1. What are Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences or flower essences?
Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences are herbal infusions that stimulate positive qualities within our nature. These essences have been created according to the teachings of the great yoga master Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the world-renowned The Autobiography of a Yogi . The 20 essences are prepared from the blossoms of fruit and nut trees and vegetable plants. Nature has given us fruits and vegetables so that we might benefit from their nutritional sustenance; flowers so that we might be inspired; and flower essences so that we might transform ourselves through their purity and power. In taking the essences, we manifest their positive qualities more fully in our lives.
These essential infusions are completely safe, non-toxic, quick-acting, and easy to use. They work effectively without the possibility of contraindications, overdosing, or negative reactions. They cannot be neutralized by other substances. They may be used to supplement other forms of treatment and therapy.
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2. What do flower essences do?
All flower essences do the same thing: they restore us to a state of balance in which our internal, intelligent life force is activated. Life force is the real healer; the energy of the flower essence creates a vibrational resonance that gently stimulates that life force. And since the uplifting qualities embodied in the essences are our truest nature, to resonate with those qualities is only natural. "You have to live anyway", Yogananda said, "so why not live in the right way?" The essences help us to express the highest octave of our nature in our daily lives.
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3. How do the essences work?
Just as plucking a string on one sitar will cause the same string on another sitar nearby to vibrate in unison, these flower essences awaken certain qualities that we already possess. For example, Orange Essence draws out our enthusiasm; Tomato Essence, our strength and courage.
Flower essences work on a vibrational rather than a biochemical level; they do not need to be absorbed into the bloodstream or go through the digestive system to take effect. They are completely safe to use: nontoxic and without contra-indications, side effects, or the possibility of overdosing. Their benefits are complementary to other herbal therapies and treatment. Please note, however, that flower essences do not directly treat physical symptoms.
Through the vibratory rate of the blossoms from which they are prepared, flower essences interact with our willingness and commitment to change. Willingness plus commitment equal energy, the active ingredient in flower essence therapy.
Flower essences activate our life force, the true source of well-being. They act as catalysts, or pump-primers. For this reason we may take credit for the changes we co-create through taking the essences.
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4. How are Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences different from other
flower essences?
Flower essence therapy has been practiced in the USA and Europe for many years, although it is a relatively new concept in India . The best known of the traditional flower essences are Bach Flower Essences. Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences are made in the same way as the Bach Essences: that is, the essential quality and energy of a flower is infused into pure spring water, using sunlight as a catalyst.
The unique aspect of these essences is the principle that lies behind the choice of flowers that are used. Yogananda explained that food has consciousness. The fresher its quality, the stronger its life force. Yogananda listed the psychological and spiritual qualities of different foods. Eat these foods and you ingest their vibrational messages as well: for example, the peacefulness in pears, the flexibility in figs, and the quiet dignity of strawberries. The essences are made from the blossoms of these foods and contain their vibrational qualities in a highly concentrated form.
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5. What is the history of Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences?
Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences is a branch of Spirit-in-Nature Essences (formerly Master's Flower Essences) that was established in 1977 in California, USA. At that time, Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yoganandaji and founder of Ananda Sangha, commissioned his friend and student, Lila Devi Stone, to develop these herbal infusions. Having studied the Master's teachings on the spiritual qualities of foods, he saw the potential to use flower essences as a practical way to draw on these qualities and to express them more fully in our own lives. (For more information about Swami Kriyananda, see the link on our home page; for more information about Lila Devi, see her Web site, www.spirit-in-nature.com.)
The result is this line of 20 essences: the oldest flower essence line outside the UK. The essences have gained worldwide recognition and acclaim and are rapidly finding their way into the homes of people in Yogananda's native country. In India, this product is marketed by Lotus Essences Pvt. Ltd.
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6. How are Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences prepared?
The blossoms of the particular plant or tree are carefully selected, gently harvested, and floated on pure spring water in a glass bowl. After sitting in direct sunlight for three to four hours, the blossoms are discarded and the water, which has now absorbed the vibrational life force energy of the blossoms is now called the mother essence . This mother essence is then stored out of heat and sunlight in a dark-coloured bottle half filled with a natural preservative.
The mother essences are prepared by Lila Devi Stone in the clean desert air of the Sierra Nevada foothills at Ananda Village, outside Nevada City, California (the tropical varieties are made in Hawaii) and are exported to India where stock concentrates are prepared in Gurgaon by members of Ananda Sangha.
