Why do we need to raise our vibration this 2017

Today is quite a special day and mind you, I'm not talking about Boxing Day which is celebrated in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. I'm referring to the phenomenon referred to as the galactic superwave that's supposed to hit our planet today.  I'm reposting what I posted on a private group on Facebook regarding this phenomenon:

I actually stumbled upon this article last night about massive bursts of gamma rays that will impact our planet today (watch video).

My intent in sharing this article is not to instill fear but to emphasize the importance of raising your vibration.  I believe that this phenomenon - of taking down the old grid to bring humanity to higher dimensions of consciousness - is real.

Yogi Bhajan foresaw this and introduced Kundalini Yoga to the West despite all odds, to prepare his students for the Age of Aquarius. In his lecture in 1993, he said "Today we talk about the planet Earth, he seven plates of the Earth and the nine continents. Tomorrow, we will talk about the gamma globular earth planetary upper super magnetic galaxy of the Supreme, into the reality of the co-existing of sixty-two million elementary co-existents of a planet, which shall be in control. These are environments which you cannot even describe today. We are entering space. And within this type of age, we will cross the space. It shall happen whether you like it or not." 

The linked article's source is James Gilliland, the founder of ECETI.org who said “Some people are going to go into 4D, some are going to go into 5D. It just depends on your consciousness and where you’re at when these energies press in.”

Photo from @blooming_peace

Like Yogi Bhajan, he too advocates the importance of working on raising one's vibration. I've also mentioned  this in my kundalini yoga classes this 2016 that having five to six planets in retrograde is quite rare and is really asking us to transform, to change our ways.

I'm sharing Gilliland's five out of 12 ways to raise your vibration and will continue the rest in the next newsletter:
1. Meditate – many of the people who say they don’t have time to meditate will find time to watch TV. [He recommends not to watch TV).

2. Watch children playing – try to remember the fascination of experiencing things for the first time, or the innocence of childhood.
3. Exercise – as long as your able to do so, then go for a walk in nature and you’ll get two benefits at the same time!.
4. Forgive yourself and others – none of us are perfect and there are those who either have hurt us, or that we have hurt. Forgive them but also remember to forgive yourself.
5. Express gratitude – be grateful for the beauty that surrounds you, even if it’s a small tree in the middle of a big city. Be grateful for the meal you are about to eat and anything else that has been blessed to come into your life, including some of the negative things that ended up being wonderful life lessons that expanded your spiritual growth.

Diving into the Blue Ether with Kirantana Khalsa

Anahaw Farms, November 2016
(photo credit: Pia Casequin)

I felt like my soul took quite a trip last weekend at Lipa for "A Road to Enlightenment: Unleash Your True Self" immersion program with Master teacher Kirantana Khalsa. This strange photo taken on the third day of the immersion program seemed to capture that surreal and amazing journey tapping into what connects one with the world and beyond.

Last weekend was the first weekend of the first season of the immersion program called "Autumn Cycle". The program is divided into four seasons. And as in Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere where we see leaves falling from trees, this is the season to let go and release old negativity.

We learned how to create a sacred space by invoking the five elements based on the Tibetan dzogchen so we can safely meditate and access the deep realms of our subconscious.

If you see colors when you meditate, that means you are well along your journey. I must admit that I've been meditating for a long time, starting the hard core way with the 10-day Vipassana. It was only last weekend that I was made to understand what seeing colors meant.

Meditating on Dragon's Breath (photo credit: Gel Legaspi)

We were doing a meditation with the dragon breath for the second time and were tasked to focus. A million thoughts would stream in as usual as I sit and focused on the breath. More thoughts came in and as I wouldn't latch on to any, I started seeing a yellow goldish light infront of me. I could feel a tingly sensation descending upon the top of my head. My senses were heightened.  I could hear the wind blowing and feel it on my face. I could now feel the quiet miracles that Kirnatana was talking about when he quoted John O'Donhue "Take the time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention." Then the color changed to blue and I was transported up, floating beyond the atmosphere.

