Meditation zeitgeist, July 21, 2009
Bodhipaksa (July 21, 2009)
A not-entirely-random selection of blog posts on meditation.
The ever-diligent Rev. Danny Fisher spotted an article in the Guardian that I’d missed, and published an extract. The original article was about a talk given in London by Joseph Goldstein. The author, Naseem Khan, as well as highlighting Goldstein’s wisdom, also weaves in some reflections on multiculturalism.
C4chaos has a detailed account of how meditation has helped with migraines. He outlines a four-step process. Normally in these zeitgeist articles we don’t post much detail, but in this case I’ll make an exception:
Step 1: Take a comfortable sitting position with spine straight (I do mine in half lotus posture. But sitting in a comfortable chair will do). Take a couple of deep breaths to start the relaxation. As best as you can, let the pain do its thing in the background. Don’t resist or dwell on it.
Step 2: Observe the breath by noting the rising and falling of the abdomen on each inhalation and exhalation. If attention wanders, just gently turn your attention back to observing the breath.
Step 3: Once the body is relaxed and attention is calm, embrace and penetrate the pain! Observe how the pain in the head shifts, morphs, expands, contracts, spreads, and pulsates. Note and mentally label them as “flow.” Then watch the pain like watching a jellyfish in the aquarium. (That’s the best analogy I could think of at the moment. But I think it’s accurate.)
Step 4: Sooner or later, awareness shifts, instead of observing the pain, you begin to feel its wave-like sensations. When you notice the wavy sensations, just ride it! A few moments later, you’ll notice that the pain just vanishes. It is replaced by a relaxed and open attention. Continue with the meditation session as usual.
Arunlikhati has a lovely post on dealing with mosquitoes. I confess he’s more compassionate towards them than I am.
Karen Maezen Miller writes in Shambhala Sun Space about how meditation enhances creativity and productivity, and Justin Whitaker has a very practical take on how to create the conditions for productivity.
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Comments
Comment from Rod Fage
Time: July 21, 2009, 9:13 am
I discovered this by accident. Quite a few years back the doctors think I had a cluster headache. Think multiple migraines at once. I thought I had an aneurysm so I was in the emergency room.
As you would expect, it took a while to be seen. The pain was quite bad. By relaxing and breathing deeply, I was able to manage the pain while waiting. My sister-in-law would shake me a bit once in a while to make sure I had not passed out. It worked amazingly.
ROD>
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: July 21, 2009, 9:16 am
Very early on I found that meditation could help with ordinary headaches, although I haven’t found it to be useful with migraines — but then I have very atypical migraines.
Comment from Rod Fage
Time: July 21, 2009, 9:31 am
For me it was a coping mechanism until I could see the doctor or the pain went away. Don’t forget I thought I might be destroying brain cells every minute that I waited so I needed something not only to help the pain but keep me calm.
Thanks for the blog!
ROD>
Comment from Bodhipaksa
Time: July 21, 2009, 9:34 am
If you’re going to die you might as well meditate! What really works to prevent me getting migraines is making regular trips to the chiropractor. There’s something he does with my neck that prevents migraines from happening.
Comment from ~C4Chaos
Time: July 22, 2009, 12:04 pm
Bodhipaksa,
thanks for linking to my blog post :)
i’ve recently added an “ADDENDUM” section in the blog post describing how i use the same meditation techniques to stop migraine on its tracks! so far i have a 100% batting average :) i’ve never taken any pain reliever for my migraine since i’ve discovered that the same techniques i use for my daily practice work to relieve and even prevent an incoming migraine attack. this practical application alone is enough to make the practice of vipassana meditation worthwhile.
btw, i’m also currently reading Shinzen Young’s “Break Through Pain” (see http://bit.ly/y228n for preview) to understand the more technical aspects of using mindfulness meditation for pain relief. check it out if you’re interested. it’s a good read :)
thanks again for sharing.
~C
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