Love, the Bread of Life

Vive l'Amour a tout le monde! <3

Yoga Methodologies

Today we look at the various methodologies of early yoga traditions and we answer the question "how", "how can enlightenment be attained". 

All forms of yoga adopt meditation as their primary technique to attain a higher awareness, a state beyond disturbance, but each school places a different emphasis upon it, which is prompted by a different weltanschauung.

Buddhists and Jainists agree that life is ultimately a source of pain and sorrow. Suffering arises from the frustrated desire (tŗşņa) to keep a comfortable life. The only way to liberate the self from the eternal cycle of birth, death (= suffering), rebirth (samsara) is to stop creating karma. Jainists practice self control, renunciation, discipline and observance as a means to reduce karma to a minimum (the less you do the less you create). This requires a great deal of inner strength and concentration which builds up heat (tapas), which, in turns, enlightens the soul. The Buddhists’ approach is more moderate. They believe extreme renunciation is a threat to the body's wellbeing and therefore an obstacle to spiritual development. Right understanding, intention, ethical action (i.e. positive karma) and meditation (samadi) become the values of the Buddhist *middle way*. Without turning their back on society, Buddhists use meditation as their prime ascetic practice to achieve nirvana, the extinction of all phenomena. 

Karma yogis arrive at a new awareness: they appreciate that there is nothing wrong with actions per se and that the problem is in the ego becoming the main matrix. Thus, if an action is egoless, it can still lead to enlightenment as it does not produce karma. Karma yogis introduce a social dimension to the yoga practice. Bhakti yogis identify a divine quality in all things. If god is everything, then everything is god, human beings included. Through meditation based on love and devotion to god, Bhakti yogis get closer to their own divine essence and thus to god.

Unlike its predecessors, Tantric philosophy is integrative: for the first time, all social classes are welcome and, although it is still a male-dominated environment, women make their appearance. The Tantric tradition inherits the Bhakti’s worldview whereby the universe is regarded as the divine play of god. Liberation is therefore possible alongside social involvement. The accent is shifted from the action to the experience: it is not important what you do or what you have, the key is how you deal with the various aspects of life including the material aspects. If you behave ethically without harming others, you can still reach transcendence through *expansion*. Three branches of yoga arise within the Tantric tradition: Laya, Mantra and Kundalini Yoga (precursor of modern Hatha yoga). 


In Laya, the ego expands through dissolution into the universe, thus entering into a blissful dimension. Mantra yogis use chant’s vibrations to achieve a higher state of deep concentration at which the divine form becomes manifest. In Kundalini, metaphysics made an important discovery: the potential lies in our body, made of matter and subtle energy. The serpent’s vital energy (kundalini-shakti) is latent in us and needs to be awakened. The body should therefore be respected and nurtured as it is the tool for self-transcendence. Āsanas, bandhas, prāņāyāma, meditation and mantras are the various techniques deployed by modern yogis to stimulate the vital energy, whose movements affect our mind and expand our consciousness.

The Lazy Dress

I am no longer so sure of the quality of American Apparel clothing and not so sure about their ethical manifesto either - there are just too many shops around, with a huge mass production. Anyhow, American Apparel is known to be an ethical enterprise in that all the garments are made downtown Los Angeles with organically sourced cotton. The workers are paid a fair wage - reason why the clothes aren't cheap, but still affordable. Despite the dubious quality, I love swimming in their lazy styles, so laid-back and versatile.  

Its ad campaigns have been more than once mistaken for soft porno. OK, some of the photos are overtly provocative and some of the models (all employees, apparently) look 12, but, to me, the photos are closer to eroticism than porno. And I appreciate how the  physical imperfections are not hidden. Perhaps that's what makes them look hot... 

Le Sac dress, which can be worn in different ways, couldn't be more relaxed. I love the yellow version with black straps.

The Origins of Yoga

I continue my mini-lectures on the philosophy of yoga as I learn it myself with an overview on the origins of yoga. The question is how old is yoga and how does it evolve?

The origins of yoga can be traced through the sacred Hindu scriptures. 

