Baisakhi 2017 Attracts Thousands

The Sikh community of California came together to celebrate Baisakhi, April 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with over 15,000 people attending the grand festivities.

In Sikh tradition, it’s a time of renewal and rekindling of spirit. The celebration commemorates the day in Punjab in 1699 when the unique form and discipline associated with the Sikh way of life was codified by its leader, Guru Gobind Singh. It also syncs with the festival of spring gathering, birth of Khalsa and the Sikh New Year.

The event, which was open to the public, began before sunrise at 4 a.m. at Guru Ram Das Ashram with Asa di Var (devotional morning music, chants, prayers) leading to 7 a.m. as the sunrise morning unfolds with a motorcade procession which ushered the Sri Guru Granth Sahib to the Los Angeles Convention Center. Gatka martial arts performers danced with their swords while the sounds of tablas and conches echoed throughout the halls of the Concention Center as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was carried overhead and set in the elegantly decorated Gurdwara Hall that anchored the celebration festivities.

Gatka martial arts performers danced and flashed their swords while the sounds of conches and drums echoed through the halls of the convention center as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was carried overhead and set in the beautifully decorated serene Gurdwara Hall that anchored the festivities.

Kirtan (spiritual music) program continued till the afternoon featuring performances from some of the most inspiring Ragi Kirtan Jathas (musical groups) from around the world. Ragi Jathas and children’s Jathas from Southern California Sikh gurdwaras were also represented, and lectures and speeches were heard from renowned guests.

The busy Baisakhi Bazaar had goods for sale. Clothing was the most popular item, decorative clothing boutiques. Other booths featured decorative items, healing modalities such as Sat Nam Rasayan, essential oils, ramalas, and paintings for the home, devotional items, jewelry, books, CDs, as well as insurance and dental service products.

The langar hall served a hot vegetarian meal. With several serving lines, the large crowd moved efficiently and last minute food preparations outside made it look easy to keep up with the huge demand.

The celebration concluded with a colorful Nagar Kirtan mile and a quarter parade through the heart of downtown Los Angeles from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Floats created by local gurdwaras highlighted Sikh themes, values, lifestyles.

Thousands of visitors have been attending the festival for decades as part of an annual Los Angeles tradition shared with friends and family.

We were happy to be a part of it. love, #krishna

The Hidden Magic in Joshua Tree

Deep in the desert, searching for enlightenment at a spot that’s filled with Joshua trees. This area, we love its name, monzogranite rock formations and the triad of cholla, cactus and prickly pear that prick my legs, it feels like acupuncture.

Joshua Tree National Park, we have become so amazed of these wondrous surroundings, also appreciating the floral delights.

In this particular portion of southeastern California Joshua Tree became a national park in 1994, and that is named for the yucca trees native to the park. It’ll tell you that Joshua Tree’s grow quickly and that you could eat the buds. But here’s what I’ll tell you: the name ‘Joshua’ was decided on by Mormons who thought that the tree’s natural form mimicked that of Joshua praying to the sky in an episode of the Bible, and that the sun sets on the rocks just right and that you can get great tacos in the small town right before you drive in. I’ll tell you that there’s a candy store in town and that you can freely camp and cook and wake up to snow in the desert. We can tell you this, because it’s real: the hidden gem of Joshua Tree is something you have to experience to believe.

love, #krishna

Three Reasons Why To Attend The Sat Nam Festival

Here are 3 Top reasons why we are looking forward to attending the Sat Nam Fest:

1) MUSIC: World renowned musicians such as Snatam Kaur, Mirabai Ceiba, Simrit, Ajeet Kaur, Aykanna, and Jai-Jagadeesh all encompass the healing power of the sound current Naam. They perform passionate concerts that uplift and inspire.

2) LIKE-MINDED SOULS: The Kundalini community is one of the strongest yoga communities in the world; practitioners deeply connect with each other through yoga practices, sadhana, and seva (selfless service). During the festival chanting the mantras and practicing the kriyas together, personal individual efforts are amplified to create a beautiful and powerful healing group energy.

