Kitchari: The Basics & How to Adjust for Current Conditions

Take the basics and riff as your please! Especially to make it more seasonal with fresh veggies: )
You can enjoy for the taste, simplicity and ease of digestion. Some use as a cleanse, but I just enjoy it for the deliciousness!

INGREDIENTS

the basic variation is based on ratio between these three ingredients:

• Basmati Rice 

• Split Mung Bean

• Water (based on desired consistency)

RICE : SPLIT MUNG BEAN *base on conditions within the body
Normal 2 : 1
Slight Dampness EQUAL PARTS 1 : 1
Excess Dampness/Cleanse 1 : 2

SPICES
pink salt (pinch to taste) 
cracked pepper (dash)
2 tsp. ghee 
1/2 tsp. coriander powder 
1/2 tsp. cumin powder 
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder 
1/2 tsp. fenugreek powder 

1/2 tsp. whole cumin seeds 
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds 
1/2 tsp. fennel seeds 

1+ inch fresh ginger root, chopped
1+ inch fresh turmeric root, chopped

OPTIONAL
1 pinch asafoetida (hing) - alternative to garlic/onion
1 cup assorted vegetables such as zucchini, squash, sweet potato

FRESH GARNISH
finish with fresh cilantro leaves 
+squeeze of lemon in winter
+squeeze of lime in summer

PREPARATION

Wash rice & split mung bean separately in at least 3 changes of water.
Ideally, soak for a few hours before cooking.

Add the water to the rice and mung bean and bring to a boil, then lower heat. Cook covered to steam the rice/mung bean about 15 minutes. For more soupy/dal consistency, just add more water.

While that is cooking, cut vegetables & roots into small pieces. Add the vegetables to the cooked rice and let steam a few minutes longer, until soft.

In a separate saucepan, sauté the seeds in the ghee until they pop.
Then add the other powdered spices and the freshly cut ginger & turmeric root.
Stir to release the flavors.

Then add the cooked rice/mung bean/vegetable to the warmed spices.
Add salt to taste.

Finish by garnishing with chopped fresh cilantro & squeeze of citrus (lemon or lime).

Over time you will find your own desired ratios. I don’t use exact measurements, but these are just guidelines to help get you started.

ENJOY!!! And make it your own.

Bliss Consciousness

Bliss is not blissful. -MMY

Bliss is not about happiness. Bliss is supreme contentedness. Bliss Consciousness is available at the subtlest state of awareness, in other words, Pure Awareness. Contact with the Absolute, the field of un-manifest, results in Bliss. The mind shows this by going quiet. Thoughts bubble from this place, but once it has become manifest- you know you are back in the Relative.

Stabilizing Bliss Consciousness means no more suffering, no more negativity. Only fulfillment is possible through utilizing full conscious capacity / mental  potential and full support of Nature. If we can infuse the state of Being into our minds through daily practice and then we will have the sympathy and support of Nature.

Practicing Vedic Meditation helps you understand the basic fundamental content of life: Cosmic Laws and access Absolute Being, the transcendental state of consciousness. With twice daily practice, over time the Absolute imprints on our mind/intellect/ego and expansion of consciousness happens spontaneously, effortlessly.

From the biomedical perspective, we can think of Bliss on the level of neurochemistry. Endocannabinoids, such as, Anandamide is considered bliss chemistry.  Ananda is the Sanskrit word for bliss. The physical body cannot produce stress chemistry at the same time as bliss chemistry. When you use this technique of meditation, you will access this chemistry naturally. Importing exogenous versions creates an unnatural sequence of sensations. It leaves the experiencer bewildered rather than in true Bliss. Lots more on this once you have personal experience of transcending through meditation.

Come and learn for yourself what it feels like.

Here is a short video of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi speaking on “Yoga” and “Bliss Consciousness.”

Jai Guru Deva

One of my favorite details left in tact on this wall at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh. 

What does "Jai Guru Dev" mean?

Jaya Guru Deva - > Jai Guru Dev

Jaya means “joy, hail, glory to”
Guru means “remover of darkness”
Deva means “a shining one”, source of English word “divine.”

The phrase, “Jai Guru Deva”, has become a universal salutation, blessing, opening/closing phrase used by Vedic meditators as a way to recognize that the knowledge is from a grander source.

"It is a beautiful-sounding phrase, feels good to intone, is good for surrendering small self to Big Self, and I commend its use by every meditator." -Thom Knoles

Thom explains, "when saying 'Jai Guru Deva', Initiators (teachers) of my tradition are, almost invariably, referring to Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, the man who throughout his elder years in Jyothir Math, in the Indian Himalaya, held the title of 'Shankaracharya'. It was this 'Guru Deva', sometimes called 'Shri Guru Deva', from whom we received this knowledge of Vedic Meditation, and to whom we pay homage when new meditators are initiated."

जय श्री गुरुदेव

Summer 2018: Vedic Meditation Intro Talks & Course Offerings

What a wonderful year it has been so far! I have just returned from 4 months in India, completing the Vedic Mediation Initiator Training. I'm very exited to teach this technique to anyone who is ready to learn!

I will be offering introductory talks and the Vedic Meditation Course monthly.

If you can't make a date that is offered, please contact me and we can set up a private Intro talk. You must attend an introductory talk before signing up for the course. Private courses can also be arranged. Please inquire if you have any questions or just register for one of the Intro Talks!

With love and gratitude,

Su-Jung

LONDON (July 4 - 16)
NTRODUCTION TO VEDIC MEDITATION (free)
July 7 Free Introductory Talk (Shoreditch)
RSVP

NEW YORK
INTRODUCTION TO VEDIC MEDITATION (free)

The Spring Meditation
145 6th Avenue, Studio 6E
New York NY 10013
July 25 (6:30pm - 7:30pm)
RSVP

FOUNDATIONS VEDIC MEDITATION COURSE (4 Days: 90 mins/day)
REGISTER
July 27, 2018 *Individual Instruction & Ceremony
July 28, 2018 10:30am
July 29, 2018 10:30am
July 30, 2018 6:30pm

GROUP MEDITATION
July 31 (6:30pm - 8:00pm)
RSVP

Law of Reciprocity & Personal Commitment

Each student makes a personal investment through a course fee, a practice that dates back thousands of years in India. It is an equitable exchange that sparks the law of reciprocity. Something of great value is offered in exchange for receiving something of greater value or equal value.

In return the student learns to become a self-sufficient meditator, but also is given a lifetime of follow up through weekly group meditations, personal access via email, and may sit in on a "refresher" course anytime there is space available with any Vedic Meditation teacher world-wide. This essentially means you have access to a growing community of Vedic Meditators and teachers to help nurture your development and growth.

In order to make this course available to everyone regardless of financial status, equivalent hours of community service performed are welcome in lieu of financial contribution.