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THICH NHAT HANH'S ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO WHEN SITTING MEDITATION IS PHYSICALLY PAINFUL

1/31/2018

Some meditation lineages such as Zen stress the importance of not moving once a person is settled into a meditation posture. This applies even if sitting becomes extremely painful. I have always felt and taught just the opposite, that if there is significant discomfort a meditator should make the necessary adjustment. So, I welcomed an insight from Thich Nhat Hanh who feels that trying to meditation while the body is screaming out in pain "seems unnatural." Here's his advice:

"If your legs or feet fall asleep or begin to hurt during sitting meditation so that your concentration becomes disturbed, feel free to adjust your position. If you do this slowly and attentively, following your breathing and each movement of your body, you will not lose a single moment of concentration. If the pain is severe, stand up, walk slowly and mindfully, and when you are ready, sit down again.

In some meditation centers, practitioners are not permitted to move during periods of sitting meditation. They often have to endure great discomfort. To me this seems unnatural. When a part of our body is numb or in pain, it is telling us something, and we should listen to it. We sit in meditation to help us cultivate peace, joy and nonviolence, not to endure physical strain or to injure our bodies."

(Source: Peace Is Every Step)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1/31/2018

Art is the expression of human emotions through various mediums. Sports can be considered as nothing less than an art form because it makes the spirit soar. It engages the emotions of the players and of the spectators who rise for every goal scored.

- B. K. S. Iyengar

WHAT'S A 'GOOD' MEDITATION? - BEST ANSWER

1/30/2018

A good meditation has little or nothing to do with ‘extra-sensory perceptions’ or escaping temporarily from suffering. A walk, a nap, a vacation, or a warm bath can be more effective for such purposes.

If we continue to harbor the same prejudices, the same irritability, and the same indifference toward the suffering of others when we rise from the cushion, it does not matter how many divine lights we see or how many celestial sounds we hear, our meditation is a farce.

If we rise from the cushion with more patience, more love, and more compassion, our meditation has been good. - Tashi Nyima

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1/30/2018

You are a Universal life form, manifested on earth to perfect yourself as a divine incarnation and perfect yourself you must. - Wu Wei

HOW GEORGE AND BARBARA BUSH DEALT WITH THE DEATH OF THEIR LITTLE GIRL - A LESSON IN HEALTHY GRIEVING

1/29/2018

A basic premise of yoga spiritual teaching is that everything which life brings us can be used as a lesson for greater growth and evolution. An inspiring example of that comes from the lives of George and Barbara Bush. In his book, “41: A Portrait of My Father” George W. Bush writes about a time in the life of his parents – former President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush – when their 3 year-old daughter died from childhood cancer in 1953. Here are his observations about how his parents dealt with this tragic loss.

* They switched roles after the death. While Robin was hospitalized and being treated for cancer, it was Barbara who was the “strong one” remaining at her daughter’s side” almost every waking hour...playing with her, reading to her, and trying to keep her spirits high.” In contrast, Mr. Bush was a “whirlwind of activity”. He met with doctors, checked results, and researched treatment options. “He raced out of the house early in the morning, stopped at church to pray for Robin, and then threw himself into his work.”

After Robin’s death on October 11, 1953, their roles switched. “My father became the strong one, dealing with funeral planning and logistics” Mr. Bush writes. The couple donated their daughter’s body for medical research when doctors suggested it saying “they could learn from studying her disease.” George and Barbara wanted Robin’s death to be of benefit for other suffering children. Childhood cancer became a lifelong cause for the parents. Today, the childhood cancer clinic at Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center bears the name of their daughter. After so many months of “staying strong” for her daughter, Barbara’s system weakened and “she suffered bouts of depression that would plague her periodically. At twenty-eight years old, her dark brown hair started to turn white.”

* The loss of their daughter brought them closer together. George found creative ways to help lift Barbara’s spirits. “He planned visits with friends and gently helped my mother to move forward with life,” Mr. Bush recalls. “Instead of focusing on Robin’s loss, they gave thanks for the years they were able to spend with her. Robin’s death did not drive my parents apart unlike many couples who find their relationships broken after losing a child. In their case, the shared pain brought them together and their marriage emerged stronger. When they needed each other most, they were both willing to go three-quarters of the way.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1/29/2018

Only when we are interested in spiritual practice do we realize how incredibly fortunate our life is and discover that there’s not much to complain about at all. - Thubten Chodron

EVERY DAY THIS WEEK, DO NOTHING FOR 20 MINUTES

1/28/2018

That wisdom comes from Judith Lasater, PhD., a rest expert and restorative yoga teacher. Lasater explains the importance of resting this way:

"Everything is better when you are rested. One thing being tired, depleted and stressed out does is it narrows our perspective. It is so uncomfortable to be in our body and in our mind in those moments, and so when we are caught up with our own discomfort it is like we have blinders on to everyone else’s. We are not generous of spirit in that moment. We have no energy to do for others, to do for ourselves. What we need to do is notice that, understand its causes and conditions, and then take one small step towards resting. Today I am going to rest when I am tired for 5 minutes. Every step, every change is always small, and then there is the last one which is also small but its effects are huge."

So, take up the challenge this week. At least once each day, lie down - on your bed, a sofa, or best, on the floor with some support for your head - and just rest for 20 minutes.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1/28/2018

As you travel along your path toward enlightenment, keep a joyous outlook on life. - Wu Wei

HOW TO CHOOSE A JOB OR CAREER FOR YOURSELF ACCORDING TO THICH NHAT HANH

1/27/2018

In his book, Peace Is Every Step, Thich Nhat Hanh writes:

"Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans or nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to lvie. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion."

So, if you're finishing up college or job hunting, let Thich Nhat Hanh guide you. If you're working but unhappy with the employment make a change for the better even if it means starting again.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1/27/2018

Hardship is part of life; when overcome, the true meaning of happiness will be better cherished. - Hsing Yun

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THICH NHAT HANH'S ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO WHEN SITTING MEDITATION IS PHYSICALLY PAINFUL

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

WHAT'S A 'GOOD' MEDITATION? - BEST ANSWER

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

HOW GEORGE AND BARBARA BUSH DEALT WITH THE DEATH OF THEIR LITTLE GIRL - A LESSON IN HEALTHY GRIEVING

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

EVERY DAY THIS WEEK, DO NOTHING FOR 20 MINUTES

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

HOW TO CHOOSE A JOB OR CAREER FOR YOURSELF ACCORDING TO THICH NHAT HANH

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Victor M. Parachin ...is a

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