This is an easily transportable mat covered with spiked flowers which will stimulate special ‘acupoints’ on your body by way of acupressure. When the mat is unrolled, the surface is covered in 210 spiky ‘flowers’ that actually work in a similar way to the old fashioned bed of nails. The high level of acupressure contact points ensures optimum contact to all for the ‘acupoints’ that are located along the meridian lines of the body. I had been very excited to try the mat out, simply because I was suffering extreme anxiety and tension, and it says it can help this, not to mention promoting sleep at night, maximising energy levels and easing basic pains and aches.
What Can I Expect From Using It?
Acupressure mats boost healthiness through helping you to feel incredibly calm, reduces aches and pains leaving you feeling revitalised. The improved blood flow you obtain results in lower blood pressure as well as superior vitamin delivery. Subjecting yourself to acupressure may also bring about the release of endorphins and oxytocin, the body’s unique pain relief and happiness hormones.
It is based on touch and uses the same pressure points on the body used in acupuncture. In acupressure, the same points on the body are used as in acupuncture, but are stimulated with finger pressure instead of with the insertion of needles.
It will be for you if you’re tense, are a bad sleeper, suffer from low energy, suffering with muscle tension, stiffness, headache, back and / or neck pain. For anybody who is on prescription medication please consult your doctor before using the mat. Accupressure mats are not recommended for those who are nursing a baby or currently pregnant. Children may use the Yantra Mat as long as there is always an adult present.

The mat is flexible enough so that you can find the ideal position in which to use it. Some simple positions provided on Yantraway.com : are on your back (It’s the position which i would advise you use to start with), lying on your belly, on a chair (you position the mat on a seat or couch and then sit down on it), and if you are feeling brave resting a cheek against it. When on your back all of your acupressure points down the spine are triggered which results in muscles along the spine relaxing as well as a production of endorphins. If you lie on your front the acupressure spots along your tummy are stimulated relaxing your muscles, this results in improved digestion. Sitting down on it: your buttock muscles relax. It at the same time improves blood circulation in this location.

A Customer Survey
Three hundred and four Yantra Mat customers were asked questions about their mat, 280 females (92%) & 24 males (8%).
A 3rd of those questioned were aged 46-55
8 out of 10 mat owners declared that the Yantra mat met expectations
99% of people surveyed said they would continue to use the Yantra mat!

The mat provides me with a nice soothing thirty minutes along with beneficial effects on body and soul. Lying on the mat was not comfortable to start with, but a couple of minutes later I sensed a heated sensation spreading through my entire body. I Do feel refreshed as a result of lying on the mat; it’s ideal after a long walk.

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In the waning words of Voltaire’s epic novel Candide, the title character, after many adventures and lessons learned that brought her through three continents and a ton of misery and disaster, said simply to conclude: “let us cultivate our garden” (Voltaire, p.167).

Candide learns just the opposite early on in the novel.   Her professor, Dr. Pangloss, an expert in “metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology (Voltaire, p.2),” teaches optimism to the class, saying that they live in the ‘best of all worlds,’ and that ‘all is for the best’  (Voltaire, p.6).   In essence, the power of positive thinking will do wonders.   Well, after shifting through three continents worth of adventures, and witnessing some of the worst historic tragedies of the day, Candide shies away from Dr. Pangloss’ optimism, as positive thinking is great, but without action, nothing gets accomplished.   Correcting her old professor, she concludes that it is best to work on one’s own garden.

What does it mean to cultivate our own garden?   Should we get out the garden gloves and shovel?  Is it time to go to the Home Depot?   In this author’s opinion, no.  Cultivating one’s garden means simply to put yourself selflessly first above all others.

I can hear the naysayers:  “Selflessly first?   That sounds like an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one!”    But it does make sense once you get down to it.   Let’s think about this for a minute through an example:

Let’s say you work two jobs and at least 60 hours/week.

You gain money, and a fair amount of it at that, every paycheck.   Let’s say that you then go out and blow it on liquor, strip clubs, and movie concessions.    You are negatively selfish here because you worked all these hours (whether you enjoyed them or not) to earn money that you can spend on yourself.

Sometimes you probably find that there is more month at the end of the money (probably because you’ve spent it on yourself), and you have to ask a friend for a loan.  Temporarily, you are fulfilled (maybe ‘pacified’ is a better word), but at the end of the day, you haven’t helped anyone but yourself.   Worse, you’ve become a financial burden to a friend or family member.   This is true selfishness, and one that has become the norm in our society, sadly.

