meditation-8

2008-09-11T13:08:00.001-07:00

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An Experimental Meditation using NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Approaches
Author: Adam Sargant, Dip.H.Ed (Nursing Studies), Dip.Hyp.,NLP(prac)

This meditation is built on the idea of trance identification with a future idealised, or present higher realized, self. Deep Trance Identification is a concept derived from the fields of NLP and hypnosis, but has its origins in shamanism, spiritual and religious practices of all kinds. Shamanic practices of identification with spirit beings and deities would appear to go back to pre-history. More recently, some forms of the mystical Christian practices of the Stations of the Cross encourage identification with Jesus at stages from his being condemned to die through to his resurrection.

In Sogyal Rinpoche's book, The Tibetan Book of living and Dying, he describes a meditation he calls Guru Yoga. I have adapted this meditation with an emphasis on some of the submodality distinctions. I would be interested in people's thoughts or experiences with this meditation.

It seems to me that one should be able to http://nlpuniversitypress.com/html/F41.html " target=_blank>future pace (nlp jargon) the insights and resources from the meditation back to the future self. This then creates a feedback loop, because the resources develop in the future pacing and become increasingly expanded and available to the trance identification. So as one carries out the meditation below, one can become aware of the insights that develop in "the now" contributing to the spiritual development of the future guru self being meditated upon. This further develops the guru self and results in accelerated insights in "the now".

I am constantly amazed by the obvious familiarity in buddhist writings with submodalities, given that they don't appear to have an explicit model of such.

Recieving the Wisdom of the Wisdom Self

Invocation

Sit quietly. Imagine yourself at some point in the future having acquired the spiritual wisdom and experience that you currently seek. Picture yourself as having all the qualities of compassion and wisdom and allow that image to fill the sky.

As you attend to that image, of your future self benignly and compassionately aware of your self now, allow the image to take on the qualities of translucence like a rainbow, so you can see the sky through the image of the guru self.

Holding the image in mind, allow yourself to feel the presence of a superbly compassionate and wise being, and in your mind, address the guru self with the following words "Help me, inspire me to reach forward to my goals of spiritual development. Teach me to progress as the I that is you have progressed and to realise the true nature of
my being".

Now, whichever is easier, allow the guru self to fill your being from within, or allow yourself to expand and merge with the image of the guru self. Become aware of the transparency of self as you grow and simply rest, still, within the mind of the guru self.

In your mind, say now "Fill me now with the love and devotion I have learned in the future, guide me to the resources I have acquired in the time of my future self. I am my own Buddha teacher, and the pull of my own inspiration is inspired to flower and to blossom, as a flower in the sun".

Maturation

Within the mind of the guru self, simply practice whatever form of meditation is most familiar to you, whether it be single pointed concentration on an external object or a mantra meditation, or whatever form is most natural to you. Simply offer this meditation up with devotion and love to the future guru self and your own spiritual aspirations.

Empowerment

Separating your self from the future guru self, see the guru self again as filling the sky, translucent as a rainbow. Now imagine thousands of rays of light pouring from the image of the guru self, into you, filling you with love, healing, purifying and sowing the seeds of your future spiritual growth. As these lights continue to pour forth, imagine a swelling of intense white light emanating from the forehead of the guru self, between the eyes, and bursting forth and entering and filling you through the same point.

Then, imagine a ruby red light originating from the throat of the guru self, growing and then pouring forth into you entering at your throat.

2008-08-28T12:11:00.001-07:00

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meditation-5

2008-08-21T12:10:00.003-07:00

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What does Meditation music do to you?
Author: Werner Boersch
Personally I belief that it is possible for anyone to live a life of happiness, inner peace, and outward success, no matter what their present or past circumstances.
There are very real methods anyone can use to achieve these thingsif they are willing to make the necessary changes in how they see themselves and their relationship to the rest of the world, and take the necessary actions.

