|
|
|
Along The Well Traveled Path...
Along The Well Traveled Path... © 2001 June McHardy I've always been a reader! I've always haunted the local library - still do - but when we were going through some bad times several years ago, I discovered a whole new classification of books...
Fitness of the Mind
Meditation, an exercise recommended for everyone, but especially
those of us with hectic, stressful lifestyles, is defined as an
engagement in contemplation, especially of a spiritual or
devotional nature. Meditation has been shown to relieve...
How to find the right Yoga teacher?
I am often asked by beginners about how to evaluate a Yoga Teacher? The following is the “CALM check list.” These factors are basic criteria that your Yoga Instructor should meet before you continue on to a second Yoga class. CALM gets it name...
Mindfulness and Contemplation: New Ways to Navel Gaze
There's been a lot of talk about navels in our house lately. You see, my youngest daughter is asking to get hers pierced, and we are saying no--for now. So, naturally, I have been noticing navels more than usual.
The term "navel-gazing" means...
Sleep Paralysis - A Dickens Of A Dream!
Could Charles Dickens have been a sufferer of a REM sleep phenomenon known as sleep paralysis? It seems likely that he was.
Let us travel back to a cold December night in the year 1843. It is Christmas Eve, and the chilling wind has concealed the...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effectively Dealing with Sadness
No one ever has a problem dealing with happiness or feeling
good. When joy comes into our life we experience it freely, but
when sadness or grief is present, we often struggle with them.
This is especially true during the holidays when we are expected
to be cheerful and have fun. We live in a culture that tells us
to "put on a happy face" and this can make it very difficult to
be comfortable with sadness. Yet sadness and grief are a normal
part of everyone's life. Whether they are caused by a major loss
such as the death of a loved one, or smaller everyday setbacks,
we can learn to live with them with greater ease.
Not only can we become more at ease with these feelings, it is
vital to our health and well-being that we handle them in a
healthy way. The risks of not dealing effectively with emotions
became evident when a neighbor of ours lost his wife to illness
several years ago. When I offered my sympathy, he quickly denied
that he had any feelings about it. Within a week he had disposed
of all of her belongings and basically stated that everything to
do with her illness and death were over and done. Not
surprisingly, his health has declined steadily since then. He
has told me of one complaint after another. At first no cause
was found for his symptoms, but as time went on, real physical
problems have developed (all of which are known to be
stress-related).
Of course, this is an extreme example, but it illustrates the
importance of how we deal with our emotions. It's well worth the
effort to explore how you handle these feelings, and learn new
skills. This article focuses on how to deal with the emotion of
sadness. Part 2 will explore grief, which involves a whole array
of emotions and experiences that are caused by a major loss,
such as the death of a loved one.
Holistic approaches to health have long realized the role that
our emotions play in our health, and modern medicine is now
taking this more and more into account. For a healthy emotional
life, we need to honor all of our emotions and allow them room
for expression. When sadness comes, we need to allow ourselves
to feel it fully. It helps to understand that it is a normal,
natural reaction to loss, and not an indication that there is
something wrong with us.
Any loss can trigger sadness -- it might even accompany a
beautiful sunset that signals the end of the day. We might not
always know what makes us feel sad -- it could even be a shift
in our body
chemistry with its changing hormones, blood sugar
levels, etc. It helps to let go of the need to understand all of
our emotional reactions or to feel that we have to be able to
justify them. What is important is that we not resist or
suppress our emotions. Allowed to be present, the emotion will
simply "pass through".
In addition to accepting our sadness as a normal part of life,
and allowing it to be present, there are some other ways we can
help ourselves through sad times:
1. Share what we are feeling with a trusted friend or family
member, in particular someone who can listen without judging us
or trying to change us. The simple experience of being
"accompanied" with our feelings can be comforting.
2. Take time to do something that is nourishing and soothing to
you. Take a leisurely walk, get a massage, curl up with a good
book, do gardening or other favorite hobby.
3. Find a way to slow down and relax. This will allow the
feelings to be released. Meditate, listen to some relaxing
music, do some simple stretches.
4. Write in a journal or diary. When we do this, it feels as if
we have an ideal listener with whom we can confide. Expressing
and exploring your feelings in this way can bring perspective
and comfort.
5. Learn to be your own best friend. Step back and view yourself
with compassion and love. Notice if you are judging yourself
harshly ("you should be over this by now"), and find sympathy
for yourself instead.