Let’s take another scenario:

You work the same amount of hours, and then go out and spend it on violin lessons, Spanish courses, buying a few rounds for friends, and donating to charity.   You are still doing things for yourself, as they all make you feel good, but now you are doing productive activities – things that are pleasant and meaningful for a civilized society.  You then go on to teach others what you have learned, thus propagating these skill sets.  In the bigger picture, yes, you are being selfish, because you enjoy what you do, but you are also serving the greater good, one of the most selfless things you can do.

By being independent for yourself, you are also not a burden for anyone else.   You’re not the responsibility of anyone else but yourself.   You are accountable for all of your actions, not someone else.   By being yourself and cultivating your own garden, by extracting the weeds, by letting good, useful flowers grow, you are doing one of the most selfless things on this planet:  being independent.

Being selfish.

See?   There are advantages to putting yourself first, if only you stop thinking about yourself.

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Living a tantric lifestyle is marvelously simple and creative.  But it begins, like so many journeys, with a few, small steps.  However it is different than other hobbies, in that, rather than jumping straight into a skill or an idea, it begins with stress management.

When I tell beginners that, especially men, they are shocked, in some way or other.  “I thought Tantra was about sex?” they insist, big-eyed.  The more inquisitive venture, “What does stress have to do with Tantra?”

Well, stress makes it more difficult to have sex, and impossible to really enjoy in the pleasure of it.  People don’t even think about sex when they’re really agitated, or worried about money, or the future, etc.  And those who think about sex a lot when they’re stressed are really just looking for stress-relief, so they’re not anticipating the pleasure of the act, but rather the end result, is also not good for sex.

Tantra holds that stress keeps us from attaining higher levels of functioning, success, and happiness, as well as inhibiting our experience of the divine.  If you have noticed how much more difficult it is to be attuned to yourself when stressed out, or to enjoy life, then you can understand why stress management is so important.  Our society may value material gain, but it is only by appropriate management of the self that one may become truly successful.

Stress management is one of the most fundamental parts of a Tantric lifestyle, and it is one of the easiest things to integrate into your daily life.  I am including a simple exercise from my eBook, The Power of Male Orgasmic Energy, to help anyone who is struggling with something in their lives, or who perhaps wants to achieve more and needs some extra help to rise to a higher level.

You can do this exercise in any quiet place, and since it takes less than a minute, that can mean your bedroom or yes, even the office bathroom.

When you are easily distracted and unable to stay on task, then try the clearing method a few times a day. If your boss criticizes your work, or puts pressure on you to finish an assignment before the holidays, try stepping aside and performing the clearing method:

• Find a place where you will feel comfortable and unwind
• Raise your hands over your head, slowly, breathing in deeply.
• Relax on the exhale, begin calming yourself and think clear or untroubled.  You can imagine it on the backs of your eyelids, hear yourself say it, or maybe you hear someone else say it, whom you do not know but whose voice relaxes you.  Or maybe you just feel it,
• Continue to hold CLEAR in the middle of your awareness as you slowly lower your hands to the middle of your body.
• Finally, let go of CLEAR and become aware of yourself as a whole, human being.

Your body will slowly become accustomed to doing this on a frequent basis, making it easier to clear.

Fantastic, now your body is more relaxed and your thoughts are generating a clearer focus.

Other places you could practice the clearing method…

• In the master bedroom, with a partner, before intercourse
• In the car, waiting for the engine to heat up or at a red light

Draw on your imagination and do some clearing today!   My next post covers “Simple Way To Take Control of Life”.

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In the waning words of Voltaire’s epic novel Candide, the title character, after many adventures and lessons learned that brought her through three continents and a ton of misery and disaster, said simply to conclude: “let us cultivate our garden” (Voltaire, p.167).  Candide learns just the opposite early on in the novel.  Her professor, Dr. Pangloss, an expert in “metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology (Voltaire, p.2),” teaches optimism to the class, saying that they live in the ‘best of all worlds,’ and that ‘all is for the best’  (Voltaire, p.6).  In essence, the power of positive thinking will do wonders.   Well, after shifting through three continents worth of adventures, and witnessing some of the worst historic tragedies of the day, Candide shies away from Dr. Pangloss’ optimism, as positive thinking is great, but without action, nothing gets accomplished.  Correcting her old professor, she concludes that it is best to work on one’s own garden.

What does it mean to cultivate our own garden?  Should we get out the garden gloves and shovel?  Is it time to go to the Home Depot?  In this author’s opinion, no.  Cultivating one’s garden means simply to put yourself selflessly first above all others.

