I love weeks like this! This has been a week of being challenged and watching myself respond differently to what has come up. I recently started reading the book, Train Your Mind Change Your Brain and what is so exciting about this book, and the many others that are being written about neuroplasticity, is that we are breaking through old ways of thinking about our brain structure and our minds.
In a really oversimplified nutshell, we have the ability to transform ourselves for life. It’s not a one shot deal when we are kids – the brain is malleable- so old dogs can learn new tricks! Woo Hoo!! So, how can we put this information to work in our own lives, you ask? Well, over at the Mind & Life institute, they do crazy science experiments with Buddhist monks, because, it seems that meditation is this really powerful way to train the brain. Challenging our thoughts through some sort of inquiry like The Work does the same thing. Both of which are ways to stay open and present to what is happening in our lives right now. Powerful stuff.
So my well-loved life this week is dedicated to our collective ability to change our brains, which can contribute to healing the pain in our lives (be it physical or emotional), which in turn contributes to healing the world.
- I love that anyone who knew me as a young adult who knows me now is awe-struck by how different I am. I am a testament to the power of meditation and inquiry. What I really love most about this is that I get to keep changing and learning more. How cool is that??
- I really love that this week that I experienced some crazy and really intense fear around an upcoming surgery… odd as that may sound, it ended up showing me so much about the way I respond. It is also a great chance to notice where I need to inquire into my thoughts. If I am upset about something that is happening in the future, I am not “here”. What I noticed was that I was actually in the past, thinking about what happened after the last surgery I had. What happened during and after the last surgery, has nothing to do with what will happen in this next surgery and it certainly has nothing to do with what is happening today, in this moment. Because really. I have everything I need to meet what is happening in this moment. That is always true. But I can’t do anything about the future – except worry about it and give myself heartburn.
- As a side note, when I was so upset and fearful this week, my back pain increased dramatically. A true testament to the role of our brains in physical pain. When I started inquiring and well, BREATHING again, the pain subsided almost instantly. I am so grateful for those experiences!!
- Speaking of amazing experiences, I had an opportunity to talk with another Martha Beck coach this week who is also working with Mind-Body coaching, Abigail Steidley. I got to pick her brain about how she is integrating Yoga and coaching with pain clients, something I have instinctively done with MYSELF and have explored a little bit with clients – but what she is doing is revolutionary! I hope to forge a close connection with her and adopt her methods.
- This week I finished a short, 12 minute meditation and visualization for you! I love learning how to use technology! In any case, right now, you can get this mind-body meditation as a thank you for signing up for the newsletter! This mind-body meditation and visualization is designed
to help you relax and access your inner wisdom in the minimum amount of
time. 12 minutes of relaxation and guided visualization allows you to relax and restore, nourish your body, increase health, and begin to rewire the brain for calm and peace, speaking of neuroplasticity! If you are interested, you can sign up below:
What are you loving in your life this week? Have you experienced neuroplasticity in your own life? If you have comments or questions, email me or leave a comment. I love hearing from you!
Post, twittified:
Old dogs learn new tricks!! Inquiry and meditation are ways to change your brain, change your health, and your life. Neuroplasticity Rocks!
Photo via Flickr. Courtesy of Yewenyi under a creative commons license.
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