Tumo fire breathing
Two days ago I switched my meditation to Tumo fire breathing and the impact has been profound. It has really shaken me up and surfaced many old issues. I feel as though I have been reborn and I feel much stronger and happier. Any dark mood is immediately burnt through by the powerful radiance that I now generate easily. Obviously it is early days and I am looking forward to discovering the long term impact.
Long term illness
Since 9 January 2024 I have been sick. Strangely I have not been in any pain just a huge sense of weakness and tiredness. Symptoms included a chesty cough, lots of phlegm in my system, throwing up very rarely, heavy night time sweating and a high temperature sometimes. My heart rate was in the 80s and with HRV sometimes as low as 5. I sometimes did not have the energy to eat my food and for the first few days I could not even read a book - I felt too weak. Gradually over the last month, I have been able to add most of my usual activities to my daily routine. However I made the mistake of starting my weight training too early and that set me back a lot.
Treatments that I tried incuded Lemsip, antibiotics and Epsom salt water gargling which seemed to help the most.
I am not sure how much longer this illness will last.
Health Update December 2023
I think that it might be useful for my future self to see my current health data, so I am going to provide health updates every month.
The raw data for December 2023 are as follows:
| 180.2 | 176.3 | 50.7 | 46.4 | 75.2 | 75.6 | ||||
| 179.4 | 176.4 | 51.9 | 46.4 | 64.3 | 75.5 | ||||
| 179.2 | 176.4 | 46.4 | 46.4 | 53.2 | 75.5 | ||||
| 178.6 | 176.4 | 44.8 | 46.4 | 72.7 | 75.5 | ||||
| 178 | 176.4 | 46.9 | 46.4 | 77.8 | 75.5 | ||||
| 179 | 176.4 | 48 | 46.4 | 57.4 | 75.4 | 7 | 7.0 | ||
| 179.6 | 176.4 | 47.1 | 46.4 | 41.5 | 75.2 | 7 | 7.0 | ||
| 179.6 | 176.4 | 49.4 | 46.4 | 45.1 | 75.1 | 6.5 | 6.8 | ||
| 179.6 | 176.4 | 46.6 | 46.4 | 64.6 | 75.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | ||
| 179.4 | 176.4 | 50.4 | 46.5 | 41.8 | 74.9 | 8.75 | 7.3 | ||
| 180.2 | 176.5 | 45.2 | 46.5 | 80.2 | 74.9 | 7 | 7.3 | ||
| 178.6 | 176.5 | 48 | 46.5 | 45.6 | 74.8 | 5 | 7.0 | ||
| 179 | 176.5 | 46.4 | 46.5 | 63.4 | 74.7 | 7.25 | 7.0 | ||
| 178.8 | 176.5 | 47.9 | 46.5 | 58.3 | 74.6 | 8.5 | 7.2 | ||
| 180.2 | 176.5 | 45.7 | 46.5 | 59.3 | 74.6 | 6.25 | 7.1 | ||
| 179.6 | 176.5 | 46.9 | 46.5 | 73.8 | 74.6 | 7.25 | 7.1 | ||
| 179 | 176.5 | 46.8 | 46.5 | 54.6 | 74.5 | 9 | 7.2 | ||
| 179.8 | 176.6 | 44.1 | 46.5 | 81.8 | 74.5 | 7 | 7.2 | ||
| 178.4 | 176.6 | 45.8 | 46.5 | 72.8 | 74.5 | 7 | 7.2 | ||
| 179.8 | 176.6 | 46.3 | 46.5 | 64.3 | 74.4 | 6.25 | 7.2 | ||
| 180.6 | 176.6 | 45.5 | 46.5 | 56.6 | 74.4 | 7.25 | 7.2 | ||
| 179.2 | 176.6 | 45 | 46.4 | 87.1 | 74.4 | 9 | 7.3 | ||
| 179.4 | 176.6 | 45.2 | 46.4 | 101.7 | 74.5 | 7 | 7.2 | ||
| 179.8 | 176.6 | 48 | 46.4 | 93.5 | 74.6 | 7.5 | 7.3 | migraine, sweating | |
| 180 | 176.6 | 48.6 | 46.5 | 61.3 | 74.6 | 7.5 | 7.3 | ||
| 181.4 | 176.7 | 50.1 | 46.5 | 67.6 | 74.5 | 9 | 7.4 | ||
| 182.4 | 176.7 | 47.6 | 46.5 | 42.7 | 74.4 | 7 | 7.3 | ||
| 180.4 | 176.7 | 48.8 | 46.5 | 71.6 | 74.4 | 8 | 7.4 | ||
| 181 | 176.7 | 52.9 | 46.5 | 66 | 74.3 | 7.25 | 7.4 | ||
| 181 | 176.7 | 49.4 | 46.5 | 48.2 | 74.2 | 8 | 7.4 | ||
| 181.2 | 179.7 | 42.5 | 47.3 | 97.1 | 65.5 | 5.75 | 7.3 |
The resting heart rate was fairly stable and the average for the month was 47.3.
