Spiritual Benefits of Rhythmic Transformational Breathing ~ Humanity Healing Network

“Just as in earthly life lovers long for the moment when they are able to breathe forth their love for each other, to let their souls blend in a soft whisper, so the mystic longs for the moment when in prayer he can, as it were, creep into God.” ~Soren Kierkegaard

The majority of our knowledge about breathing techniques and meditation comes from the ancient eastern philosophies. There is no doubt that the control and expansion of our breathing’s capabilities can train our physical vehicles to reach higher levels of enlightenment and balanced health.

With the assistance of our breathing, we can alter the chemistry of our bodies, enhance our perception, mental clarity and grounding.

The positive effects of a more conscious breathing are countless. Some medical sources affirm that as much as 70% of the toxins we ingest daily can be liberated with a good respiration process. Most people nowadays have a very limited and restriction manner of breathing, and therefore limiting the intake of divine energy- Prana.

It is a fairly common occurrence to “catch your breath” when being told about something unpleasant. But when we withhold our respiration or we limit our breathing, we limit our ability to feel unpleasant things. Restricting our respiration, we also suppress the potential feelings and they are automatically stored either on our unconscious mind or in our ethereal body. The maintenance of these repressed feelings requires an incredible amount of energy, and they end up creating serious tension in the body parts they are stored.

Ancient sources affirm that our air is the primary carrier of Prana or divine vital energy. As these little particles or spheres of Light enter our bodies, their respective frequencies are amplified, the vibratory patterns of emotions are increased and a general feeling of wellbeing is created.

To breathe profoundly and in cadence, with the assistance, or not, of affirmations and imageries; constitutes in itself a valuable process for accessing the kingdoms of our subconscious mind, where mental, emotional and psychic traumas are stored. Once this gate is opened, we are able to freely access our Higher Self and receive its infusion of guidance, wisdom and support. This is an important step on the path of living fully, abundantly and joyfully.

As we work seriously on our breathing patterns, we purge unwanted stagnated blockages, we detox from unbalanced energies, or thought forms, and we clear the channels of communication with our subconscious mind, the inner realms of spirit, opening up the unlimited possibilities to the identification of our Lower Selves with our Divine I AM Presence.

Spiritual Exercise

Members of the University can access the eBook, Infinity Breathing, in the Spiritual Exercises section of the Online Resource Center.

Source: Humanity Healing Network

Igor Kufayev – Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview

Igor Anvar Kufayev was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In his childhood he had many experiences associated with awakening. An artist by nature he studied philosophy, theology, aesthetics and sacred geometry. In his late twenties, faced with crisis brought by personal traumas, he was trampolined into the higher level of awareness. Initiated into meditation in a dream, Igor immersed himself into the practice of yoga. A year later he learned Transcendental Meditation and practiced it diligently for several years.

At the age of thirty six Igor had undergone a radical transformation of consciousness which subsequently blossomed into spontaneous unfoldment of Grace. For the next five years he continued long hours of meditation, integrating expanded state of awareness throughout his daily activities. Around that time he began sharing his insights with those who were attracted by the energy emanating in his presence.

Igor points out that awakening takes place in the body on a cellular level and it is the body, with its nervous system, that acts as a support for individual consciousness to mature into full Enlightenment. It could be said that his methods are rooted in Tantra, having studied such diverse traditions as Vedanta, Tantra, Sufi and Zen for many years he remains elusive to categorization. Saying that: ”Abiding in a state of spontaneous absorption transcends the boundaries of any given truth based on intellectual grasp of ultimate reality…”.

He emphasizes the biological nature of self-realization and sees the process as progressive purification of Prana. For vital force directs and orchestrates all movements in the body, and all cognitive processes are linked to the electric current of which Prana is a conduit.

Igor’s style of teaching is based on spontaneous and intuitive insight which allows him to empathize with uniqueness of each individual conditioning. He embraces life in its most terrifying contrasts through direct experiences of Love, Life and Death, if only to appreciate more fully the predicament of human condition.

He lives with his partner, Emma Devi and their two small children, Ramana and Keahnu. He looks after his mother who struggles with dementia, while the family is (currently) based in Costa Rica. Igor continues working with those who require guidance, sharing his time between family duties and editing his 10 year correspondence into a book under the title, ‘Letter to a Siddha’.

Igor’s website

Igor Kufayev – Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview

Norman Rosenthal & David Lynch, “Transcendence” Part 1 of 6

Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., a twenty-year researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health and the celebrated psychiatrist who pioneered the study and treatment of Season Affective Disorder (SAD), brings us the most important work on Transcendental Meditation since the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Science of Being and Art of Living-and one of our generation’s most significant books on achieving greater physical and mental health and wellness.

