Thursday, October 27, 2011
Depressed? How to 'Just Cheer Up!'
This morning I woke up with a feeling of depression. This is not unusual for me. Perhaps you can relate. I have struggled with depression for my entire life since I was a child. I really don't know why and I sort of don't really care why anymore. Nonetheless, I have had to find a way to work with it because it has bordered on being debilitating at many different points in my life.
The feeling I woke up with was very familiar: A sense of heaviness throughout my body and a sense of being held down by unseen hands pressing on crown, chest and belly. A style of mental activity that no matter where I looked in my life: my work, my relationship, bank account, home, body, the future -- it all looked bleak. Very bleak. When this happens I become anxious and want to dispel this matrix immediately. To do so, I dive into stories about how it got to be this way and how it is all my fault. True stories, I might add. I missed this opportunity. I made that wrong choice. My abilities are limited. Yes, true -- on one hand. And utterly useless on the other.
Fortunately, I am old enough and practiced enough to recognize (at some point... ) that my mind is playing a very unpleasant trick on me. Trying to nail the "story" of my depression does not change my mood. I catch myself. At this point, a number of options are possible. (MORE)
The feeling I woke up with was very familiar: A sense of heaviness throughout my body and a sense of being held down by unseen hands pressing on crown, chest and belly. A style of mental activity that no matter where I looked in my life: my work, my relationship, bank account, home, body, the future -- it all looked bleak. Very bleak. When this happens I become anxious and want to dispel this matrix immediately. To do so, I dive into stories about how it got to be this way and how it is all my fault. True stories, I might add. I missed this opportunity. I made that wrong choice. My abilities are limited. Yes, true -- on one hand. And utterly useless on the other.
Fortunately, I am old enough and practiced enough to recognize (at some point... ) that my mind is playing a very unpleasant trick on me. Trying to nail the "story" of my depression does not change my mood. I catch myself. At this point, a number of options are possible. (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
What Does Meditation Mean to You?
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
-- Lao Tzu
At a time of economic downturn, with corruption on the rise and countries at war, we wondered what could bring greater awareness, kindness and compassion to a world in so much chaos? Could something as subtle and understated as meditation possibly have any affect on business, the environment, conflict or even politics? Can meditation make a big enough change in consciousness to transform the way we see ourselves, each other and our world?
We have both been immersed in meditation since we were young. It is the foundation of our lives and often makes us wonder what life would be like without it when we look around and see the massive confusion and suffering that many people experience. So, for our book, "Be The Change, How Meditation Can Transform You and The World," we wanted to paint a more varied picture by including many of the cool people who do it, how it affects them and why you should do it too! (MORE)
-- Lao Tzu
At a time of economic downturn, with corruption on the rise and countries at war, we wondered what could bring greater awareness, kindness and compassion to a world in so much chaos? Could something as subtle and understated as meditation possibly have any affect on business, the environment, conflict or even politics? Can meditation make a big enough change in consciousness to transform the way we see ourselves, each other and our world?
We have both been immersed in meditation since we were young. It is the foundation of our lives and often makes us wonder what life would be like without it when we look around and see the massive confusion and suffering that many people experience. So, for our book, "Be The Change, How Meditation Can Transform You and The World," we wanted to paint a more varied picture by including many of the cool people who do it, how it affects them and why you should do it too! (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Monday, October 24, 2011
Pain Is No Matter for the Meditative Mind
Remove your opinion about that which appears to give you pain and you stand painless.
— Marcus Aurelius
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
— Dalai Lama
The insight of Marcus Aurelius and the Dalai Lama about the nature of pain alludes to the practical knowledge that physical pain can be managed effectively through proper training and mental discipline, neatly summarized by the popular phrase “mind over matter.”
In the West, the notion of “mind over matter” has been circulating for centuries (at least since Aurelius and previous Stoic philosophers), yet it has been relatively recently that a technique that puts this insight into practice became the subject of serious scientific examination, namely mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation achieves this effect by cultivating a sense of equanimity through objective observation of the internal processes of the body. Over the past decade, the science of mindfulness meditation has revealed a wide range of cognitive and emotional benefits conferred on practitioners including enhanced attention, lower pain sensitivity, and reduced emotional reactivity. The evidence for these benefits has also been supported by brain imaging studies in long-term meditators showing that change occurs at the physiological level. (MORE)
— Marcus Aurelius
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
— Dalai Lama
The insight of Marcus Aurelius and the Dalai Lama about the nature of pain alludes to the practical knowledge that physical pain can be managed effectively through proper training and mental discipline, neatly summarized by the popular phrase “mind over matter.”