All traditions of meditation flow from one premise: that the entire universe is made of one all-encompassing energy, intelligent and aware, existing forever as the source of everything. Because there is nothing outside of it, say the mystics, because of its completeness, this energy has nothing to get or need, nothing to fear. Simply because it is its nature to do so, this one energy continually spins itself out as the entire, infinite universe. The very nature of this energy, it is said, is contentment, love, peace, happiness, and perfection.

The totality of this energy, say the mystics, is who you really are; your seeming separateness, an illusion. Saints and sages have for centuries attempted to describe to humankind a state of awareness where this feeling of oneness with everything in the universe is the predominant experience.

For thousands of years, curious seekers have responded to these explanations by asking, "If I am this one, infinite energy, the beginning less and endless totality of everything, if I really am Love itself, then why do I feel so bad? Why do I have so many problems? Why don't I feel the peace and happiness you say is my true nature?"
And the mystic invariably would answer, "You do not experience your true nature because of your mind. Your mind keeps you from the experience of what truly is."
These explanations state that the one energy of reality, at the moment of creation, polarized itself into a seeming dualitygood and evil, male and female, up and down, here and there and all other pairs of seeming opposites. This duality, however, is more apparent than real. In each pair of opposites, each part is dependent on the other for its existence, like two sides of the same coin. "Cold" is meaningless without "hot"; "good" makes no sense without "bad". According to the mystical philosophies of the East,it
is the tension between these pairs of opposites, in your mind, that actually causes the universe to manifest.
This tension between opposites is also reflected in the human brain.
The brain, divided into two hemispheres, right and left, has the same dual structuremade more acute by the fact that in virtually all people the two hemispheres are unbalanced, a state called brain lateralization.
Since the brain filters our reality in this split-brain way, we tend to see things in terms of duality rather than the oneness spoken of by mystics.
Of course, today we know that this is truethe mind does indeed act as a filter, coloring our view of reality just as colored glasses give an illusory tint to what we see. As we grow up, our brain is programmed that some things cause pain and should be avoided, while others bring pleasure and should be sought.
Our brain will always filter reality to confirm that its predominant beliefs and associations are the truth.
No wonder we don't see the universe of love and harmony described by saints and mystics!
If the brain could somehow learn to operate in a more coherent, holistic manner, if the two sides of the brain could somehow balance, interact more, and function, as one, then possibly our experience of reality would be different.
The more lateralization in the brain (in other words, the more tension between polar opposites) the more feelings of separation, fear, anxiety, and isolation. In fact, as we shall see, only a lateralized brain can continue to entertain the types of beliefs that result in dysfunctional and addictive behaviors and the painful feelings that accompany them.

But our brain should not be considered like an organ what produces our
consciousness, we should consider it instead like the product of our consciousness.
The connections between the cells in our brain become created following the necessities of our consciousness.
In this way, our brain evolves and produces his self and our implicit consciousness.
Therefore, must our mind be seen as a potentiality!

Modern brain research indicates that long-term meditation does in fact balance the brain, creating a synchrony between the two hemispheres.
They discovered that electrical brain wave patterns of meditators changed, in periods of deep meditation, to a single, coherent pattern, indicating that both sides of the brain ordinarily out of phase were working together in a balanced, synchronous manner.
This and other research has demonstrated that this balancing, or synchronization, of the hemispheres of the brain happens in all forms of meditation. The degree of hemispheric synchronization can be very precisely determined by measuring the meditator's brain wave patterns with an electroencephalograph (EEG) machine.
Any kind of focusing will bring about a degree of brain synchronization (i.e. meditation). The greater the focus, the greater the synchronization (and the deeper the meditative state). The mystic, then, sitting to meditate, balances the brain through some form of focusing, whether by repeating a prayer or mantra, keeping the attention on the flow of the breath, staring at a candle flame, or by using one of many other techniques. Whatever the technique, the effect on the brain is substantially the samebrain synchronization, and after much practice, transcendental experience.
So just what is this transcendental awareness? Is it becoming some kind of a blob of undifferentiated guru that wants to sit and stare at its navel instead of going to work in the morning, or some kind of robed, smiling person handing out flowers in the airport? Contrary to common Western mythology about such things, persons operating continually in this type of awareness (a kind of 24-hour-a-day state of meditative alertness sometimes referred to as "the awakened mind") are more productive, happier, and capable of more intimacy, more creativity, and more wholeness. Since the filter through which they view reality does not split everything in to categories based on arbitrary early life programming, they see life more objectively, without fear and judgment, without a need to manipulate others, without need for approvalin short, without the limitations of mental programming. This is, in fact, a state of peak performance. And, when the brain is in this highly synchronous and coherent state, it produces large quantities of pleasure-causing petrochemicals called endorphins, making the whole experience very pleasurable!

