Meditation anyone? 30 minutes a day for 8 weeks... you in?

Beautiful flower sun... don't know if I have mentioned this anywhere but one of my favourite things to do is work in my garden. It is my outdoor sanctuary. Fortunately we live in a climate zone that provides us a look gardening season then most anywhere else in Canada. While this winter was particularly harsh it is likely we will be back in our gardens by April. We are just waiting to see the robins and we know that Spring is coming. We have seen the jays so it shouldn't be long now.

So thanks Sun... nice way to start my day to see such a precious and delicate flower. Is it some kind of lotus flower?

SunSet.... it happened to me. I posted a reply to you last night when I posted in response to Lavie.... and this morning it is gone. What's up with this? Hummm?

Wishing you all a wonderful day. I am still looking for the sun and warmer temps (7C) as forcasted but so far heavy clouds again, a risk of rain and just above freezing temps. I just love how well those weather folks forcast our weather here. I remember hearing once that our region is the hardest area to forcast weather. Can't remember why but it is a good excuse for them. Its kind of funny actually.

I am feeling well today. The mixed episodes seem to have slowed down. I hope so. I need the break from it. Still I am pleased with how well I managed it over all. I know when things are getting to stressful because I get this kind of eczema rash inside the elbow joint. When it starts to get red and itchy I know it is time for some stress-busting. If I don't then it will start to go after the other arm and behind my knees.

Oh by the way.... I had a relaxing sit last night even thought there were a number of distractions I had to let pass through. Labeling them thinking help me let them go by with relative ease. Not a long sit.... about 10 minutes.

Good morning!

Really glad you are feeling well today (((((((ss)))))))). Sorry that both you and SunSun lost things you had posted though. That is strange. And annoying!!

I'd love to see a photo of your garden when the spring is here (or perhaps an old photo), if you felt like sharing that (((((((ss))))))))) I love gardens, though I am not very good at gardening and I don't have much of a green thumb. I do really love plants and flowering trees and anything to do with nature. And I love being outside. I hope the spring comes soon for you!! ((((((((((ss)))))))))))))))

I am feeling noticeably calmer at the moment. Anything approaching calmness is a precious gift that I treasure. Listening to the Pema Chodron CD is definitely adding to my sense of calm.

Going back to the Rick Hanson book "Buddha's Brain" that I mentioned before, he talks about the importance of "taking in the good" and "amplifying" it. He explains that our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative (this is because it was imperative for our ancestors to be on the look out for threats in order to survive).

In his book he seeks to teach us ways in which we can strengthen the pathways in our brain that generate good feelings. One way to do this is to pay close attention to the positive experiences we have (our tendency is often to dismiss our achievements and overlook the good things). So when we experience something pleasant, however simple, the idea is to try and stay with that pleasant experience for a few minutes, without being distracted. He encourages us to bask in the feeling and to really let them sink in to us.

I haven't explained it very well! But anyhow, I've been trying to do this today and yesterday about feeling calm. I've really been focusing on how it feels in my body to feel calm and I'm trying to weave that pleasant experience deep into the fabric of my brain (Hanson's words, not mine!!)

I've been tracking my moods on medhelp, and although I'm not up to thirty minutes a day yet, I've noticed a pattern... days after I meditate my moods are much more level. Thanks whoever started this thread, it's certainly helping so far, even though it's early days.

I think you explained it beautifully Sun. I love what he is saying about taking in the good and amplifying it. You are right we often over look our achievements and over look the good. I am going to remember that. I would like to get a copy of his book.

Once again you take my breath away with the beautiful flowers you share. This one I know is a rose. lol

I would be honoured to share some pictures of my garden. I track with pictures the progression from spring through fall. I will PM you and link to where I have them posted on line. Meanwhile I will post here some of last years spring blooms. I did have some on my profile page but I think I deleted them in a moment of paranoia. lol

Hi mgran... so nice to have you join us. I am not sure any of us is doing 30 minutes. At least not at one time. Accumulatively through the day, perhaps. We acknowledge any amount of time as a gift to ourselves.

I am happy to hear that you too have notice a positive effect on your mood.

Thank you so much for chimming in. I hope you will feel lead to continue to share with us.

You asked for it Sun... now lets see if I can control myself and no get too carried away.... to many to choose from but I will try to give you a flavour of my spring time garden....

I can't resist a couple of more....









Oh man... does this make my anxious for spring. Thanks for giving me a reason to look back and imagine what is yet to come. It never looks the same way twice. Bulbs are removed when the blooms are done and replanted again in the fall. Other plants getted moved around in the fall or the following spring for one reason or another. I usually dig at least one new bed every spring. My goal is to significantly reduce the amount of grass spaces. There is still a ways to go. lol. I grow veggies too for the table. The best!

