HAVE YOU EVER MET YOUR SOUL?

Have you ever met your Soul?

 

I do whenever I meditate. I do the Chakras Meditation which is basically the one that makes me feel free from the burden of thoughts the most. I was given a mantra, my own personal and unique mantra, which is a combination of 2, 3 Sanskrit words whose sounds and vibrations should help in not having thoughts when repeated continuously in your mind while meditating.

 

It does not work for me, I think even more. One day somebody introduced me to this other kind of meditation where you feel your energy points in your body, the seven Chakras.

 

I can feel my Chakras, I can feel my body, I can feel my Life Force, I can feel my energy.

I close my eyes and breathe deeply, slowly.

I am in my first Chakra at the base of the spine. I feel a presence. It is a concentration of energy; I can feel that part of the body so well. There is only the physical sensation, which is not really physical, because it is something so deep inside. I am pervaded of this flow of energy that does not leave me and it is there.

There are no thoughts for maybe few seconds.

Being without thoughts means increasing THE GAP between the thoughts that flow naturally and randomly in our mind, and that nobody can control. When we can observe the thoughts going on and on, we start having gaps between them. It is almost impossible to be free of thoughts for a long time, unless you are really enlightened I am not but we can deeply relax in the ABSENCE OF THOUGHTS. In the GAP. And there it is the place where you can experience your Soul, yes in the gap.

 

I move to second Chakra, then to the third and on till the seventh. Every time I long for being there. I want to be in the place of Peace, Joy, Freedom. I reach the point where I do not feel my body anymore; a tickling sensation pervades my body from inside. It is my Life Force or Prana. I feel it strong in my Chakras but it is flowing all over my body. I am not there but at the same time I am there, in my bedroom, I know I can open my eyes whenever I want and be back to my noisy life.

 

It took me a while to realise that the sensation I was feeling during the meditation it is actually my Energy. Once I became aware of it I knew I could meet my Soul.

 

The personality, which is run by the ego, it is only a tiny part of our Soul but it is a very noisy and life energy-consuming tool. And it is the part we deal with all the time.

We cannot help thinking continuously and most of our thoughts are compulsive. They create our fears and uncertainty because they come from a reflection on the past or on the future.

Our fears come from the thought of what happens if… what will it be if I get sick again? What about my kids? What if I lose my job…WHATI FI CANNOT WRITE ANYMORE? And on and on till we are completely drained and stressed. If we can get rid of those thoughts we create harmony in our being and enjoy life in the present moment.

 

I am not fearing to have a recurrence of my cancer because I am feeling well NOW. Anything can happen tomorrow but I don’t know about the future, I don’t care about it because I am too busy living NOW.

 

Meditation, with its deep relaxation, helps in managing your thoughts and creates peace and balance in daily life.

 

We are here to witness the miracle of life, not to forget to live.

 

I like to end quoting “ On an average day the average person runs about sixty thousand thoughts through his mind; 95% of those thoughts are the same as the person thought the day before”

From the MONK WHO SOLD HIS FERRARI

Which explains why we fall into bad mental habits, judging situations and the others all the time, impoverishing our thinking.

 

Lets get rid of those stinky old thoughts and let’s have tea with our Soul.

 

 

 

Love& Rainbow

 

 

Copyright2009LorenzaVerdini

I LOVE STORMS AND PASTA

In half of our planet it is going to be winter soon. As winter lover I will envy you a lot but… I am going to enjoy the sub tropical summer here which means: very hot temperature without sweating because Johannesburg is 1.700 m. above the sea level. The feeling is that your skin is burning but you don’t sweat. You become sun block addicted because the sunrays are very dangerous  (bronze medal after Australia and California) and spend half of your day looking for the shade at least myself. But Mother Nature gives us a treat. Summer is the time of the most raging storms I have ever experienced in my short life. They usually announce themselves in the evening, when it is time to water the garden I tell you Mother Nature is perfect and to start collecting the kids from the pool who play the game “mussel and rock: I want to live in the water”.

