Healing and meditation

[Recovery4Me]

Hello Gang!

Being hyperactive for me, has often dampened the comforts of sitting still. However as of late I have been frequently placed within that position due to a balance disorder with my inner ear. As my life has been changing, I sought to do positive things within this life change. I have been in contact with a therapist for guided meditation.

As I was searching I ran into a live broadcast (real time) with the Dalia Lama and wanted to share as there has been teachings over the last four days which has been recorded. You can select any language, however, the one I am placing in was translated in English. It will not be everyone's cup of tea but for those whom are interested here it is:
[DLMURL]http://new.livestream.com/DalaiLamaEnglish/path[/DLMURL]

As well these were some items for my study that were offered to me by my therapist for mindfulness & I wanted to pass that on as well:
"The Snow Ball Effect - How to Build Positive Momentum in Your Life" by Kristin Cuthriell.
"Full Catastrophe Living" and "Wherever You Go There You Are".Jon Kabat-Zinn

If you wish to add your insights on meditation and resources to this post, I would be most grateful as I have spent time in contemplative prayer, introspection but have not thus far managed disciplined mindfulness meditation for an holistic calm. It is time...I need to change and offer appreciation in advance for your added wisdom, humor, even snarky is fine...if you have time. :tup: It is the joy of being among you.

 

[somerandomguy]

The books by Kabat-Zinn are wonderful. I would also recommend anything by Jack Kornfield.

 

[Changing4Best]

I read the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible and then I meditate on what I have read in it. I do this most mornings. There is a verse in the Bible that says, "Be still and know that I am God". God gives me some insights sometimes as I am reading the Bible or during the time I meditate on it afterwards. The New Living Translation is, to me, the best translation of the Bible, as it is in contemporary language (English) and is easily understood. I have the large print study Bible version of it, which has study notes and explanations in it so that things that don't make sense are explained. All in all, I am understanding it quite well as I read it this time. Other times it was not so easy!

If you want to read the Christmas story, it is in the book of Luke, chapter 2. I read that every Christmas morning, every year. It gives me a very real vision of what we are celebrating, as does the whole Bible, actually. The Old Testament predicts Jesus' coming some 800 years before He did come. However, I would recommend reading the book of John first, if you have not read the Bible before. Enjoy!

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

I'm well into Zen Buddhism. Alan Watts books and lectures are great, so much humor and I just love that. Zen is so witty and thought provoking and often silly I love a bit of silly. I do meditate and I do yoga (not recently though but I'm gonna sun salutations all up in tomorrow mornings grill). Eckhart Tolle -the power of now is a good book for mindfulness practice.

 

[Recovery4Me]

@somerandomguy ...thank you...now on my list!
Do you meditate daily? How long has it been part of your journey? Do you choose a topic or emotion to work through in mindfulness. :tup:

@SheilaKathy :hug: I used the beatitudes for meditation. However through studying the word it is more for me as contemplative prayer, dedication and joining with my Higher Power. I have several translations and many other supportive text for immersing. I was in seminary studies so I appreciate your offer and love.:)

@NoWhereKnowWhere ...thank you! I have some older books on Zen but none with humor so that would be awesome! I have heard Eckart Tolle mentioned a couple of times by others so I will scoop that up asap. Sun salutations...wow you must be good! How long have you done yoga?

Thanks everyone for your post!

 

[Anarchy]

Eckhart Tolle -the power of now is a good book for mindfulness practice.

A friend leant me that a couple of months back, I've only just been back home and picked it up this week.

He also leant me a little book from the 1970s "Zen in the martial arts" which I've almost finished, it's really good, Martial arts is the basis of the examples but the application is there in every day life. One of my favourite bits is an account of Bruce Lee stating that he was never a perfect martial artist, but he made his disabilities (yeah - Bruce Lee with disabilities! that was news to me!) into his advantages.

Lee took up Yip Man style Wing Chun as his first art because he was incredibly short sighted, without his big thick glasses, he couldn't see far enough to practice any of the longer distance arts, with Wing Chun, he was close enough to see and feel what his partner was doing.

Lee also had one leg about an inch and a half or two inches longer than the other (a big diference in a tiny little guy like Lee), but in a wide fighting stance, he could use his shorter leg as the back leg with very little bending of his knee, and had good stability and had good reach with the longer leg.

 

[somerandomguy]

@somerandomguy ...thank you...now on my list!
Do you meditate daily? How long has it been part of your journey? Do you choose a topic or emotion to work through in mindfulness.

I have considered myself to be a Theravadan Buddhist for about eight or nine years, but I'm unfortunately pretty much a nonpracticing Buddhist at this point. My Sangha dissolved when the leader moved away, and I find meditating by myself to be very difficult. I will occasionally play an mp3 of a guided meditation and do that. When I do a meditation by myself, it's almost always a self-guided metta meditation.

 

[Recovery4Me]

@Anarchy ...you offered me a beautiful story of the IP man...one of my heroes of heart. It is good to remember such courage during transitional shifts. He has been to me an example of walking meditation in how he handled many seasons of change.
And then, offering the Zen in Martial Arts as well...hmm many of us seem kindred on a leg of journey. Thank you.

Theravadan Buddhist

I look forward to learning the value of what you offer: as of now, I am lacking in knowledge of this beautiful and rich offer that would allow me insight as to the style of dedication, love and meditation. Do you have a link, that would offer a little as to your kind offer?

If not please know...I honor your meditation and feel sadness that you lost your friend's physical energy radiating in the immediate.

metta meditation

Another offer in which I will look up. Thank you for the lessons.

 

[somerandomguy]

More information on the Theravadan tradition and metta meditation can be found on the accesstoinsight website. The entire website is well worth reading.

 

[Recovery4Me]

accesstoinsight website

I have added it on my list and will follow through. I am grateful for your time and direction.

I need to accept some things that I can not change and deal with the anger signaling fear, while harnessing what I can change in a productive way of inner peace. I believe prayer and the art of meditation is essential at this time for me to heal and remain compassionate to others.

 

[somerandomguy]

More meditation leads to greater compassion if performed skilfully, it is true.

 

[void]

Go within, or go without.:)