Avatar, Meditation, 3D Worlds

At the beginning of the most ambitious, creative cinematic experience ever created, there is a dialogue which involves scientists saying to Jake a paraplegic – former marine ”how would you like a fresh start in a new world?” he accepts the offer.

If you were offered the opportunity ‘for a fresh start in a new world?’ What would you say? What would race through your mind?

A fresh start sounds good – physically we can do that by showering each day, we feel better for it, what about mentally?
A new mind?
A new world?
Where do these things come from?

We can put on our 3D glasses for nearly three hours and step into a three dimensional world – but then when the credits come we end up in the car park driving home in what can sometime seem a less exciting, magical world, its still in 3D mind you.

Where does a new mind, a new world come from? – Meditation.

Meditation works directly with your mind – correct meditation can change, improve, enhance and enlighten your mind; not necessarily as quick as walking into a 3D Film, but over time the effects can be greater and more long lasting.  In reality we live in a 3D world that is created by the projector of our own mind.

Change your mind, change the world.

The world that appears to the mind will change if the mind is developed in meditation – every time we arise from meditation we step into a new world – “but it looks the same” – perhaps…we need to remember that appearances are deceptive. If we look beneath the surface then we can see change takes place – overtime with steady, consistent effort we will discover new worlds, before our very eyes.

We can be the director, producer, screen writer etc of our own personal cinematic 3D world and have much more fun than a short stint at the cinema with 3D glasses on….

Meditation Blog

Here you can find articles from the  blog of Adam Lobon’s.  To visit the blog directly click here . Where you can find almost an inexhaustible source of updated information about Meditation and its relevance to our daily lives.

Here are some recent articles:

Why Meditation is effective for reducing Migraines and Headaches – with a practical meditation

Continuing from yesterday.

Meditation can be very effective for reducing the strength of our headache.  If we try to build up a regular practice then it can actually get rid of it completely.

Meditation goes deeper than modern medicine – we are addressing the root of the headache which is the mind – when there is a build up of tension in the mind then gradually the tension in our head develops.

If we can learn to relax the mind in meditation then naturally the power of our headaches will reduce.

Our course it is good to take practical steps such as drinking plenty of fluid and reducing the amount of toxins that we put into our body – on top of this is the practice of meditation.

Yesterday we looked at a simple relaxation technique to let go of tension in the head – the meditation is here

Today I will present you with another meditation and later we will record it for you so you have the opportunity to practice.

• Sitting in a comfortable posture with a straight back and shoulders relaxed
• Try to bring your attention into your body letting go of all the distractions outside the body
• Set your intention for the meditation and make a determination that you will not be distracted during this period of time
• Gently bring your attention to your breath – try to focus on the natural sensation for a short time
• Imagine that all of your headaches, tension and migraines gather together in the aspect of dark smoke
• As you focus on your breath imagine breathing out all the tension far into the distance
• Focus on this concentration for a short time
• Enjoy this process
• After a while imagine that you have breathed out all the tension far into the distance and focus on this conviction for a short time
• Before concluding the meditation make a determination to keep training in meditation and to share your experience with others

Learning to Meditate Online – The pros and cons.

One of the things about the internet is that it can be a huge distraction – one of the reasons it is so popular is that it appeals to the grasshopper mind.

So to actually attempt to meditate correctly whilst online requires considerable discipline if it is going to produce results.

There is a curious part of the mind that wants to shop around and yes this can be done with considerable ease online -

You Tube videos are watched for an average of 10 seconds.

Although meditation teachers are now trying to provide the online community with inspiration meditations in five or ten minutes, ten seconds is taking the p***!

A very common feedback to a meditation session is “that was relaxing, but I find it hard to switch off”, or “I find it hard stop the flow of thoughts.”

If your going to meditate online then you will need to switch off all your other windows, stop the mouse from clicking and the fingers twitching. – if these distractions are still there its not going to produce many results (at the beginning).

Online meditation can be good for getting a taster – have a look around at the different sites and teachings, experiment a little and then when you mind a technique that works for you – focus on it and try to gain some experience, so it effects your daily life.

This I believe to be the objective of meditation practice is that it influences our behavior in daily life – we have more perspective, are more positively focused and can start to carry with us an inner peace and calm. For this to happen we need to stick with a particular practice and try to gain some depth of experience.

