Molly Rockey, Special to the Star Published 11:38 p.m. PT April 27, 2017 | Updated 5 hours ago

Meditation can take many forms, but is generally seen as beneficial. Wochit

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You're not alone if you have a hard time finding a moment to meditate. But all hope is not lost. Wochit

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The Dalai Lama shares how he manages to keep up his meditation habit after all these years. Wochit

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Here are some tips on how to maintain the meditation habit. Wochit

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Video: What are the benefits of meditation?

Video: How to maintain the meditation habit

Video: Dalai Lama's meditation tips

Video: How to carve out time for meditation

Contributed photo/Forrest Frields Photography Molly Rockey of Newbury Park, the spiritual leader of Unity of the Oaks Church in Thousand Oaks.

Its 5:30 in the morning, and Im sitting at a window facing east.

The sky is brightening. The birds are beginning to stir.

I see the sky burst red, pink and orange. I sit and breathe and watch.

I put on a meditation from an app on my smartphone called Insight Timer.

The soothing voice of spiritual teacher Michael Stone begins a meditation by guiding me into a relaxed, comfortable sitting position and conscious awareness of the flow of my breath, in and out, in and out.

For 30 minutes, the sky displays its magnificence, and I gently move into stillness, peace and the day ahead.

Meditation is practiced around the world by a global community of people who meditate for a thousand different reasons.

Some are working to heal heart and blood pressure conditions, while others are seeking release of anxiety and stress.

Others love making a connection to a sense of transcendental interconnectedness.

Many people simply wish to deepen their inner peace and express gratitude for their blessings in a profoundly relaxed experience.

In Hinduism, Vedic teachings state that the universal divine self resides within your heart, and the way to recognize divinity is to focus your attention inwardly in a process of contemplative meditation.

In the Jewish tradition, students of the Kabbalah meditate in order to transform their basic inner nature with the fundamental external nature by internalizing symbols and gradually absorbing their characteristics.

In the Christian scriptures, we are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to focus our attention on whatever is true, right, honorable, pure, lovely, excellent and praiseworthy.

Within Islam, a goal of meditation in Sufi practice is to prevent the mind from wandering, as the heart focuses on God. Spoken words in prayers, chants and singing actively entreat God through repetition of the holy names.

There are many forms and traditions of meditation, but the essence of meditative practice often includes five main things:

Sitting: Find a quiet placewithout interruptions. Sit in a comfortable but supportive chair. Make it a practice to sit in the same place at the about the same time each day for about 20 minutes.

Music or object: Relaxing music or a flower or scented candle to focus on can assist.

Breathe and relax: Take several deep, slow breaths. Relax your neck and shoulders, back and hips, legs and feet.

Image: Visualize a calming scene. Many people see aspects of nature, such as the surf rolling in and out at a peaceful beach or sense a stream in a beautiful forest.

Specific religious aspects: There are so many possibilities. The meditator could emphasize gratitude to God, affirmations to the divine source of all good or prayers for blessings sought for the meditator or for others.

Whatever your reason for meditating or style of meditation, make the goal to open your heart, clear your mind and rest your body.

Let this be a time to be intimate and gentle with yourself.

Know that it matters to the world that we are learning to calm and make peace within ourselves.

The Dalai Lama said, If every 8-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.

Let peace begin with me.

The Rev. Molly Rockey is the spiritual leader of Unity of the Oaks in Thousand Oaks. To find out more, you can visit http://www.unityoftheoaks.org or call 496-6901. Rockey is a member ofthe Conejo Valley Interfaith Association, which meets monthly and welcomes clergy and representatives of all faiths.

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Interfaith: Meditation practiced around the world - Ventura County Star

Do you know the basics of meditation? How do you know if you are on the right track with your practice? Jane Fox, LCSWand more at a free spiritual workshop at Medford Leas on May 10 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Among the topics Fox will cover are the essential factors for meditation, keeping beginners mind long after the beginning, helpful ethical practices, and growing patience and self-kindness when meditating. Fox said that the session is appropriate for both beginners and those familiar with meditation and will include at least two guided meditations.

Fox has been meditating for about 35 years and teaching meditation for more than 20 years.

