sensational energy all throughout the body in a free flow. 

Sounds easy but it is so hard to focus on only that. All kinds of sensations pop up; pain, itches, tickling, pulsating, tingling, etc. And the whole technique is to just simply observe that those sensations are there and to not let your mind jump to those spots but to just keep going with the body scan from top to bottom. And you notice that those sensations all pass away when you don't give them your mental energy. They lose power and fade.

During the process you notice your mind trying to run away, all of a sudden a memory comes up and carries your mind away and you completely forget where you were on the body. With time and experience you notice quicker and quicker that your mind has run away, and you kindly direct it back to feeling the physical sensations on the body. I managed to get through about three 1 hour sessions (out of 120 hours of meditation) without letting my mind get carried away even once. But it was extremely hard, it required so much discipline and focus. And the more I did it the easier it got (to a certain extent). 

I understood that those thoughts that tried to carry me away were nothing more than mental sensations that can also be observed and let to pass away, the same as an itch or a tickle. If you recognize that the sensation (or thought) is present, you recognize it, observe it impartially, and then bring your attention back to where you were in your path on noticing the sensations on the body and eventually the thought or the itch just fades away, bringing you back to the present moment again. And this is ultimately the technique. To not let your mind get carried away with thoughts and sensations, they are simply impermanent things that will rise and fall. Anicca. 

For me the first 5 days were the easiest. I think because in my mind before I arrived I was expecting a lot of suffering. So every time something happened where I suffered, I just smiled and laughed to myself and thought, well you knew this was gonna happen… 

But as the days went on, days 6-10, the true suffering began. I became so bored, so deprived, so annoyed, so over it. I wanted to do so many things. I often sat and thought about all my cravings: to smoke, to drink, to have sex, to watch tv, to hula hoop, to to be free. I wanted them all sooooo bad and by sitting and conjuring my cravings it made my reality so much worse. Because I didn’t have those things. I only had my present reality. I only had meditating and walking around the gardens and sitting and staring at the wall. I was miserable. And I spent most of those days stewing in my misery. But then there were moments of remembering the wisdom, and remembering how grateful I was to be in that situation. That I have this time to just sit with my thoughts, and to remember to make use of this time. And then I would get up and walk around or if I had to meditate I would find the power to do another body scan and find my presence. But it was hard. I won’t lie. It was also suffering. 

There were 3 mandatory hours during the day that we had to be in the hall meditating as a group. And the rest of the 9 hours of meditation per day you could do in the hall or in your room on your bed. I always had the best meditation sessions in the hall but the position was so hard on the body and the intensity on the mind that anytime I could meditate in my room I chose that. 

My mind wandered a lot. I had so many things to sort out, and I found that these contemplation hours I spent thinking of every single thing that ever happened in my life were just as valuable as the meditations themselves. I came to a place of understanding and rationalizing with myself in those hours.

Your ego feels so broken down at this time, it had nowhere to hide, nowhere to distract itself, it was just out there exposed in plain sight, vulnerable and honest. And then you begin to see that your ego is just actually a wounded child, wanting to get its way. And your soul, your Truth, it is the wise caring parent that you always needed and you can console and comfort that wounded inner child with. And that is how we heal ourselves, by recreating these parental/child interactions in the ways that are actually good for us.

By giving that wounded child the love it never got, the acceptance it never received, or the discipline it never learned.

In this time it was so easy and accessible to have these conversations with myself, and so valuable and moving. 

I learned many, many lessons there. One was that everyone on this planet experiences suffering. And often during the sittings you sit there in agony and pain and scattered thoughts and memories and are in a world of suffering, you open your eyes and see everyone sitting in stillness, at first it seems they are not suffering, they are sitting in peace with themselves, going through their lives and on the outside it looks like stillness, however you know that they are actually experiencing the same amount more or less than you are in their suffering. So in many ways it expanded my capacity for compassion for all humans. Knowing the pain I am going through is comparable to everyone else. 

“Can you sit with my pain or yours without trying to hide it, fade it, or fix it?” 

A quote that looped in my mind over and over again. Can you just observe your experiences without reacting to them? Understanding that our thoughts and feelings are not ours. They are uncontrolled responses to stimuli. And that part of our work in our lives is to be able to detach ourselves from these sensations, because they are simply that, sensations.

In my mind, I spent so much mental energy thinking about how sitting in stillness for so long is not healthy and is going to give me and injury. Yoga wasn't allowed and I can't remember the last time I didn't do yoga for 10 days. So at some point during the retreat I created injuries in both of my shoulders. Whether it was the weight of my arms being so relaxed and pulled downward, or not doing any strength exercises, or sleeping incorrectly, I don't know, but both of my shoulders felt like they had slipped out of the sockets, it was very painful. I could barely lift my arms. I also found a lump on the top of my right shoulder and it sent me spiraling with ugly thoughts of never being able to do all the things I love ever again.

I realized the severity of the injuries on the evening of the 9th night. I had proudly gone the entire retreat without any back supports, or chairs, which many other people had and I purposely didn't want any help, I wanted to be able to support myself, almost in a metaphoric manner. But with these undeniable injuries I had to sit the whole last day with back and arm supports. I was so ashamed.

I spent the whole 10th morning crying and feeling so sorry for myself. Calling myself a failure, ridiculing myself, my thoughts were so horrible.

After spending some hours really feeling down on myself, I came back to some amount of calmness. I returned to this internal dialogue of the ego child and parent wisdom and told my ego, you are not a failure, we all make regresses on the path, we all make mistakes, it’s okay to need support sometimes, it’s okay to fail sometimes, but you didn’t fail, you didn’t quit! This whole experience was so difficult and look! You are still here, you are still fighting! Look how strong you are, look how resilient you are. Be soft with yourself, be proud of yourself. Forgive yourself. And this got me out of this dark headspace. I was able to let go of those thoughts and feelings and go back to a place of gratitude for this experience and these lessons. 