Photo credit: Pinterest

What is this Blue then? Kirantana calls this place the Blue Ether. He described the process as "We mapped the subconscious - the anger, the fear, every embarrassing admittance - and looked at it carefully. Then [we] shredded it from the brain itself and made an easier access to the Blue Ether where all is possible."

It is also referred to by mystics as the Blue Pearl or Blue Dot. Pranic Healing founder Master Choa Kok Sui referred to it as the Blue Pearl and says "The blue pearl is the 'seed of consciousness' or the mental permanent seed, found in the crown chakra, and located in the pineal gland. Through regular and prolonged meditation of the blue pearl, one gradually experiences one's true nature, which is called the "Buddha Nature' in Buddhism."

The Sikh's believe that the soul begins its journey into the realm of the Blue Ethers after death, specifically 17 days after, and that there are four levels before one experiences absolute and perfect Union of the Divine.  The first level is where the soul undergoes an assessment on how one did based on their purpose.. The soul has 17 days to complete the necessary lessons and if they are not completed, a spirit guide can be called upon to help. The second blue ether level makes way for deeper learning. As the lessons are completed, it is at this stage that one becomes a guide for other souls who need help.

The third level is the domain of the realized soul and can be accessed while alive through deep meditation. Yogi Bhajan said "What kind of body a man shall have, what kind of destiny and fate shall challenge it - is all performed at the stage called the third blue ether." This is the stage where the soul decides to reincarnate again to serve humanity or move onto the fourth level and just be Pure Radiance.

Kirantana says that the Blue Ether is "also the Christ and 1000 more times more compassionate." It is entering into this realm to become pure love and remembering that we are already generous, compassionate and kind.

Grounding with Chi Kung (photo credit: Gel Legaspi)

If you want to experience the Blue Ether and get to know more of your True Self, "A Road to Enlightenment" second weekend of the Autumn Cycle continues on December 2 to 4, 2016 and will touch on Soul Retrieval, Mapping of the Subconscious through the Six Chakras, Emptying the Negative from the Heart, Organ Smiling, Exorcism of Discursive Emotions.

I'm not promising that you'll start seeing colors when your sit and meditate or anything like the photo taken of me, but you will surely start peeling off your subconscious away and get through the layers of everything from the outside and hopefully, go down to the real you and maybe learn how to, as Kirantana drilled on us, "Live one day as a Lion than a hundred days as a sheep."

Packing tips for the Journey into the Himalayas Yatra 2016

Hemkund Sahib (photo credit)

In five days, I'll be taking the flight out to Delhi, India and proceed up north to Haridwar to begin the sacred journey into the Himalayas with Yogi Amandeep. The trip is a yogis path traveling to deep esoteric scared sites for a total of  twelve days.  The first three days will be in Haridwar (314 m or 1,031 ft elevation) to visit shrines dedicated to Baba Sri Chand and Guru Nanak and to celebrate the birthday of Yogi Bhajan with a lineage holder of Kundalini Yoga.

From Haridwar,  we will be driving for a total of 11 hours visiting Rishikesh, Shankracharya along the way to Gobindghat (1,828 m or 5,997 ft elevation).  From there begins the trek on foot to Gobindham (3049m elevation) or what is called Dev Bumi, the realm of beings of lights. where we will be setting up camp.

The final destination  is Hemkund Sahib (4632 m or 15,192 ft), described as "the spiritual nerve of Mother Earth,  the source of all life on the planet that sustains the balance of the polarities and the electromagnetic field of the earth." Where the nerve ends is the 10th gate of mother earth, an energy vortex center.  The glacier lake is a healing lake that has the power to heal on many levels. The site is surrounded by seven snow-clad mountain peaks named after the seven primal sages known as Sapta Rishi. It is said that the first yogi science was transmitted to them on these peaks by the deity Shiva himself.

