“Technology is destructive only in the hands of people who do not realize that they are one and the same process as the universe” –Alan Watts

I was planning on incorporating this video into a blog filled with my observations but instead I think I’ll let it speak for itself:

  I was in Best Buy in Bellevue, WA this week to pick up a voice recorder for the yoga studio I belong to and in a fortuitous moment my eye picked up on a book called “A Stroke of Insight” by Jill Taylor PhD.  As I normally do I cracked it open in the store and quickly glazed over it to see if there is enough meat on the pages to warrant a purchase.  I did and I didn’t regret it.  A friend of mine sent me a video of her a few months back describing her experiences as she had her stroke and it was a captivating presentation.  Jill gives an emotionally charged speech brings herself to tears and gets a standing ovation that will give you goose bumps.

Jill immediately impresses a sense that she wholeheartedly offers up her set of experiences to benefit others to no benefit of her own.  If you take the time to understand what happened to her and why she wants you to know I think you’ll find alot of info that can help improve your life (not just for stroke survivors).  Not very many people get to experience their right brain without the left trying to interfere.  Here is a  list of things I do that relate to the book:

1) Devote time to your right brain everday. This often referred to as “the zone” or the “the flow”.  You will have more energy and be more motivated in life when you connect to this mode.

2) Turn off the little voice inside your head at least 20 minutes a day and be vigilant in keeping an eye on throughout.  Listen to that voice as you perceive your day and be aware of how you label positive and negative.  Intend to remain in “the flow”.

3) Aim to be in a peaceful state of “being”.

4) Keep a to do list related to your stated goals.  If you have a list of things that relate to your success it gives you relief in not allowing the left brain to take over.  You can stay “in-flow” and on task.

Here a couple of excerpts from the book that I really connected with:

“I now existed in a world between worlds. I could no longer relate to people outside of me, and yet my life had not been extinguished. I was not only an oddity to those around me, but on the inside, I was an oddity to myself.”

“I became detached from the memories of my life, I was comforted by an expanding sense of grace. My consciousness soared into an all-knowingness, a “being at one” with the universe, if you will.”

“I welcomed the reprieve that the silence brought from the constant chatter that related me to what I now perceived as the insignificant affairs of society.  I eagerly turned my focus inward to the steadfast drumming of the trillions of brilliant cells that worked diligently and synchronously to maintain my body’s steady state of homeostasis. “

“For the first time, I felt truly at one with my body as a complex construction of living, thriving organisms.”

“It was clear to me that this body functioned like a portal through which the energy of who I am can be beamed into a three-dimension space.”

In today’s world it’s important to take a look at yourself and find out if you are connecting with the things that bring you joy.  You don’t have to have a stroke to start building a relationship with the intuitive and creative you.

If you want learn more about Jill Taylor or find her book here is a link to her web:
http://www.drjilltaylor.com

What comes to your mind when you hear this word? Have you ever truly experienced it? Gurus, spiritual teachers, and scientists extensively speak and write on it. Many different forms of teachers will charge you big money to teach it to you.  But truly what is it? I will share with you my own personal experience with this inner ability. That’s the irony of it all it is an inner ability that needs to be frequently exercised. The more you use it the more you’ll come to love and appreciate this gift. To truly know the secret of attention is to empower yourself in a way that very few people do.

I was fortunate at a young age that I had childhood experiences where I touched upon this state but was never readily able to access it as I do now. I get into attention now as a means of self-protection. Allowing my mind to roam unchecked can often end up doing more harm than good. Now it is the place I most often reside. Enough hype let’s get into the meat and bones…

Attention is direct and silent experience.

Attention Exercise #1

Select an object that is in front of you right now and look at it and be attentive. Now separate that object from the remainder of the picture as you are looking at. As you gaze at that object stop thinking about it. Seriously, stop thinking about it. If a thought persists its ok allow it to pass. Separate yourself from your thought. Allow and be aware as your mind goes silent and follow the object for ten deep breaths. As you gaze at the object you will ultimately only experience the object. It’s that simple. Repeat and extend the duration of this exercise.

Once you learn how to quiet the mind. You will find it becomes very easy to get into this effortless state - the key is always observing the breath.

Thinking about something slows you down from doing it.

The first step in producing attention is to focus on an object and having zero thought. As you breathe watch as a natural calm comes over your body. Ultimately as you follow your breath you will not even know the name of the object you are following. Soon even the breath vanishes.  Why would I want learn how to do this seemingly crazy exercise? Improving your attention allows you to hone your focus. If you can properly focus you can reach any goal. Creating attention allows you to completely drain your mind then you can become better at filling it up with and holding on to things that you find important.

Some of the greatest athletes of all time are masters at producing this state. Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan are two examples. They both discuss at great detail how everything around them slows down and their performance becomes effortless. In the West we call it getting into “the zone”. Developing attention can quickly aid you getting into the zone. Have you ever been in this zone? Would you find it useful to be able to produce it at will?

Humanity has allowed their minds to be in a constant state of switching gears and thinking, thinking, thinking. I think it is more being distracted, distracted, distracted. How many of those thoughts are productive and help you? This leads to ask the question: Is your mind really helping you? Ancient India refers to this as monkey mind. It’s been something we as a race have been struggling with for as long, long time. The Indians realized there is a difference between being aware of a thought and thinking a thought. For me the subtle difference is if you are thinking a thought you are subject to it emotionally and physically. If you are aware of a thought you will remain unaffected. Let’s move on to a second exercise.

Attention Exercise #2

I reinforce my state of attention every night if possible by lighting a candle and selecting the flame as the object that I attend to. I find that connecting to a flame as an object is a simple way at completely clearing my mind and becoming aware of the observer. It also has many other positive effects for the mind, body, and spirit.

1) Light the candle. Get into a comfortable seated position. Now turn your attention to the flame.

2) Calmly breathe positive energy in through your nose. Breathe out and let go of all the negative thoughts and effects from the day.

3) Softly gaze into the color, shape, and movement of the flame. Once you feel rested close your eyes and continue watching the flame in your head.

That could be enough. You could take these two simple exercise stash it away in your personal development toolbox and become a more balanced human being by being able to bring your mind down to zero. However, this skill has another step.

Taking Attention into the Real World

When you see and observe throughout your busy day allow yourself not to be reactive to events. Remind yourself to clear your state and become attentive. I find myself being most reactive to other people. Allowing me to connect to the empty calming state of the candle flame produces the effect of me being beside myself.  It puts me in the zone and allows you me to be much more effective interacting with people in purposeful and meaningful way. You will find yourself will become revitalized throughout the day as you improve at this skill.

Every time you find yourself going into monkey mind know that you are expending energy. You are depleting yourself. Your mind wants to do this because it wants you to worry about the future or a particular outcome. Trust me you can produce better results by learning the art of the now. All that will be left is experience without word or thought. Be attentive to the now, it is a joyous state. Simply put: “just be” and remember you are the chooser.