Mar 302012

Mint Chutney Recipe

Recipes No Responses »
 

Here’s a recipe that we acquired on our recent spiritual and culinary adventure in South India. This Mint Chutney recipe was taught to us in the heart of Chettinad in Tamil Nadu state where they make some amazing food.

Ingredients required
Mint leaves – few sprigs
Shallots – 100gms
Garlic – 1 pod
Ginger – 1 inch
Coconut (grated) – half cup
Tamarind – Small quantity
Red chillies – 2 chillies
Salt – to taste
Oil – 1 table spoon

Preparation Method
1. Place a frying pan on the stove
2. Pour oil and heat
3. Add red chillies, finely chopped small onions, ginger, garlic and the remaining ingredients and mix well.
4. Then add the mint leaves and grated coconut
5. Remove the mixture after the coconut flavour disappears
6. Then grind the mixture in a grinder to make it a paste
7. Transfer the mixture to a bowl
8. Serve as a side dish…

We were so keen to eat this at the end that we forgot to take a photo of the final product….sorry!

Posted by Dandapani at 8:15 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Mar 242012

Sanskrit Chanting & Meditation Class in NYC

Meditation Workshops & Classes No Responses »
 

Our approach to meditation is simple and systematic. A clear understanding of what is involved is shared, a plan outlined and tools given to create or sustain a meditation practice. The rest is up to you for true progress with meditation lays solely on your consistent effort.

Whether you are a beginner or someone who has been meditating for a while you’ll find these classes very useful. The class will begin with some very basic Sanskrit chanting. This is followed by some interactive study aimed at providing a clear understanding of the journey within you are seeking to embark on. The class concludes with a simple, systematic guided meditation that takes you within yourself and brings you back out.

Do join me on this series of three classes. If you are keen to learn about meditation or strengthen your current practice, you’ll enjoy them. Students of all levels, including beginners, are welcome.

10th, 17th & 24th of April (Tuesdays)
at The Shala Yoga House
Click the link for more information and to register for these classes on meditation in NYC.

Posted by Dandapani at 6:44 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,
Mar 222012

Meditation Workshop on St.John

Meditation Workshops & Classes No Responses »
 

On Sunday, March 18th, we conducted two workshops in St. John (the US Virgin Islands) at the Westin Resort. The morning class was yoga and meditation and the afternoon class was on Spiritual Tools for a Balanced Life.

Angela Alfieri starts the workshop with an hour of asana practice

Thank you Angela for setting up these two workshops in St.John

Dandapani teaching meditation class

St. John is simply beautiful...

The gorgeous Trunk Bay on St. John

One of the local residents on St. John... a stingray followed closely by a fish

Posted by Dandapani at 9:38 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
Mar 182012

Meditation workshop in St. Thomas

Meditation Workshops & Classes No Responses »
 

We gathered on Saturday morning at Inspiration Hall at Paradise Cove on St. Thomas for our yoga and meditation workshop. Yoga (asana) class was led by Angela Alfieri for the 1st hour and then I led a 2-hour meditation workshop.

Here are some photos from our morning gathering.

Angela leads the asana class

Angela teaches a very reflective class with simple postures allowing students of all levels to follow along effortlessly.

Learning how to concentrate was one of the topics we focused on.

We also did a guided meditation.

Teaching people a simple and systematic method to draw their awareness inward and upward.

We pose for a group photo at the end of the workshop...

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Mar 132012

Meditation Workshops in St. John and St. Thomas, USVI

Meditation, Meditation Workshops & Classes No Responses »
 

Meditation Class in St. Thomas and St. John

This coming weekend I’ll be conducting a series of workshops in the US Virgin Islands. I would love for you to join me if you are on the islands. Below is the schedule of workshops plus links (click the workshop name) to further details on each of them.

St. Thomas
16 March, 7pm
Indian Cooking Class (Private Event)

St. Thomas
17 March, 9am to 1pm
Tools for Meditation Workshop

St. John
18 March, 9:30am to 12:30pm at the Westin Resort
Yoga and Meditation Workshop

St. John
18 March, 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Westin Resort
Spiritual Tools for a Balanced Life

St. Thomas
19 March, 7 to 8:30pm
Satsang at the Ananda Nilayam

Posted by Dandapani at 12:28 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,
Mar 102012

How do I concentrate better?

FAQs on Meditation No Responses »
 

The following question came in on email to me and below is my response.

How do I concentrate better – I manage a good quality 5 mins at most with minor drifting but then my mind wonders massively after this…?

The best way to learn how to concentrate better is to practice it more. We become good at what we practice. Know that the mind has no ability to discriminate between what practice is good for you and what is not good for you. If it did we’d all be excellent at concentration. The mind becomes good at whatever we practice. If we practice being distracted 10 hours a day then we become good at that. The same way, if a dancer wants to be part of the best ballet company then she would have to practice many hours a day. 

So, to be good at concentration you need to practice it more each day.

Hope this helps. In the next post I’ll give a few examples of practices that you can do.

If you have questions on meditation please feel free to reach out to me. You can do so by sending your questions to me on email at info(at)vedicodyssey.com.

Previous post on Concentration
Feb 25th: I can’t Concentrate

Posted by Dandapani at 6:15 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,
Mar 082012

Farewell Dinner on our Culinary Adventure

Spiritual Adventures No Responses »
 

After two nights in Kanadukathan in the heart of the Chettinad district in Tamil Nadu, we headed west to Madurai, ancient Tamil capital of the south for the last night of our culinary and spiritual adventure. The beautiful Heritage Madurai resort was home for the last night and finale dinner.

As is tradition on our trips, everyone gets dressed up for the last night. A sumptuous traditional Tamil thali dinner was on the menu, a perfect end to a wonderful culinary journey of South India.

culinary-tour-south-india-0159

A private dining room lit with traditional oil lamps was set aside for our group

Probably one of the best meals on the trip...

Posted by Markley at 11:47 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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