In the West, the notion of “mind over matter” has been circulating for centuries (at least since Aurelius and previous Stoic philosophers), yet it has been relatively recently that a technique that puts this insight into practice became the subject of serious scientific examination, namely mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation achieves this effect by cultivating a sense of equanimity through objective observation of the internal processes of the body. Over the past decade, the science of mindfulness meditation has revealed a wide range of cognitive and emotional benefits conferred on practitioners including enhanced attention, lower pain sensitivity, and reduced emotional reactivity. The evidence for these benefits has also been supported by brain imaging studies in long-term meditators showing that change occurs at the physiological level. (MORE)
Source: Brain Blogger
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Meditation Techniques to Curb Stomach Pain
Stress and anxiety may often cause pain in your stomach, according to reports.
Here are a few suggested meditation techniques, that may relieve any pain that lasts more than a day or so.
Guided meditation. Sometimes called guided imagery or visualization, with this method of meditation you form mental images of places or situations you find relaxing.
Mantra meditation. In this type of meditation, you silently repeat a calming word, thought or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts.
Mindfulness meditation. This type of meditation is based on being mindful, or having an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment.
Qi gong. This practice generally combines meditation, relaxation, physical movement and breathing exercises to restore and maintain balance. Qi gong (CHEE-gung) is part of traditional Chinese medicine.
Tai chi. This is a form of gentle Chinese martial arts. In tai chi (TIE-chee), you perform a self-paced series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner while practicing deep breathing.
Transcendental meditation. You use a mantra, such as a word, sound or phrase repeatedly silently, to narrow your conscious awareness and eliminate all thoughts from your mind.
Yoga. You perform a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a more flexible body and a calm mind.
There are many types of meditation and relaxation techniques that have meditation components that don't result in people having to resort to a number of costly methods to fight stress and anxiety.
Here are a few suggested meditation techniques, that may relieve any pain that lasts more than a day or so.
Guided meditation. Sometimes called guided imagery or visualization, with this method of meditation you form mental images of places or situations you find relaxing.
Mantra meditation. In this type of meditation, you silently repeat a calming word, thought or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts.
Mindfulness meditation. This type of meditation is based on being mindful, or having an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment.
Qi gong. This practice generally combines meditation, relaxation, physical movement and breathing exercises to restore and maintain balance. Qi gong (CHEE-gung) is part of traditional Chinese medicine.
Tai chi. This is a form of gentle Chinese martial arts. In tai chi (TIE-chee), you perform a self-paced series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner while practicing deep breathing.
Transcendental meditation. You use a mantra, such as a word, sound or phrase repeatedly silently, to narrow your conscious awareness and eliminate all thoughts from your mind.
Yoga. You perform a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a more flexible body and a calm mind.
There are many types of meditation and relaxation techniques that have meditation components that don't result in people having to resort to a number of costly methods to fight stress and anxiety.
Source: International Business Times
Sunday, October 16, 2011
HBO's 'Enlightened' Take On Modern Meditation
Can people really change? That's the question Laura Dern and Mike White ask in their new HBO series, Enlightened, which premieres Monday night. The show features Dern as Amy Jellicoe, an ambitious executive who has a nervous breakdown at her workplace. She goes to a rehabilitation center in Hawaii, where she experiences an awakening.
When Amy returns home, she wants to put her new philosophy into practice — meditating, communicating better with her mother (Diane Ladd), and fostering a healthier relationship with her ex-husband (Luke Wilson). But she finds her lessons of enlightenment being put to the test.
Show creator Mike White wrote the series and also directed some of the episodes. White and Dern join Fresh Air's Terry Gross for a conversation about Enlightened. (MORE)
When Amy returns home, she wants to put her new philosophy into practice — meditating, communicating better with her mother (Diane Ladd), and fostering a healthier relationship with her ex-husband (Luke Wilson). But she finds her lessons of enlightenment being put to the test.