One of the downsides of learning to meditate online is that its difficult to gain the transmission of experience from the teacher (if they have any!). This transmission can be empowering and provide great encouragement for your practice. Also when we are in a live meditation group then we have the additional support of other members and a discipline where we have chosen to turn everything off for an hour or so.

Anything to do with meditation usually concludes with a middle way conclusion and once again has done in this debate and research.

The internet provides an online resource for individuals who are curious to learn about meditation – great – if they then wish to learn ‘how to’ practically it would then be advisable to seek out a meditation class with a teacher who has some experience to share. Preferably on a weekly/monthly basis. In between the live classes yes, use the online resource, but its not really a replacement for the live experience.

We’ll talk more tomorrow about the benefits of attending a class.

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Why a meditation practice is of paramount importance
if we are to conquer stress

Disappointment leads to stress.

Stress isn’t a bad thing if it leads to positive pro-action – its what we do with it when it takes control.

There are a variety of responses:

1) Buckle under the pressure – and sink with it

2) Resentment, criticism and tightness

3) Try to softly, softly, spiritually manage it

4) Bust and destroy

Lets take a look in more details at each point.

1) Buckle under the pressure – and sink with it – as simple as.
Disappointment is a powerful force if we don’t have the mental toolkit to deal with it. This is why it helps to be ready. Disappointment arises when there has been excitement. When excitement is in our mind we feel in control and take full responsibility for our experience. Change always comes and then can result in a high level stress.This stress can take control and weigh down our hope, optimism and ability to think creatively

2) Resentment, criticism and tightness - the length of this approach varies depending:

• We can perhaps acknowledge the negativity of our response and take quick steps to change our mind. If this doesn’t happen naturally then training in meditation has shown its possible to encourage and strengthen the speed and effectiveness of effecting this change.(see Bust and destroy – fourth point)
• We are aware of the response but take no steps to change it – this mental apathy then functions to provide a continuation of the r.c.t approach furthering our stress.
• We conclude that the experiences & feelings wear subjected to are a consequence of environmental circumstances which are out of our control such as other peoples actions or behavior, a material loss, an experience of poor health, a bereavement. As a result of this conclusion we feel helpless, our internal experiences arise from an external situation – ‘The Innocent Bystander’    This disempowering, blame view unfortunately results in not having the mental platform to be able to shake off the stress.    
  
• If our well-being hinges upon outside circumstances then of course (if we are lucky) things will change with time – allowing us to let go of the r.c.t
• Perhaps circumstances don’t appear to change and we begin to identify with the personality that is choosing to respond with r.c.t – we dig our heels in and put on the mental straight jacket – the length of time thus being prolonged. This is related to response number one.

3) Try to softly, softly, spiritually manage it -
There is often a lot of talk about the gentle path. It has its merits in the correct context, with the right advice however:

This can confuse an individual looking at meditation from an outside perspective as “a path cocooned in cotton wool” – “a path that is not engaged with the real world”

This response, as way of producing long lasting, proactive, positive results, can disengage and fog – ‘The Ostrich Approach!’.

Meditation looks within but with the wrong guidance there can be a blaming of the outside world and those who work for its improvement.  This is often a lazy, loony left view where an individual blames the society for their ills. Then takes on a set of views to bolster their frustrations. Turns their back on the world. Criticizes their society (in the name of their belief). Whilst at the same time unashamedly uses its facilities. Perhaps then depends upon a variety of state handouts to prop up their existence.

A contradictory approach and with respect to this article the stress remains within the mind.

In meditation you can discover first hand the relationship between the world you live in and the condition of your mind.  To improve the world then there needs to be not a rejection or blame of what we experience, but a change within.

4) Bust and destroy -
This month at Mind Space we are looking at the benefits of this final option (which needs to be learned) – ‘Bust and Destroy’.  Yes it sounds a bit aggressive & radical – sometimes there is a necessity for this approach – it leads to results. Many people in sales will tell you unless your proactive, persistent and have an element of ruthlessness then your success rate will be limited.

If you want to sell a product then people will not buy unless they know of its existence and benefits – in the same way if you want to reduce stress in your life, it will not naturally disappear.  There needs to be a plan of action, implementation and result.

Some thinkers will say – you don’t need a result. On the contrary without results there is no incentive for continuation.

To pull off this approach then a meditation practices is of paramount importance. A practice helps us to identify negative states of mind which ultimately are responsible for our experience. Identifying negativity and implementing sharp alternative responses.

