We often find ourselves in situations where we don't recognise how we feel. An incident occurs and we react, based on emotions. Usually, the mind tells the body but more often than not, the body tells the mind and then we decipher what's happening.
So take time to sit quietly, recall moments of happiness, sadness, anxiety, excitement, arousal and recognise the physical sensations.
I suggest looking at pictures, photographs, old films of family events. When you feel the physical reaction, just concentrate on your breathing, in and out, and simply recognise tightness in the belly, a 'lump in your throat,' butterflies, tension in the small of your back, tightness of the chest, etc. Acknowledge the feeling and acknowledge the emotions by simply saying, 'sad' or 'happy,' et cetera. Continue practicing this.
Then, when you are in a situation, you will learn what you are feeling and experiencing. Your body and mind will be aligned.
As soon as you hear a raised voice, have an invite, receive bad news, among other things, just take a breath, focus on breathing in and out, and recognise the emotion.
Emotions can be complex and we can feel overwhelmed by a multitude of sensations. By recognition of body states, we can begin to recognise what our body is telling us. In return we begin to tell the body and acknowledge what we are experiencing. Body and mind become aligned.
Once you practice this, put it in to practice, so as soon as you feel a trigger from the body, you know to breathe. Focus on your breathing, the in, the out. In time, you will be able to handle situations better and not react on impulse.
I'm not saying don't cry, don't laugh, don't get angry; I'm suggesting you become more aware of the body/mind relationship. You don't want to be numb to emotion, but you may want to be more aware of the moment and feel a bit more controlled, so you don't retaliate, don't bite, make rash decisions, don't feel as anxious, as impulsive.
And peace be with you.
Sunday 31 May 2015
Saturday 30 May 2015
In search of truth
In the search for truth, we seek understanding, acceptance and answers to existence. In the search for truth we begin to understand ourselves, the universe and what is life. And maybe the ultimate answer is not to know, but to accept things as they are. The truth is not for just one person, but for everyone. It is universal, without prejudice, without excuse and at one with love.
My faith
When you stop and consider religious ideas, alot of things need to be considered; who wrote them, who edited them and if we were to write them today, what response would they get? How would it relate to what we know?
In a thousand years time, would it appear naive? The key thing behind any notion of religion, or faith, is a moral principle regarding the improvement of self and society. Whether someone believes in God, an idea or principle, the idea of this fuels a fire. Buddhists may seek their own salvation, Christians have been granted salvation, Muslims regard charitable & good works to be essential in developing weight on the scales of judgement, Taoists observe and follow the natural flow of things, and the Hindu have a belief in samsara & karma. All these ideas are competitive. So who knows what the truth is? Is there God?
What I cannot exclude is the idea of God, of salvation, the nature of things and the creation of our universe. Our human knowledge is limited. Our knowledge of the brain, the mind, the universe and time is limited. We cannot prove or disprove, explain even 30% of the things we claim to know. So how can someone say there is no God? How can someone say this is how we were or weren't created?
I believe there is God, and our human minds cannot comprehend what God truly is. I believe that there is salvation and you can only grasp this idea when you realise how worthless, broken and sin ridden you are. I believe there is a way, the nature of things. I have faith that what I believe in affects my actions, my morality and the well-being of you and I. Religion isn't the issue, it's faith & belief. It's people with arrogance of opinion and lack of being open-minded, those who are blinkered and so blind to the evil they create in the name of good, who need to consider the ideas they believe in and consider, whether this truth they believe in has been written and edited by humankind to tell a version of events. For these people humanity will judge them, as well as their god. As for God, I believe God sends messengers at intervals through our history to help the moral compass point true north. Few are famous, many more are not. Those who exercise compassion, and whose actions are of forgiveness and love, have heard the truth. Those who force opinion have heard it yet twisted it. There is no true religion, there is only true faith: faith in the endless possibilities, in someday understanding an idea of what God truly is, in not being so arrogant to assert a conclusion that can never be proven, and faith that our acts of compassion and love will overcome all things. And having the faith that in 2000 years time, we will be able to look back and see how much we have grown and just how much we still do not know.
