Readers – Have patience while you read this. It is a little long postJ
I have registered for a 6 days course for ‘Art of Living’ from 12th July, 2011 to 17th July, 2011. I will post all my learning during this course on my blog. I will try to communicate 80% of what I learn during this courseJ
Long time back on my blog I posted that I cannot meditate. After my surgery in May I joined a meditation class for a week to practice meditation. I do not believe in giving up. Even after I posted my poor concentration during meditation somewhere I used to think why others can practice and I cannot. I tried every day to sit and meditate but in simple words, I FAILED!
Meditation is a very important part of pain management therapy or technique. Where others might do it for different reasons but for me the one and only reason is to manage my pains. My pain management specialist completely agrees to this and even if you Google about this – Meditation is one of the techniques to manage your pain. Most of the pains are triggered by unrest mind or disturbed mind. As we say if you are mentally tired you will feel physical fatigue as well. Mind drives everything in your body from emotions to pains, losses to gain and it is like a kite that needs to be held hard.
In this class they taught us Hamsa Meditation (to enlighten living using a rhythmic breathing pattern).
What is ‘Hamsa’?
‘Hamsa’ is a word derived from Sanskrit that means ‘Ham’ – ‘Inhale’ and ‘Sa’ – ‘Exhale’. You need to constantly and with intense concentration follow your breathing pattern like Hamsa – Inhale ...Exhale...Inhale...Exhale. It takes time to surrender to your breathing pattern and connect to your inner self. It will not happen in a day or a week or a month. It takes time as you have to surrender to your thoughts to your inner calmness by following a simple ‘Hamsa’ mantra. It is a not a chanting mantra but just a way to follow your breathe. Breathe is a big world and a word with a deeper meaning. Like I said mind is a kite that keeps wavering and breathing is a thread that controls it. I share a small example here:
When you feel happy and calm have you ever noticed your breathe. You breathe normally and calmly. There is a slow breathing pattern. But in contrary when you are excited or angry or anxious you start breathing fast. You tend to stammer or skip words or use ill words as you lose control over the mind due to imbalance in breathing. It is not being abnormal though if one control the breathing at that time like takes a deep breath or sigh you will find a difference. Try it next time you get angry or excited then you will see a difference. This is the best way to define connection of mind and breathing.
Meditation is that connection only. I practice Hamsa meditation as it is the one that works for me. It has been a month I have been practicing. I feel better though lot needs to be done.
Try it and if you are not able to then youtube for links. I will post the best link that sometimes I use to brush my practice.
Dolce Vita!
