Earlier 'source page'

Gold Mind  MeditationProject

  (Benefits for fellow head-injury survivors)   

Head-injury is an invisible disability, not easily seen from the outside like a wheelchair or crutches, however still a disability. This project exists to offer the possibility of transforming your disability into being healthy, present and awake to bright and abiding wellness, capability – in spite of your injury.  I speak from my personal experience.  You can cultivate your mind's inherent strengths. You can learn a self-generating long-term practice that will enhance your life, with satisfaction and way more smiles.  Really! 

Let me share my experience.  Returning to college thirty years ago, I was involved in a serious car wreck. I was in a coma and Jaws-of-Life were required to free me. When I came to I had amnesia, diplopia (double-vision), and TBI (traumatic brain injury). I was not who I used to be.  My life was forever changed.  Since that time I have lived with the challenges of TBI.  I know the devastation of this condition from the inside, and wish to share what I've found to be a powerful healing benefit for me, and possibly for you.

This malady is often misdiagnosed and thus poorly treated. I struggled to complete my degree at the University and to get on with my life, very unsure of what I could be or do. Within a few years I experienced the frustrating failure of the loss of several jobs before learning that this was the result of my TBI. There is light at the end of this tunnel.

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 are well-intended rehab but fell short of addressing my inner well being.  They didn't work for me; I had to learn the necessary inner transformation for myself.  This is cleansing the mind and knowing it's gold.  

I discovered Insight Meditation (Vipassana). This simple practice of sitting mindfully helps me be clear-eyed and capable of sustained attention, knowing that as obstacles arise I have the capacity to face them directly from a steady place of clear seeing.  This practice is based on the intent to relieve suffering and dissatisfaction, to cleanse the mind of illusions, and ground us in a sense of dignified inner wellness and capability, at peace beyond the physical damage.

With practice you can become aware of the present moment and learn exactly what is most needed for you. Healing is available.  It's been well documented by neurologists, psychologists, and doctors: mindfulness practice leads to positive brain healing (neuroplasticity). I am choosing to live my life intentionally and more skillfully.  You can too.  This is the start of a new path!

GOLD MIND MEDITATION PROJECT  http://hadwalmer-goldmind.blogspot.com/

Had C. Walmer hwalmer@gmail.com             

http://supportforbraininjuries.wordpress.com/

Here is another's good blog.

http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/729920

Article on brain injury and meditation. Shared w/ me by Bhikkhu Caganando.

Like a Merchant Buying Gold

The Buddha emphasized the importance of this path of reasoning, this intelligent examination of what is being taught. He told his students that their level of faith in his teachings and in him should be a product of their own critical analysis of his words. He said that if they analyzed and found his teachings beneficial, they should practice them, and if not, they should leave them aside. In this way, people who listened to his teachings should be like a merchant buying gold: Gold merchants do not merely accept the seller’s praise of his goods; rather, they use a variety of methods to examine the quality of the merchandise before they make their purchase decision. Similarly, the Buddha said, Do not accept my teachings out of faith in me, but rather out of your own confidence in my words—confidence that you have reached as a result of your own intelligent analysis.

Some specifics on Brain Injury

Meeting - Nov. 20, 2010 - Brainstormers II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmAML1-F2LE&feature=related

http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/12/the-role-of-mindfulness-meditation-and-prayer-after-brain-injury.html

It's a wonder we can walk and talk at all; it's a miracle we are here now!  Enjoy!

Edited Page for Voc. Rehab tomorrow, 11/03/2010

  Gold Mind MeditationProject

 (Benefits for fellow head injury survivors)

Head-injury is an invisible disability, not easily seen like wheelchair or crutches, however

Still a disability.  There can be an array of physical, cognitive and emotional effects.  This project exists to offer the possibility of transforming disability into being healthy, present and awake to a bright and abiding wellness – in spite of your injury.  You can learn and establish a self-generating long-term practice, cultivating your mind's inherent strengths, with way more smiles and satisfaction.  Really! 

Let me share my experience.  Returning to college thirty years ago, I was involved in a serious car

wreck. I was in a coma and Jaws-of-Life were required to free me. When I came to I had amnesia, diplopia (double-vision), and TBI (traumatic brain injury). I was not who I used to be.  My life was forever changed.  Since that time I have lived with the challenges of TBI.  I know the devastation of this condition from the inside, and wish to share what I have found to be a powerful healing benefit for me, and possibly for you.

