Crossing the Boundaries of Our Brains
May 12, 2014
What side of your brain are you predominantly using at this moment? Do you seem to use one side more than the other? Our brains have two distinct parts. Left, which governs the logical and analytical. Right, which governs the creative and inspirational. Many of us tend to use one side over the other, leaving one side under-used. This pattern of one-sidedness can lead us to limit ourselves and stay stuck professionally and creatively to "our comfort zones" created by our dominant side. What could could you accomplish if you used both sides of your brains simultaneously? For example, Leanardo da Vinci is a classic example of a person with a powerful two-sided brain. His ability to use both sides equally allowed him to create beautiful art, as well as mathematical and engineering wonders. Here is a simple and relaxing meditation exercise to help you tap into the power of using both sides of your brain.
Sit or lay quietly - whatever position, allow yourself to be comfortable. Imagine that you a small, glowing light inside your head. The light can be any color you desire. Your breathing should be relaxed and steady.
Place the light inside your head, just over your left eyebrow and slowly allow it explore...
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left brain, meditation, right brain
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Adventures in Meditation ~ Power of the Group
March 2, 2014
Giving Thanks: A Meditation on Gratitude
November 12, 2013
A Meditation on Gratitude
Take a few moments to sit quietly and focus on the following words. Say them aloud or to yourself one at a time. After each word, contemplate its meaning and significance in your life.
Gratitude
Acknowledgement
Appreciate
Grace
Praise
Gratefulness
Honor
Bounty
Tribute
Thanksgiving
Thank you for sharing your practice with me today.
Tags:
gratitude, meditation, thanksgiving
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Sitting with a twist! Meditating with individuals with developmental differences and other special needs...
November 5, 2013
We all have different strengths and weaknesses which bring us to different places in
interests, attention, understanding and motivation. For some people with special needs, they can have great challenges with communication, comprehension and focus. But that does not
mean that they cannot be mindful, meditate or gain benefits from meditation methods. When exploring meditation with individuals with very involved special needs, focus the goal on establishing a mindful connection between each other. As a meditation teacher or leader, seek a moment of mindful interaction between teacher and pupil. By doing this, so much will be learned by both parties.
When working with individual with challenged verbal and attending skills, I only seek to create a moment in which we connect and communicate on a personal level. For starters, I reduce unnecessary stimuli, perhaps using a clear table, soft lighting and soft, relaxing instrumental music (if at all).
Then, I use simple pictures or visual aids to bring about easier interaction and connection. I may present pictures of people smiling, sitting, or breathing. The pictures should be easy to understand and effectively convey a mood or emotional state....
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developmental disabilities, meditation, mindfulness, special needs
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Chakra Meditation: A Moment for Self-reflection
November 3, 2013
Focusing on the chakras (vital energy centers) in the body during meditation is thought to open, clear, align, balance and harmonize these energy centers and bring about healing, wellness and many other health benefits. Chakra meditation can be performed in different ways but, basically, it a ruminative and self-reflective process, often requiring long and thoughtful observation of the self. A list of seven main chakras and their focus:
✿ Muladhara Chakra (aka root, base or earth chakra) deals with survival and is blocked by fear
✿✿ Svadhisthana Chakra (aka sacral or water chakra) deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt
✿✿✿ Manipura Chakra (aka solar plexus or fire chakra) deals with will power and is blocked by shame
✿✿✿✿ Anahata Chakra (aka heart chakra) deals with love and is blocked by grief
✿✿✿✿✿ Vishuddha Chakra (aka throat or sound chakra) deals with truth and is blocked by lies
✿✿✿✿✿✿ Ajna Chakra (aka third eye or light chakra) deals with insight and is blocked by illusion
✿✿✿✿✿✿✿ Sahaswara Chakra (aka crown chakra) deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by attachment
The Guided Meditation:
First we will open the...
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chakras, meditation, self-reflection
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Sitting with my son: what meditating with my son with Autism has shown me.
March 23, 2013
My husband and I had been extremely stressed. There was so much going on, too much in fact. We have two sons (9 and 4), a menagerie of pets, two temperamental cars and a very messy house with a mortgage. My husband has a stressful job and I had just returned to work, part time. And my oldest son has autism. A few months ago, he started to have problems at school, which caused us great concern. We know, with autism, new challenges at home or at school routinely pop up. This time it had been at school. The catalyst for my son’s unhappiness could not be easily figured out. There are always the “usual suspects” such as change of staff, change in programs, allergy season, weather, and so on. Sometimes we cannot to figure it out, which makes the situation all the more disconcerting. All we knew was that he was no longer happy going to school (a marked change). So my husband and I started once again the process to vet out and fix the problem. Appointments with doctors. Meetings with...
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autism, children, meditation
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