By midday, the injuries I had created completely went away. As if they were never there. Proving to myself that these pains and sensations are only around for as long as you try to hold on to them or try to make them go away. You have to accept that everything will keep changing. And that’s the law of nature, Anicca… Anicca… Anicca.

Although I do believe a lot of our injuries are created in the mind. I have some skepticism about this life of sitting. I just truly don’t believe this is good for the body. As much as you remain equanimous to the sensations. Down to the physical muscular level, I believe it’s not good to be so still. I think one, two hours a day. This is fine. But 12 hours a day, this is not good. The body needs movement, we were made for that. Not made to sit in stillness. And I understand that for this 10 days it is extreme, in so many ways. Like a boot camp. It's a lot packed into a short time. But the results are worth it. And I didn’t leave with any new injuries so I guess it wasn't really a failure after all.

Your cravings are what cause your suffering. I thought about so many times that I suffered. I was just so depressed in Switzerland for the last 3 months. I wanted so badly to find a job, to have a purpose, to visit friends, to make money, to be able to stop traveling, to have stability. I wanted these things so badly and when I didn’t get them, I sat in my own misery. 

I see now that if I had this knowledge then, I would have found the gratitude that where I was in that moment was absolutely enough, that had I been able to see all the things that I actually did have, rather than only focusing on the things that I didn’t have, my experience would have been so different. But in that moment I chose suffering, knowingly. I chose to go to that place of craving and aversion and created my own pit of hell.

I cannot change the past and I release that time, now I can only learn to continue to find gratitude and peace in THIS moment. 

Cravings of the future also cause suffering, wishing and hoping and dreaming that I will have this life that I so desire, it creates suffering. Because I don’t have it yet, I may be able to look forward to that life I want so badly and that may create some temporary joy, but in the moment that it doesn’t work out as I planned, if I am so attached to that dream, I will suffer. And I suffer when I don’t get the things I want. 

The experience as a whole was filled with a lot of suffering and a lot of joy in the most balanced way possible. The tools I learned there are infinite and I have only just begun on this path. 

I am in no way an enlightened being. I have just taken the first steps on this road. And it’s a very long and squiggly road. But I am here for it. I have never been so excited to be alive as I am right now. To breathe every breath, to live every moment on this earth. What an absolute blessing it is to just simply be alive and to have the freedom to witness so much beauty in this life. 

Being aware enough to notice the subtle beauty in the most simple things, my coffee in the morning, the sunlight on my skin, the rain on my skin, the laughter of a stranger, this beauty is everywhere. It’s not in the quantity, it is in the quality of how much beauty you can notice. It’s everywhere, you just have to slow down enough to see it. And also in how unattached you are to that beauty sticking around. Enjoy the good things while they are here, and to not hold on to them when they are gone. Same with the bad things, the pain and sadness, recognizing that those things come too, and to feel their depths. Come back to this moment. In your body. Your physical body, that is impartial and impersonal to your struggles. 

It’s all here. 

It’s all now. 

As we ponder the meaning of life, it’s become very clear. It is to LIVE. To live right now, in THIS reality. If that is waiting in line, or eating, or driving, or laughing, or crying, or dancing, when you bring awareness to this very moment, without being carried away with memories of the past and dreams of the future, that is when you are truly living. And when you can find peace there in that moment, that is it. That is all there is. There is no past, there is no future. There is only NOW. So the question is, are you going to constantly keep trying to escape this moment? You can try all you want, but you will only suffer. True liberation comes from being satisfied with what is here and now. 

If you got this far, thanks for caring and being curious about this experience. I won't tell anyone what they should do but this experience is life changing and I think anyone and everyone would benefit from the experience and the world would be a much better place if more people had this knowledge and these tools to deal with their suffering.

May all beings be happy.

Love, Cara 🤍

*All images were imagined by me through the help of MidJourney ✨🤍

[whatsleftofdishaa]

Is it just me or anyone else also thinks that Mohsin Khan isn't aging, he looks exactly the same he used to look when he was doing yrkkh or maybe even younger 🥲

[gregor-samsung]

Sir [Is Love Enough?] (Rohena Gera, 2018)

[exotic-indians]

[gemville]

18k Gold, White South Sea Pearl, Sleeping Beauty Arizona Turquoise, Mozambican Ruby and Diamond Earrings by Bina Goenka In Collaboration With Gemfields

Photo: Gemfields

Source: wmagazine.com

[taffetastrology]

The signs as Bina Goenka earrings

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

[anutheauthor]

Being a rebel is pointless unless you know why.

I was a born rebel—one of those rebelling without a cause. Do not ask me why, but if you ask me to do something, my first instinct is not to do it, even though I will do it eventually. I have always been making my own rules – rules are meant to be broken sort of mentality. Underneath it all is knowing that I am trying to break free of some constraints. The constraining situation may change, but…

[nicksalius]

Sulla Tecnica Vipassana - S. N. Goenka

La tecnica vipassana è un metodo di meditazione che si basa sull’osservazione di sé stessi, per vedere le cose come sono veramente e liberarsi dalla sofferenza. È una tecnica antica, insegnata dal Buddha più di 2500 anni fa, ma non è legata a nessuna religione o credo. È una tecnica universale, praticabile da tutti, che conduce alla purificazione della mente e alla pace interiore. Per praticare…

[tadibaaaz]

Akshara saw how abhimanyu's dick rises every time she's content with her life without him and slammed the biggest, heaviest door on it. enjoy the suffering muthafuckaaaa