In order to accelerate the personal growth process, can you take advantage from the results of modern brain research and use the combined method between meditation and brain wave stimulation with scientifically
developed meditation music, what stimulates your brain in a more effective and faster way than traditional meditation. By doing that you'll exclude any upcoming difficulties regarding focusing your mind and concentration.
Music is harmony; start practicing your meditation with harmoniouslyhttp://www.meditationsession.com meditation music!
http://www.meditationsession.com

This article may be freely re-published on your website or in your ezine as long as nothing is changed and the resource box is included at the bottom of the article and all links
within the resource box and the article remain active for the duration of the publication of the article.
Copyright © by Werner Boersch 2004

About the Author

Studied Psychlogy in Germany
on the University of Dusseldorf,
practicing Yoga and Meditation
since several years
Owner &Webmaster
http://www.meditationsession.com
Discuss your experiences
http://www.meditation-session.blogspot.com

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meditation-5

2008-08-21T12:10:00.001-07:00

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meditation-28

2008-06-19T08:13:00.001-07:00

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Natural Stress Relief - Without a Doctor!
Author: Catherine Calder
Are you looking for stress relief? No drugs, no meditation? Have you ever thought about taking up a craft? In fact, doing a craft is a prescription for good health. And more importantly you do not need to be good at the craft to benefit!

Imagine feeling more relaxed. See yourself smiling, pleased with your efforts. All this can be yours - once you start enjoying a hobby.

A craft can be any hand made project that you take pleasure in doing - it could be painting, needle work, knitting, home decoration, wood work. Medical studies have shown that there are physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits from having an active interest in crafting.

One study of 30 female heart patients reported in the American Journal Medical Association showed a significant decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and perspiration rate while the subjects completed a simple craft project.

Hobbies and crafts provide a distraction from the pressures and stresses of everyday life. When you're engaged in your craft project your mind is concentrating on the project, this stops you thinking about everyday problems.

There is a tremendous feeling of satisfaction when you have completed a craft project. The final piece is all your own work. It is good to have something tangible, something that you can hold and admire.

Another major benefit is that it keeps your brain active - learning is important for keeping your brain "in shape". The size and structure of the neurons in your brain and the connections between them actually change as you learn.

Crafts are an intellectual activity which helps to keep your brain healthy. You can exercise your brain as you enjoy your craft. A win-win situation!

Many of the finalists in the Learning in Later Life Campaign 2000 to find England's oldest and most inspiring learners had crafts, especially painting, as their pastimes.

England's Oldest Learner was Fred Moore who was then aged 107 years. Fred continued with art classes until he died at the age of 109. The manager of his residential home said "Fred was a remarkable chap. He kept his memory, going back to the death of Queen Victoria, and always retained his great sense of humour."

Painting is an excellent hobby. It can be done both indoors and outdoors. You can paint by yourself or with others in an art group.

So the message is clear - take up a new hobby and keep your brain in shape. It is never too late to start. Local night classes offer a range of options. Visit the painting section at www.learnanddo.com for a free preview of The Acrylic Painting Course. This preview takes you step-by-step to completing your first painting.

Craft your way to a stress-free life!

