I am pleased to announce the next pranayama/meditation intensive:

12-day Pranayama/Meditation Intensive

Come and join me for this life-transforming experience where you will learn two of the most important aspects of a complete, integrated yoga practice – pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. In this program I will introduce you to many of the breathing techniques that are mentioned in our ancient yogic texts. I will also introduce the concepts and techniques of meditation. No prior pranayama or meditation experience is required.

• When: Wednesday, April 25- Sunday, May 6, 2012
• Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM
• Location: Kalasrishti, 3000 Bearcat Way, Suite 112, Morrisville, NC 27560
• Daily Routine: Light stretching (10-15 minutes), Pranayama (30 min), Relaxation (10 min), Yoga philosophy (15 min), Meditation (20 min).
• Commitment: A firm commitment to follow this schedule and attend every day
• Fee: $75

Strongly recommended

• Light,’sattvic’, nutritious, VEGETARIAN food
• No alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other item of similar nature
• A personal commitment to continue the practice after the program is over

Please visit here for more details…

This program is a part of the ongoing series of similar programs that I have offered for over two years. The motivation to continue these programs comes from the very positive and encouraging response and feedback that I have received from those who participated in the previous sessions.

In the pranayama and meditation intensive, I introduce the students to various breathing techniques that are given in the traditional yoga texts.

Since breathing is something that happens autonomously, we take it for granted. It happens while we are awake and it happens while we are sleeping. Have you ever noticed how your breathing pattern changes when you are angry, agitated or mentally disturbed? In anger, the breathing is shallow, quick, uneven and heavy. When we are calm and peaceful, the breathing is gentle, even and smooth. When we cry or are sad, we have a sobbing breath. The change in breathing happens without any conscious effort, simply based on the emotional state.  So, the question is whether the reverse can also be true. That is, can we control the emotional state of our mind through breath control? According to yoga the answer is a whopping "YES"!

Modern medicine can cure us of many physical ailments – common cold to complex organ replacements. However, no simple treatments are available when it comes to dealing with tough emotional issues. For example, there is no pill that can cure us of strong negative emotions like anger, hatred, jealousy, greed and so on. This is where the power of yogic practices like pranayama and meditation have been emphasized in the traditional yoga literature. These practices provide benefits at all levels – physical, physiological, mental, emotional, intellectual and even spiritual. Regular practice is known to bring about a total transformation – toward  a feeling of well-being at all levels.

Come and join me for this exciting 12-day intensive and learn these powerful pranayama and meditation techniques which have the potential to transform your life in a very positive way.

If you would like to get more information or would like to register, please contact me.

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Trataka (त्राटक) is one of the six cleansing techniques mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the classical text on the practices of Hatha Yoga. The six techniques are: Neti (nasal cleansing), Basti (yogic enema), Dhauti (digestive tract and intestinal cleansing), Kapalabhati (breathing technique involving forced, short bursts of exhalation), Nauli (abdominal churning) and Trataka (eye cleansing and concentration).

Trataka defined

In an effort to find the origin or the derivation of the word ‘trataka’ I tried looking it up in the dictionary. Surprisingly, however, when I checked Apte’s dictionary I couldn’t find the word there. In Monier-Williams also it just states that it is a yoga technique for cleansing the eyes – nothing about its meaning or how the word is derived. In his commentary on the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swami Muktibodhananda simply states that Trataka means to gaze steadily at an object.

In shloka 2.31 of Hatha Yoga Pradipika Trataka is defined as "looking intently with an unwavering gaze at a small point until the eyes begin to tear, is called Trataka by the great teachers".

Trataka can be either internal or external; that is the object that is gazed upon can be an internal object (for example the third eye) or an external one (for example the flame of a candle). In general, however, the most commonly practiced form of Trataka involves gazing at a candle flame. That is the technique that I will be describing in this article.