Show creator Mike White wrote the series and also directed some of the episodes. White and Dern join Fresh Air's Terry Gross for a conversation about Enlightened. (MORE)
Source: NPR.com
Friday, October 14, 2011
Meditation More Powerful Than Morphine to Relieve Pain
New research published in the Journal of Neuroscience shows meditation produces powerful pain-relieving effects in the brain, according to a report by Sciencedaily.com. In fact, meditation proved to be more helpful in pain reduction than morphine.
“This is the first study to show that only a little over an hour of meditation training can dramatically reduce both the experience of pain and pain-related brain activation,” Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D., lead author of the study and post-doctoral research fellow at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center said in the report “We found a big effect – about a 40 percent reduction in pain intensity and a 57 percent reduction in pain unpleasantness. Meditation produced a greater reduction in pain than even morphine or other pain-relieving drugs, which typically reduce pain ratings by about 25 percent.” (MORE)
“This is the first study to show that only a little over an hour of meditation training can dramatically reduce both the experience of pain and pain-related brain activation,” Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D., lead author of the study and post-doctoral research fellow at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center said in the report “We found a big effect – about a 40 percent reduction in pain intensity and a 57 percent reduction in pain unpleasantness. Meditation produced a greater reduction in pain than even morphine or other pain-relieving drugs, which typically reduce pain ratings by about 25 percent.” (MORE)
Source: Elevated Existence
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Healing Retreat Draws Medical Doctors, Cancer Patients and Students From Across the Country
Isaac Eliaz, M.D. L.A.c, M.S., leads a meditation, transformation, and healing retreat in Sonoma County, California at EarthRise at IONS Retreat Center. The event draws people from across the country, including medical doctors, acupuncturists, cancer patients, counselors, students of integrative medicine, and those interested in learning more about meditation and healing. The retreat offers a rare, in depth opportunity to learn and experience Dr. Eliaz's profound techniques for deepening the mind-body connection and facilitating long lasting regeneration and healing.
The Healing Powers of Heart and Mind
Retreat attendee, Tana Madrigal says, "This has been the most inspiring healing retreat I have ever attended." During the retreat Dr. Eliaz creates an environment where a profound sense of intimacy and safety is felt. This enables each person to go deeply into their own healing process as well as experience deep compassion for the suffering of others. The sense of trust, deep relaxation and hope is foremost. "I was touched at how much emotion and healing came through in each individual. The meditation sessions and chance for self reflection gave everyone who participated the opportunity to open their hearts and minds to true healing," says Dr. Eliaz. (MORE)
The Healing Powers of Heart and Mind
Retreat attendee, Tana Madrigal says, "This has been the most inspiring healing retreat I have ever attended." During the retreat Dr. Eliaz creates an environment where a profound sense of intimacy and safety is felt. This enables each person to go deeply into their own healing process as well as experience deep compassion for the suffering of others. The sense of trust, deep relaxation and hope is foremost. "I was touched at how much emotion and healing came through in each individual. The meditation sessions and chance for self reflection gave everyone who participated the opportunity to open their hearts and minds to true healing," says Dr. Eliaz. (MORE)
Source: Wall Street Journal
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
John Lennon's Letter To A Fan About Transcendental Meditation Goes Up For Auction
A 1967 letter John Lennon wrote to a fan who asked him about transcendental meditation is going under the virtual hammer.
Nate D. Sanders Auctions of Santa Monica, an online auction house, says the handwritten letter is expected to fetch up to $30,000 (£19,000). Bidding closes October. 11.
In the letter, Lennon tells Jean Harrison she is "searching for something (truth) the same as everyone else."
He says the Beatles were lucky to have met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but that other teachers could instruct her. And he gives her the address of a school in London.
Last month, Sanders sold a contract for a Beatles concert for more than $23,000. The pact, for a 1965 concert in San Francisco, stated the group would not perform for a segregated audience.
Nate D. Sanders Auctions of Santa Monica, an online auction house, says the handwritten letter is expected to fetch up to $30,000 (£19,000). Bidding closes October. 11.
In the letter, Lennon tells Jean Harrison she is "searching for something (truth) the same as everyone else."