So, after the heat of the day, the sky starts to change colours. Big grey clouds elbow to come over us, ten minutes and there is no brightness in the sky anymore. And then…

The fury of the elements. Lightening in the sky have you ever seen horizontal lightning? I have, only here, tons of water sometimes mixed to hailstones come down from Heavens to our heads. It does not usually last long I guess it would destroy everything around between 10 minutes and half an hour but it is enough to:

 

1. Be grateful for what we have, mainly because we live in proper houses; nearby there are informal settlements where most people dwell in boxes of corrugated sheet iron, sized 2sqm by 2. They have NOTHING except what comes down from Heavens, including the lightning and the hailstones.

 

2. Thank Mother Nature because tonight the temperature has dropped down and we can sleep well without fighting for the best fan’s position.

 

3. Enjoy the show of the blossoming nature. After 5 months of dryness, everything starts to be green again and it is a pure joy for the spirit and the eye.

 

4. Realise that this is a blessed country, where the water is not really lacking unless the human stupidity plays its role

 

5. Feel that we are witnessing something special and primordial.

 

I love the rain so I know I am not impartial, and when there is no evening storm I look a little disappointed at the sky enquiring if I should have sung louder today.

 

My four children love these storms they are nuts like me and roam around cheerful and excited every evening, smelling what’s for dinner.

Pasta! I don’t feel like cooking Indian tonight. The storm inspired me for a winter lovely pasta recipe.

 

So it is going to be PENNE WITH DRIED PORCINI MUSHROOMS.

 

500 GR PENNE (consider 80 gr. per person)

LOTS OF ITALIAN PARSLEY

GARLIC (1 clove per person)

OLIVE OIL (3 table spoons)

250 ML OF COOKING CREAM

DRIED PORCINI MUSHROOM (2 handful)

 

Before explaining I want to tell you that I learnt this easy recipe from a chef.

 

Heat the crushed garlic in a pan with the olive oil but don’t let it burn. Add all the finely chopped parsley and let it warm up with the garlic only for a few minutes.

Add the mushrooms (cut them in small pieces with the scissors) that you have softened in a cup of warm water and keep the water on a side.

Switch off the stove and add the cooking cream, salt and pepper. Stir in well.

 

If you think the sauce is not liquid enough, add some of the mushroom water.

 

Cook your penne, AL DENTE please, season with the sauce and eat immediately. Something important in our culture is to honour your food eating it immediately. There is no point in cooking perfectly a dish of pasta if you park it for 10 minutes in the kitchen before serving it.

 

Let me know how it was…

 

Happy winter and happy pasta to everybody.

 

Love & Rainbow

MORK and MINDY

Today, because it is another beautiful day I won’t plan a single word of what I am going to write now but I never do. Which can be dangerous or, at least embarrassing.

I succeeded in introducing Google Translate on my blog, to make life easier to my Italian friends (they are not queuing at the Internet Café’ to read my blog but I know some of them are affectionate, so…). I was overwhelmed with joy for this successful step in my “computer education” when I decided to USE THE MONSTER.

I clicked on the Italian language and, at the first attempt it translated only 37 % of the post. It looked like a kind of psychotic text where every single word was messed up with English and Italian. Half a sentence was in Italian, half in English. I thought Jeeez what have I done? What strange key have I pressed? But because I am irreparably optimistic I waited a little bit and went for another try. This time the whole text was translated, so I ordered my cappuccino, sat comfortably and smiled admired at Google God Technology.