Trataka technique

• Light a candle and place it on a small table around 3 to 4 feet in front of you.
• Sit in a comfortable posture with the spine upright and the arms and shoulders relaxed. You can assume any meditative posture which you can maintain without any movement for the duration of the Trataka practice.
• Make sure that the flame is at the level of your eyes. Also, make sure that you are facing the candle directly without having to turn the neck even slightly.
• It is important that the flame remains steady during the concentration routine. So, make sure that there no breeze around of any kind to disturb the flame. If needed, turn off any fans or air conditioner in the room.
• Take a few deep breaths to relax. Close the eyes and watch your breath as you inhale and exhale for about five to seven breaths. This will allow the breath to settle down and bring you into the present moment.
• Now, gaze at the flame intently and keep your gaze on it without getting distracted towards outer disturbances and thoughts.
• Keep your vision focused and steady on the flame without blinking, for as long as it is comfortable to you. Try to avoid any kind of body movement during the entire practice.
• Keep your gaze anchored on some part of the flame, rather than the candle or wick. If thoughts come up in the mind, just become aware of them and then ignore them. Try to maintain your awareness and focus on the flame. 
• Continue to gaze at the flame until you cannot keep your eyes open and tears start flowing. Once this happens, close your eyes.
• When you close the eyes, you may be able to visualize an after-image of the flame with closed eyes. Try to bring this image at the point between the eyebrows at the center of the forehead (the third eye location).
• The depth and level of your concentration will determine how clear the after-image is. If you cannot visualize the after-image of the flame with closed eyes, or it wavers constantly or looses clarity, then re-apply your concentration to restore the position of the after-image.
• When the image begins to fade out completely, bring your awareness back to your breathing and begin to watch the flow of breath at the tip of the nose for about 7 to 8 breaths.
• You can open your eyes at this point and repeat the full gazing routine as given above one more time.

In the beginning you may feel that the eyes begin to water after only a few minutes. However, with practice, your eyes will be able to continue the gaze for longer periods and you can practice Trataka for up to twenty minutes or so.

Benefits of Trataka

Shloka 2.32 of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika states "Trataka eradicates all eye diseases, fatigue and sloth and closes the doorway to these problems". Some of the benefits associated with Trataka are:

• Improves eyesight and vision.
• Improves concentration, intelligence and memory.
• Excellent method as preparation for mantra meditation.
• Enhances self-confidence, patience and willpower.
• Develops greater work efficiency and productivity.
• Calms the mind and provides inner peace and silence.
• Brings greater clarity in mind and improves decision-making ability.
• Helps to overcome mental, behavioral and emotional ailments.
• Provides stress relief and deep relaxation.
• Deepens the sleep and cures sleep related disorders such as headache, insomnia, nightmares, etc.
• According to Gherand Samhita (shloka 5.54), Trataka promotes clairvoyance or perception of subtle manifestations.

Tips for Trataka Concentration

• Trataka is best practiced on an empty stomach during early-morning hours or late evening hours just before going to bed. If you practice it during the daytime, make sure that the room is dark so that focusing on the flame is easier.
• Try getting a decent sized flame by adjusting the size of the wick. It will help in achieving a better after-image of the flame and it will be easier to visualize it with improved concentration.
• Do not strain your eyes while gazing on the flame. The eyes adjust naturally in due course of time and it becomes easier to concentrate and gaze on the flame for longer periods of time.
• As I mentioned earlier, because Trataka develops deep focus and concentration, it is used as a very effective pre-meditation stage. At the end of the Trataka routine, you may continue with your own mantra meditation.

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The next 21-day yoga challenge is scheduled for March 5-25, 2012. Join me for this exciting yoga journey that will bring about a positive transformation in your life. Whether you are brand new to yoga or are a seasoned practitioner, this program will bring the discipline in your life that you can sustain for the rest of your life.

Here are the particulars for the July session:

• When: Monday, March 5- Sunday, March 25, 2012
• Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
• Where: Kalasrishti – 3000 Bearcat Way, Suite 112, Morrisville, NC 27513 (off Aviation Parkway – the studio is located on the back side of the last building in the complex)
• Commitment:
  • A firm commitment to complete the program without missing a day (except in an emergency).
  • At the end of the program, continue the same practice at home for another 21 days to make it a life-long habit
• Cost: $125

You may like to visit the testimonials page on my website to see what some of the previous participants have to say about this program.

Please contact me if you would like to participate.

Get all the details here…

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It was almost a year ago when I decided that I should attempt the full ‘colon cleansing’ technique called "shankhaprakshalana" (SP). I heard about this technique almost fifteen years ago when I was trying to find a yogic way to help me with my constipation problem.