Not feed, entertain or believe in the projections of our negative mind instead to ‘bust’ with a proactive approach. Rising above negativity through cultivating a vision of our life and a world fueled with hope.

This cannot be accomplished successfully through sitting around with our hands behind our head trying to work it out. There needs to be a proactive physical approach of contribution which acts as a catalyst for our mental policy.

In short see through the veneer and conquer.
For more details on the upcoming Stress Buster workshop please click here
Read more from the blog

Increasing Confidence, Reducing Depression…

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at the theme:

Increasing Confidence, Reducing Depression

There will be videos, podcasts, articles, blog posts, free public talks and workshops providing opportunity for everyone to gain more experience of this important subject.

Here is a brief introduction:

From the social workers

“I’m very impressed with your vision to implement meditation into schools and businesses. As a social worker I feel that the healing hands of meditation should be used in mainstream services as an alternative therapy as we are often too quick to use traditional services”

Sapna Devi – (Older people’s mental health services)

How Meditation Can Help Children in Schools

How Meditation Can Help Children In Schools – by Adrian Hyde
(Primary School Teacher in the Dudley Borough, West Midlands)

As a Primary teacher of over 15 years it has become more and more noticeable that children over the last few years seem to be facing greater challenges to their well-being.

It seems that they are being influenced more and more by technology without sufficient guidance. Technology has increased the amount of information they have to process each day and whilst not all bad there is information that maybe they shouldn’t have to be processing or should be having some support with.

Family time is being squeezed by pressures of work and parents also spending more time with their own various forms of technology.

Comparing today with my own primary school days there is so much more that children have to deal with and often by themselves. Generally there life is more cluttered and there is less space for an innocent daydream or just moments of freewheeling – all things which a healthy mind should be able to do.

So how could meditation help in schools? By providing a structured opportunity for children to allow their minds to relax, de-clutter and find space.

Children respond remarkably well to the opportunity to meditate or chill out – children quite like the idea of meditation, to them it’s cool and different.

Responses from children in primary school whom I have seen experience a meditation are overwhelmingly positive. Their feedback on these sessions is that it felt; relaxed, calm, peaceful, quiet and it changed the feeling in the classroom to a better one.

Even with a challenging class those children whom you might expect to be difficult actually respond very well to the calm environment created – it may well be just the escape they need from a mind that has some turmoil.

On an emotional intelligence course I learned that people generally exist in 3 zones;

the comfort zone in which we have no stress and are totally relaxed.
the challenge zone where we are tested in a healthy way that helps us develop.
and finally the stress zone which is pretty paralysing and very uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, some children are in or very close to the stress zone when they arrive at school in the morning. So what happens at school to help them?

‘Stop fidgeting!’ ‘Stop chatting to your friends!’ ‘Stop daydreaming!’ ‘Your targets today are to learn about ‘equivalent fractions and percentages!’

Are we asking why children are behaving the way they do and more importantly are we doing anything about it?

Perhaps our first target of the day should be that you should all do nothing for 10 minutes except listen to your breathing?

iTunes Store Open

Mind Space Guided Meditations Now Available on iTunes.
Click here to sample and buy.

Seasons Greeting from Mind Space

Mind Space has had an incredible year.
Here is what we are giving you this Festive Season….

PODCAST

We will be broadcasting everyday through the holidays on our Daily Podcast - stay tuned.

MEDITATION MANUAL & PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITY

To access your free meditation manual simple follow us on

http://www.twitter.com/mindspaceuk

Send us a direct message (DM) beginning with MEDITATION stating in 140 words what Meditation means to you.
These tweets will be submitted to our panel with the most inspiring being published next year in one of our Inspirational Books/Manuals

E-MEDITATION MANUAL

We are giving away copies of our E-Meditation Manual with every CD purchased over the Festive Season.

COMMUNITY PUBLIC SEMINARS

We will be giving community public seminars in the UK during the New Year
which will be free of charge.

We would like to thank all those who have contributed to our vision of
Bringing meditation to the mainstream!
Thousands of people (both children and adults) have benefited from our
seminars, workshops and courses.

(more…)

Mind Space’s Illustrated Medition Manual

Podcast

Dear All Podcast Listeners
We are currently revamping the Podcast facility.
We will be broadcasting very soon with the subject Gentle Empathy.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Broadcast from Tune into Mind Space