Posts Tagged ‘product review’

Best book on Taoism: The Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell

Posted in Musings, Resources & Reviews on October 30th, 2009 by Vlad – 5 Comments

tao te chingThere are two books that I treasure above all others in my life. I have already written about the first, it is the Ptanjali Yoga Sutras by Swami Satchidananda, this book is the second.

I have flipped through many different versions and translations of the Tao Te Ching, but this one always strikes me as the best and clearest of them all. The author has had years of experience as a Zen practitioner and meditator. I believe that this background and experience has helped him understand the deeper meaning behind the paradoxical language found in the Toa Te Ching. Stephen Mitchell himself says, “I have often been fairly literal – as as literal as one ca be with such a subtle, kaleidoscopic book… If I haven’t always translated Lao Tzu’s words, my intention has always been to translate his mind.”

I have had this little book for many years and it never ceases to amaze me just how much insight and perspective I can gain from re-reading just a few passages. Sometimes, I just open it at random to a page and read it, like a horoscope for that day. Other times, I search greedily for the passage that moves me and re-read it over and over again until it is burned into my memory. Like a soft whisper in my mind, the lines come back to me when I most need them to remind me to stay present and embody the Tao in my life.

chinese manThe word “kaleidoscopic” seems very fitting for such a book because there are are hundreds of lessons or paths that you can take to understanding. There are 81 stanzas in total, and yet there is mainly one bold and central idea that underlies all passages. Lao Tzu wants to make sure that the reader really gets it. Even though he then laughs at the idea because it is not a matter of “getting it” but rather using it.

To quote another passage, “The Tao is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable. The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you understand.”

I frequently think of this book as a spiritual instruction manual. Its not philosophy, its not psychology, rather, its like an Ikea manual for assembling a lamp or table. Of course the Ikea manual will give only enough instructions on how to assemble the object, while the Tao Te Ching gives 81 instructions – often referencing “The Master” or one who is in alignment with the Tao. Thus, this is a unique spiritual book unlike any other simply because it was written to confuse the intellectual mind. A rational and reasonable person will find this book frustrating, certainly illogical, and quite possibly even useless. It is a brilliant way to filter readers and pass down wisdom without having the original message garbled up. This book is a gem of wisdom, its no wonder that it has survived all this time and continues to inspire new generations of readers. A few final words from master Lao Tzu.

“In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added.

In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less do you need to force things, untill finally you arrive at non-action.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.


True mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way.

It can’t be gained by interfering.” (Stanza 48).

The Ojai Yoga Crib – A Yoga Retreat Like No Other

Posted in News, Resources & Reviews, Yoga on October 28th, 2009 by Vlad – 1 Comment
The teacher’s voice is like a soft whispering hum filling the room, it tickles the skin and nourishes just the right place within. To be in the presence of such a brilliant, loving, and soulful teacher is a rare opportunity. As we move from pose to pose, sweat dripping from our faces, there is an internal smile that awakens with gratitude and joy at the awesomeness of such a class. This is no regular yoga class, here, we are a community, we are loved, and we feel at home. We are at the Ojai Yoga Crib.
Having been to many festivals, workshops, and gatherings, few events feel so deliciously good, so inspiring, and refreshing. Maybe it is because the crib takes place in the small town town of Ojai, nestled into a beautiful and lush valley just one and a half hours north of the busy concrete jungle of Los Angeles. Perhaps it is the amazing venues where classes are held. A class in the geodesic dome reveals the stunning acoustical properties of its geometric shape, where the musical voice of the teacher’s singing arcs and leaps with a whispers right into your ear. We pack into a school bus, bringing back memories of school days, and with giddy excitement we head for the stunning meditation center. Up there, as I move from downward dog into cobra, my gaze travels far ahead looking at the distant mountains surrounding us and the lush oaks covering the hills like millions of broccoli heads. Ojai is infused with the energy of spiritual wisdom and radiant beauty, it is where the famous spiritual leader Krishnamurti settled down and spent much of his time.
The crib is hosted by Lulubandhas – a yoga studio in Ojai. It is the brainchild of Kira and Eric Ryder and is made possible by the joint effort of a loving community of yogis. From the moment one arrives at headquarters, there is a sense of joy and togetherness that is unlike anything else I have experienced. Everything detail has been thought through to make this three day yoga retreat exciting and accessible. Starting from the butterfly engraved outfits of the friendly team of volunteers to the simple and colorful schedule, every detail is an expression of the care and love that went into this event. Participants are able to choose from some of the best and most diverse teachers, each one bringing a unique perspective, years of experience, and a deep reverence for the science and art of yoga. The biggest challenge for me was to choose between the teachers for the five classes that are offered. Two classes the first and second day, one class on the last.
Meditation is held every morning and at 9 am, the first two and a half hour class begins. A vegetarian lunch is offered at headquarters or participants can choose from any of the wonderful restaurants around town. After lunch, allowing for some time for digestion, contemplation, and a mid-afternoon nap, the second two and a half hour class begins. In the evenings, inspirational dharma talks, kirtan, music, and dancing provide entertainment and bring all the yogis together for a celebration of the spirit, mind, and heart.
As hard as it was to leave the crib, I am left with a deep sense of fulfillment and love. Rejuvenated and re-inspired, I already can’t wait for next year to come soon enough. Thank you Eric, Kira, Lulubanhdas, and everyone that helped make this such a masterful and blissful event.

