Going Within: Why Meditate?

Elizabeth Lesser writes in "Broken Open" that people are attracted to meditation for a variety of reasons, including these:

• To relax, physically and mentally
• To keep the heart open and soft
• To accept life on its own terms
• To feel more alive, connected and content
• To find inner peace
• To make contact with other realms of consciousness

So just what is meditation?  Here is the Medical Dictionary's definition: Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth.

Everything in our lives creates stress.  Even wonderful events create stress.  The original definition of stress is by Hans Selye who coined the term, as it is presently used, "the non-specific response of the body to any demand".  This includes mental, emotional and physical demands.

The Mayo Clinic is now suggesting that an effective way to deal with stress besides getting good quality sleep and doing yoga is to meditate.  Mediation can improve your heart health, stave off premature aging and help us to be more calm and focused.  There are now many research studies showing this.  Here are a few of the latest.

A study published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society reported that after 8 weeks of mindfulness classes that included meditation and stretching exercises their severe hot flashes and quality of life improved.

Massachusetts General Hospital study using MRI scans found that people who meditate cortices in the brain where much thicker (a sign of neuronal growth) than those who did not meditate.  This was a very positive finding showing that meditation may slow down age-related cognitive decline.  The study leader Sara Lazar, PhD. explained "meditation exercises the same part of the brain used for memory and attention, so regular practice is thought to keep it sharp, flexible, and active".

Researchers at Benson Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine also at Massachusetts General and the Genomic Center at Beth Israel Deaconess medical Center have found that attaining a deep state of rest know as the "relaxation response" is capable of changing how genes behave in response to stress.  Dr. Jeffrey Dusek, a co-lead author of the study at Benson-Henry Institute, and now with Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, remarks that, "the relaxation-response-associated changes were the opposite of stress-associated changes," and were much more pronounced in long term practitioners.

The relaxation response involves a form of mental focusing.  Dr. Henry Benson, one of the first Western doctors to conduct research on the effects of meditation, developed this approach after observing the profound health benefits of a state of bodily calm he called the "relaxation response".  He taught patients to focus upon the repetition of a word, a sound, prayer or phrase for 10-20 minutes a day.  Patients were also taught to pay attention to distracting thoughts and to return their focus to the original repetition.

Meditation can be difficult.  When we make the choice to "Go Within" for certain we will find a travel mate on the journey, our thinking mind.  How we relate to this travel mate is the key to finding our own "relaxation response".  While meditation hones some of our better qualities, it also holds up a mirror to some of our worst.  We do it to see ourselves clearly, to love ourselves warts and all, as Elizabeth Lesser says.  To crack through the hard crust of the personality until the gem of the Self is revealed.

"Going Within" is a continuing series.  Next post will discuss the different types of mediation.

~ Elizabeth Botta Brandes

Karmic Lessons of Gemini

The Karmic Lessons of Gemini

- To educate yourself through schooling and life experiences
- To communicate with integrity
- To develop your socializing skills
- To complete goals
- To get in touch with your feelings


Are Geminis Schizophrenic?

Geminis are delightful souls. They are child-like with their wonderment of life and fun and learning. They are inquisitive and adaptable. If a Gemini travels to England, she/he may return with an British accent. Their curiosity allows them to mimic people and blend into many different personas.

Geminis are not schizophrenic! Any more so, percentage-wise, than any other Sign.  But, if you expect them to be tomorrow as they were today, you may be bewildered by their ability to adapt and incorporate themselves into their surroundings. They are able to fit into many different kinds of groups. They are wonderfully adaptable.

Geminis are here on earth to learn and experience as much as they can and then share their experiences with others.  I see them as butterflies (flutter-byes) who fleetingly partake of the flower's nectar (knowledge) and bring that nectar to another flower. A Gemini is constantly learning and sharing, without need for copy writes or accolades. If you are a Gemini, please learn as much from life as you are able. Go to school, take classes, read books, travel, join with groups who can show you something, communicate with others. You have a wonderful mind.

You must communicate with integrity. You have a tendency to learn a lot but not always become an expert. Not to say you can't become an expert in the field of your choice, but you will also accumulate much data that is superficial. If someone asks you to substantiate your facts or go deeper into the subject, your karmic responsibility is to admit you don't know any more than you've introduced and that you will get back to them with the answer to their question. Do not feel you have to always know everything.