He says the Beatles were lucky to have met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but that other teachers could instruct her. And he gives her the address of a school in London.
Last month, Sanders sold a contract for a Beatles concert for more than $23,000. The pact, for a 1965 concert in San Francisco, stated the group would not perform for a segregated audience.
Source: The Telegraph
Monday, October 10, 2011
Mindfulness Can Give Your Brain an Edge
When we practice mindfulness meditation, one of the first things we notice is how un-mindful we are. It is like going back to the gym and realizing how out of shape we have become. It can actually be a little irritating. We might think, "I don't know about this meditation thing" because at first we mostly notice how out of sync we are.
Some people get frustrated right away, but this is actually a great place to start -- just like going to the gym with our little pot belly and oxygen-deprived body is also a great place to start. We just have to be patient, kind to ourselves and willing to try.
To practice mindfulness properly, we have to cut through a kind of daydream quality in our mind. Often we are engaging in some activity -- riding the subway, driving a car, having a business meeting -- but our mind is somewhere else, lost in a daydream. If you look at people sitting on a bus or a train you can see this quality in their eyes. Whether we're having a pleasant or unpleasant daydream, we are cutting through all of that with mindfulness practice. (MORE)
Some people get frustrated right away, but this is actually a great place to start -- just like going to the gym with our little pot belly and oxygen-deprived body is also a great place to start. We just have to be patient, kind to ourselves and willing to try.
To practice mindfulness properly, we have to cut through a kind of daydream quality in our mind. Often we are engaging in some activity -- riding the subway, driving a car, having a business meeting -- but our mind is somewhere else, lost in a daydream. If you look at people sitting on a bus or a train you can see this quality in their eyes. Whether we're having a pleasant or unpleasant daydream, we are cutting through all of that with mindfulness practice. (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Sunday, October 9, 2011
How He Transformed The Beatles
Martin Scorsese's stunning documentary, "George Harrison: Living in the Material World," will air on HBO Oct. 5-6. Among the locations selected for preview, Scorsese and Olivia Harrison chose a small Iowa town whose theatre audience was comprised of 500 meditators. Why?
The exclusive screening -- held Sunday evening in Fairfield, Iowa -- was a gift supporting the David Lynch Foundation's initiatives to teach Transcendental Meditation to veterans, inner-city school kids, homeless people, prisoners, Native Americans and other at-risk populations.
Fairfield is known as a middle-America oasis of progressive thought, entrepreneurship and sustainability -- dubbed "Silicon Valley of the Corn Belt" for its concentration of high tech businesses. The town boasts a community of over 2,000 meditators, and is home of the university founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who taught meditation to The Beatles. (MORE)
The exclusive screening -- held Sunday evening in Fairfield, Iowa -- was a gift supporting the David Lynch Foundation's initiatives to teach Transcendental Meditation to veterans, inner-city school kids, homeless people, prisoners, Native Americans and other at-risk populations.
Fairfield is known as a middle-America oasis of progressive thought, entrepreneurship and sustainability -- dubbed "Silicon Valley of the Corn Belt" for its concentration of high tech businesses. The town boasts a community of over 2,000 meditators, and is home of the university founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who taught meditation to The Beatles. (MORE)
Source: AOL News
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Meditation Room In Student Union To Provide Space For Thought, Prayer
Student demands for a designated space for meditation and reflection were answered Monday when the Tilden room in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union reopened as the temporary meditation space on campus.
The room — which was previously used for commercial space — will serve as the location for meditation space on campus until a permanent location is established in the renovated Lower Sproul Plaza.
Though the Tilden room was originally built as a chapel, about five years ago the ASUC Auxiliary began to rent the room out to groups for commercial purposes, said Tom Spivey, associate director of the ASUC Auxiliary.
However, after the Auxiliary received complaints about Muslim students using the fourth floor of the student union building for prayer, the campus Muslim Students Association and other student groups led a campaign for a temporary meditation space on campus. (MORE)
The room — which was previously used for commercial space — will serve as the location for meditation space on campus until a permanent location is established in the renovated Lower Sproul Plaza.
Though the Tilden room was originally built as a chapel, about five years ago the ASUC Auxiliary began to rent the room out to groups for commercial purposes, said Tom Spivey, associate director of the ASUC Auxiliary.
