I wrote yesterday about invisible but controlling forces in the universe, electromagnetic radiation and gravity being two of the fundamental four. It is clear that our senses are important to us but that there are phenomena that exist but can't be detected by the unaided human. So, when I tell myself that I concentrate on the material world, I mean to include some non-material aspects of it, such as these forces. Even though it is a slippery slope from rocks and trees to gremlins and fairies, I also recognize that my thoughts as well as my written and typed words along with my speech matter, too. So do those of others, alive now or formerly.
Because in the early 80's, I recognized the potential of meditation as a tool for mental, social and physical health and for joy and appreciation of life, I pay attention to information that comes along, both scientific results and explanatory sources. When I hear of some new book or video on one or more forms of meditation, I try to give it at least a cursory glance, in case it seems to be a valuable addition to efforts to help everyone to know and practice the fundamentals.
Meditation is as valuable as exercise to having a good life. In some ways, it can be considered more valuable since exercise can be limited by body conditions or other limitations while mediation may still be possible. A good friend said the other day that he meditates for about 30 seconds, several times a day. Totally fine! I have a copy of the out-of-print book by Charles Stroebel, MD that promotes doing just that, for as little as 6 seconds. You know, waiting for the traffic light to change or while on hold.
What to do during the meditation time? Relax! Sometimes, it takes a little time to scan the face and whole body and sense tension being carried there. Even though the relaxation is valuable for the body and the spirit, it is the use of the attention that really matters. Continuing the practice slowly improves one's awareness of what one is doing with attention. What is being attended to? Where is my attention?
Greater awareness of one's attention increases one's ability to see one's thoughts and feelings as they parade by. That greater awareness, referred to as "mindfulness" assists in seeing oneself and others compassionately and with understanding. It increases tolerance, sympathy and understanding of the foibles and shortcomings in self and others while decreasing their power and damage. It helps with the limitations of pain, sickness and aging, as well as being dealt a poor hand by life in some area.
Mark Williams is a British professor of clinical psychology at Oxford University. He is the lead author of "The Mindful Way through Depression", which I found very helpful in understanding the mind's typical way of leading into depression and staying there. He has written the excellent introduction to "The Mindfulness Manifesto" by Heaversedge and Halliwell, an inexpensive book by two practicing professionals describing meditation practices and their application. They are aware that businesses, colleges, K-12 grades, military and law enforcement organizations and medical practitioners are joining churches and religious groups in using meditative practices, which are quick to use, virtually without cost, have no side effects and are proving extremely valuable.
Until writing this post, I had not looked at videos and YouTube sources on the web about meditation but I just found that there are over 100 million that Google can find. Here is a short, coached session of meditation by the world-famous Mayo Clinic.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
Because in the early 80's, I recognized the potential of meditation as a tool for mental, social and physical health and for joy and appreciation of life, I pay attention to information that comes along, both scientific results and explanatory sources. When I hear of some new book or video on one or more forms of meditation, I try to give it at least a cursory glance, in case it seems to be a valuable addition to efforts to help everyone to know and practice the fundamentals.
Meditation is as valuable as exercise to having a good life. In some ways, it can be considered more valuable since exercise can be limited by body conditions or other limitations while mediation may still be possible. A good friend said the other day that he meditates for about 30 seconds, several times a day. Totally fine! I have a copy of the out-of-print book by Charles Stroebel, MD that promotes doing just that, for as little as 6 seconds. You know, waiting for the traffic light to change or while on hold.
What to do during the meditation time? Relax! Sometimes, it takes a little time to scan the face and whole body and sense tension being carried there. Even though the relaxation is valuable for the body and the spirit, it is the use of the attention that really matters. Continuing the practice slowly improves one's awareness of what one is doing with attention. What is being attended to? Where is my attention?
Greater awareness of one's attention increases one's ability to see one's thoughts and feelings as they parade by. That greater awareness, referred to as "mindfulness" assists in seeing oneself and others compassionately and with understanding. It increases tolerance, sympathy and understanding of the foibles and shortcomings in self and others while decreasing their power and damage. It helps with the limitations of pain, sickness and aging, as well as being dealt a poor hand by life in some area.
Mark Williams is a British professor of clinical psychology at Oxford University. He is the lead author of "The Mindful Way through Depression", which I found very helpful in understanding the mind's typical way of leading into depression and staying there. He has written the excellent introduction to "The Mindfulness Manifesto" by Heaversedge and Halliwell, an inexpensive book by two practicing professionals describing meditation practices and their application. They are aware that businesses, colleges, K-12 grades, military and law enforcement organizations and medical practitioners are joining churches and religious groups in using meditative practices, which are quick to use, virtually without cost, have no side effects and are proving extremely valuable.
Until writing this post, I had not looked at videos and YouTube sources on the web about meditation but I just found that there are over 100 million that Google can find. Here is a short, coached session of meditation by the world-famous Mayo Clinic.
--
Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
