Science investigates Meditation benefits

Original post on CNN.com here:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/26/can-meditation-change-your-brain-contemplative-neuroscientists-believe-it-can/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+rss/cnn_living+(RSS:+Living

Science is finally beginning to 'validate' what people such as 
myself have been saying for thousands of years!  I think that is a 
great step forward for anyone who feels their empathic nature strongly 
enough to say 'I am empathic' or 'I am an Empath'.   All humans may 
say this, as we each open up to it.  As is - we're like the marines; 
the few, and the proud.   :)   That is not to say that 'we' will prove/ 
disprove everything we run into in life or the universe with 
science...  However science is our 'tool' to 'measure' the universe 
around us and everything in it.  Science doesn't 'have' to be the 
enemy of the unknown, it can be the champion instead if given the 
proper direction to investigate in! 

I for one am glad they are looking into this field and the benefits of
meditation for the human well-being (outside of just empathy) - this
isn't just a scientist going 'Hey I think these Meditating folks are
right, something is cooking in their noodle when they sit and think" -
this is actual scientific testing taking place that shows actual
changes in brainwave patterns which effect how we think and process -
and react.   Science 'has' identified the parts of the brain that are
active and control how and when we are feeling empathetic, this being
the Limbic system.  The Limbic system is a ring of closely connected
brain structures consisting of the Thalamus, Hypothalamus,
Hippocampus, and Amygdala.  Each controls a certain 'step' or
'portion' of the formation of Emotions - Empathy.  

I'm glad of my talent and happy to be able to identify it, I am proud
of it, and identify with others who feel the same. 

I'd like to take it a step further, and be able to 'explain' how it
works, why it works, how you can strengthen this ability - which is
what my post about Meditation is about.  My post was not intended to
say we cannot be compassionate or Empathetic without meditation, but
that the act 'of' meditation strengthens the areas of the brain that
'create' emotion and empathetic feelings.  Where we each take it from
there is up to us. 

If One says they are empathic - wouldn't One want to strengthen this
ability or get to know the causes/functions of said ability?  (Which
actually is a great step for some, as so many are ready to just 'turn
off' this ability and really 'don't' care for it, sadly..)  I can
transform a bush or small tree into a  bonsai - but I seek teachings
so that I do it well, and my trees live and flourish more and so that
I understand what my trees need (Generally they just tell me - but I
bet you know what I mean).  We go to school to educate our minds so
that we can 'do' more in our lives and understand more of the world
around us.    This is what I'm expressing about meditation and empathy
combined. 

The ability to use a skillset (meditation), to increase your mental
capacity 'for' empathy and mindful, calm, compassionate thinking.   :) 

Again, it's not for everyone (running or jogging is good for the body
as well - but I hate it!), however I do realize and accept the
benefits of One who jogs or runs and what that does for them - and
what it 'could' do for me if I got over my dislike, and did it.. (Good
luck there!)  :D 

Namaste', 

The Grid - united Consciousness's effects on Reality

I think on a level outside our 3d existence - we are sharing/melding 
our energies into 1 gridwork that effects the local '3d' environment. 
That gridwork reflects many levels and types of interest; with many 'grids' for 
various energies that are in play.    In effect; within an enclosed 
part of time-space, we 'do' effect our reality on a grand scale by our 
individual energies pooled into 'One'.  We don't drive 'One', it's a 
reflection of us.  within this grid, we can 'mass effect' our reality, 
and on smaller scales we each can impart or 'drive' our own separate 
realities to a point.  The more energy you put in, the bigger 'bubble' 
around yourself you create of 'instability' or..  Your ability to be 
an individual (ego) in this existence.  How do you put that energy 
in?  By now having big 'walls' of beliefs, by having mental and 
physical focus to effect yourself and the reality around you.  Your 
ability to get 'others' to see and share in 'your' view of reality. 
(Hitler, although not the best being around for so many reasons, had 
quite the 'charm' or.. ability to project his reality and turn others 
to 'his' view).  Imagine, how a being working for 'good' with that 
sort of energetic focus, could/would do?  (All the prophets and 
spiritual beings from so many religions comes to mind in me, with that 
thought). 

So back to that 3d gridwork, and my 'model'.   Within this grid, we
effect our reality.  It's a physical barrier (we only know about life
on earth, so that's where our influence is right?)  Imagine if we did
habitate the moon or Mars - we would then begin to effect reality
there, and also the already-existing 'grid' there would become inter-
connected with ours. 

