Tag: Manhattan

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Kadampa Meditation and Compassion

I attended a class yesterday evening at Kadampa in Chelsea, New York City.  The class started off with a 10 minute conversation about meditation led by the instructor, Taz. Taz then led the class into a 25 minute meditation- both guided with some moments of silence. The theme of the class was compassion- self compassion and compassion for others. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀

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After meditating, the instructor read some parts of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s book, Modern Buddhism. It is the distillation of Geshe Kelsang’s life’s work of bringing Kadampa Buddhism to the contemporary world in practical and modern way. Taz read through some of the book and then would reflect on the concepts to help us integrate methods of Buddhism into our lives, continuing with the theme of compassion. She spoke about having a headache and how in that moment how irritating a headache could be. When thinking about how many people in the world have headaches, the headache’s annoyance could then dissipate. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

This reminded me of many concepts from one of my favorite books by Pema Chodron , “When Things Fall Apart.” Below are a few excerpts from the book that came to mind during class. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

🔹”Unwise selfish people think only of themselves, and they result is confusion and pain. Wise selfish people know that the best thing they can do for themselves is to be there for others. As a result, they experience joy.”⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

🔹Tonglen is a practice to awaken our compassion. Whenever we encounter suffering in any form, the tonglen instruction is the breathe it in with the wish that everyone can be free of pain. Whenever we encounter happiness in any form, the instruction is to breathe it out, send it out, with the wish that everyone could feel joy. It is a practice that allows people to feel less burdened, a practice that shows us how to love without conditions.

Taz gave us a short homework exercise to do before next week’s class- to breathe in the pain/stress of someone we knew, then as we breathe out, to send happiness and joy their way.

The class was from 5:30-6:30 for only $10. They also have $5, 30 minute classes during lunch and after work during weekdays. I really liked this class and definitely recommend. It was really nice to go to a class that incorporated learning about Buddhism, meditation as well as self reflection.

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Earthing/Grounding

Now that Spring is here, do you have any new goals set in accordance with the nice weather? Have you ever heard of Grounding or Earthing? One of my goals for the spring is to spend at least 15 minutes a day in nature on the days  I am not in the city. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

What is Earthing?

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO, walking barefoot on the earth can have many benefits. The body can obtain electrons by being in contact with the Earth. These electrons have antioxidant effects which can reduce inflammation in the body & can make the immune system function optimally. When you are in direct contact with the ground (walking, sitting, or laying down on the earth’s surface) the earth’s electrons are conducted to your body, bringing it to the same electrical potential as the earth. Modern lifestyle separates humans from physical contact with the earth. Research suggests that this disconnect may be a major contributor to physiological dysfunction and a lack of well being. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

Some other benefits include: IMG-2793

  • Reducing chronic pain
  • Improving sleep
  • Relieving muscle tension and headaches.
  • Improving menstrual and female hormone symptoms
  • Speeding the healing process.
  • Improve blood pressure and cardiovascular arrhythmias
  • Improve autoimmune conditions

Allegedly, many on the Tour de France,(e.g. Lance Armstrong) used an earthing recovery bag to speed recovery and increase their quality of sleep while on this endurance race.

It make sense that the more humans are connected to nature, the better we feel.  This is true for me. Do you think this could be one of the reasons people sleep better while at the beach? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

There are reviews on amazon from the book “Earthing, The Most Important Health Discovery Ever” which I read through. People wrote about how grounding has changed them for the better. If you are interested, consider reading through some!

References:

Chevalier, et al. “Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons.” Journal of Environmental and Public Health, Hindawi, 12 Jan. 2012, www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/291541/?hc_location=ufi.

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Infrared Sauna

 

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Did you know your body does the best job of releasing toxins while sweating at rest?

The sauna is a great way to make use of the excretory organs of the skin to sweat out toxins. In a sauna, your surface body temperature raises to the ambient temperature of the sauna, which causes you to sweat while maintaining a normal core body temperature of 98.6 °F.

Whats the difference between Swedish(Traditional) Sauna and Infrared Sauna?

Swedish Sauna has a temperature range between 160 °F and 200 °F. Do not spend more than 20 minutes in Swedish Sauna or you can overheat due to your core body temperature rising.

Infrared (IR) Sauna has a lower external temperature between 110 ° and 130 °. A heat element that radiates IR spectrum heat, which is thought to penetrate your skin and thus provides more thorough detoxification. Due to this lower temperate, you can stay in longer without overheating. I usually start to sweat past the 40 minute mark.

Benefits include: detoxification, muscle and joint pain relief, helps increase circulation, reduce inflammation, lowers blood pressure, weight loss, skin purification.

Where to find a Sauna?

  • Infrared Sauna:

    • NAO Wellness  in West Village, Manhattan. 30 min – $45 w/friend $60. 60 min- $65 w/ friend $80. Also has membership pricing and package deals.
    • Gravity East Village in East Village, Manhattan. Couples package-$20 per person for 1 hour or $25 for single
    •  Cleansing Concepts in Brooklyn and Long Island. Package deals offered $25 per session
    • Aura Wellness Spa in Koreatown, Manhattan. $50 for 2 hours. You have access to the infrared sauna, a steam room & ice room with other people. This is more of a Spa experience & good for couples.
  • Sauna:
    • Saunas are more common than infrared saunas. Many gyms, hotels and luxury buildings in Manhattan have access to a sauna. I personally have used Equinox at the Columbus Circle & Lexington 63rd Street Locations.

For more, check out my Instagram @dshamptonorganics

References: 

Jeffrey A. Morrison, M.D.,  2011. Cleanse You Body, Clear Your Mind, New York, New York, The Penguin Group

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Homemade & Natural Eyebrow Filler

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Homemade & Natural Eyebrow Filler
Ingredients:
  • Activated Charcoal
  • Cacao (Organic)
  • Castor oil  (Organic)
  • Arrowroot  (Organic)

Benefits of ingredients on your brows:

  • Castor Oil- Promotes hair growth and sets brows into shape
  • Arrowroot
  • Activated Charcoal – Removes toxins from hair and skin

In the photo, I included a picture of my old Mac brow gel. You can see how my new homemade brow gel is the same color. My homemade brow gel works just as well as my Max brow gel too but has ingredients that are beneficial for your body instead of toxic.

If you have lighter brows, use more Arrowroot powder.

 

For more, check out my Instagram @dshamptonorganics