Aparājayah

My learning today came from a fellow yogi at the Bikram studio I practice regularly.

Siddhis are spiritual, magical, supranormal, paranormal, or supernatural powers acquired through sadhana (spiritual practices), such as meditation and yoga. The word itself is a Sanskrit noun which can be translated as "perfection", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success".

There are eight primary siddhis:

• Aṇimā: reducing one's body even to the size of an atom
• Mahima: expanding one's body to an infinitely large size
• Garima: becoming infinitely heavy
• Laghima: becoming almost weightless
• Prāpti: having unrestricted access to all places
• Prākāmya: realizing whatever one desires
• Iṣṭva: possessing absolute lordship
• Vaśtva: the power to subjugate all

And five siddhis of yoga and meditation are:

• tri-kāla-jñatvam: knowing the past, present and future
• advandvam: tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities
• para citta ādi abhijñatā: knowing the minds of others and so on
• agni arka ambu viṣa ādīnām pratiṣṭambhaḥ: checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, and so on
• aparājayah: remaining unconquered by others

Ask Me No More

Ask Me No More

by

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Ask me no more: the moon may draw the sea; 

The cloud may stoop from heaven and take the shape, 

With fold to fold, of mountain or of cape; 

But O too fond, when have I answer'd thee? 

Ask me no more. 

Ask me no more: what answer should I give? 

I love not hollow cheek or faded eye: 

Yet, O my friend, I will not have thee die! 

Ask me no more, lest I should bid thee live; 

Ask me no more. 

Ask me no more: thy fate and mine are seal'd: 

I strove against the stream and all in vain: 

Let the great river take me to the main: 

No more, dear love, for at a touch I yield; 

Ask me no more. 

A Cantankerous Spinster

I have seen her in many movies and British series but never paid enough attention to find out who she is... that is until I watched two entire seasons of Mulberry in one evening just to have my ears enjoy her elocutionary skills while eloquently wearing the character of  Miss Farnaby. I am now a loyal fan of Geraldine McEwan.

Child Of The Universe

Desiderata 

by

Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, 

and remember what peace there may be in silence. 

As far as possible, without surrender, 

be on good terms with all persons. 

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; 

and listen to others, 

even to the dull and the ignorant; 

they too have their story. 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; 

they are vexatious to the spirit. 

If you compare yourself with others, 

you may become vain or bitter, 

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. 

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; 

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, 

for the world is full of trickery. 

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; 

many persons strive for high ideals, 

and everywhere life is full of heroism. 

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. 

Neither be cynical about love, 

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, 

it is as perennial as the grass. 

Take kindly the counsel of the years, 

gracefully surrendering the things of youth. 

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. 

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. 

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, 

be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the universe 

no less than the trees and the stars; 

you have a right to be here. 

And whether or not it is clear to you, 

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore be at peace with God, 

whatever you conceive Him to be. 

And whatever your labors and aspirations, 

in the noisy confusion of life, 

keep peace in your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, 

it is still a beautiful world. 

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.