Upeksha & True Love, Attaining Equanimity

Upeksha

The concept of “Upeksha” has come up on my blog stats many times in the last few week, as a keyword on how people find this blog it’s at the top. So, I thought I’d bring up an old post I wrote, talking about a Thick Nhat Hann book on “True Love”.

Upeksha - equanimity or freedom, when you love you bring freedom to the person you love, loving in such a way as the other person you love feels free; “Dear one, do you have enough space in you heart and all around you?”

Of the 4 aspects of love, this is the most difficult for me.

Equanimity = e·qua·nim·i·ty /?ikw??n?m?ti, ??kw?-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ee-kwuh-nim-i-tee, ek-wuh-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun mental or emotional stability or composure, esp. under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium.

Non-attachment = ‘Non-attachment…views desire as faulty, thereby deliberately restraining desire…’

Nondiscrimination

Even-mindedness or letting go

“Upa” means ‘over’ and “iksh” means ‘to look’. Basically you look over around, under and beyond, seeing the whole situation and not a small facet. Ability to see everyone and everything as equal and not with discrimination. No ’self’ and no ‘other’.

From Thick’s book, a few words that hit home: “Without upeksha, your love may become possessive. A summer breeze can be very refreshing; but if we try to put it in a tin can so we can have it entirely for ourselves, the breeze will die. Our beloved is the same.”

“True love allows you to preserve your freedom and the freedom of your beloved. That is upeksha.”

I’ve realized that I need much work in this area, so plan on seeing more as I work and develop this in myself.

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What Do Your Dreams Mean?

Interpreting dreams, a fun and frustrating endeavor for just about everyone I know. Even I struggle to remember dreams at times while some around me have vivid and rich imagery to work with. But when you do have them, how do you interpret them?

Two general schools of thought; never use a dream dictionary and use a dream dictionary. Most would agree that each dream is unique to each person and a book won’t interpret the dream 100% for you but I am one who likes to use the dictionaries to give me a flavor or why I may be processing what I am. As always, one should look at the symbols and decide what they mean to them because each person will be a little bit different. Using the books should be as a guide to help prime the pumps.

Steps to Help You Interpret:

1. Sleep with a journal and pen next to your bed, when you awake at any time and think you had a dream, write it out and just expect it to look odd from your sleepy prose.
2. Simply say “I’m going to remember my dreams in the morning and write them down”
3. If you have still having trouble, I use acupuncture to open things up and help me dream.
4. Write as much as you can when you remember a dream. Symbols, settings, people, colors, feelings, etc.
5. Look over your journal several times a week to look for patterns; same people in each dream, same animal, same setting, etc.
6. What do these patterns mean to you? Certain people mean certain things to me so when they come up in a dream I now know what it’s being worked on or conveyed in the dream to interpret.
7. Now is a good time to use a dream dictionary, like the one I recommend in the Beyond Zen Store, what are common themes to the symbols you see in your dreams? Remember to take this information with a grain of salt, dreams are yours and books only give a base place to work from.

Often I find it useful to group dreams over a month in what’s called a “mind map”, in fact I use the mind map idea to create notes at work and brainstorm new ideas. It’s an organic way to let ideas flood out and create links to each other. I’ve read that mind mapping is very good for those writing books, it creates that great flow.

Wikipedia on Mind Mapping

Note on my Dream Interpretation Philosophy:

I am of the Jung camp of dream interpretation: dreaming is the result of a complex collective and personal unconscious mind, regulating itself like it’s own entity, bringing archetypes in as representations of people and attitudes. Although, Jung believed more in the “dream is the shadow or opposite of the conscious mind”, I don’t see it as the opposite but I do see archetypes representing themselves.

From Wikipedia: “He cautioned against blindly ascribing meaning to dream symbols without a clear understanding of the client’s personal situation. Although he acknowledged the universality of archetypal symbols, he contrasted this with the concept of a sign — images having a one to one connotation with their meaning. His approach was to recognize the dynamism and fluidity that existed between symbols and their ascribed meaning. Symbols must be explored for their personal significance to the patient, instead of having the dream conform to some predetermined idea.”