While there is no fee for this lecture, registration is required by May 5. For a full listing of lectures and programs, or to register for a program, go to medfordleas.org or call 609-654-3588. E-mail registrations or questions to pathways@medfordleas.net

Fox is a psychotherapist at the Temenos Center for Psychotherapy and Personal Growth in Moorestown.

Medford Leas is a nationally accredited not-for-profit community, guided by Quaker principals, for those who are 55 and older, with two campuses. The Medford Campus is at 1 Medford Leas Way and the Lumberton Campus is at 180 Woodside Drive.

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Learn to practice happiness through meditation - Burlington County Times

On Wednesday, April 21, Professor of Psychology Rick Braaten discussed the relationship between meditation and wellness. Braaten first began by discussing the evolution of the mind. He explained that humans have had to adapt in the way they think about the past and present, language and symbols and their thoughts in relation to others. However, he also noted that humans have a wandering mind, which facilitates many negative thoughts, such as avarice, fear, pain and selfishness.

After discussing the human mind, Braaten shifted the focus of his talk to meditation. He explained that meditation has three main components: posture, breath and mind. Braaten described ones posture as relaxed and straight and ones mind as solely focused on his attention to breathing.

If something comes into the mind, you must go back to the attention to breath, Braaten said.

Because of the intense attention to breath, Braaten described the close relationship between mindfulness and meditation, as one must stay focused and becomes aware of the minds activities.

Braaten prefaced his discussion with the statement meditation can cure all of our problems. He elaborated more on this in his empirical explanation between mediation and wellness. He explained alterations that have taken place and immune systems of those who meditate. Additionally, some studies have shown that meditation activates parts of the brain that create feelings of contentment among certain individuals.

Braaten concluded his talk by giving the reasons mediation works for conditioning, exposure, insight and nonattachment. While exposure exposes one to unpleasant states that often reduces their effects after a period of time, insight gives individuals an understanding of their feelings. Braaten also explained that nonattachment provides the opportunity for bare attachment and the ability to set aside any preferences or discriminations. Braatens final word of advice was that one must practice to learn meditation. He emphasized that one must experience it rather than just learn about it.

Sophomore Belle Banta attended the lecture to learn more about meditation and its effects.

I was very intrigued by the relationship between meditation and contentment, Banta said. While I have only meditated a couple times, I am definitely going to do so more often after hearing its effects on wellness.

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Braaten Discusses the Benefits of Mindful Meditation - The Colgate Maroon-News

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to transfer money directly into the bank accounts of students studying in ashram schools for purchasing the items of their daily needs.

The move is aimed at checking corruption in the contracts awarded to provide stationery and other daily use items to the tribal students of the residential ashram schools.

Representational image. Reuters

The students can use the money to buy items of day-to-day use on their own instead of the government allotting contracts to private firms to provide these things, an official from the tribal development department said.

A pilot project in this regard will be started from the upcoming academic year in 133 government-run ashram schools, he said.

There are over 500 government-run ashram schools in the state where nearly 2.4 lakh students are enrolled.

The government provides items of daily use to the students by allotting contracts worth around Rs 700 crore per year.

The government makes available stationery items like text books, note books, school uniforms, pen-pencils, slate and also things like bathing soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, raincoats, blankets, coconut oil, etc.

"However, the government has now decided to pay the students by directly transferring money into their bank accounts so that they can buy their own stuff," the official said.

The tribal development department officials have worked out an average yearly expenditure for the students of classes I to XII.

The students studying in classes I to IV will be given Rs 7,500 each annually.

The students from classes V to IX will be given an annual amount of Rs 8,500 each, the official said.

Those studying in classes X to XII will be eligible to get Rs 9,500 each annually, he added.

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Maharashtra govt to directly pay ashram school students for their daily expenses - Firstpost

Written by Garima Mishra | Pune | Updated: April 28, 2017 1:45 pm

Sometime in the mid-1970s, during a meeting with the spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh, superstar Vinod Khanna asked him, Abhinay mein kaise safal ho sakte hain? (How can one succeed in the acting world?) To which Osho replied, Jeevan ko aise jiyo jaise wo abhinay hai aur abhinay aise karo jaise wo jeevan hai. Phir tum dono mein safal ho jaoge. (Live life as if you are acting and act as if its your life. Then you will succeed in both. These and many such words of wisdom stayed with the late actor and left a great impact on him. From the time he came in contact with Osho, the actor gradually came to shed his celebrity status and never behaved like a star, said Swami Chaitanya Keerti, editor, Osho World magazine.