In a thousand years time, would it appear naive? The key thing behind any notion of religion, or faith, is a moral principle regarding the improvement of self and society. Whether someone believes in God, an idea or principle, the idea of this fuels a fire. Buddhists may seek their own salvation, Christians have been granted salvation, Muslims regard charitable & good works to be essential in developing weight on the scales of judgement, Taoists observe and follow the natural flow of things, and the Hindu have a belief in samsara & karma. All these ideas are competitive. So who knows what the truth is? Is there God?
What I cannot exclude is the idea of God, of salvation, the nature of things and the creation of our universe. Our human knowledge is limited. Our knowledge of the brain, the mind, the universe and time is limited. We cannot prove or disprove, explain even 30% of the things we claim to know. So how can someone say there is no God? How can someone say this is how we were or weren't created?
I believe there is God, and our human minds cannot comprehend what God truly is. I believe that there is salvation and you can only grasp this idea when you realise how worthless, broken and sin ridden you are. I believe there is a way, the nature of things. I have faith that what I believe in affects my actions, my morality and the well-being of you and I. Religion isn't the issue, it's faith & belief. It's people with arrogance of opinion and lack of being open-minded, those who are blinkered and so blind to the evil they create in the name of good, who need to consider the ideas they believe in and consider, whether this truth they believe in has been written and edited by humankind to tell a version of events. For these people humanity will judge them, as well as their god. As for God, I believe God sends messengers at intervals through our history to help the moral compass point true north. Few are famous, many more are not. Those who exercise compassion, and whose actions are of forgiveness and love, have heard the truth. Those who force opinion have heard it yet twisted it. There is no true religion, there is only true faith: faith in the endless possibilities, in someday understanding an idea of what God truly is, in not being so arrogant to assert a conclusion that can never be proven, and faith that our acts of compassion and love will overcome all things. And having the faith that in 2000 years time, we will be able to look back and see how much we have grown and just how much we still do not know.
Barriers and Acceptance
So many of us have barriers. We are mostly unaware of them, until we try to question something like, 'Why can't I visualize myself?' Barriers also cause us to judge situations and people.
Experience builds our identity and ideas of how people should be. In gentleness, we must recognise our previous and current reactions. None of us are perfect. We tend to react then think about how we reacted. Everyone has something that they have said or done which they have regretted. So we must accept that occasion as it was then and understand it is in the past. Being able to understand that incident was right or wrong shows you have a conscience.
Fundamentally, we are individuals and each has their own identity. Inasmuch as we cannot change the past, we can change some parts of ourselves, or at least be at peace with ourselves. Understanding the nature of our self brings a certain peace. There will be parts of our nature we can improve and other aspects we can accept.
The ability to become at peace with the past is to accept it has happened and forgive yourself for what you have done and being ready to forgive others as necessary. The process of self-forgiveness can be helped by visiting a spiritual counsellor, be willing to open up to a therapist, or speaking to someone who will not judge you, whether known or not known to you.
Forgiving others can be difficult. Carrying the weight of unforgiveness is like carrying a rucksack of rocks. Forgiving others can help you and them. You may not forget the event, but you can accept that it happened. Not accepting it is like almost like you are trying to suppress or ignore it, like it ever happened. Try and view the event that happened to you as a film. Keep watching it until it just becomes another film. Acknowledge the actors, their roles and actions. Don't judge it. Just watch it. Accept it. Then place it on the shelf of memories.
Not accepting something, or not forgiving it, means that barrier will always be there. Some barriers are healthy, especially as we grow and learn as children. Other barriers need you to deconstruct them, not have someone else smash them down. You need to be in a mental place where you are comfortable to remove those barriers.
As you begin to accept yourself, know yourself and drop the barricades, you will realise every single person is the same: having issues such as, low self esteem, or being egocentric, belittling themself, and capable of doing extreme evil or good. Everyone is the same. By lowering your barriers you may find those, just like you, with the same things in common, the same weaknesses, same strengths. You will be able to relate to them and they to you.
