Maitreyi Paradigm
  • Home
  • Maitreyi
  • Vedic Ways
  • Life Management
  • Consultation
  • Books
  • Music
  • Blog
  • Ask Maitreyi
    • Terms & Condtions

How simple needle crafts can help to reduce stress and aid with Earth Friendly- Green Sustainable Living

6/4/2020

0 Comments

 

Categories: Arts And Crafts, Green Living, Wellness and Relationships

​I just thought of this funny incident that had happened to me some time ago. Back when I used to visit client sites in person, one of the Mondays, I decided to wear this beautiful grey crocheted shawl that I had created over the weekend. Now as we know, most Management Consultants are expected to be ‘totally business savvy’ and that too when you are in the technology area, people tend to view folks like myself as if we are AI incarnate (AI stands for Artificial Intelligence- read that as innovative, intelligent machines)!! 

So, one of the client personnel commented on the shawl and complimented me on how beautiful it looked, and I thanked him and said that I am even more happy to hear his compliment, considering I had made it myself!! He was quite taken aback!! He almost blurted out- “you mean made, like actually make it”- making a knitting gesture. I smiled and said yes, except it is crocheted and not knitted. 

Now with this being within the IT (Information Technology) division of the organization; his reaction was not surprising.
Picture
Picture
In the photos above- 
1. Cotton dish cloths- some are crocheted and some knitted. When I started, it would take me close to an hour to knit one. 
2. It is a simple triangular shawl, almost like a prayer shawl that I made over the weekend. 
As I reflected about it later in the day, I realized that- not many people realize the importance of hobbies and crafts. In today’s day and age where machine produced items are sold at such cheap price, it is almost impossible to think of specially crafted items. Back in India, when I was growing up, we got our clothes tailor-made. That was the norm  and now, tailor-made seems like a luxury which only the uber-rich can afford (particularly here is North America)!

​Hobbies such as knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilt-making and so on, not only help us to create beautiful, unique items- they also allow us to live a sustainable green life. Because the more we make at home (and it does take some time to make one), we get out of the rut of consumerism- “buy at first glance and dump at first fade” viewpoint.

​The few items we make, we take good care of them. If they fade a little or get a little tear- we fix it. We truly utilize the garment for its entire lifecycle and not garbage it as soon as a new sale starts, or it shows the first signs of wear or tear.
​
Taking the time and effort to make something of good quality allows us to be our own designer- it feels great to wear our creation with joy and pride. It also helps to improve our mood and self-image; as we are wearing a truly unique (one of its kind) item. AND to top it, most of these crafts are great at relieving stress.
Picture
​Crafts like knitting are high on the list of natural stressbusters. I for one, can surely vouch for their great emotional benefits.
​
The repetitive action of creating the knits (or crochet stiches) makes it a great meditation tool. Many people who are not able to do traditional meditation of sitting still in one place for a certain length of time, find great benefit in taking up one of these crafts- particularly knitting- as it rhythmically engages both the hands.

​
There is something calming, almost serene, maybe even romantic about knitting, particularly on a cold winter evening by the fireplace. Beautiful music in the background just adds to this ambience. And the end product is something that you can enjoy, not only for its beauty, but also for its utility! Each time, you use it, it helps you to relive your calm and joyful experience of artistic creativity.

And don’t think that this is only for women. Many men knit and sew- particularly for its meditative and health benefits and/or for its contribution towards living an earth-friendly green lifestyle.

So, maybe this holiday season, make it a decision to learn a new needle craft and give your dear ones, something that you have created, with lot of thought, caring and love- especially created- just for them.
Picture
​If you are wondering on how to get started, then there are many instructional videos that are freely available online. This is how I learnt this skill. Even though I have artistic inclinations; knitting and crochet used to 'scare' me… but once I got the hang of it, I now find that there is nothing which can take its place to help me to relax and feel at ease- particularly after a ludicrous meeting with the clients or after a nerve-jittering day in the financial markets. 

Try it for yourself and see how easy it is to meditate, create something beautiful (and useful) and also relax- all in the same go…
Picture
​#craftsforfun #stressmanagement #naturalstressbusters #reducestressnaturally #craftsforreducingstress #knittingmeditation #alternativestomeditation #calmingthemind #restandrelaxation #RandR 
0 Comments

Getting ready for Spring...