There will be a lot of trekking, yoga and meditating on this trip. The weather report says that Haridwar will be warm at 24-degrees centigrade, Gobindham at 12-degrees Centigrade and Hemkund Sahib at 3-degrees Centigrade; and to expect definitely some rain. We were advised not to bring cotton garments. Apparently cotton kills, when it gets wet or damp, it could cause hypothermia.

So, here's my packing list:

Himalaya Checklist (photo credit)

- Footwear. I have my Salomon X-ultra GTX gortex mid-cut hiking shoes with sturdy soles. Wool socks. Vaseline since I don't have wool liners to keep my feet from getting blisters. Slippers and extra pair of walking shoes.

- Layering. This recommendation is from Dr. Peter Rivera , an avid ultra distance runner and mountaineer, who I initially consulted for altitude medical sickness (AMS). He said to start with a good base layer which can either be from polypropylene, capilene or smart wool. He said that the secret to keeping warm is for "the base layer to fit like a second skin". He warned that I will sweat even when the environment is cold so breathable fabric should be used. The next layer is a technical shirt (dri-fit) that hugs the body to keep the warmth in. The third layer is a soft shell jacket which should contour the body. And lastly, a shell jacket and pants if it is too windy, snowing or raining.

- A wool or synthetic beanie and a UV baseball cap.

- Two pairs of gloves, a fleece and waterproof gloves.

- Shawl, scarf and a neck gaiter.

- Flashlight and head lamp and extra batteries.

- Water bottle and hot thermos for yogi tea (I'm crossing my fingers that the camp will serve this).

- Yoga mat and sheepskin for the daily kundalini yoga and meditation.

-  First Aid kit: antiseptic, wipes, bacterial ointment, anti-allergy meds, cetamid (acetazolamide for altitude sickness), antibiotics, ibuprofen, kinesio tape.

- Others: climbing pole, sunglasses, trail food, glucose, hand sanitizer, toilet paper. :-)

Altitude sickness is life threatening. I did experience altitude sickness in June at the Summer Solstice Kundalini Yoga festival in Guru Ram Das Puri, New Mexico at an altitude of 7,000-feet.  The symptoms are: headaches, difficulty breathing, cold extremities, dizziness, disorientation and vomiting.  I experienced all except the vomiting. The organizer was quite strict saying that if anyone exhibited symptoms of altitude sickness, the treatment would be to head down to lower altitude, like Espanola or Albuquerque, where more oxygen is available and the symptoms may be alleviated in a shorter time.

According to Yogi Amandeep, the mountains in the Himalayas are some of the few surviving mountains that are still living and can be used for meditation. He said "the history of ancient India states that whenever the hunger for truth is sparked within an individual, he/she will take the path that leads to the Himalayas." I am grateful to be given this opportunity to join the Yatra and meditate in the Himalayas in my lifetime. I pray that I seek the truth within, and come back transformed and transcended during this 12-day journey.

Training for the Sacred Journey into the Himalayas 2016 Yatra

with Yogi Amandeep in Guru Ram Das Puri in New Mexico

It was three weeks ago that I  received an email from Yogi Amandeep that I can join his yatra (pilgrimage), the Sacred Journey into the Himalayas called "Siri Hemkunth Sahib - the 10th Gate of Mother Earth, 12 days of transformation and transcendence."

I've been to the Himalayas before - at the foothills, in Rishikesh last year when I did the Stress and Vitality training module with Gurumukh and in the Nepal side in 2001 when I climbed Annapurna.  I've always dreamt of going to the Himalayas and follow a yogis path though, meditating inside caves, trekking in the snow, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

I only found out about the yatra when I was at the Kundalini Yoga Festival in Espanola, New Mexico last June.  I really wanted to go because the trip was everything I dreamt of doing plus a visit to Siri Hemkunth Sahib, a place known as a vortex center and revered as a sacred space which has powerful charged fields of consciousness.

Unfortunately, Yogi Amandeep told me that the yatra was already full and the registration has been closed since April. He made me hopeful when he said that he'll see what he can do when he returns to Canada on July 4.  I was relentless when I got back to Manila, emailing him to inquire if there's by any chance, any space left.

