MISSIONS<\/a>\u00a0to help forge a gender equal world.\u00a0Celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality, is key.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nRealising our Potential <\/strong> At Women in Law International – and at Balanced Lives – a key objective is to realise our potential as an individual. This includes striving for excellence. To be able to strive for excellence as a women and to contribute towards such objectives and mission collectively and individually we should take time to consider who we are – our core character. We can then develop our individual strategy for self so that we can realise our true potential, especially in hectic and challenging times. To do this there are various key tips, some of which are referred to below:<\/p>\n\n\n\nReview, contemplate and meditate <\/li> Connect to others by listening more<\/li> Express oneself honestly <\/li> Face your own challenges and move on<\/li> Stretch yourself and do something difficult!<\/li> Set an example – teach by example <\/li> Forgive more easily- oneself and others<\/li> Keep a journal<\/li> Identity values and define limiting beliefs <\/li> Stand up for a cause <\/li> Understand body language <\/li> Love your mind and body<\/li> Flow with nature\u2019s cycles and interact with the moon and seasons <\/li> Practice gratitude <\/li> Smile<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nInner Peace <\/strong> Inner peace is vital to achieve one\u2019s potential in life, dealing with the challenges and making positive change as women. When considering strategies to maintain peace and harmony within – and when dealing with others – self review is most important. We should bear in mind that Feminine and masculine qualities exist in all of us. This recognition enables us to deal with others in a fair and balanced,manner. As Plato guides and perceives in the maxim referred to in several of his texts: \u201cKnow Thyself\u201d. Plato also indicated that understanding thyself would have a greater yield of understanding the nature of the human being – therefore others. Below is an interesting exercise to demonstrate where you find yourself according to the categories and approaches that emerge according to the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\nAgency<\/strong> Strives to achieve independence and succeed Dislikes failure \u201c I think, and I did” Interrupts, wants control Comfortable Excluding others Help and comraderie refused – \u201cno I\u2019m fine\u201d No hard feelings over winning or losing Problems fixed alone Likes to be brought solutions not problems Comfortable with hierarchy of job title\/position\/power even if they are not at the top Moves easily from leadership role to non leadership role or vice versa Enjoys challenge<\/p>\n\n\n\nCommunion<\/strong> Strives to create teams and avoid independence Dislikes isolation We approach – \u201cwe\u201d think and \u201cwe\u201d did Does not interrupt, listens, Uncomfortable excluding others Help and camaraderie accepted and offered Many hard feelings over winning or losing For problems invites others to work as a team Fine to bring problems without solutions Not as comfortable with the hierarchy of job\/title\/position\/power wherever they are in the pecking order Does not move easily from leadership to non leadership or vice versa. Enjoys consensus Such exercises can be useful as a means to deal with challenges in the best possible way one can – and to remain calm and balanced in the face of difficulties, whether anticipated or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTraditional Tools<\/strong> According to the Balanced Series published under the Purna Health Management System (PHMS) there are very helpful tools that can be supportive for life management as women: further information can be found in the publications at Adhyatmik Foundation www.Adhyatmik.orgMudras <\/strong> Mudras -hand gestures – are very powerful tools to support us and offer effective ways to achieve inner peace in ways that overcome the nervous habits seen so often. This is a vast subject and it is intended to provide only a few examples here<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u200bPadme (lotus).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nReceiving<\/strong>\u00a0(cupped hands). Then cover\/protect\/preserve\u00a0<\/strong>\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nKubara \u2013 mudra for wealth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo be fearless and to protect\u00a0<\/strong>\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nAchieving One<\/strong>\u2019s Potential: Balanced Resources and Traditional Approach <\/strong> The Sages and Seers have delved for centuries into the mystery of life and its meaning. Moreover the Vedas have provided perennial wisdom that can give direction in the quest for living a happy, healthy and meaningful life. This continues to ring true today as we witness the strife and unsettled circumstances that persist in many parts of the world. One of the main concerns, of course, relates to resources. What do we mean by resources? Who do they belong to? How do they relate to possessions? How do we find fairness and balance? How can we make our existence beneficial for others and not just ourselves? How can we find harmony and peace within and without? There is no doubt that for the inhabitants of this planet to have a sustainable time and future in accordance with traditional Vedic Tenets and Guidance we should review how we are dealing with our resources, individually and collectively, throughout our lives in the best way we can. We should find contentment and inner peace through practices, applying these to our day to day lives, dealings and activities so that a smooth framework for life manifests. Moreover in the context of the IWD theme Balanced resources are very important.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBalanced Resources across the Phases of Life: Self Empowerment<\/strong> In the Vedas,<\/em> there is a clear-cut direction and understanding of the structure of society and life. This is so helpful to understand as women in today\u2019s world. If one looks carefully at health systems, one will find no better system has developed since Vedic<\/em> times originating thousands of years ago. As explained in the PHMS, the Vedas<\/em> command: \u201cYou shall live one hundred or more\u201d \u2013 \u201cshatamjivet\u201d \u2013 <\/em>and first developed Ayurveda,<\/em> the science of life. We can define each stage in great detail scientifically according to the system, which requires extensive application and understanding. Moreover, in conjunction with the four stages of life, four objectives are set:<\/p>\n\n\n\nArtha:<\/em> resources or wealth;<\/li>Dharma:<\/em> duty, responsibility and obligation;<\/li>Kama:<\/em> fulfillment of positive ambitions and desires; and<\/li>Moksha:<\/em> liberation or enlightenment.