I can hear the naysayers:  “Selflessly first?  That sounds like an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one!”   But it does make sense once you get down to it.  Let’s think about this for a minute through an example:

Let’s say you work two jobs and at least 60 hours/week.

You gain money, and a fair amount of it at that, every paycheck.  Let’s say that you then go out and blow it on liquor, strip clubs, and movie concessions.   You are negatively selfish here because you worked all these hours (whether you enjoyed them or not) to earn money that you can spend on yourself.

Sometimes you probably find that there is more month at the end of the money (probably because you’ve spent it on yourself), and you have to ask a friend for a loan.  Temporarily, you are fulfilled (maybe ‘pacified’ is a better word), but at the end of the day, you haven’t helped anyone but yourself.  Worse, you’ve become a financial burden to a friend or family member.  This is true selfishness, and one that has become the norm in our society, sadly.

Let’s take another scenario:

You work the same amount of hours, and then go out and spend it on violin lessons, Spanish courses, buying a few round for friends, and donating to charity.  You are still doing things for yourself, as they all make you feel good, but now you are doing productive activities – things that are pleasant and meaningful for a civilized society.  You then go on to teach others what you have learned, thus propagating these skill sets.  In the bigger picture, yes, you are being selfish, because you enjoy what you do, but you are also serving the greater good, one of the most selfless things you can do.

By being independent for yourself, you are also not a burden for anyone else.   You’re not the responsibility of anyone else but yourself.  You are accountable for all of your actions, not someone else.  By being yourself and cultivating your own garden, by extracting the weeds, by letting good, useful flowers grow, you are doing one of the most selfless things on this planet:  being independent.

Being selfish.

See?  There are advantages to putting yourself first, if only you stop thinking about yourself.

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The reason I have been writing a lot lately about truly Being in the Present is because it is so very important in understanding tantric sexuality which will be coming.

Focus on where it's at.

Being in the present is one of those abilities and qualities people often mention after having met charismatic people like Bill Clinton or Oprah just to mention a few.  They are fully there – centred and with the intense focus that being present creates.  Many people aren’t used to being the unequivocal focus of another person’s energy or are not even aware and so when it happens, the recipient of that attention feels special.

When listening fully to the person as an equal no matter who they are; young, old or in between do not go into multi-thinking.  Keep nice eye-contact without staring (don’t forget to break sometimes…you know, before it gets weird).  Also, being there has a tendency to make you more open and inquisitive in a natural way.  Instinctively, when you are Present things catch your eye and people are likely to become more interesting.  So here are ideas that have worked for many people including celebrities … pick and choose the ones that you think will work best for you:

1. Focus on where it’s at. Right in front of you, or around you.  And even on you.  Use your senses and look right now at what is in front of you.  Can you hear the sounds about you?  Touch the fabric of your clothes and focus on how they feel.
2. Be aware.  Thinking about the past and future comes to you naturally.  That’s OK.  Just become more aware of those thoughts.  Awareness will bring change and change will bring you to the present.
3. Do not be harsh.  If you think about the past or future, do not be stern with yourself!  Don’t try to push those thoughts out of your head.  Instead, be aware of them, and gradually allow them to go away. T hen bring yourself back to the present.
4. Eating is a time to eat.  The best way to think about being present is this: do just one thing at a time.  When you are eating, don’t make a mental list of things to do or think about something negative.  Just pay attention and enjoy what you’re eating, do it slowly.  This goes for other seemingly mundane tasks: mowing the lawn, taking a shower, driving, working, playing.  In other words, multi tasking is not necessarily a good thing.
5. Zazen. The core of Zen practice is seated meditation that in turn is simply sitting.  You don’t have to contemplate about anything, nor any need of chanting.  You strive to be aware of the stream of thoughts, allowing them to arise and pass away without interference.  In other words, you just sit, and focus on sitting. This has been a very useful practice for me and I add a smile creating thoughts that are more positive.
6. Do Exercises.  Exercise is a wonderful practice.  If running is your choice, then run and only run.  The secret is to focus on running, on breathing, on nothing but the present which is simply running.
7. Everyday routines.  Again, be aware of your stream of thoughts.  When you do laundry, this is practice, your meditation.  When you walk your dog, focus on walking your dog.  Make anything you do into practice.
8. Use reminders.  Sound silly but it works.  Place a reminder where it will be visible, on your fridge, on your computer desktop, in your car.  Any place you will notice is a good thing.  Whatever it takes to keep your focus on practicing being present.
9. No failure.  Everybody messes up, but that’s OK, because it is impossible to mess up.  Over time, the only thing of importance is that you practice, and in the end, if you keep doing it, you will learn to focus on the present more often than you do now.  Say to yourself “I cannot fail”, even if you stop doing it for awhile.  You have the right to celebrate every little success. Doing it at all is success.

