Gaia Community: Kelli 's Blog

Optimal Level of Arousal

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 05:48:42 -0000

I learned that just as every person has a set point for their weight (the weight which their body naturally returns to even as they gain & lose weight- basically the "default" setting), we also have a set point for our normal level of arousal in everyday life. Our normal level of arousal is mainly genetic (although it can be influenced by our environment, and can be changed consciously if we try), and usually quite similar to our parents' levels. For example, if our parents tend to be stressed out all the time, then chances are that we will, too. On the other hand, if our parents tend to be pretty laid-back and easy-going, then we will most likely be laid-back as well.

Our optimal level of arousal is the physiological state at which we are the most productive. It lies somewhere in the middle on the arousal scale; it is when we are aroused (because we are motivated) but not too aroused (nervous, anxious, worried). We have just enough good stress to motivate us to focus, but we aren't so aroused that our hand is shaking when we're taking notes. It is when we achieve our optimal level of arousal that we are most likely to experience flow- it's when we'll sit down and write great poetry, do our math homework easily, and get all that work done that our boss has been asking us to do. When we are taking an exam at our optimal level of arousal, we are guaranteed to perform better.

Here's the kicker- and this is what was most surprising to me when I learned about all of this: the symptoms of under-arousal and over-arousal are the same! These symptoms include: fatigue, inability to concentrate, and actually falling asleep. (Don't pretend like your teacher didn't catch you passing out and drooling on your notebook at one point in high school! That would definitely be due to under-arousal.) When your sympathetic nervous system is activated due to overarousal, your body will compensate by literally shutting down. This will cause you to feel groggy and even fall asleep. So, if you are motivated and anxious when trying to do something, but begin to feel groggy and sleepy out of the blue, a cup of coffee probably won't help because it will increase your nervousness and level of arousal. You actually need to mellow out- by relaxing, taking a few deep breaths, or going on a short walk (whatever tools you want to use)- in order to bring your level of arousal down. Then you will find that you are able to focus more easily.

If we want to make these concepts work for us in our lives, we can first determine our normal level of arousal. Then, we can think about what it feels like to be at our optimal state of arousal (calm, cool, energized, focused, confident.) With this info in mind, we are able to figure out how to reach our optimal level of arousal more often (especially when there are important things we want to get done). The way it generally works is that people with a high level of arousal (ie. anxious, stressed) need to engage in more low-level arousal activities (ie. meditation, watching movies, taking a walk) to maintain psychological and physiological homestatis. Chances are that a person with a high level of arousal will need to do a lot of deep breathing and calming self-talk in order to reach their optimal level of arousal and perform well on a test. In contrast, someone whose normal level of arousal is quite low will have to seek out excitement in order to achieve the balance their body and mind crave. It is important that they "feed" themselves enough (connect with other people, go out, etc) in order to receive the stimulation they need. But in our hectic society, even if we are laid-back, most people around us are rushing through their day and stressed out. Therefore, it seems that everyone could benefit from taking some time in their life to relax and re-group. Add a bit of serenity to the collective conscious.

Transforming Fear & Living Fully

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 05:03:09 -0000

Image by Eric Collins, from vol. 4 of Dragonfly Magazine

By Kelli Thomaides

Joseph Campbell said, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." Authenticity is often a fundamental value of someone who pursues personal growth. However, it can be one of those elusive qualities that we notice in others whom we admire and respect, but have trouble developing ourselves. Many of us experience cognitive dissonance because we have difficulty aligning our xin (heart/mind) with our core beliefs and taking action that supports our growth. Often, it is because fear prevents us from doing what we want or need to do. The moment we become tired of watching our lives unfold while hearing our hearts whisper in the background, "this is not what I had planned", is when we gain the strength we need to transcend our fear and begin to live more authentically.