So ask yourself: what barriers do I have? What do I need to forgive? Do I forgive myself? Do I accept what happened? Do I accept myself as I am, with all my faults and good points?
To accept others, me must first accept who we are. After all, it's easier to walk along life's highway without a heavy load, so don't carry around those rocks of unforgiveness & unacceptance.
Peace.
Experience builds our identity and ideas of how people should be. In gentleness, we must recognise our previous and current reactions. None of us are perfect. We tend to react then think about how we reacted. Everyone has something that they have said or done which they have regretted. So we must accept that occasion as it was then and understand it is in the past. Being able to understand that incident was right or wrong shows you have a conscience.
Fundamentally, we are individuals and each has their own identity. Inasmuch as we cannot change the past, we can change some parts of ourselves, or at least be at peace with ourselves. Understanding the nature of our self brings a certain peace. There will be parts of our nature we can improve and other aspects we can accept.
The ability to become at peace with the past is to accept it has happened and forgive yourself for what you have done and being ready to forgive others as necessary. The process of self-forgiveness can be helped by visiting a spiritual counsellor, be willing to open up to a therapist, or speaking to someone who will not judge you, whether known or not known to you.
Forgiving others can be difficult. Carrying the weight of unforgiveness is like carrying a rucksack of rocks. Forgiving others can help you and them. You may not forget the event, but you can accept that it happened. Not accepting it is like almost like you are trying to suppress or ignore it, like it ever happened. Try and view the event that happened to you as a film. Keep watching it until it just becomes another film. Acknowledge the actors, their roles and actions. Don't judge it. Just watch it. Accept it. Then place it on the shelf of memories.
Not accepting something, or not forgiving it, means that barrier will always be there. Some barriers are healthy, especially as we grow and learn as children. Other barriers need you to deconstruct them, not have someone else smash them down. You need to be in a mental place where you are comfortable to remove those barriers.
As you begin to accept yourself, know yourself and drop the barricades, you will realise every single person is the same: having issues such as, low self esteem, or being egocentric, belittling themself, and capable of doing extreme evil or good. Everyone is the same. By lowering your barriers you may find those, just like you, with the same things in common, the same weaknesses, same strengths. You will be able to relate to them and they to you.
So ask yourself: what barriers do I have? What do I need to forgive? Do I forgive myself? Do I accept what happened? Do I accept myself as I am, with all my faults and good points?
To accept others, me must first accept who we are. After all, it's easier to walk along life's highway without a heavy load, so don't carry around those rocks of unforgiveness & unacceptance.
Peace.
Mindfulness
Being mindful is becoming aware of what is going on inside you. So first of all, recall an event where you felt excited. Visualize this. How did you feel? What did your face look like? How did your stomach feel? How did your neck and shoulders feel? Observe yourself. Recognise these feelings. Now recall a time when you were angry. How did your body feel? Recognise the feelings in shoulders, neck, arms, feet, stomach. See yourself when you are angry. Observe it, don't be it, just recognise it. Try the same principle with jealousy, tiredness, sadness, and happiness. Observe these emotions.
Also try doing this: tense your feet by curling up your toes, count to 7 then relax. Notice the difference between tension and relaxation. Then bend your knees tight, count to 7 then relax. Notice the difference of feelings. Then tense up your stomach, count to 7 then relax. Recognise the difference. Shrug your shoulders to the count of 7 then relax. What is the difference? Place your chin on your chest, count to 7 then lift it off. Is there a difference? Push your head back, count to 7 then relax. Feel the difference. Open up your eyes and mouth really wide and count to 7 then relax. Notice the difference. After this, clench your fists and bend your arms whilst counting to 7. Then release and relax.
You should practice this each day, to recognise your body states; tense and relaxed. By doing this you are teaching yourself how to recognise how your body reacts. As you recognise these physical reactions, realise how they are telling you that they are saying, "I'm tense." When this occurs, focus on your breath; in and out, in and out.
If you have problems visualising yourself in the first exercise about recognition of emotions, this maybe due to how you identity yourself. It is possible there are barriers you have placed inside you. Don't worry. This is recognition of these barriers which can be worked on. (I will talk about forgiveness and self-forgiveness in another post.) In short, forgiveness is like acceptance. Being able to accept who you are, what you are, what you have done, etc. is key to the process, then the barriers start to disappear.
