Isle of Skye, The Misty Isle - A personal Diary

If you live on Isle of Skye, and you like photography, you'll be spoilt for choice. The following are my favourite places I visited recently. Enjoy the images!

The Misty Isle

The image and atmosphere of the Misty Isle is noticed and felt in many places. One of my favourite places is Quiraing in Trotternish, an icon of Scotland. It is an amazing paradise of mindfulness. You just observe and sense the presence of the area!

A ruin near Kilwaxter, Uig, on the way to Camus More beach

I did some research but couldn’t find any information. I stopped by this amazing ruin recently and took some shots. The history of Skye grabbed me and I started to wonder what the life was like on Skye, a long time ago, and who lived there.

Uig Bay and Harbour

This is my favourite place. A gateway to the amazing Outer Hebrides to the islands of Harris, Lewes and Uist. Full of history, for example,

“It was of course just north of Uig that Bonny Prince Charlie landed in the well known “Over the sea to Skye” song. He and Flora MacDonald landed just north of Monkstadt House in Kilmuir. As there were soldiers (Redcoats) at Monkstadt House at the time looking for him, he was led by MacDonald of Kingsburgh from there down through Uig to Kingsburgh House where he spent the night.

Flora MacDonald herself died in her house at Peighinn an Duin, just to the south of Earlish, and is buried at Kilmuir just to the north of Uig. This is the Flora MacDonald memorial.” 

Source: http://www.uigisleofskye.co.uk/history

Kilt Rock

I love waterfalls! Kilt Rock is very special. Every time I go there, my imagination goes wild! This is the area where dinosaurs used to jump about millions of years ago!

Rha Falls

A hidden wonder in Uig. Amazing colours and energy, perhaps because of negative ions from the falling water. I have been there few times and it has always been quiet. Perhaps not many people know about this hidden gem. A great experience in mindfulness!

The Cullins

The first time I came to Skye, I kept seeing the mountains and rainbows. Every time I pass by the Cullins, I remember how special Skye is for me and my family.

Finally...

Scotland is about layering. The weather changes every 10 minutes. - Sam Heughan

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove; the hills of the highland for ever I love.

- Robert Burns

(c) Harish Davda 2020

Some insights into meditation

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Meditation is not about blocking the mind

or controlling thoughts. You can't.

It is not tied to any religion although in many 

spiritual traditions there has always been something 

like meditation or similar so that those following the

spiritual path can go deep within themselves and 'be 

touch with themselves.'

Meditation is not time consuming. Anything from
5 to 20 minutes, twice a day, everyday, is sufficient. 
Later on, when you begin to get into it, you will know 
how much time to spend. The main thing is that you 
follow the technique properly.

So, what is meditation? It is finding a quiet time
for yourself, preferably in the same place, away 
from any disturbance or distraction such as your 
smart phone.

Sit with a straight back, with not too much tension, 
on a chair or on Zafu (meditation cushion).

Close your eyes, take few deep breaths. Then 
concentrate on your breathing. Then just 'be'. 
If thoughts come, don't dwell on them 
(challenging in the beginning),  gently go back to 
breathing, count from one to five. Carry on for 5 to 
20 minutes. Then open your eyes. Use a gentle 
sound with the help of a timer to remind you when the
time is up. You can download an app. there are many 
to choose from. I use 'Insight timer' app which also 
has various guided meditations of various lengths; 
the basic version is free! What I have just described 
is 'mindful meditation'. It's a good way of starting to 
learn to meditate. There are other types of meditation 
as well. Keep an eye on my future blogs!

So, what are the benefits of meditation? By going 
into your inner world where your mind is least active, 
after meditation, when you come back into the outer 
world, you will gradually begin to notice some of the 
following: 
You will be relaxed and peaceful, you will

probably become deeper and begin to see some of the 
things, for example your behaviour and other people's 
behaviour clearly. You will begin to judge other people 
and events less. This will not happen overnight but 
after some serious, regular practice. You may also 

sleep better.