The movie "Defending Your Life" accurately depicts the struggle to acknowledge one's fears and break through them. The characters are people who have recently died and must review their lives in order to determine if they conquered their fears and learned the lessons that their lives offered. Pivotal moments in the characters' lives are projected onto a large viewing screen, showing circumstances when they either succumbed to their fears or moved beyond them. The characters must defend their behavior and explain their motivations to the presiding judge. At the end of the hearing, the character is either granted permission to move to a higher level of existence, or he/she must return to earth to try again.

At some point in our lives we will review our decisions, much like the characters in "Defending Your Life". If we wish to be honest with ourselves, we will ask: Have I opted for real growth and challenge, or have I always taken the path of least resistance and succumbed to fear?

Before we attempt to answer this question, it may be helpful to clarify what fear is. In general, fear is an unpleasant feeling of perceived risk or danger, whether it is real or imagined. More specifically, fear is: an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger; an anxious feeling; or a profound emotion inspired by a deity (i.e., the fear of God). When we anticipate physical danger, our sympathetic nervous system kicks in and we experience the "fight or flight" response. This is an evolutionary mechanism which is essential to our survival. Sometimes it is appropriate and even necessary for us to experience fear and act on it. However, when we start responding to every situation in life with a "fight or flight" mentality, we waste a great deal of energy and miss opportunities while needlessly trying to protect ourselves. Furthermore, psychologists have determined that a high anxiety "fight or flight" mentality is unsustainable and therefore it usually leads a person to have a breakdown, sometimes manifesting as depression.

In "Defending Your Life", one of the lawyers describes fear as "a giant fog that sits on your brain and blocks everything: real feelings, true happiness, and real joy." Then he points out that when you lift the fog, it's a joyous and adventurous experience.

Witnessing our Fear

Daniel is the main character in "Defending Your Life". For him, fear manifests in two main ways. He either makes excuses as to why he does not do things or he worries about what the "standard" or the "norm" is and whether or not he meets it. Daniel is preoccupied with others' opinions of him. During one particularly vulnerable moment, Daniel turns to his love interest and says, "I am tired of being judged." Throughout his trial, he is concerned with controlling his image and therefore he is not able to act authentically. When the lawyers point out Daniel's preoccupation with his image, he is able to start dealing with his fears in a conscious manner and thus gain some control over them.

Fear is an impulse that causes a visceral reaction in our minds and bodies. When we see ourselves reacting to situations with fear, we can choose to witness how it affects our emotions, thoughts, and behavior. We might sense our heart beating quickly, feel ourselves "close up" emotionally, or suddenly have anxious thoughts. If we practice witnessing, we will gain insight as to why we behave the way we do, and ultimately we'll be able to change our behavior. The Heart Sutra is a powerful tool that can guide us in witnessing. This is because reciting the Heart Sutra helps us to calm down, regain energy, and see our feelings and thoughts from a more objective point of view. When we put our intention on "coming back to center" and use tools like the Heart Sutra to help us get there, we are practicing being a witness in our lives. If we continue this practice, our consciousness will transform and become clearer and more stable over time.

Follow Your Heart

Most spiritual practices and self-improvement programs encourage us to follow our heart. But what is our heart? There are actually two levels to our heart: the xin (heart/mind) and the True Heart. The highest level of our heart is the True Heart, which is the part of ourselves that is connected to Tao, or the Source. The True Heart speaks to us through our xin, which contains our mental, emotional, and psychological capacities. However, the message can become distorted and unclear depending on the state of our xin. Our xin must be calm and clear in order to hear the messages of our True Heart. The True Heart is always trying to connect to the xin and guide it, but it takes a great deal of wisdom, energy, and clarity before this can happen.

The xin, or heart/mind, is very complex, but ultimately it is either self-obsessed (when the ego takes over) or aligned with the ultimate Truth (when it is connected to the True Heart). There are an infinite number of things our xin can be aligned with, for example: fame, money, attention, and power. In order to follow our True Heart, we first have to align our xinwith the intention of finding our True Heart and pursuing arête (excellence). When our xin is sincerely trying to find our True Heart, any mistakes or wrong turns will be transformed into learning experiences that bring us closer to finding our True Heart.