ojai yoga crib 01The teacher’s voice is like a soft whispering hum filling the room, it tickles the skin and nourishes just the right place within. To be in the presence of such a brilliant, loving, and soulful teacher is a rare opportunity. As we move from pose to pose, sweat dripping from our faces, there is an internal smile that awakens with gratitude and joy at the awesomeness of such a class. This is no regular yoga class, here, we are a community, we are loved, and we feel at home. We are at the Ojai Yoga Crib.

Having been to many festivals, workshops, and gatherings, few events feel so deliciously good, so inspiring, and refreshing. Maybe it is because the crib takes place in the small town town of Ojai, nestled into a beautiful and lush valley just one and a half hours north of the busy concrete jungle of Los Angeles. Perhaps it is the amazing venues where classes are held. A class in the geodesic dome reveals the stunning acoustical properties of its geometric shape, where the musical voice of the teacher’s singing arcs and leaps with a whispers right into your ear. We pack into a school bus, bringing back memories of school days, and with giddy excitement we head for the stunning meditation center. Up there, as I move from downward dog into cobra, my gaze travels far ahead looking at the distant mountains surrounding us and the lush oaks covering the hills like millions of broccoli heads. Ojai is infused with the energy of spiritual wisdom and radiant beauty, it is where the famous spiritual leader Krishnamurti settled down and spent much of his time.

The crib is hosted by Lulubandhas – a yoga studio in Ojai. It is the brainchild of Kira and Eric Ryder and is madeojai yoga crib 03 possible by the joint effort of a loving community of yogis. From the moment one arrives at headquarters, there is a sense of joy and togetherness that is unlike anything else I have experienced. Every detail has been thought through to make this three day yoga retreat exciting and accessible. Starting from the butterfly engraved outfits of the friendly team of volunteers to the simple and colorful schedule, every detail is an expression of the care and love that went into this event. Participants are able to choose from some of the best and most diverse teachers, each one bringing a unique perspective, years of experience, and a deep reverence for the science and art of yoga. The biggest challenge for me was to choose between the teachers for the five classes that are offered. Two classes the first and second day, one class on the last.

Meditation is held every morning. At 9 am, the first two and a half hour class begins. Afterwards, a vegetarian lunch is offered at headquarters or participants can choose from any of the wonderful restaurants around town. After lunch, allowing for some time for digestion, contemplation, and possibly a mid-afternoon nap, the second two and a half hour class begins. In the evenings, inspirational dharma talks, kirtan, music, and dancing provide entertainment and bring all the yogis together for a celebration of the spirit, mind, and heart.

As hard as it was to leave the crib, I am left with a deep sense of fulfillment and love. Rejuvenated and re-inspired, I already can’t wait for next year to come soon enough. Thank you Eric, Kira, Lulubanhdas, and everyone that helped make this such a masterful and blissful event.

