Nature gives us beautiful examples of sacred geometry all around us: snow flakes, pine cones, or the petals on a flower to name just a few.  We see sacred geometry reflected in the designs of holy places such as the pyramids, cathedrals, mosques and temples around the world.  Many scholars, both ancient and modern, believe that everything in the physical world is based on the sacred geometric patterns of creation.  These patterns are symbolic codes of our own inner realm.  When we study these codes, viewing and contemplating these forms, we get a glimpse into the inner workings of The Universal Mind.

The Shri Yantra, and the Flower of Life are artistic demonstrations of these sacred geometric patterns that we can use as tools to deepen our own wisdom. I am thrilled to introduce you to a new design that I created for our Dharma Collection.  It’s based on the Vesica Piscis.  The Vesica Piscis is formed by the intersection of two circles whose centers touch.  This symbolic intersection represents the common ground, or shared vision, between equal individuals.  The shape of the human eye is a Vesica Piscis. This form often represents the mirror of the soul in art and architecture.  Additionally, the ratio of the axes of the form is the square root of 3, which alludes to the deepest nature of the triune.

In “What’s Your Dharma” we look at the four Yogas, and how these define for us the four paths of our life, our four purposes.  There are many areas where these paths overlap, and there is a unity where they all meet, and become one.  I started thinking of the four yogas as four circles, and drew the design that we have now made into wearable art, jewelry that acts as touchstones to help remind us of what is important in life.  These talismans help to keep us on our path.

I love this design for all the meaning behind it.  Where the Four Circles intersect, four Vesica Piscis are created. And at the very heart, the very center where they all meet, there is a square, a perfect four sided shape that has four sides, four angles, and represents once again the four dharmas or purposes.  I had this center area enameled in a pearl color.  Pearls are significant because they are the only jewel that grows from the inside out.  When a pearl is formed, it starts as sand.  The sand gets into an oyster and irritates the oyster, and then the oyster creates a kind of covering of the sand that then grows to become a pearl. This represents that beauty can come from adversity.  The pearl color is white, and white is the result when all the colors come together in light. This white light at the center of the design represents the light within each one of us.

On each circle I have written the four purposes: to love, to serve, to know, and to be.  The four circles are surrounded by one large circle, representing the Oneness of creation, the connection we all share.

This design, which I am calling the Dharma Clover, is simple, and yet so profound.  I have a few different versions so you can use it in many ways: as a pendant, a keychain, a bracelet, a hair-tie, a zipper-pull, and more.  Use your imagination!  Please send us a picture of how you use your personal Dharma Clover talisman.  See it online at http://www.DharmaSmart.com

You can read more about Dharma Symbolism on our What’s Your Dharma website:

http://www.whatsyourdharma.com/dharma-symbolism.php

I can’t focus.  I can’t work.  All I can do at the moment is think about the children we lost, the families who are in such pain, the senselessness of the shooting that occurred this morning at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

This could have been any school, any place.  This could have been any of us.  And really, they are us.  We are all connected, and we feel the suffering, we can’t help it.  These children are our children, we feel the loss, we mourn the loss of their presence in the world, and the promise of what might have been.

Every time one of these tragedies occur, and it is devastating that we have any of these tragedies at all, people rally around and express their support of more strict gun control laws.  And yet, time goes by, and nothing more happens.  Until we have another senseless tragedy.  We need change NOW.  I think that President Obama expressed it very well in his response to the country.  It’s not about politics.  It’s about people.  We need to protect each other not with weaponry, but with kindness, with peace, and yes, with laws that look at a victim’s rights, not the perpetrator’s rights. I also feel strongly that we need better access to mental health care.  Many insurance policies don’t recognize mental health as a concern, the coverage is nominal.  But as we see in cases such as this, the consequences are far-reaching.  

We need to talk about these things.  Not just in the moment, but as the days go on, until something is done, until we get the changes in place that we so desperately need.  