The powers of the xin and the True Heart are boundless and exceed the confines of time and space. The True Heart far supersedes any situational factors. Our material situation and others' judgments do not affect its strength. Whether we are rich, poor, healthy, sick, etc. does not reveal the nature of our True Heart. All of the greatest spiritual leaders (i.e. Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi), have said that they are not concerned with the outward appearances or material status of their followers; they only care that their followers are seekers of the Truth. It is ironic that we must cultivate a connection with our hearts to find the Truth, and as we begin to uncover the Truth, we realize that it was in our hearts all along.

Since the True Heart cannot be seen or felt by the five senses, it remains an elusive part of ourselves that we are not always in touch with. The True Heart speaks in whispers, and this is why we sometimes do not hear its messages. We may not even recognize the little voice inside of ourselves as being our True Heart, and we may think that it is karma, passing wishes, fantasy, or simply delusion. The only way we can begin to learn to tell the difference between the voice of our True Heart and mental clutter is to become as lucid as possible, take right action, and evaluate the results.

Making Mistakes

Fear of making mistakes or being imperfect can sometimes be enough to deter us from following our hearts. Therefore, becoming comfortable with making mistakes is an essential component of growth. Assuming that our goal is to learn from our mistakes, we don't need to be afraid when we are acting with integrity and doing what we believe is best for ourselves.

One of the rules of improv comedy is that it is perfectly acceptable to fail, as long as you admit it and embrace it. I went to an improv comedy workshop where one of the teachers asked us to throw our arms up in the air and proudly shout "I failed" every time we make a mistake. This forced us to be authentic and transparent, and it prevented us from feeling the shame and guilt that can arise when we mess up. Perhaps most importantly, it allowed us to laugh at ourselves and develop a sense of humor about the situation.

Taking Action

"Life demands right action if knowledge is to come alive." - Dan Millman

We can take action...or not! The alternative to action is the illusion of comfort and the consequential stagnation, which always greet us with open arms. "Comfort" and stagnation will forever remain an attractive alternative to our feared friends: difficulty, change, and growth. We will meet no resistance if we spend our lives in a lukewarm state of consciousness. Borrowing one of John Gray's terms, I will label this state of consciousness the "pastel zone." If this were depicted visually, the pastel zone would constitute neutral pastel colors, while the vibrant zone would shine with a rainbow of brilliant colors.

People who wish to challenge the fears that pervade their consciousness and live full, meaningful lives will grow tired of living in the pastel zone. When we are ready to step outside of the pastel zone and into the vibrant zone, we often become restless and discontent. This is an ideal time to take conscious action in the direction of our dreams- to push ourselves to work for a life that is more congruent with who we are at our core.

Once we take a more conscious role in our lives, we begin to create ripples instead of just following waves. This means that we begin to act on the world rather than always being acted upon. An apparent paradox occurs: we gain greater effectiveness in our lives while humbly realizing that the universe is more vast and intelligent than we previously thought. Our fear warns us that everything will fall apart and spin out of control if we try to engage with this world more intensely. This is because we have well-established patterns that keep us "safe", "comfortable", and small. But if we wish to connect to Tao, or the Source, we cannot stay small forever. And as we continue to connect with the universe more profoundly and grow into a more expansive, loving self - a more True Self- we will feel the resistance of our patterns and the fears of our ego trying to keep us in "our place". But we never truly become a player in our own lives until we leave our comfort zone and enter the vibrant zone, which resonates with the universe at a much higher frequency.

Being Present
"There are no ordinary moments."

- Socrates, Peaceful Warrior

Fear tends to keep us anxious about the future or stuck in our past experiences. In the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior, the main character goes through mindfulness training where his teacher continues to ask him: "Where are you?" The answer is always "here." Then his teacher asks him, "What time is it?" The answer is always, "now."