I feel as I said that this is really astral travel - OOB, spirit 

walking, whatever you may call it in your beliefs.  For some it's
easier than others - some walk in both worlds at once, or just by
sitting and thinking they get there quickly.   For me it takes a bit
of focus and timing.  Sometimes this happens in dreams, and just about
as many times in meditation.  To get there, I generally do a
meditation using death pose in yoga to relax my body totally (close to
being asleep - awake, probably why it works for me this way 'while'
awake).  I focus inwards, allow myself to 'sink' in then 'rise'
upwards suddenly.  On the way up it's all colors of gold and white,
then things get grey then pop, I'm just there and flying around.  Once
I come to a focus point and I'm not moving, I just seem to look like
'me'.  no sudden transformation, I don't think about it, just blink -
if there's travel and I'm aware of the travel, I'm a CD while doing
it.. 

It's going to be different for each being I think, some will be
similar and almost the same, but for others it will be a totally
different experience - this may cause some to doubt their own
validation of what they see/feel at times, may cause some to react
with fear and will be so different from their own ideas that it seems
'wrong'.   Thank goodness we can all be different is all I can think
to that, change is the way of the universe, nothing is static;  To try
to exist as static energy will cause you to burn out as does a
lightbulb's filament.  What we 'think' is reality could change in the
blink of an eye, better to be accepting of our differences; it allows
for easier melding of our energy in the grid, unconsciously we are all
working towards this, the current effect is this unconscious effect on
our 'grid' our 'reality'.  That being conflict in our world since
beginning of 'time'.  It'll continue on that's how change works,  The
key is can we get to a point where we are more accepting at least (no
wars, more talk) so our energies (our world and race) can 'gestate' to
a better point.. 

Mindfulness in Daily Life

As I am a humble student of Life, sometimes the daily grind of 'personality living' or, the Mind (ego) being in control of my awake and aware functions over-rides that which I meditate daily to realize and reclaim - Mindfulness in my daily life.  When I sink into meditation - the release is instant, mindfulness enters; the problems, anxieties, fears melt away and I am transformed almost into another being it feels at times.  However this cannot be - I am not 2 persona, but one whole being - part of the greater Oneness that 'is' All that Is.   As I've listened to the teachings and insight from many teachers past and present via writings and audio recordings that are bringing the teachings of the Buddha to the world - I hear many similar components, similar reasonings.   One of the key teachings or reasonings, is the understanding of Mindfulness; what it means, how to achieve it, and how to apply it in daily living - and why.   This has made a great impact on my life as one of the teachers that I listen to often (Thich Nhat Hanh) delivered a message that seemed almost crafted for me; a method to retain mindfulness throughout your day, how to grasp and love all parts of yourself through this mindfulness - even your anger and depression that you may have.

What a joy to receive this lesson!  Slowly, day by day I am using this method to maintain my mindfulness now in such a way that it is like breathing - there is no 'thinking' of 'being' mindful - it just is.   If you are interested, it is a track from one of TNH's recordings titled 'Present Moment'.   This message is delivered from a number of teachings by many teachers and reaches back to the teachings of the Buddha himself.  It is in actuality one of the 14 mindfulness trainings:

The Sixth Mindfulness Training: Dealing with Anger
Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognize and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When anger comes up, we are determined not to do or say anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace, and look deeply into our anger. We will learn to look with the eyes of compassion at ourselves and at those we think are the cause of our anger.

In my own post about 'What really makes us Human' I give my personal definition of Mindfulness.

Some Zen masters argue that seeking Mindfulness in a direct way, destroys what you are seeking.   How can you destroy something that is already a part of you, I ask?  We are not 'seeking' mindfulness truly - but 'reclaiming' this method of thinking and putting it into play in a modern world. This is a personal goal in this life, and how I wish to aid all others to have the possibility to realize and achieve egoless Mindfulness.  It sounds simple - and it is.  It's only made difficult by ourselves as I have discovered.

You may ask - how then is Mindfulness expressed - what do you mean?

Everyone has had at least a few mindful moments that you can recall - if you know what to think upon.

"That day the sky was so blue, the trees so green"

"The sunset was so beautiful, the purples and blues"

"The air smelled crisp and fresh, clean and light"

These are simple and brief viewpoints with mindfulness applied.  Not just the 'thought' of each of these statements, but the 'feeling' inside that you are speaking Dharma - Truth, and experiencing the moment in it's fullness.

Now comes, the sometimes daunting thought of applying Mindfulness to every aspect of your daily life (I still find it  challenging - and inspiring to seek all at once).  This is especially difficult for those of us in the Western World, where our daily lives are sped up year after year with the latest technological devices that take away the 'thinking' involved in tasks where maybe, technology should take a back seat or another approach..  Mindfulness is not just a concept of Buddhism - however for me it delivers the best teachings and explanations for that which is within each of us no matter East, West, North, or South and the means for anyone, anywhere to achieve this mindful clairity in your thinking and reactions. 