So today we mourn.  We take a moment to pause and remember these sweet faces, the loving teachers, parents, and administrators who work with our children daily.  We can not understand the why of this situation.  But we can bring our hearts together and be in it together.  Our strength will lift us up, and take us to a better, brighter, more hopeful place.

My friend Mallika Chopra posted some links to petitions on her blog.  If you feel so compelled, and want to take action, this is one thing that you can do to make some sort of a difference during this difficult time:

http://signon.org/sign/ban-assault-weapons.fb23?source=s.fb&r_by=6380340 https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/immediately-address-issue-gun-control-through-introduction-legislation-congress/2tgcXzQC http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/546/934/954/?cid=fb_lg_guncontrol
 

At the Chopra Foundation’s 2012 Sages and Scientists Symposium brilliant minds from all over the world gathered to share their thoughts about “The Merging of a New Future.”  It was a stimulating conversation, filled with revelations and sprinkled with optimism, with topics that ranged from medical research to leadership in business, and even some social media.  I can’t imagine any one other than Deepak who could bring together such a fascinating array of speakers and entertainers!  We heard from former President of Mexico Vincente Fox, General Wesley Clark, Chemist, Quantum Physicists, Corporate leaders, and more, and we were entertained by upcoming musical groups Black Opera, Caught A Ghost, kid’s dance troupe The Miniotics, Flamenco dancers and a group of male acrobats to performed on poles!

By the way, all of the volunteers at the Symposium looked fabulous wearing the Jnana Yoga tee-shirts from WearLuck.com.  Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge, so it’s perfect for this conference!  Each of the speakers received a tee-shirt in their gift bags as well, and we got tons of great comments on them!

Here are some of the highlights of the conference that I caught on video:

Dr. Rudy “Rock Star” Tanzi accepted the Spirit of Rustum Roy Award for his contributions in Alzheimer’s Research.  I was fortunate to get an interview with the late Dr. Roy during the 2010 Symposium and you can see what he had to say about the “New Science” in this video:

Dr. Rustum Roy

http://youtu.be/MoI7TyLZQWs

This year I was delighted to interview Dr. Lothar Schafer – he had so many amazing things to say that I ended up making his interview into three videos!  Here’s one:

Lothar Schafer on Consciousness

http://youtu.be/-nqxd1OT3mE

All of the attendees, including me, were impressed by what two young men are accomplishing to help solve the world water crisis.  Here’s my interview with Mike Muniz from Generosity Water:

Mike Muniz, Generosity Water

http://youtu.be/sD9oBtNZ7JM

Leonard Mlodinow is Deepak Chopra’s co-author, their book is “War of the Worldviews.”  It was great speaking with him and getting a behind-the-scenes perspective.  Here’s what he had to say:

Leonard Mlodinow

http://youtu.be/HKJljfmDr6E

One of the most popular entertainers was poet/rapper J. Ivy.  He performed with his beautiful and talented wife.  You’ll be hearing a lot from this guy:

J. Ivy

http://youtu.be/xy1x9edjf2M

Carlos Dominguez gave a great talk.  He calls himself a “Tech Nowist.”  Find out exactly what that means in his interview:

Carlos Dominguez

http://youtu.be/Nkg6Ndz2dg4

It happens at least once a week, the ritual trek to the local grocery store.  We need food, we need supplies, we are creatures whose needs must be met, and this is how we do it.  It’s more convenient than growing our own vegetables, or baking our own bread.  And although we may not get the same satisfaction that our ancestors did by working the land, we are in a sense doing our own harvesting by what we choose, and how we shop, at the supermarket.

Here are some ways that we can get the most out of the experience, and turn what could possibly be mundane into something rather special and spiritual.  This is how we can “bloom where we are planted” even if that happens to be in the middle of suburbia.