But, there are times when one has trouble with the interpretation, like this weekends dreams.

Scenario

In the real world I spend the weekend rafting in Central Oregon, where they naturally have snakes and other things my mind keeps and eye out for, this alone could be the most simple reason for this dream:

I’m meditating in the Central Oregon desert, against a cottonwood tree, I notice that there are 12 black snakes circling me, eventually the snakes and crawling up to me and one after another they start to bite me, their fangs get stuck in my skin and I can’t pull them out, eventually all 12 are stuck in me and I am telling people I have one hour to get to the hospital (more like 5 minutes with 12 snakes). Sadly, this is the only bit I can remember and the theme of snakes isn’t one I have often so I really don’t see a pattern yet.

But to start interpreting I assign personal meaning to the symbols:

• Central Oregon and rivers are places of great recharging for me
• Meditating under a tree is very connecting, almost Buddhaesque
• Snakes are something I have feared but with Spontaneous Qigong I’m not sure I do anymore, now I think of them as pathways to open, like Kundalini
• Number 12 doesn’t bring meaning

Now if I were to use a dream dictionary to bring some universal light on things, maybe some more meaning will be pieced together:

• A flowing river could mean peace and prosperity
• Deserts are also symbolic of barrenness, loneliness and feelings of isolation and hopelessness. (doesn’t feel right as an explanation)
• As a positive symbol, snakes represent transformation, knowledge and wisdom. It is indicative of self-renewal and positive changes.
• The number 12 denotes spiritual strength

When you piece it all together it can start to make a bit more sense, couple it with what you have been thinking about lately or working out in your mind and you might just have a better idea of what you ought to do or not. Being a time of spiritual change and growth, this makes a bit more sense. The Central Oregon desert is a very positive place for me and being on a river in this space is very grounding and calming, a place I should visit and relax in more often. To me a desert like this one isn’t one of hopelessness but if I was wandering through the Gobi desert I can see how it might be. Several people have told me about the transformational (skin shedding) and wisdom aspect of snakes and when you couple that with the number 12, a number of spiritual strength, you can start to see a slight pattern. Maybe.

This is a weak dream sequence at this point, my hope will be to watch it and see if I see more. Hopefully this post has helped you to see your dreams better.

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Blog Carnival Hosted @ Beyondzen.org - Submit Your Articles Now!

This is a first time event here at the blog, we are hosting a blog carnival on Lightworkers. If you are not familiar with a blog carnival go here and read what wikipedia says about it. Basically, to combine the best writing the blogosphere a blog carnival bring those writing together in a single post, a blog ezine if you will. To see examples, take a look at what be Conscious now has done.

Carnival of Lightworkers

Lightworker is a term created in the last few years to describe those of us who are inspired to help others on their spiritual paths through; teaching, meditation, writing, etc. All through unconditional love towards all humans and inspiring them on their spiritual paths. This carnival has been created to bring the best the blogosphere has to offer for those seeking guidance on their path. From Yoga to Qigong, Acupuncture to tarot reading and Buddhism to Islam; this carnival brings the best so that you can find your path.

For this upcoming edition: Being the first edition of this new carnival, this issues topic is, how do you define a lightworker? Where did it start? How do you know you are one? How do you embrace it? Are lightworkers the modern day Bodhisattva’s?

Submission Deadline: August 2nd, 2007 by 9PM PST

Submit to: carnival@beyondzen.org

Criteria: Your submission is allowed to have been published on a blog but must be your writing and must not have been previously published on another carnival. There is no length limit but the writing must be good and only the best will be selected to be written about in the carnival’s edition.

Submit soon so you won’t be left out.