While Dr. Rosenthal’s book does not set out to teach TM (it’s a technique that must be learned from an instructor), he illuminates the scientifically proven health and stress relieving benefits and how it can dramatically improve the way we feel and function.

Here, Dr. Rosenthal is joined by filmmaker David Lynch (“The Elephant Man,” “Blue Velvet,” “Twin Peaks,” “Mulholland Drive,” etc.), one of his devotees.

Norman Rosenthal & David Lynch, “Transcendence” Part 2 of 6

Norman Rosenthal & David Lynch, “Transcendence” Part 3 of 6

Norman Rosenthal & David Lynch, “Transcendence” Part 4 of 6

Norman Rosenthal & David Lynch, “Transcendence” Part 5 of 6

Norman Rosenthal & David Lynch, “Transcendence” Part 6 of 6

For more on Dr. Norman Rosenthal’s works view HERE

Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation ~ Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal [ updated May 20, 2013 ]

Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal’s new book Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation is garnering superlative reviews from diverse quarters. Filmmaker David Lynch calls it, “The best ever book on Transcendental Meditation: accessible and substantive, engaging and scientific, practical and profound. A very enjoyable read that can change your life, for good.” Cardiac surgeon and media personality Mehmet Oz calls Transcendence “a profoundly important book … incredibly valuable.” Rosenthal’s broad ranging book will appeal both to newcomers, who want to know the basics about this ancient technique, and to seasoned meditators, wishing to broaden their knowledge and deepen their understanding about it.

By presenting a mix of fascinating stories, high-caliber research and his own clinical experience, Rosenthal illustrates the value of TM in promoting cardiac health, reducing anxiety and depression, and helping people recover from drug and alcohol abuse. He devotes chapters to the benefits of TM for helping children in inner-city schools, as well as for rehabilitating people who are often left behind, such as prisoners and homeless men and women. But Rosenthal emphasizes that TM can help even highly successful people to live fuller and richer lives. He illustrates this in interviews with celebrities such as Paul McCarthy, Ringo Starr, Martin Scorsese, Russell Brand and Laura Dern, all of whom have practiced TM. Rosenthal’s central point is that because TM changes the brain, it can help a vast array of different people to live longer and better lives, and achieve lifelong success.

table of contents
Part I: Transcendence

Introduction: My Journey Back

A Return to the Self:
Aspects of Meditation
The Mind Within the Mind:
What Is Transcendence?

Part II: Healing

Decompression:
Managing Toxic Stress

Part III: Transformation

Turning Off the Brain’s Alarm System:
Treating Anxiety and Anger
The Schoolboy Who Pulled His Hair Out:
Attention, Priorities, and Effectiveness
Helping the Spikes and Valleys:
Meditation and Moods
Silencing the Bubble Machine:
Addiction and Recovery
An Island of Safety in a Sea of Trouble:
Transformation in Schools
Learning to Love Yourself:
The Long Road Back from Prison
Self-actualization—Your Personal Best

Part IV: Harmony

Harmony: Coherence at Many Levels

Appendix: Answers to Questions About Transcendental Meditation: An Expert’s Perspective

Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal is a world-renowned psychiatrist whose research in describing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), pioneering the use of light therapy and books have helped millions of people. His latest book Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation (Tarcher-Penguin, 2011) explores the value of this ancient technique for healing and transformation in our modern world.
Dr. Norman Rosenthal’s New York Times Best Seller “Transcendence”

Dr. Norman Rosenthal released his New York Times best seller “Transcendence.”

Dr. Norman Rosenthal: Transcendental Meditation & PTSD

Dr. Norman Rosenthal is internationally known for his medical expertise on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and worldly renowned for his pioneering work on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and for developing light therapy treatments for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Dr. Norman Rosenthal has seen the video with David George and his experience as a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and it never ceases to amaze him. David George’s trauma and experience of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has continued and is an inner experience even though the event has past.

What we have here is a huge medical problem and a huge human tragedy.

David George was one of five people whom was studied in a pilot study of Transcendental Meditation (TM) with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As awful as David’s story was, it was no exception. Yet, four of the five people had the same level of transformation from the process of learning and practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM).

Norman Rosenthal shows slides and statistics of the pilot study that was done on Transcendental Meditation (TM) and its effects on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Dr. Norman Rosenthal expresses that aside from the results of these studies researchers have collectively seen hundreds of people with PTSD (combat and non-combat related) tremendously helped by Transcendental Meditation. It is really impressive to see with your own eyes (the statics in this video).