Sometimes negative emotions may arise during your 
meditation. By accepting these emotions, you will 
learn about its source. You will know how to deal
with them when you come back to your outer world. 
This will help you to grow. More on this in another
blog.

Drop me a line and let me know how you are getting
on with your meditation.

See my video on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YojdUKEVuVA


I love this quotation by Thich Nhat Hanh:

Photo credit: Instagram @thichnhathanhquotecollective

(c) Harish Davda - 2020
Enneagram and Conscious Business Coach/Consultant/Trainer
harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram: @harish.davda

Empty your cup: A story - From empty mind to authentic intentions.

Photo: https://www.cleanpng.com/png-teapot-teacup-tea-party-continental-tea-410683/download-png.html

The story goes like this:

There was a Zen monk in Japan over 150 years ago.
He was well know for his teaching and instructions
on Zen Buddhist way of life and practices.

A professor in a nearby university heard about the
monk and decided to enquire about Zen practices.
He went to see the monk. The monk made some tea.
He started to pour tea in the the professor's cup.

When the tea cup was full, the monk continued to pour
the tea. The tea was overflowing and began to spill on
the table. The monk stopped pouring the tea. He looked
at the professor and said, 'You are not ready to learn and to
practice Zen Buddhism. You have many opinions
about Zen. Go empty your cup and then come back.'

The moral of the story:

If you want to do something, empty your mind,
go within, then declare your intentions with clarity.
Then start working and get the results you want.

Our inner world of our essence or consciousness
becomes so authentic that we will not worry about
superficial things in the outer world. Because we
'know' what to do!
                                ==========
“Hell, in my opinion, is never finding your true self and never living your own life or knowing who you are.”
― John Bradshaw

“The moment you become aware of the ego in you, it is strictly speaking no longer the ego, but just an old, conditioned mind-pattern. Ego implies unawareness. Awareness and ego cannot coexist.”
― Eckhart Tolle


(c) Harish Davda 2020
Enneagram Coaching and Conscious Business Consulting.
harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram: @harish.davda

Looking Vs Observing

Photo (c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

People often believe that looking is same as observing. It isn't.
When we look at something, a river, a mountain, people, etc,
we are coming from our egoic mind or ego with judgements,
assumptions, ideas, thoughts, interpretations and much more.

When we observe, without engaging our mind and thoughts,
we are coming from our being, essence or consciousness.
We are in the present, in the now, and feeling the presence of what
we are observing. And we are in our presence.

Decisions based on what we see may not be complete. Often we have
a vested interest, the ego is calling all the shots, for a personal gain,
even if it is to 'show off' or communicating how clever we are.
It is not a good way to connect with other people. They will sense our
ulterior motive designed by the ego.

There is nothing wrong about the mind. We have to decide
when is a good time to engage it. It is brilliant at solving problems.
At the same time, it is brilliant at creating problems.
For example, when we take a position about something
to prove others wrong or act in anger to cause suffering
for self and others.

Observing when in a relationship helps to create a bond.
We then create a deeper relationship. Perhaps become soul mates!
Observing when at work stops 'ego games' and waste of time.
The real contribution from our authenticity can then be possible,
to create an environment of peace, love and growing together.

(c) Harish Davda 2020
harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram @harish.davda

Life in isolation

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Life in isolation: At one level,
it appears a life of luxury.

No disturbance from the routine,

no one comes to your door to disturb.

You can sleep as long as you want,

and watch news on TV until you are
overloaded with information,
misinformation and disinformation.

You feel tired, and lose focus.

At another level, lack of routine,

takes away the purpose...daily, weekly,

monthly, yearly and long term.

You can feel lost, unmotivated, anxious,
even depressed...your freedom is gone.

You visualise life beyond Coronavirus,

of misery, poverty, struggle and effort.

Fear is working its way to your unhappiness.

My answer to isolation: To accept what's
happening, then surrender.