10.  Continue practicing.  When you get frustrated, just take a deep breath.  There is no magical formula except “keep practicing”.  Isn’t that what we teach our children?

This is just a few methods and techniques that I utilize to find and prolong those moments when I am truly in the present.  Of course tip number ten is the one to keep returning to.  Being in the moment takes focus and practice.  The more you do it, the longer and more intense your abilities will become.  How many benefits will you discover when truly being in the here and now?  How will living in the present affect your spiritual consciousness?  And the ultimate question, are you ready to actively live in the present?

Photo courtesy of Morgue Files.

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The focus of my last couple of posts has been on the art and practice of living in the present. I am continuing along this vein because I think this is such an important aspect of truly being and enjoying who we are as individuals. Let’s now discuss ten of the major benefits that you will experience when truly living in the present.

Be happy - Be in the present

Enjoy these TEN major benefits when you are more real in the present moment.

Performance benefits:

1. Better performance under demands/pressure.    (you’re focused owing to a clearer mind)
2. Improved listening and memory skills.    (you’re “present-minded”, not “absent-minded”)
3. Better conflict resolving power.    (you don’t get emotionally ‘sparked’)
4. More determination and ability to gain knowledge.    (you are more patient and tolerant of obstacles)
5. Wiser, clearer decisions.     (you think before you act)

Health & relationship benefits:

6. Improved physical health & energy.    (less stress & healthier emotions)
7. More laughter and a playful outlook.    (you’re at peace by living in the present)
8. More truthful & open communication.    (you are balanced at work and play)
9. Confidence and conviction in leading others.    (you can handle their criticisms, intrinsic self esteem)
10. Greater aptitude for emotional intimacy.    (you are your true self)

Like I mentioned, these are only ten of the major benefits you will feel when living in the present.  What other benefits can you think of?

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There are generally three things we can think about:

• The past.   Reliving things we messed up about.  Being embarrassed about something we did.  Wishing we could have something back that is gone.  Living in memories of good times past.  Being angry about things done to us.  You get the idea; everyone has done this at one point or another in their lives.  And we all know that we have to cut it out!

• The future.   Worrying about things we need to do later.  Worrying about what might happen, or a big event coming up.  Being anxious that things might go wrong, or that we might botch up.  Hoping for something wonderful.  Dreaming of great things to come.  Let’s be clear, here.  Setting, focusing and actualizing goals are good.  Whiling away the hours while ignoring the present is bad.

• The present.   What is happening right now, at this particular moment?  What we are doing now.

It is inevitable that we will think about all three.  We cannot stop ourselves from thinking about the past or the future.  However, with practice, we can focus on the present more than we already do.

In my next entry, I will continue on the topic of living in the now with the 10 major benefits of living in the present.

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It's the little things that count.

In our last entry we talked tips for being – truly being – in the present.  I personally love this topic and I today I would like to expand on living in the present.

Let’s start by saying this:  Being Present is to be You – the real You. The real you only exists in the present moment.   So, how do you know you are doing it right?   Picture how it feels when you just know that you are the right person in the right place at the right time.

• Your feelings are calm.
• Your reflexes are fast.
• Your wit is quick.
• You are decisive.
• You know what you want.
• You know what’s right for you.
• You perform your best – public speaking, sports, music, relating to people, whatever.
• Your confidence is deep and self esteem is high.

And you feel all of this while also being aware that you are you.  You know you’re not perfect.   Being in the present gives you the freedom to be real.  You accept you have weaknesses, just like everyone else on the planet.

Being present is the time frame you choose to focus on. There are only three possible time frames – past, present and future.  Once you become aware of the thoughts you are having and the content of those thoughts, you will notice which timeframe you are in at any given time.  You will begin to notice how often your thoughts and feelings are focused on the past or the future.  Being in the Present – Am I doin’ it right?

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If you have one eye on yesterday and one eye on tomorrow, you’re going to be cockeyed today.  ~Author Unknown

I know, I know.  This question might seem a little nonsensical.  Of course you are in the present, where else could you possibly be, right?  Well, the truth is, you could be in a million places, none of which are particularly important, without you consciously realizing it.

