Forest Serenity

Ever since I was a baby my parents have always gotten me to relax and calm down by going outside. I mostly grew up in a town where everyone walked or rode bikes, so it wasn't a problem to be outside a lot. In Delaware though I seem to very rarly be out of doors. I just go out once in a while. Getting to the point though out of all the places outside that I feel the best, forests are the number one. I just can't quite explain what happens or how it happens but when I go into a forest this huge feeling of relaxation just goes into my body and mind. I have less thoughts and I just feel relaxed. Yesterday my dad and I went to a state park and a few weeks before that I was in Yellow Springs, Ohio and went walking in the glen both times I excpirened a calm that I feel no where else. When I go into the forest behind my house I excpirence the same feeling of calm serenity. Even seeing a forest puts me in a calmer state. I can't explain why this is, but I wanted to share this so enjoy. Also this picture was taken by my dad yesterday at the forest.

From Swamiji: Unclutch

Today something happened at school that FORCED me to unclutch. Basically it involved my English class and a big end of the year project. I didn't agree with some of the ideas the group wanted to do, but was not at school the day before to suggest a different idea, so when I was able to talk to the group, it was already the day of filming. The group got mad at me for wanting to change the plan so late into the project, and with full reason, but I hadn't even thought of this until my mom and I where talking. Well they told the teacher, who asked me so everyone gets what they need will I consider leaving the group. I don't know what happened, maybe I was still recovering from the long previous day (school visits) but I was practically in tears! He asked me if I would think about it and come back to him.
The whole day I could not focus on my work, I kept weighing the options. Start the project all over myself or, do the project with the group and burn books (that was their idea.) In math period 4/5 I think my friend was practically ready to strangle me because all though out the notes I kept groaning "what should I do" then in science when I was glaring at everyone who talked to me (I am usually a pretty nice person) a boy who sits cross from me said "Just blow it off" talking a big exaggerated breath and moving his arms in a sweeping gesture. I looked at him quizically and he said "let go of it" And so I thought, "oh yeah unclutch!" and so I did.

I am not saying my problem got solved there, but from relaxing I think I made the right desision. Also when an older girl in band volunteered to help me, if I needed itn so I decided to do the project myself. I think I have been, OK I have been, really uptight about everything lately and this was Swamiji's way of just saying "unclutch!" Hope your all doing well!

More Schools

Hi Readers!

How are you all? Sorry I haven't written in a few days, I have been quite busy though. One of the things I have been doing was that today I went to visit two differnt schools. I enjoyed my self although because of the different school days I was "at school" about nine hours, which was to say the least tireing, but I think I have almost made my desision where to go next year, although poor you guys I shall not be sharing until fall. OK that's all for now, talk to you soon

Please comment!!!!!!

A New School

Yesterday I visited a new school called The Graham School. I have seen and visited many schools in my 15 years. Elementary was pretty steady started out at the public Kindergarten. Switched schools, and repeated kindergarten and then stayed at that school (the Antioch) for seven years. That school was, (and is) amazing, but it only goes till sixth grade, so I had to find a new school. In the span between those two academic years I went to India with my mum, during that time period I stayed at the Gurukulam, the resident school in the Bidadi Ashram. There where so many things to get used to there from the Indian toilets (AKA a hole in the ground) to spicy food EVERY SINGLE DAY, to sleeping in a doom room, but I ended up loving it there. Then I was subjected to three years of public school. Oh I forgot I also visited the Arther Morgan School in North Carolina which I totally would have gone to, except it was in North Carlina. and the tuition was REALLY pricey. Anyhow

Now that you know my school history the Graham school. First off everything was so relaxed and loose. I honestly didn't know what to do! In both the Gurukul and public school kids are kept on a tight schedule. In public you can get detention if you simply stand up out of your seat, but at this school kids seemed to just wander in and out of the classes. I was told a huge amount of what goes on there is based on responsibility the kids get there work, and it's up to them to do it. Of course all schools are like that, kids have the choice to not do there work, and meet the consequences, but that responsibility was intensified twenty fold at Graham. I have not decided if I want to go there or not, but I am definitely keeping it an open option.

A very ful saturday

Uncreative title, I know but my news is good so stay tuned.

