Éiriú-Eolas - Breathing Program

[mada85]

I'd like to add a new observation, specifically in responce to the So much to do, so little time thread.
I have noticed more and more so over the last few days (although the last few weeks more subtly) experiencing an abundance of time. It is not stable and mostly fleeting, but I have had many moment now where I have done many things (such as housework) that would normally take 30/40minutes, taking me 5/10minutes.....I usually double take when I look at the clock Huh?....I've even checked against other clocks in case the batteries where low.
It certainly is a wow moment when it happens, because I find it hard to believe sometimes how little time/effort things took compared to 'normal'.
I've been neglecting my reading (of books) lately so I don't know yet if it applies to this too, however I do seem to be able to read/post more here in less time??
Will report back if I notice any more of this.

That’s very interesting, RF. I have noticed the same thing. It’s as though something within me changed gear recently. Like you I seem to have more time available. I’m more focused on tasks, and find it easier to do things. Also, I have far less anxiety about having enough time than previously. As to when this change occurred, I can’t say exactly. It’s a subtle shift that's been going on for a few weeks, until it suddenly came into conscious focus recently. A few weeks ago, reading the forum or a book, or posting to the forum, and many other daily activities, would have been carried out in a daze, almost as though I wasn't really 'at home'.

My mind is clearer. I don’t know if that’s just down to my EE practice as I’m also detoxing and using the FIR sauna 4-6 times a week. All I can say is, something – one of those, or the combination - is bringing about some very welcome inner changes. All these changes are incremental; they seem to move at their own pace, under the radar and in the dark, so to speak, until one day they emerge into the light of consciousness. From there it is simple and easy to make the necessary lifestyle changes to accommodate them.

I have less anxiety; more objectivity towards my self; more ease in observing and engaging in working with inner programs; a feeling of more 'space' both within and without (if that makes sense); and a more stable and positive general mood. Also, I can more easily endure the ‘displeasing manifestations of others’ without having that gut-wrenching feeling of being smashed in the solar plexus.

So once again, I would like to offer my thanks to Laura for revealing this meditation technique. :)

 

[mada85]

I’ve been thinking about Laura’s recent question since reading it, and I’d like to share my current thoughts.

I notice that many of you have past experiences with meditation and breathing and are able to help those who don't. Also, others are learning very fast - seem to have a knack for figuring things out and then explaining to others and helping them. How many of you think you would be able to teach the techniques and lead/moderate group breathing and meditations in person?

It's something I would love to do, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I'm not quite sure though what 'ready' looks or feels like. Perhaps I need more experience, or knowledge? There are certain programs from my childhood that I think I need to clean up before I start something like this.

However, regarding ‘readiness’, I notice that regular practice of the program helps to mature my being, underground as it were, until it is time for the new being-bud to emerge into the light of consciousness. So perhaps it’s just not my time yet.

I also ask myself: what are my motivations for wanting to be a teacher of meditation? My answer: I would like to be able to help others to experience the gifts of the EE program. This is the first meditation technique I’ve tried that actually works. I can imagine that groups of people all over the world aligning themselves with the divine cosmic mind in this way could literally change everything.

However, another motivation is rather more selfish: the desire to feed my ego on the position of ‘teacher’. This is certainly a program to be aware of.

Teaching the breathing method is quite a responsibility. I think there is a difference between making teaching material available via the web and teaching in person. Certainly it seems to me that if I am teaching a method that facilitates sometimes very intense emotional clearing, then I do have a responsibility to help people understand what is going on for them. Now I know that people have the free will choice whether to come to the meditation session, and whether or not to continue to practice, and the choice of how much commitment to give the practice and so on, so the responsibility is not just a one way street. However my thought keeps returning to the question of responsibility.

Also to consider: wanting to take responsibility for everything is an effect of narcissistic wounding in childhood. I believe Elan Golomb mentions this in Trapped in the Mirror. So I may be overreacting to the idea of responsibility.

But I still think the project needs to be approached sincerely and responsibly.

Another consideration is pathological types, and avenues of attack.