About the Author

Catherine Calder is the author of the Acrylic Painting Course, a No-Draw step-by-step course ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to paint. Sign up for a free report on How to Paint Abstract Pictures for Pleasure and Profit. http://www.learnanddo.com/acrylic.asp

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meditation-27

2008-06-12T07:38:00.002-07:00

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Mindfulness and Laughter: Gaining Clarity While Giggling
Author: Maya Talisman Frost
Life is funny.

Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous moments that we tend to ignore. We get so caught up in being earnest that we miss opportunities to gain clarity while giggling.

Sure, there are times when it is considered inappropriate to laugh, but if we're honest, we'll see that if we're suppressing a smile it's a sign that we're fully present.

Not only that, but these are times when we could most use a little laughter to bring levity to an overly-serious situation. The best business meetings--and funerals--I've ever attended included plenty of bust-a-gut moments.

Years ago, during a two-week silent meditation retreat, I got the giggles. Oh, I know, you're supposed to be *serious* about meditating for five hours straight, but I couldn't help it.

It all started when I was roused from my peaceful posture by a certain "KLUNK!" from across the room. I opened my eyes to see that one of my retreat buddies had fallen asleep and landed with his head against the wall. Momentarily unnerved, he quickly straightened up, closed his eyes and put on his best meditator's face.

I, on the other hand, completely lost it.

I managed to stifle the first few giggles, but then they started escaping in little bursts. I tried the ol' coughing technique, hoping to disguise my snorts as expectoration, but I wasn't fooling anyone.

Pretty soon, I saw (well, I did have my eyes open) others looking my way. Nobody else was laughing. In fact, nobody else was even smiling. Clearly, I was the only one who had allowed myself to get caught up in that unexpected moment of hilarity.

I was chagrined, and then annoyed, and continued to watch my response to this incident shift over the next few minutes.

Had it been funny? Of course. Were we supposed to be concentrating fully on the moment? Absolutely. Anything else would be attachment to past regrets or worries about the future.

Okay, so we were focusing on watching our thoughts, and this little interruption was not part of what was going on in our heads. But isn't ignoring what's happening around us the same kind of thing that gets us into trouble back in the Real World?

We go about our lives, obsessing silently, moving mindlessly, getting things done. We fail to notice the wonder and joy and beauty all around us because we are in full scowl mode about the things in our heads.

Well, I'm all for taking time to laugh. Give me a giggling guru over a dour taskmaster every time. The greatest guides--in business, education, and personal success--are those who encourage us to invite hilarity into our lives whenever it happens to appear.

Open your eyes to the silliness around you, and laugh out loud. It's good for your heart in every way.

About the Author

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training in Portland, Oregon. She teaches eyes-wide-open ways to get calm, clear and creative. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com

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meditation-27

2008-06-12T07:38:00.001-07:00

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meditation-26

2008-06-05T07:32:00.001-07:00

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Ch-Ch-Chain of Hearts: Cranking Up Compassion
Author: Maya Talisman Frost
Can you hear your compassion? It's time to crank it up.

One of the most difficult challenges we face in our quest to be compassionate is dealing with conflict. Those we love most tend to be the ones most likely to engage us in sparring that cuts the deepest.

Why do we allow ourselves to use our harshest words and most acid tone of voice with the people we love most?

Precisely because we love them most. We're counting on unconditional love. We know we are likely to be forgiven. We feel close enough to let our true ugliness shine.

Blindingly.

We wouldn't dream of lashing out at our colleagues at work in this way. That would be way too risky. Instead, we bottle our daily frustration and dump it all over our loved ones when we get home.

Many of my clients struggle with showing compassion for their partners, children and parents when they are feeling stressed. Instead of relaxing into affection, they respond to requests or confrontation with anger.

Most frustrating of all is the fact that, while they are lashing out, they recognize that they are alienating those with whom they most want to feel a connection and find comfort. It's as though they are watching themselves lob grenades but are powerless to stop.

One of the best--and easiest to remember--triggers for changing behavior is thinking of a particular song phrase. I teach clients to use the "ch-ch-chain" part of Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" to kick off a remarkably simple visualization exercise that is very effective in diffusing escalating conflict. It's based on a traditional loving-kindness meditation, but it's a lot more fun!

