The normal reaction to bodily pain (like headache or back pain) is to tense up. You want the pain to leave. So the aching part gets all stiff and it actually hurts even more.
Try instead to feel the pain, to breathe into it. Try to let it take its place, and perhaps even expand. Don't push it away.
The pain has come to tell you something, and if you relax and listen, you might even understand what that is. And if not, you will notice that it gets less strong if you allow it to be. You have recognized the pain, and it an stop shouting to get your attention...
8 Mar 2012
6 Mar 2012
Reiki Light
Reiki is a healing practice, where you concentrate your energy and lead it through your hands. Not everybody knows how to do reiki, but what we all can do is showing parts of our bodies that are in pain a little extra attention.
My right knee hurts. I rub my palms against each other to warm them up, and I gently put my hands on the knee, concentrating on feelings of love. Then I just relax. The warmth of my hands and of my caring thoughts penetrate the pain. I am not trying to push it away, but just let it be - and let it go.
I am convinced that the effect of the warm hands and thoughts is deeper than simply a "good feeling" at that moment. We can all do so much more to heal ourselves - and others - than we think...
My right knee hurts. I rub my palms against each other to warm them up, and I gently put my hands on the knee, concentrating on feelings of love. Then I just relax. The warmth of my hands and of my caring thoughts penetrate the pain. I am not trying to push it away, but just let it be - and let it go.
I am convinced that the effect of the warm hands and thoughts is deeper than simply a "good feeling" at that moment. We can all do so much more to heal ourselves - and others - than we think...
5 Mar 2012
Dear Elderly People
Dear little white-haired man, slowly puffing your cigar on a park bench,
dear little bent over lady, crossing the street with small, careful steps,
I feel such a tenderness towards you. You have shown us the world, explained what's right and wrong. You have taught us how to make pancakes or drive a car, you've always been there to listen and give us good advice.
Now that you are getting old, it's like we are forgetting you, or we don't need you anymore. We grow impatient when you're so slow at the cashier, we frown at you when you forget what we said just a minute ago, and we put you away to live in homes for the elderly.
What kind of "civilization" is ours, that actually makes it impossible us from letting you end your lives surrounded by children and grandchildren...?
At least we should take notice of you, talk to you, and show you our appreciation.
I will write a letter to dear tante Lisette, aged 86, still organizing family reunions, and tell her how much I love her.
dear little bent over lady, crossing the street with small, careful steps,
I feel such a tenderness towards you. You have shown us the world, explained what's right and wrong. You have taught us how to make pancakes or drive a car, you've always been there to listen and give us good advice.
Now that you are getting old, it's like we are forgetting you, or we don't need you anymore. We grow impatient when you're so slow at the cashier, we frown at you when you forget what we said just a minute ago, and we put you away to live in homes for the elderly.
What kind of "civilization" is ours, that actually makes it impossible us from letting you end your lives surrounded by children and grandchildren...?
At least we should take notice of you, talk to you, and show you our appreciation.
I will write a letter to dear tante Lisette, aged 86, still organizing family reunions, and tell her how much I love her.
4 Mar 2012
Feel Your Body
How does my body feel today?
In our hectic lives, crammed with activities, we rarely ask ourselves that question. We rarely listen to our bodies. Unless they scream for attention, we just take them for granted.
Be grateful for having a body. Once a day, stand still and feel it. Take four slow breaths and scan through your whole body.
First breath: your head, neck, and shoulders.
Second breath: your chest, arms and hands.
Third breath: your back, solar plexus and stomach.
Fourth breath: every part below your waistline, ending with the soles of your feet.
So - how does your body feel today?
In our hectic lives, crammed with activities, we rarely ask ourselves that question. We rarely listen to our bodies. Unless they scream for attention, we just take them for granted.
Be grateful for having a body. Once a day, stand still and feel it. Take four slow breaths and scan through your whole body.
First breath: your head, neck, and shoulders.
Second breath: your chest, arms and hands.
Third breath: your back, solar plexus and stomach.
Fourth breath: every part below your waistline, ending with the soles of your feet.
So - how does your body feel today?
3 Mar 2012
Today's poem
Slow down
Listen to the faintest sound
See the subtle shades
Speak less
Do less
Be more
Listen to the faintest sound
See the subtle shades
Speak less
Do less
Be more
2 Mar 2012
Shadow Art
To me, shadows are art. I don't know any official definition of art, but the way shadows open up imagination, their play of lines and shapes, the expressions from sharp to blurry, the shades of grey...
The shadows of leafless trees during winter time, for example: straight, strong trunks and the intricate web of branches - amazing.
You can see all kinds of wondrous patterns and shapes. And the shadow of myself, a moving object where nothing stays the same. Like a symbol of our ever changing existence. We are just a play of shadows here on earth, but we can turn that play into art.
The shadows of leafless trees during winter time, for example: straight, strong trunks and the intricate web of branches - amazing.
You can see all kinds of wondrous patterns and shapes. And the shadow of myself, a moving object where nothing stays the same. Like a symbol of our ever changing existence. We are just a play of shadows here on earth, but we can turn that play into art.
 |
| 6 o'clock in the morning, on asphalt |
1 Mar 2012
Blackbirds
"Blackbirds singing in the dead of night"... and in the dead of winter. Few sounds make us happier on a dark morning in early March. Finally the earth is waking up again and life is coming back!
After a long winter with constant lack of sunshine and warmth it feels as if we're reborn. Which we actually are - together with the rest of nature.
The blackbird's song makes us want to get out light and bright clothes, buy a bunch of tulips or change our hairstyle - somehow we want to make a new start. Why not use the extra energy to lay off some bad, old habit? I'll cut down on sweets, and only have them on week ends. The power of a song :o)
After a long winter with constant lack of sunshine and warmth it feels as if we're reborn. Which we actually are - together with the rest of nature.
The blackbird's song makes us want to get out light and bright clothes, buy a bunch of tulips or change our hairstyle - somehow we want to make a new start. Why not use the extra energy to lay off some bad, old habit? I'll cut down on sweets, and only have them on week ends. The power of a song :o)
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