Coming to a close

Our Ganesh project will be complete on March 9th, so it's time to begin to think about how the project worked for you. In the next 3 days, I will be working to get a few more posts up, and if there is anything specific about Ganesh, and/or the Ganesh mantra that you would like to see or read about, let me know and I will do my best to find it and post it.

Ganesh Mantra for Removing Obstacles

Aum Vighna Nasanaya Namah
(Om Vig-nah Nah-sha-nah-yah Na-ma-ha)

This mantra invokes the Lord Ganesha to remove every impediment in your life and in your works. By constant meditation on this mantra, all obstacles and blocked energy in your physical and astral bodies are released.

And here is the "seed sound" for those moments when you cannot collect your thoughts and totally forget the mantra. It can also be used by those of you who prefer something short and sweet. It's just one syllable and sounds exactly how it looks.

Gum

Adopted by the Elephant God

If you are willing, and if you are wanting, the Lord Ganesha lifts you out of the fog of the materialistic conscious mind, establishing a connection and a relationship with you. This is a personal relationship with the Deity. There is nobody in between - just you and the God, Lord Ganesha....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, and can be found in its entirety here: Adopted by the Elephant God

The Symbolism of Ganesh Art

I found this really interesting, and a meditation in and of itself. Definitely food for thought. To view a larger (readable) version of the image, click on the picture.

108 names of ganesh

Chanting the 108 names of Lord Ganesha is part of the traditional daily worship called a Puja. It is called the Vighnesvarashtottara Satanamavalih or "garland of Ganesa's 108 names". The names are attributes of the Diety, each one delineating an aspect of His infinite and indescribable nature.

Each name is preceded by the mantra Aum (Om) and followed by namah (Namaha) meaning "obeisance, praise, adoration," or "homage" to.


1.
Aum Akhuratha NamahOne With Mouse As His Charioteer

Lord Ganesha, with a huge body, has a small mouse as his charioteer. The hugeness matters little when the study of life principles is considered. The soul may be the greatest or the smallest. This represents life in its totality and Lord Ganesha is suggestive of these cosmic aspects.

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: The 108 Names of Ganesh

About the Swastika Symbol

The swastika has been regarded as the symbol for good luck, protection and auspiciousness for over five thousand years in India. It is derived from 'SU-VASTI' and means "The essence of all goodness". For Hindus the swastika is a lucky cross associated with the good fortunes given by Lord Ganesha. It also represents the sun and the cycle of life.

This ancient benign symbol is used today by housewives to guard thresholds and doors, by priests to sanctify ceremonies and offerings and by businessmen to bless the opening pages of account books each New Year's day. No ceremony or sacrifice is considered complete without it, for it is believed to have the power to ward off misfortune and negative forces....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Sigils Symbols and Signs, and can be found in its entirety here: The Swastika

Singing to Ganesh

For those of you who can read and play music, here is a song to Ganesh. If you click on the image it will enlarge and you can then print it.

found inLoving Ganesa
by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Ganesh and Science

Tradition describes the entire universe as being contained in Lord Ganesha’s big belly. Thus we look upon Him as the overlord who holds sway over the material universe, the sum of cosmic mass. One of His potencies is gravity.

Gravity is a mysterious force to the scientist even today. It is the galactic glue that draws and holds larger mass together and gives order to the macrocosm. It is an instantaneous force, so that when one celestial body moves in a remote corner of a galaxy, all other masses through out the galaxy adjust simultaneously, even though it would take light, at its incredible speed, millions of years to travel the distance....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Ganesh and Science

Prayers to Ganesh

Prayers of supplication are requests, pleadings, or entreaties presented to the Diety in the spirit of personal surrender and loving devotion. Something specific is being asked for, a specific problem is being laid at the Lord's Holy Feet.

Such supplications to the one-tusked Lord are given unconditionally, with full trust that He will do what is best for us, though not necessarily what we might think is best...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Praying To Ganesh

Ganesh Prayers

Moments of Decision

Aum Sri Ganeshaya Namaha

Great Lord of Wisdom, here I stand with so many decisions to make, with so many ways to turn. I beg for your grace. Fill me with righteous judgment and clear discrimination as I lay all confusion at Your holy feet and immerse myself solely in You....

 ... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Prayers To Ganesh

When Prayers Don't Work

What does it mean when an obstacle is encountered despite our sincere supplication of Lord Ganesha?

It may mean that the time, the means, or the goal itself is not right for our karma and dharma. The architect presents his finished plans to the engineer. They are rejected for one technical reason or another. The executive presents a completed leter to the president. It is rejected as not being explicit enough in the third paragraph. The architect and the executive were equally sincere in presenting their work. The engineer and the president were performing their duty as well.

Lord Ganesha loves us. He is a loving God who guides, governs, and controls with speed and accuracy when the plan is perfect, deliberates long and rejects often when the plan needs revision.

Take the plan back into your mind. Search your own superconsciousness for the greater ideas, and revise your efforts with confidence. Seek for the right timing and proceed with confidence when you know the timing to be right.

"When the will rises and commands, even the Gods are willing to obey," or to give immediate cooperation, to guide, and enhance our efforts. We must work our minds in close cooperation with the mind of Lord Ganesha, and then success is certain. Thus, this God is called Bhaktavighnavinasana, He who destroys the obstacles of the devotees.

What is Grace?

"What about the grace of the Diety?" seekers ask. Grace is received from the God when you are consistent in your worship, consistent in your discipline, consistent in your bhakti, your devotion.

With such a foundation in your life, a great shakti, a force or power, will come from Lord Ganesha. This is grace. It is uplifting. It comes unexpectedly. When grace comes, your mind may change and your heart may melt. Your sight will become clear and penetrating. You may say. "I have been graced to see everything differently." New doors will begin to open for you, and as you go through them, your life will become more full, more wonderful. And the grace of it is that it would not have ordinarily happened to you....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: What Is Grace?

Fun with Ganesh

The Lord Who Is Hidden In All Things

Click on the image to enlarge it. You can then print it the image and enjoy a few moments of "connecting" with Ganesha.

And if you enjoyed that little exercise, here are three images you can enlarge, copy, print, and color. I find coloring to be great way to focus and meditate, while at the same time allowing the child in me to play....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: The Lord Who Is Hidden In All Things, and a bunch more images to color can be found here: Coloring Ganesh

Shri Ganesha Upanishad

Aum! Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one. Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy and auspicious. With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek the divine grace and accept the noble order of all our life.

I surrender to you, Lord Ganesha. You are the speaker. You are the listener. You are the giver. You are the sustainer. I am your disciple. Protect me from the front and back. Protect me from the north and the south, from above and below. Protect me from all directions....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Shri Ganesha Upanishad

A small poem

Victory to Ganesha,
who when dancing
makes a shower of stars
fall like a rain of flowers from the sky
by the movement of his trunk.

~Somadeva

...... This post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found here: A Small Poem

Other Ganesh Mantras

1. Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah. It means " praise to Lord Ganesha". This is the mantra of invocation, adoration and worship. It is repeated at the beginning of religious ceremonies and matra recitation to invoke Ganesha's blessings for the auspicious beginning of a task, project, change of life, community undertaking or simply to offer Him praise. This mantra is usually taught to children for their good education. It increases their memory power, and they become successful in their examinations. Of course, people of any age may use this mantra when taking courses in a school or university, and for success in attaining their degree.

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Other Ganesh Mantras

Hymn to Ganesha

Maha Ganesa Pancharatna Stotram

A Renowned Five-Jeweled Hymn by
Sri Adi Sankara (798-820)
Free-Flowing Translation by J. Sethuraman

I bow to Vinayaka
Who, with glee, holds a half-eaten modaka in His hand,
Who is the ever-present means of moksha
Who has the moon as an ear ornament,
Who protects all the worlds,
Who is the single leader for those who are lost without anybody to help them,
Who destroyed the elephant demon and
Who swiftly removes the blemishes of those who bow to Him....

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: A Hymn To Ganesha

Recipe for Modaka

The following recipe will make approximately 20 lime-sized modakas, a treat for the children, and a traditional offering in the temple. It takes about two hours to make them.

