Sunday, July 26, 2020

Alcohol: How much is enough?

In the puranic texts, it is known as soma rasa, sura, madira.  

Yes, we are talking about that liquid whose quantity consumed is second only to water: alcohol.

According to the strength of ethanol content, it is also known as alcopops, beer, cider, lager, wine, sherry, and spirits which are very high in strength and include whisky, rum, vodka, gin and brandy.  




Drinking alcohol is common across communities and cultures across the world.  It is just something that has fascinated mankind with its intoxicating properties that can numb the mind temporarily from the harsh realities of life.  

Studies have also shown that drinking culture is associated with high rates of alcohol dependence.  It is also associated with co-dependence with other substances such as smoking and drugs.  

There are serious consequences of too much indulgence with alcohol and the ramifications are many: social, vocational, medical and psychiatric.  

Treating alcohol dependence is an onerous task, and there are frequent relapses into old patterns of drinking habit, which makes it a frustrating problem to deal with.

So one needs to consider:

How much can one drink?
When does it become a problem?
Are there any indicators of problematic drinking?
How can one measure their alcohol intake?

Find the answers to these questions in this short video in three languages:




Also, read and watch video about smoking/nicotine addiction.




Resources:
Background music [English & Hindi videos]: Paradise [Kannada video: Dreaming in 432Hz by Unicorn Heads]
Picture:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Chivas_image_for_wikipedia.jpg/1200px-Chivas_image_for_wikipedia.jpg
Units of alcohol, with gratitude to:
https://www.caldersidemedicalpractice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/alcohol-units.jpg
https://www.onesmallstep.org.uk/application/files/8315/7141/4290/how_many.gif

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Mantra for meditation: Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

     ॐ गम गणपतये नमहः                                ಗಂ ಗಣಪತಯೇ ನಮಃ

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

{I bow to Lord Ganapati} 


This mantra extols Lord Ganesha who is the remover of obstacles from one's path.  It is said to be derived from Ganapati Atharvashirsha or Ganapati Upanishad. 

It is said to be a siddhi mantra that brings fulfilment, peace and ultimately emancipation to the person who chants it regularly. 

The Ganapati Atharvashirsha states that Ganesha resides at the Muladhara Chakra: 

Tvam muladharasthitosmi nityam

{Thou always reside at the Muladhara Chakra}

The Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spine is the first chakra to be awakened in yogic practice.  Its attributes are as follows:  

Muladhara Chakra
Meaning: mula = root,  adhara = foundation 
Colour: red
Root word: Lam (in yellow)
Location: base of spine
Qualities: physical health, stillness, being grounded

Yoga practice followed by pranayama is recommended before this mantra is chanted for 108 times.  

108 is the holy number of Sanatana Dharma and its significance is explained here: significance of Om & 108.

Meditate upon this sacred mantra regularly and stay blessed:






Resources:
Background music: The Sleeping Prophet, Jesse Gallagher
Background pictures:
https://www.netclipart.com/isee/xJmiRJ_root-chakra-energy-chi-spiritual-muladhara-chakra/
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Muladhara.svg/1200px-Muladhara.svg.png
https://beyogi.com/your-base-power-ganesha-first-c

References:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4552/Remove-Obstacles-with-This-Ganesh-Mantra.html
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-94/Root-Chakra-Healing-for-Beginners.html
https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/om-gam-ganapataye-namaha
https://beyogi.com/your-base-power-ganesha-first-chakra/
https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/om-gam-ganapataye-namaha/
https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/chakra-affirmations/
https://www.yogaindailylife.org/system/en/chakras/muladhara-chakra
https://www.vyasaonline.com/ganapati-upanishad/
https://www.astrojyoti.com/ganapatiupanishad.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbU3lfsiPm8hakra/

Film conversations: Fighter

As I have iterated multiple times before, I rarely venture into a multiplex to see a move due to previous harrowing experiences.  Especially...