My heart rate variability averaged at 65.5 which is about 20 points higher than the average person of my age of 61.
My sleep averaged at 7.3 hours which is satisfactory for me.
My weight has been rising regularly during the year from around 165 pounds at the start of the year but ending at just under 180 pounds. I am not happy about this although I look and feel fine!!
the three minds
In a world full of distractions and challenges, it's easy to get lost in the chaos of our own thoughts. We often find ourselves torn between our emotional, rational, and radiant minds, unsure of which path to follow. In this blog post, I will explore the three minds and learn why spending more time in the radiant mind is the best thing to do.
Emotional Mind: The emotional mind is where our feelings and impulses reside. It is the realm of passion, joy, anger, and sadness. This mind is essential in helping us connect with others and experience the full spectrum of human emotions. However, when we spend too much time in our emotional mind, we may find ourselves overwhelmed by our feelings and unable to make sound decisions.
Rational Mind: The rational mind is the realm of logic, facts, and reason. It is the part of us that analyzes situations and makes calculated decisions. A strong rational mind is crucial for success in various aspects of life, such as work and personal relationships. However, if we rely solely on our rational mind, we may miss out on the richness of our emotional experiences and the wisdom of our intuition.
Radiant Mind: The radiant mind is the state of being where our emotional and rational minds are in harmony. It is a place of wisdom, understanding, and clarity. In the radiant mind, we can access our intuition and make decisions that are both emotionally fulfilling and logically sound. This is the ideal state of being, as it allows us to experience the full depth of our emotions while making well-informed decisions.
Why Spend More Time in the Radiant Mind? Improved Decision Making: When we are in the radiant mind, we can make decisions that are not only based on logic but also take into account our emotions and intuition. This leads to more balanced and well-rounded choices that we are more likely to be satisfied with in the long run. Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: Spending more time in the radiant mind allows us to develop a deeper understanding of our emotions and the emotions of others. This can lead to stronger relationships and a greater ability to navigate the complexities of social interactions. Increased Resilience: When we are in the radiant mind, we can better manage stress and adversity. By integrating our emotional and rational minds, we can develop a stronger sense of self-awareness and self-regulation, which can help us overcome challenges more effectively. Greater Creativity: The radiant mind is a place of inspiration and innovation. When we are in this state, we can tap into our creative potential and come up with new ideas and solutions to problems. A More Fulfilling Life: By balancing our emotional and rational minds, we can experience the full spectrum of human emotions while making well-informed decisions. This leads to a more satisfying and fulfilling life, as we are better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of our journey.
To increase my inner radiance, I focus on self-care and self-love.
I practice mindfulness: I take time to be present in the moment and appreciate the beauty around me. This can help me connect with my inner self and increase my inner radiance. I cultivate gratitude: I regularly express gratitude for the things that I have in my life. This can help shift my focus from what I lack (which is infinite) to what I have, making me feel more content and radiant. I nurture my passions: Spending time doing things that I love and that make me feel alive. This can help me tap into my inner light and let it shine through. I connect with others: I Surround myself with positive, supportive people who inspire me to be my best self. This can help me feel more connected and radiant. I take care of my physical health: I eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. A healthy body is essential for a radiant mind.
Remember, the key to increasing my inner radiance is to focus on self-care and self-love. By doing so, I can cultivate a radiant mind and experience a more fulfilling and joyful life. The three minds - emotional, rational, and radiant - all play an essential role in our lives. However, by consciously working to spend more time in the radiant mind, we can experience the best of both worlds. We can make decisions that are emotionally fulfilling and logically sound, leading to a more balanced and satisfying life. So, let us strive to master the three minds and embrace the radiant mind, as it holds the key to a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.
Guru Rinpoche
The State of Effortless-by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)
When there is no attachment to duality,the view of reality is effortless. When there is no attachment to lethargy,restlessness and mindless diversion,meditation is effortless.
Boredom and the mind
- Boredom, a seemingly mundane and universal human experience, often manifests as an unpleasant feeling of emptiness or dissatisfaction. It is an emotional state that we all encounter at some point in our lives, but what is boredom, and what part of our mind does it affect? Who is bored? Does boredom exist?