When I look back, I recall that I had been dealing with constipation right from my school days. In those days I used to drink one or two cups of tea first thing in the morning to help me with bowel movement. Sometimes even after two cups of tea I would have to wait about a half hour before the tea would have its effect.

 Laghu Shankhaprakshalana (short version of colon cleanse)

It was in the mid to late nineties that I learned about the "laghu shankhaprakshalana" (LSP) technique. The word "laghu" means short or abbreviated; so LSP is a much shorter version of the full SP technique. Around 1997 I tried LSP and it seemed to give excellent results. I gave up on my morning tea and started the LSP practice each morning. Within a few days I started feeling much lighter and more energetic since now my stomach felt very clean and I developed a much healthier appetite. Since then I have continued the practice of LSP every morning.

So, what is Laghu Shankhaprakshalana (short version of colon cleanse)? I found details about the technique in a book from the Bihar School of Yoga. incidentally, I am really fond of books from BSY; they have books on almost every aspect of yoga and they are all extremely well written. Essentially, LSP involves drinking four to five glasses of lukewarm, saline water, first thing in the morning. After drinking water, you are supposed to do a sequence of five postures, each eight times. Within a short time, this routine helps in bowel movement. As I mentioned, I have been practicing the LSP routine on a daily basis for nearly fifteen years. Even though the text strongly recommends using salt water, I have been using plain, unsalted water since I am on medication for high blood pressure and I feel using salt water can do some harm to my BP situation.

Shankhaprakshalan (Deep Colon cleanse)

Now coming to my experience of the full SP (full colon cleanse) routine. The word Shankhaprakshalana is a composite of two words – shankha meaning "conch" and prakshalana meaning to wash completely. The word shankha is used to represent the stomach which is roughly the shape of a conch. In practice, however, shankha represents the entire alimentary canal from mouth to anus. This practice is also known as "varisar dhouti", dhouti being one of the six cleansing routines mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Shankhaprakshalana is the process to cleanse the intestinal tract by removing the impurities with lukewarm, saline water.

As I mentioned above, I started thinking about it almost a year ago. However, given that the whole procedure takes 3 to 4 hours and then the whole day you can’t do any physical activity, I kept postponing it until I could find that ‘perfect’ day that I could devote just to this activity. So, it was Friday two weeks ago when I had no planned commitment that I finally decided to try it out. Please write to me if you would like to get the full details of the procedure. Here is a brief summary of the procedure:

• Eat a very light, sattvic dinner the previous night.
• Prepare a large amount of lukewarm water, adding about two teaspoons of salt per gallon of water.
• Start the practice early morning, around 6 to 7 AM.
• Drink two glasses of the prepared water quickly and perform the prescribed five asanas (stretching poses), repeating each asana eight times.
• Go to the toilet and try to empty the bowels. If no movement happens, don’t worry, just come out and repeat the process of drinking two glasses of water followed by the five asanas, as mentioned above. Once again go sit on the toilet for bowel movement.
• After a few rounds of this procedure, you will notice that only liquid begins to come out. Initially the liquid is brownish in color but gradually it begins to get clearer.
• The procedure is supposed to be completed when perfectly clear water, similar to what you drank, comes out.
• After completing the procedure, rest for about 50 minutes to an hour. Avoid sleep during this time.
• After the rest period, eat a nice helping of ‘khichari’ a cooked preparation consisting of rice and lentils.
• During the day, you are supposed to eat nothing but another helping of khichari toward the evening.
• For the next full week, maintain a very light, sattvic diet. Avoid milk, yogurt or any other dairy product, any citric juices etc or anything too heavy to digest.

My Own Experience

In order to prepare for the colon cleanse, I had to take a very light dinner the previous night. On that Friday morning, I started the procedure at 5 AM. I started with drinking two glasses of lukewarm saline water and did the full set of the prescribed stretches. At that time I had the regular bowel movement.

I repeated this sequence 3 or 4 times and the results were quick and I was pleased with the cleansing that was happening. In each round the stool was getting softer and after about 10 glasses I started getting the liquid stuff out. However, after about 12 glasses, the bowel movement was not very quick and I had to wait several minutes for results.