In the Peaceful Warrior movie, there is a moment where the main character, Dan, is standing in a park full of activity but he is absorbed in thought. He is therefore completely in his mind and not in the moment. With help from his teacher, he is jolted out of his thoughts and begins to look around with attentive eyes. Everything slows down, and each moment sparkles with radiance. As Dan watches everything moving in slow motion, he starts to notice the sun's light bathing the people and the plants in its brightness. He also sees two lovers kissing, a woman playing sweetly with her dog, and children squealing in delight. After months of practicing this kind of mindfulness, he later begins to understand what his teacher had been telling him, "There are no ordinary moments." When we are controlled by fear, we are unable to live in the present and realize our potential. We miss out on connecting to people, experiences, opportunities, a higher spiritual level (Tao or the Source) and ultimately to life itself. Our potential can be actualized at any moment in time; at any moment, we can infuse our lives with energy and attention, and thus bring value to even the most banal activity.

Openness
Let go

If we believe our heart is speaking to us and we decide to take action, it is best to try and let go of our attachment to other's opinions of us, our expectations about the result, and our ideas of who we think we are and what we think we are capable of. This requires the humility to admit that we only see a small percentage of the truth, and what we see is not the ultimate Truth. Self-image is governed by the ego, and the eyes of the ego are too narrow to see the myriad of possibilities that the universe has to offer. The ego is not able to understand our unique place in the universe, because it is a mechanism of individual survival and does not allow for awareness of the whole.

Remaining attached to other's expectations and to our self-imposed limitations serves our fear rather than our greater purpose. This is because, from a karmic perspective, our worries and fears are designed to block us from following our heart. If we truly believe that we want and need to do something because it coincides with our greater purpose, then that is all that matters. If our True Heart is a radio station that we can tune into, then our fears and doubts are only static.

"You will never again be able to keep your heart quiet. Even if you pretend to not have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what you're thinking about life and about the world."
- Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist

So, how can we get a stronger signal with the "radio station" and learn to disregard the static? To do this, we must learn to be a "good citizen of the universe". This is a term that is used in "Defending Your Life" and it is an effective one. We cannot simply be self-serving and expect to achieve greatness. A self-serving attitude is generated by the ego and therefore does not lead us to self-actualization. When we leave this earth, all that will remain is the energy we contributed to our relationships and to the universe. We must always be aware of our relationship with others, and our relationship with the universe as a whole. What is our role? Does it need to shift? Are we willing to change it?

"The world is a waiting lover." - Anonymous
We can begin to expand our role in the universe by engaging our curiosity. Embrace the world as you would a lover: with passion and openness. While we playfully embrace the world, we can also practice consciously listening to our hearts. This requires us to pay attention to our deepest fears and desires and to address them instead of repressing them or denying them. A bonus is that the more we process our thoughts and feelings, the easier it will be for us to aid others in processing theirs'. This is the path of the Bodhisattva.

"The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe." - Joanna Macy

In the quest to transform our fear and learn from it, the most challenging thing to do is to open up. This is because, by nature, fear is constricting and openness is expanding. The most difficult practices for someone who is afraid are: reaching out to others, imagining new possibilities, and trying new things. However, we will never be able to transcend our fear until we push ourselves to open up and do what we are afraid to do- assuming that our goal is growth. Our fears will always have power over us until we prove otherwise to ourselves. It can help to remember what was mentioned above: that fear is a visceral reaction whose singular purpose is self-protection. Therefore, any real transformation requires that we process our fears and shed them one by one, as snakes shed their skin. With time, the radiance and purity of our True Heart will begin to show itself as we become more connected to our own lives, to others, and to Tao.