Ingredients and Utensils:
1 lb rice flour
2 cups jaggery (or 2 cups brown sugar with 4 tbsp dark molasses added)
2 cups raw sesame seeds
2 grated coconuts (optional)
2 cups melted ghee (melted butter will also work)
1 tsp salt
Banana leaf or waxed paper
A flour sifter or fine sieve
An iddli or vegetable steamer

Directions:

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Recipe For Modaka

Make a Papier Mache Ganesh

A simple method for a paper mache Ganesh
By Sri Sateesh N. Apte M.D.

The materials needed are:

- Paper mache
- Latex or other water-based paint in a variety of colors
- Gold-leaf or metallic gold paint
- Paint brushes
- Sand paper
- Putty or joint compound
- Miscellaneous ornaments and cloth for dressing the image
- Replicas of the various implements he will be holding

Instructions:

- Mix paper mache to a firm but homogeneously wet consistency....

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Making A Papier Mache Ganesh

Making a shrine for Ganesh

Creating a home shrine is not difficult. The altar should be close to the floor if you plan to use it for puja and/or meditation. However when there are small children in the home it is often best to have it higher and out of reach.

For a Ganesha shrine, an image, or murti, of Lord Ganesha is placed at the center of the altar. A metal or stone image is best, but if not available there are two traditional alternatives:

1. A framed picture, preferably with a sheet of copper on the back....

 ... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Making A Shrine For Ganesh

Our Way Cool Guestbook

How Ganesh came into being.

The legend behind the birth of Ganesha is as follows:

It is said that Goddess Parvati, before taking an elaborate bath, wanted someone to stand guard at the door. Not finding anyone, she created the idol of a child from the sandalwood paste that she had applied on herself, and breathed life into it....


... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: How Ganesh Came Into Being

Ganesh Slide Show

Here is a slide show that you can use for your Ganesh Meditation. As our we work our project this month, I will be adding images as I find them. Currently there are 141. Enjoy!

Aum Vighna Nashanaya Namah

I'm sorry, the website that hosted this slide show and helped me create it no longer exists. Also, I have moved this project to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com. I didn't make a slide show, but there is a gallery of Ganesh Images, which can be found here:The Ganesh Gallery

How to meditate

Unstructured meditation practice: For the purpose of this project, we are recommending the "unstructured" meditation practice. In the "unstructured" meditation practice, we simply substitute the mantra for our normal mental chatter....

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: How To Meditate

Who is Ganesh?

Ganesha is India’s cutest god. He has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara, four pudgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks – his favourite sweet). His appetite for sweets is legendary and offerings of them are often left at his shrine...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Who Is Ganesh? 

Removing obstacles using the Ganesh Mantra

Do you have problems in your life? Have you been encountering obstacles, trials, tribulations? Are you at the beginning of a business venture, working on a book, taking classes, or planning a trip? Do you need a little extra help from unexpected sources? If the answer to any one of these questions is "yes", then you might want to consider joining us this month....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Removing Obstacles Using the Ganesh Mantra

Wrapping things up

Well, today is our last day of Feng Shui and De-cluttering, so it's time to wrap things up and assess the effects this project had on our prosperity and our lives. So here is a questionaire to help bring things into focus:

• Did you do the de-cluttering projects?
• How well did they work for you?
• Which one was your favorite?
• What did you like most about the de-cluttering?
• What did you like least?
• How do you feel that the de-cluttering process impacted your life?
• Are you going to participate in the 200 things idea?
• Did you do any of the feng shui cures
• Did they achieve the desired effect?
• What happened?
• What, if anything, did you learn about yourself?
• Are you going to continue to use the principles of feng shui?

Overall, would you rate this months as a "success" with regard to being a path to prosperity?

Here is a picture
of the world's largest wind chimes.
Cool huh?

Feng shui for your car

Here are a few hints, tips, and cures, to help create good feng shui for your car:

Car seats should be taller at the back and have a supportive influence on either side. Cars which slope away to the back, and those which open at the back can leave us feeling insecure. Cars with reclining seats, such as expensive sports models, suggest vulnerability behind.

The rear lights act as our "Tortoise" warning those behind to brake. It is therefore essential to ensure they are clean and in working order, and that spent bulbs are replaced immediately.