First off yesterday the Nithyananda Vedic temple - Ohio got a shipment (in two semi-trucks) of 32 Shiva lingas!! They are in parts, have to be put together, but it's really exciting. Just as they where being unloaded it started to rain. and I don't mean a light drizzle, it felt like the skies were dumping the ocean on us!! So I said to everyone that it was like the Lingas wanted a bath after their long journey and so got an abishesekum. I got a video and pics, if you want to see the pics go to http://www.vedictempleohio.org/ListPhotosNew.aspx?Album=5606954426871670177

Swamiji gave his talk to youth later that night. His man message was that you (person) needs to figure the three main things in their life. For me I would say that is home, temple, and school. Then you need to remove all the joy and suffering related to those objects by simply disregarding it. He said that if you say "Oh I'll just remove the suffering" it won't work. You must go to the root of the problem and disregard both. If you do this then you will be in continuous bliss. I have been doing it for two days today is my third. He said try the technique for three days, but I think I am going to try it longer then that. At first I was really confused I mean how do you disregard the joy and suffering??? But I just leaped in and tried and if I am totally conscious then I can do it. He also talked about how you should use your body and mind to it's fullest potential and that tiredness is a sin. It was a great talk, Go Swamiji!!!

I wanted to post this entry on Saturday, but never got around to it. So here it is enjoy!!

Testing...

One year ago I took my end of year exams in either grade. The reading and writing exams went great, they always do. Math... not so much. Today I got my scores back from the PLAN tests I took back in March and it was the same sinerio. But yesterday I took the first part of my end of year exams (we have a state one, and a teacher written one) this was the state one. I think I did pretty decent on it. Of course I won't see my scores till late this summer, but I think I did good.

On another note I did my Nithya Dhyaan in the morning yesterday, today woke up late again and then had a bunch of stuff after school, but this time, unlike all those other times (you know what I am talking about) I am going to stay true to my commitment. So even though it is 11:00 at night (yes, I know your asking, "well why are you writing then!?") I am going to go and do Nithya dhyaan as soon as I press post, but I just felt I had to update all of you.

P.S. Today a truck arrived hauling two big ... truck ... things that contained 32 Shiva Lingas. For now they are just seperate parts in crates, and will probably sit in the temple parkinglot for the next 6 months, but never the less soon we are going to have so many Shiva Lingas!! I am going to make a video of their arrival and also when they are unloaded (that will be tomorrow) for the news so I'll make sure to post the link on my blog. Ok gotta meditate now, talk to you soon, comment!

Second Day/ Youth

I have just completed (by just I mean 30 seconds ago) my second day of my Nithya Dhyaan commitment. Today was a lot harder then yesterday. I wanted to do it in the morning, but I didn't wake up early enough so I had to do it when I came home from school. So just wanted to tell you all that

On a different note I am really excited, because this Saturday instead of eN Kriya Swamiji is doing a special event for youth. The event is called Transform yourself, and then the World. I think it's going to be great and have already talked to some of my friends at school about it. Although I got no yeses I got lots of I'll think about its, and I have to checks. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If any of you young readers out there want to come just leave me a comment, or check the Nithyannanda Ohio Vedic Temple website for details. I don't no much yet, just that the youth that come get to talk directly with Swamiji and ask questions and such, oh yeah and that it's gonna be amazing!!

Calm Chevy Calm

Chevy... Not the truck. Actually Chevy is that gorgeous black mare above whom is graciously allowing me to sit astride her back. Chevy is about 4 years old and is an Arabian paint cross, if you care to know. She has not really been trained yet and so that is one of the things I do when I go to the barn. It is also my favorite thing, and where I am learning the most. Chevy is both one of the sweetest horses I have ever met and one of the sassiest. Because of that one of her nicknames is Sassafras (the other one is Pretty Girl). Now with Chevy she has to learn so many things to be able to carry a rider, thankfully for me who is helping teach her, sh is very attentive. She respond great to leg movements (press gently with a leg and she moves in opposite direction away from pressure). The two main things I am currently trying to work with her on is trotting and relaxing. Chevy is coiled like a spring when you ride her, on one hand she will just mosey around the ring and does act ver non-chalant, but if ANYTHING happens she goes nuts. Not as bad as some horses but she does have a habit up leaping into the air and galloping forward, which as you might imagine may be unsettling. For trotting she is very nervous about why this bulk sitting on her back wants her to go forward and then stays on her back... I mean would't you?

