|
Stardancer - Meditation....
Stardancer - is everyone here familiar with meditation? SevenEagle is onmyown - yes Star just_jersey - yes mh - yes Stardancer - good, does anyone want to share there thoughts? practices? onmyown - sure Star I can share some thoughts :) Stardancer - ok, omo please do onmyown - I find it easier to meditate outside for one onmyown - less distractions, attachment to the natural elements Stardancer - yes, outside is very good when you can onmyown - not always convenient or practical of course onmyown - most important is to eliminate distraction onmyown - both external and internal Stardancer - I agree onmyown - I have, upon occasion, used a mantra or a chime to aid focus onmyown - whatever works for any person is useful onmyown - and finally, like all things, practice is the key to sucess Stardancer - we have a creek running down the back of our property and it is real nice to listen to it and meditate :) Stardancer - yep, for sure omo just_jersey - sounds wonderful, Star :) onmyown - yes, running water is soothing and provides an attachment to the universal one Stardancer - like omo said, being outside just does something special for meditating just_jersey - it sure does..inside I find there are too many distractions Stardancer - I feel that all of the topics of todays lesson tie in together for works of magick, ritual and self improvement onmyown - I have no proof, but i suspect that having that AC current running around doesn't help Stardancer - hmmmm, good point omo Stardancer - but when inside, a candle really helps me Stardancer - something to focus on QuietWaters is on IRC onmyown agrees a classic focal point Stardancer - MM QW onmyown - welcome QW just_jersey - MM QW Stardancer - we are discussing meditation, QW QuietWaters - MM everyone...had trouble connecting...sorry I'm late. Stardancer - I think most here practice meditation and know how to do it mh - mm qw Stardancer - no prob QW, glad you made it! onmyown - regarding focus? ... Stardancer - yes omo? onmyown - an orb, sphere or crystal may be useful for some - a physical object Stardancer - Eagle and I used to attend the Christ Unity church, briefly, and there was always a lead meditation during the service, they were so calming Stardancer - nothing like being taken away! onmyown - so true :) Stardancer - Breathing and breath control are an important part of meditating.... Stardancer - not just for child birth!!!!!! QuietWaters - lol just_jersey - hehehe onmyown - g - onmyown - Welcome rainwalker Stardancer - for one thing we have to breathe to stay alive.... rainwalker^ - :o) mm omo Stardancer - and if we use breath control in specific ways, it can help us keep in control during stressful situations onmyown - agreed just_jersey - it sure can Stardancer - how many times do you start a meditation with taking a deep breath? QuietWaters - Every time :) onmyown - always SevenEagle usually energizes his chakras before meditation Stardancer - yep, another great example onmyown - there a physical effect from that - it oxygenates the brain for one SevenEagle - some may say that that also is a meditation, loll Stardancer - and if you can picture your breath in those colors it gives you a better visualization of what you are doing onmyown - truly - all we do is based on visualization Stardancer - I agree, omo Stardancer - and visualizing is fun too! Stardancer - MM lisa _Lisa_ - MM star QuietWaters - For me, the breathing is not only helpful for relaxing...it also a good start on focusing. Stardancer - yep, if you focus on your breathing, you can focus on anything onmyown - breathing exercise help me to be able to focus on my core Stardancer - yes, as in centering onmyown - precisely Star Stardancer - that's why I feel meditation, breath control, visualization, grounding/centering are related SpiritTalker - I think they all are onmyown - perhaps you would speak on Centering v. Grounding Star ? Stardancer - we do all of them actually when we do any of them Stardancer - ok Stardancer - Most of us a familiar with drawing on the energies of the moon, but we must also learn to generate energy by grounding or earthing as it is sometimes called. Grounding allows us to draw on the earth's energies instead of us using up all of our own. Stardancer - one of the definitions by Webster of grounding is 'to keep from flying'..... Stardancer - it is a way of feeling one with