I would like to have some real support from at least one other person who is actively engaged in the Cass framework, and working with the EE. By that I mean reciprocal support in person. I’m not sure that I (even with the back-up of the network, both energetically and via the forum) have the necessary being-quality to stand up to a concerted attack. I think that such attack is quite possible, especially considering the C’s remark about consternation in certain circles when Laura released the EE information. All it takes is for the general law to send one pathological to the new meditation group, and real trouble could ensue. It could end up as a sort of me versus the pathological scenario, with the students taking one side or the other. This probably sounds rather negative of me, but it is a concern my thinking returns to when I consider teaching the technique.

But perhaps mental blocking comes into play here as a way of helping to protect each other? I’m not certain about that; just tossing out a thought for consideration.

Another question, which relates to the emotional release aspect of the program, and considering that many people are not looking for this; in fact they are looking for ‘inner peace’ and ‘feeling good’. Would it be better to teach just the pipe breathing and the prayer of the soul to the beginners, and then introduce the round breathing when people are ready?

So, these are my thoughts at the moment. My conclusion is that I am not yet ready to teach the method and lead and moderate a group, but this may change.

Any feedback on the above is most welcome.

 

[Lizziespreparetogovegan]

I’ve been thinking about Laura’s recent question since reading it, and I’d like to share my current thoughts.


It's something I would love to do, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I'm not quite sure though what 'ready' looks or feels like. Perhaps I need more experience, or knowledge? There are certain programs from my childhood that I think I need to clean up before I start something like this.

However, regarding ‘readiness’, I notice that regular practice of the program helps to mature my being, underground as it were, until it is time for the new being-bud to emerge into the light of consciousness. So perhaps it’s just not my time yet.

I also ask myself: what are my motivations for wanting to be a teacher of meditation? My answer: I would like to be able to help others to experience the gifts of the EE program. This is the first meditation technique I’ve tried that actually works. I can imagine that groups of people all over the world aligning themselves with the divine cosmic mind in this way could literally change everything.

However, another motivation is rather more selfish: the desire to feed my ego on the position of ‘teacher’. This is certainly a program to be aware of.

Hi Mada85

You're clearly being honest with yourself and I have similar feelings about the possibility of teaching the meditation. I certainly too have an 'ego' program that kicks in when pondering the possibility of teching Eiriu Eolas and I know that that really has to disappear if I am to seriously teach this at some stage. Teaching others in a formal setting has been on my mind in the last two weeks as my wife has recently joined me on a few recent sessions chose to learn the breathing from me rather than watch the video. I felt confident and competent conveying the information about the techniques but doing the meditation with her whilst keeping half an eye on her progress really hampered my own focus for obvious reasons.

I feel my practice of the Pipe breathing and round breathing have improved greatly over the months. However, I still have much work to do in terms of keeping my mind focused on the prayer. My mind still wanders far too much at this stage and this is what I'm really working on at the moment. I did have one session a few weeks back when I managed very intense focus on the meaning of the words of the prayer and for the first (and only) time became overcome with emotion and felt like some kind of a 'breakthrough' was occuring.. Previously this had only happened during the Bio-Energetic portion of the session. As I say, I feel there is some way for me to go in this respect.

I have to once again say a huge thank-you to Laura and everyone for making the Eiriu Eolas available. Without wanting to go into detail (I'll save that for The Swamp one day) I have battled with many addictions/compulsions and modes of destructive behaviour over the years. I have tried wide and varied therapies/solutions in order to get to the bottom of the problem and none have ever really worked effectively in the way this program has. I can honestly say that since starting the Eiriu Eolas the desire to carry out these behaviors has simply vanished. I am at once delighted and also just gobsmacked! I can't help thinking what a different life I would have led if I discovered this 15 years ago.

In terms of teaching, this is something I would like to do in the future but for now I feel there is much improvement to be made in my own technique. On that I'll see you all for the Thursday session tomorrow :)

 

[wanderer]

It's something I would love to do, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I'm not quite sure though what 'ready' looks or feels like. Perhaps I need more experience, or knowledge?