3/17/2020

0 Comments

 
Whenever we start to write or jot down our thoughts, the first thing we see is the front of our book. Even though we get some really beautiful book-covers, they never seem to exhibit our uniqueness- after all they are mass-produced!!

So, I decided to re-create my book cover by painting it’s cover in my own unique style and colors! A green alternative to the usual store-bought-mass produced books. That is what typically happens- we tend to buy new items to match our varying and developing taste.
Picture
But, I wanted to repurpose something I already owned. To modify an existing book to suit my need as well as appeal to my artistic sense. Did not want to buy more items!!

This modified and stylized book cover is made with original art that is painted directly on the existing mass printed boring cover!  It is made with mixed media colors and in a throw and drip paint-style. 

This art work is titled 'Phoenix' indicating it is time to rise again from the ashes.

Something that says- I am ready for Spring     :-)
Picture
​#artbyMaitreyi #spring #bookcover #artbook #maitreyigautam  #greenliving #repurposeforsustainability   #RRR #sustainableideas   #artandcrafts
0 Comments
    Picture

    Wisdom & Insights​

    Categories

    All
    A Message For You
    Ancient Wisdom
    Angels And Saints
    Archetypes
    Art Cards
    Art Of Happiness
    Arts And Crafts
    Art Therapy
    Ascension
    Buddhism
    Comfortable Living
    Conscious Living
    Crystal Therapy
    Daoism Or Taoism
    Death And After
    Energized Space
    Explaining Our World
    Flower Messages
    Green Living
    Guidance
    Healing Music
    How To...
    Inspiration
    Journaling
    Journey To Oneness
    Karmic Clearing
    Life Adventures
    Life Management
    Magical Living
    Meditation
    Money Luck
    Mystic Islam
    Natural Living
    Nature Guidance
    Oracle And Divination
    Original Artworks
    Our Path Our Journey
    Our World Today
    Prayers And Novenas
    Quantum Living
    Relationships
    Self Development
    Shaman Wisdom
    Sounds And Mantras
    Special Messages
    Spiritual Awareness
    Spiritual Lessons
    Spiritual Regression
    Tantra Traditions
    Think On This
    Travel Stories
    Universal Laws
    Wellness
    Yoga

    Also check out...

    Vedic Wisdom Blog

    Picture

    Maitreyi Gautam
    ​
    (aka:   Juma Vera )

    Our Journey to "Oneness" 

    It is a journey and like all journeys, it is set with many moments of challenges and accomplishments. 

    But when one's heart is true and the decision is made to "be the best that one can be", then each challenge merely seems like a stepping stone, to be overcome to reach and experience new heights of existential living.

    Hope you find these notes inspiring enough to initiate your own journey...
     
    ​What else will you find here??

    Here you will find thoughts, ideas, musings and  insights which make us reflect on the nature of our life and reality. I hope that these will connect with you. 


    These articles address the various insights, lessons and at times modern-interpretations of techniques and methods of ancient wisdom (particularly Vedic Culture) and also Shamanism, Buddhism, Druid- Paganism, Sufi Islam and Taoism. 

    It tries to bring the wisdom of ancient, insightful ways to benefit a modern, evolving and conscious lifestyle.

    Frankly it brings many of the spiritual concepts to  a "real  life" level!!

    Think of this guidance as "Spirituality for the Rest of Us"... folks who  have families,  careers,  material goals & ambitions  and so on... the ones  who cannot simply extrapolate what  typical spiritual gurus and guides say, when they live special monastic lives.  


    Each one of us may have different life situations but ultimately we are all ONE life and we all go thru these myriads of situations, experiences, thoughts and feelings at some point or other in time. 

    Read along and see how these lessons, insights and guidance can help you to chalk out your own path to 'One-ness'- where you are successful, healthy and Happy.   
    ​

    Do let me know of your experiences.

    I would love to read about them and promise to respond as much as possible.  

    Stay in touch

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
© Copyright 2021 Sandhya Bhat & ​Macro2Micro Media *** ALL RIGHTS RESERVED *** See Terms & Conditions for details on this site usage.