Love thyself

It’s no secret that self love is difficult.  In a society where we are conditioned to keep up with the pace of others, it’s sometimes difficult to go at your own pace.  It’s not until we go at our own pace that we even know what self love means.  What actually makes you happy? Not what you think makes you happy, but what actions, kind of environments, or people make you feel comforted and at ease?  I recently went to a restorative yoga class.  Typically, yoga is about pressing against the Earth to hold different poses in various positions.  Restorative is different.  Instead of pressing into the Earth, the Earth is pressing into you.  You lie down and use poses which allow gravity to do the stretching for you.  Through consciously steady breath work, the stretch deepens and you begin to feel a calm surrender.  This provides a unique opportunity for growth.  The surrender leads to vulnerability, which exposes the doubt inside your mind.  This doubt can only be countered through embodying your core desires, and holding yourself completely responsible for whatever state your life is in.  Only then can you love yourself enough to go at your own pace and walk on your own path.  I want to feel fulfillment.  I want to experience freedom and  I want to embody love.  I want to be respected for staying aligned with my true self.  Finally, I want to claim full responsibility for my life.  But it’s hard.  It requires consistency.  Most of all, it requires resiliency.  When I fall, I will get back up; I will be stronger and smarter.  I recognize that I will never stop failing, as long as I strive for success.

All of that consistency and resiliency  takes a lot out of a person.  What is the point of growth if you don’t enjoy the new level that you’ve reached?  Life is also a balance.  Pleasure and pain.  Give and take.  Light and dark.  I think that’s where fulfillment comes into play.  Fulfillment is the overwhelming sensation of ecstatic joy that comes from consciously working towards something that you love.  Once you claim the reigns of your life, and put in the elbow grease necessary for lasting change, celebrate the fruits of your labor!  Love yourself in whatever way you need.  If life isn’t enjoyable, then what’s the point?  

 

Cooking with a Buddhist monk

Om Mani Padme Hum.  Originating in India and spreading to Tibet, this Mantra is believed to contain all of the Buddha’s teachings.  Reciting the Mani Mantra summons the endless amount love and compassion which lies dormant within all of us.

I was blessed to cross the path of this Mantra while at a cooking class facilitated by Manitari Patterson and her organization Meditative Lifestyle.  The class was led by Llama Dorje; a man from Nepal who embarked on the journey of becoming a Buddhist monk at five years old.  After being initiated, Llama Dorje moved to a monastery in order to learn the deep teachings of Mahayan Tibetan Buddhism.  Marking the end of his formal education at 29 years old,  he earned the title of “master”, or “Llama”.  Within the next few years, Llama Dorje found himself in Chile working with an organization called Condor Blanco.  He shared his wisdom through founding the organization’s Bodhisattva School.

Manitari has been working with Condor Blanco for many years.  This partnership led to Llama Dorje’s trip to New Jersey and consequently, the creation of the cooking class.  It was focused on four traditional Tibetan recipes: chai tea, chapati, than thuk, and momo.  Beginning with the chai tea, I noticed that this recipe was unlike any other which I’ve experienced.  It was full of spices which not only enriched my pallet but facilitated healing as well.  The other three dishes were basically different forms of the same mouth watering ingredients.  A dough consisting of only wheat flour, white flour, and water, and a wide assortment of sautéed veggies.  The chapati, which was the dough flattened and fried, accompanied the than thuk, a vegetable soup with noodles which were also created from the dough.  In my opinion, the momo was the main course.  We filled the dough with sautéed veggies, folded them into dumplings, and cooked them in the steam of boiling water.  Everything was DELICIOUS!

The part of this experience which truly authenticated it, was the collective Mantra singing led by Llama Dorje.  The purpose of this was to enliven our spirits while blessing the food throughout its preparation and completion.  Our blessings included the Mani Mantra along with the Three Jewels Mantra and the Tara Mantra.  The experience was very engaging, educational, yet fun.  I hope to meet Llama Dorje again, and look forward to participating in future events hosted by Manitari and Meditative Lifestyle.

For more information on Manitari’s organization please visit: www.MeditativeLifestyle.com

For more information on Condor Blanco please visit:

http://centrodharmacb.com/

Life is generous!

My name is Christopher Rölke and this is my very first blog post.  Throughout life my attention has been pulled in MANY directions.  At a young age I was drawn to the idea of being an archaeologist, marine biologist, veterinarian, or having my own wildlife TV show.  My high school years were focused on the cultivation of a strong work ethic through football and wrestling, which increased my awareness of fitness and nutrition.  By the time I graduated in June of 2012, I became interested in entrepreneurism; yet I still lacked specific direction.  Unconsciously following the predetermined path of expectation that many of us find ourselves on, I began my college career the following September at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.  I started freshman year as an undecided major and ended it enrolled in the newly established sustainability program.  Yet by October of 2014 I had found myself back at home, after taking a leave of absence from school.  I could not seem to find a consistent path to pursue from which I experienced genuine fulfillment.  After a year of working as a barista in the “real world,” I was back at the newly renamed Stockton University in September of 2015.  Although I still didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, I figured that finishing my degree would be a step in the right direction.  I currently find myself at the conclusion of my first year back at school.  My major is now philosophy and religion with a minor in writing.  It wasn’t easy getting re-acclimated to school, and I still have a LONG way to go, but I am confident in my decision to return.  I came to the realization that I am going to pursue writing professionally, as a means to explore myself and my varying interests.  Writing provides me with an opportunity for introspection, which allows me to experience that fulfillment which I crave.  It’s a beautiful universe.  I am confident in my direction, and grateful for all guidance.  Life is generous!