the earth Stardancer - not being taken away as with meditation sometimes Stardancer - centering is going within yourself, breathing from the center of your body onmyown - in that sense it CAN be associated with meditation though Stardancer - yes Stardancer - getting that 'gut ' feeling onmyown - for instance, I often use meditation specifically TO ground myself, i mean onmyown - or vice versa :) Stardancer - yes Stardancer - Grounding is a wonderful way of letting go of negative thoughts, feelings, emotions and day to day junk that gets in our way of feeling whole. The earth is one of the best places to channel the negative influences on our lives because she can take these things from us reform them and help us balance our energies. Stardancer - so how do we feel doing these things are useful to us? Stardancer - any thoughts? onmyown - diffuse and dissipate the 'Stuff' that is littering our spirit just_jersey - I guess that's why I feel so much better when I'm outside..I'm balanced :) Stardancer - :) onmyown nods, agreed QuietWaters - My thoughts on that are similar to what has already been said. QuietWaters - I do know if I go too long without meditating, grounding, etc...I get frazzled...lol. onmyown - if you have ever been camping say, remember the simple joy and peace you felt during that time? just_jersey - raising hand...I certainly do, omo! Stardancer - yes omo QuietWaters - I feel that everytime I step outdoors, omo. :) Stardancer - and I surely know what you mean, QW Stardancer - I just love living in the country! onmyown - that is part of being grounded by simply being in that situation - it's almost an unconscious action Stardancer - yep onmyown - or reaction of your spirit to the environs Stardancer - I was hoping AngelWings would be here, she seems to have trouble with today's topics onmyown - if you can do no more than take a walk in the woods - with no more 'intent' than to have a bit of exercise Stardancer - to me it has never been a problem to meditate, visualize and such, so I would need help in guiding others onmyown - do it in peaceful manner, let your mind relax and wehn you return you will be amazed how rejuvenated you deel! onmyown - feel as well :) QuietWaters - :) Stardancer - :) just_jersey - :) Stardancer - I surely agree onmyown - although likely help *deal* as well SpiritTalker - is like you just slept 9 hours straight SpiritTalker - :) Stardancer - I think that (with some of us) as we grow older we forget to let our minds be free Stardancer - like when we were children just_jersey - I agree Stardancer - daydreaming and visualization go hand in hand SpiritTalker daydreams all the time Stardancer - good! onmyown - Reiki has something's that address that - the 'Stuff' we carry around onmyown - as we grow older there's more and more 'Stuff' Stardancer - and if you really think about it, WHY do we carry that 'stuff' around anyway!? onmyown - some is needed, a lot is useless baggage Stardancer - we have to have ways of getting rid of it QuietWaters - Yep...and that baggage just gets heavier if you don't find some way to dump it. Stardancer - Researchers have stated that spending at least 10-15 minutes a day in meditation creates a longer life due to the lack of stress associated with the relaxing technique of meditation. I agree with this, but so few practice it. Stardancer - I agree, QW, imagine letting go of 'stuff' instead of fighting about it with our families onmyown - re daily practice? Stardancer - but, sadly, lots of people think those that practice mediation, etc.. are a bit kooky SpiritTalker - I tend to not call it meditation but quiet time Stardancer - same affect tho? [Hondo] - O'Well - so I'm 'Kooky' SpiritTalker - seems to go over better with the in-laws Stardancer - hahahaha me too! SpiritTalker - yes it is my time to meditate and ground myself Stardancer - you have thoughts on daily practice, omo? onmyown - yes, it relates to last weeks lesson.... SpiritTalker - (and recharge as it were) Stardancer - ok onmyown - in much the same way as daily 'prayer' onmyown - or whatever word you call it Stardancer - :) onmyown - I tend to integrate all of this - but the point is: onmyown - practicing daily is important part of maintaining and reinforcing our spirit onmyown - it's not a part-time job so to speak Stardancer - so much agree SpiritTalker - very much in agreement with that QuietWaters - Me too