Maladies such as this are often misdiagnosed and thus poorly treated. I struggled to complete my degree at the University and to get on with my life, very unsure of what I could be or do. Within a few years I experienced the frustrating failure of the loss of several jobs before learning that this was the result of my TBI. There is light at the end of this tunnel.

In top-of-the line rehab programs I was taught 'compensatory coping strategies' for the 'cognitive deficits' of my brain injury. These strategies are well-intended rehabilitation but fell short of addressing my inner well-being.  I had to learn that inner transformation for myself.  

I discovered Insight Meditation. This simple practice of sitting mindfully helps me be clear-eyed and capable of sustained attention, knowing that as obstacles arise I will have the capacity to face them directly from a steady place of clear seeing.  The practice is based on intent to relieve suffering and dissatisfaction, to clear the mind of illusions, and ground us in a sense of dignified inner well being and capability, at peace beyond the physical damage.

With practice you can be present and learn exactly what is most needed for you. It's been well documented by neurologists, psychologists, and doctors: mindfulness practice leads to positive brain healing (neuroplasticity). I have chosen to live my life intentionally and more skillfully.  You can too.  This is the start of a new path!

GOLD MIND MEDITATION PROJECT  http://hadwalmer-goldmind.blogspot.com/

Had C. Walmer hwalmer@gmail.com             

             

Updated Page: Gold Mind Meditation Project

  Gold Mind Meditation Project

   (benefits for fellow head injury survivors)

Head injury is an invisible disability, not easily seen from the outside like a wheelchair or crutches, however still a dis-ability. This project exists to offer the possibility of being healthy, present and awake to bright and abiding aliveness.  You can learn and establish a self-generating long-term practice. Here you may attain the possibility of living a life you truly love, cultivating your mind's inherent strengths, with more smiles. Really! 

Let me share my experience.  Returning to college thirty years ago, I was involved in a serious car

wreck. I was in a coma and 'Jaws-of-Life' were required to free me. When I came to I had amnesia, diplopia (double-vision) and TBI (traumatic brain injury). I was not who I used to be.

My life was forever changed.  Since that time I have lived with the challenges of TBI.  I know the devastation of this condition from the inside, and wish to share what I have found to be a powerful healing benefit for me, and possibly for you.

Maladies like this are often misdiagnosed and thus poorly treated. I struggled to complete my degree at the University and to get on with my life, very unsure of what I could be or do. Within a few years I experienced the frustrating failure of the loss of several jobs before learning that this  was the result of my TBI. There is light at the end of this tunnel.

In top-of-the line rehab programs I was taught 'compensatory coping strategies' for the 'cognitive deficits' of brain injury. These strategies are well-intentioned rehabilitation attempts but fell short of addressing my inner well-being.  I had to learn that inner transformation on my own.  

I discovered Insight Meditation. This simple practice, of sitting mindfully helps me be clear-eyed, knowing that as obstacles arise I will have the capacity to face them directly from a steady place of clear seeing.  It is based on an intent to relieve suffering and dissatisfaction, to clear the mind of illusions and ground us in a sense of  dignified inner well-being, at peace beyond the reach of physical damages.

With practice you can learn exactly what is most needed for you. It's been well documented by neurologists, psychologists, and doctors:  mindfulness practice leads to positive brain healing (neuroplasticity). I have chosen to live my life intentionally and more skillfully, you can too!  This is the start of a new path.

GOLD MIND MEDITATION PROJECT  http://hadwalmer-goldmind.blogspot.com/

Had C. Walmer hwalmer@gmail.com             

Gold Mind Meditation Project

Mindfulness Meditation

(benefits for fellow head injury survivors)

Head injury is an invisible disability, not easily seen from the outside like a wheelchair or crutches, however still a disability. Here, in this practice is the possibility of happiness - present and awake in natural clarity.  This is a path to a bright and abiding aliveness.

By using an effective personal support system: guided meditations , relevant readings, and weekly meditation groups, you can learn and establish a self-generating long-term practice.You may attain the possibility of living a life you truly love, cultivating your mind's inherent strengths, with more smiles. Really! 

