Deepak Chopra's Soul Profile

Who am I? " We are the stuff that dreams are made on." ~ Shakespeare You are not your body. You are not your brain. You are the embodiment of your soul. You are pure organized light. In the West, we have a view of our soul as being separate from our bodies. We see it as some "other" entity that is mysterious and far away in an abstract heaven. This is simply a perception or belief created by religious establishments, books and media. The truth is that you are your soul. You are simply your soul covered in a sheath of humanity. When we meditate, we are connecting deeply to that soul. A fun and easy way to get to know "that guy" since he does seem rather foreign to our Western minds is to give your soul its own personality. The process is easy. Just find a quiet space and answer the following questions with the first thoughts that come to your mind. When you are done, pull out the key words. This is who you really are. If you have a meditation practice, read the words before you begin to meditate. Otherwise, just keep the list with you and read it once or twice a day. The following are the questions and Dr. Chopra's personal answers from his website www.peaceisthewayglobalcommunity.com. Deepak Chopra’s Soul Profile

1. What is your purpose for being here? -Healing -Helping in the personal transformation of others -World peace 2. What will be your contribution to the world? -Peace consciousness -Guiding people into getting in touch with their higher self -Creative solutions to conflict resolutions 3. What do you see as your unique talents? -Communication -Emotional bonding -Inspiring others to express their full potential 4. What are the best qualities you display in your closest relationships? -Friendship -Always there to help -Devotion 5. Who are your heroes in myth and legend? -Mahatma Gandhi -Mother Teresa -Nelson Mandela -Buddha -Jesus -Krishna -Florence Nightingale 6. Which qualities do you most admire in others? -Trust -Loyalty -Playfulness 7. At the peak moments of your life, how did you feel? -Looking at my children when they were born -Falling in love with my wife -Playing with my grandchildren -Experiencing higher states of consciousness through meditation -Feeling the intoxication of love through Bhakti Yoga and sacred poetry

Anything with a birthdate has a chart

Many people don't realize this, but anything that has a birthdate has an astrological chart. Companies, countries and pets are included. In fact, there is an entire branch of astrology dedicated to finance. If you are planning to start a business, it is a wonderful ideal to pick your incorporation date with intent to set the "personality" of your establishment. Below is Elemental OM's chart. If you have spent time in the studio, I think you will find it quite cute.