After each repetition of the routine, I kept getting brownish colored liquid out. After about 18 glasses, I started feeling a little bloated and the output reduced significantly compared to the intake of water. I was a little disappointed at the end as I did not see "clear" water coming out as mentioned in the book. At the end of almost four hours, I had consumed about 22-24 glasses of water but it seemed as if the last 5 or 6 glasses were still in my stomach. Despite waiting for several minutes, no more water would come out. This is when I declared to myself that the procedure was over and it was time for the prescribed 45-50 minutes of rest.

I have to admit that by the end of it all, I was totally exhausted, physically and mentally. Even though in the beginning the exercises don’t seem too demanding, but when you have to do 8 rounds of each exercise and do the whole routine 22-24 times, it really takes a toll on your energy resources. All I wanted to do at that point in time was to just crash into my bed. Since falling asleep is prohibited as a part of the instructions, I had to make extra effort to stay awake for fifty minutes.

At the end of the rest period, I had the prescribed "khichadi" (a preparation of rice and lentils cooked in ghee or clarified butter). The rest of day I just completely rested, mostly in bed. For the first few hours I didn’t seem to have the energy or the desire to even read anything while in bed. It was later in the afternoon when I started reading a book and also listened to some music.

Because I had consumed much more water than what came out in the morning, the excess water came out through very frequent urination throughout the day. In the evening, for dinner I once again had a bowl of khichadi. As per the instructions, one is supposed to eat nothing but khichadi on the day of the procedure. For the next seven days, one is supposed to avoid all dairy products, fruit juices and anything  that can be considered acidic. Given that I am very fond of milk and yogurt it was quite a challenge for me to stay away from dairy for a whole week.

Now, coming to the best part of the experience. Yes, the overall feeling the next day was pretty amazing. It was a feeling of being light, clean and full of energy. Because I had spent so much time and energy into the cleansing routine, psychologically I did not feel like putting any more "garbage" into my system. In order to maintain that feeling of lightness I was very careful in eating only light and ‘sattvic" food for the next several days. Of course, now I am back to my usual routine diet which includes milk and yogurt.

In the book it is strongly recommended that one should practice shankhaprakshalana under the guidance of a teacher. If you would like to go through this experience, I will be glad to help you with it.

If you have any experience with shankhaprakshalana, I would love to hear about it. I would welcome your comments and feedback.

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Here are two more recipes for dishes that we enjoyed at the potluck breakfast at the end of the last 21-day yoga challenge.

1. Granola Crumble
2. Quinoa Pulao

Granola Crumble

(contributed by Prakash Bhave)

Ingredients

• 1 stick of melted butter
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup pecans (break into small pieces)
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

• mix and spread on to a pizza pan
• bake at 325C for ~30 minutes until it turns dark brown

Quinoa Pulao

(Contributed by Manju and Subhash Mittal)

I was introduced to quinoa about a year ago at one of these potluck breakfast sessions. On doing some online search, I found that quinoa is a very healthy substitute for rice or even wheat. Quinoa is gluten-free and is highly rich in protein. You can make almost any recipe with it that you can make with rice. So, here is one for "quinoa pulao" which is similar to "rice pulao". It has a nice grainy taste. Hope you’ll enjoy this recipe.

Ingredients 

• 3/4 cup Quinoa
• 1/4 onion chopped
• 2 cups mix of the following veggies
  • green pepper diced
  • carrots – diced
  • Green peas
  • Cauliflower (cut into small pieces)
• 1 tsb ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2tbs olive oil
• 2 Cups of water
• chopped cilantro to garnish

Directions

• In a 4-qt sauce pan heat oil on high-medium, add cumin seeds; once fragrant add salt and pepper to taste, turmeric powder and sauté for 30 seconds
• Mix in onion, veggie mix, and ginger-garlic paste,  saute for 5 minutes
• Add in quinoa and sauté for 2 minutes, add in water
• Transfer to a pressure cooker and cook until one whistle
• Ready to serve when you are able to open the lid of the cooker
• Sprinkle cilantro to garnish and enjoy!

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Parshvottanasana (पार्श्वोत्तानासन) (standing side stretch) is a beginning to intermediate level pose which is great for the health of the legs as well as the spine. It provides an excellent stretch for the entire back side of the legs, hamstrings in particular.

