Author: Tammy

Omega Institute to Hold Annual Omega NYC April 20-22

Posted on by Tammy

The Omega Institute is heading back to New York City for its annual Omega NYC conference – and this time 16 teachers will be on hand at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, April 20–22, 2012.

Also, for the first time ever, Omega plans to broadcast live from the Women & Happiness workshop, so people around the world can watch for free online as renowned author Brené Brown presents “The Anatomy of Joy.”

Omega NYC begins Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. with a keynote talk, “With An Open Heart,” by Elizabeth Lesser, author of “Broken Open” and co-founder of Omega, as well as a special performance by musician David Wilcox.

Participants at Omega NYC dive deeper on Saturday and Sunday, when they can choose from one of seven in-depth workshops:

– Women and Happiness: The Give & Take of Finding Joy: Elizabeth Lesser, Carla Goldstein, Geneen Roth, Brené Brown*, Loung Ung, Gretchen Steidle Wallace, and Leslie Salmon Jones

– Loving What Is: Byron Katie

– Touching the Unseen World: Discovering Your Spiritual Self: James Van Praagh

– Energy Medicine: A Hands-On Workshop: Donna Eden and David Feinstein

– Breaking Through the Shadow of Fear: Debbie Ford

– Crazy Sexy Life: Creating a Daily Self-Care Game Plan: Kris Carr and Nicolas Ortner

– Meditation Skills for Life: Sharon Salzberg

To sign up for the live online event, featuring Brené Brown’s “The Anatomy of Joy,” or to register for a workshop, visit www.eOmega.org/nyc.

Russell Simmons to Launch Tantris Yoga Line

Posted on by Tammy

Well-known yoga enthusiast and hip-hop mogul (who has graced Elevated Existence’s cover twice) Russell Simmons is launching an expansive yoga line called Tantris, which will include women’s and men’s activewear, meditation beads, yoga mats, pillows and scented candles, GlobalGrind.com reported.

“After doing yoga, I feel alive and awakened,” Simmons told WWD. “I want to give people that feeling or to teach people who want to learn more about yoga. I see yoga studios starting to grow and yoga classes getting more crowded. I see [yoga] brands continuing to grow. I’m doing this because of my passion for yoga not because I’m that kind of business guy.”

After its release in department stores, specialty stores, health clubs and spas this fall, Simmons plans to open Tantris stores, yoga studios, juice bars and even a vegan restaurant, the website reported.

Meditation Improves Emotional Behavior in Teachers, Study Shows

Posted on by Tammy

Schoolteachers who underwent a short but intensive program of meditation showed they were less depressed, anxious or stressed, and more compassionate and aware of others’ feelings, according to a UCSF-led study that blended ancient meditation practices with the most current scientific methods for regulating emotions, a report by ScienceDaily.com stated.

The study, designed to create new techniques to reduce destructive emotions while improving social and emotional behavior, is published in the April issue of the journal “Emotion.”

“The findings suggest that increased awareness of mental processes can influence emotional behavior,” said lead author Margaret Kemeny, PhD, director of the Health Psychology Program in UCSF’s Department of Psychiatry in the ScienceDaily.com report. “The study is particularly important because opportunities for reflection and contemplation seem to be fading in our fast-paced, technology-driven culture.”

A total of 82 female schoolteachers between the ages of 25 and 60 participated in the project and were chosen because their work is stressful and the meditation skills they learned could be immediately useful to their daily lives, possibly trickling down to benefit their students, according to the report.

The study began after a meeting with USCF emeritus professor and world expert in emotions, Paul Ekman, PhD, met with the Dalai Lama at his home, along with other Buddhist scholars and behavioral scientists.

The Dalai Lama to posed the question: In the modern world, would a secular version of Buddhist contemplation reduce harmful emotions? Ekman and Buddhist scholar Alan Wallace then developed a 42-hour, eight-week training program, integrating secular meditation practices with techniques learned from the scientific study of emotion.

The program incorporated concentration practices involving sustained, focused attention on a specific mental or sensory experience; mindfulness practices involving the close examination of one’s body and feelings; and directive practices designed to promote empathy and compassion toward others, according to the report.

In the randomized, controlled trial, the schoolteachers learned to better understand the relationship between emotion and cognition, and to better recognize emotions in others, along with their own emotional patterns so they could better resolve difficult problems in their relationships, the report stated.

“We wanted to test whether the intervention affected both personal well-being as well as behavior that would affect the well-being of their intimate partners,” Kemeny said in the report.

 

 

VIDEO: Dalai Lama to Receive Templeton Prize for Spiritual Work

Posted on by Tammy

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, 76, has won the 2012 Templeton Prize worth $1.7 million for his work affirming the spiritual dimension of life, the U.S.-based John Templeton Foundation said.