Stickers on the rear window can strengthen the "Tortoise" or rear position, particularly those which say "Please Keep Your Distance" or "Baby on Board" and other polite, warning signs. Jokes and stickers which are difficult to read have the opposite effect in that they encourage the car behind to come closer. Stickers should not obstruct the window.

Any ornaments that act as a distraction behind should be avoided. Moving objects, like hanging ornaments can create instability and affect concentration. Do not allow loose items to collect in the back of the car.

Talismans for the car can include a St Christopher symbol or icon as he is the patron saint of travellers. Other cultures have their own protection symbols. License plates containing the number 88 are considered especially auspicious and means "double happiness".

Fresh air is necessary in cars, in order to link the occupants with the world outside and to cleanse the air within the confined space. If the air is not fresh, the driver can become tired and lose concentration. To freshen the air we can introduce natural oils, which also affect our moods. Rosemary, neroli, and lemon oils are helpful for calming anger and promoting clear thinking.

Vision is important in the car and a clean screen and headlights enable us to see and be seen clearly on a foggy day and at night.

If we regard the car engine in the same way that we do our bodies, then we can appreciate that for the car to be healthy and function well, it's tubes have to be unblocked and its components well maintained. Regular servicing is therefore important.

from The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui

by Gill Hale

Here is a 1986 BMW Art car.. cool huh?

Car bagua

Flower power for your car:

Cut a six-inch bagua shape in each of the eight outside bagua colors and cut a nine-inch circle in yellow for the center. Arrange them in the proper order and tape them together. The final configuration should look like a colorful daisy with a yellow center and different colored petals. Place this daisy under the mat of the car. The black petal of the daisy should be closest to the rear trunk, and red (Fame) toward the engine. Place this bagua under the driver's seat, or under the mat that covers the floor board.

Simply having a daisy (any size) somewhere on you (or in your brief case, shoe, or underwear) will assist you while on the road. Since this daisy is a complete bagua representation, it's hard to think of any place that would be inappropriate.

From Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life
by Karen Rauch Carter

Your car is your friend

Many people spend hours at a time in their cars which become like mini-homes. Like our homes, they become a reflection and extension of ourselves. Negative chi in cars has the power to create lasting damage and destruction to their owners and to others.

Some people talk to their cars, others give them names and personalize them. In some parts of the world they are blessed. Negative energy breeds negative response, so we should aim to build up a caring relationship with our cars.

For our de-clutter activity today, go out to your car and take a good long look. Does the outside look good and is the inside a mess? Does it look like it belongs to a bag lady? Or maybe it looks like it just came back from a mud wrestling contest. This car is your best friend. If your best friend arrived at your house, looking like that, what would you do?

So now you know what needs to be done, don't put it off for another minute. Just do it.

The Feng Shui Cover Your Butt Cure

The “cover-your-butt” cure

You can bring balance to your home in any gua by using each of the elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

For example, a wrought iron (metal) table with a glass (water) top, holding a plant (earth), a wooden (wood) picture frame, and a candle (fire).

You can use this cure in any section of your house, especially if you have a feng shui situation that you can’t figure out. Each of the five elements is equally represented as a cure in this way.

Declutter - Let's go for it!

Ok you guys, we are almost done with our 3o days of de cluttering. How about let's move the rest of it on out.

Here's a great idea I found at sketchblogs. The idea is to slowly but surely remove 200 things from your house. Either throw them away, or give them away, or put them up for sale on eBay or in a garage sale. As you do this, the idea is to keep track with a list so that you know just how many more things still need to go. I think it would be really fun if we keep track of our list by posting right here on this specific post. I'll make a link for us, and put it somewhere easy to see and remember. As the year progresses, we can keep track of how well we are doing.

Another idea I found somewhere was a kind of "out with the old and in with the new". The concept being that before you can bring something new into the house, room must be made for it by releasing 2 or 3 items that you no longer need. In this way, you are not sabotaging your own efforts at a clutter free home.

Another cool place to visit for good information is Zen Habits. There were some great ideas on de-cluttering there, and I urge you all to go and visit. He also has a nice little list of links as well, all on the subject of de-cluttering.