Step-by-step

(Audio instructions: )

1. Come to a standing position close to the top of the mat with the feet hip distance apart. Stretch your left leg back so the feet are about 3.5′ to 4′ apart. Keep the right foot facing the front with the side of the foot parallel to the side edge of the mat. Keep the left foot turned about 60 degrees toward to the front foot. Try to keep both the legs straight.
2. Place the hands on the waist and turn the hips and shoulders so they are parallel to the top edge of the mat. Keep the back heel firmly pressed into the mat.
3. Place the hands on the right thigh and start sliding them down the leg. Make the effort to keep the right leg as straight as possible. Try to bend the torso at the waist area. Press the thighs backward so the torso stays elongated and pushed forward.
4. Maintain the intention to keep the right leg straight. However, if the hamstrings begin to complain, you may like to bend the right knee slightly so as to avoid overstretching the back side of the leg.
5. As you slide the hands down, if they don’t reach the floor on either side of the right foot, you may keep the hands on the shins or ankles or just as far down as they reach. Alternately, if you have them handy, you may like to place a pair of blocks on either side of the foot and place the hands on the blocks for support.
6. If you feel comfortable in the final posture, you may attempt to drop the chest further in an effort to bring it closer to the right thigh.
7. Try to stay in the final pose for about 25 seconds
8. To come out of the pose, slowly begin to lift the spine up from the waist, sliding the hands up the leg. When you are fully vertical, relax for a few breaths.
9. Repeat on the other side.

Benefits:

• Strengthens and stretches back side of the legs, especially the hamstrings
•  Great stretch for the entire back
• Strengthens and tones abdomen; improves digestion
• Massages internal organs like the liver and stomach
• Has very calming effect on the brain
• Improves posture and a sense of balance

Contraindications/Modifications:

• If you suffer from high blood pressure, abdominal illness or have any back injury, avoid going down all the way. Instead, go half way and keep the torso parallel to the floor
• If you have problem with balance, you may like to face the wall, adjust your distance from the wall and place your hands on the wall at shoulder height
• Variation: clasp hands behind the back and extend the arms away from you as you bend forward

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As we come to the end of calendar year 2011, I would like to extend my good wishes to you and your family for a healthy and joyous 2012 ahead. As I look back, the year 2011 has been a good one for me, my family and most importantly for the yoga classes that I teach. Indeed,  I have much to be grateful for. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my students who have continued to support and encourage me through their participation in the various yoga programs that I offer. In particular, the early morning programs – the 21-day yoga challenge and the Pranayama/Meditation Intensive – have been very well received by all those who attended these programs.

On a personal note, my wife and I had a very enjoyable visit to India during October. During this trip, I was able to renew personal and family ties with many of my cousins, uncles and aunts that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I was also able to meet many of my friends from the days that I used to work in India, back in the sixties and seventies.

During December, we had two family get-togethers. In early December, several of my cousins, along with their spouses, totaling about twelve people, got together at our house for about one week. During Christmas, my kids  (with grandkids) and many of their cousins had a wonderful time getting together at our house. This time, we had about sixteen people together at a time. It is so nice to see all these cousins get along so well and enjoy each others’ company.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue offering most of the yoga programs that are being received very well by all the students. I would love to receive your feedback, comments and suggestions for any specific programs or events that you would like me to organize.

Wishing you all the best in the year 2012 and beyond!

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In today’s discussion, I will be talking about the third of the five yamas – asteya (non-stealing).

Defining Asteya

The word Asteya (अस्तेय) is derived from the Sanskrit root word "steyn" which means ‘to steal’ to ‘to rob’. The word for a thief is "steynaH". "Steyam" is the word for theft. By adding the prefix "a" it becomes ‘asteya’ which means "to not steal or rob".

Understanding Asteya

Vyasa defines "steya" or "theft" as "taking things from others while not following the guidelines provided in the scriptures. There are scriptures called "Dharma Shastras" which define codes of conduct that contain guidelines for behavior in all situations in life. Viewing someone else’s possession such as property or wealth as "mine" and taking possession of it forcefully, deceitfully, unjustly or illegally is stealing. They also preclude acceptance of gifts. "Asteya" or non-stealing is the opposite value which negates these behaviors and actions.

Tendency to steal comes when we desire to acquire things belonging to others. The more we desire things the more the mind will be compelled to act on the desire to steal.

Practicing Asteya

Practice of asteya is very closely linked with some of the other yamas and niyamas – for example ‘aparigraha’ (non-hoarding) or ‘santosha’ (contentment). Greed and attachment to the objects of the senses ("raaga") cause the temptation to steal.