Question? Contact us at carnival@beyondzen.org or visit www.beyondzen.org

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Review of Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment and Kundalini Yoga

Comprehensive Review by the expert spiritual blogger Kara-Leah of the Mastery of Meditation Website and all it offers for free to its readers. Being a fan of both Kara-Leah and Mastery of Meditation Website, a review of Mastery of Meditation by Kara-Leah. Kinda like having my cake and eating too! Both sites are wonderful and both writers offer some great advice, tips, meditation exercises, experiences, and generally great information for those of us seeking enlightenment.

read more | digg story

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Scans of Monks’ Brains Show Meditation Alters Structure, Functioning

I’ve always been fascinated by studies done on the altering of the brain from meditation, maybe someday we will truly understand how we can change the pathways in our brains as easily as we can divert traffic at a new freeway offramp.

read more | digg story

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Having Visions During Acupuncture

I am very active in having visions during Acupuncture sessions, often they are more pointed and more directing than during dreams states. The other day several searches sent some people here to this blog asking the same thing. Doing some research I have found there not to be much on this so if you have had an experience or know of more information on this please post it and share.

Namaste,

Kris

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Music and Healing

Christina Bjergo, Licensed Acupuncturist & Qigong InstructorI have been hearing a lot recently about the healing qualities of classical music. Apparently, water crystals form beautiful crystalline patterns when exposed to certain musical melodies from classical composers such as Beethoven and Mozart. I have not conducted any experiments myself, but I have seen the pretty snowflake like patterns that have been photographed to demonstrate this effect. The water crystals, however, behave quite differently when they listen to more modern rap and/or rock music. Again, I have not witnessed this myself, just been told that the water crystal images under these circumstances are quite “disorganized” and even “ugly”. The implication is that our bodies, like these water crystals, are affected by the type of music we listen to and that music such as the gentle classics are better for our health and wellness than the edgier, rawer, and more modern works. Furthermore, that there could be a detrimental effect on our cells and to our physical bodies to long term exposure to the type of music we might listen to at rock concerts, dance clubs, alternative radio stations, or on the collective ipod’s of our youth.

As an individual who enjoys many different styles of music, dance, and self-expression I’m not comfortable with what seems to me an unfair judgment and bias. Different music produces different effects. If we all go back into our ancestral past it was the wild beat of the drum (Europe, Asia, Americas) and didgeridoo (Australia) that was the healing instrument of our early doctors (aka shamans). A quick and earthy tempo (more Yin and feminine quality in nature) having the effect of breaking up stagnant, old energy and emotions as well as helping remove negative thoughts, patterns, perceptions and dis-ease held within the cellular memory of the client. Shamans danced and performed rituals to what might appear to be a more chaotic pattern of music to connect with universal energies of Nature and channel the needed vibrations to maintain the health and harmony of individuals in need as well as the community at large. As the strong beat and use of percussion instruments in some modern compositions has similarities to the rhythmic beat of shamanic sound healing perhaps there can also be positive benefits gained despite the disorganized effects on water crystals. It could be that the healing properties of different genres of music just work in different ways.

As a qigong teacher, I encourage my students to get into their bodies and to explore who they are through different styles of music and movement. Part of the journey involves working with the Metal element (think rocks and mountains) and Chinese Medicine Theory to facilitate releasing past limitations whether physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. Metal, associated with the season of autumn, is a time when trees let go of their leaves. They “fall” to the earth to transform into future nourishment for the roots of the tree. Similarly, modern, edgy (metal like), or rebellious tunes assist students in their process of letting go and transforming the traumas, tensions, and emotions in their bodies. Helping release old blocks stuck in their energy flow thereby allows additional vitality (jing qi) to nourish the roots or foundation of their own strength and vitality. In shamanic terms, it can facilitate the return of power and wholeness.

In closing, keep an open mind when it comes to music (and other things in life) and be mindful not to limit yourself or others. Listen and enjoy a variety of styles of music from different cultures and different periods be it relaxing, stirring, revitalizing, passionate, heart wrenching, rebellious and/or playful. Discover and honor your own musical tastes appreciating different kinds of music when they work best for you (I like Green Day but prefer listening to Chopin during a massage for example). And as music is a metaphor for life – dance to the beat of your own drum with everything you do.