Being in the present

Think back to grade school.  In fact, think back to that exact moment when the teacher calls your name in the middle of her lecture.  You hear your name and suddenly everything in the room comes together to form a painfully uncomfortable moment.  You thought you had been paying attention, you had heard every word that she said…didn’t you?   Did she just ask you a question?  But you did not even hear it!  This is when you realize not only that you have not heard a word of her lecture, but your chair is hard and uncomfortable, the clock is ticking so loudly it might as well be a time bomb, and the sun is shining so brightly on the black board that you cannot make out what she has written.  It is in this moment that you have shifted from passively to actively being in the present.

Well, you think that after that uneasy situation you would have learned your lesson, right?  From that moment on you will have paid attention to everything that is happening in and around you, and you will continue to do so for as long as you shall live.  No more passive living for you!  But chances are, you are like most everyone else on this planet and this was only one of many uncomfortable moments when something or someone has jolted you from your passive state and into an active one.  Life goes on.

We are always getting ready to live but never living.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The fact of the matter is that actively living in the present is not easy.  Fortunately you can train yourself to make it easier.  Take moments throughout the day to truly realise who you are and what you are doing.  Start focusing on your breath, your posture, and your nerve endings.  Next, focus on your connection to your surroundings; the temperature, the breeze, the feel of your chair and the mouse or pen in your hand.  Finally, focus on the task at hand.  Be it writing a proposal, participating in a meeting, or simply listening as your spouse discusses their day. You might just be surprised at the results.  Seemingly mundane tasks may feel more rewarding, you might actually learn something from your significant other, and you might avoid getting caught not paying attention during a meeting.

How many benefits will you discover when truly being in the here and now?  How will living in the present affect your spiritual consciousness?  And the ultimate question, are you ready to actively live in the present?

Photo Courtesy of Mary R. Vogt (turtlehawk2002@yahoo.com.)

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Three Fast Tantric Stress Relief Techniques

Some people say that money is at the root of all evil.  I personally do not believe this.  I believe that stress is at the root of all evil.  Stress will sabotage your health, cause unhealthy relationships, and block you from enjoying physical pleasure and sexual release.

Stress will sabotage

This is why, as I promised in our last entry that discussed the power of subconscious, I am offering these three simple yet effective stress relief techniques.

Some people believe that all tantric techniques involve physical and/or sexual activities like sensual massage and multiple male orgasms.  This, however, is not always the case.  These following tantric exercises are internal and can be performed in a few minutes at home, at the office, or while waiting to pick your kids up from daycare. Tantric Exercise 1 is designed to help increase confidence and competence, Tantric Exercise 2 is designed to stimulate creativity and Tantric Exercise 3 is an energy exercise much favoured by the hottest Hollywood stars.  Of course, I do recommend all three of these tantric exercises as a precursor or in tandem with other tantric stress relief techniques that involve sensual massage, Goddess massage, and tantric multiple male orgasms.

Tantric Exercise 1:  Breathing and Affirmation

Consider this:  You are a genius. You have a human brain that is more powerful than any known computer.

Now stand up, walk around and get into the mindset and physiology of someone who is confident, creative, and quick-witted.  Notice how this confident person breathes, how they occupy their body and space, how they move with flair.

You are a genius, so move, breathe and act like one!  It’s easy for someone like you to generate ideas – you are an Ideas Person.

Tantric Exercise 2:   Tapping in to Your Subconscious

Try this:  Close your eyes. Shutting your eyes immediately transports you into the world of the subconscious – and you can tap into its extraordinary non-stop thinking power.

Associate closing your eyes with elevator doors closing – as soon as you close your eyes, you start going down into the depths of your subconscious and unconscious mind.  Here you can access million dollar ideas with absolute ease.

Allow yourself to relax, make the journey down and think about your challenge at a deep inner level.  Return only when you are ready, feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to fire up your ideas.

Tantric Exercise 3:   You Are a Star

Imagine this:  There is a golden circle of light directly in front of you – this is your spotlight – your place to shine!

Step inside that circle of light and feel the energy and confidence that it gives you.  Ask your Higher Self, God or the Supreme Intelligence of the Universe to fill you with energy, inspiration and ideas.

Imagine a little door or vortex opening at the crown of your head – your crown chakra – and then a beam of bright white light shining down from the universe and into the top of your head. This is an incredibly powerful beam of positive energy and information that should rock you to your shoes! Soak in the good feelings of being saturated by this loving positive helpful energy.

Close the crown chakra and step out of your golden circle only when you are ready.

I will offer more techniques, affirmations, and information about traditional tantric stress relief techniques such as the above mentioned sensual massage, Goddess massage, and tantric multiple male orgasms, so bookmark this blog or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Gibson photohome.co.uk

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