On the surface, asteya seems to be a fairly straightforward concept to understand and follow. However, when we look a little more deeply, we will find that many times we "steal" in ways that we are not even aware of.

Some common examples of stealing are:

• Taking bribe
• Charging more money than set/just price
• Using work property for personal use (for example using work telephone for personal phone calls).
• Spending time on the internet at work for non-work related activities
• Stealing someone else’s job by making false claims on your resume or during the interview
• Being late for an appointment – you are stealing someone else’s time and happiness
• Trying to dominate a conversation and not allowing others to express their opinion in a meeting or conversation
• Cheating at exams

I am sure you can add many more examples from your own experiences.

The esoteric principle behind asteya has to do with a kind of pride or arrogance. The ancient teachings on this say that to think of yourself as really important is to steal your soul from God. That means that we’re not surrendering ourselves to the larger view that we’re this one consciousness (purusha). Once we identify ourselves with the elements of prakriti (mind-body complex) , then we are becoming self-absorbed and are going to steal, either symbolically or literally.

According to Patanjali, all the negative emotions arise due to our "avidya" (ignorance – sutra 2.2). Avidya implies confusion between what is real and what is unreal or going after short-term gains which could ultimately lead to suffering etc. It is due to this avidya that we crave for things which are beyond our means and thus develop a tendency to steal. Once we realize that we are truly "complete" and don’t really lack anything in life, we will have overcome the tendency to steal.

In Sutra 2. 37, Patanjali states that "when we are firmly established in the principle of asteya (non-stealing), we are presented with all jewels and treasures".

When I read this sutra the first question that comes to my mind is "if the yogi is firmly established in asteya, he is already completely desireless". That means the yogi doesn’t crave for material objects. Why does Patanjali then state that he will be offered all jewels which the yogi has no need or use for. So, my feeling is that Patanjali is not referring to physical gems or material treasures but treasures of a spiritual kind. These may include company of good people, blessings of saints and sages and spiritual upliftment.

I would like to hear your thoughts on what Patanjali might have implied in sutra 2.37 as stated above.

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• Organic Tofu Scramble
• Enfrijoladas

At the end of the last 12-day pranayama/meditation intensive, as per our tradition, all the participants got together over a potluck breakfast. These breakfast get-togethers provide a great opportunity for everyone to socialize and meet each other in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Moreover, we all get to sample some of the most delicious veggie dishes that everyone shares. Here are the recipes for two of the many delicious dishes that we enjoyed that day.I would like to express my gratitude to Maddy and Claudia for sharing these recipes.

Organic Tofu Scramble

(Contributed by: Maddy Strauss)

Ingredients

• 1 container of organic Firm or extra firm tofu
• 1/2 organic diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped organic green onions
• 1 cup sliced organic sliced white button or baby bella mushrooms
• 1/2 tsp fresh or dried dill
• 1/2 tsp no salt seasoning
• 1/4 tsp curry powder
• olive oil

Instructions

Saute veggies in olive oil, pat dry tofu, crumble and saute with cooked veggies, stir in seasoning.  Can be served in tortilla wraps with salsa.  Makes 4 servings.

Enfrijoladas

(Original recipe from chef Rick Bayless – adapted to a vegetarian diet)

(Contributed by: Claudia Behm)

Traditional dish from Oaxaca

Serves 6 as an appetizer, 4 as a casual main course

Ingredients

• 1 cup (about 6 ounces) dry black beans, rinsed
• 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) SOY chorizo sausage (replace this with SOY Chorizo sausage from Trader Joe’s), casing removed
• 1 medium white onion, sliced
• Salt, about 1/2 teaspoon
• 12 corn tortillas (plus a few extra, in case some break)
• 1 cup of sour cream reduced with ¼ cup of milk or water
• 3/4 cup (about 3 ounces) crumbled Mexican queso fresco, dry goat cheese or salted farmer’s cheese
• 3 tablespoons roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley

The filling

For the filling you can use Mexican queso fresco and/or veggies (cut them in little squares, cook and season them) you can use carrots, peas, potatoes, corn, etc.

Instructions

Making black bean sauce

Place the beans in a medium-size (2- to 3-quart) saucepan, cover with 3 cups water, remove any beans that float and heat slowly to a simmer.