- Boredom can be described as a state of being weary and restless due to a lack of interest or excitement in one's surroundings or activities. It is a subjective experience that varies from person to person and can be triggered by various factors such as monotony, isolation, or a lack of stimulation.
- Boredom primarily affects the cognitive and emotional aspects of our mind. It is often associated with the executive functions of the brain, which are responsible for planning, decision-making, and attention. When these functions are not engaged or challenged, boredom sets in, leading to feelings of restlessness and dissatisfaction.
- At the heart of boredom I believe lies a disconnection from the self. When we are bored, we may feel disconnected from our passions, interests, and purpose. This disconnection can lead to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction with our lives.
- Advaita, a non-dualistic school of thought in Hindu philosophy, posits that the true self or Atman is identical to the ultimate reality or Brahman. It suggests that the individual self is an illusion and that the true nature of reality is non-dual, meaning that there is no separation between the self and the universe.
- According to the Advaita philosophy, boredom can be understood as a manifestation of our disconnection from the true self or Atman. When we identify with the ego and the material world, we may experience boredom as a result of the impermanence and dissatisfaction inherent in these aspects of life. By recognizing the non-dual nature of reality and connecting with the true self, we may be able to transcend boredom and experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose. So the key is to stay out of our ego mind and stay with the spiritual self.
- While the Advaita philosophy may provide a theoretical framework for understanding boredom, there are also practical steps that one can take to address it. These include engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate the mind, connecting with one's passions and interests, and cultivating a sense of mindfulness and presence in the moment. So boredom is really telling us that we need to get out of the ego mind and into the spiritual mind.
- In conclusion, boredom is a complex and multifaceted experience that can be understood through the lens of both psychology and philosophy. By exploring the nature of boredom, its relationship with the self, and its possible connections to the philosophy of Advaita, we can gain a deeper understanding of this common human experience and discover new ways to address and transcend it.
Contact
Email: public@jauhal.org
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About
Training to become a Tibetan Buddhist Lama. On a spiritual journey focused on inner growth and worldly wisdom. Seeking enlightenment in all corners of existence
Death
Throughout my life I have been close to suicide several times - especially when I was 18 years old and feeling totally isolated. My life since the age of 18 has been pretty good and, especially after age 48, my life hhas been very enjoyable.
However if I died today, I would consider it a great blessing. I find it is a huge burden to keep my brain entertained and my body fit and healthy.
Dealing with the world gives me no pleasure and I have no interest in seeing the future of humanity. In fact, being a human being is a form of suffering even when we are not in physical pain. I, as well as most humans, have been betrayed, abandoned and rejected by people several times in my life - even by my parents and sister!! So living in this world is a hellish experience even when you are physically well.
So the question is: why not commit suicide? The answer is that I believe in reincarnation and so if you do commit suicide you will only have to return and complete the tour again in the future. You have to go through the tests in this world and use them to make yourself strong. As Doestoevsky says - the stars shine brightest in the darkest night. So really the human world is a quality control process to weed out the people who can survive and thrive in it without it letting them get it down. When we reach a high level of development, we should be able to experience ecstasy just in ordinary human experiences.
I am not at that level. My spritual practice does let me experience intense happiness but this is not yet consistent thoughout the day. From another point of view my spiritual practice is a form of suicide or preparation for death. And so there is no incosistency in enjoying a spiritual practice and looking forward to death - maybe that is why I enjoy my spiritual practice so much.
Can spirituality be fun?
I am 61 years old and in my life I have experienced deeply several major religions - Sikhism, Chritianity and Chinee Buddhism. I have also read about most ooher spiriual practices. At the moment I am training to be a Tibetan Buddhist lama over a 3 year course and I have for the first time realised that spirituality is fun!!
All of my life, the priests have come across as being serious and miserable with sermons that admonish us in one way or other. The people in the temples and churches are quiet and deadly serious. But surely this is wrong - does not God want us to enjoy his creation? Why would he want us to be miserable and sad?
My Tibetan Buddhist lama is always laughing and smiling and making jokes. He is 70 years old but he still has the vivaciousess of a small boy. He is quite clear in his teaching: if you are not having fun and enjoying the practices, then you should not carry on training with him.
So far, as well as Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, he has taught us hundreds of meditatons. Each meditation has its own visualisations, mantras and hand mudras. My teacher says that each person is different and so they need to choose the meditations to practice that work best for them. This means that the course is never boring and my mind and body is going through continuos changes which are very surprising to me.
He says that we are effectively preparing for our deaths and that we will go through several deaths and rebirths as we continue to practice. My mood has been consistently good during the course and so I will let you know when or if I go through a dark night of thr soul.