Nature as a Gateway

Sometimes when I can't go out in nature, I scour the internet for pictures that capture what I like to think of as a gateway into the Self. These are some pictures I came across tonight. Spend a few moments with each if you like. Hope you enjoy. As always, your contributions welcome! :)

Anyone have other breathtaking images they'd like to share?

Mindfulness Practice Slows HIV Progression

I recently came across an article highlighting the findings of a UCLA study on HIV. It examined the effects of mindfulness on HIV progression as compared to not practicing mindfulness. The effects were quite striking in that those who practiced mindfulness/meditation had the same amount of CD4 T cells ("the brains of the immune system") as when they began the study. The control group showed reduced CD4 T cells at the end of the study, suggesting that mindfulness/stress reduction can play a role in the progression of the disease.

Obviously, correlation is not causation--as my statistics teacher would remind us--but it certainly suggests that something is going on when we reach inner stillness. Other studies have revealed similar findings; I'll try to post those soon.

Read the full article here.

It's so amazing to me to be in a place in our evolution that allows us to perceive the subtleties of existence. I think we're just at the beginning of discovery...

Using Guilt as an Opportunity to Increase Mindfulness

Whether you're a seasoned or developing meditator, you have probably encountered that oh-so-familiar guilty feeling when you have not taken time in your day to meditate. It's not uncommon for our Ego to thwart our attempts at finding true inner peace, and guilt can be one of those ways. What better way than to cast doubt and guilt at our efforts and abilities?

When we don't meditate as we've planned and do something else, we may end up feeling guilty. This of course doesn't only apply to a meditation practice, but to other aspects of our lives. “I should have completed the project today” and “What's wrong with me for not doing the laundry today?” are sure signs that guilt is finding it's way in your body.

Is there always something wrong with guilt? Not necessarily, but there are times when it's presence in the body only serves to bring us backward. Guilt carries with with it a deadening kind of energy and often times, it is not justifiable guilt—as in the examples above.

I was experiencing this today when I realized that in the moment of allowing the negative thoughts and the guilt to grow in my body that I was loosing presence.

I was becoming unconscious.

I observed the feeling of guilt taking away my attention to the present moment. It dawned on me that instead of allowing the guilt to take over and add soil to more non-productive thoughts, I could choose to be present. The moment I had this realization, I found the emotion almost immediately vanish and I felt more centered.

I believe this happened for at least four reasons:

1. I was not loosing unconscious to the emotion and the thoughts that were giving it life;

2. I took the position of the observer,

3. I chose not to be controlled by those emotions/thoughts anymore, and

4. I welcomed presence and unconditional acceptance for myself.

In order for any of these things to occur, I had to first become aware of the experience. In such a moment, I welcomed mindfulness and presence into my body; it became a spiritual practice.

My point is perhaps simple:
If we lapse in our practice--or other task we haven't completed for that matter--it is important for us to maintain compassion for ourselves. If we stray and find ourselves feeling guilty or complaining, we should take a moment to pay attention to that.

Paying attention to when those Ego-driven tendencies are making aims at sabotaging our efforts can be challenging, but very fruitful. We can use it as an opportunity to bring awareness into our bodies, to follow our breath, and to engage more fully in what we are doing in that moment. Otherwise we allow the enticing feelings of guilt to grow, which can serve as a vehicle toward negative judgment of the self. Not exactly a friend in a path toward fulfillment.

Has anyone had this kind of experience before? Anyone try the latter approach I mentioned? Please share your insights.

Mindfulness

Lotus Flower Breaking the Surface by Yun Shouping

My Intention with this Blog
My purpose with this blog is to communicate with other people all over the world about spirituality, meditation, and mindfulness. When you think about it, aren't all those things all about life anyway? So really, this blog is about one approach to life. I think we can learn from each other, and this online world can be a great outlet for connection and sharing. I also hope that this blog will be an avenue for others to learn and connect in the same way I am seeking to connect and learn from others.

I decided to start writing in this public forum, my thoughts, impressions and insights into mindfulness, meditation and the general path of spirituality. I think that the more of us come together and bring awareness and presence into the world, the more we are contributing to the greater whole. I certainly think the world needs our help in cutting through our Ego-driven tendencies!

What is mindfulness to me? What is it to you?
Mindfulness to me means being aware of the moment in such a way that our actions, thoughts, and energy transmit compassion and acceptance into the Self and the world around us. It is being able to break free from our past and preoccupation with the future in such a way that we respond to our world from a place of pure awareness and ultimately, Love. At the deepest level, it is about connecting to something deeper...

There are a variety of definitions I have come across and would love to hear yours!

Please share!