Momentum of the World

     "The masters of the past suggest we should constantly remind ourselves about: the imminence of death; the futility of our worldly activities; and the worst news of all, that there is no end to samsara's sufferings. Just look around you and you will see that the world never ceases to churn out more and more of the same thing, and that the result is unremitting pain and unbearable suffering. It's no surprise, then, that the masters have pointed out, that to maintain mindfulness for as long as it takes to drink a cup of tea accumulates more merit than years of practicing generosity, discipline, and asceticism."

         Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse   Shambhala Sun January 2013   http://www.shambhalasun.com/

"You better stop
Look around
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
Here comes your 19th nervous breakdown."     Rolling Stones

     The role of cognitive defusion - "I am not my thoughts" - to help extricate ourselves from the momentum of the world is worth deep investigation. Though "cognitive", the "defusion" can become established at visceral / subconscious depths - as we cultivate the will and vow to become porous (realize our porous nature)?

Photo: Juraj Lacko   www.dpreview.com

Willingness and Openness to Embrace the Truth

     "... we feel annoyed when we are forced to acknowledge the illusory nature of our lives and the reality of death. We also take exception to contemplating it, even though death is an irrefutable universal truth. Our habitual reaction is to pretend it will never happen - which is how we deal with most of the other inconvenient truths we find difficult to stomach.
     Instead of becoming resentful, though, it is important for anyone who sincerely wishes to become a dharma practitioner to develop a willingness and openness to embrace the truth, because the dharma is the truth."

       Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse   Shambhala Sun January 2013   http://www.shambhalasun.com/

Andre Gallant   http://www.andregallant.com/

Spirituality & Meaning

     Spirituality can be defined as “a search for existential or transcendent meaning. It can be achieved through religious affiliation, or independently of one as well. It is compatible with the religious pluralism that has emerged in recent decades, as tolerance for diverse beliefs has become part of our common culture. Even many people who are committed to formal religious practice are open to those who are not.

     Spirituality is a highly personal issue, and each person is his or her own expert on its definition. Because of this, we should attend to what people say for themselves …” 

       Galanter M. Spirituality and the healthy mind: Science, therapy, and the need for personal meaning. Oxford University Press, NY, 2005. 

Photo: Pete St   www.dpreview.com

Guided Mindfulness Meditation & Hypnosis - Overlaps & Differences

• “guided meditations are different in structure and intent than solo meditations

• guided meditations in a clinical context for therapeutic objectives are different than those employed for personal or spiritual growth

• the linguistic, neurophysiological, and social psychological overlaps between guided mindful meditation and hypnosis are evident

• therapists using guided mindful meditation approaches in their treatments would benefit greatly from studying hypnosis for its deeper consideration of the role of suggestion and other interpersonal dynamics in catalyzing experiences that clients in treatment find helpful and enlightening”

       Yapko MD. Mindfulness and hypnosis. The power of suggestion to transform experience. WW Norton & Co, NY, 2011.   

     Hypnotherapists, and other clinicians, would benefit greatly from having an ongoing meditation practice, under the guidance of a qualified teacher.

Fall in Nova Scotia

May all beings be happy - simple theory, not easy practice

     "The Sanskrit word maitri and the Pali word metta both mean 'loving-kindness' or 'loving care,' and refer to an attitude of friendliness, good will, and generosity of heart. When we are filled with loving-kindness and a sense of loving care, we have a very simple wish: May all beings be happy.
     This kind of love has many qualities that distinguish it from our more usual experiences of love mixed with desire and attachment. Born of great generosity, metta is caring and kindness that does not seek self-benefit. It does not look for anything in return or by way of exchange: 'I will love you if you love me,' or 'I will love you if you behave a certain way.' Because loving-kindness is never associated with anything harmful, it always arises from a purity of heart."
       Goldstein J. A heart full of peace. Wisdom Publications, Boston, 2007.

     We can read information like that many times over many years, and readily notice how others fail to live up to these wonderfully wise standards. Then suddenly, we're shocked to realize - heh wait a minute, I'm not doing this! - sparkling insight - another chance to let go of a portion of my conditioning.

Maui Buddha by Andrea Smith   http://www.andreasmithgallery.com/

The prison walls WE build

     “… we effectively make our own limits by our own thought processes. Then, too often, we forget that we have created these boundaries ourself. Consequently, we get stuck and feel we can’t get beyond them.” 
       Kabat-Zinn J. “Full catastrophe living. Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain and illness”. Dell Publishing, NY, 1990.

     “There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”             Nelson Mandela

Photo: Jeet Sutaprim   www.dpreview.com

Deep Self-Reflection, Suffering, Meaning

     “Michael Kearney, an Irish psychiatrist and hospice physician, defined suffering as ‘the experience of an individual who has become disconnected and alienated from the deepest and most fundamental aspects of him or herself.’ Psychiatrist, Victor Frankl … asserted that: ‘Man is not destroyed by suffering, he is destroyed by suffering without meaning.’

       Coulehan J. Compassionate solidarity: suffering, poetry, & medicine. Perspect Biol Med 2009; 52(4): 585-603.

Photo: Ashley Osborne   www.depreview.com