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BHUMI'S NEWSLETTER ARTICLE,
ISSUE 2
by Harriet Bhumi Russell
CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATIONS: KNOW YOURSELF.
People learn and take in information in different ways. We speak
depending upon who we are addressing, what situation we are in
(environment, atmosphere), who’s within hearing range, and what the
subject matter is.
Unless you grew up in the same family (and even this is not a
given), you probably have a different communication style.
We are all unique. Remember and embrace our differences.
When I know myself, then I am able to better see these differences, and
therefore communicate and listen more effectively.
Here is an intercultural example of how to relate to people who
communicate differently. It is a look at what we call high context and
low context cultures. Have some fun noticing these different styles in
your own friends, family, and professional relationships, even within
your community.
Low Context cultures send unambiguous messages. You see
what you get, time is of the essence, they are more straightforward, and
have transaction oriented business meetings. The USA, Canada, Germany,
Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries are of this orientation. They
think that High Context countries do not respect deadlines. How about
your acquaintances?
Think about management in the USA. How fast can you do it, what’s the
profit margin, and hopefully, is it legal?
High Context cultures rely more on non verbal
communication, indirect verbal signals, and implicit meanings.
Developing trust is critical before any business can be done. China,
Japan, Korea, Spain, Greece, Turkey, the entire Arab world, Latin
American and Africa have this orientation. This a lot of places to write
off business from If you do not understand. They think that Low context
countries are too brash and impatient. How are you perceived?
High context is more foreign to us. It is not the average business style
in American culture. However, we use it a lot in personal relationships.
Ask yourself: How direct are you in your requests? Expressing your
needs? Do you use a different context in your business and personal
relationships?
Remember: Nothing is wrong or right. It is just a matter of getting to
know yourself.
Seeing yourself clearly, requires being objective. Objectivity best
happens when we are relaxed and accepting of reality. How objective are
you?
Some cultures are more defined in appropriateness. In Japanese, there
are 107 ways to say “you” but in Spanish and French there are only two
(formal and informal). In modern English, we use “you” for everyone
regardless of their position, age, sex, or socio-economic standing.
One way I have worked with communications is to access the body-mind
field. For example, when I feel stress, my mind is like a filter
distorting reality, and then doubts and little fears crop up. I
imagine that what’s not working and the way I respond to it
will “never” change and what I do want will be
compromised.
When I am relaxed and at peace with myself and the world around me, I
can “cross over” my mind into a place of being, totally present and “in
the moment”. I listen better and I communicate more clearly and
joyfully. Awareness brings relaxation. The practice of yoga is to look
within and to uncover the light within. When the body and mind are in
complete synergy, it brings out the spirit, the heart, the joy.
Know yourself. Which way do you communicate? Is this your preference?
How do you like others to communicate with you?
When I know myself, I am more open to others. When I am relaxed, I am
more attuned. This helps me to relate better to others who communicate
differently, honoring each other in our diversity.
I continue to learn how to bridge communication style differences. I
check in on myself: How am I feeling right now in my body-mind field? Am
I under stress, apprehensive, locked into a narrow frame of mind,
focused on only my needs and wants?
Respectful communications require open mindedness and an open heart. And
that begins within ourselves.
NEXT STEPS:
September 16-18 “The Yoga of
Relating: Cultivating Conscious Relationships" weekend workshop with Kamini Desai, PhD, author of Life
Lessons, Love Lessons . Look to your inner self and learn about your
relationships and how to love without losing yourself.
OTHER OFFERINGS:
1)
Bhumi’s Yoga Nidra Relaxation CD’s:
Just lie down and press “Play”! Explanation sheet with order. Learn to
relax more deeply and change imbedded habits by accessing deeper states
of consciousness.
2)
Intercultural Business Consulting, Coaching, Trainings: Explore more
with Harriet about diverse team communications and international
business protocol.
3)
Healthy Mind
Workplace Trainings:
“Lunch and
Learn” holistic health presentations and
LESStress corporate trainings at your company site.
4) Yoga Teacher
Training Certification:
First in the Ohio nationally recognized by the Yoga Alliance.
5)
One on One Coaching: Call 440-236-6366 to discuss your
needs and schedule.
6)
Reach out across the world:
Volunteer work with Kyrgyzstan.
Venture
From The Heart.
DID YOU MISS OUR LAST ARTICLE? See it
below.
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BHUMI'S NEWSLETTER ARTICLE,
ISSUE 1
by Harriet Bhumi Russell
YOGA NIDRA
Lie down and relax. This is what the novice to yoga
"sleep", called "yoga nidra" may think they are receiving…a
relaxation. The benefits of yoga nidra are so much more that they
can truly be termed "transformational", that is, you can change your
life patterns through this practice.
In today's newsletter, I am returning back to my "beginner's mind"
to let you know of the immediate benefits I felt when I first
started yoga nidra thirty years ago.
- I felt deeply relaxed physically. I felt a sense of
timelessness, not consciously aware of how much time had passed by
and also a freedom from space-boundaries as if I had melted into the
ground.
- I had an awareness of increased energy, yet a deep stillness, a
quiet mind.
- I understood the phrase "no where to go, nothing to do" because
I was experiencing that.
- I stopped reacting to my emotions and thoughts because I was so
relaxed. I began to "witness" and "watch" without defining,
analyzing or controlling my thoughts and emotions.
- I was able to see and notice what was there all the time. Unlike
when I am too active physically or mentally, I was slowed down
enough to see and feel more.
- I found in my daily active life I became more relaxed inside and
could make more conscious choices, overcoming the tendency to just
react.
Yoga Nidra provides a very deep relaxation in the
physical body and stills the mind. This allows the practitioner to
reach deeper levels in other areas of the body-mind connection to
heal chronic illness, resolve emotional trauma, change behavior
patterns, integrate life's ups and downs.
Question: What is the difference between Yoga Nidra
and normal nighttime sleep?
Short Answer: In sleep, you enter the delta brain
waves. In yoga nidra, you enter the alpha and theta brain waves.
This means your conscious mind is there but at the same time you can
access the subconscious mind, which is where change takes place.
By practicing yoga nidra, your practice becomes what yoga truly is:
a 5,000 year old science of personal growth and development. And it
all starts with self awareness.
So take a break. Lie down. Relax. And let guided yoga nidra change
your life!
Ways to experience Yoga Nidra and other
holistic health practices:
Join us at upcoming
workshops / retreats:
May 7 - Women's Retreat Day
June 2 & 3 - Sanskrit
Aug 19-21 - Retreat weekend: Yoga Nidra & Ayurveda with
Gurudev Amritji Desai and Dr. Vijay Jain
Sept 16-18 - The Yoga of Relationships with Kamini Desai
Check
out Bhumi's CDs:
Yoga Nidra One
Yoga Nidra Two
Yoga Nidra Three
Chakra Yoga
Yoga for Menstruation
Yoga for Menopause
Yoga Live!
Keep peace in your heart.
Harriet Bhumi Russell
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