Do You Know Freecycle?

There is a possibility to reduce your garbage and to change the world "one gift at a time". You sign up in the Freecycle-Yahoogroup which is nearest to where you live and then you receive emails in which people say what they have and need no longer or what they're looking for. And you can write emails yourself containing what you would like to offer or what you need. The only conditions are: It has to be a gift, so you really offer it without wanting something in return. It has to be a thing and not a service or something alike. And the other person has to come by and pick it up, so no shipping is involved.

It exists all over the world and is really a great thing! I already offered some things there which I didn't need any longer and someone else needed right now, as my older bed for example. And I found a great cupboard for my kitchen there which would have been really expensive otherwise. It's nice to have something like this really working well in times of online auctions where most people just think about how they can make a little more money or just throw away good things. Probably it's something for you, too?

You can find out more about Freecycle here.

Journey Into Your Own Heart

Fascinating Green Roof

Just found a webpage about green roof meaning roofs with plants on it. There are several good reasons - apart of the great look - for having plants on your roof. But this is the best:

If you're interested, you can find out more about green roofs here.

Smiling In The Rain

Today I took the bike to my university and on my way back it started to rain - just very lightly, so I didn't care. But then it got more and I started to get this "Oh no, I'm getting all wet"-feeling.

This was the moment the drops started to become thicker and suddenly I heard a small splashing noise when they hit my forehead. I cannot remember that I consciously heard this anytime before and found this small sound so amazing that I started to smile. And I was hoping it would continue to rain so that I can hear this small splashing noise and feel it on my forehead a little bit longer. And I continued my way home smiling and thanking the rain for this experience.

International Teacher's Training Course Every Summer in Germany

Om namah shivaya!

I recently got some photos of this year's Teacher's Training Course with Swami Atma. It took place at the Yoga Vidya Ashram in Bad Meinberg, Germany. It was the third International Teacher's Training Course completely in English, there is one every summer with Swamiji since 2005. Apart of Swamiji who lead the course and took care of the yoga philosophy part and most of the theory, there were Ganga and Bhavani. Ganga taught the Hatha Yoga classes and the teaching theory. Bhavani assisted during the classes and our first experiences with teaching yoga by ourselves in small groups.

We were 22 people who came from all over the world. We had participants from Chile, Mexico, India and South Africa. There were many different reasons for taking that course. Some just wanted to learn more about yoga philosophy and have an intensive experience by diving into yoga for four weeks. Most really knew where they would teach afterwards, some didn't.

Mareike Getting Her Certificate

For everyone of us it was a really interesting and intensive new experience. Living yoga apart of your daily life for four weeks shows you very much about yourself. There is time to reflect where you want to go in life and what life is all about. We all learned very much and gained depth in our yoga practice. Some got a spiritual name and mantra initiation. By doing this we confirmed for ourselves that this yoga path is our way and that we want to go on following it at home and for the rest of our lives.

We learned very much for our own practice. Apart of that we studied the philosophy and the Kriyas which are cleansing techniques. Ganga taught us how a yoga class should be structured and what to pay attention for while teaching yoga to students. And there was so much more, it would be too much to write about all this here.

Group Chanting In The Last Satsang After Four Weeks

There will be a TTC like this one from July 13 to August 10 this year. If you're interested, you can find informations at the Ashram's web page. Some of us wrote their opinion about the TTC at the Ashram's forum. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

God Is Inside

I'd like to wish all readers of this blog a new year full of light and love. Shalom!

Just Give Smiles

This Was Said In Court?

If you want more of this, you can find it here.

What Is Your Carbon Footprint?

Reducing our CO2-Emmissions and stopping global warming is not about saving this planet. It is about maintaining the possibility for humankind and most of the animals to live on this planet. This is what should wake you up if you're still asleep concerning the climate crisis.

It is not yet too late and most of the technic needed is already invented. We have to start using it. Most people have the opinion that they can't change something and that the industry has to start. But it's you who tells the industry what to do by the things you're buying, eating and using. And you have a home where you determine which kind of energy is used, how much kilometers you drive in your car and much more.

You can start by finding out how much tons of carbon you are producing every year and by reducing it

Being Present

How Is Your Country Doing In Poverty Aid?

Nearly all the diseases and deaths caused by hunger could be stopped. This would cost about 195 billion US-dollars. Therefore twenty-two developed countries agreed to donate 0.7% of their national income to reach these 195 billion dollars. As usual some countries are faster than others and some are not really working on a plan.

You can see here how your country does and find some ideas what you can do. Either you donate your part by yourself to an organization you like or you can print a letter to your government. Or you could just do both...

On Asanas And Perfection

Amma About Fighting For Peace

Meditation

Navaratri-Worship To The Divine Mother

Om Shri Durgayai Namah

Today is the fourth day of Navaratri. Navaratri means literally "nine nights