Mindfulness is that quick darting thought that floats though your mind of what to say - before you speak.  If you give pause, contemplate that elusive darting thought, then give response, this is a lead-in to Mindful thinking.

"Well, isn't this just smart thinking, or being wise and listening before speaking?"

Very close yes, but do not let terminology confuse how mindfulness is expressed from the buddhist point of view - apply your own terms to the situation but understand the viewpoint:  Saying 'mindfulness' implies that the response you give, you are giving from a neutral standpoint, with no advantage sought just pure truth of the moment.

"How about a modern application of Mindfulness??"

You are driving home from work, and your commute is 1 hour each way, 5 days a week.  Today it is raining, traffic is terrible, and someone has just cut you off causing you to sit through one more long red light before you can turn down to a faster moving street.

What comes to mind directly for most - is not a mindful thought..   :)

a mindful thought or reaction in this instance would be;

"Whoever you are - be safe and at ease"

"Reach what you are heading towards, safely"

or

to allow a smile to cross your face, instead of unrest and frowns. (or a multi-fingered salute)

Sounds peaceful, yes? How easier and more agreeable would everyones daily commute in the world be if this way of thinking were applied by everyone to each other at all times?

What do you think?


Namaste'

Rob Bryanton on Kelly Howell's weekly Podcast

Imagine my surprise, to find that Kelly Howell has a webpage and weekly podcast event (I'm a fan of her mind opening CD/meditative guides).  Further imagine my surprise, to see that I'd just missed her weekly podcast - with one of my strongest influences (supporters really) of how I think 'things are' - Rob Bryanton!  

Certainly the biggest sync I've had in a week or 2 at least - and exciting at that!

Rob is the creator of the incredibly important (and viral) understanding of the dimensions we call 'reality'.

Rob Bryanton's 'Imagining the 10th Dimension'

(inside sync - Rob 'stumbled' on (nothing is by chance, everything is for a reason) my bonsai blog months back - and 'that' is what led me to discovering him!)

Here is the podcast from May 13th.  Can't believe I missed it, but only by a few days..

Rob Bryanton discusses 'beyond the 3rd dimension' on Kelly Howell's Podcast

Probably the one thing that gave me shivers (and I will have to go back and listen to the entire podcast now) is when Rob mentions the theory of another thinker, that discussed 'black holes' inside humans.  This person's viewpoint of the dimensions and how they work differs from my own, but that someone else also had the same concept as myself about 'black holes' existing within us was amazing to hear.  See my own post about 'lightful black holes' being in actuality - our Chakras  

What appeals to me about Rob and his ideas - is that it so mirrors mine (He's had more time to think , build, and advance his ideas - that elusive 'time' feature), however he and I are not unique - indeed Rob is voicing what many are beginning to perceive,  and what many have thought for likely thousands of years (One can certainly go back to the respective times of the Sumerians, Mayans, Egyptians, and also concepts in Hinduism to see that man has been thinking not only about their place in the cosmos, but that the cosmos has more to offer than what we are able to readily experience in the '3D' of the 3rd dimension).  As a friend of mine puts it, living in the '3d' can be hard when you're always getting glimpses from the 5th!  (This told to me almost a year before I discovered Rob's work on the 'net)

That is another amazing fact about this podcast; that he discusses much the 5th dimension and how much of spiritual and meditative travel, messaging, conversations beyond the physical - paranormal inter-connectivity is through the 5th dimension or even higher.  Also the explanation of the differences of the 4th dimension to the 5th (and higher) when trying to understand images or events that have transpired during meditation, dream travel, or much of the sensual experiences that are often 'written off' as insanity, or worse in other times.

Thank you Rob and Kelly and those like you for being the beacons and offering open discussion for all on these important viewpoints.  Indeed we are 'expanding' and I found the jumping jesus concept not only truthful but something we should indeed ponder. The speed of our technological advancement is indeed moving in leaps and bounds. I hope that our spiritual development is able to walk forward arm in arm with our mind's growth, so the day when we 'can' point to a spark of life and 'name' it, terminology will not split us on what we call this Oneness.

Namaste,

More on Compassion

Maybe I should let an expert speak on the matter..  You can skip to about 30 minutes in when he begins to speak.  



Namaste!

What really makes us human

What is the basic component that makes us human?  What separates us (in fact it does not separate us, but brings us closer to Nature) from what we consider species that are not 'homo sapien'?