Also try doing this: tense your feet by curling up your toes, count to 7 then relax. Notice the difference between tension and relaxation. Then bend your knees tight, count to 7 then relax. Notice the difference of feelings. Then tense up your stomach, count to 7 then relax. Recognise the difference. Shrug your shoulders to the count of 7 then relax. What is the difference? Place your chin on your chest, count to 7 then lift it off. Is there a difference? Push your head back, count to 7 then relax. Feel the difference. Open up your eyes and mouth really wide and count to 7 then relax. Notice the difference. After this, clench your fists and bend your arms whilst counting to 7. Then release and relax.
You should practice this each day, to recognise your body states; tense and relaxed. By doing this you are teaching yourself how to recognise how your body reacts. As you recognise these physical reactions, realise how they are telling you that they are saying, "I'm tense." When this occurs, focus on your breath; in and out, in and out.
If you have problems visualising yourself in the first exercise about recognition of emotions, this maybe due to how you identity yourself. It is possible there are barriers you have placed inside you. Don't worry. This is recognition of these barriers which can be worked on. (I will talk about forgiveness and self-forgiveness in another post.) In short, forgiveness is like acceptance. Being able to accept who you are, what you are, what you have done, etc. is key to the process, then the barriers start to disappear.
Mindful awareness
To be mindfully aware, we acknowledge what is going on around us. So many things distract us, so being aware of what is happening is important.
Take a moment to breathe and focus on your breathing. After a few breaths, recognise what you can hear. Then focus on breathing again. After a while recognise what you can feel around you; wind, vibrations of footsteps, rain, clothes, posture. Continue to breathe and just accept inspiration and expiration, breathe in and out. Recognise, don't judge what you can hear, accept that it is going on. Focus once more on breathing in and out. Accept what's going on around you, don't judge it, just let it be; posture, clothing, people walking, wind, rain, the vibration of a train track, the rumble of a truck, be aware of them. You are amidst all this.
This is mindful awareness. Practice this in any location. Keep practicing and eventually you will be able to do this naturally.
Peace
Take a moment to breathe and focus on your breathing. After a few breaths, recognise what you can hear. Then focus on breathing again. After a while recognise what you can feel around you; wind, vibrations of footsteps, rain, clothes, posture. Continue to breathe and just accept inspiration and expiration, breathe in and out. Recognise, don't judge what you can hear, accept that it is going on. Focus once more on breathing in and out. Accept what's going on around you, don't judge it, just let it be; posture, clothing, people walking, wind, rain, the vibration of a train track, the rumble of a truck, be aware of them. You are amidst all this.
This is mindful awareness. Practice this in any location. Keep practicing and eventually you will be able to do this naturally.
Peace
Meditation in the workplace
Following on from the previous article, this entry will explore meditation in the workplace. If you have been able to practice viewing your thoughts rather than dwelling on them, been able to focus on breathing, recognising sounds and feelings around and within, then you can do the same in the workplace.
Learn to focus on 'now', a moment. If you learn to recognise tension in your body this helps. Before I start work I do this: I hunch my shoulders to the count of 7, then relax. I screw up my face for a few seconds (not too long or it looks funny!) then relax. I turn my toes inward and count to 7 then relax. I clench my fists for a few seconds, then relax. By doing this I recognise my body's signals of when I am tense.
I work in a call centre and on certain calls I receive, I am aware that my body becomes tense. As soon as I recognise this, I focus purely on my breathing. One heated voice against another brings thunder, so by focusing on my breathing, it calms my mind, then my body follows. I am conscious of my tone of voice so drop it a tone, so it sounds calmer. Whilst the customer vents, I listen and focus on my breathing. This is meditating in the workplace. It's also mindfulness; being aware of your feelings: I am tense, I'm getting annoyed, I'm frustrated. It also works in a positive manner; I'm calm, I'm at peace, I'm happy.