onmyown - so what value do we find in this? onmyown - I'd like to hear other comments Stardancer - staying sane??? QuietWaters - lol...gmta, Star onmyown - LOL Stardancer - :) SpiritTalker - a time to be at peace with the world around us and in us Stardancer - good response QuietWaters - Yes...and a way of staying connected.. Stardancer - it really helps me to be aware to the needs of others too, ALL people, no matter what they believe or do [Hondo] - when I find myself in a place or w/ ppl that are causing stress - I take myself to a better place in my mind Stardancer - and all creatures too Stardancer - :) surely helps keep yourself from being stressed too, Hondo SpiritTalker - helps in rush hour traffic too Stardancer - rise above the situation SpiritTalker - :) Stardancer - lol sure does ST [Hondo] - yes it does - just_jersey - :) onmyown - anyone thought of the pysical benefits? Stardancer - yes QuietWaters - Yes SpiritTalker - hrm well no not normally Stardancer - stress related problems cause more down work time than any other illness onmyown - it's like most things - there are many facets to it onmyown - although we generally focus on the spiritual side Stardancer - yep QuietWaters - Actually, I've been looking for info on meditation and visualization in relation to sports. QuietWaters - My husband would like to try it with my son's soccer team. Stardancer - hmmmm interesting concept onmyown - it also reduces blood pressure, increases blood flow, reduces over-exertion of the lungs onmyown - now those first two may seem contradictory onmyown - but I mean it improves blood circulation I worded it poorly SevenEagle - nope, pressure and flow are two different things Stardancer - I have read stories of people with, say for instance cancer, that go into their mind to dissolve the cancer cells and have a doctor tell them later that the cancer is gone...the mind is a wonderful thing to use. onmyown - some research indicates it stabilizes synaptic activity, much like REM sleep does Stardancer - visualizing that the cells break up and go away Stardancer - some even do this with fat cells and lose weight! SevenEagle - part of this is in knowing what to do and ask for [Hondo] - & we must learn to use it to control such things - I seen ppl use it wrong & cause their owm death - felt they should die from injuries that were not that bad onmyown - the important thing is practice with due care Stardancer - I really think that if we can 'see' ourselves do something, it helps because of the concentration we put into it, kinda like that soccer team, QW onmyown - but practice! Stardancer - agree, omo and Hondo QuietWaters - That was my theory, too, when I suggested it Star. Figured it couldn't hurt 'em...they lose every game now as it is...lol Stardancer - :) [Hondo] - HeHeHe onmyown - further thought/comment/discussion? Stardancer - it's like when Eagle was teaching me tai chi, if I could see myself do each move, I could physically do it! SevenEagle sugests that your hubby lead the team through a visiulation of winning, and playing well QuietWaters - Yup...that's the general idea, Eagle. :) Stardancer - it is very good that we all agree so much with the ideas and practices of meditation, etc. on todays lesson Stardancer - you all always make me feel better with responses and comments Stardancer - I appreciate the input onmyown - I encourage anyone that has not tried or has had difficulty Stardancer - and the like mindedness of all onmyown - to keep at it SpiritTalker - I wish angelwings was here Stardancer - me too ST SpiritTalker - she has said she has a problem with this onmyown - me 3 SevenEagle - thank you for the good lesson Stardancer Stardancer - we may have to have a special class just for her onmyown - consider this also: onmyown - by letting go you can often grab hold Stardancer - agree omo! just_jersey - good point, omo SpiritTalker - yep omo onmyown - (me and my Koans) Stardancer - music is a great sender too onmyown - but there is a truth to them Stardancer - sure is omo [Hondo] - Thank You SD - for the class Stardancer - :) onmyown - many thanks Stardancer SpiritTalker - thank you Stardancer for the class QuietWaters - Thanks, Star. :) Stardancer - thank you all for putting up with me and my hmmm, sense of humor the past few weeks QuietWaters - That's part of what makes you good, Star. :) *** Log file closed: 9/28/97 1:15:31 PMindex.html |