Have trust in human species; we are strong and
capable of overcoming anything.
We are designed to fight illness.

Keep a healthy routine...exercise, eat well.

meditate few times, everyday.

Pray for yourself and other people.

Reach out to those who need help.

Think of creative ideas, put them into practice,
to keep the mind and brain healthy,
and help the immune system to remain strong.
Coronavirus will pass. Nothing is permanent!

How are you coping with isolation?
Drop me a line.

                                  ===

"It is not impermanence which make us suffer.
What makes us suffer is wanting things to
be permanent, when they are not."
                        
- Thich Nhat Hanh
                                ===
(c) Harish Davda 2020

harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram: @harish.davda

What is Covid 19 teaching us?

Photo: Harish Davda

Photo: Harish Davda

Photo: Harish Davda

If we can send a man to the moon,

and create miracles in science, arts,

engineering and medicine...surely,

we can prepare better for future viruses,

make sure that people do not go hungry

anywhere in the world... and everyone has

access to descent housing, water, health care and

education.

What Covid-19 is teaching us is to 'awaken'

ourselves, to reveal who we truly are, get

deep into our essence, become

selfless and reach out to those in need at

local, national and global level...because

we are all one!

Once we awaken, we will begin to change 

our broken economic, business, political

and financial systems for the benefit

of all. Not just for 1% of people who control

a high percentage of world's net wealth!

(c) Harish Davda 2020 - harish.davda@gmail.com

"If you want to change the world, you start with yourself."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Some statistics (before Covid 19 hit the world)

The world’s richest 1 percent, those with more than $1 million, own 44 percent of the world’s wealth. Their data also shows that adults with less than $10,000 in wealth make up 56.6 percent of the world’s population but hold less than 2 percent of global wealth.

Source: https://inequality.org/facts/global-inequality/#global-wealth-inequality

Of the 822 million undernourished people in the world, 113 million face acute hunger meaning they are in urgent need of food and nutrients.

Source: https://www.theworldcounts.com/

Approximately 3.1 million children die from undernutrition each year (UNICEF, 2018a). Hunger and undernutrition contribute to more than half of global child deaths, as undernutrition can make children more vulnerable to illness and exacerbate disease (UNICEF, 2018a).

“For the world’s hungry and undernourished people, climate change is an increasingly relevant threat multiplier”.

- Global Hunger Index.

My power: affirmations for 7 energy centres

Image: (c) Harish Davda 2020.

The following words are based on the 7 chakras or energy points which we all have in our body and are influenced by them. The 7th chakra is above our head and does not occupy the body.

(1 - Base chakra)
My strength come from the wisdom

And will of my ancestors

Who not only nurtured me

But also prepared me for my life

With their love and blessings.

(2 - Sacral chakra)

My strength comes from my survival instinct

And will to stand on my feet

To be creative, to produce

To be responsible

And protect myself and my family.

(3 - Solar Plexis chakra)

My strength comes from being wilful,

To be strong, courageous

And contribute to the world

Based on what I have learnt

And leave a lasting legacy.

(4- Heart chakra)

My strength comes from my heart

I care, I'm compassionate,

I'm learning to give unconditionally,

At the same time, my heart is intelligent

And helps me to listen to my inner being.

( 5 - The throat chakra)

My strength comes from my voice,

I speak with authority and authenticity

I listen attentively and without judgement

I see with my eyes and my ears

And respond purposefully.

 (6 - The third eye chakra)

My strength comes from my wisdom

Collected from this life and many more

Which let's me experience things

Beyond my mind and feelings

To bring harmony in what I do.

(7 - Crown chakra)

Finally, my strength comes from a source

Outside of this world, and universe.

I have a feeling, and I know

Why I'm here, where I'm going

And what I need to do.

Meditating on the seven energy points/chakras and using the above affirmation for each chakra is a good way of attaining strength and balance in our body and beyond.

(c) Harish Davda 2020

Instagram: @harish.davda

harish.davda@gmail.com