When to Get Professional Help
Sadness which is intense and long-lasting may be depression.
Depressed individuals tend to feel helpless and hopeless and to
blame themselves for having these feelings. If feelings of
extreme sadness or despair last for at least two weeks or longer
and interfere with activities of daily living -- such as
working, or even eating and sleeping -- it is advisable to seek
professional help. If accompanied by thoughts of death or
suicide, seek help immediately.
About the author:
Mary Maddux is a practitioner, teacher and writer in the fields
of healing and self-development. She has an MS in clinical
social work, has been trained as a Healing Touch Practitioner
and has many years of experience in the practice and teaching of
meditation. She has created a unique series of CDs for
relaxation, meditation and healing. Visit her website,
http://www.heartofhealing.net for in-depth discussions and
practical information.
|
|
|
|
|
| Learning Meditation Home Page |
| Introduction to the basics of meditation and the reduction of stress. |
| www.learningmeditation.com |
|
| Meditation Room |
| Choose freely and feel free to perform more than one meditation. ... Allow some time for your meditation. These meditations last from 3 - 10 minutes. ... |
| www.learningmeditation.com |
|
| Meditation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| An introduction to different traditions, forms, techniques, and benefits. Includes links to other resources. |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| World Wide Online Meditation Center |
| Contains colorful, clear, concise meditation instruction on a variety of meditation methods from various spiritual teachings, plus tranquil meditation tapes ... |
| www.meditationcenter.com |
|
| The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Program - Official website. How ... |
| Meditation validated by over 600 scientific studies. The best meditation against stress. Online video! Personal instruction and lifetime follow-up. |
| www.tm.org |
|
| Vipassana Meditation Website |
| Homepage of the organization which offers Vipassana Meditation courses as taught by SN Goenka. |
| www.dhamma.org |
|
| Welcome to Meditation Mount |
| Meditation training programs and group meditation as a service to humanity. Worldwide organization based in Ojai, California. |
| www.meditation.com |
|
| Guided meditations on mindfulness, peace, the 23rd Psalm, the way ... |
| Come into the present moment with this 10-minute mindfulness meditation narrated by ... Experience a flow of positive energy with this meditation on peace ... |
| www.beliefnet.com |
|
| Meditation Station Presented By The Meditation Society Of America |
| Meditation Society of America's web site. Dedicated to sharing meditation techniques and concepts from all traditions. |
| www.meditationsociety.com |
|
| Wildmind | Learn Meditation Online |
| Wildmind provides a complete guide to simple meditation techniques. |
| www.wildmind.org |
|
| Meditation |
| An article By Dr Tom J. Chalko explaining the process and stressing the need for a spiritual teacher. |
| www.thiaoouba.com |
|
| Free Learn to Meditate, online meditation - Meditation Australia. |
| Details of activities, events, and classes in Wollongong University, Australia. Also offer a free online Meditation course. |
| meditation.org.au |
|
| Meditation, Home, what is meditation, types of meditation ... |
| Meditation Meditation is an alternative therapy. It can be broadly classified under the mind-body medicine. More and more doctors are prescribing meditation ... |
| 1stholistic.com |
|
| Sivananda Yoga - Meditation |
| Introduction to the Official Web site of the Internationa Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. Lots of information on Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, ... |
| www.sivananda.org |
|
| Stress Reducers: Articles index |
| yellow arrow button, Choose a Virtual Meditation Slide Show for Your ... yellow arrow button, Meditation and Relaxation: 20 Minutes A Day Can Make A ... |
| www.selfhelpmagazine.com |
|
| Zen Mountain Monastery: Zen Meditation Instructions |
| Detailed instructions from Zen Mountain Monastery on how to practice Zen meditation. |
| www.mro.org |
|
| Meditation and concentration |
| meditation concentration ability. ... Online fire meditation use it and develop concentration ability; Online flash meditation look at the screen and ajust ... |
| www.ababasoft.com |
|
| Siddha Yoga path - Gurumayi - Swami Muktananda founder |
| Under the guidance and teachings of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Siddha Yoga meditation students embrace the spiritual practices of yoga. |
| www.siddhayoga.org |
|
| Meditation Handbook |
| Survey of seven meditation techniques for beginners. |
| home.att.net |
|
| Healing Music|Meditation Music|Self Help products |
| Healing Products offers healing music for your Mind, Body & Soul at low prices. Use sound and music to heal and relax. |
| www.healingproducts.com |
|
|