3) YOGA: Sat Nam Fest West expects to see more than 1,000 people this year. With 3 stages, there will be opportunity for everyone to jump into the vortex. You’ll see a lot of people wearing white, but there’s no dress code. Wearing white is a part of the technology of Kundalini yoga. It boosts your aura and helps you feel radiant. Spirit Voyage suggests bringing something to cover your head during meditation, but it’s not required. It’s best to wear what brings you joy and elevates you!

Gurdwara, you will need to cover your head as a part of the tradition. Covering the head helps to raise the Kundalini energy up the spine, makes meditation more effective, keeps you grounded when you’re doing a TON of powerful pranayama and chanting, it makes many of us feel great! Kundalini yoga can be done by beginners and yogis at any level. There are often things that a beginner won’t be able to do…but you just do the best you can. If you can’t get into a pose, don’t worry… just do your best. Kundalini yoga is very non-competitive and is just about your personal, private experience. You definitely will be able to enjoy the yoga in Ramdesh’s relaxation workshop with Ashana. She’ll be doing lots of gentle movement and lie-flat-on-your-back relaxing gentleness. But most of all jump in and have fun no matter which class you opt for!

Amla Oil: Miracle Oil

Amla, known as miracle oil since ages and for its goodness in terms of hair growth. Amla or aka Indian gooseberries is a fruit that has been used in many recipes and known to be effective for hair loss treatment, scalp related issues, and promotes hair growth, massaging the scalp is a way to increase blood circulation and massaging the hair with amla oil does that more effectively. Apart from that amla oil helps in opening up the pores allowing the scalp to produce natural oils. You can learn how to give yourself a scalp massage.

Do you wonder how it’s made? Amla Oil, is made traditionally by immersing amla fruit in oil. Coconut oil, sesame oil or mineral oil. After soaking for few days, experience the oil, after removing the fruit and purifying the oil.

How to make amla oil with amla powder?
You will need:

2 teaspoons amla powder.

5 tablespoons coconut oil (or any other oils you wish)

Combine amla powder and coconut oil in a stainless-steel pan. Place the pan on the lowest heat setting and occasionally keep stirring. When it starts to bubble, cook for another minute, then turn off the heat, cover the pan, and then when ready you can strain it into an amla bottle of your choice and apply.

It makes a good hair potion! love, #krishna

Affirmation of The Day

I am in Harmony with Life! Come visit us on Instagram & Facebook @intuitivemagazine @intuitiveaffirmations and follow us on twitter and pinterest @intuitivemag #love, #krishna

Cooling Coconut

‪Coconut oil- it’s been called “the healthiest oil on earth,” it has been used for centuries in Ayurveda because of its healing properties and positive effects on the body and mind. ‬#coconutoil #krishna

Kundalini Memory Seed Atom

As we walk on life’s path, gradually beginning to integrate your own new Divine Blueprint, via the Kundalini Memory Seed Atom, which has been stored within your Root Chakra throughout your many human lifetimes.

As your radiance expands and grows more powerful and far-reaching, you, along with other Light Workers, will become a unified force that will not be denied and is a force for transformation and change of the highest order.

Be you and bold in your vision. See what is right in your world, reinforcing the Love/Light that dwells within each and every person you meet.

The Medicinal Szechuan Peppercorns

Szechuan pepper called Chinese flower pepper is unique with spicy and hot taste. Szechuan peppercorns are one of the most used spices in Sichuan dishes. As one of the famous Chinese Five Spice, it is commonly used in the preparation of the sauce, marinating food, and stewing while adding enjoyable flavor.

In the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this slightly spicy, warm herb is often used to stimulate the taste buds to take more food, warm the body, get rid of cold and dampness, and protect the stomach. The peppers bring so much advantages to human health.

#krishna