W O W !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an absolutely STUNNING garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel the need to type in color!!!!

Wow!!! That really is something else (((((((ss))))))) What a gorgeous haven you have created. It's a work of art! Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos.

My daily report... another good day under my belt. YIPPEE! It started out slow with a special quiet time with my kitty.... oh that prompts me to add a picture of her in the garden. She is my constant companion in the garden. She can't resist checking out the turned up dirt when I am weeding or moving something around.

The sun actually came out for awhile and even though I was stuck at my computer doing some writing I enjoyed looking up to see it shining off the snow topped mountains and listening the the blue jays that have come to usher in spring. I took many breaks to enjoy the gift.

I actually made it into bed last night before 11pm. I can't even think when I have made it to bed so early. I think I mentioned I had about a 10 minute sit. I was actually starting to doze off. I would catch myself swaying so I knew it was time to lay down to sleep. I did my sit on my bed so it wasn't far to just get under the covers and drift off.

I think the thing that I am most grateful for since we started meditating is the gift of sleep coming easily. I know it is making the world of difference. Sleep deprevation is killed to anxiety.

Well it is nearly that time so I am off to sit on my bed and prepare for lala land.

Sweet blessing to all.

Oh yes.... and here is my precious Midnight Cat.....

lol.... I take it you like my garden Sun! cool!

Your post is a work of art too!! Gee I can't wait for all those colours of spring. Every thing is still buried deep in snow but soon....

Did I ever share pics of my power rocks? If not I will post a couple if you would like. I got some good shots of them with some snow and have others from the summer if you would like to see them.

I only have the pics I took March 1st on my lap top. I will pull up the summer pics of them when I am on my office computer tomorrow... look at me presuming you want to see them.... but why wouldn't you... I talk about them enough..lo

Awwww (((((((((Midnight))))))))) What a beauty!!

So glad you had another good day and that you made it to bed early last night ((((((ss))))))) Yay!!! I'm still working on that!!!! (going to bed earlier). I do agree with you that lack of sleep is very bad news mood-wise. It's wonderful that meditating is helping you sleep so much better!

PS: You did post a couple of photos of your Power Rocks, but I'd love to see more. I love pictures!!!

Hugs to you and to all!

PPS: Hi mgran! Welcome to the thread!

Oh then these are probably repeats. They look very different in the summer so I will look for them tomorrow. Was it here that I posted them. Maybe I should delete these ones then.

I am off to bed now. Catch up with you again tomorrow. I hope you have a peaceful and restful sleep. You haven't talked much lately of your own meditations. How are they going for you?

Very cool! The other photos you posted had snow on them. These are very different. Both sets are beautiful!

My meditations are short and sweet I am definitely spending a lot more time during the day being mindful though. I've added an afternoon "sit" into my routine. I do this sit at some point during my afternoon dog walk. Today I sat on a wooden bench at the top of a ridge with a wonderful view across the San Francisco Bay to the Golden Gate. I closed my eyes, as I do when I meditate. But then I thought, what a waste!! So I kept my eyes open and focused on the horizon.

Ultimately I do still want to do longer sits. But right now things are going pretty well like this. I love this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you get another good night's sleep (((((((((((ss)))))))))))))))

Good morning all

I am experiencing some moments of real calm. I haven't felt like this in a long time. I know it won't last (not being negative when I say that, just realistic) but it sure is good to feel like this, even for a short time.

It's an unfamiliar feeling in many ways. Makes me realize just how much of my energy is usually taken up with being in a state of "high alert" and focusing on unpleasant physical and emotional feelings. No wonder I feel frequently exhausted. It IS exhausting to carry so much tension in my body and to use up so many of my resources worrying.

For whatever reason - whether it's the meditation/mindfulness practice, the homeopathic remedies and herbal treatments, or just a new cycle my body is going through - I feel that the "always on guard" switch has been dialed way back for the time being.

(please don't let me jinx myself by saying this!!!) Even if I fall back into worrying this afternoon, I am truly grateful for these moments of real calm.

Wishing you peace and joy in your hearts

These are pics of the power rocks in July. I suppose I should be putting them in an album here instead of taking up so much space. Thanks for indulging me. Sorry about the repeat of the winter pics. I forgot I had posted them. I found them on page 22. Can you believe we are on page 32! Wow! Glancing through the pages has me want to go back and reread some of the links and techiques shared. We really need to capture them together.

Beautiful pictures!! ((((((ss))))))) We can never have too many pictures!! It's great we're on page 32!! Yes, this thread really is a wealth of resources

Your sits sound wonderful Sun. I was in San Francisco a few years ago, well more than a few now that I think about it. Even crossed the bridge. That was a bit nerve racking. I am a small town girl and even in the city we don't have bridges even near as wide. The views were pretty spectacular. If I close my eyes I can imagine the view you must have had.