Bring your own bags.  This seems like such a simple thing to do, and yet when you look around at the other shoppers, how many people actually do it?  In Europe there is not the option of “paper or plastic.”  You bring your own bag or you carry your purchases out in your arms.  We did an informal survey recently in front of our neighborhood market, and found that although most people thought this was a good idea, they hadn’t gotten themselves in the habit.  Make this conscious choice.  Carry your bags in your car so they are there for you when you need them.  It’s one little contribution towards making the world a better place.

After you park, if you see a stray cart in the lot, take it with you into the store.  Many carts are left loose in the parking lot only to bump into cars, or block the way as someone is trying to open their car door.  Returning a cart is being a good citizen, and also setting a good example.

Many stores have now been kind enough to provide anti-bacterial wipes at their entries so that we can wipe down the handle of the cart.  Use them to protect yourself and others from germs that are easily passed around in public places.  And when you’re done with the wipe, dispose of it carefully in the container provided.

When shopping for produce, choose fruits and vegetables that are locally grown.  Shipping from far-away places puts a burden on the planet by requiring extra fuel to get items where they need to be.  Also, be aware of packaging.  Again, re-use bags from home, or don’t bother to use bags at all when selecting your produce.  Select one thing that you might not have tried before – open yourself up to new culinary possibilities!

Consider your time in the market as an opportunity to practice present-moment awareness.  Be fully present when choosing your items.  Smile at the people sharing this experience with you.  This is a community, and you are an important part of it.  Be grateful for the store employees who work so hard to keep the place neat and orderly so that you can find what you are looking for.  Marvel at the abundance of choices that we have before us.

Think about the many ways that you can be a conscientious consumer.  Rather than buying paper napkins, use cloth napkins at the table for dinner.  Rather than using paper towels to clean, use dish-cloths, and rags.  Rather than using cleaning products with chemicals, investigate the many natural alternatives, such as vinegar, that can be used just as efficiently with less impact on the planet. Take lunch boxes, or cloth lunch bags, to work or school instead of using paper lunch bags.  These are all the little things that end up making a big difference.  Consciously participate in green living.

Read labels to know what you are putting into your body.  There are so many options now, so check the shelves for products that are lower in sugar, sodium, and fat.  Opt for healthier alternatives, like whole grains, and higher fiber cereals. 

More and more people are deciding on a vegetarian, or even vegan, lifestyle.  Even if you don’t want to commit all the way, try going meat-free at least one day a week.

If you have a full cart of groceries and someone behind you in line has just one or two items, practice kindness by offering to let them go ahead of you.  If someone ahead of you is having trouble getting credit approval, or is taking a long time to write out a check, this is an opportunity to practice patience and compassion.

When checking out, have your discount cards or coupons ready so as not to keep the people behind you in line waiting longer than necessary.  Make sure to present your bags to the bag-person before he or she starts to pack.  If there is no one helping the cashier to bag the groceries, pitch in and help yourself.  Always show gratitude for the help you were given by expressing thanks.

And, of course, after you take the bags out of your cart and put them into your car, return the cart to the store rather than leaving it loose in the parking lot.

Everything in life, every moment we live, can be a meditation, a learning experience. With this state of mind, we can turn something like grocery shopping, which we might have thought of as a chore, into an adventure.

Healthcare

Years ago, when my son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), my life changed.  I went from being a mother to also taking on the additional roles of advocate and mediator.  In order to help my son get the help he needed and the services he was entitled to in school, I had to learn everything I could about the educational system, the healthcare system, and the law.  It is a challenge to navigate all of this, and yet it is essential in order to work with teachers, administrators, doctors, and therapists as part of a team.  I learned a lot, thanks in large part to an organization called CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders.  This is a national, non-profit organization with local, volunteer-run chapters.  Our local chapter held monthly meetings, which allowed parents to keep up with the various issues and changes.  Most importantly, the meetings provided a forum for parents to network with each other and share experiences and resources.