Hi Mada85,

A meditation group is spiritual community of collinear people who come together to help each other do the Work. There's great power in meditating as a group, it's part of all spiritual traditions (when 3 or more gather in my name..) To lead a meditation group is to be a facilitator, not a guru. You are both teacher and student, someone who has a little more knowledge and experience than the newcomers. Your job is to channel the Divine Mind to the best of your ability, and none of us is perfect. Once the group is established, it will attract other, like minded people, some of whom will become part of the core and become leaders too, and you won't be bearing the burden of responsibility alone anymore. People come to esoteric work because they are disillusioned with the "real" world and it has caused them enough pain to motivate them to seek other answers. Some of them will be badly wounded and in need of extra care, which the group lovingly provides. I have never encountered anyone truly pathological in these groups.

There will be guidelines and procedures, I'm sure, so you'll have a "script" to follow, you won't be making it up as you go.

Pai said

You're clearly being honest with yourself and I have similar feelings about the possibility of teaching the meditation. I certainly too have an 'ego' program that kicks in when pondering the possibility of teching Eiriu Eolas and I know that that really has to disappear if I am to seriously teach this at some stage

I don't know you, so of course I have no idea if you're "ready" or not, but I'm suggesting that you might be making this much scarier than it really is, and might not know how rewarding and beneficial to your growth it could be. As far as the "ego program" that several posters have mentioned, that's in the general category of "Spiritual Pride". something that's much discussed in esoteric writings. The bad news is that it never goes away until you ascend, so there's no point in waiting for that to happen, just maintain vigilance.

 

[anya]

Hi Mada 85 and Red Fox
I have found that I too have had more "free" time lately. I work full time and I'm a single parent yet lately I have been able to get things done, practice the EE program and spend at least an hour each day on the forum. I can retain much more of what I read. I can understand how you two and Pai feel. I'm not quite ready to lead a group but I do hope to talk to some of people in my yoga class. Until then I plan on continuing the EE program and my studies.

 

[Evolutionary1]

Hi all! First, I'd like to note an interesting sensation experienced most often and intensely during meditation for the last 6 weeks or so: I do notice some pulsing in the forehead, but more often and more strongly I experience a heaviness on the bridge of my nose...it feels like the residual sensation after being hit on the nose with a more enduring, pulsating quality. Anyone else noticed this?

Yes, quite a lot of people have been reporting this. Its discussed the thread The Prayer of the Soul, Meditation and the Pineal Gland. :)

Thanks Redfox. I'd considered that it might have something to do with the pineal or pituitary gland--I tend to mix these up--but I wasn't sure if this would effect the nose area. Either way, the thread is interesting and informative, so thanks to Buddy for digging it up.

 

[Username]

I've continued with the program regularly (all on Thursdays and Tuesdays and the pipe breathing and the warrior's breath in the morning, plus meditation at night before bed) and well, although I can not talk about any great effect as emotional cleansing or strange experiences, I've been noticing a change in me, subtle, slow but progressive. Somehow, I find I can cope with pressure and stress much better, being able to observe my emotional reactions and not fall in the torrent of identification. I am not saying that it is easy or that I'm doing it perfectly, but I notice an improvement in that area. Before (and still in a good part), dealing with the difficulties of life I just wanted to get away from everything, looking for a way out. Now, I understand that this attitude leads to nowhere and that every difficulty is a learning opportunity. And I have seen that it is so because in the midst of this rather difficult period I am going through (I'll talk about it in The Swamp) I've been able to recognize in me some things that I had not seen before, certain programs. There is a feeling of deep liberation in seeing these things in the moment they are working, and I feel that little by little I'm getting closer to a truer self, with less fear, more consistent, with a true will.

Concerning Laura's question:

I notice that many of you have past experiences with meditation and breathing and are able to help those who don't. Also, others are learning very fast - seem to have a knack for figuring things out and then explaining to others and helping them. How many of you think you would be able to teach the techniques and lead/moderate group breathing and meditations in person?

I don't think that it applies to me. I'm not one who have shown to be able to help others or learning very fast. I hope this will change in the near future!

 

[Navigator]

Update on the condition I have been feeling so far. Some shaking ocurring in feet, hands and mouth. Some intense numbness or tingling in the same places as mentioned. This specially ocurring with the bra-ha section of the program and specially in the mouth and hands. Thus inducing a strong relaxation afterwards during the meditation part.

