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Meditation Space
Why Meditation
In health care settings, relaxation and meditation exercises often are employed for the relief of
stress and anxiety and for the management of chronic pain, all of which are bound together in
an inextricable knot. Some clinical psychologists use meditation to help clients cleanse their
minds of tensions and everyday worries before individual or group psychotherapy sessions.
Relaxation has also been shown to improve immune function, probably because it prevents the
release of immune-reducing fight-or-flight stress chemicals. For this reason, the technique has
been used to treat everything from colds to HIV/AIDS. Some people who have achieved
spontaneous remissions of cancer claim to have done so in part through intensive meditation.
Just as important, the ability to achieve a relaxed mental state is a skill for life!
At a community in rural northern California, a religious brother states that "God is central to
his personal concept of healing. The sacred dimension is like an offering of grace. It says to
us,stop, take a breath, rest a little, consider what is really important. I think resting in the hands
of God is the most fundamental kind of healing there is. That does not mean that I have a cold
and I think right, I'm going to get rid of the cold. That's not God's way. It means that I can be a
whole person while I am living with HIV/AIDS. I can be a whole person no matter what kind
of sickness I have. Our hope is to harmonize with a sort of fundamental sense of life. In that
Harmonization we are healed.
Approaching the Meditation Room at Saint Therese
Center:
The room at the Saint Therese Center that has been set up for meditation purposes may be
used as it is available and may also be signed out for specific times by clients who wish to use
the room as a safe place to be quiet, rest and meditate. Several clients who come with a care
giver may use both the Massage room and the Meditation room - that is one client uses the
Massage room for a massage and the other client, care-giver, partner uses the meditation room
for quiet time and meditation. At the end of the session both may switch rooms and take
advantage of complimentary therapies. Please be advised that the meditation room and
massage room must be scheduled in advance for this purpose. For all clients if the room is
avai8lable it may be used.
In the meditation room there is a large La-Z-Boy chair that is both a comfortable rocking chair
(rocking helps boost the immune system) or a recliner (settle back and raise the feet) It can not
be both at the same time. Clients may take advantage of the guided meditation tapes that are
available, from various categories including Deepak Chopra, Guided meditations with Regina
Murphy and specific meditation conferences using the writings of Saint Therese of Lisieux.
Through the experience of meditation, we can lift our awareness from the internally and
chaotic state - the world of physical objects and everyday thoughts - to the silent, profoundly
tranquil condition of consciousness that defines soul and spirit. With practice and commitment,
we can gain entrance to immense knowledge and understanding - indeed, we can penetrate to
the ultimate truths of nature. You have within your grasp a capability for infinite unbounded
consciousness, which is, after all, nothing more than who you really are. Actualizing this
capability is really a process of restoring the memory of wholeness and of bringing healing to
every aspect of your life.
Is there an HIV/AIDS Survival Personality?
This is what works for some:
Many survivors have unfulfilled commitment in life and plans for the future. Ironically
many have discovered a new sense of meaning and purpose as a result of their infection.
They see the virus as a challenge rather than a threat. Many reach out to support other
HIV+ people in the community, home - care self help groups and meditation. Others
want to educate the public about HIV or lobby for funds for AIDS research.
In caring for their own health, most survivors react with neither compliance nor defiance
to their doctor's suggestions, but see themselves as educated partners in their own care.
They assume personal responsibility to that care and in doing so achieve a sense of self
efficiency, a sense that what they do affects how they feel and how their virus progresses
thru opportunistic infections.
Most survivors enjoy social support, people they can talk to about their fears and
concerns. At the same time they have developed a sensitivity to their own physical and
psychological needs, an ability to withdraw from outside commitments and take care of
themselves when necessary. In one study of HIV clients the ability to say "no" to a
requested favor correlated highest with improved immunity.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness Meditation is a simple technique for bringing about a profoundly relaxed state in
your mind and body. As the mind gradually grows quiet - while remaining awake - you will
benefit from a deeper, more silent level of awareness.
1. Begin by finding a quiet place where you're not likely to be disturbed.
2. Sit quietly and close your eyes.
3. Inhale and exhale normally, but gently bring your awareness to your breathing. Don't
try to control or alter your breathing in any conscious way. Simply observe.
4. As you observe your breath, you may notice it changing, almost by itself. There may
be variations in speed, rhythm, or depth or your breath may even seem to stop for a
moment. Again merely observe all this without trying to cause or influence any changes.
5. You may find your attention drifting away from your breathing now ant then, You
may think of other things, or you may become aware of noises outside the room. If this
occurs, gently return your attention to your breathing.
6. If during the meditation you notice that you are focusing on some feeling, mood or
expectation respond to this as you would say to any other thought and gently bring your
attention to your breathing.
7. Practice this meditation technique for fifteen minutes. At the end of that time keep
your eyes closed and sit easily for two or three minutes. Allow yourself to come out of
the meditation gradually before opening your eyes and resuming activity.
It is suggested that you practice this Mindfulness Meditation technique twice a day, in the
morning and the evening. If your feeling upset or agitated, you may also use the technique for a
few minutes during the day to center yourself.
"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10
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