Khanna was initiated into Oshos neo-sanyas in the late 1970s. He would frequently visit the Osho Ashram (Osho International Meditation Resort) on weekends after wrapping up his film shoots and indulge in meditation. In 1975-76, he even stayed there for a long time. Though initially when he started visiting Osho Ashram in Pune, he was an introvert, seeking answers about life. Gradually, with deep meditation and sharing knowledge with Osho and other fellow travellers at the ashram, he was at peace with himself and transformed completely, said Keerti, adding that at the ashram, he was friendly, easygoing and someone who laughed a lot and didnt carry his star status with him. At the gate of the ashram, the auto-rickshaw drivers would often stop him, requesting an autograph or a photo, and he would happily oblige them, he adds.

In 1982, when Khanna was at the peak of his film career, he shifted to Rajneeshpuram at Oregon in the US to be with his guru. As per the tradition of the ashram, all the disciples were assigned a task which they were supposed to perform daily. And Khanna, who was named Swami Vinod Bharti by Osho, was given the job of a gardener and had to look after the upkeep of the garden that involved watering, pruning, trimming, planting etc.

Vinodji meditated deeply and worked as a gardener in Oshos garden till 1985. Work itself became his meditation, his worship. He flowered into a spiritually evolved human being and a kalyan mitra to fellow travellers on the spiritual journey, sharing his insights and wisdom, said Keerti.

Later, even after Khanna joined politics and became the Member of Parliament, he did not lose touch with the thoughts and philosophy of Osho. Till two years ago, he would often visit Osho Nisarga, situated in Dharamsala in the Himalayas. Deep within his heart, he remained a sanyasi throughout his public life, says Keerti. Among many of Oshos discourses, the one that influenced Khanna deeply talked about devoting oneself to sakshibhav (witnessing consciousness) and shraddhabhav (trust). Such was the impact of the discourse that Khanna went on to name his son and daughter Sakshi and Shraddha, respectively.

Keerti said that after Khanna stopped coming to Osho Ashram, people would often question him if he had quit following Osho, and he would show them the wooden bead mala given to him by Osho, which he always wore. He would tell them what Osho told him once, The whole world is meditation.

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Khanna was Swami Vinod Bharti, a gardener, at Osho ashram in the US - The Indian Express

I think it was the poet Marvin Bell who advised my freshman English class as to overcoming writers block. Lower your standards, he said.

Let me tell you, Ive made a career out of Mr. Bells counsel, and see no reason to stop now.

Just the other night, I was having a drink with a writer in Sag Harbor, and we have in common the good fortune to have made our way around India a few times. Talk about stories! Between the poets guidance and Indias limitless capacity to present surrealistic imagery and experience, I could write about those journeys for years to come. Perhaps I will.

Did I ever tell you about the time I was nearly crushed against a stone wall on the banks of the holy Ganges, on a hot summer afternoon in Rishikesh?

How was I to know it was high season for pilgrimage to the places sanctified by Paramahansa Yogananda and the saints and holy men he described in Autobiography of a Yogi? I knew next to nothing about any of it, but (here I go again) the Beatles had studied meditation at an ashram there in 1968 and, bored after nearly a month in Ladakh, in the remote, eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir State, I wanted very much to explore.

I had been led to believe that the ashram, by then abandoned, was across the Great Ganga (also the name of a hotel, near the Ram Jhula Auto Stand in Muni-ki-Reti) from my accommodations, a self-styled chalet in Tapovan, offering stifling heat and exotic spiders for 150 rupees, around $3 at the time per night.

Beatles ashram? Id asked the keeper of the chalet. Do you know where the Beatles ashram is? Across the Ganga, was his answer.

It was midafternoon when I set out to cross the Lakshman Jhula, a 450-foot suspension bridge, into Jonk, to walk down the banks toward the ashram.

Here, where the Ganga leaves the outer Himalayas and flows into the plains of northern India, the river was muddy, engorged, and bursting forth. The air was thick and moist, the Lakshman Jhula thicker, with chanting, saffron-robed pilgrims, tourists, and the occasional beggar. I was sopping with perspiration long before reaching the other side.