Norman Rosenthal concludes to say, “We really need to act immediately, without delay to bring this simple but amazingly powerful technique to these people who are suffering so much.”

The Psychic Way: Fine-Tuning Your Intuition by Barbara Ford-Hammond

Awakening and using intuitive abilities no longer causes eyebrows to rise. Women, in particular, are seeking information on how-to wake up their inner expert. Their interests range from chakra balancing to cosmic-ordering, future life progression to self-hypnosis with plenty in-between This book has all the techniques that Barbara demonstrates and teaches during her retreats and workshops. These were developed as a fun way to meld the esoteric with the corporate. Barbara shows how to understand your mind using hypnotic meditative techniques that lead naturally to expansion of self-awareness. Inner abilities are switched on in a fun easy manner. The Psychic Way is everything you need to know about being super-intuitive plus how to use the knowledge for pleasure or to ensure success in business.
Barbara is a holistic therapist and muse. She has been running a private hypnotherapy and training school for twenty years.

Click here to browse inside.

The Psychic Way ~ Fine-tuning Your Intuition Barbara Ford-Hammond

Let Your Soul Sing: Enlightenment is for Everyone ~ Ann Purcell [Updated May 3, 2013

Available ebook reading formats view here

Enlightenment has fascinated people for millenia. Let Your Soul Sing: Enlightenment is For Everyone overturns the commonly held belief that enlightenment is a state of consciousness possible only for a few rare individuals living in a forest or monastery. It points out that enlightenment is in fact the most natural state of life, available to everyone through simple, effortless meditation techniques that expand human awareness and perception of the truly unified reality of life.

This book follows the author’s journey on the path of enlightenment and also gives accounts of athletes, artists, musicians, and people from all walks of life who have had spontaneous experiences of higher states of consciousness at some point. Many never had a framework to understand their experiences or to systematically develop them. Let Your Soul Sing lays out the systematic knowledge of seven states of consciousness and how they can be easily unfolded through the experience of transcendence. It highlights extensive scientific research that confirms the development of health and brain functioning gained through meditation, and also explains how individuals experiencing inner peace simultaneously contribute to the creation of world peace. The style is easy reading, with anecdotes, quotes, short poems, and analysis of recent world events woven throughout.

About the Author

Ann Purcell has been a full-time teacher of Transcendental Meditation since 1973, teaching Transcendental Meditation and advanced courses in many countries around the world. In addition, she has worked on curricula and course development for universities and continuing education programs. She has a B.SCI (Bachelor of the Science of Creative Intelligence) and an M.SCI from Maharishi European Research University, Seelisberg, Switzerland. She also received a PhD in Supreme Political Science from Maharishi University of World Peace, Vlodrop, Netherlands.

Let Your Soul Sing Enlightenment is for Everyone was published and launched on Dec. 10th 2012.

Brief Transcript:

Throughout time people have been fascinated by the idea of enlightenment. But, for many people enlightenment can seem distant or completely out of reach. However, there are hundreds of records and personal accounts from famous athletes, artists, actors, musicians, scientists and poets throughout the ages about experiences of enlightenment and higher states of consciousness.

So, what is enlightenment and is it a possibility for anyone and everyone? “Let Your Soul Sing Enlightenment is for Everyone” offers answers to these questions.

For more information please log onto http://www.enlightenmentforeveryone.com/enlightenment/

Right Here, Right Now Meditations – Satsang Invitations for Expanding Awareness by Canela Michelle Meyers

How to Relax into Your life as a Living Meditation, More Fully and Enjoyably As You… This book is a collection of invitations that support people in practical, very human ways to become more awake to themselves and the world they are experiencing. It includes topics such as trust, love, blame, attraction, anger, abundance, acceptance and inclusion of self. These ‘reading’ meditations demonstrate how available it is for everyone who is interested to awaken more and more to the present moment, here and now. No need to go off to a cave in the Himalaya! Canela uses humor and love in her invitations for those who want to know how to live more easily, in more acceptance of What Is; how to access the experience of no-separation in any given moment; and how each and every aspect of who they are, no matter what it looks like, benefits them directly.

Canela Michelle Meyers – Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview

Once the shift to the Awakened State of Being has occurred, it becomes obvious that every moment that proceeded that moment was significant towards its Self.

It is also obvious that Awareness was present in each and every moment prior to that. The difference is in that it is ‘Realized’ — Awareness is aware of Awareness.