Being Love in the Present

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 06:17:11 -0000

I found this passage by David Deida to be really moving, so I thought I would share it! It's a thoughtful meditation on the impermanence of life, and the value of being in the moment:

"The contemplation of death strips you of all false pursuits. All hopes and dreams are over. No children, no family. Now work tomorrow. Nothing to look forward to. No future to wear. You are naked in this moment, feeling fully, with no veil of time to hide your vulnerability. In the true contemplation of death, your heart stands bare in the present moment.

With no excuse but to be present, your heart gathers strength. No longer dispersed in dreams of future fear or hope, your heart's force becomes coherent. Without a shell of waiting, without the buffer of tomorrow, unclothed of expectation or fear, no longer waiting for things to be different, you can fully be the love you are, right now."

Zaadz Beach Party!

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:48:53 -0000

The Zaadz Beach Party at Huntington Beach was such a blast. When we come together in person, you are really able to see the mission of zaadz being actualized.

It was also exciting to meet a lot of zaadzsters who i've been chatting with on-line, but never spent time with in person. It was full of intense & inspirational discussions, including much talk about the sexy revolution. And of course, there was a lot of talkin' smack on the volleyball court. Check out the pics in my photo album. Huge thanks to Obi, Jessica & Sixth Sense for organizing the party & buying all that delicious food. I can't wait for the next L.A. Zaadz event, when we can bring all these beautiful minds & hearts together again.

Sharing in the Sensuality of Food

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 21:44:14 -0000

I have really begun to appreciate the aesthetic of farmer's markets, including the sights, smells and colors of the fresh organic fruit & produce (being a vegan, that is what i'm most drawn to). It's a total sensory experience, feeling the fresh air and being surrounded by good food. Other advantages to shopping at the farmer's market are connecting with the people who grow your food and developing an appreciation for the process.

Slow Food USA makes it their mission to educate people about the value of sitting down with friends & family and sharing a meal together (like old times, ya know?) Connecting with others through the process of preparing food and eating is something that has become less common in modern times, but has a lot of value. When we have people to share this with, it becomes a holistic experience of replenishing ourselves on the physical, psychological & energetic levels. My friend Aaron wrote an awesome blog related to this.

Speaking of Raw Food

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 22:54:00 -0000

-Janabai, the owner, watching the sunset.-

I recently got a job at Euphoria loves RAWvolution, and am working with some of the nicest people i have ever met. (and the customers are pretty cool, too).

There is a class on August 13th about raw cuisine fundamentals, where Matt Amsden (of the RawVolution cookbook) will teach how to prepare and assemble raw, vegan food.

Those interested can find information here.

Raw for 30 Days

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 04:19:31 -0000

In Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock goes on a McDonald's diet for 30 days and shares the harmful health and psychological repurcussions he experiences. He almost "pickles his liver" and comes thisclose to developing Type II diabetes. Now, there is a documentary about doing just the opposite.

I just watched the trailer for "Raw for 30 Days", a documentary about five Americans who are suffering from Type II diabetes. It is now the most common type of diabetes in America and is growing exponentially among children. Type II Diabetes, more so than Type I, is acquired through lifestyle habits (exercise & diet). This documentary illustrates that eating a raw, vegetarian diet can actually reverse the effects of the disease & stop it in its tracks.

Watching the trailer was a profound experience that almost brought me to tears. The people who undergo the dramatic lifestyle & diet change not only experience an increase in physical health, but also in mental and emotional health. They get in touch with their bodies in ways they previously thought impossible. They learn what it means to have discipline and self-love.

What I like most about this movie (or the little bit i saw) is that it shows so clearly that the benefits you receive from anything are directly proportional to the degree of investment you choose to make. No one else can make the decision for you to get healthier or to change your life. It has to be made by you and it has to be genuine and heartfelt in order for any real transformation to occur.

I hope that a lot of people can get out to see this movie, as there is much to learn from it!! Those who are suffering from health ailments and are looking for ideas on how to make lifestyle changes will especially benefit.