I was elated that after a number of emails, I finally received an affirmative reply. Of course, I was also panic-stricken knowing that I only had a few weeks to prepare for the climb. The website emphasized "This is not a tourist trip... it's a sacred journey into your higher consciousness. Participants should be physically fit and should be able to walk and trek long distances." The website also recommended to do some prior training  such as walking, hiking, bicycling to get in shape and stressed "you'll be climbing at high altitude."

This is the itinerary:

Aug 25-27   Haridwar 314m altitude
Aug 28        Rishikesh to Gobind Ghat 265 km by road, 11 hours; 1,828 m altitude
Aug 29        Gobind Ghat to Gobind Dham 13 km by footpath 4 to 7 hours; 3,049 m altitude
Aug 30-31   Gobind Dham to Valley of Flowers 5 km by footpath 2 hours; 3,500+ m altitude
Sep 1-3        Gobind Dham to Hemkund Sahib 6 km by footpath 2 to 4 hours; 4,329 m altitude
Sep 4           Gobind Ghat to Haridwar
Sep 5           Yatra ends at 12 noon

Summer Solstice in Espanola at 2,133m altitude

The altitude is the most difficult part with the highest at 4,329m (15,000 ft). When I was in Espanola, I was down with altitude sickness on the third day. The elevation was 2,133 m (7,000 ft). I felt dizzy, my throat was parched and I had difficulty walking. I was given homeopathic remedy and rested.

You know the saying that goes everything's right when the universe provides. Well, that week I found out I can join, I immediately looked for a gym to train in. There was a cross functional gym right across the yoga studio where I teach in Podium. I inquired and was taken aback with the one-on-one coaching fee. That same day, I was with JP, my osteopath friend,  who I see for my monthly TMJ maintenance tune up. I told him about my predicament that I needed to train fast and at the  same time, safely without costing me an arm and a leg.  He said that he's been training with Coach Francis Capati in my hood and he'll ask if he can accommodate me.

ewith Coach Francis 

The rest is history. Coach Francis is heaven-sent!  His workouts vary from conditioning,  strengthening and endurance. The Coach would at times don a 20-pound weighted vest and clasp a 5-pound weight on each of my ankle (see right photo). He said that the weighted vest would simulate carrying a backpack load and the ankle weights to increase resistance, the higher the climb, the heavier  the load will feel especially at a high altitude.

As of today, I've seen him the last three weeks, seven times already and I was able to include a hike for 11-km to Mount Makiling's mud spring.  I've purchased an all terrain treeking shoes, a Salomon X-Ultra GTX mid-cut shoes and a 10-liter day Osprey pack which I now put on when I train.  Although, now I'm deliberating whether I should get high-cut shoes to protect my ankles.

At Mount Makiling

I've started out at 112 pounds (weight recorded on July 14) and I'm now 115.28 pounds, gaining some muscle weight. I've started to consume rice everyday and taking BCAA (branch-chain amino acids) to aid in the recovery process.

I have four more weeks to go before the yatra. I'm planning to hike Mount Makiling tomorrow targeting peak 2 and add more climbs the following weekends.

With Coach's training, carbs now in my diet and logging more sleep [as coach insists to do by the way],  I do pray that I make it up to Hemkund Sahib at 4,329 m. That's equivalent to 500-floors! So help me God.

Kundalini Yoga Summer Solstice in New Mexico

Ego Eradicator warm up at the first day of White Tantric

This is my second summer solstice festival. The first one was three years ago in Fondjouan, France where I was still new to Kundalini Yoga. 

The festival is a nine-day event organized by 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Wholly Organization) each year to celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year [in the Northern hemisphere] with Kundalini Yoga, meditation and White Tantric Yoga. 