Let me share my experience.  Returning to college thirty years ago, I was involved in a serious car accident. I was in a coma and 'Jaws-of-Life' were required to free me from the wreck. When I came to from the coma I had amnesia, diplopia (double-vision) and TBI. I was not who I used to be.  Fortunately, much of the damage in my body cleared up through medical aid, although much did not. My life was forever changed.  Since that time I have lived with the challenges of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  I know the devastation of these changes from the inside, and wish to share what I have found to be a powerful healing benefit for me, and possibly for you. Jump in, the water's fine!

Maladies like this are often misdiagnosed and thus poorly treated. My capabilities were no longer steady and dependable. I struggled to complete my degree at the University and to get on with my life, very unsure of what I could be or do. Within a few years I experienced the frustrating failure of the loss of several jobs before learning that this puzzling effect was the result of 'TBI'. There is light at the end of this tunnel.

In top-of-the line rehab programs I was taught 'compensatory coping strategies' for the 'cognitive deficits' of brain injury. These strategies are well-intentioned rehabilitation attempts but fall short of addressing my inner well-being.  I had to learn this path on my own.  I discovered Insight Meditation and have been practicing it for 22 years. This simple practice, of sitting mindfully helps me to be clear-eyed, knowing that as obstacles arise I will have the capacity to face them directly from the steady place of natural clear seeing.

Although mindfulness meditation is often taught and practiced in the context of Buddhism, its essence is universal.  It's based on an intent to relieve suffering and dissatisfaction, to clear the mind of delusions and ground us in a sense of  dignified inner well-being, a peace beyond the reach of  physical damages, unmatched in my 30 years post-trauma. There is a growing benefit here that keeps me continuing. 

Though each of our situations is unique, with practice you can learn exactly what is most needed.   It's been well documented by neurologists, psychologists, and doctors:  mindfulness practice leads to positive brain healing (neuroplasticity). I have chosen to live my life more skillfully and intentionally,  you can too!  This is the start of a new path.

GOLD MIND MEDITATION PROJECT  http://hadwalmer-goldmind.blogspot.com/

Had C. Walmer hwalmer@gmail.com

Present work on this project

I have now posted two entries to this GMMP blog:

1)  "Gold Mind Meditation Project" - an overview of my experience and plans for fulfilling this project, teaching mindfulness meditation practice to people who are interested in six weekly sessions, such that they can see what it is and then choose whether or not to continue and establish a practice, knowing directly in their own experience the benefits of practice

2)  "Background for current project"  My dad's journal, transcribed from his handwritten notes as background information for this project which is only now occurring for me in such a way that I can take the necessary actions to make it happen. It's in formulation now, please follow this blog site if you care to keep track (I may be driving, but its got a life of its own).


Am participating in two established meditation groups here in Portland (How fortunate are we/I!?)  
1)  http://www.pdxdhamma.org  offering classes introducing folks to Mindfulness Meditation and Buddhist Psychology
2)  http://www.portlandinsight.org/  in order to compose the teachings for introduction and teaching this practice/project.

Changing the Face of disability

Tonight at our glorious Portland City Hall, I joined the gathering of cultural creatives (fabulous photography!) and non profits.
http://www.creativecares.org/

I was pulled in by the title of this Event "Changing the Face of Disability",
Disability - which is defined by how exactly each of us becomes present with
and holds that which is 'disabled'. We have the ABILITY that we have, and that's always changing. (supported by Gold Minds!, our natural inner perfection)

Expression and presentation are important! This group, CreativeCares is giving the beauty of photographic realism to non-profits, too involved in their missions. "[Non Profits] + [Creatives] = [Greater Good]. Yay!

Speakers were Commissioner Dan Saltzman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Saltzman
and John Coghlan of www.disabilityaction.org

I planted seeds with umpteen conversations of Gold Mind Meditation Project and handed out several copies of 'My Page', Blog or Note entry No. One. Gold Mind is growing on its own, it is wanted and needed.

Thank you Tiffany Joy for inviting me and all great gratitude to your husband for formulating and intiating, fulfilling CreativeCares from your photographic experiences in Africa.