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nTherefore, life is divided into four stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brahmacharya:<\/em> 25 years to build the body and mind and study;<\/li>Grihstha:<\/em> 25 years as a householder with accompanying duties and responsibilities;<\/li>Vanaprastha:<\/em> 25 years of semi-retirement and dedication to more scholarly and social work; and<\/li>Sanyasa:<\/em> 25 years of total spiritual life and dedication to spirituality.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nMantras for Cultivating Resources<\/strong> In order to achieve our potential according to the Vedic tradition Mantras are recognised as being extremely helpful to focus and achieve objectives in life. Mantras are powerful syllables that convey concentrated energy and vibration which modern science has confirmed to be extremely effective. Through repetition and sound one can create the positive vibration for one\u2019s life. In other words, the sound of the syllables themselves attracts the vibration of the meaning of the word. Mantras can also be used to remove blocks to resources or further cultivate resources. It has been established that one can repeat a mantra and focus on the energy it imparts to reveal a higher and fuller expression of available resources and bring greater wisdom and understanding to tasks and projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTraditional Wisdom and Concepts<\/strong> According to the Vedic tradition there are many ways to understand perennial challenges and solution through key concepts that are often explained in the tradition of divine or higher beings or deities. Many have become familiar to people who were not raised in this tradition and it is interesting that the women were often the holders of this tradition through different generations. For instance Ganesh, the remover of obstacles is a powerful symbol often used alone or in combination with other mantras to accentuate their power by removing resistance to the mantras. Like an elephant, Ganesh removes anything in its path.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOm Ganeshaya Namaha<\/em><\/strong> Meanwhile the principle of the Divine Mother, a concept representing many vital female qualities, is a very positive inspiration for self empowerment regardless of where we are and our individual background. While Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty is often called upon to help with matters around abundance, it would be a mistake to equate resources totally with the material. This energy helps with the manifestation of abundance, prosperity and sustainability in our lives regarding all resources. Cultivating further understanding of the abundance principle can help clear blocks to abundance, issues around deserving, or negative thoughts toward money which can create blocks. We can be our own obstacle to manifesting prosperity and sustainability in our lives. One can further their relationship with the Lakshmi principle by using sanskrit mantras to evoke that energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNarayana, Narayana, Narayana<\/em><\/strong> Devi Narayan Narayan Narayan Mata Narayan Narayan Narayan<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeditation<\/strong> In the modern world among the tools to create calm and clarity of thoughts meditation has been acknowledged as being very effective. Dr Purna has explained this in the context of a beautiful meditation – that includes mudra and Mantra – in connection with the Divine Mother Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu or Narayan as follows: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cNow we will invoke the Divine Mother in our heart so that we can attune and offer ourselves, starting with the mudra: fold both hands and open them as if you are receiving the energy onto your folded palms, joined together. Repeat the mantra to invoke the Divine Mother Goddess Lakshmi, who is ever an eternal companion of Narayan, the Ultimate Reality, Ultimate Supreme, who is the beginning, middle and end, the source of all creation, of all in the Universe. With hands joined together like a pot, ask for Grace, energy wisdom, prosperity and all good things which make life happier and much more wholesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visualize Lakshmi sitting on the white lotus. She is placed on a beautiful lotus, surrounded by the beautiful elephants and carrying a golden pot. The golden pot is spilling out all the prosperity and worldly goods, as well as the spiritual and divine wealth. The pot is the symbol of ever lasting wealth: wealth in all aspects, the mundane and the divine. In one hand She holds the pot, and in the other hand, wisdom or Divine Knowledge. Visualize Lakshmi, the Divine Mother on the beautiful lotus holding the golden pot, and continue this in your heart as you repeat the mantra, asking Lakshmi to grant you all prosperity, both material and spiritual, so that your life becomes the embodiment of knowledge and spiritual pursuit, so that you never worry, you never to need and you are full of prosperity, confidence, strength, energy, security forever, free from all anxiety and fear, pursuing the Path of Narayan. Repeat as many times as you wish:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lakshmi Mata Namo Mata<\/strong>Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu, Lakshmi Rupen Sansthita,<\/strong>Namastasya, Namastasya, Namastasya, Namo Nama.<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nConcluding Thoughts<\/strong> On the occasion of International Women\u2019s Day this year it is wonderful and thought provoking to consider how we – as women and individuals – can not only challenge but also create solutions to issues that affect the World. When we integrate our knowledge and understanding, and apply this in the way we live and be, we can make a positive contribution and difference through the achievement of greater inner peace and balance in who we are and what we do. Our good wishes for this special celebration of the gift of life as women. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This piece was originally published in: Intl Womens Day 2021 – Women in Law International Opening RemarksMost of us nowadays are trying constantly to juggle the priorities in life: career, work, family, and self-care. We believe that in order to be our best selves, we should \u201cget the most out of it\u201d, and be on top […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":844,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawblog.uclancyprus.ac.cy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}