However, after the Auxiliary received complaints about Muslim students using the fourth floor of the student union building for prayer, the campus Muslim Students Association and other student groups led a campaign for a temporary meditation space on campus. (MORE)
Source: The Daily Californian
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
If Stressed, Try Meditating: Psychiatrist
If you’re stressed, meditate, says a world-renowned psychiatrist.
“Your nervous system is constantly being assaulted all day long -- stresses from within, from other people, obstacles occur. When you meditate regularly, you don’t get bent out of shape so easily,” says Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical.
"Often times when we snap at people, we’re under stress,” he says.
This can be especially true for those living in large cities like New York City.
“Getting to work, getting to the bus, the deadlines that you have to make, and the hours that you have to work – these are constant stresses stressing us and if we don’t have a quiet place to go and a special technique that enables us to settle down our bodies and our minds, then we don’t have protection against the frequent batterings to our nervous system – that have consequences,” Rosenthal says. (MORE)
“Your nervous system is constantly being assaulted all day long -- stresses from within, from other people, obstacles occur. When you meditate regularly, you don’t get bent out of shape so easily,” says Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical.
"Often times when we snap at people, we’re under stress,” he says.
This can be especially true for those living in large cities like New York City.
“Getting to work, getting to the bus, the deadlines that you have to make, and the hours that you have to work – these are constant stresses stressing us and if we don’t have a quiet place to go and a special technique that enables us to settle down our bodies and our minds, then we don’t have protection against the frequent batterings to our nervous system – that have consequences,” Rosenthal says. (MORE)
Source: NBC New York
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Goldie Hawn Talks Children and Meditation
Goldie Hawn recently appeared on ABC’s “Nightline” to speak about The Hawn Foundation, which develops programs to help children thrive and find happiness. One of its programs is called MindUp, which is helping kinds with mindfulness meditation, or what Hawn calls “brain breaks.”
“It’s not anything magical. It’s all biological and neurological,” Hawn told “Nightline” anchor Cynthia McFadden. “So let’s just take a breath and take a break. Teachers need it. Kids need it.”
Hawn, who meditates herself, also spoke about her new book, “10 Mindful Minutes,” which is meant to help parents and teachers work with their children. The MindUp program, which is now being used in hundreds of schools in the United Kingdom and United States, suggests children should have two-minute moments of self-reflection and meditation three times each day to help them calm down and focus, the ABC report stated. (MORE)
“It’s not anything magical. It’s all biological and neurological,” Hawn told “Nightline” anchor Cynthia McFadden. “So let’s just take a breath and take a break. Teachers need it. Kids need it.”
Hawn, who meditates herself, also spoke about her new book, “10 Mindful Minutes,” which is meant to help parents and teachers work with their children. The MindUp program, which is now being used in hundreds of schools in the United Kingdom and United States, suggests children should have two-minute moments of self-reflection and meditation three times each day to help them calm down and focus, the ABC report stated. (MORE)
Source: Elevated Existence
Monday, October 3, 2011
Compassionate Meditation Can Help Difficult Relationships
Have you ever been stung by how someone spoke to you? And then worried about getting stung again? This seems to me to be a fairly common concern within organizations, friendships and families. Perhaps you remember assertiveness training. The advice was to respectfully address the person and request to be treated differently. That may work in some situations but in my work as a psychotherapist and in my personal experience I found that there was a side effect. The offshoot often resulted in the other person walking on eggshells. That may feel more protective, but also more strained.
I found that meditation can be just as effective in curtailing the offensive behavior and without the negative side effects. Years ago an acquaintance in a volunteer organization in which I served always spoke to me in condescending tones. I couldn’t understand the basis for this. We were the same age, there was no power differential in our relationship. Every time I considered bringing this to her attention, I ended up feeling it would make things worse. (MORE)
I found that meditation can be just as effective in curtailing the offensive behavior and without the negative side effects. Years ago an acquaintance in a volunteer organization in which I served always spoke to me in condescending tones. I couldn’t understand the basis for this. We were the same age, there was no power differential in our relationship. Every time I considered bringing this to her attention, I ended up feeling it would make things worse. (MORE)
Source: AnnArbor.com
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