The ashram was said to be far down the banks of the Ganga, and on and on I walked, stopping at temples along the way, photographing depictions of Hanuman and Vishnu and many other of Hinduisms colorful deities.

The sun bearing down and the ashram nowhere to be found, I was drenched and dizzy, pouring the remaining supply of water over my head for relief. When someone passed on the narrow path, I begged for an answer: Where is the Beatles ashram? I was losing hope that I would find it that day.

Where is the Beatles ashram?

On the other side, a man said.

Disappointed, but more than ready for potable water and a cold shower, I turned back. But now the Lakshman Jhula was completely packed, all of us jostling to stay upright as people crossed in both directions. This was going to take a long time.

Finally nearing the far banks of the Ganga, beyond which lay the chalet, the sea of humanity was too thick, those still on the bridge unable to move forward as the riverbank, bordered by a very tall stone wall, was itself jam-packed, some people trying to get onto the bridge, others continuing in either direction. The point where the bridge met the land was hopelessly choked.

After 20 minutes, during which Id traveled perhaps 20 feet, I was off the Lakshman Jhula, but now between a rock and a hard place the stone wall and a steadily intensifying crush of people. That was when the worry began. How many times had I read, back in the relative safety of Brooklyn, about such situations, usually in developing countries, and the resulting inevitable mass casualties? There was literally nowhere to go but up. The wall, however, was far too tall to scale.

As is His custom, however, Sri Krishna was with me. Inching along the wall while trying to keep myself from being crushed against it, a most improbable scenario presented itself. A bicycle leaned casually against the wall, somehow untouched and unbothered by the passing legions. If I could climb onto it, and stand on its seat, and reach toward the sky, perhaps I could pull myself up and out of the crush.

Standing atop the wall, sweaty and filthy but elated by the narrow escape, rather than return to the chalet I resumed the expedition. Beatles ashram? I asked passersby. One pointed the way, and I was jubilant. Id survived and would soon find the focus of my own pilgrimage.

But when I reached the site, something seemed amiss. It looked nothing like the photographs Id seen. Is this the Beatles ashram? I asked a very nice old man.

No, was the reply. This is the Vithal ashram.

In the locals accented English, Beatles and Vithal sound very much alike. Because of this presumed misunderstanding, I was back where Id started, on the wrong side of the Holy Ganga, having traversed the dangerously overcrowded Lakshman Jhula twice.

I would have to make the crossing again. But that would have to wait for another day. And that is another story.

Christopher Walsh is senior writer for The Star.

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Relay: Throwback Thursday - East Hampton Star

Vegans and vegetarians should rest assured, though. According to management at J. Selby's, the reason for their "temporary" closure is the best one possible: They were doing too much business, and need to prepare for higher volume than anticipated.

J. Selby's closed after lunch service this past Friday, and was not open for business all of this week. In a Facebook post explaining the move, the restaurant said its "opening week has left us at a place where we are unable to provide you all, our customers, with the service, the food, and the experience you deserve."

City Pages' recent write-up on J. Selby's noted its experimentation with"lively dishes that dont often appear on the vegans plate: Philly cheeze, nachos, even buffalo wings."

Those dishes must've worked during its first week, as J. Selby cited "large crowds we expect in the future," and said it was hiring additional "kitchen staff, line cooks, front of house, and dishwashers."

Last Friday, J. Selby's said it was preparing for what would've been its second week in business. In fact, the restaurant hasn't reopened yet, though it did stage a three-hour "free plant based burger grill out" in a parking lot across the street. (A Facebook event explained they had accidentally purchased vegan burger patties that were not kosher certified, and therefore wouldn't be served in the restaurant itself.)

J. Selby's continues to update its thousands of Facebook followers on a near-daily basis, writing on Tuesday that it had "underestimated the demand," and was "hiring additional staff to better accommodate those who come to eat with us."

The most recent announcement (Wednesday evening) said, "We will be open again soon but have no date just yet!"

Stay tuned for updates on when their doors are open again. In the meantime, anyone looking for a meatless restaurant industry job can email [emailprotected] and check if they're still hiring.

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Vegan restaurant J. Selby's 'underestimated demand,' closes to prepare for 'large crowds' - City Pages

Veganism is taking over! For those of us who are intimidated by going vegan, or are worried our vegan meals won't measure up to our tasty meat and dairy products, Jack Bishop has tips for you.