We got over all the hurdles, and managed to get through the system despite the complexities.  My son is in college now, and he has the tools to advocate for himself.  But there are new kids coming up, and new parents who are starting from scratch to figure all of this out.  Luckily, CHADD is still on it, providing us with the ongoing information we need to help our kids. 

Following is an e-mail I received from CHADD regarding the current Healthcare Reform Legislation.  I am happy to share it with you, and hoping that it will encourage all of us to look at the many children and families who will benefit from healthcare reform.  To those of us working so diligently to take care of our children, this is most welcome, and long overdue.

“House of Representatives Passes
Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Legislation

Many Provisions Will Benefit
Children and Adults with AD/HD and Related Disorders

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a comprehensive healthcare reform bill, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) by a vote of 220-215. It is expected that the full Senate will debate and vote on its version of the bill in the coming weeks, which will then be followed by the House and Senate having its leaders meet in a conference to reconcile differences and produce a final piece of legislation that can be sent to the President.

CHADD, through its membership in the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Campaign for Mental Health Reform, and the Mental Health Liaison Group has sent letters to members of Congress in support of the bill. CHADD’s views on and support for healthcare reform legislation can be viewed on the Healthcare Reform 2009 webpage and CHADD’s Leadership Blog. CHADD has no position on many of the provisions contained in the legislation. The three primary disability coalitions CHADD participates in, believe there are significant key provisions warranting support of the legislation. 

A few key provisions in the final House bill that will benefit children and adults with AD/HD and related disorders include:

    * Requiring most Americans to obtain health insurance, and mandating that most employers provide insurance to their employees, but also providing substantial federal subsidies to make coverage as affordable as possible;
    * Providing coverage of critical services for people with disabilities in the new Health Insurance Exchange’s essential benefits package including behavioral health treatment, and mental health and substance abuse services in compliance with the Wellstone-Domenici parity law, rehabilitation and habilitation services, equipment and supplies for children under 21 years of age;
    * Inclusion of “disability” as a category for purposes of health disparities;
    * Inclusion of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, a new national long term services insurance program to help adults with severe functional impairments to remain independent, employed, and a part of their communities; and
* Not allowing individual or group health insurance policies to establish lifetime or annual limits on the dollar value of benefits and the elimination of discrimination based on health status or a pre-existing condition.

CHADD continues to actively monitor developments in healthcare reform. Updated information on the legislation, CHADD’s 13 principles for healthcare reform, children’s mental health coalition’s five principles for healthcare reform and CHADD’s work with other partner coalitions can be viewed on CHADD’s website: http://www.chadd.org “

There is an old saying that says: “Make new friends, and keep the old.  One is silver, the other is gold.” Life is all about relationships.  We have a relationship with the environment, with our work, with our home, and especially with the people in our lives.  Earth Month gives us an opportunity to look at how we can make things last, to best maximize the resources we have.  It takes a lot of energy to develop a friendship.  A friendship is an investment of our time and emotions.  And we benefit from having these people in our lives in countless ways.  How can we best sustain our relationships, given the overwhelming obligations that we face on a daily basis?  Here are a few tips: -Be available.  Sure, you’ve got an e-mail, cell-phone and facebook page.  But can your friends really reach you?  Sometimes we’re so bogged down by technology that we forget the reasons we got started on it in the first place.  We can get our social networking “friends” mixed up with our true friends, the ones who want to be there for us no matter what our status update says.  So, when a friend is moving, reach out and offer to help.  If a friend is going through a hard time, go over and hold her hand.  Take him our to dinner and let him talk.  Let your friends know that you are there for them, with your actions, as well as your words. -Be honest.  Honesty is the most important key to making any relationship work, and last.  Always tell the truth.  It’s that simple.  Honesty, integrity, authenticity, and trust – they all go hand in hand.  Do what you say you are going to do.  Show up when expected.  There is no need to judge or criticize, allow your friend to be himself, as they allow you to be yourself.  -Be present.  When you are with your friends, really be with your friends.  Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by your iPhone or anything that is happening outside of the present moment.  Listen, and respond.  Make this time together your priority.  Enjoy your friendship, relax and be yourself. -Be in touch.  Check in with your friends.  Ask how they are doing.  Know what is happening in their lives.  Invite people over.  Connect.  Years go by really quickly, and before you know it, friendships fade away.  Take just a moment to touch base with your friends and let them know that you appreciate them.  Show this person in your life how wonderful they are, and much they mean to you.  Send birthday cards, make phone calls, and write thank you notes.  Share photos online, and stay involved even from afar. -Be mindful.  If a relationship is draining you, if it no longer serves you, or makes you feel bad, then it’s time to walk away.  Relationships should be healthy, and make you feel good.  The best friendships nurture your spirit.  So if a relationship is toxic, then follow the environmental tip and “reduce” it from your life.  Remember that your first relationship is with yourself.  Be true to yourself.