Well…well…what I was reading were not my words. Who wrote this? it was a kind of robotized monologue, coming from the worst of my nightmares. A real macho robotized monologue where the author the author it’s me guys, not him!!!! speaks in first person as a male! You probably know that my language is not only very old and traditional: it is a gentleman language where feminine and masculine still exist; where the feminine words end with an A and the masculine mostly end with O. The masculine words leave the way to the feminine ones with an elegant bow. When you talk in Italian you don’ t say BRAVO to a girl but BRAVA and I guess this is the charming difference it is not a big hassle, just come to Italy for 3 months and you’ll be fluently doing shopping, putting on weight and using your hands to talk in the street, I promise you. So basically reading the translation at a loud voice it was sounding metallic like Mork saying to Mindy if you are in your forties you know what I am talking about Me Morky want be you friend. The monster swallows words, articles, and does not recognize the female in me, and when there is a double meaning in a word it just picks up one at random. Which makes my post sooooooooo weird, I tell you.

Truly horrified, I went quickly on Facebook where I had trumpeted about the translation tool to tell everybody what are you doing next holiday? There is an amazing intensive course in English that I would warmly suggest you to attend and back I went to my English writing. I actually don’t know why this blog has come out in English and cannot figure it out in Italian. CAN SOMEONE TELL ME?

According to the theory of my past lives my own personal theory I was probably writing, long time ago, disguising my sex with trousers and jacket, at candle lights, with a feather in my hand.

Writing love letters, of course...

Love and Rainbow

Lorenza

Copyright2009LorenzaVerdini

THE SEEKERS

Last Saturday I went to a meeting, the second of its kind, in a lovely African Spa close to the Cradle of Humankind which is probably one of the most important archaeological sites in the whole Africa. I love this wild open place because of its energy. I was not going for a massage, shame, but to meet a small group of people who feel to be creative and somehow want to unblock their own creative process. The idea started because we all read or are reading the amazing book THE ARTIST'S WAY by Julia Cameron. This book is basically a 12 weeks course to help ANYBODY, and I really mean anybody, to unblock his own natural creativity, at any level but, most important to me, it is a deeply spiritual book. I have started to read it twice, oh I love this book, but haven’t gone through the whole course simply because I do not feel blocked in my writing. Even though, I joined the meetings with my natural enthusiasm and openness. I can try to describe the situation saying that it is my monthly treat. Two hours of absolute peace, bliss, exchange of energy with lovely people who basically are very spiritual and look forward to express themselves in life through a creative process. The venue is in the nature, African nature guys, where the only sounds are the birds chirping or cry ,depending on the SIZE of the animal…have you ever seen an hadida ? It is one of the most noisy and annoying bird I have ever dealt with, besides ostrich…, the waterfall and the wind’s blow. And us.

In this absolute perfect venue, we do not only share good bruschetta bread with tomatoes and basil, olive tapenade and chocolate cake, sipping coffee the coffee, and I am fussy, in that place has another taste, I swear it becomes good, we share our intimate fears, doubts, hopes, visions. We share our experiences knowing very little of each other. But it is done at such a natural and deep level that it becomes an enriching spiritual experience.

I LOVE THESE MEETINGS. We talk about the impact that the course has on any of us but we always end to talk at a personal deeper level and by the end, when we leave, we are enriched with new good energy. We all come from different backgrounds and life’s stories, cultures and in my case also language but, for a reason I would not exactly know, we all go beyond the superficial level of communication. It is amazing. We will meet regularly once a month I really look forward to the next meeting, probably the group will grow bigger, we are 5 at present.

Driving back home there was a lot of roads work 2010 is behind the corner so the speed was slowed down many times. I was driving near to a very poor informal settlement at a walking pace, Buddha Bar music on, feeling that time had stopped. I could only feel the rhythm of my breath, my eyes absorbing the Life movement in slow motion. Hungry people, poor people, mothers with children on their back, bare foot people, children playing with nothing in the street, men discussing animatedly. Every single movement was slow, I could take all the energy of those people, their sorrow and their happiness, I was them… I don’t know, it probably lasted only a bunch of seconds but it was very strong and deep. Suddenly a loud music covered my soft Buddha Bar, distracting me from my emotion. There was a group of men dancing unrestrained at the rhythm of that music, under a roof of corrugated sheet iron that most likely was as big as my car. It was their discotheque, Saturday Night Fever… I couldn’t help smiling at Teacher Life for this message of Joy at the end of a very busy and rewarding day. So speechless , I could only express a deep gratitude in my heart for the chances I am given every day to learn. I want to be an eternal student, what better than this?

