Gold Mind Meditation Project
(Benefits for fellow
head-injury survivors)
Head-injury is an invisible disability, not easily seen from the
outside like wheelchair or crutches. However, it’s still a disability known
profoundly from inside, with an array of symptoms - vastly different for
each survivor. Gold Mind Meditation Project has the purpose of empowering you to
transform your relationship with this new condition and thrive: through the power of mindfulness.
I
speak from personal experience. Returning
to college years ago, I was involved in a serious car accident. Jaws-of-Life
were required to free me from the vehicle, I got a skull fracture and was in a
coma for six days. My brain swelled in my skull and when I came to I had
amnesia, diplopia (double-vision), and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In
an instant I was not who I used to be.
Since
that time I have lived with the challenges of TBI. I struggled to complete my university
degree and to get on with my new life. I graduated from university (B.S.) and then
within a few years experienced frustrating failure in the loss of several jobs. Often I was cloudy and very unsure of what I
could do or be.
Fortunately
my friend, an occupational therapist showed that this was the direct result of my
TBI.
TBI
has often been misdiagnosed and thus poorly treated. In top-of-the line and
expensive rehabilitation programs I was taught 'compensatory coping strategies'
for the 'cognitive deficits' of my brain injury. These strategies were
well-intended rehab but fell short of knowing and actually addressing my inner
well being. They didn't work for me; I had to learn that necessary inner
transformation for myself. In my own explorations
I learned to sift gold from the gravel of my life experience in order to find
meaning, value and purpose for myself.
Knowing
devastation and frustration of this condition directly, I intend to share what
I've found to be a powerful healing benefit for me, and possibly for you too. I’ve
learned Insight Meditation
or mindfulness meditation practice. Learning this
simple practice can enhance your life, with satisfaction and way more ease and
smiles. Really! The technique of
practice is very malleable and everyone can find a way that is appropriate to
him or her. There is light at the end of the tunnel for each
survivor.
Regular
meditation practice has helped me be clear-eyed and mindful, capable of
sustained attention. With mindfulness I
can accept and gently hold whatever moods suddenly arise in my consciousness,
letting go of what does not serve me.
This training is intended to relieve suffering and dissatisfaction, freeing
the mind of illusions. It can ground us in a sense of dignified inner wellness,
and peace beyond the damages of our trauma and change. This is the golden
path of being authentic to who you are and finding current capabilities.
Mindfulness practice can lead
to brain healing (neuroplasticity). I am now choosing to live my life intentionally
and more skillfully, making peace with this malady and finding healing. You can
too. This is the start of a new path!