To my humble observations, what makes us 'human' is our compassion for others; humans and others outside our own species alike.  It has been argued that in early man, we gathered together simply for protection, and to survive.   But what drives this?   One may seek protection, but what makes 1 person more 'protective' than another?  What does that 'protection' really mean?  Does the one 'giving' protection, do it for their own 'protective' gain - what is their initiative to be a protector?

Compassion is obvious in every form of life outside the 'human' realm;   Care given to the newly born, unconscious concern for the pack/mates.  Concern for elderly (Elephants will stand for hours, even days it's been documented, around a member who has passed of old age), and even peers (most species of apes and gorillas 'groom' each other in a most expressive form of care that we humans can readily understand.)   Dogs and Cats care for their youth, and eventually their pack members.   Why??

This is Compassion.  It exists in all beings, all creatures to one level or another.  Concern for the well-being of others.    Caring for another to enhance their well-being.  Protection, for another's longevity.   Providing nourishment for another, this is all compassion.   It is a deeply rooted part of all organic life on this planet.  It is the one component that does unite us all in this Oneness existence.  Compassion and Concern for others - for all, for One.

How can we propagate Compassion even more?  Certainly compassion exists in this world - however it oddly finds itself at the bottom of the list when governments meet, companies compete, and political parties speak.  

We can propagate Compassion, by being the example; Many will say (and quote this line) ' an eye for an eye'.   This thinking lacks compassion.  however the parable 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you', this thought generates compassion and concern in the individual, allowing for the growth of compassion towards others.

How do we begin to be more compassionate in our lifes to others, to form a foundation of compassion for daily life?   This begins with truthful Mindfulness of yourself, your life, your goals, your desires.  Mindfulness is essential.  What does this mean?

Mindfulness is the ever present awareness of self and also realization of lack of self through, the first breath of waking, to the last breath before sleep.

It is the awareness of everything around you, and at the same time, lack of self-concern while being completely Mindful and aware of all that is around you..

This is not something done overnight - for some it can take a lifetime, others, intense study and practicing instills this.  For others (myself included) it is a daily ritual of remembering 'to' be Mindful of every thing, every being, every insect, animal, plant that I see.  Every cloud - noticing the blueness of the sky!  Noticing sadness in others around me - taking an active role to use this Mindfulness to assist where I may.

Complete mindfulness, is compassionate living.

Compassion, 'is' what makes us Human.

Namaste,

Road Rage is a Mental Illness?

I found an article that I can't verify it's truth or it's original publication of, but the topic itself was interesting enough for me to want to talk about.  The topic was, Road Rage being classified as a 'mental illness'.

 I feel that 'road rage' being labeled as a mental
illness is another poor job by our Medical community, and I hope is
not being accepted as 'the end all truth' for what causes Road
Rage...   Road Rage, is nothing more than loss of control of Self - we
all get into these cars and 'forget' who we are and become someone
else because 'no one can see us', our car's 'skin' becomes the drivers
physical presence.  Road Rage, is Anger, Competition, Frustration,
and..  Loss of Control of Self, and likely many other things that
fits' for each persons unique situation, each unique moment of the
day. 


Some people - have no problem whatsoever of distinguishing themselves
while in a car.  Many however, do take on another 'personality' while
behind the wheel.  Completely fine people can have a bad day and have
a fit, and have road rage.  this is not sudden 'mental illness', now
is it?

For that point, I feel 'Mental Illness's' are good internal practices,
that are turned up a notch too high (in some cases, maybe many
notches!).  The person with OCD?  The greatest organizer in the world
if they recognize it and put it to practice and use.   ADD - some of
the brightest minds and thinkers, creators and inventive people out
there have been labeled with ADD.

When we begin to label people's abilities or 'momentary loss of self'
as illnesses - I think we need to step back (before we take a step
back) and really examine 'what' is going on, and how what one
individual is doing or causing, can be explained with a closer,
intimate look at an person's Self.

To that end - I fully admit, I have had moments of Road Rage.
Completely my fault, and lack of self control in those instances.
Certainly, no mental illness going on that 'caused' me to Rage.  'I'
accept FULL responsibility for myself.  I have not had an instance
like this in years, and feel I have found my 'Self', which does not want
any part of loss of control of 'My'Self.


If everyone did this, 'own yourself' instead of wanting a 'label' for whatever makes
them different - maybe we'd get to 'know' each other better, than just
reading labels and making associations based on those labels - labels
no matter how long, are not descriptive enough to explain the
uniqueness of EACH of us.   :)

Namaste,