Have you ever attended a yoga class where people began chanting “Om” and felt compelled to leave? If you find chanting strange and unappealing, let me explain the possible reasons behind it.
“Om” is a mantra, a Sanskrit word derived from two root words: “Man,” meaning “continual or constant thinking,” and “tra,” meaning “to be free.” Mantras are practices that help individuals free themselves from worries and doubts while expanding upon their own consciousness. Some people choose therapy to find this type of freedom and expansion while others go for an Om run.
“I’d like to build the world a home, And furnish it with love, Grow apple trees and honey bees, And snow white turtle doves.” Those memorable words are the opening lyrics to one of the most successful songs in history, written by British songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. Its fame spread worldwide in the 1970s with numerous foreign language translations.
The hills are alive with the sight of color. From the vibrant paints on Easter eggs to the blossoming delicate flowers in our gardens, these are the marvelous times we’re in. A stark contrast to the drab grays and muds of winter. May seems to be a time when the world comes alive in breathtaking hues.
What do the studies of Freud, Jung, and the Dalai Lama have in common? Their studies found the importance of dreams in understanding human behavior. Dream theories are abundant, each trying to explain the mysterious and often surreal nature of our nighttime experiences.
Thousands of years ago before there were body language experts deciphering the meanings in our movements, Mudra Masters were focused on optimizing hand positions to enhance internal energy flow within the body. The word ‘mudra’ stems from an Indian Sanskrit word meaning ‘sign’ or ‘seal’. Through the centuries, hundreds if not thousands of hand mudras have been developed and refined.
Christmas lights are coming down as Valentine hearts are coming up yet grumpy ol’ Scrooge might still be lingering around overstaying his welcome. I’m referring to the Scrooge-y kind of internal dialogue that is self-berating even when the people or situations involved have long faded from our lives.
Dr. Joan A. Budilovsky
Author/Musician/Teacher
Dr Budilovsky has served on various college faculties throughout the years, beginning with the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In 2013, in collaboration with the College of DuPage Foundation, The Budilovsky Literary Endowed Scholarship was formed. This Financial Scholarship is awarded each semester to a College of DuPage student who demonstrates significant literary potential. It will continue to be awarded to talented student writers in perpetuity for generations to come.