In the Upanishads, texts belonging to the late Vedas and composed around 800 BCE, life is perceived as an arena of suffering and grief, and this notion is exacerbated by the process of samsara (eternal cycle of reincarnation) through karma. The goal is to be “freed alike from pleasure and from pain” through the practice of self-control, renunciation of worldly desires and meditation. This latter is defined as a process of separation and discernment. “This calm of the senses and the mind has been defined as yoga”. See my Yoga Methodology post, to understand how freedom is achieved.

Śramanas, wandering sages of Jainist, Buddhist and Ājīvika religions (the latter now extinct), adopt the path of austerity, discipline and contemplative life to achieve liberation while renouncing household life. 

Jnana yoga (yoga of knowledge and discernment), Karma yoga (yoga of selfless action) and Bhakti yoga (yoga of devotion through love), unlike the above-mentioned ascetic practices, share a degree of social involvement. The Bhagavad Gītā, the equivalent of the New Testament for Christians, dated around 3^rd century BCE, chronicles these concepts of selfless action, love and devotion.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a systematic compendium of the study and practice of yoga written in the 2^nd century BCE. Patanjali does not really add anything new to the ontological research, but his merit lies in the compilation of an accessible and organised teaching system, which inherits the same meditative approach to enlightenment and worldview of its predecessors, with an emphasis on renunciation. In chapter 2 (Yogash Chitta Vritti Nirodhah), Patanjali defines yoga through elimination: when we separate from our mind, the mind becomes self-aware, and we become pure consciousness. 

A straight line of continuity can be detected from the Śramana/Upanishads to the Jnana and Sutras philosophies. The Bhakti and Karma traditions, as narrated in the Bhagavad Gītā, undertake a different path: the path of extroversion (pravrtti), which will be further deepened by the Tantric tradition (from the 9^th century onwards). Mind is divine consciousness, and desire is no longer a devilish temptation or a waste of energies. Transcendence is possible without renunciation.

Sandra Suy

From the header doesn't come as a surprise that I am an admirer of Sandra Suy's fashion illustrations. She is such a talented artist from Barcelona. Her style is ethereal and her choice of colours (passion colours against muted backgrounds) sublime. When the time comes, I will make sure that my new home's walls will be adorned by her creations. 

I could have posted her entire portfolio... All stunning illustrations. 

And this is lovely Sandra at work...

Arctic Winter

Woolrich is possibly the most popular parka in Italy, and it has been so for the last ten years. It has replaced the Barbour trend of the 90s and completely overshadowed the short-lived fashion trend of Belstaff motorcycle jackets. It has become so popular that Italy is its major distributor.

Its signature arctic parka with furry hood (it's coyote fur, if you were wondering) has been redesigned in all sorts of variants, but this jacket always manages to look faithful to itself. If the real fur bothers you as it is objectively not very ethical, you can choose many other styles without furry trims. Browse their 09/10 collection HERE. The fur and the duck filler are designed to keep you incredible warm. In these chilly days and with the worst cold I would happily slip in one of them.

In Search of the Perfect Yoga Bag

I have been looking for the best yoga mat bag on offer, roomy enough to fit also my yoga gear as I am sick of running around with two bags constantly entangling one into another. An all-in-one bag would be the solution but it is just too hard to find. Here are a few that caught my eye but didn't steal my heart. My quest continues...

 

Orla Kiely retro looking bags look well refined and sturdy. This multicolour one is on offer for half price. Very tempting. 

This Yogoco bag has also a retro feel and it seems big enough to contain a towel as well as a mat. The garish print is cute, but I wonder if  it will bore me quickly.

Om Padma's yoga bag comes in hot pink or this lovely turquoise. It is rather slim but quite long that you could shuffle in a pair of pants and a tee.

Alexander McQueen R.I.P.

I was (and still am) in shock when I read the tragic news of Alexander McQueen's death. Rarely I am so affected by celebrities' misfortunes, but McQueen, one of my favourite designers, was a genius who never stopped amazing me with his creations imbued with intellectual and cultural references. He will be missed. I will miss him.

Here three outstanding pieces from his (anatomical, alien, reptile) 2010 collection:

 I love the juxtaposition of earthy and glacial colours...

That hairstyle is impressive and love the sinuosity of the gold bracelet. I cannot say the same of the hideous shoes... Maybe because I don't do heels, I can't really appreciate these goofy pair of shoes...

Is Yoga a Religion?