It's so easy for the Gemini to mimic others that they may have difficulty establishing and maintaining their own identity. This is where people around them see then slip from "personality to personality". Gemini's are easily influenced by others around them. If you have a sun or moon in Gemini, your karmic lesson is to establish your own personality, likes and dislikes, goals and opinions aside from those of your friends and family. This is not always easy for the Gemini.

Geminis are sociable beings. They need to be around other people, groups, dance or singing lessons, etc.  If you have a child with a sun or moon in Gemini, get them involved in groups and outside stimulation as soon as you can. They love music and dancing. Geminis are delightful, sociable beings. They are born full of merriment and curiosity.

Now Geminis often have difficulty completing goals. Their natural temperament is to think things out through many different directions. Hum, maybe I could try this way or maybe I should look in this direction...  They are so bright and inquisitive that they may have difficulty locking in on a goal and solution. Their karmic lesson is to learn how to focus and stop vacillating.

Some Geminis can get lost in their heads, their intellectual reasoning. You know Geminis, life's answers can not always be found in mathematical equations or tangible reasoning. Your karmic lesson is to learn your own truths, to acknowledge and trust your feelings.

I believe Geminis are extremely important in our evolution. Gemini is the inquisitive child in our culture who dares to question authority and works hard to bring back the answers. Whatever would we do with our Geminis? There would be no humor, no parties, no inquisitiveness, no absorption of other cultures or ideas. Can you imagine a world without curiosity and an open heart? Life without the wisdom of a child?

The Gemini slogan is: Hey, guess what I just learned?

~Joan Kilgen

Quote Of The Week

"What lies behind us and

what lies before us

is nothing compared to

what lies within us."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

THE KARMIC LESSONS OF TAURUS

Each sun sign has its own, individual karmic lessons.  If you were born under the sign of Taurus, your karmic lessons involve:

- Dealing with materialism
- Learning to adapt to change
- Stubborness vs. determination
- Laziness vs. ambition
- Dependability in relationships

Dealing with materialism:
All of us are dealing with money and possessions while we are living on earth. Earth is a materialistic plane.  Some folks try to convince us that spirituality and materialism are incompatable. In order to reach a higher spiritual plane we must denounce everything material. But then, why are we, spiritual beings, living on this material earth?  Most of us have to make a living, pay our bills and take responsibility for the way we handle our money and possessions.

This is especially true for the Taurus. Therefore, those born under the Taurus sun sign will come upon times in their lives when they will be tested in this area.

Some Taurians are afraid of being poor or being without "things", so they will accumlate as much money and possessions as they can. They will start collecting things as investments, they won't throw things out (they may need it someday), they will save money, string, jars, toys, salt and pepper shakers, etc. I call this Materialistic Constipation.  Other Taurians spend all their money in an effort to feel weathy and surround themselves with the power of possessions.

The Taurian's karmic lesson is not about how much money or possessions they accumulate in their life. Their lessons involve integrity, honesty and maintaining a balance between their need for materialism and all other aspects of their life.  They are usually good with money and numbers so they may make good bankers, bookkeepers, accountants, mathematicians. Because of this talent, people will easily trust the Taurus with their money and business matters.

So, their honesty and integrity will be tested periodically.  If the clerk in the check-out counter gives and Taurus too much change, it is his/her karmic responsibility to give it back. It's not a matter of law or morality, it's a matter of karma. If the Taurus holds onto their money or possessions too tightly, it is their karmic responsibility to share their abundance.  Suzie Orman once gave an example of this on the Oprah Show. She pointed out that when you are holding on tightly to your materialism, you are keeping a closed-fist. If you are giving freely of your materialism, your hand is open, palm up.  When your fist is closed, not only are you holding on to what you own, you are unable to receive anything from others.  When your hand is open, as when you are giving to others,  you are also able to receive.

Taurus is a fixed sign.
This means that the Taurus does not adjust well to change. Of course he/she will experience change in life as we all do but it is harder for them and we need to be understanding of that. Because they can also get stubborn and dig their heels in, it is because they are threatened by the change not because they wish to be difficult.

Dependabilty in relationships.
Taurus is ruled by venus which is the planet of love. When a Taurus falls in love, they fall in love with  expectations of forever. They are dependable and loving and kind.  When the Taurus' relationship ends, it is very difficult for them to simply move on.  But, if you looking for a long-term relationship, a Taurus is best for you.