I end my writing today, thanking my friends of the Artist Way Circle for the inputs and energy they give me every time we meet. Thanking my Life for being tough and difficult sometimes, but always a profound teaching. Thanking all the people in the street who, with their endless smile, are teaching me the power of Hope.

I found this quote at the Spa, a gift for all my readers today

In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

Albert Schweitzer

Love & Rainbow

Copyright2009LorenzaVerdini

ART OF LIVING

Back to my journey.

There is something that strikes me when I think back about the experiences and choices I have made since I was diagnosed with Adolph (alias breast cancer, author’s note) and throughout my treatments. I never made researches on what it would be best for me. I never got involved with my rational mind in looking for alternative’s ways to improve my health.

Everything always happened by chance but of course I was open to receive the message. So it was when I read that meditation is so good for healing. And I felt I had to try. Then, from a rusty corner of my memory I remembered I read somewhere about the benefits of yoga. I had a controversial feeling about it because yoga, in my imaginary, was a very performing practise where only the fittest are welcome. People able to cross both legs around their neck (without farting…ooops ) or standing on one leg in the loto position for at least 36 hours, carrying on being happy. That idea of yoga was not for me. So when it popped out of my mind, I met a friend of mine who told me about a lovely woman who gives yoga classes where I live. Wow, the best… I don’t even have to drive if I want to join a class. So I started to nurture the thought that I could try it. I got in touch with the lovely lady, Harsha, and decided to join a course, which was starting the day I finished my radiations.

This kind of yoga is called SRI SRI YOGA and it is absolutely perfect for a meditative person like me, it is the opposite of my original idea of yoga. It is a very gentle practise which work at any level of fitness or flexibility ; I don’t feel any “performance stress” so it is the perfect exercise. I cannot stand noisy places and I find gyms to be very loud and show off places where basically people go to feel admired for their muscles, bums and boops (I haven’t found this last word on my vocabulary but I guess the spelling is right…do you get what I mean?). So, I went for my first yoga lesson.

My muscles were very stiff because of all the toxicity from the treatments but I was not really concerned about it. I tried every posture was suggested and as I was already doing meditation I found that those postures were helping me to get in touch with my Inward. After the 6 days intensive course I went back home feeling great without stiffness in my body.I must keep on doing this, it is so powerful and relaxing at the same time…

Then the third move came to me.

The yoga teacher, who is a dear friend of mine now, told me about the Art Of Living Foundation (www.artofliving.org) which is well know worldwide and whose founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is not only a spiritual leader or Guru , but the creator of a powerful breathing technique called SUDARSHAN KRYIA. This technique has been learnt by millions of people in the world (yes, millions) who have experienced the benefits. It has been scientifically proven that it is a healing technique that boosters our immune system. There are stories of people who healed from cancer, depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, diabetes , different addictions and so forth.

Well... I was absolutely interested in doing the BASIC COURSE teaching this technique. Before going, my left brain tried to hold me back come on how can you find the time to leave the children for four evenings in a row plus Saturday and Sunday? You are always tired you sleep like a log at 8.00 p.m., you’ ll be snoring during the course. Aren’t you scared to go with other people you don’ t know to learn “how to breathe” ah ah ah Almost resigned to accept these motivations, unexpectedly my right brain lifted his magic punch and knocked his brother down on a winning k.o. And off I went.

I did the course in July 2008.It has been a gift for Life. I not only learned this powerful technique, which has become part of my life as a daily routine, but I found a path to spirituality, which has opened up new ways of knowledge and understanding. After having done the course I practise every day the breathing and meditation, and I feel great. From the physical point of view I do not get my kids bugs, my level of energy has dramatically increased, I do not suffer from my bad sinusitis anymore or back pain (thanks to the yoga too) and I am as fit as a fiddle.