I too have been able to cope with some stressful situations a little bit better, I have been specially self-observing when this happens, and the usual reaction is to fly away, dissociate, just as Martha Stout, Elan Golomb, et al, say it often happens. But in a particular situation that happened just today, I chose to remain present. Pretty revealing when one becomes aware of this.

 

[Oxajil]

Another question, which relates to the emotional release aspect of the program, and considering that many people are not looking for this; in fact they are looking for ‘inner peace’ and ‘feeling good’. Would it be better to teach just the pipe breathing and the prayer of the soul to the beginners, and then introduce the round breathing when people are ready?

Hi mada85,

Well I'm not sure if it's a good thing to teach others something without explaining what it is and what it might do.
Perhaps sharing some knowledge of the program, some info which is simple and easy to understand, so that they may have some kind of idea of what it is about. Then I think that there won't be a problem for people experiencing something they did not expect (in that way) or desire.

It is also possible to let all of them do the full program at least once, so that they can see how it is. And those who decide to just stick with the prayer and the pipe breathing for the moment, because they for example feel ''uncomfortable'' doing the round breathing, then that's totally okay. So I think that might be something that the person him/herself can decide.

 

[shellycheval]

Mada85

Another question, which relates to the emotional release aspect of the program, and considering that many people are not looking for this; in fact they are looking for ‘inner peace’ and ‘feeling good’. Would it be better to teach just the pipe breathing and the prayer of the soul to the beginners, and then introduce the round breathing when people are ready?

This is a concern. The effects of emotional release from doing the EE breathing would definitely have to be discussed before beginning, as well as some broader context regarding the purpose and perhaps origins of the program, depending on the audience. Perhaps by pointing out that like with many other things of value, the positive benefits will come after a period of working through the negative. For example, like starting a new physical exercise program will often cause some muscle soreness in the initial phase and then bring strength, grace and power, one could point out that so will these breathing exercises bring multiple benefits after the blocked emotions are released. Most seekers of meditation techniques where I live are probably aware of the concept of "blocked emotions," and "emotional release," as they are often discussed in the popular media and self-help genres. Those who are unwilling to experience some discomfort will move on to find that which meets their needs for more immediate gratification, and those who are willing to do some emotion work will likely experience some benefits.

The meditation effect I most often experience is a gentle heaviness, a sense of sinking or melting, like gravity is increasing, but not uncomfortably so; it begins in the forehead area then washes downward. A blood pressure monitor has shown a slight (sometimes as much as 5 points) decrease in my BP when I am experiencing these sensations. I try to pause throughout the day and do a "mini meditation" a few pipe breaths, and the prayer, to generate the relaxed sinking feeling--sometimes though I still get so caught up in this 3D experience that I go through the whole day without even thinking of meditation, although deep breathing is becoming more automatic.
shellycheval

 

[RedFox]

I'd like to add some observations from last night related to tooth problems and feeling fatigued/run over by a truck which I experienced again yesterday. Also I seem to be 'escaping' into my hobbies again (avoiding doing things I need to) or into reading things on line (or worse watching mindless things on youtube)....all of which is disassociating.

I looked both the problems up (again!) in Louise Heys book
Teeth - Represent Decisions.
Teeth Problems - Longstanding indecisiveness. Inability to break down ideas for analysis and decisions.

Fatigue - Resistance, boredom. Lack of love for what one does.

A friend was pestering me about looking for another job as I have a strong impression my current work place will go bust middle of next year....and in doing so I noticed that I 'wanted' to stay where I was (in the pit of my stomach).....the justification for it was to do with wanting to finish the projects I'd been working on (well....not working on).
It seems I have a long standing pattern of starting projects (programming computer, repairing electronics) that I can get lost in easily.....but that I never finish. Previousely with programming it was too hard/to inflexible for what I wanted to do.....I would push past the boundaries of what the computer could do, or get bored and more recently (after university) I crashed and burned (severe fatigue/depression...although the depression was there before hand) and could no longer code any more without getting a migraine. The repairing of laptops replaced that (I've been very creative and optimised/customised some lovely ones for family)....but I get stuck in buying/looking at/putting down (piling up) the parts and then forget/ignore them and repeat.....I loose myself in my imagination of what I 'want' to achieve....but never do much to achieve it (not that I probably can Do much of anything).
So this is reoccurring again big time....
I also tend to drift off into my imagination quite a lot.....