Laziness.
Taurus is known as the nurturer. This sign loves to commune with nature and nuture the garden. They keep the weeds out of the garden, water the crop, protect animal life.  This is the sustainer. Sustainers are not known for taking the initiative or seeking change. They sit and patiently wait for growth to bloom. Taurus' is good for showing up for jobs on time, doing the same kind of work everyday without boredom and not being overly ambitious.  Some people mistake this wonderful nurturer as lazy because they happily maintain the status quo. It is true, sometimes they do need a bit of a push to move forward but this is also because they are not motivated to initiate change.

Stubborness.
The Taurus can be very stubborn and set in their ways. Therefore, one of their karmic lessons is to learn how to flow with life and not feel they have to be in control of their environment at all times. Compromise is the key  their karmic success.

Taurus slogan:  Steady goes the race.

Quote Of The Week

"You get a choice.

Do you want to be in the drivers seat?

Steering your personal change,

or do you want things to get to a boiling point

where there is a crisis?"

~ Shiva Rea

                     

Going Within: The Journey Begins

Why Meditate?  I never really asked myself this question.  Somehow I just knew meditation was one of my goals in life.  Meditation is an elusive spiritual goal, with a tricky path to follow.  The path of meditation is not one we walk on with our feet touching the ground.  We locate this path of meditation by taking the journey of going within.

The twists and turns down this inner path has to do with our thinking, our inner dialogue.  Just what are we thinking?  When we ask this question, the process of meditation has begun.  This series on meditation is a journey within for all of us to take together.

There is another question we need to ask ourselves.  Are we thinking life affirming thoughts that encourage us and fill our lives with inspiration?  I know my thoughts aren't always supporting me in this way.  My inner critic has taken me on a very twisted path for most of my life.  I have learned to listen to this inner critic and extend kindness to myself the listener.  I have come to realize that I do not have to believe these thoughts.  I have a choice on how my inner dialogue unfolds.  Remembering the phrase "as a man thinks so he becomes" I feel grounded knowing that I am actively participating in creating my reality.

It is a courageous step to take a deep breath and take the turn within, to watch how our inner dialogue unfolds.  We embark on this work of listening and watching our thoughts with and open heart and a sense of curiosity.  We become brave explores in our own undiscovered world with a new understanding that we can change our thoughts and change our world.

~ Elizabeth Botta Brandes

How Can We Help?

Everyone is watching as one of the world's worst natural disasters unfold before our eyes.  The tragedy has become complicated by man-made forces now beyond our control.  The only thing that could be more disastrous is if our fellow human beings were oblivious to one another's suffering.  I trust deep in my heart that our collective energy can make a difference.

It's easy to watch our news channels.  No matter what is unfolding in Japan or anywhere else in the world, focusing on the negative will not help anyone.  I have been talking to many people who are feeling fearful and powerless.  Most people are feeling uncertain as to how they can help.  First we must help ourselves.  How are we feeling about the events that are happening?   I have studied EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and have found it extremely helpful not only for people I counsel but for myself as well.

In EFT they stress that we can only give out what we feel inside.  If we are anxious, stressed and worried, that is what we will pass along.  It will begin to seep into our lives and effect the world around us.  If we can still feel peace and love in a crisis that is when we become leaders and make a difference.  Our emotions have a greater impact on the world then we could ever imagine.  We can replace our fear with love...loving and caring for ourselves.  How can we do this?  The following are affirmations to repeat which will help us to center and make a choice in the way we want to feel.  In EFT, which is a form a psychological acupressure, we also tap on certain body points.  Just saying the affirmations without the tapping will also bring a shift in our consciousness.  You may want to consider learning the points at another time.

Start by taking 3 deep breaths...

Repeat the following phrases (you can read them from a sheet of paper)...

Love before me
Love behind me
Love at my left
Love at my right
Love above me
Love below me
Love on me
Love in my surroundings
Love to all
Love to the Universe

Peace before me
Peace behind me
Peace at my left
Peace at my right
Peace above me
Peace below me
Peace on me
Peace in my surroundings
Peace to all
Peace to the Universe

Light before me
Light behind me
Light at my left
Light at my right
Light above me
Light below me
Light on me
Light in my surroundings
Light to all
Light to the Universe

Place your hand on your heart and take a deep breath in and out...

Remember that we have a decision to make everyday.  We can either choose to be hypnotized by the fear in the news or take the knowledge of these events to inspire us.  Making a choice to be inspired helps us to create positive changes in our lives and in the world around us.

May all those who survive the quake and its aftermath have speedy recoveries.  May they be brave and resilient, and be strong in overcoming the demise of their loved ones.

May all sentient beings be free from suffering.  May all beings be well and happy.

~ Elizabeth Botta Brandes