Blog
What is Consciousness: Interview with Guru Ranjit Deora and Angela Gala
Charlotte Meditation Senior Instructor Angela Gala interviews Guru Ranjit Deora on the topic of “What is Consciousness”.
Meditation Therapy: A Life-Changing Combination
Meditation. Therapy. Two different words, two distinct experiences. Or so I thought…. I have experienced a lot of great therapy off and on over the years. My nagging feelings of dissatisfaction and annoyance with the world (in spite of many successes) are often what landed me in “the chair.”…
Meditation and Breathing Techniques Can Help You Alleviate Anxiety and Panic
Find yourself feeling depressed, anxious, or fearful due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak and the uncertain circumstances it has brought? The CDC assures us that it’s a natural reaction to the stress of having our normal routines and usual social interactions changed so drastically in such an abrupt manner…
Finding Your Happiness: Why is it so Elusive?
When most people are questioned about what will bring them happiness, they list good health, wealth or a successful career, fulfilling and successful relationships, and the ability to pursue work they find satisfying. While most individuals can explain that they want a happy life, a growing number of people…
Laugh Yourself to Health and Happiness with Laughter Yoga
Why would I want to try laughter yoga in Charlotte? Laughter yoga is the best medicine, or this modern twist certainly goes a long way to being so. Laughter has always been seen to be contagious, and when one laughs, it is hard not to laugh along. The reason…
Ayurveda: Healing with Foods and Meditation
Ayurveda, or the science of life, is one of the oldest systems of natural health care. Originating in India over 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda is now considered one of the leading forms of holistic medicine available in the West. Concept Ayurveda treats the root cause of illnesses, not just…
Learn Mindful Eating Through Meditation
Are your New Year’s resolutions already falling by the wayside? It’s very easy to write off your goals, continuing your old habits of 2018. Was losing weight on your list? While setting specific goals of pounds dropped is a valid approach, if you want to take care of yourself…
Help Us Help Children, Become a Youth Meditation Instructor
Youth Meditation has served thousands of children across the Carolinas. Here is how our program is helping kids… and teachers: “There was a lot of conflict in my family but when she taught us these techniques it was like opening another door to more peace within the…
Three Ways to Outwit Social Anxiety During the Holidays
Guru Ranjit Deora’s recent interview with Mitra Malek offers mindfulness strategies you can use to help avoid the pitfalls of social anxiety during this holiday season. Feel overwhelmed? Of course you do. That’s the downside to this time of year: gift shopping, house decorating, coordinating schedules, planning meals, attending events. It…
Managing Holiday Stress with Mindfulness and Gratitude
Starting around mid-November, my stress has a way of whirling itself into a tornado of chaos. So many things to prepare, to remember, to DO – people to reach out to, family relationships to manage, presents to buy, food to cook, errands to run! Traffic increasing, long lines at…
Weaving a Tapestry of Laughter and Joy Around the Pillars of Your Life
Carrying Guru Ranjit’s words as inspiration, “Breathing and meditation are the two pillars of life that make the building solid,” I walked in to a local elementary school, excited to begin my first solo lesson of the fall as a certified meditation teacher. Representing Youth Meditation (the non-profit arm…
Stop Waiting and Start Living
I get up in the morning. I look at my calendar. I have an appointment at 2 PM. So what do I do? I unconsciously slip into a state of “waiting”. Thinking about what’s ahead. Am I prepared? Are all the ducks in a row? Looking at my navigation…
It’s All About the Crumbs
I used to think my mindfulness practice was measured by my patience in traffic, my skill in letting go of results or my ability to reduce judgment when interacting with stupid people. However, I have lately realized that my barometer for mindfulness is all about the crumbs….my husband’s crumbs,…
To Do or Not To Do: THAT is the Question
I’m sitting with my guru in a “meditation + chat” session. The conversation turns to my constant struggle with “what do I do next?” “How do you feel when you THINK about doing something?” asks Guru. “Anxious.” “How do you feel when you are actually DOING it?” “Relaxed.” BINGO! …
The Best of Intentions…Spiritually Speaking
My Experience with Meditation for Self-Discovery For many years, I was happy to meditate the way I had been taught: deep breathing followed by fifteen minutes of letting my thoughts come and go, morning and evening. (Note: Sometimes I skipped because life happened and sometimes I skipped quite deliberately;…
How to Overcome the Stress that all Mothers Know
“I came to get the rest of my stuff,” announced my daughter as she walked in the door on a visit from Nashville where she has been living for the last six months.
How to Manage Stress? It’s All About Perspective
Easter and Passover have come and gone, but do you know about the many other holidays in April? Aside from National Cheeseball Day on the 17th and Look Alike Day on the 20th (dress like the person you admire; I pick Prince!!), April 16th happened to be National Stress…
Reduce Your Stress, Improve Your Love Life
“My love life would totally improve if S/HE would just ______ (fill in the blank).” Listen to me? Show some emotion? Not complain about 24/7 sports on the tube? Stop leaving used dental floss on the coffee table?? Although I acknowledged I played a role in our imperfect relationship,…
Mindfulness Helps Financial Anxiety
How to Survive Tough Economic Times and Manage Your Anxiety Housing market is in a slump, stock prices falling, food prices rising, and government bailouts of banks making the news each week, it’s no surprise that many people are feeling anxious about the economy and their financial well being….
Enlightened Living and Higher Consciousness
Karma means action and reaction, cause and effect, the cycle of action and its consequences. Actions can be divided into two broad groups: those with a selfless motive, which are rare, and those with selfish motivation, which are common. Selfish actions can result in joy or pain, or a mixture…