Visualize a chain of hearts--an extended valentine, if you will--connecting your heart to theirs. Remember that you are linked by this shared affection.

In our best moments, we do whatever we can to protect our loved ones from pain. If this person had an injury or illness, you would be gentle, soothing and kind, right? You've probably spent hours caring for this individual with great tenderness.

Tap into that. Look at the chain of hearts. Your sharp words slash through that chain like a machete. STOP. Let the words drop away as you focus on that connection. Feel your anger and frustration being replaced by compassion.

"Ch-ch-chay-ay-ay-ay-ain...." It's hard to stay cranky while mentally chanting the "ch-ch-chain" mantra and visualizing that valentine.

Can't feel the love? Try another Aretha Franklin song. Instead of focusing on that ch-ch-chain of hearts, dive into "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and replace that poison in your words with civility.

Not into Aretha? Pick your own song. Let your mental radio play, and use it to crank up your compassion.

[Bah-oomp] Makes me feel like A Natural Woman...

About the Author

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training in Portland, Oregon. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 90 countries. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, visit http://massageyourmind.com

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meditation-25

2008-05-29T06:54:00.002-07:00

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Bust Holiday Stress
Author: Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC
The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear the way for greater joy, love and meaning this year by busting these sources of holiday stress:

1. Too much to do in too little time.

*This week, set holiday priorities with your family. Discuss what traditions to keep, which to discard, and which new traditions to try.

*Make a holiday to-do list NOW and create a realistic schedule for when to accomplish each item.

*Avoid overscheduling.

*Ask family members for help with holiday tasks.

2. Long lines in stores.

*Shop via catalog or Internet, and avoid stores on weekends if you can.

*If you're shopping with small children, take along snacks, books, toys or other items to make waiting in line more pleasant. Or, if you're sufficiently uninhibited, sing a holiday song with your child.

*If you're shopping alone, use waiting time to relax and and center yourself with meditation or prayer. Try directing your attention to your breathing at your belly. Or practice observing the people around you through the eyes of compassion, without judging. Give thanks or pray for healing, peace, or other concerns close to your heart.

3. Difficult relatives.

*Take some quiet time to develop a plan for taking care of yourself around relatives who "get your goat."

*Invest in yourself by using a therapist to help create a plan to protect your boundaries.

4. Cranky kids.

*Think "low key" for a happy celebration with little ones. Remember that your small child thrives on your undivided attention and has a limited capacity to adjust to adult "needs" to hurry.

*Protect your child's naptime and playtime.

*Spend floor-time with your child every day.

5. Commercialism.

*Create family traditions that involve giving to those in need.

*Focus on low-cost or no-cost holiday traditions.

*Help keep children's expectations realistic. For example, you might say You'll get about the same amount of presents as you did on your birthday.

6. Bills!

*Decide on a holiday budget for entertaining and gifts.

* If credit cards make overspending too easy, stick to cash for holiday purchases.

7. Loss.

* If you have lost a loved one, the holidays may intensify your grief. Explore ways to cope at www.griefnet.org/library/articles/hfa-tips.html or www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=FL00055.

*If holiday blues persist or seem particularly intense, don't hesitate to reach out for professional help. Your physician or clergyperson can give you a referral.

8. Post-holiday let-down.

*Spread out the fun at least through the end of school vacation by planning an outing or a fun time at home for each day.

*Have a party and finish your leftover holiday sweets the night before school resumes.

A little forethought and planning can go a long way towards making you glad the holidays are coming - instead of just glad when they're over. Your wisdom holds the key to holiday joy.

© 2004 Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC

About the Author

Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC, edits "The Balance Point," a free-biweekly e-zine for women who are both professionals and parents. She offers individual and group coaching and teleclasses.

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2008-05-08T23:09:00.001-07:00

Meditation
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Columnist in The ES Press Magazine
World-Mysteries.com guest expert
Author of Diverse Druids

Owner&Webmaster
http://www.meditationsession.com
Psychologist and Yoga practising

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