View the trailer here.

Thanks to Michael for providing info on "Raw for 30 Days" in his profile.

Feelin' the Love

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:18:30 -0000

Blackalicious Rocks!

I went to see Blackalicious at the 9:30 club in DC the other night. One of the MC's of Blackalicious, Gift of Gab, was particularly stable and calm. All of the Blackalicious members brought upbeat energy to the concert, but Gift of Gab was the anchor. He did not do anything flashy; he is the only performer i've ever seen to stand in one spot during an entire show and barely move, yet everyone in the audience kept their eyes glued on him. This is because he appeared to be in a state of meditation where nothing could penetrate his concentration and serenity, and it was entrancing. Watching his flow, it became obvious that he approached his work with a deep sense of calm and the intention of creating a positive experience for everyone. The concert was energizing and inspiring- I couldn't help but smile the whole time. It showed that it's possible to get people pumped up and energized, yet maintain peace and positivity at the same time.

Keep it Coming

Blackalicious was all about sharing their talent with others, having fun and empowering people to connect to their own source of inspiration. We can find these kinds of uplifting experiences everywhere, for example: by watching movies that aim to educate and inspire, seeing a special art exhibition, taking pictures of nature, or surfing Zaadz.;-) My goal is to continue to bring more of these types of experiences into my life.

The Power of Intention

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 17:24:25 -0000

Building the foundation + Taking leaps of faith= Success

It is vital to have vision, so that we can begin to create the kind of life that we want in our minds and our hearts. Vision orients us towards the future and pushes us to reach our potential. While exercising vision, we also need to live in the present and lay a foundation for ourselves so that we are ready for what is next. Sometimes, we forget that the universe builds our muscles by presenting us with our lessons in the form of “problems”. When we handle these problems with a calm heart and the intent to learn, we internalize the underlying lesson and become stronger. Adversity can be a catalyst for positive changes in our hearts and minds when we allow it to be.

Dr. Wayne Dyer, who wrote the Power of Intention, is a huge source of inspiration for me. He grew up a poor orphan, but unlike his peers, he creatively sought out ways to make money. He collected Coke bottles and exchanged them for money at the nearest grocery store; he carried groceries for little old ladies, and he raked people's lawns. He worked hard even when he owned nothing but a couple articles of clothing. Now an accomplished public speaker, writer, doctor, and father, he said something to the effect of: "I am still collecting coke bottles and carrying groceries for little old ladies. It just looks different now." The point is that he did the best he could with what he had at the time, and as he laid his inner foundation- of a strong work ethic, ingenuity, perseverance, and optimism- the universe continued to present him with bigger and bigger challenges. The universe, which never turns a blind eye, rewarded him for his efforts and creativity. He is still practicing the same principles that he was practicing at the age of seven, it is just that they are manifesting on a larger scale now. To this day, he relies on the virtues he began developing in himself from an early age. He is a good example that none of our actions are trivial; they build upon each other when we remain focused and patient.

Positivity as a Healing Quality

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 06:12:55 -0000

Positivity...blah, blah, blah

If you browse around zaadz often (or are lucky enough to get to hang out with zaadzsters!), then you have heard a lot about positivity. Once you hear the word multiple times every day, you may start to become desensitized to its meaning (i did). And, as Martin Seligman points out in Authentic Happiness, a lot of people think that postivity is "fluffy" (not as cool mel uses the word ;-)) "out there" or "unrealistic". Then a study came out that stated that depressed people see the world more realistically than the rest of us, and it proved that optimistic people really are wackos. It may be true that depressed people see the world realistically- on the material level- but they certainly aren't the happiest people, are they? I mean, they're depressed!

