#214 Reality check

     Often, we feel energized to do something, go somewhere, see someone - so we're on our way, leaving this place to get to somewhere else. There's an inherent promise isn't there? We expect, or at least hope that we'll be satisfied, or at least relieved on accomplishing this bit of activity - though this rarely happens, does it? And even when it does, it's very brief, then we're off to the races again.
     At times - like when we feel exhausted - we wonder when we'll be OK without running after (or from?) something. Who knows, but we sure as hell do run a lot don't we? And like the poor hounds at dog races, we run in circles and never catch the fake rabbit.
     Can we take a break and look around a bit? Maybe get our bearings? How about re-prioritizing? Maybe there's life above and beyond the fake rabbit?
     I'm not suggesting we should all drop out and become hippies, but maybe there's a more physiologic pace to life. Maybe by adopting a humbler standard of living, Visa and the banks would loosen their grips on our throats. How much stuff and how many trips-of-a-lifetime do we "have to have"? Would we need all these "compensations" if we simply lived a decent, worthy life moment-by-moment?
     Do I feel anxious, lost and bored when I have nothing to do, nowhere to go? Why? Can't I simply enjoy the break? Don't I deserve it? Was I running away from something - what is it? Am I not enough when I'm still? Says who?

See also: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2012/04/110-armoring.html

Kathmandu detail by Raewyn Bassett PhD   www.raewynbassett.com

#213 Healthy adult maturation, Character development, Evolution of consciousness

     After age 35, our capacity for physical strength gradually diminishes. However, healthy normal adult maturation - character development, evolution of consciousness AND corresponding IMPROVEMENT in quality of life - can and should continue for the rest of our lives.
     A healthy adult intentionally, patiently, continuously transcends her instinctive fear-based self-centered reactivity (by noticing & letting go of inward tightening, closing-off, rigidity, coldness, cynicism), and re-establishes kindness-based connections with herself, others and the environment. In doing so, she notices a sense of porousness or expansion outward, opening-up, flexibility, warmth, gratitude - allowing her, and those around her, to enjoy a progressively finer quality of life.
     Our reptilian reactive (brain stem) habits try to keep our wounded inner child safe from being re-traumatized and acting out. But what we really need is to trust that our adult self (pre-frontal cortex & heart) is strong enough to relate directly to all of reality in the authentic manner of a mature, evolved, conscious human adult.

Montreal, Province de Quebec

#212 Why just Survive? Why not Choose to Thrive?

     We repeatedly hear of people who choose to remain for a long time, even a lifetime, under terrible circumstances eg with an abusive partner. They do so, apparently, because they fear the unknown more than the misery they know well.
     It's also well known that many patients who are forced to see a mental-health professional when they can no longer function, will terminate therapy as soon as they can barely function again.
     Many wise people throughout the ages have provided detailed roadmaps to higher levels of consciousness and thriving that far surpass (Freud's) "ordinary unhappiness".  So why do so many of us choose - and it is a choice when  superior alternatives are available - to remain stuck in cynicism and sadness?

Montreal, Province de Quebec

#211 Stress relief - & - Spirituality ?

     "Taking the path less traveled by exploring your spirituality can lead to a clearer life purpose, better personal relationships and enhanced stress management skills.
 
What is spirituality?

     Spirituality has many definitions, but at its core spirituality helps to give our lives context. It's not necessarily connected to a specific belief system or even religious worship. Instead, it arises from your connection with yourself and with others, the development of your personal value system, and your search for meaning in life.
     For many, spirituality takes the form of religious observance, prayer, meditation or a belief in a higher power. For others, it can be found in nature, music, art or a secular community. Spirituality is different for everyone." 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relief/SR00035

     The healthy direction of our continuously evolving self-concept and worldview is from a fear-based, isolated, rigid "me against the world" stance, towards ever-widening, kind, mature engagement with people, nature, and inanimate universe (eg Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mandela, Dalai Lama, etc).
     Can we recognize and respect each person - no matter how "different" they may seem on the surface - for their profound human potential? Namaste.

Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia

#210 Why mindfulness meditation?

     "Kabat-Zinn writes, 'Your intentions set the stage for what is possible. They remind you from moment to moment of why you are practicing in the first place. I used to think that meditation practice was so powerful . . . that as long as you did it at all, you would see growth and change. But time has taught me that some kind of personal vision is also necessary.' This personal vision, or intention, is often dynamic and evolving. For example, a highly stressed businessman may begin a mindfulness practice to reduce hypertension. As his mindfulness practice continues, he may develop an additional intention of relating more kindly to his wife.

      as meditators continue to practice, their intentions shift along a continuum from self-regulation, to self-exploration, and finally to self-liberation. *** Further, the study found that outcomes correlated with intentions. Those whose goal was self-regulation and stress management attained self-regulation, those whose goal was self-exploration attained self-exploration, and those whose goal was self-liberation moved toward self-liberation and compassionate service. These findings correspond with our definition of intentions as dynamic and evolving, which allows them to change and develop with deepening practice, awareness, and insight. The inclusion of intention (i.e., why one is practicing) as a central component of mindfulness is crucial to understanding the process as a whole, and often overlooked in other contemporary definitions." 

     *** Self-liberation refers to the experience of transcending (i.e., becoming free of or dis-identifying from) the sense of being a separate self."

         Shapiro SL, Carlson LE, Astin JA, Freedman B. Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006; 62: 373–386.

Related concepts: hypoegoic vs noisy ego, allocentric & ecocentric vs egocentric, and nondualism vs dualism.
See: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/search?q=agency

“We are so lightly here” - Leonard Cohen

 

#209 Choices, choices, choices ... Moment-by-moment

     You may recall stories or cartoons of a little angel sitting on one shoulder whispering advice to do the right thing, while on the opposite shoulder sits a little devil, whispering the opposite advice into the other ear. Angels and devils notwithstanding, we do, consciously or subconsciously, make innumerable decisions daily. These decisions are often between short-term self interest ("noisy ego") vs long-term interest for all (plain common sense when one is hypo-egoic).
     North American society has traditionally idolized the "self-made" individual, who quickly rises above everyone else to become rich & famous. If we think for a moment in terms of biology and ecology, what type of cell quickly rises to dominate all other cells? Cancer. What impact does it have on the whole body? Is it sustainable?

     Can we progressively become more consciously aware of moment-to-moment choices? Can we progressively choose in the direction of what makes sense for the long-term welfare of us all?

Tangled Garden, Grand Pré, Nova Scotia   http://www.tangledgardenherbs.ca/

#208 Celebrate!

     “In the direst of circumstances, boundless peace is to be found within. Recall Viktor Frankl’s hard-won observation, 'Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.' If Frankl can find life worth celebrating in Auschwitz, chances are I can find my cup half full, perhaps full to overflowing, here and now."

       Mount BM. The 10 commandments of healing. J Cancer Educ 2006; 21(1): 50-1.

Credit: slideshare   http://www.slideshare.net/myprof/unusual-pics08-20120phyl1