Thursday 21 February 2013

Baglamukhi Mahavidya

Baglamukhi --- the protector 
Pitambara Vidya Devi or more famously known as  "Baglamukhi Mata" is one of the 10 Mahavidyas. She is oftern referred to as the "Goddess who paralyses the enemies".
Baglamukhi meaning " restrained face/mouth" inturn meaning hypnotic power of the face/indivual - in short ability to control and capture the other. Baglamukhi Mata is associated in tantrik practices especially worshipped to destroy enemies. She has a golden complexion and is dressed in yellow she sits in a throne in the midst of an ocean of nectar full of yellow lotuses. A crescent moon adorns her head.

Significance of Baglamukhi- 
Manifestation tale- In the Satyuga era once the whole world was threatened by a terrific cycle. Lord Vishnu was worried about the safety of the world so he went to a lake reservoir in Gujrat to please the Goddess, Pitambara Mata then appeared and controlled the powerful current of the flood and destructive nature.  
Further more she is also a form of Laxmi ( spouse of Vishnu) alos granting prosperity, wealth, attraction.

She is the source of all knowledge in tantra practices . She is both the source of delusion and release of delusion. She is also the source of visible and invisible universe/world. Baglamukhi sadhna though these days used mainly for decreasing power of enemies, protecting oneself and controlling enemies or maybe harming others but in earlier days it was for deep spiritual purpose.

Spiritual Purpose is mainly to be on the right path to control kam, krodh, lobh, moh ( lust, anger, greed, attachment/ego). The sadhna is mainly to control thoughts and kill/cut delusion and thereby having clarity of what to do. 

Chakras & Meditational significance-
She is associated with the lower two chakras, especially the svadhistan/hara chakra. Hence yoga or practices of clearing the hara chakra greatly help. Each goddess has another goddess attendant-- so for baglamukhi- bhuvaneshwari mata is the counterpart. Here Baglamukhi mata is the inner light which one  meditates on and thereby balances the breath which enters the silence of the self . This helps to view things from a higher perspective. By Meditation on self which involves control ;one sees things from a higher consciousness and understands that the a) outside is reflection of the inside, so if one is calm, protected, powerful within the external reflects the same ( though some karmic, balancing is needed) and or b) the external is forever changing its the internal which has to be sthir ( stable) or stambh ( silent) and hence unmoved by any happenings.   The inner growth and manifestation is baglamukhi's blessing and external /material growth /maya is bhuvaneshwari's blessing.  

In terms of kundalini practices-- the mantra of baglamukhi mata is highly used for increasing the vibration of lower chakras, esp hara chakra. The coiled serpent energy is usually eaten up or consumed at the hara chakra level so this mantra helps to move it up from the hara chakra. 
Since she related to energy and indivual power , she too is associated with planet mars/mangal. Thus for reducing afflictions,obstacles, enemies  her pooja/prayer is performed and beneficial ( not to be mixed with being Baglamukhi Sadhak).

Baglamukhi Mantra- ( adviced to be done as per the instructions by the guru)
"HRING BAGLAMUKHI DEVYAYAE NAMAH".
"HRING BAGALAMUKHI SARVVADUSHTANAM VVACHANMUKHAM PADAM
STAMBHAYA JIHVA KILAYA KILAYA BUDDHI VINAASHAYA HRING SWAHA"

Learning from Baglamukhi Mata-

  • Be silent and seek wisdom from inner self-  opening of throat chakra
  • To turn ignorance into knowledge- opening of third eye
  • To turn lack of self awarenss to power- opening of manipura chakra
  • To see with death in life ( emotional/mental/spirtual death)- to see how death of a relationship helps to see oneself in higher light- opening of hara chakr
  •  To see the dualities and balance them (yin/yang)- Opening of Hara chakra
  • To burn the anger into balance and creative - Opening of root chakra
  • To turn fear into security - Opening of root chakra
  • To know that thoughts are what balance the action-- good and bad , life and death, happiness and crappiness are just dualities of the same thing ( two sides of the coins)
  • Do no unjust to others by any means
  • Always respect women ( young/old) as the maha shakti always resides in women.
  • Mata is seated at the mount corpse- which means death -- death of self, enemies, uncontrolled power etc.
  • Not to speak the eternal truth from within.

Mudra Associated with Baglamukhi- 
Varuda Mudra- Boon Granting Mudra- The left had is used, the palm uppermost and fingers pointing downwardsAdditionally Abhaya Mudra is also associated.