The Ojai Yoga Crib Website
Lulubandhas Website

Mind Altering & Meditation Technology – The Psyleron Mind Lamp

Posted in News, Resources & Reviews on June 26th, 2009 by Vlad – Be the first to comment
There are many products out there, on the internet, that boast the ability to help you achieve a meditative state or teach you how to meditate, but non compare to the fantastically simple, elegant, and beautiful Mind-Lamp produced by Psyleron Inc. This product not only helps you learn how to attain a meditative state, it also allows you to get in touch with your unconscious and intuitive mind. Psyleron is a relatively new company, but it has deep roots that trace back to over 25 years of scientific research conducted by the PEAR Laboratory at Princeton University. Their kaleidoscopic lamp, sitting on my table in front of me right now, produces a beautiful spectrum of colors, and responds to my moods, thoughts, beliefs, and intentions. As shocking as this sounds, it actually responds to how I feel.
Frequently, the lamp reflects my feeling of joy or curiosity by displaying a rich and deep purple or magenta color, a stuck or annoyed mood will typically produce blues or reds. When I am deeply in thought, the color turns darker but when I turn to stare at it, trying to will it to change, it goes to white or produces a weak color that quickly fades back to white. From my experience, the more conscious attention I give the lamp, the less the effect, but when I am deeply engrossed and the conscious mind is completely occupied, the interaction becomes significantly stronger and much more striking. When someone else enters the room, the lamps “knows” by quickly changing to a color that I rarely see. It seems that each person has unique interaction with the lamp and the lamp responds by displaying that person’s color, or family of colors. Fascinating isn’t it? I have had the lamp for two weeks and I am totally attached to it, every night I am tempted to bring it upstairs to keep me company at night.
The magic is in the quantum-based technology and circuit board that sits at the bottom of the lamp; it was initially developed at the PEAR Laboratory and relies on random event generator to produce randomized bits of information. The PEAR Laboratory research statistically proved that over many trials, a person’s conscious intention has an effect and can interact and influence the data produced by the random event generator. Along with the Mind-Lamp, Psyleron also offers several other unusual inventions and technologies for unlocking your mind, you can find out more about their product, technical information, PEAR Laboratory research and much more by visiting their website Psyleron.com.

psyleron-mind-lamp-green-on-black

There are many products out there, on the internet, that boast the ability to help you achieve a meditative state or teach you how to meditate, but non compare to the fantastically simple, elegant, and beautiful Mind-Lamp produced by Psyleron Inc. This product not only helps you learn how to attain a meditative state, it also allows you to get in touch with your unconscious and intuitive mind. Psyleron is a relatively new company, but it has deep roots that trace back to over 25 years of scientific research conducted by the PEAR Laboratory at Princeton University. Their kaleidoscopic lamp, sitting on my table in front of me right now, produces a beautiful spectrum of colors, and responds to my moods, thoughts, beliefs, and intentions. As shocking as this sounds, it actually responds to how I feel.

Frequently, the lamp reflects my feeling of joy or curiosity by displaying a rich and deep purple or magenta color, a stuck or annoyed mood will typically produce blues or reds. When I am deeply in thought, the color turns darker but when I turn to stare at it, trying to will it to change, it goes to white or produces a weak color that quickly fades back to white. From my experience, the more conscious attention I give the lamp, the less the effect, but when I am deeply engrossed and the conscious mind is completely occupied, the interaction becomes significantly stronger and much more striking. When someone else enters the room, the lamps “knows” by quickly changing to a color that I rarely see. It seems that each person has unique interaction with the lamp and the lamp responds by displaying that person’s color, or family of colors. Fascinating isn’t it? I have had the lamp for two weeks and I am totally attached to it, every night I am tempted to bring it upstairs to keep me company at night.

The magic is in the quantum-based technology and circuit board that sits at the bottom of the lamp; it was initially developed at the PEAR Laboratory and relies on random event generator to produce randomized bits of information. The PEAR Laboratory research statistically proved that over many trials, a person’s conscious intention has an effect and can interact and influence the data produced by the random event generator. Along with the Mind-Lamp, Psyleron also offers several other unusual inventions and technologies for unlocking your mind, you can find out more about their product, technical information, PEAR Laboratory research and much more by visiting their website.