Preparation for Meditation

The test of your success in meditation is not whether you have visions, but rather how you are changing as a person in everyday life – whether you are becoming a happier person.  The goal is to have your whole life become a meditation. Preparing for Meditation Create a comfortable and pleasant place to meditate. Set aside a specific time to meditate – best times are dawn, dusk,noon and midnight – but most importantly – be consistent about when you meditate. Find a comfortable sitting position in a chair, on a cushion or on a meditation bench, so that your spine is long and open. Relaxation – do some yoga postures or stretching exercises. Say a prayer and ask for guidance and support for your … continue reading

The Amazing Vagus Nerve Complex

The Amazing Vagus Nerve Complex   The Vagus Nerve is a cranial nerve that extends up into our brains, even though it is not shown in this image. Following is a somewhat technical description of our amazing vagus nerve complex.  This is a cranial nerve which, quite elegantly, travels from within our brains, down through all of our major organs, and into our gastro-intestinal system, governing taste, speech, circulation, digestion and so much more. I am suspecting that our so called gut-brain is influential in so many of our chronic illnesses and conditions. In our practice on Monday, let’s see if we can imagine sending loving kindness and appreciation to this wonderful and complex part of our bodies. The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve. Sensory: Innervates … continue reading