So, I have a choice whether to live my life as a realistic person who takes things at face value, or I can expect a whole lot more from the world- and myself- and set my expectations higher. I can be grounded and happy at the same time. I can expect for those "unattainable" qualities like joy, exuberance and laughter to permeate every hour of my life, and spill into the lives of others around me as well. I can wake up to the fact that I have been realistic my whole life and it's gotten me...well...a whole lot of realism (and not so much faith, or excitement...or laughter). As stated in Authentic Happiness, optimistic people have longer life spans, happier marriages and better health. The bottom line is that I am willing to sacrifice a bit of so-called "realism" for a new outlook that will improve my quality of life.

New Possibilities

A positive mindframe opens doors that are closed to us when we have a more negative mindset. Paulo Coehlo describes the desperation and lack of clarity we experience in challengening situations as staring straight at a black tunnel. He says, "When we are faced with something that really threatens us, it is impossible to look around, although this is the correct and safer procedure. We can't see clearly, use logic, gather information that can help us and those who try to get us out of that situation. "

Postive emotions facilitate creative problem solving. If we think about our own lives, we can see examples of this. If we are upset (we got into a car accident, the dry cleaner stained our shirt again, etc.) and someone tries to cheer us up, they may start by offering alternative ways of looking at the same situation. Why? So we can open our minds to the realization that there are multiple perspectives on the same issue. In other words, they help us become clearer. In the movie What the Bleep Do We Know, they refer to the detached, clear entity in a situation as the observer. We can be our own observer. To be our own observer requires us to take a step back, snap out of our current tunnel-vision perspective, and contemplate all of the approaches available to us. I think that's a cool idea- to be the observer in our own lives.

To use an analogy, our brain is like a map, and our thoughts are like the roads. When something occurs in our life, we come to a fork in the road. Do we turn right- and take the same attitude we always take- expecting the worst and talking ourselves out of possibilities? Or do we turn left- and try to see things from an alternate perspective? Turning left takes extra effort because we don't go in that direction very often so it is unfamiliar and even a bit scary.   We may make a very sloooow turn onto that left road, not sure of where it will take us- but that is new and exciting! With every thought we have, we are turning down another road which will take us to a new destination (peace? or anger?) Whichever direction we choose to go with our thoughts is important 1) Because we think in a stream of consciousness, associative type of pattern, where one thought leads to another and develops momentum in our mind and 2) Thoughts lead to actions.

There's evidence.

From a scientific perspective, every thought we have creates a connection between the corresponding neurons. The more often we have a particular thought, the stronger the synapse (or connection) becomes and it is harder and harder to break it. When we decide to redirect our thoughts, we are actually working at redirecting those neurons to establish new patterns. When we stop having a particular type of thought ("I'm lazy" or "I can't do it", etc.), the neural connection dies and our brain is re-wired. As they say in What the Bleep, our brain looks like a thunderstorm in the the sky- with all the neurotransmitters firing and connections constantly being made and broken. The cool thing is that we do have some control over what goes on up there!

Thought Stopping

Something that has come out of the cognitive school of psychology is a technique called "thought stopping". This is something a person can do on their own, whenever they want to. You just have to be a little cognizant of your own thoughts, and their effect on you. If you know yourself well enough to realize that jealous, angry, or worrisome thoughts often get you down, you can train your brain to reject them, in a sense. Whenever you have an angry/jealous/ worrisome thought, you can tell yourself to stop. Then you can either meditate and try to clear your mind, or simply redirect your thoughts to other things you'd prefer to think about. Some people are visually oriented and like to picture an actual stop sign in their head, or they like to envision that they are closing a door on the "room" of their negative internal banter. Either way, it can be an interesting tool.

Positivity + Our Body

Not only does a postive mentality boost our mental health, it increases our physical health as well. It has been proven that cancer patients with a positive attitude are more likely to survive than their negative-oriented peers. Having positive thoughts also reduces stress, which is a major killer in our modern society. Because of the strong mind-body connection, an easy way for us to relax is to generate positive, healing thoughts in our mind.