The Cosmo Natal Report for Elemental OM Date of incorporation: July 25, 2007 Time of incorporation: 9:11:21 PM Place of incorporation: Cincinnati, Ohio Chapter 1: How You Approach Life and How You Appear To Others Aquarius Rising: Forward-looking and progressive, Elemental OM is a Company that supports change, innovation, and human advancement. It is strongly committed to humanitarian causes and social improvement. Elemental OM honors the interconnection and interdependence of all people and recognizes the political and social ramifications of corporate actions. Elemental OM wishes to contribute something of value to the world. The ideals of equality, fairness and human rights color the Company’s policies. Elemental OM is truly interested in the good of the whole and not only Corporate growth. Elemental OM is attracted to the avant-garde, the latest advances in human thought and development, and can be eclectic and cosmopolitan in its tastes. Elemental OM considers itself to be a "global citizen". Elemental OM is strongly influenced by current trends and the flavor of the times. Elemental OM is involved and active in groups, community efforts, cultural and progressive movements. Elemental OM is a friendly company and expresses good will towards others. Elemental OM has many friends and these friendships with others are based on a sharing of common ideals and principles, rather than on emotional ties. Elemental OM is seen by others as a good friend and comrade…….. objective and fair. Chapter 2: The Inner You: Your Real Motivation Sun in Leo: Proud and intensely individual, Elemental OM really wants to stand out, to be the very best, and to be recognized and appreciated for its unique contributions. Doing something well and being respected for it is extremely important to Elemental OM. Elemental OM is proud to put its stamp on everything it does. Elemental OM likes to shine, express itself creatively, and be the one in charge. Elemental OM has big dreams and the determination, spirit, vitality, and enthusiasm. Elemental OM has a noble, romantic heart, and a love of the dramatic, colorful, and extravagant. For Elemental OM, it is true that "all the world's a stage". Elemental OM wants to stand out, and loves to receive the love and applause of an adoring audience. Elemental OM thrives on feedback and needs someone to believe in it and its dreams. Elemental OM loves wholeheartedly and generously and really knows how to make people feel special. Elemental OM understands the magic of “love”. Elemental OM strengths are its zest and love of life, its creative power, and its warm and generous nature. Sun in 6th house: The energies of the Company are directed to perfecting techniques, skills, and abilities in work. Critical analysis and attention to minute detail are intrinsic to this process. The urge to bring about a state of wholeness or optimal functioning is a strong motivation of the Company and Elemental OM is a perfectionist! Chapter 3: Mental Interests and Abilities Mercury in Cancer: Elemental OM is highly interested in inner, subjective, and personal issues, and the Company is founded more in feelings, intuition, and experiences rather than reason or logic. Intellectual abilities and accomplishments without heart or soul mean little to the Company. The Company is empathic and an excellent counselor, for Elemental OM is a sensitive listener and deeply interested in a person's feelings and inner life. In addition to psychology, Elemental OM is drawn to education, art, poetry, music, or mythology. Mercury in 6th house: Elemental OM is interested in organizing, classifying, and bring order to the environment. The Company is interested in the refinement of technical skills and abilities and is a stickler for details. Teaching and communication is highly important to the Company. Mercury Trine Uranus: Independent and free-thinking, Elemental OM dislike being told what to do and how to do it, and it especially does not like being told how to think, for it insists on discovering its own truth. Elemental OM works well in a rather unstructured environment that allows quick decisions and responses to the needs of the moment, rather than following a routine, standardized way of doing things. The Company thrives in a fast-paced atmosphere, which is exciting and stimulating. The Company functions in an intuitive, nonlinear fashion and sudden insights and flashes of inspiration often come to the Company "out of the blue". The Company has an aptitude for science and new technologies are of especial interest. Elemental OM has a penchant for astrology or other esoteric sciences. Chapter 4: Emotions: Moods, Feelings, Romance Moon in Sagittarius: Open and generous, Elemental OM enjoys a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and thrives on sociability and fellowship. The Company is adventurous, playful, freedom-loving, and always ready for a good time. Obstacles or difficulties do not keep this Company down, for no matter how bleak the past or present, there is an expectation for a brighter future. The Company does not like to see other people’s pain and often try to "cheer up" or offer philosophical advice to those who are hurting. Friendship means a great deal to the Company, perhaps even more than love or romance. Elemental OM needs a great deal of emotional freedom and mobility. Moon in 10th house: Elemental OM works well with the public and has an instinct for what the public wants and will respond to. Having a "nest" is not especially important to the Company, and it may invest more of its emotional energy into its career or public life than in its private life. Providing for and caring for others in a professional capacity is very likely. Moon Conjunct Jupiter: Elemental OM is tolerant and forgiving, always ready to overlook mistakes and give others a second chance. The Company expects the best from people and draws it out of them. Elemental OM enjoys making others comfortable and happy. Because of its emotional generosity, its life is rich with friends, and often financial blessings as well. Moon Square Uranus: Elemental OM craves excitement, change, and discovery, and cannot tolerate a routine or lifestyle that offers little in the way of surprise or challenge. Excitable, spontaneous, and enthusiastic about anything new, Elemental OM may be perceived by others as being too impulsive, especially in personal relationships. Venus in Virgo: Elemental OM is quietly devoted and faithful to its loved ones, and often become a kind of servant. Elemental OMis more comfortable showing love for someone by doing something for them, making something for them, or simply being there for them - rather than telling them so in a romantic, soul-stirring sort of way. Elemental OM can be