It seems that the commen things from all the above behaviour is escaping into imagination rather than actually trying to achieve what I want....when I do try and achieve it I experience failure/repeated failure (or so it seems).....so I stop before that happens and start again.

I finally understood how far I need to take my understanding of 'be gentle on yourself'......I don't allow myself enough time/resources/gentleness to complete a project, or let it fail (and possibly learn from the mistakes).....I push and stress (even in ever so subtle ways) and give up in dispair.....when infact I should be taking a step back and allowing more time to do these things (back to the 'So much to do, so little time' theme!)
I also dispair because I do these things and seem to be avoiding Work/learning/my job/house duties/life in general.......back to So much to do, so little time....and the attitude of not allowing myself any time to do these things!!! Allowing time I realise is also very closely linked (if not exactly the same as) not being attached to a specific outcome....it is about allowing things by being gentle on the self.

So it finally dawned on me that's what the teeth/hit by a truck thing is about (at least for myself).....I never take the decision (fatigue = resistance, teeth = decision) to commit to complete or abort a project (weather a hobby or my job or the Work), because I never allow myself to fail/not get the outcome I want (how narcissistic is that?).....so I repeat the start over and over and this is where anxiety and the So much to do, so little time comes in.....which can only be resolved if you realise that real progress comes with accepting who you are, where you are, what you can and cannot do, that you may succeed or fail in many different areas.....and its all OK!
This is what being gentle on yourself is....it is true faith in yourself...which is complete acceptance of who/what you are unconditionally....no strings or requirements attached. osit

And it seems that this is what my teeth/body may well have been trying to tell me, because I slept like a baby last night (despite some odd dreams).

I did followed the prayer section last night after figuring all this out....and promptly zoned out after the first prayer and for the full 20 odd minutes of the music track afterwards (must have been gone 40 odd minutes....I was aware that part of me was still aware of the music though) only to be brought back by track one and Laura thanking us all for out support over the years.
I'd like to thank you again Laura (I doubt I can ever do that enough) for all you've done for everyone.

There are a few self doubts over all this however.....so I hope I have wondered too far off the track...please let me know if I have.

 

[Gertrudes]

However, another motivation is rather more selfish: the desire to feed my ego on the position of ‘teacher’. This is certainly a program to be aware of.

I certainly too have an 'ego' program that kicks in when pondering the possibility of teching Eiriu Eolas and I know that that really has to disappear if I am to seriously teach this at some stage.

Mada85 and Pai, I don't now if it will help, but this is what came to my mind:
I find that we usually tend to place people in teaching positions above us. The fact that someone (apparently) knows something that we don't on a given subject tends to trigger a not so nice program of comparing one's worth with another, and when and if you are the placed in the position of "teaching", ego kicks in. Maybe a bit simplistic, but as a teacher myself this is what I try to remember: "you don't know what they do know either, you're just being given the position of being the speaker about what you know, now carefull not to misuse it". I think it is important to share whatever you have to share with people but keeping it open to the possibility of error from your side. "Leading" a group of people can be a bit frightening, some of us will tend to approach it as if we had to know all there is to know about what we are sharing and we sometimes forget that having a limited knowledge or experience is perfectly ok, as long as you are willing to admit it to yourself and to the ones you are sharing it with. Buddy's words on this were very pertinent:

I see it as more like demonstrating and offering suggestions if necessary

I think that if you are aware of your level of knowledge within the subject, are able to admit what you don't know and be openly honest about it, you will more likely have "your feet on the ground" and feel at the "same level" with the ones you are sharing the program with. And as Wanderer said, keep vigilance.

Another question, which relates to the emotional release aspect of the program, and considering that many people are not looking for this; in fact they are looking for ‘inner peace’ and ‘feeling good’. Would it be better to teach just the pipe breathing and the prayer of the soul to the beginners, and then introduce the round breathing when people are ready?

