Newsletter - May 2010

Meditate with friends

Meditating in a group is always a more powerful experience because of the combined energy that is created.

If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of meditation and relaxation with your family, friends or work colleagues, personalised group workshops are available.

These two-hour workshops are particularly ideal for VCE students needing practical strategies to cope with the demands of their busy year.

Themes include:

~ Letting go of stress

~ Calming the busy mind

~ Easing pain

~ Sleep well

~ The basics of meditation

~ The power of creative visualisation

For more details, phone Eileen on 0407 881 285 or go to Contact Us

A beautiful spirit of acceptance

A recent meditation information session in Doncaster East really showed a beautiful spirit of acceptance.

Acceptance, which is a key to meditation, was evident by participants making space in the already crowded circle for others to join, soon after the session started. The area was limited for any really spacious stretching and movement by the 16 participants, but everyone just adapted.

And for my part, what did it matter that I gave up my chair and sat on cushions as I shared my passion for meditation?

How often do you hear criticism where it would be nice to see acceptance?

An acquaintance was describing to me all the aspects she disliked about a wedding reception she attended. Eventually, I responded that the couple didn’t plan for these things to happen. My comment had the desired effect of halting the whirl of negativity. However, how nicer it would have been to hear about the joy of being with the couple and their families on this special day.

When criticising, you are letting your ego take control – rather than letting your heart lead the way.

Psychologist John Selby states in Quiet the Mind that the process of chronic judging means that you are evaluating each experience you have and comparing it to similar experiences from the past.

When you judge a situation, you are really separating yourself from what is happening – and, therefore, you cannot relax and enjoy the present moment.

He suggests that when you say, ‘I accept this (situation) just as it is’ or ‘I accept myself just the way I am’, then you open your heart and embrace the world. You actually become active participants in life rather than judgmental observers.

When you lead from the heart, you can subtly influence a situation. Warmth and kindness in your words and actions are also so soothing for your soul.

Meditation or sleep?

While sleep is important for your health and wellbeing, meditation produces a much deeper state of rest in a shorter time than sleep.

In Meditate Rejuvenate, Dr Paul Galbraith highlights that during sleep it takes four or five hours to reduce your metabolic rate by 8 per cent. In contrast, a 30-minute meditation can lead to a decrease in your metabolic rate of between 10 and 20 per cent.

The metabolic rate refers to the speed at which the body uses energy, so a lower metabolic rate indicates a more restful state.

During meditation, the brain also produces alpha waves, indicating a deep state of rest.

Imagine how wonderful you would feel if you made time to meditate for 10 or 15 minutes during the day, to give your brain a rest from all the electrical activity created by thoughts zooming through your mind.

Ultimately, you would work more effectively, feel more creative and enjoy a wonderful sense of wellbeing.

Meditation is also a cheaper and healthier way to recharge your energy during the day rather than reaching for another cup of coffee, cigarette or glass of wine.

Mindfulness during the day

In the whirl of life with all its demands, it may sound a little far-fetched to put aside a whole day to just be mindful. This suggestion comes from the revered Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh.

However, you can be mindful in so many simple ways that have the desired effect – of bringing you into the present so you experience the now.

The following two brief concepts will enable you to really explore mindfulness. Whenever your mind wanders away with a thought, go back and focus on the breath.

Be mindful when picking up a book

~Notice how your body moves as your pick up the book

~ See the book as if you are looking at it for the first time – be aware of its texture and size, the different shades of colour on the cover, how the book feels in your hand and how the pages fan

~ Notice how your arm and body moves as you place the book back on the shelf.

Be mindful when drinking a glass of water

~Be aware of the weight of the glass on your hand, the movement of your arm as you raise the glass to your lips, how your mouth and face subtly changes as you take a sip, how the water feels in your mouth and hear the sound as you drink.

Then extend mindfulness into other simple everyday tasks, like washing a cup, pegging a t-shirt on the washing line, picking a flower from a bush or pulling on a jumper.

Remember, as your mindfulness increases so does your appreciation and wonder of the many beautiful and simple things of life.

Meditation Pathways News

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Enjoy your meditation journey
Eileen