Interesting Article

Aren't you lucky you have the benefit of my chemo reading? Here's an article from Monday's visit:
"Meditation is nothing more than focused attention, inward or outward -- to the breath, for instance, or to an external image or to a silently spoken word or phrase," says Andre Weil, MD, author of Healthy Aging. Whatever your focal point, the object is the same: You are cultivating your ability to concentrate on the present moment. (I think this is one reason the article caught my attention. I've had more trouble concentrating with "chemo brain").
The idea is to stop ruminating about the past and fretting about the future so you mind and body can relax, explains Peter Degnan, MD, an integrative medicine physician at Equinox Health and Healing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. If you make meditation a habit, studies suggest, you may feel calmer and more in control of your life. (hmmmmm, is it like slowing down so I can hear the still small voice?)
There are many types of meditation, but you don't need to practice a particular form to set your mind at ease. To learn how to live "in the moment," simply try one of the easy exercises featured in "Paths to Peace" (at end of article). All you need is a quiet place free of distractions, a little patience and some understanding of the challenges of meditation so you don't give up before you get comfortable doing it. For instance...
Think of meditation as a calming ritual, instead of a mystical experience. Though meditation helps some people connect with their spiritual side, you may get discouraged if you expect instant enlightenment or something momentous to happen. (although I am firmly convinced it can and often does). Your goal is to stay anchored in the here and now, so thoughts of what you have to do today or the argument with your spouse fade away.
Expect your mind to wander.(I can relate to this one!) Meditation doesn't mean making your mind a blank. The trick is to let thoughts drift by like clouds without getting caught up in them, which can be difficult to do . Your aim is to acknowledge your thoughts without judging or analyzing them (it may help to give them a neutral label, such as "thinking about work").
Whenever you get distracted, redirect your attention to your focal point, such as your breathing, a movement or a meaningful word -- or mantra --like "peace."
The best form of meditation is the one that helps you stay focused.
If you're agitated or athletic, walking meditation may be right for you. Arty types may find knitting calming, while prayer can be hypnotic for those who are spiritual. But since the soothing power of repetition is at the heart of meditation, any rhythmic activity that can be done on automatic pilot may produce a meditative state, including ironing, brushing your hair or stroking a pet.(I think rocking/bumping fits in here). "The trick is to be aware of the motion, the rhythm, your breath -- and nothing else, says Dr. Degnan.
Consistency is more important than the time you clock. Like any skill, meditation requires practice. It's better to meditate for a few minutes every day rather than to devote an hour a week. "Even short periods of meditation can be relaxing," says Dr. Degnan. Start practicing for five minutes and then try to work your way up to 20 minutes or more.
PATHS TO PEACE - Here are four easy ways to focus your mind and ease anxiety.
CONCENTRATE ON A CHORE. No time to meditate? Turn everyday activities, such as washing dishes and folding clothes, into opportunities to be mindful, suggests Jeffrey Brantley, MD, author of Five Good Minutes. Focus on the movements required to do the activity. Then "take a moment to fully experience the satisfaction of completing the task," says Dr. Brantley. I wonder if that's part of why I enjoy folding clothes -- I like the stacks to put away.
SAVOR A SMALL BITE. Note how a morsel of food looks and smells before you put it in your mouth. Then chew it slowly and taste with attention; think about how it feels on your tongue (smooth, cold, crunchy) and then experience the flavor (spicy, sweet, a hint of cinnamon). I'm looking forward to experiencing flavor again one day !!!
MEDITATE ON THE MOVE. In a safe, traffic-free area, walk slowly and focus on your movements and sensations: lifting your foot, swinging your leg, putting your foot down, shifting your weight from your back foot to your front. If you find it difficult to concentrate, try silently saying "lifting, swinging, placing, shifting, as you perform these movements.
Pace too slow if you focus solely on your stride? Then zero in on your breath instead of your steps by thinking "in" as you inhale and "out" as you exhale.
PRAY. Repeating a prayer over and over can serve as a type of meditation and confer similar health benefits. According to a British study, reciting the rosary slows breathing, which can help lower blood pressure. Maybe I'll try reciting the Articles of Faith or a favorite scripture for this one, along with prayer! End of Article by Mary Elizabeth Terzella in Caring Today magazine, May 2008
So there it is for what its worth; at least it is something to think about.