There was a study done in India by Dr. Madan Kataria. He wanted to know if "laughter is the best medicine", so he got a bunch of people together, had them laugh daily, and analyzed the results. It turns out that daily laughter reduced their stress levels and improved their health. Since that study was done, there have been numerous laughing clubs formed in India, Europe and the U.S. There is a short movie called The Laughing Club of India about this subject.

It's a Healing Thing

Working for positive thoughts and attitudes is a healing process.  When we think positively, we protect ourselves from our damaging thoughts and emotions, which are our worst enemies because they develop into stubborn patterns that can sometimes spin out of control.  If we are able to change our emotions and our thoughts so that they are empowering and positive, this can literally transform our lives.  Our potential to grow and to positively influence others lies in each thought and feeling we generate. Our body, mind, spirit and personality will radiate with joy and happiness when we make the conscious decision to work for healing.

Creativity

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 04:10:37 -0000

In the Tao Practice & In Our Lives

How can we apply creativity to our everday lives?

Creativity has been defined as “productive originality”. In the Tao practice, creativity is a powerful tool that helps us create our lives from the inside out. When you practice Tao, you become an artist. The opportunities arise to paint your environment, your attitude and your success with your own brush strokes. We can do this because we have a lot of energy behind us. However, it is our job to dream of different ways we can use that energy to enhance our spiritual growth. Everyone gets stuck in patterns; what we can do is imagine what it would look like to journey outside of these patterns. Scary? Maybe, at first. Worthwhile? Definitely. I certainly had a lot more fun when, after I received Tao and consciously tried to break patterns, I started rollerblading to work instead of taking the bus. I got a lot of quizzical looks, but my mornings were no longer unbearable: I looked forward to getting fresh air and sunshine. I was no longer a slave to my mundane routine; I had taken hold of the reins and began steering my life in a direction that I wanted it to go. I wanted my life to be exciting, fresh, and stimulating, so I began to try to make changes that would bring that positive energy my way.

Challenging your self-concept

Creativity extends beyond our physical habits and into the idea realm. We often get stuck in certain perceptions that we have and may forget that we can challenge these perceptions. For example, you may firmly believe that you are a “bad writer”. Is this really true? Maybe. Or maybe not. What would happen if you started to refer to yourself as a good writer? Would it help you to develop a more positive self-image? Would you maybe develop a smidge more of confidence, enough to enable you to sit down and write something you have always wanted to write? Would you eventually discover that your perception was completely wrong, and be grateful that you challenged it? We can be creative in thinking about who we are. Of course, we will always fall short of what we think we “should” be. However, we can actively challenge our notions of who we are and stay open to the possibility of surprising ourselves.

Learning to build from within

One of the benefits of connecting with a community is having access to a group of people who bring fresh ideas and new perspective to our lives. The energy and support of a community can help us develop momentum to make desirable changes. However, it is ultimately our own responsibility to remain inspired through the trials that accompany growth and self-exploration. During those times when we do not have a group around us for support, we can learn what it means to support ourselves. When we are away from our home base, and no matter where we are, we can build our own foundation by connecting with our hearts and acting accordingly. We can focus on qualities such as “humility” and “openness” and purposely try to develop them. If we find ourselves becoming bitter and unappreciative, we can turn the situation around and extend ourselves to others. Who does not enjoy having a guest who cooks and cleans for them? As someone famous said, “Never do things others can do and will do, if there are things others cannot do or will not do."

A New Beginning

We have the power to create; we simply forget this sometimes. Falling into a dull routine is like writing with a dull pencil. The more we write with the pencil, the duller it becomes. When we indulge our creativity, we sharpen the pencil and it is like we have a fresh start. As children, we would play for hours, dreaming up other worlds and acting out new scenarios; let us become open and childlike again. Being original in how we approach our lives is indeed productive. We can brainstorm ways to break our patterns and let ourselves dream of the future we want to have. Through this, we find the inspiration to continue the journey.