How to meditate without even tryingWritten by Marie-Pier Charron, Life Coach
I remember when I started trying to meditate. I would sit down, close my eyes, and try to be really calm (my definition of meditation at time). That was hard: my head would burst with ideas, thoughts, solutions, problems… I would become agitated, and stopped generally after ten long minutes, if not less. It’s during my short “meditations” that I felt less… meditative.I knew there was something for me to explore that was beyond physical world. I knew I would unleash my potential, by “going within”. And sitting meditation, as I knew it, was #1 technique that would lead me there. Yet, I just couldn’t do it… I was inadequate. No, I wasn’t - and neither are you, if you are experiencing a similar situation. It’s your definition of meditation that may be inadequate. The idea behind meditation is not to sit on a chair, and close our eyes. Or to sit in lotus, and watch leaves change colors. You can do all this if you feel a call to do so, but whatever technique you choose is just as relevant as type of fork you eat your meals with. Forks, meditations, cars, are just tools that help us accomplish a specific task… Meditation, we could say, is an “altered state of consciousness”. We do not see things as we normally do; we feel connected to something bigger than our everyday selves; we feel “wider” than usual. In a few words, we are so immersed in ourselves that we can transcend our own limitations. Now, question is: what do you need to feel that way (if so you wish)? For some people, it’s gardening; for others, it’s laying down comfortably and listening to music (it doesn’t even need to be New Age…). I personally know someone who meditates by playing card games on her computer. After a few minutes of calculating her moves and keeping score, she looses touch with cards, and she “takes off”. Why don’t we value such activities as much as those that involve candles, cushions, and incense? They may be simple, or silly, but their impact often is important, profound. Even more, they are easy and effortless. No need to be disciplined – we are naturally attracted to them. In some ways, maybe that’s why we don’t always see their true magnitude. They are too accessible and natural. Mustn’t we pay a high price or work hard to get anything of value? If it’s easy, it’s not worth much… or so we were told.
| | Don't Ask Your DoctorWritten by Maya Talisman Frost
Perhaps I should ask my doctor if there is a drug to take to combat frustration from seeing so many drug ads. You know ones I'm talking about. They always start out with a list of questions. Then they tell you that a new drug might be just thing for you--all you have to do is ask your doctor.Here's my tongue-in-cheek riff on those ubiquitous ads. ************************* Have you ever felt you had too little time for your many interests? Do you find it difficult to decide which section of bookstore to browse? Is it hard for you to answer question, "What do you do?"? You may be suffering from Multiple Interest Disorder. There is help for those suffering from Multiple Interest Disorder. New ideas make it possible to live a meaningful life despite inability to hold same job for 25 years. There are support groups for those suffering from Multiple Interest Disorder. You can find them at most community colleges, libraries, artist cooperatives, bookstores, and coffee shops near you. It's important for you to know that, wherever you are, there are other individuals coping with their limitless approach to life. In addition, you should know that many successful individuals have suffered just as you are now. Leonardo da Vinci found it impossible to choose between science and art. Albert Einstein was unable to find satisfaction as a student. Orville and Wilbur Wright were incapable of sticking to running their bicycle shop. If you're suffering from Multiple Interest Disorder, you may have several of following symptoms: * Multiple talents * A well-used library card * An affinity for public broadcasting
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