Heidi Eng, KING 12:38 PM. PDT April 26, 2017

Jack Bishop from America's Test Kitchen makes delicious vegan black bean burgers.

Veganism is taking over! For those of us who are intimidated by going vegan, or are worried our vegan meals won't measure up to our tasty meat and dairy products, Jack Bishop has tips for you.

Today Jack makes a delicious vegan black bean burger, all from his new book, "Vegan for Everybody," which is full of recipes that are sure to pass any skeptical vegan's taste test.

Find the recipe below and try it at home!

Meet Jack in person at his upcoming author talk, click here for details.

Thursday April, 26th

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Book Larder

4252 Fremont Ave N, Seattle

Whisk all ingredients together in bowl. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.)

Combine all ingredients in bowl, cover, and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Drain vegetables in colander and serve. (Pickled radishes can be refrigerated for up to 1 hour; radishes will begin to turn limp, gray, and bitter after 1 hour.)

2017 KING-TV

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Vegan or not, these black bean burger are delicious - KING5.com

At the beginning of the semester, I decided I would transition to a vegan diet for absolutely no reason other from testing my self-control.

Since then, I have become a lot more educated on the environmental and animal issues being a vegan encompasses. In fact, it would be incredibly hard to change my dietary habits now, knowing the process it takes to produce animal-based foods.

A lot of people do not know that veganism is not limited to refraining from eating eggs, dairy, honey or meat product. Gelatin an ingredient used in everyday products such as marshmallows, chewable vitamins and even chewing gum is made of pig bones. Palm oil and Red40 are also not vegan because of the impact they have caused on animals. However, they do not contain an animal derivative.

After watching the documentaries and completing research, the topic is kind of gross to think about. Unless an individual were to look at every single ingredient in the food he eats and does research on each ingredient, he will not be aware of what is in the food hes eating, and he would probably be disgusted if he did know.

For instance, if a person were to check the back of Lays Oven Baked Barbeque chips, he would see that chicken is an ingredient.

I have become more aware about the relationship between food and animals since I have started my transition. However, as far as the relationship between food and a person, it is my experience that eating Chick-fil-A and ice cream every day will make your energy levels feel low, and it can certainly impact your mood.

That was basically my diet last semester and the main reason why I wanted to make the change. I wanted to see if there was truly a difference.

When I made the transition, I told my family I was going to try for one full semester. I wanted to stop eating fast food, and I knew I wouldnt be able to do it any other way. Now, I do not want to turn back.

The last time I ate meat was on Feb. 14. I cannot remember the last time I used any dairy, eggs, honey, palm oil, gelatin, etc., but it's been much shorter of a time and was completely unintentional.

Overall, it's been a really great experience. I used to nap every day, but now, I have noticed a significant increase in energy, a lot fewer naps and a noticeable boost in my happiness.

I rarely ever feel bloated when I eat, and my body has become a lot more toned because a lot of the products I consume are fruits and vegetables.

A few days ago, I wrote a post on Facebook about my transition, and two people contacted me asking for help. My grandma has transitioned for a 40-day trial, and one of my best friends has been trying it for nearly three weeks.

While it is difficult at first, they have both admitted they feel healthier and more energetic.

Some people will not make the transition, but even one vegan meal a day is possible for everyone, and it could have a significant positive impact on your health.

I have a list of more than 30 vegan meals I can order from restaurants right here in Lubbock. Ive never eaten rabbit food, as some would call it. In fact, my favorite foods are pizzas from Pie Five or a vegan burger from Twisted Root.

However, there are so many recipes and products available, nearly anything can be made vegan. Dont give up or let your favorite food be the determining factor. Vegetarians, dont let the cheese hold you back.

Spend less money by not eating fast food. Increase your living. Help save the world. Animals are with us, not for us

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OPINION: Addison Vegan lifestyle has benefits - The Daily Toreador (registration)

Metro

Miiro the new vegan ice lollies that are sweetened with grapes Metro But if you're vegan, your options are somewhat limited when it comes to frozen treats. Sure, you've got sorbets but who wants to be relegated to just eating those for the rest of their life? If you've been missing frozen lollies of the creamier ...

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Miiro the new vegan ice lollies that are sweetened with grapes - Metro