The journey for Canela Michelle towards this realization was happening long before she had heard of the potential of consciously living in the stateless state of Being. Once she heard that this was possible in 1995, the path was lit up and speedy until she ended up in Satsang with Isaac Shapiro in February 1998. By this time her inner and outer explorations were deep and subtle yet her explorations of what she perceived seemed to only serve to expand all of that even more…so she simply asked Isaac: ‘Is it beyond perception?’ He answered ‘Yes’ and in that moment, what was there previously as some sort of structure fell away, leaving only ‘What Is’ at play and Awareness being aware of That.

‘Real-ized’

It is recognized that the only reality is what is aware of itself in each moment, that there is nothing beyond that play happening, whatever the play might be.

Canela Michelle is an expression of Awareness in each moment…just like everyone else is whether they recognize it yet or not (as is all that appears — air, body, thought, chair, taste, etc.). Her love is in supporting people to relax open to this Truth. Supporting them to allow themselves to not only recognize Love, but to experience That; simply as it is, dependant on nothing at all.

Awareness is the constant in the midst of the play of events. What rises, or appears in each moment might feel or look like an obstacle to Love, yet when a person opens to directly experiencing whatever that is, it shifts, changes and merges with all that is…no longer appearing as if it were an obstacle.

There is nowhere to get to, you are already ‘Here’; it’s simply a matter of ‘meeting’ whatever might be appearing, right here, right now, in each moment. Once explored, it is recognized only as an invitation, from your Self to your Self…Love beckoning you hither.

The support is offered in Satsang Meditation gatherings, individual & couple Satsang Sessions in person or by phone and in her first book: Right Here, Right Now Meditations — Satsang Invitations for Expanding Awareness.

CHRISTIAN MYSTICS: 365 Readings and Meditations ~ Matthew Fox [ updated April 09, 2013]

Spiritual maverick Matthew Fox believes that through the ages religious patriarchal hierarchy and rigidity have obscured Christianity’s most beneficial and essential teachings: those that arise out of personal, mystical experiences of the Divine. A true religious renewal, according to Fox, can arise only through the mystical dimension of faith. In Christian Mystics, he offers a wide-ranging collection of quotations from Christianity’s greatest mystics and prophets of the past two thousand years. Fox explores and celebrates the mystical path with insightful commentary on the thoughts and revelations of some of history’s greatest religious visionaries.

Click here to browse inside.

Frequently Asked Questions about Christian Mystics

The following questions are often included in interviews with Matthew Fox.

What is mysticism?

Mysticism is our deep experiences of unity—with nature, with music, with friends, with truth, with God. It is a work of the right brain more than the left brain; it is the essence of authentic religion and it is about experiencing, not intellectualizing. “Taste and see the Lord is good” says the Psalmist. Mysticism is about tasting. No one can do it for you.

What is the relationship between fundamentalism and mysticism?

Fundamentalism, unfortunately, tends to be more about rules and order and control than about mystical experience. It is often an enemy of mysticism.

You say that a lack of mysticism is what makes religion boring. Why?

Mysticism provides breakthroughs in consciousness and is often the basis of new, deep and creative breakthroughs. Religion without mysticism degenerates into rules and laws, dogmas and words and control compulsions. The left brain takes over and renders experience dull and unimportant.

You say that deep down we area all mystics. What is the key for connecting with the mystic within?

The key to connecting with the mystic within is to trust one’s deep experiences whether of Awe or of Silence, of suffering or of creativity, of justice-making and compassion. True mysticism leads to justice-making and the practice of compassion.

How did you choose which mystics to include in the book?

I paid special attention to those who are pre-modern such as Aquinas, Hildegard, Mechtilid, Eckhart, Julian and Cusa because post-modern times need pre-modern wisdom. And I paid attention to Jesus and Paul of course but also to twentieth century mystics who share sensibilities around current issues such as science and spirituality, sexuality and spirituality, ecology and spirituality, deep ecumenism and spirituality..

Do you have a favorite mystic? If so, who is it and why?

I have special regard for Hildegard, Aquinas and Eckhart because, being pre-modern, they were intent on linking science and spirituality and also justice and mysticism. If I were pushed to name one it would probably be Eckhart because he does such a breath-taking job of marrying art and creativity with mysticism and also justice and compassion with mysticism. And he walked his talk and was condemned by the corrupt papacy of his day for doing so. I also have favorites among the twentieth century mystics however including Dorothee Soelle, Fr. Bede Griffiths, Thomas Merton, Fr. Tom Berry, etc.