Shellychevall and Oxajil's posts make very good points on how to prepare people for the program. I would also add preparing people not to expect something. Anticipation is likely to delay any benefits from the program. If we are expecting some sort of result (and in our current culture we usually expect them to happen fast!), we will anticipate, anticipation can lead to skewed results, frustration, sometimes anger and ultimately giving up the process. I have seen this happen quite a few times and it is a truly sad thing to witness.

Another consideration is pathological types, and avenues of attack.

I would like to have some real support from at least one other person who is actively engaged in the Cass framework, and working with the EE. By that I mean reciprocal support in person. I'm not sure that I (even with the back-up of the network, both energetically and via the forum) have the necessary being-quality to stand up to a concerted attack.

Personally I am not sure either whether I would be at all able to stand up to a strong attack. I think it is important to study the possibility to help us foresee solutions. From my experience though, somethings you only learn through experience and practice. The fact that through Laura's work and this forum we know that such attacks are a possibility and how they might manifest themselves is, IMO, an advantage. Until very recently I for an example, wasn't even slightly aware of the seriousness of pathological types, and when confronted with them I felt totally unprepared and drained. Part of the reason was, I didn't even know they existed. In this context, Knowledge not only protects, but also has the possibility of growing when applied. I recently came came across this excerpt from a session with the Cs in one of the threads:

[quote author==topic=13978.msg106712#msg106712 date=1254356351]
Q: Do these divisions of consciousness grow and change?
A: Yes.
Q: And they grow and change through acquiring knowledge,
is that correct?
A: Basically.
Q: And acquiring knowledge is akin to acquiring energy? Or
light? Light energy?
A: Not exactly. That would be like saying that "filling up" at
the gas station is akin to acquiring speed.
Q: So, knowledge and light are like the gas for the car, but
speed comes from utilization?
A: Yes.
Q: And utilization means...
A: Knowledge application which generates energy, which, in
turn, generates light. [/quote]

Just to clear a possible misunderstanding, I think applying knowledge of how to handle such attacks in the context of teaching EE is definitely not the focus, but one of the possible elements involved. For me, stumbling with Laura's work and this forum has helped tremendously. I am still taking my very first steps in knowing how to deal with pathological people, but having the awareness that they exist and the mechanics of their behaviour is very, very helpfull.

 

[Gertrudes]

back to So much to do, so little time....and the attitude of not allowing myself any time to do these things!!! Allowing time I realise is also very closely linked (if not exactly the same as) not being attached to a specific outcome....it is about allowing things by being gentle on the self.

Redfox, you mentioned things that I was really needing to remind myself of, a big Thank you!

On a side note, I have been having a recurrent problem on my right hand for months and have already tried several things but the book you mentioned made me think it might be worth taking a look at it. Which of Louise Heys books are you referring to? I have never read anything from her so have no idea which one to put on my reading list...

 

[D Rusak]

There was a link to the following article in an email I received today from Mark Hyman. It talks about activating the vagus nerve as a means of relaxation and reducing inflammation.

"The mind has great influence over the body, and maladies often have their origin there." -- Moliere

What were Dean Ornish, Mehmet Oz, Dan Brown, the Dalai Lama, and I all doing in Woodstock, New York, last week?

We -- along with an assortment of Tibetan monks and doctors, Buddhist scholars, meditation researchers, and prize-winning biomedical scientists in the field of aging, the immune system, stem cells, genetics, brain aging, stress physiology, and more from MIT, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Duke, and UCSF -- were all part of a special conference at the Menla Center.

The subject of this conference: Longevity and Tibetan medicine.

If that seems intriguing, it was!

The goal of the conference might sound complex -- but it was quite simple.

We were there to investigate the relationship between the science of longevity and wellness and the ancient Indo-Tibetan practices of meditation and training the mind.

The point wasn't to learn how to treat disease, but to learn what we know about regeneration of the body, protection from illness, and optimization of our function and wellbeing.

The convergence of "post-modern biology" -- the new science of "systems" thinking and medicine -- and the ancient wisdom and practices of Tibetan medicine and Buddhism was startling.

So what did we talk about?