This is my understanding so far of Baglamukhi Mata, please share your of understanding in anyways way of the Mata, it would be nice to know :)

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Reiki in Hospitals


One of the main principle or aspect taught to us in reiki is that it is HOLISTIC in nature.
Holistic is defined as-  "Characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical."  This is fundamental for every indivual on this planet "A  HOLISTIC" way of living life and each is entitled to one.

Just a few years back reiki /healing modalities were not given the recognition and more less considered as a taboo !! However since its recognition as " Alternative Medicine/Healing" a lot has changed in the minds of the people, to the extend that even doctors, nurses and major hospitals  over the world use REIKI and realizing the benefits it offers.

They say Jesus Christ used to touch and heal people, Guru Nanak touched/blessed and healed people, so for us the doctors /nurses are out healers/saviours/God :)

Some ways in how reiki can be used in hospitals/clinics/ NGOs running clinics :-

  • Giving or receving reiki before or after any procedure or surgery ( suggest to be careful incase of serious heart/brain/ fractures)
  • Give or receive reiki before or after minor or serious injuries.
  • Do straight reiki , not to get involved in psyhcic explanations or metaphysical terminologies
  • Give reiki for cancer patients with positive affirmations ( it is found it helps to increase the WBC and NK in some cases)
  • Give or receive reiki for stress reduction ( anxiety/ depression/ unable to cope with the event) and strengthening immune system
  • Giving reiki to a patient - especially to improve the nutrition intake and eating healthy
  • Reiki sessions for patients with drug addictions with combinations of bi polar disorders/catatonia/schizoprenia ( in my view- utmost care should be taken as usually the crown is very sensitive with root chakra being damaged severly)
  • Give reiki to a pregnant lady ( in my view- emotional and physical healing chakras are best suited)
  • Give reiki for Varicose veins, cramps ( imy view- root chakra and all minor chakras of the legs and foot, suggest leg massage too in combination)
  • Give regular reiki for trauma and emergency units - set stipulated time everyday, distance healing works best here.
  • Give reiki for patients undergoing chemotherapy and raditation treatment , it could be mini sessions initially followed by full fledged healing both in person and distance healing ( reiki assists in clearing toxins faster. 
  • Give reiki for patients under gone By-Pass surgeries ( helps to treat post operative pain/weakness, trembling of legs etc.)


How can Hospitals/clinics go about utilizing or set up reiki programs-

Reiki in Cordoba Hospitals - Reiki Light :)
Approach-  Pilot program in one unit---> Pilot program extended to another unit---> Based on the outcome form Seperate Unit/Hire reiki Practitioners----> Work on the funding program for the unit/external hire---->One seperate Unit formed & extend it to the entire clinic or hospital----> design specific programs for patient treatments in units----> Extend hand to train nursing staff followed by doctors

  • Planting the seed-  educate the staff, nurses, administrators, small group of patient's family- topdown approach works best, maybe some promotion might help within the hospital/clinic.
  • Initially form a small group consisting of reiki practitioners- external/ part- time would be best
  • Ask patients if they are willing to receive reiki, consult their family too- best to sign consent forms by keeping the original with self and giving the copy to the patient
  • Always Always mention reiki as a way for healing and by no means it should be glorified as metaphysical or psychic.
  • Start forming reiki healing groups for a small /large set of recovering patients in single session ( eg: general ward of the hospital/clinic).
  • Idenitfy specific patients ( terminally ill/chronic condition) who require specific healing sessions in their bed.
  • Make the reiki rooms or units soothing ( color combinations/therapy will prove to be helpful).
  • If the patient or family members are religious yet agreeing to reiki, ask them the god/divine form they would like to call during the healing to support them


Many Hospitals worldover are utilising and experiencing the benefits of reiki, following are the few known hospitals- Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Reiki Clinic at the Tucson Medical Center (TMC) in Arizona, Marin General Hospital in Marin County, California Department of Oncology at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, University College London Hospitals, London, UK, South Tess Hospitals NHS, Middlesbrough,  Apollo Hospital, India Aashlok Hospital Delhi, India

Check below website for more hospitals,  try asking you local hospital too.
http://www.reikiforallcreatures.com/about-reiki-hospitals.aspx

For more understanding on Reiki in Hospitals - please also read- http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/reiki_in_hospitals.html