From the human point of view I am fulfilled; my creativity has shown up again, I believe I have got talent and wish to express it. I feel at peace.

So then my husband did the course. And then some friends. And then my teen ager daughter and kids (there is a specific course for teens and children) and I would suggest to do it to all those people I love and care of come on guys I love you all. All the teacher of the AOL are volunteers, the money raised from the courses go to specific projects to help needy community and the course is taught in prisons as well all over the world, to help the prisoners to learn to do something of their life. With a simple daily practise that need 25 minutes of time.

I see my oncologist every 4 months, but he gets rid of me quickly because I am well I don’t mind at all and for the next check up he does not want me to do blood tests. I’ll invite him to join the next course with me.

Namaste

Lorenza

Copyright2009LorenzaVerdini

LOVELY AWARD

Please stand up for the ceremony, five minutes silence before the National Italian Anthem.

 

Parapa’ parapa’ parappappapaa’

Fratelli d’Italia

L’Itaaaaalia s’e’ desta

Dell’elmo di Scipio s’e’ cinta la testa…

 

I always wondered why most anthem sound so sad. I enjoy the Italian one because it is joyful. I would like to know, from my British friends, what do they think of the fact that God should save the Queen. What about all the others? 

 

Today it is chilly outside and cloudy, the perfect day to celebrate and bring a smile in everybody’s life.

 

Because whatever happens, today and tomorrow, It ‘ll happen for a reason and in that reason there will be something good to learn.

 

So let us welcome today’s experiences and let’s sit together in class: ssssshhhh teacher Life is talking.

 

 

Love & Rainbow

Lorenza

Copyright2009LorenzaVerdini

VACANT AWARD

Today is a great day. I got my first award ever. Well, I am a baby blogger which means I still have a long way to go. I don' t feel I have achived a goal, I won't take my "audience" for granted and won't relax in my writing task (that is a lie, I am always relaxed while I am writing). I think I got a good input to improve my natural inclination in doing my best. Thanks Dan.

The reason why you cannot see the award is because I cannot succeed in pasting it on my blog. I don't honestly know what is wrong with my blog or with me but I'll commit myself in finding out. So by now it is a VACANT AWARD .You cannot see it but it is there. There is a kind of side effect about writing on a blog: I get very much inspired and all the small daily things , which don't seem to be important, are source of inspiration and thinking. And writing. At present I feel I have lost the way: the original idea, of sharing my own experience with others, seems to be on stand-by as my mind (but mainly my tummy) is overcrowded with ideas to share with you all. I write with my tummy, because words always flow from deep inside it is never coming from "up there". Never too rational. That is why I am not intellectual; I cannot write "literature" like a wonderful friend of mine suggested because literature comes from your mind. My writing always come from a place deep inside myself. I do not get inspired looking for inspiration. It happens when I meditate and get in touch with my Inner Wisdom; I finish my meditation and I realised I have got a great idea. Or I am cooking and all of a sudden that idea pop out. Whatever activity I am doing there is NEVER my mind involved when I get a good idea. Einstein, who was a very spiritual man (very few know about it) wrote that he got his best intuitions while taking a shower.

So I have decided to write few posts more on my mind healing experience, to close the circle and to give a meaning to the past posts. And then I ll set myself free. Free like the wind. Free like the stream of consciousness, free like the scirocco , the wind from the tuscan coast. Free like a child stealing chocolate to his granny. Free like it is meant to be. Because my wake up call taught me how to knock down the Censor, alias my left brain. It is still trying to lift his head, it is hard to die, but I am determined in making meat balls of it.

So, thanks again Dan for passing your award to me and to the other wonderful bloggers.

Love & Freedom

Lorenza

Copyright 2009 Lorenza Verdini