Well, for one thing, we explored the relationship between the nervous system and health and aging, and the connection between the immune system and health.

As you get older, your immune system produces more inflammatory molecules, and your nervous system turns on the stress response, promoting system breakdown and aging.

That's not just talk. It's backed by scientific studies.

For example, Kevin Tracey, the director of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, discovered how the brain controls the immune system through a direct nerve-based connection.

He describes this as the inflammatory reflex (i). Simply put, it is the way the immune system responds to the mind.

Let me explain.

You immune system is controlled by a nerve call the vagus nerve.

But this isn't just any nerve.

It is the most important nerve coming from the brain and travels to all the major organs.

And you can activate this nerve -- through relaxation, meditation, and other ancient practices.

What's the benefit of that?

Well, by activating the vagus nerve, you can control your immune cells, reduce inflammation, and even prevent disease and aging!

It's true. By creating positive brain states -- as meditation masters have done for centuries -- you can switch on the vagus nerve and control inflammation.

You can actually control your gene function by this method. Activate the vagus nerve, and you can switch on the genes that help control inflammation.

And, as you know from my books Ultraprevention and UltraMetabolism, inflammation is one of the central factors of disease and aging.

But that's not all we learned at the conference.

Even more fascinating was the discovery that our bodies can regenerate at any age.

Diane Krause, MD, PhD, from Yale University discovered that our own innate adult stem cells (cells that can turn into any cell in the body from our bone marrow) could be transformed into liver, bowel, lung, and skin cells. (ii)

This is a phenomenal breakthrough.

Here's why.

It means that we have the power to create new cells and renew our own organs and tissues at any age.

And how are these stem cells controlled?

You guessed it: the vagus nerve.

So relaxation -- a state of calm, peace, and stillness -- can activate the vagus nerve.

And the vagus nerve, in turn, activates your stem cells to regenerate and renew your tissues and organs.

Scientists have even shown how meditation makes the brain bigger and better.

They've mapped out the brain function of "professional meditators" by bringing Tibetan lamas trained in concentration and mental control into the laboratory.

The result? They found higher levels of gamma brain waves and thicker brain cortexes (the areas associated with higher brain function) in meditators. (iii)

Relaxation can have other powerful effects on our biology.

In biology, being a complex system that can adapt to its environment and that is resilient and flexible is critical to health.

The same is true for us.

The more complex and resilient we are, the healthier we are.

Take, for example, our heartbeat.

Its complexity is called heart rate variability (HRV) or beat-to-beat variability. The more complex your HRV, the healthier you are. The least complex heart rate is the worst -- a flat line.

So what does this have to do with relaxation?

The HRV is also controlled by the vagus nerve.

As you can see, turning on the relaxation response and activating that vagus nerve is critical to health.

Let me review what we learned at the conference.

By learning to create positive brain states through deep relaxation or meditation, you can:

* Reduce inflammation
* Help regenerate your organs and cells by activating stem cells
* Increase your heart rate variability
* Thicken your brain (which normally shrinks with aging).
* Boost immune function
* Modulate your nervous system
* Reduce depression and stress
* Enhance performance
* Improve your quality of life

Not bad for just learning to chill out!

Think you're too stressed out to relax?

Not so fast. We learned that it's not always outside stressors that are the most important, but our responses to those stressors.

In fact, the Dalai Lama told a story of a Tibetan monk he met who had been in a Chinese gulag, where he was tortured, placed in solitary confinement, and prohibited from practicing his traditions for more than 20 years.

The Dalai Lama asked him what his greatest stress was.

The monk replied that it was his fear that he would lose compassion for his Chinese jailers!

I have met a number of these old monks, who spent the better part of their lives imprisoned and tortured. What is remarkable is that they didn't suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome -- that they emerged intact, peaceful, happy, smiling, and giving back to the world.

Perhaps stress is more about the stories we tell ourselves about our lives.

On the other hand, the damaging effects of stress are clear.

As we learned at the conference, one of the leading theories of aging is that the protective ends of our DNA (called telomeres) shorten as we age.

Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD, who discovered telomeres, explained that, ultimately, they become so short that the end of our DNA unravels and we can no longer replicate our cells, so they die.