I do that too. Especially when I am looking at the rocks or the river. Like you say what a waste that would be. It is alot easier to stay in the moment and focused on what is in front of you.

I ams so glad you benefiting from the spending more time through the enjoying the peace of mindfullness. I have been adding a mid-day sit now and then. It seems to help me stay more even then having to wait the whole day to sit again. My morning sits are almost non-existant. I would need to get up earlier. Perhaps now that I am starting to get to bed earlier it may be do-able. I actually did wake 30 minutes earlier then usual and I did spend some time just laying in bed (which I never do) and just feeling grateful.

I had another good night. I actually started dozing off again at the end of my sit while just sitting in silent mindlessness. I caught myself before I feel backwards onto my pillow. I slept like a baby. So nice!

Awe... forget being realistic! You have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Lets agree to not base our future on our past. I know the thinking though so we will need to work on that one. I keep waiting for the penny to drop. I am still having challenging days but I am trying to hold on to the calm. I know it is helping me recover more quickly when a symptom acts up.

I can so relate to that 'high alert' and you are so right it is exhausting. I think that may be why I am sleeping better. I think as you say I am beginning to think the 'always on guard' switch is moving into the off position.

I suspect it is the combination you are doing to usher in recovery are working together to help but you have to take a big chunk of the credit because without your persistance and determination no combination of anything can do it alone.

I am with you always questioning if the changes are just a cycle between episodes but ya know what, even if it is we have more skill to manage things when or if we cycle into one extreme of another. We may always battle some degree of symptoms acting up but I think the skills and disciplines we are incorporating into our days will reduce the impact of any cycling up or down. At least that is my claim.

Again staying in the present and not projecting my fears or apprehensions into the futher seems a good strategy to keep us from jinxing ourselves.

Where is everyone Sun?

((((Lavie))))) (((((Sunset))))) ((((((mgran)))))) (((((everyone else who is thinking to jump on board))))))

We miss you and hope you are all well. Would love to hear from you all again. New comers are always welcome. If you are just reading along I hope you are being encourage by the thread.

Okay... I guess I will share about my difficult morning. I am still a little off but it is getting calmer as the day goes on. I started a post yesterday to ask to help me figure out a rash that is been aggravated lately. I am concerned it has to do with the Lamictal. I had a meltdown about it this morning. I just got so overwhelmed I couldn't think straight. People were so kind and helpful to me and even put up with some of my irrational ranting.

I knew I needed to spend some time working my way back to a calmer place. I was going to try to meditate of try to enter into mindlessness. Even a walked didn't feel like enough. I feared I would have been crying and sobbing my way down the road.

I opted to have a ceremony and smudge (wash myself in the smoke of sage and cedar). I played the hand drum until I had no more songs to sing. Then I prayed in the four directions. Over an hour had passed before I was finished. It helped alot to allow me to let go of my worries and fears and to find my centre again. I was still a bit shacky but much better now.

Once again the message was not to project into the future but to take it one baby step forward at a time. I think I am going to be faced with that challenge more then a few times this week. Oh geesh... there I go again projecting trouble.

A work in progress. Have a blessed day. I am celebrating our growth together. YAH US!!!

I need another shower... 3rd so far today... I am all clammy these days and it is driving me batty. I think I well go for a walk. I still need to have some lunch first. I feel like I am running behind but pushing that aside and deciding I am in sync with what I am meant to be doing. Self care day.

((((((((SS))))))))))) and (((((((((Sundog))))))))))))))

I went to the sangha Sunday night, mostly because someone I met called and asked to accompany me. He picked me up, making it easy to get there. For the first time ever, I was so restless that I had to get up from my cushion, leave the meditation room and walk the hallway. I couldn't manage a moment of mindfulness. We stayed for the talk/discussion, but I couldn't listen or speak. Usually, I'd be engaged, and then participate actively in discussion. I don't understand what is happening to me lately, why I'm so caught by self-critical thoughts, and fatigue. I'm thinking about you both and hoping that you're doing okay. SS, I feel for your struggles and am pleased for the moments when you transcend and create comfort for yourself. Sundog, I am SO happy that you're experiencing some peace and calm.

I'm here!!

Well done for going to the sangha on Sunday! (((((((lavie))))))) That's awesome. I'm sorry you felt so very restless. I know how disheartening it is when that happens in a situation where we have previously felt safe and at ease. I hope the anxiety at the sangha was an isolated incident (though I understand that you are experiencing a lot of emotional pain in general right now). I do think it's great that you went to the sangha. And I hope that you will keep on going, and that next time you will feel engaged again

(((((((ss))))))))) I loved hearing about your smudge ceremony and the drumming. I'm really happy it helped you release your worries. What a wonderful ritual I really hope your rash gets better too.

Thanks so much to you guys for all your encouragement