timid about expressing too much sentiment or emotion. It also underestimate its attractiveness and lovability and doubts its own worthiness to receive love and appreciation. Venus in 7th house: Elemental OM is a very personable, affectionate, loving friend and will always have many people in its life who love and cherish it. The Company prefers being with others rather than on its own, and feels very incomplete without people to share love with. Elemental OM is a peacemaker, the one who adapts, harmonizes, and makes concessions for the sake of relationships. Elemental OM has charm and agreeableness making it very popular. Chapter 5: Drive and Ambition: How You Achieve Your Goals Mars in Taurus: Once the Company has set its on a goal, its dedication, determination, and commitment to it are extraordinary. The Company pursues its ambitions tenaciously and will stubbornly refuse to give up, let go, or be influenced in any way. Like Aesop's tortoise, Elemental OM labors patiently and steadfastly until it achieves its goals - or until it is clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that all is lost. The Company is reliable, consistent, and productive, and will often shoulder more of the workload than others, usually without complain. You prefer a regular routine, with definite hours and clearly defined responsibilities and tasks. In fact, establishing a pattern or routine is very important to your success because once you get started in a certain direction, is easy for you to follow it through to its completion. Getting started is more difficult. You have a lazy, comfort-loving side and there is often a good deal of inertia for you to overcome before you get going. Once you get a momentum going, your energy level is strong and steady. The Company is interested in concrete results and solid, practical achievement. A strong need exists for some tangible product or contribution to show for its efforts, and the Company cannot be content with only intangible rewards (such as having a good time, learning, or spiritual enrichment). Material well-being and security is also a large factor in determining what the Company does. Stamina and persistence are great strengths but can also work against the Company in that Elemental OM can get caught in a rut and refuse to seize new opportunities. Be careful not to “play it safe” all the time. Mars in 3rd house: The Company communites in a quick witted way and loves a good debate. Elemental OM can be quite forthright and must be careful to be diplomatic in communications. The Company can be quite persuasive, but should use a “soft-sell” approach. The Company thrives on challenging mental work. Mars Square Saturn: Elemental OM is a company that works hard and patiently to achieve goals and objectives, persevering and continuing on in spite of difficulties and discouragement. Concentrating on a single, clearly defined goal, the Company can accomplish much. Mars Square Neptune: Ordinary life often seems drab and uninteresting to the Company and Elemental OM must have something that stirs its imagination, some vision or ideal or dream to motivate. The Company has a strong urge to act live its dream, and it will DO things that others only talk about or dream about. Artistic creation, drama, or other areas in which it can express itself imaginatively are excellent for the Company. Work that serves only the Company’s interests does not satisfy Elemental OM. The Company should find a charitable purpose. Mars Sextile Uranus: Elemental OM is dynamic, decisive, and somewhat impulsive. The Company responds quickly and spontaneously to challenges, and enjoys vigorous physical activities that require fast reflexes and a good sense of rhythm and timing. The Company has an abundance of energy and vitality, and a restless desire to see progress and change – Elemental OM hates stagnation. The Company is individualistic and makes a good leader, spearheading new projects and inspiring others to act. Chapter 6: Other Influences Jupiter in Sagittarius: The Company’s strength lies in its ability to see the whole, rather than only the parts which compose it. It have a deep need to explore the world and to develop its own philosophy of life and sense of personal meaning. The Company vacillates between being open-minded and tolerant of differing views, and being dogmatic or overly zealous about its own viewpoint. Jupiter in 10th house: Elemental OM contribution to the world at large is likely to touch many people's lives in a very positive, helpful way. The Company aims high and has an innate confidence and trust both in its own abilities and in life in general, which enables it to go far. Elemental OM wants to do something BIG, and it attracts the support it needs to do so, for the Company’s aims are not solely for its own corporate benefit. Elemental OM wants to give something back to the world, or to improve others' lives. Saturn in Leo: Elemental OM has a great need for ego-affirmation and praise. Expressing yourself freely, openly, and unself-consciously is not easy for the Company. It tends to work hard at playing and "having fun", rather than being light-hearted and spontaneous. Developing self-love and self-acceptance regardless of "performance" is an important task. Saturn in 7th house: The Company takes its commitments to others very seriously. Its strong sense of responsibility to other people makes it a trustworthy and dedicated partner. Saturn Opposition Neptune: A conflict between the Company’s spiritual needs and ideals versus material desires or limitations of the "real world" will be a challenge. It may be hard for the Company to sort out its true values, especially when it is enmeshed in the demands of mundane life. Times of retreat, isolation, meditation and prayer, and voluntary simplicity can be helpful to the Company in this regard. Finding inner strength through spirituality and attunement to a higher source is ultimately the answer. Saturn Trine Pluto: Elemental OM dedicates itself wholeheartedly to a cause, sacrifices much, and eliminates all superfluous activities and interests. Others find Elemental OM approach too severe and are unwilling to go along with it in the difficult circumstances that it is willing to tolerate. The Company’s determination and capacity for self-denial often help it get through the rough spots to the goals it is are striving for. Uranus in 1st house: Elemental OM is unconventional and innovative, and is perceived as a rebel, reformer, or highly unusual in manners, appearance, or attitudes. The Company enjoys being unpredictable, and does not conform to the standards that other people and companies have set. Above all, the Company is individualistic, does what is pleases regardless of customs and norms.