During break times, I take a moment to focus on my breathing as I walk to the coffee machine or outside. I try not to be aloof, apart and offish, I do these things in moments. If a process I'm doing is difficult, I focus purely on what I am doing at that moment. I don't worry about the next step until I'm at that stage. I focus purely on what I'm doing in that moment. As I do that task, I become conscious of my breathing, my heart rate. This is meditating in the workplace.
In a busy call centre, simply breathing and acknowledging that there are 150 others talking, people are walking, people are shouting, laughing; I feel the vibrations of their footsteps, the clothes on my body, the position I am sitting in, is recognition of what is happening and not shutting it all out but accepting it. This is mindful awareness.
Keep practicing the basics of meditation, breathing, awareness, viewing and not dwelling. Do it in the quiet of your own space, and bring it to work with you, then take it home again. Try not to let one place be your quiet place, for you are the quiet place.
Peace.
Learn to focus on 'now', a moment. If you learn to recognise tension in your body this helps. Before I start work I do this: I hunch my shoulders to the count of 7, then relax. I screw up my face for a few seconds (not too long or it looks funny!) then relax. I turn my toes inward and count to 7 then relax. I clench my fists for a few seconds, then relax. By doing this I recognise my body's signals of when I am tense.
I work in a call centre and on certain calls I receive, I am aware that my body becomes tense. As soon as I recognise this, I focus purely on my breathing. One heated voice against another brings thunder, so by focusing on my breathing, it calms my mind, then my body follows. I am conscious of my tone of voice so drop it a tone, so it sounds calmer. Whilst the customer vents, I listen and focus on my breathing. This is meditating in the workplace. It's also mindfulness; being aware of your feelings: I am tense, I'm getting annoyed, I'm frustrated. It also works in a positive manner; I'm calm, I'm at peace, I'm happy.
During break times, I take a moment to focus on my breathing as I walk to the coffee machine or outside. I try not to be aloof, apart and offish, I do these things in moments. If a process I'm doing is difficult, I focus purely on what I am doing at that moment. I don't worry about the next step until I'm at that stage. I focus purely on what I'm doing in that moment. As I do that task, I become conscious of my breathing, my heart rate. This is meditating in the workplace.
In a busy call centre, simply breathing and acknowledging that there are 150 others talking, people are walking, people are shouting, laughing; I feel the vibrations of their footsteps, the clothes on my body, the position I am sitting in, is recognition of what is happening and not shutting it all out but accepting it. This is mindful awareness.
Keep practicing the basics of meditation, breathing, awareness, viewing and not dwelling. Do it in the quiet of your own space, and bring it to work with you, then take it home again. Try not to let one place be your quiet place, for you are the quiet place.
Peace.
Introduction to Meditation
Practice just sitting and letting your mind wander. Don't worry about what you are thinking and if you start to dwell on it, focus on your breathing. Breathe in and out and recognise the in and out by gently saying it to yourself. Practice this initially for 5 - 10 minutes each day.
After 4-5 days, try and practice letting your mind wander as if you are watching your thoughts like clouds passing in the sky. Try not to focus on them. Let them pass as if you are watching an advert on TV. Don't let yourself become attached to them. Whenever you notice you're dwelling on them, focus on your breathing. Practice this for 10 mins each day for 4-5 days.
Next stage is to focus on your breathing initially for approximately a minute, then recognise the sounds around you. Repeat the breathing for about a minute, then recognise what is around your body, such as, 'I am sitting on... I can feel... I am wearing...' Practice this each day for 15 mins over 5 days.
Practice these basics and gradually incorporate all facets: recognition of sounds and feelings, focus on breathing when you dwell on thoughts and try to be a viewer of your thoughts. Slowly increase the time you meditate, set a timer if necessary.
There's a wealth of information in books and on the internet to help you develop your meditation.
Peace, my friend.
After 4-5 days, try and practice letting your mind wander as if you are watching your thoughts like clouds passing in the sky. Try not to focus on them. Let them pass as if you are watching an advert on TV. Don't let yourself become attached to them. Whenever you notice you're dwelling on them, focus on your breathing. Practice this for 10 mins each day for 4-5 days.