Remarkably, mental stress produces a more rapid shortening of the telomeres -- and leads to faster aging.

What's even more remarkable?

In a study of caregivers of sick patients, the health of the caregivers' telomeres was determined by their attitude!

It sounds impossible, but it's true.

The caregivers who felt the care to be a burden had shorter telomeres, while those who saw their work as an opportunity to be compassionate had no shortening. (iv)

In closing, the Dalai Lama said that the seat of compassion is actually biological and -- necessary for survival.

Perhaps the development of compassion and wisdom in coping with unfavorable life conditions is the true key to longevity.

It just may be that working to understand our true nature through the cultivation of our minds and hearts with positive practices like meditation or similar techniques is critical to health and longevity.

The ways we can change our bodies through changing our minds is not longer a theory.

There is a new scientific language to understand how the qualities of the mind control the body through effects on the vagus nerve, immune cells, stem cells, telomeres, DNA, and more.

Remember, your body has all the resources and infinitely adaptable systems to self-regulate, repair, regenerate, and thrive.

You simply have to learn how to work with your body, rather than against it. Then you can have a healthy, thriving life -- and live out your full lifespan, which can be as high as 120+ years!

So here are a few tips to activate your vagus nerve and prevent aging:

1) Learn to meditate.

Find a teacher or check out tapes or CDs like those at www.mindfulnesstapes.com.

2) Stretch it out.

Try a yoga class in your area. Yoga can be a great way to release tension and deeply relax.

3) Get some energy.

Learn qi gong, a relaxing ancient system of energy treatment and balancing.

4) Get rubbed the right way.

Massage has been proven to boost immunity and relaxes the body deeply.

5) Make love.

The only way you can do it is if you are not stressed!

6) Get back to nature.

Climb a mountain and watch a sunrise, which will calm your nervous system.

7) Express yourself.

Write in your journal about your inner experience -- this has been shown to boost immunity and reduce inflammation.

Now I'd like to hear from you...

Have you noticed how stress affects you?

Have you noticed people looking older after significant life stressors?

Have you noticed how people who seem to have a happy disposition or compassionate attitude toward life don't seem to age as quickly as people who are angry and
miserable?

Do you have any other suggestions for how to reduce stress, or better yet, how to better your manage your own response to stressful events?

Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below
-- just click on the Add a Comment link.

To your good health,

Mark Hyman, MD

i Kevin J. Tracey, The inflammatory reflex, Nature 420, 853 - 859 (19 Dec 2002)

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v420/n6917/abs/nature01321.html

ii Krause DS. Plasticity of marrow-derived stem cells. Gene Ther. 2002 Jun;9(11):754-8. Review.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12032704&query_hl=8&itool=pubmed_DocSum

iii Lazar SW, Kerr CE, Wasserman RH, Gray JR, Greve DN, Treadway MT, McGarvey M, Quinn BT, Dusek JA, Benson H, Rauch SL, Moore CI, Fischl B. Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. Neuroreport. 2005 Nov 28;16(17):1893-7.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16272874&query_hl=12&itool=pubmed_docsum

iv Epel ES, Blackburn EH, Lin J, Dhabhar FS, Adler NE, Morrow JD, Cawthon RM. Accelerated telomere shortening in
response to life stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Dec 7;101(49):17312-5. Epub 2004 Dec 1.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15574496&query_hl=15&itool=pubmed_docsum

Mostly these are things the C's recommended or have been discussed at length by forum members, it's always nice when some scientific data lines up with experience!

 

[RedFox]

back to So much to do, so little time....and the attitude of not allowing myself any time to do these things!!! Allowing time I realise is also very closely linked (if not exactly the same as) not being attached to a specific outcome....it is about allowing things by being gentle on the self.

Redfox, you mentioned things that I was really needing to remind myself of, a big Thank you!

On a side note, I have been having a recurrent problem on my right hand for months and have already tried several things but the book you mentioned made me think it might be worth taking a look at it. Which of Louise Heys books are you referring to? I have never read anything from her so have no idea which one to put on my reading list...

Heal You Body A-Z by Louise L. Hay :)