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Karma....ouch

"We sow our thoughts and reap our actions. We sow our actions and reap our habits. We sow our habits and reap our character. We sow our character, and we reap our destiny. "
Unknown, Source

Karma is probably one of the most misunderstood terms of "Indian" philosophy. You sow what you reap. What you do comes back to you. If you do something bad, then something bad will happen to you. It seems random. It seems unfair...you bring Karma in from other lifetimes. Why should you be responsible for that? Do you remember these lifetimes and is reincarnation even real?

Forgetting all the above, this is what I know to be true about Karma: Karma is about "right choice" and "right action". If you consistently make the right choices that benefit you and others and if you consistently do the right things that benefit you and others, you will transcend Karma. This is not easy to do as not all choices are a slam-dunk. If you don't have the right answer, don't make the choice. Practice patience and wait for a better choice.

What happens when you make the wrong choice? Should you live in fear and dread of the Karmic retribution. Absolutely not. Take responsibility for the choices you have made. Look for the lesson in each choice. Grow. Make a better choice next time around. It's okay to make mistakes. Some of our biggest mistakes are our most powerful learning lessons. It's not okay to make the same mistake over and over again. That is that Karmic wheel in full action and we want to stop that thing from spinning.

Think about a choice you make on a daily basis that is not serving you...sleeping in, skipping breakfast, negative thoughts, the inability to say no, not resting when you are tired, staying in an unhappy relationship or not exercising. Think about how different your life would be if you simply decided to make a different choice. Imagine yourself in one year. Imagine how your life or your physical body would change. Imagine the possibilities.....

That is Karma in action. That is the power of right choice making.

Namaste!

Suffering through the Holidays

I'm back at the studio after our Thanksgiving holiday and expected to see tons of excited energy as people come off of their long weekend of celebration and begin to plan for Christmas. I didn't see that. I saw lots of people suffering.

Holidays are tough. I can honestly say that because I'm one of the happiest people that I know and I too woke up on Turkey Day a little blue. I had intended to wake up with a big smile and thoughts of gratitude, but when I opened my eyes, I felt sad. I went through my whole bag of yogi tricks. I meditated. I prayed. I ran through a whole list of things to be grateful for. I went to a yoga class. I was still blue.

My plans for a family dinner had fallen through so I invited myself to a friends. It just wasn't the same...and there's the "aha moment"....it wasn't the same. I have to pause and ask, "the same as what?" That question is actually the answer. There is no same. Everything is always changing, but for some insane reason at the holidays, we want some sense of sameness. The need for sameness causes our suffering.

I grew up in a typical house where we piled in the car and drove to grandma's for dinner. After my parents divorced, it tended to just be my mom and I which was very sad. I vetoed the holidays for a very long time, but then I got married and had kids and once again we would pile in the car to grandma's. Of course, I then got divorced and now find myself establishing new traditions AGAIN. I also find myself worried about my children and what traditions they are or are not growing up with. I can't find a single sameness in these past 40 turkey days.

I know that my inner core is happy. I know that my unhappiness stems from expectations based in memories of the past and desires based in future needs. I know that everything is always changing and I know to embrace that. I know to wake up each day and ask for more uncertainty than the day before. I do know these things. I haven't quite figured out how to reconcile my knowing and being, but I do have a plan to get through December happily:

My Plan:

• Meditation Daily.
• Positive Affirmation: December is my month of fun and joy!
• Lots of Karma Yoga: selfless service to others
• Stick to my eating/sleeping routine during the week...have a total blast on the weekends.
• Eat whatever I want when I am out celebrating and worry about it in January.
• Give and receive lots of hugs.
• Plan for 2010...work on those Intentions and Desires I'm always talking about.
• Embrace Uncertainty with the certainty that my life is just how it should be.
  

Please feel free to make my plan your plan. If you find yourself on your own or sad come to yoga or just hang out at the studio! It really does make you happy to surround yourself with good energy and people.

Happy Holidays!

Probiatics and digestion

When preventative medicine fails, you find yourself in a situation where Western Medicine is the only way to go. Yesterday I had a root canal. It could have been prevented, but I probably would have needed to know a little more at a very young age when I developed a cavity in that tooth. The cavity led to a filling which led to teeth grinding which led to a crown which ended in the root canal. Some metaphysicist somewhere would probably tell me it started in my emotional body and I need to release something, but I will tell you that at that very young age when I got that cavity, I didn't know about the emotional body either.