What is the difference between Mystical Christianity and regular Christianity?

Mystical Christianity begins with experience and leads to experience. It encourages creativity and the work of Spirit rather than excessive dogma and structure and control and institution-building. It honors the presence of Spirit in nature, in sexual sharing, in art and music and architecture and creativity in its multiple expressions. It practices silence and is not afraid of solitude. It is both personal and communal and it finds its full expression in service and work of justice-making and compassion. It also looks to make connections with the mystical practices (such as meditation) of other traditions than one’s own.

In your opinion, how does religion in Western culture need to change?

It needs to become less institutional, less about the religious-ego, and more about spiritual experience. Less about church and more about community. Less about “us” and more about kinship with all beings; less about the upper chakras of words and thinking and the rational and more about the lower chakras which are about dance and vibration and generativity and connecting to the earth and the cosmos.

You say that mystics teach us to be “drunk with love.” What do you mean by that?

Mysticism encourages letting go, getting high, expanding one’s consciousness, allowing joy to explode, going to the edge. As John of the Cross put it, “launch out into the deep.” Too many people are standing on the shore.

Are nature and mysticism related? How?

Most people I have interviewed over the past 40 years have their most powerful mystical experiences in nature and in studying nature. That should be no surprise since awe resides deeply in nature. That is why science can lead us to a deeper experience of mysticism and is no enemy of religious experience but an ally.

Which is more important — consciousness or technology? Why?

Rabbi Abraham Heschel observed that “Humanity will destroy itself not from lack of information but from lack of appreciation.” Expansion of consciousness is necessary for knowing how to steer technology and what technology’s deepest uses are. Technology, like everything humans give birth to, can be used for good or ill, for creation or destruction. Consciousness guides us into wise use of technology. Without it technology just ups the ante on human destructiveness.

Who or what is the Cosmic Christ?

The Cosmic Christ is the Christian archetype for the divine image present in every being, indeed, every atom in the universe. It is the “light in all things.” It is also, with its incarnation in Jesus, the wounds in all things. Divinity is both the light and the wounds in all things. All beings are other Christs therefore. And every human is meant to be another Christ.

Do you consider yourself a mystic? Why or why not?

I suppose so. I would not be qualified to write about mysticism if I was not in some way practicing what I preached.

What role does silence play in mysticism? Is it important? Why?

Silence is part of the via negative of the mystical way, the letting go of all things, all sounds, all projections, all thoughts. This emptying is necessary if there is to be a filling. How can there be mindfulness without mind emptying? Silence is one of the proven highways to the human heart (along with joy and moral outrage). Meister Eckhart says: “Nothing is so like God as silence.” And “all things seek repose.”

Rupert Sheldrake: Mystical Experiences

Science and spirituality collide when biologist Rupert Sheldrake and postmodern theologian Matthew Fox, explore the practical aspects of mysticism and the attainment of higher levels of consciousness

Matthew Fox on Chi For Yourself

This Chi For Yourself interview features Matthew Fox, talking about his book “Christian Mystics“, and about his dismissal from the Dominican Order by the Cardinal who would go on to become Pope Benedict.

The Mirage of Separation ~ Billy Doyle

The Mirage of Separation is a collection of poetry and verse reflecting different facets of the non-dual perspective. Billy Doyle lives in London and teaches yoga in the Kashmir Tradition, an approach brought to the West by Jean Klein.

Click here to read a sample.

Billy is a Spiritual Teacher and Yoga Teacher in the Kashmir Tradition, and author of the book “The Mirage of Separation”.

He had a strong spiritual orientation early in life and started to explore non-dualistic teachings in his twenties. He met Jean Klein, a master of Advaita and Yoga who became his teacher for 14 years. He practiced ‘Art of Listening’ and self-inquiry and then one day, while on a silent retreat, “all identification with a separate Entity dissolved” and he then knew himself as Silence.
Billy Doyle ‘The Mirage of Separation’ Interview by Renate McNay

Dean Radin: Changes in Consciousness | EU 2013 Off-Stage

Published on Feb 2, 2013

This year’s conference saw further expansion into new areas of research related to the Electric Universe, continuing the tradition of interdisciplinary cooperation that has already led to such success in understanding many of the strange things that humanity has seen as we’ve looked out into space.

In this interview we speak to Dean Radin, a specialist in the field of consciousness study who has conducted numerous trials into many scarcely studied aspects of the human experience. Learn more about Dr Radin’s work at http://www.deanradin.com.