The prize will be awarded at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 14.

“When I heard today your decision to give me this quite famous award, I really felt this is another sign of recognition about my little service to humanity, mainly, nonviolence and unity around different religious traditions,” the Dalai Lama said in a released statement. “Whenever we face a problem we have to find a nonviolent way to solve that problem.  Use violence, rely on force cannot solve the problem. That is my fundamental belief.”

For decades, the Dalai Lama – a lineage believed by followers to be the reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist leader who epitomized compassion – has vigorously focused on the connections between the investigative traditions of science and Buddhism as a way to better understand and advance what both disciplines might offer the world, the foundation reported.

Specifically, he encourages serious scientific investigative reviews of the power of compassion and its broad potential to address the world’s fundamental problems – a theme at the core of his teachings and a cornerstone of his immense popularity. Within that search, the “big questions” he raises – such as “Can compassion be trained or taught?” – reflect the deep interest of the founder of the Templeton Prize, the late Sir John Templeton, in seeking to bring scientific methods to the study of spiritual claims and thus foster the spiritual progress that the Prize has recognized for the past 40 years.

The Dalai Lama also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

While he said he was both proud and happy to receive the Templeton Prize, he also said he is “a simple Buddhist monk,” and will remain that way even after receiving the award.

“Of course more people may pay some attention about my talks, my thoughts, so in that sense, I think, very, very helpful.  You are helping my effort.  Thank you very much,” he concluded.

See the Dalai Lama’s video message about the prize below:

Deepak Chopra’s New Book “Spiritual Solutions”

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In his latest book “Spiritual Solutions: Answers to Life’s Greatest Challenges,” best-selling author Deepak Chopra teaches readers how to transform obstacles into opportunities by raising their level of awareness.

“The secret is that the level of the problem is never the level of the solution,” said Chopra in the book.

Whether looking to lead a more fulfilling life; finding time for meditation; or wanting to jumpstart a stagnant career, this new book offers tools and strategies to help meet life’s challenges from within.

“There is no greater power for success and personal growth than your own awareness,” said Chopra.

15 Vegan Superfoods to Add to Your Diet

Posted on by Tammy

We came across this list of foods packed with nutrition that can really add a boost to your diet on Ecorazzi.com. While they are Vegan, you don’t have to be a Vegan to enjoy them! Check out the below list – even if you only incorporate a few of them into your diet, you will reap the benefits!

  1. Goji Berries – Rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, studies have suggested this berry can help fend off Alzheimers. Gojis contain 18 amino acids and more than 20 trace minerals and vitamins, such as zinc, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin (B12), vitamin E and carotenoids, and per ounce they offer more vitamin C than an orange and more beta-carotene than carrots!
  2. Quinoa – Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that is a vegan source of complete protein. It’s a great alternative to rice, and can also be added to salads.
  3. Amaranth — Another grain high in protein, folate and B6, as well as fiber. It also contains vitamin C, and has been shown to reduce cholesterol.
  4. Sweet Potatoes – High in B6 and magnesium, sweet potatoes also offer vitamins C and D, potassium, iron and beta-carotene.
  5. Pomegranate – This fruit is high in vitamin C, B5 and phytochemicals, and Dr. Oz has said the juice in the seeds contains ellagic acid and punic alagin, which fight damage from free radicals and preserve the collagen in the skin.
  6. Mangosteen – Another fruit recommended by Dr. Oz, who says the white inside the fruits purple skin it is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants. Fruit and tea from this fruit are also available.
  7. Mustard Greens – Mustard greens are high in vitamin K.
  8. Swiss Chard – Also high in vitamin K, as well as vitamins A and C, and iron.
  9. Tumeric – This yellow spice, often found in Indian cooking, is considered to be both an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Studies have also shown it can help fight cancer and Alzheimer’s.
  10. Kiwi – One large kiwi can supply a person with their daily requirement of vitamin C, and is also a good source or potassium, fiber and vitamins A and E. Additionally, they offer phytonutrients, folic acid, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc.
  11. Mushrooms – These are a good source of conjugated linoleic acid, which has been shown to block aromatase, a protein that causes estrogen development in women. They are also high in fiber and protein, along with B vitamins to help maintain a healthy metabolism.
  12. Chia Seeds – Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as protein, vitamin B complex, biotin calcium, potassium and fiber.
  13. Flax seeds – These are high in fiber, omega-3s and lignans, and studies suggest they can help fight cancer by inhibiting tumor growth and reducing hormone metabolism.
  14. Dark Chocolate – Packed with antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonols, believe it or not, dark chocolate is actually good for the heart!
  15. Cacao – The fruit and bean from which chocolate is made may not be as sweet, but it is high in antioxidants, dietary fiber, iron and magnesium. It can be used in baking, or sprinkled on cereal or granola.