Next stage is to focus on your breathing initially for approximately a minute, then recognise the sounds around you. Repeat the breathing for about a minute, then recognise what is around your body, such as, 'I am sitting on... I can feel... I am wearing...' Practice this each day for 15 mins over 5 days.
Practice these basics and gradually incorporate all facets: recognition of sounds and feelings, focus on breathing when you dwell on thoughts and try to be a viewer of your thoughts. Slowly increase the time you meditate, set a timer if necessary.
There's a wealth of information in books and on the internet to help you develop your meditation.
Peace, my friend.
What's Faith ever done for us?
Everyone should know the Monty Python sketch about the, "What have Romans ever done for us?" So with this in mind, I'm not talking about religion but Faith; what has faith ever done for us?
Inspired philosophy?
Given us ethics? Moses, Hammurabi, Jesus, et al.
Genetics? Think monks and peas.
Astronomy? Even though Galileo was right. We can also thank the likes of Abu Jafar Muhammad.
Discovered new lands? Sorry about the influenza though. And Conquistadors.
Taught us right from wrong?
Given us inspired teachers? Mohammed, Ghandi, Jesus, Guru Nanak, Dogen, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa
Influenced mathematics? We can thank the Indians for the number 0.
Propagated writing?
The printed word?
Helped educate? Faith based schools.
Influenced political landscapes? Asoka, Constantine, Altan Khan amongst others.
Aided medicine? Think nuns & monks again and the likes of Bu Ali, Ibn Sena.
Inventing armour? The monks again.
Given us holidays? The clue's in the name.
Brought us the calendar? Sumerian through to Roman times.
Influenced architecture?
Historians? Ezra, Moses, Aisha bint Muhammad ibn Abdel Hadi , Bede, (another monk), et al
Inspired poetry?
Inspired artists to do magnificent art?
Consolidated languages and translations? E.g., the Bible, Hammurabi's code.
Given us Meditation? Guess who.
Science? Many Muslims and Christians have been inspired and to look further, such as Abu Nasr Al-Farabi & Isaac Newton.
And a nice cup of tea? Zen monks this time.
So besides philosophy, ethics, genetics, astronomy, geography, morals, education, teachers, mathematics, printed words, medicine, armour, genetics, science, holidays, calendars, architecture, history, inspiring artists and writers, helping language and translations, meditation, and a nice cup of tea, what has faith ever done for us?
Inspired philosophy?
Given us ethics? Moses, Hammurabi, Jesus, et al.
Genetics? Think monks and peas.
Astronomy? Even though Galileo was right. We can also thank the likes of Abu Jafar Muhammad.
Discovered new lands? Sorry about the influenza though. And Conquistadors.
Taught us right from wrong?
Given us inspired teachers? Mohammed, Ghandi, Jesus, Guru Nanak, Dogen, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa
Influenced mathematics? We can thank the Indians for the number 0.
Propagated writing?
The printed word?
Helped educate? Faith based schools.
Influenced political landscapes? Asoka, Constantine, Altan Khan amongst others.
Aided medicine? Think nuns & monks again and the likes of Bu Ali, Ibn Sena.
Inventing armour? The monks again.
Given us holidays? The clue's in the name.
Brought us the calendar? Sumerian through to Roman times.
Influenced architecture?
Historians? Ezra, Moses, Aisha bint Muhammad ibn Abdel Hadi , Bede, (another monk), et al
Inspired poetry?
Inspired artists to do magnificent art?
Consolidated languages and translations? E.g., the Bible, Hammurabi's code.
Given us Meditation? Guess who.
Science? Many Muslims and Christians have been inspired and to look further, such as Abu Nasr Al-Farabi & Isaac Newton.
And a nice cup of tea? Zen monks this time.
So besides philosophy, ethics, genetics, astronomy, geography, morals, education, teachers, mathematics, printed words, medicine, armour, genetics, science, holidays, calendars, architecture, history, inspiring artists and writers, helping language and translations, meditation, and a nice cup of tea, what has faith ever done for us?
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