Awakening Ganesha

March 1, 2007                       Monthly  Newsletter                                        Volume 29                 

REMINDER OF UPCOMING EVENT: 

Tonight - Friday, March 2nd

The Legacy of Hanna Kroeger - Free Lecture

Slide show and talk by Gisela Kroeger Hoffman speaking about her mother's life and work in natural medicine.Hanna Kroeger was named one of the six outstanding holistic pioneers ofthe 20 century along with Dr. Edward Bach, Edgar Cayce, Dr.John Christopher, Dr. Linus Pauling and Ann Wigmore.   7-9pm 

Saturday and Sunday, March 3-4

The Seven Physical Causes of Disease & Illness - Kroeger level one training. A great integrated course for healers and those interested in health and well-being. Addresses nutrition, evironmental toxins, viruses, bacteria, infections, spinal misalignments and misasms. $150

9:00am - 5:30pm both days.

The Adventures of Lionheart,  Temple Cat

A Cat Journey-Love Of Self

The Cat god of 7 Centers is Lionheart, consumate yogi-hunter, also known as a healer. Journey with Lionheart to a place of  magic mirrors that show you particular aspects of yourself.

Follow Lionheart as he leads you along a path heading upstream beside a swiftly moving creek. This path is well worn, though narrow , and you know that he follows it often to the place where he is taking you. You come to the base of a waterfall, and off to one side there is pool of dark water. Lionheart looks in and touches his image with one paw. As you sit on the edge of the bank and look into the water, see your reflection clearly- the way you would like to see yourself. The image is wavey and does not hold still. Slowly it fades into the image of yourself as you are....With a splash, Lionheart jumps into the water, down into the center of the spiraling vortex, and to your surprise, you will realize that the water is no more. You see that it is only illusion , and you fall gently to the ground of the cavern under the illusion. Lionheart waits in an entrance to a tunnel, his head turned toward you, his body ready to go forward. Scramble up and follow him, continuing down the tunnel that gets darker and darker.

It begins to get lighter and you see that you are in a hall of mirrors. As Lionheart prances from one mirror to another, you realize these are no ordinary mirrors. they reflect much deeper than the outside of your body. There are seven mirrors. Each one mirrors a different image. take the time you need to look at yourself in each of the seven mirrors, inspecting each view:

The first shows you how you think you look....

The second shows you how you really look...

The third shows you the soul view of yourself....

The fourth shows the heart view.....

The fifth shows your chakra system in full color..

The sixth shows you your true self as Pure spirit....

The seventh is your unified self, at one with the universe..

Follow Lionheart as he steps into and walks through the last mirror, into a clearing where your friends and family wait. Go to watch one and touch them. See yourself as they see you. Experience each view in its fullness... The Great Mother enters the grove and holds out her hands to you. As you touch her, experience the love she has for herself, which is the same love she has for you. Realize that by loving yourself, you can love all of creation, as part of you, and can love be loved in return, as part of the creation of all. Lionheart wraps himself around your legs for a pet and leads you back dow the path.

inspired by the Golden Cauldron by Nicki Scully.

The Ayurvedic Corner

                                         GHEE

Ghee is possibly the most important and fundamental ingredient in your ayurvedic kitchen. Ideally, it should be eaten at every meal. Ghee is sweet, cooling and heavy and it aids in the pacifying and balancing of all doshas. It can be substituted in any recipe calling for oil. Although ghee is made from butter, when used moderately it does not increase cholesterol. Butter blocks the system, whereas ghee actually removes blockages. It also aids digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes, as well as carrying the medicinal properties of herbs to the bodily tissues, increasing absorption and assimilation. Ghee also lubricates the connective tissues, making the body flexible. Ghee nourishes ojas, the vital glue that binds our body, mind and spirit and which is at the very foundation of our health and well-being.

To make ghee you will need:

2 pounds of organic, unsalted butter (more or less depending on need)

One heavy sided, thick bottomed stainless steel pot (very important to prevent burning)

Small, fine mesh stainless steel strainer

Disposable cheesecloth

Carefully unwrap the butter and place in the pot, making sure not to touch the exposed butter at any time -the oils on your hands will contaminate the batch. Put the heat on medium high to high. Do not cover or stir at any time. The butter will foam up and then die down to a steady boil. After about 10 or 15 minutes (longer depending on the quantity), the butter will become a clear, golden liquid. Some people think the smell is similar to buttered popcorn. When the liquid just barely begins to foam up again, it’s ready. Remove from heat immediately. It will burn very quickly. Allow ghee to settle and cool for 5 minutes or more. You should be able to see down into the bottom of the pan. Using a ladle, pour the golden liquid into a thick glass container (I like mason jars), filtering it through the strainer lined with several layers of disposable cheesecloth. Seal the container only after the ghee has completely cooled. Safely dispose of the thick, heavy, gooey bottom layer (this is all the impurities we don’t want) and wash or soak the pot immediately.

 Kevin Afuso is the Chef for the Ayurvedic Kitchen at 7 Centers. He both educates and nurtures the teachers and students with conscious food during yoga trainings.

Vedic Astrology

Eclipse Energy in March

There will be two eclipses in the month of March. The nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu, are the two Vedic planets that are involved in eclipses. During an eclipse there is a conjunction between one of the nodes and the Sun or Moon (the luminaries). So the light of the Sun or Moon is blocked temporarily from us on Earth. Symbolically, there is a shadowing or darkening of the mind, and later a new awareness is brought to light, as the eclipse is only temporary. So something hidden or forgotten is now revealed. Eclipses are great times to connect to one’s inner life via meditation, yoga, mantra recitation, or other spiritually-oriented or healing practices that stabilize the mind. Eclipses are really times of spiritual initiation and can be very transformative events.  

It is also said that important decisions or events should not be started six days before or after a total eclipse, and three days before or after a partial eclipse. The reasoning behind this is that eclipse energies tend to stir up one’s karma, can bring about unexpected events, or one can feel more mentally confused.  

The first, a total lunar eclipse will be March 3, on the full moon day. This will take place at 19 degrees Leo in the nakshatra of Purva Phalguni. Lunar eclipses can be felt on a more emotional level. 

The next eclipse, at the new moon, will take place March 18. It is a partial solar eclipse at 4 degrees Pisces in the constellation of Uttara Bhadrapada. Solar eclipses can have a long-term effect for several years. 

Eclipses are used to predict world events, and not used so much in personal or individual charts. However, if either of these eclipses contacts one’s Ascendant, Sun, or Moon closely (with several degrees), then sometimes one can personally feel the effect.  

Ultimately, eclipses help us to face the unknown and hidden, and embrace the Light within all of us and within our world.  

Debra Infante, Vedic astrologer, can be reached at (928) 639-0623 for astrological consultations, either in person or by phone.

                7 Centers Yoga Arts

Upcoming Teacher Trainings

and Special Workshops

   August 10-19th             500-Hour Teacher Training w/ the International Yoga College

Faculty includes: Hansa Knox, Natasha Korshak, Kristi  Hook, Ruth Hartung, and Kathleen Bryant, among others.  For more information contact Ginny Beal at (928) 203-4002 or go to www.internationalyogacollege.org

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