The highlight is the White Tantric Yoga, a three-day group meditation done in pairs which is held on the first day of summer solstice. It is described as "an ancient and unique yogic science that accelerates spiritual growth by dissolving, deep-rooted subconscious blocks through the direction of a facilitator and the energy of Yogi Bhajan, the Mahan Tantric." Since Yogi Bhajan's passing in October 2004, a video is played on a giant screen is shown where he is giving instructions.

There are two places in the world where the summer solstice festival is held - in New Mexico, where the gathering started in 1969; and in France. This year  for me is at Yogi Bhajan's Ram Das Puri ranch in Espanola, New Mexico  located in a high desert terrain with an altitude of 7,000 feet and temperature ranging from 28-35°C during the day and drops down to 15-20°C in the evening. 

It was terribly hot. I was drinking lots of water, and the special electrolyte drink made with water, lemon juice, orange juice concentrate and salt.  Despite this, I did get altitude sickness on my third day there.

Drive to Guru Ram Das Puri

Before White Tantric, for six days I attended several  kundalini yoga and meditation classes and workshops facilitated by popular and renowned teachers. The yoga plus the strictly vegan food served as some kind of body-mind-spirit cleansing  in preparation of the White Tantric. Yogi Bhajan described the process “At a solstice, you have to break your patterns. You are here to go through certain changes. And you cannot live intellectually all your life. You have to live by the power of your soul.”

My regimen consisted of a very cold shower at 3 am (there's no hot water), morning sadhana at 3:45 am, 7:15 am class, breakfast of spicy potato-celery-onion soup and bananas at 8:30am, two classes, quinoa tabouli for lunch at 1:00pm, rest at 2:00pm, another two classes in the afternoon, watermelon snack in between, dinner of spicy mung beans and rice at 5:30, evening program and end the day with a gong bath at 8:30pm. I would be in bed by 10pm, completely exhausted.

3:45am sadhana

At Snatam Kaur's Compassionate Living workshop

Guru Singh leading the all star musicians

On the day of the White Tantric on the first day of summer solstice, you can just imagine how the energy was after doing six days of this type of cleansing. We were more than 3,000 people from all over the world,  dressed in white, wearing turbans,  lined up in rows in diagonal z-lines, and seated in front of our partners with knees touching. 

3 days of White Tantric Yoga group meditation

Mind you, the meditation was not easy - it even felt like torture! Imagine you're holding a Kundalini yoga meditation pose for 31 to 62 minutes long. My partner was very tall.  We were not allowed to talk and had to gaze into each other's eyes. In one of the meditation, the right arm was extended and index and middle fingers touched each other's  forehead. As my partner's arms were much longer, I felt like my head kept being pushed back. It hurt my neck and I was getting irritated by the weight of his hands but I carried on and pushed on, determined to finish the meditation.

On the last day of White Tantric, right after lunch, the meditation was to extend the arms up 60-degrees, with fingertips touching each other for 62 minutes chanting Ardas Bhaee. Halfway through the meditation, I couldn't hold the tears back. I was bawling hysterically and shaking. I must have been the only one crying at that point. I couldn't feel my body anymore and I found myself floating up, up through the roof, up to the clear blue sky. The people around me, including my partner, became a blur of white. 

After three days on that strict routine in the middle of the desert, I came to realize that it's true -- We are all connected, we're just pure energy.

all smiles after three days of White Tantric

The solstice is an auspicious time to honor the sun and recharge ourselves. I've done three so far. Last year was actually my first time to complete all three days. In France, I did only the first day since someone warned me that it's not safe for beginners to do the three days. This is baloney! If you're heart is into it, you can do all three days. The second one was in October 2013 in Bangkok. As Yogi Bhajan recommends, “You come to Summer Solstice. Here, you recharge your batteries, straighten up the line of endurance, bring courage in yourself, grow through physiological nervous energy systems, come to an understanding that you can sit with somebody for 72 hours, and not freak out.” 

For those of you who want to do the sadhana meditation for the year which is on the 4th sutra "Understand Through Compassion Or You Will Misunderstand The Times" click here. Happy Solstice!