Because this is how I spend most of my free time, when I am not working or blogging, I thought I would share an edited version of my contemplations on the philosophy of yoga. After all, yoga is a life style and one that can radically change your outlook to life. I very often get questions like "is yoga a religion?" or "what is the difference between yoga and a religion?". So, here a succinct attempt to answer this question. 

The various yoga traditions share the same ontological concern that preoccupies religion: the transcendence of the limited human experience and the attainment of immortality. Yoga however, unlike organised religions, does not require an  aprioristic faith and does not label a non-believer a sinner or a non-dogmatic a heretic. In yoga, the practitioner is invited to undertake a spiritual path with an open heart and inquisitive mind, which may lead to the discovery of faith and devotion through personal experience. So, you can be a yogi and a Christian, a yogi and a Muslim, a yogi and a Hindu or even a yogi and an atheist as it doesn't matter what name you give to god, or if you believe in one to start with.
 

Photo from Kizie Blog

Kirtan Event

How exciting! My lovely friend Vlad and I have just booked Deva Premal and Miten's concert in May. Yes, in May. In London you plan everything months ahead. It spoils spontaneity, but avoids disappointments. Besides, it is good to get to the day without having to pay for it. 

I discovered Kirtan last year {remember my post about Dave Singer?} and I am going to have a full day of chanting with my course in Spring. Devotional music is becoming my current obsession. I have recently discovered Snatam Kaur and I am hooked by her angelic voice. I listen to it when I travel, do yoga, study. You can listen to her HERE. 

Credits: Photos from Deva Premal and Miten's Facebook page and Snatam Kaurs' free downloads' web-page

Meri Meri Cute Kittens

What's cuter than kittens OR cupcakes? Kitten Cupcakes!

Spotted on Babyccino.

Fashion Duo :: Choco-licious

 

Joseph Sweater + Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent

Fashion Duet :: Mikli & Tibi

I had an eye test yesterday and was recommended to wear prescription glasses more often, especially when working on the computer. I own a pair of Philippe Stark for Mikli frames, and I love them to pieces but not as much as my first Alain Mikli pair. Both of them were/are red, in acetate and bold. I am now thinking of getting a new pair. I would like to say, this time I will go for a lighter model, but I always end up  lusting over statement frames. Not only. My interest is always drawn back to the Mikli brand. A long standing love affair. I fully convene with their philosophy that spectacles are to see and be seen, and Alain Mikli frames are works of art: handmade and sturdy, they can look retro or futuristic; bold in look and light in feel {thanks to a clever balancing system}; and always, always larger than life.

They are so glam that can be easily paired up with the most flattering dresses. I LOVE Tibi Spring collection and would very happily wear these floaty dresses with my bold Alain Miklis.

Spice up your LOVE Life

Booty Parlor is a fast growing sexy beauty + lifestyle e-shop with one clear mission in mind: to make women not just look sexy, but feel sexy and fabulous, no matter their age {young or mature}, stage of life {single or mum} or life style {housewife or careerist}. With this concept in mind, Booty Parlor {and its funders} are leading a sex(y) revolution: not only they sell a large variety of juicy products tested and endorsed by a swarm of celebrities, they also offer sexy experiences and, if you are lucky enough to live on the other side of the pond, hot but never intimidating parties! I had great fun browsing the website, watching Dana's charming mini-videos, reading everything about Turn Me on Vibrating Panties and liptrick, and picked a few saucy tokens from the Romantic Treat's department: 

Melt Chocolate Body Fondue

 

 Don't Stop Massage Candle

  

I couldn't resist these fun accessories from the bedroom accessories department: 

Good Girl Bad Girl Feather Whipper {it's a whipper to caress and gentle tickle your body, not a duster!}

Reversible Good Girl Bad Girl Blindfold {or sleeping mask, depending on the situations}, $26

As usual, my greatest finds are only available in the US. Booty Parlor doesn't ship to Europe... Not yet... *Sigh*

Spring Eco-Trends :: H&M Organic Garden Collection

It's organic, it's ethical, it's affordable, it's colourful, t's hippie, it's adorable. The new H&M Garden Collection is in store from March... And I already LOVE it!

Colour of the Year 2010

Several bloggers have been riveting about the beauty of the colour of the year according to Pantone: turquoise. I couldn't agree more. This Adam dress is oh so pretty in its simplicity. It is all about THE colour indeed.