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7. How do I take the Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences?
Remember: 2 x 3 x 4. Take two or three drops, four times daily (the first one on awakening; the last before going to bed). This formula also applies to children and infants (several drops in the bottle, four times each day). The essences work best when taken separately from food-- 10 minutes before eating or one hour after finishing your meal. You may take them directly under the tongue or in water, juice, or tea.
Alternatively, apply them topically by rubbing a few drops on your wrists; mix 16 drops in bath water; or add four drops per cup of water to a misting bottle and spray it on your skin.
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8. What are affirmations?
An affirmation is a seed thought that states a higher truth. Our thoughts have a powerful effect on our mind and our physical body.
The effectiveness of flower essences is greatly enhanced when combined with specific affirmations, uttered out loud or mentally with concentration, will power, and energy. Repeating the affirmations helps to engage the conscious mind and uplift the subconscious mind—thus it can strengthen the benefits of the essences. Swami Kriyananda has written an affirmation for each essence, which can be found on the individual boxes.
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9. How can I know which essence(s) to take?
Unless you have a clear "hunch", start with Pear for peacefulness. When you are in your natural state of inner peace, your intuition will develop and help you clarify which one to take next. Our list of 20 essences along with their spiritual qualities listed in our brochure (or in the section of the essences in this Web site) will help you to determine what to take. Trust your intuition and ask yourself which positive quality you want to enhance in this moment.
The Spectrum Chart can be used to determine which essence(s) you need. If, for example, all you knew about Lettuce Essence was that it is placed in Quadrant One and the feminine half of the chart, you would know that its calming nature has a certain gentleness, containing the fresh vibrancy of springtime and childhood. Also helpful is The Essential Flower Essence Handbook with a 10-page chapter on each essence. This book is available from Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences.
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10. Can I take more than one Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essence at
a time? I think I could use them all!
Although many people take combinations of essence formulas, 30 years of research and analysis shows that taking them singly yields quicker and more noticeable results. Also, this is a good way to know which one is working for you. Chances are, you will want to take them all, though singly, over time.
We recommend that you prioritize according to which essence you feel most drawn to. Take that one first, and the others in succession. This will help you to connect with each essence on a one-to-one basis through your own direct experience. If we liken taking the essences to saying affirmations, it is easier to focus the mind—and likewise the life force—while repeating only one affirmation at a time.
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11. How long do I need to take the essences?
One week is standard, when taken singly rather than in combination. We generally recommend that people take the essence anywhere from three days to two weeks, though longer is not uncommon. (For example, one man took Cherry Essence for six months following a difficult divorce.)
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12. What if nothing happens
after taking an essence?
In 95% of the cases when people report no noticeable results, this lack of response is due to not following the directions properly. It is important to take the essence at least several times a day, and more often in emergencies or when the need is felt.
Since spiritual advancement is more subtle to perceive than physical, mental,
or emotional growth, you may not notice the positive changes initiated through your essence programme. When taken correctly but you still don't see results, it may be that your friends or family can see that something about you is different.
Or, you may need to try a different essence.
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13. What if I have a negative or adverse reaction to taking the essences?
This response is extremely rare. Interestingly, it only occurs with adults-—never, according to our records, with children or animals, neither of whom are prone to demonstrate the placebo effect, unless the children are influenced by adults. Animals, which are on a natural, evolutionary track toward higher consciousness, tend to respond quite favorably to these herbal remedies.
Upon closer investigation, it is not a "healing crisis" but rather what we call an "awareness celebration" that people experience. This means that what they may consider to be a negative response is actually a very positive one. If we compare taking an essence to turning on a light in a darkened room, the room may suddenly feel too bright. One might say, "Oh, but I didn't want to grow that much!" The good news is that this response occurs only when people are ready for it. If this happens and it feels unpleasant, simply stop taking the essence and the reaction will subside. Or, take Pear Essence to restore a sense of peace.
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14. Will I need to take Yogananda's Spirit-in Nature Essences for the rest
of my life?
Absolutely not!
However, many people like to take them from time to time as refreshers, or "energetic reminders", when different issues arise in their busy lives.
Again, taking an essence may be likened to turning on a light in a dark room; once the light is on, there is no need to keep fiddling with the light switch.
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15. Are Yogananda's Spirit-in Nature Essences effective?
Thirty years of case studies, direct testimonials, and ongoing research have verified that the essences are effective. Trust your judgement and intution. Try them!
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