Groovy

Meditation, inner transformation, going beyond the ordinary. It has a certain allure. But do we really want it? Do we really even need it?

The mind certainly functions without it. But the mind tends to function in grooves. It is like an old record where the needle follows a single track, rarely jumping out. We each have our grooves. Where they are useful and productive, life feels good; where they are limiting and counterproductive, not so good. Sometimes they can make us feel down and anxious, sometimes joyful and elated.

What we sometimes don’t notice is how deep our grooves are, though it may become more apparent when we try to break them! It’s easy following the same routines—but try to be more patient, exercise for twenty minutes, or eat healthy? No groove.

Buddhist training helps us wear away at counterproductive grooves. But it takes effort. Our habits put up a fuss when we try to change them. Our grooves are comfortable. We’re used to them. They’re our grooves. Meditating for five minutes a day doesn’t seem like a big undertaking, but it can take a stronger act of will than we think. We want to say it isn’t working, we can’t meditate, it’s too weird, we don’t have time.

It’s true. We don’t need to meditate. But if we want to break out of our grooves we have to do something. Otherwise we stay stuck—that’s what makes them grooves!

Boldly creating this Project (Gold Mind)

The following expresses well the sentiment and what actually arises since I've initiated this project.  I am called to - whatever is ahead in this commitment.

“Until one is committed, there is [always] hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

For fellows -

From John O"Donohue's poem, "For a friend, on the arrival of illness":
May you find in yourself
A courageous hospitality.
May you use this illness
As a lantern to illuminate
...The new qualities that will emerge in you.

 

and>

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

 

~ Rumi ~

reminder

“Until one is committed, there is [always] hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

 Saturday: Brainstormers II in Portland


Tuesday: Portland tbi Social Club

http://biaoregon.org/supportgrp.htm

2011 - January tbi Support Group Mtgs. in Portland

Presenting GMMP to support group meetings in Portland
http://biaoregon.org/supportgrp.htm

1)  Brainstormers II at Emanuel Hospital (Saturday, Jan. 15, 10A)
2)  tbi social group at Pietros in Milwakie (Tuesday, Jan.  18, 11:30A)

(Benefits for fellow head-injury survivors)         

Head-injury is an invisible disability, not easily seen from the outside like a wheelchair or crutches. However it’s still a disability known profoundly, from the inside.  Gold Mind Meditation Project exists to offer you the possibility of transforming your disability into capability: being present and awake to an abiding wellness, in spite of your injury.  I speak from my personal experience,  my brain injury.  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). In short, 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 has often been 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 the cleansing of mind and knowing it's gold.  

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 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, cleansing the mind of illusions, and grounding us in a sense of dignified inner wellness, 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 a possibility.  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             

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!