So now that you have ALL the background info... One thing that I have really had to work on is staying calm. The second I tense up, so does she, and if she is already scared because of something, well it would not be good for me to become tense, so no matter what happens I have to stay very calm. The first week I had to really put this concept into practice it was hard she kept leaping forward when I asked for a simple trot. We where in a tiny cramped space. On top of that she kept trying to scrap me off onto the walls and twice she tried to trow me off. It was mostly because she simple did not understand what was going on, this was new to her. So in all that I had to stay calm, this week today, she went into the trot fine but then leaped into a canter not just once, but multiple times, when I got nervous she went faster, but by staying calm she slowed down. Since your probably getting board by now (or back in paragraph one) I'll wrap this up. Basically I wanted to say how good it is to be calm because I sure with went on with Chevy, really is displayed in all aspects of life. So be calm
I will be updated how things are going with Chevy. So stay tuned

Mother, Daughter, Meditation

Hey Everyone!

So I broke my promise, I'm sorry. Pictures are on my dad's phone see, and I couldn't get them off, but I will asap. I do have some new pictures though, as you can see. (that's my now almost grown up cat Maya, remember her?)

So what's this entry about? Well look at the title. If that doesn't make sense (and it probably doesn't) keep reading. For the past few weeks I have been really rubbing shoulders with my mom, and thats not in a positive way. It seems that we are always arguing and stuff, yes I realized that, obviously. I have also been loosing my temper easily and getting quite annoyed of late. So on Sunday my mother had a sit down talk with me. Ok It wasn't really a sit down talk cause we where talking home from the temple, but all you out there who are or were teens get the point. I don't really feel like reveling all the little details of our talk but we can sum it up to my parents where annoyed I was being so well grrraaaarrrr all the time and also didn't like me arguing. My mom told me I needed to start really doing meditation again. Nithya Dhyaan or eN Kriya. After more arguing, and some threats, I agreed. So this morning i set my alarm for 4:30 (I like to snooze it about 10 times.) finally woke up at 5:14 officially "borrowed" my dad's ipod and nithya dhyaan. I can't say it was like a wow, that was so amazing! kinda thing, but it was sort of refreshing. So 20 more days to go (until I reevaluate) my current plan is to do Nithya Dhyaan for 21 days and then do eN Kriya for 21 days and see where I am at the end of that. So There should be updates. Many more entries coming soon!

Good Luck

I am talking to my friend on the phone today and she says "well it stopped raining for you" in reference to an earlier conversation of
Me: How am I supposed to cook food over a fire if it is pouring rain out?! (it was pouring rain like it has been for the past month and a week)
My friend: well your resourcful I'm sure you'll figure something out

So I am just like ok and basically forget about it, actually I was reading a book I got from the library and then when the school bus pulled up in front of my house it had stopped raining! Not only that, it was gorgeous out the trees and grass in my yard shimmering emerold and the sky and deep azul. A few fluffy white clouds hung as if on a a string from heaven. I went inside and started to cook, which is my 4-H project and one criteria is to cook over an open fire. Now I was full aware nothing of that sort would be happening, but I did hope to get a nice fire going to at least eat around. I cook build a fire (which was not easy and took me a full 45 minutes thanks to all the rain) then tend to it while cooking, it was crazy but in the end my meal was beautiful and delishious, if I do say so myself. I promise to post pictures here tomrrow of it.

Back to the origional story my frind then says to me (over the phone) you always have such good luck! And I'm just like OK and then she says maybe I should start rubbing your head and I'm like "what?!" and she goes you know how people rub buddah heads.

This thing that happened today though is not a one day ever occurence, it happenes a lot. I will want or need something, I don't have to even ask Swamiji or Ananadaswara everything just works out perfectly!! The thing is all my friends just think I have good luck, I think it is the fact I am in tune with existence, you know, I hope. Why can't all teens be in tune with exsistence?!

OK my rambellings are over, hope this brought some speculation to you all, or at least some entertainment. I promise to post those pics tomorrow so stay updated!!