Ah, Spring has Sprung!  It’s a time of change, renewal, and allergies!  Something is in the air that has me sniffling like crazy.  Spring is Kapha season, so I’m doing some dosha balancing rituals to help keep my Kapha from getting out of control.  Just something more for the “to do” list these days.  I have to keep our squirrel feeder filled to the brim with peanuts because one of our little squirrel friends is preggers.  She’s so sweet, and we want to keep her well fed and happy.  The birds are nesting under the eaves right outside out kitchen window.  Flowers are blooming, and there is a new energy in the air to go with the sunshine.  Gotta love it!

Things are so busy around here that I can afford to be a little more particular than usual about what auditions I choose to go on.  My agent called last week with a commercial for me.  He starts by giving me all the details, time, place, and so forth.  And then he says: “You are reading for the role of bungee jumper.”  Very calmly he says this!  I’m like – what?!  Say that again?  Does that mean I have to bungee jump?  “Yes,” he replies.  Uh no, I insist.  Not doing that one!  Sure, I’d love a national television spot – but there are just some things I won’t do, even (or especially) for the camera: strip, eat meat, and leap head first into oblivion with a stretchy cord tied to my ankles.  Safety first, you know what I mean?  I’d like to think that I am just as adventurous as I ever was, I’m just not as crazy!  Still susceptible to hay fever, but I’m a little more immune to Spring Fever.

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr join forces with the David Lynch Foundation to promote meditation!  The CNN article

Its been more than a week since the big election.  I had to wait for things to sink in and settle down before I could actually wrote about it all.  The absolute joy of election night was tempered by profound disappointment that California could actually pass Proposition 8.

I’ve never been more proud to be an American.  We have elected a new president who is smart, enthusiastic and visionary.  This is exactly what we need right now.  Barack Obama represents not only change, but optimism.  This is history in the making.  It’s a time when the United States has chosen consciously to move forward, embracing the future despite any challenges.

I’ve never been more disheartened to be a Californian.  California was the third state in the nation to make same-sex marriages legal.  And yet Proposition 8, which takes those civil rights away from people, managed to pass.  This is devastating, and so unlike our open-minded, open-hearted state.  I can only hope that the Supreme Court finds Prop. 8 to be unconstitutional.

The euphoria of the election has worn off.  It didn’t take long.  And now we see that we are faced with the same issues, they didn’t magically go away.  But we will get through these next few weeks by knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel  and it’s not an oncoming train!  We need to learn from the mistakes of the past.  We need to be present and aware of what is happening at the moment.  And we need to plan for, and look forward to, a more balanced and healthy global community.

My sister is planning her wedding, and of course, as matron of honor and the only lifestyle designer in the family, I’m into it big time!  I came across this site that blows me away.  There are some wonderfully creative and crafty women out there… maybe with a little too much time on their hands?  The site sponsored a toilet paper wedding gown contest – and you wouldn’t believe the winners – they’re all worthy of being in the pages of a magazine!  Check it out… and remember, they’re all made out of TOILET PAPER!!!
http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/wedding-contest-2006.html