It wasn't all bad. Lots of numbing medicine and 38 minutes later I was free and at the pharmacy filling a prescription for antibiotics. Having a passion for holistic medicine, I was struck by the absolute necessity for taking this broad spectrum antibiotic that will not only kill the bacteria settled in the bone of my jaw, but also all the other "good" bacteria in my body. Back to prevention, I realize I need to add some probiotics into my diet to keep my digestion strong. I would have simply just grabbed some yogurt, but I ran across the table below which I found very interesting. Apparently, there are different probiotics for different things. I hope you find it helpful too.

I guess the lesson is that when prevention fails, you need to go to your doctor. When he prescribes medicine, educate yourself about the side effects and make some decisions on diet, routine and supplements that can facilitate your recovery and minimize side effects.

This Information was gathered from Health.com

Name	Helps fight	Dosage	Purchase info
Culturelle supplements	Antibiotic stomach upset, colds and flu, maybe eczema	One capsule a day	$22.99 for a 1-month supply; drugstores
Florastor supplements	Antibiotic stomach upset, traveler’s diarrhea	Two capsules a day	$35.99 for 50 capsules; drugstore.com
Digestive Advantage and Sustenex supplements	Antibiotic stomach upset	One capsule a day	$10.49–$15.99 for a 1-month supply; drugstores and natural-products stores
Fem-Dophilus or RepHresh Pro-B supplements	Vaginal and urinary infections	One capsule a day	$17.49–$31 for a 1-month supply; drugstores and natural-products stores
DanActive dairy drink	Colds and flu	One (3.3-ounce) bottle a day	$2.69 for a 4-pack; supermarkets
Attune bars	Colds and flu	One (80- to 170-calorie) bar a day	$1.60–$2.10 per bar; supermarkets and natural-products stores
Align supplements	Irritable bowel	One capsule a day	$29.99 for a 1-month supply; select drugstores
Good Belly probiotic fruit drink	Irritable bowel	One (2.7-ounce) bottle a day	$4.49 for a 4-pack; select supermarkets and natural-products stores
Stonyfield organic yogurt	Eczema	One cup a day	$1.99 for a 4-pack; supermarkets and natural-foods stores

Holiday tips to stay healthy

The holidays tend to be a time when our bodies and minds drift out of balance. We tend to eat too much, drink too much and adjust our routines to accommodate travel, family and friends. This is all really good stuff. When you are having fun and feeling joyful...stay with it. As you begin to close your holiday, however, you may feel symptoms of imbalance including poor digestion, lethargy and interrupted sleep. Pull yourself back to balance quickly (or avoid going out of balance all together) by incorporating the following tips into your holiday.

Tips to prevent or cure holiday imbalance:

Walk each day.
Be Silent each day.
Be Alone some of each day.
Speak kindly to yourself and others each day.
Be thankful each day.
Add lots of ginger tea to your routine to facilitate digestion.

Two Days of Silence

After days of feasting, fast.

After days of sleeping, stay awake

one night. After these times of bitter storytelling, joking, and serious considerations, we should give ourselves two days between layers of baklava in the quiet seclusion where soul sweetens and thrives more than with language.

-----Rumi

Plants

I love my plants. I don't have many because I have much fear and guilt due to past experiences that left many dead. I'm sorry guys.

I love these creatures because they communicate so clearly. When they need attention, nourishment and love, they simply droop in the most dramatic sad way. When I continue to not meet their needs they turn brown and lose body parts. The past has shown that if left ignored, they will leave me.

I wish humans were so clear in their communication. Honestly, I can figure it out in another human, but I wish I personally had the opportunity to simply droop when I need attention, nourishment and love. I hope that I wouldn't need to go further and actually turn brown and lose body parts, but it would attention. I can confirm that the plants and I share the same habit of leaving when ignored.

We are trained to put on our happy faces and just go out in the world. Grief is a badge of shame. Anger is a shunned emotion. Sadness may be contagious and those showing it should be avoided. Perhaps these are all just subtle or not so subtle displays of drooping. What is going on behind the happy faces?

I'm going to start thinking of humans as plants. When their heads are down, when their eyes don't meet mine, when their voice is enthusiastic in a false tone, when they answer that they are "fine", I'm going to pay attention. I'm going to nourish and love them through kind words, kind deeds, compassionate listening and hugs. Please do the same for my inner plant.

Namaste.