Add the fennel, 1/4 cup of the SOY chorizo and 1/2 of the onion to the beans, partially cover and simmer over medium to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beans are fully tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If you see the beans peeking up through the liquid, add water to cover them by 1/2 inch.

Coarsely puree the beans in batches in a food processor or loosely covered blender. Return to the pot and add enough water to thin to the consistency of a medium cream soup. Taste and season with salt.

The tortillas and chorizo

Wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and a plastic bag (if you use a Ziploc bag don’t close it) and pop them in the microwave for 2 mins (depending on your microwave you may need to do it for longer time)

Meanwhile, in a small (7- to 8-inch) skillet, cook the remaining 1 cup of SOY chorizo over medium-low heat until done, about 10 minutes, breaking up any clumps as it cooks. Drain off the rendered fat, cover the skillet and keep warm over very low heat.

Finishing the enfrijoladas

Turn the oven on to the lowest setting and warm a serving platter in it. Pour out 1 1/2 cups of the warm bean sauce onto a deep plate. One by one, dip both sides of the warm tortillas into the sauce, add the filing, roll them and transfer to the warm serving platter, laying the tortillas in 2 rows if possible, slightly overlapping.  Keep warm in the oven.

I certainly hope that you will "take these recipes for a ride"! Please try them out and let us know how you like them and provide your feedback in the comments section.

ENJOY IT!!

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As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be writing about the various aspects of Ashtanga Yoga ( अष्टाङ्ग योग – eight limbs of yoga) in my upcoming posts. The word Ashtanga is composed of two words – ashta, meaning eight and anga, meaning limbs. Ashtanga Yoga refers to the eight limbs of yoga that Patanjali has advocated in the Yoga Sutras as a means to eradicate ignorance and gain an understanding of our true identity. The eight limbs are: yamas (guidelines for social interaction), niyams (guidelines for self-discipline), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (total absorption). For a brief introduction to the eight limbs of yoga, please visit here.

In sutra 2.28, Patanjali, by way of introducing the eight limbs of yoga, gives an insight into what we can expect to achieve by practicing these eight limbs.

योगाङ्गाऽनुष्ठानादशुद्धिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिराविवेकख्यातेः॥२८॥ (Sutra 2.28)

yogāṅgā’nuṣṭhānādaśuddhikṣaye jñānadīptirāvivekakhyāteḥ||28||

"From the practice of the component limbs of Yoga, on the destruction of impurities, arises spiritual illumination which develops into discriminative wisdom and thus realization of our true nature"

As you can see, Patanjali is promising self-realization if we practice all the eight limbs of yoga. Let us look at some of the terms mentioned in this sutra.

Destruction of impurities (ashuddhi-kshaye)

The impurities here refer to the five afflictions (kleshas) which are the main cause of our suffering. These kleshas are: avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion) and abhinivesha (desire to cling to life, or fear of death). You can read a little more about these in my blog post here. These impurities are like dirt on a mirror. Only when the dirt is completely removed can we see clearly in the mirror. Similarly these impurities are covering our awareness about our true nature. What Patanjali is telling us that by practicing these eight limbs of yoga, one can cleanse the mind of these impurities.

Spiritual illumination (jnana-dipti)

The word "jnana-dipti" in the sutra can be translated as "light of knowledge". Here "light" refers to the spiritual wisdom that shines through after the impurities have been removed. When the mind is under stress, the true wisdom of the intellect is not available. At that time, the mind is impelled by the ego and  the suffering continues. So, Patanjali here states that through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga, one can dispel the darkness of ignorance and have direct access to the light of true wisdom.

Discriminative Wisdom (viveka-khyati)

When the mind is purified and the light of spiritual illumination shines through, then one can attain a state where there is a very clear understanding of right and wrong, good and bad etc. This is discriminative wisdom which allows us always to make the right choice from among various available options. At every step in our life we are faced with two or more choices. The intellect can make the right choice only when it is driven by pure discriminative wisdom and not by the misguided ego.

This sutra is a very strong statement urging us to practice the eight limbs of yoga if we want to attain the sharpest possible intellect which can make the right choice at the right time. When that happens we can attain a sense of inner joy which is independent of external situations in life.

In future posts I will try to cover the eight limbs, one at a time. I would love to get your feedback.

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