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anmolmehta.com Captures This Seekers Eye

Today I want to let everyone know of another site I spend time reading and using; anmolmehta.com “Devoted to the Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment & Kundalini Yoga”. I’ve posted before how exciting it is to see someone put their dream out there, such as a yoga studio, and have the vision and drive to keep the vision. Anmol Mehta is one such a person and has a site devoted to helping and teaching others.

I hope to do an interview with Anmol and get more insight into the success of the blog and the yoga studio.

www.anmolmehta.com

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Watch Out for Monkey’s That Fling Poo or Your Ego’s Memory.

And how the monkey brain swings from tree to tree…This is one of my favorite topics because it’s the one most difficult part of being a human, in my humble opinion. Granted, if I had less of the basic needs taken care of I might say differently but from my perspective this is the big one for myself and many of you out there.For the last seven years I’ve been in the study of Buddhism, trying to see reality, and from this perspective the monkey brain is one to be trained to not swing and fling poo. We use daily meditation, moving the jumping thoughts and ego to the side, quieting things down so that we can even just for a moment see things as they truly are. Taking off the glasses so to speak. This allows one to step back, cast away attachments to the ego memories or thoughts, see the emotions or thoughts as they are; coming and going.What got me thinking this morning about this was a recent post by one of my favorite blogs “be Conscious now” on

How can I stop these compulsive thoughts from invading my brain?

K-L does a great job of relating to what most of us go through and offers some advice on how to quiet things down:

Realize that: “See, YOU are not your thoughts, nor your mind, nor your personality, nor your body. You are the eternal, unchanging consciousness within. ”

“The thoughts are automatic… they are generated based on your past, your personality, your emotions… they are inevitable. Yet they mean nothing.”

K-L makes a great point, do nothing about these thoughts, see them, separate from them and observe them. Great! Easy no? No. Not easy and not as simple as just looking at them. I don’t think one can just say I’m going to look at them but they won’t affect me, this is not possible. But this may be two lines of thinking, K-L vs. Laboheme. I am of the belief that it takes practice and time. It’s taken me years to make progress and I still spin out of control with thinking.

Once you realize, as K-L says, that these thoughts are not you but the reflection of your ego memories, you can start to detach from them. Once you realize that a mind untrained will create these thoughts and lead then to suffering.

If you have the ability to not attach to your thoughts then you are a long way down the path but if you struggle, from my perspective they only way to walk down that path is by training the mind; Mindfulness Meditation is the first and best place to start.

Here is a primer on how to start. At first you will find it difficult to sit for a long period of time but through training you maybe be able to sit for 30 or 60 minutes a day or even sit for 8 hours at a retreat. (I’m at the 30 min mark myself but I never go further than I can).

Find a comfortable sitting position, on a cushion, in a meditation bench, any position you can sit comfortably for an extended period of time. You can clasp your hands in any position or mudra you wish or not, it’s up to you and what works for you.

Close your eyes and just breathe……..notice the breath as it moves in and out just at the tip of your nose. You will feel the air move in and out, almost tickle. Focus on this, without words or thoughts, just focus on the breath coming in and out.

After a bit your mind will drift; maybe it’s the grocery list, maybe it’s the negative thoughts in your ego saying you are wasting your time or maybe it’s that itch on your leg. As soon as you drift come back to focusing on the breath and it’s coming in and out of your nose.

That’s it, simply a practice of allowing the mind to drift, placing no judgment on the thoughts and letting them drift away as you focus on your breath.

Start for 10 minutes and work your way up as long as you can but practice daily. What you will notice is how you will naturally do this during the day, you are training your mind.

This is a good topic, more on this later.

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Are you asking the right Questions?

Another great post and point from one of the blogs I read: The Most Critical Tool for Progressing On Your Spiritual Journey.

Through a Zen Meditation story, Anmol Mehta brings an important story about asking the right questions as your most critical tool for your spiritual journey. Asking questions is how we learn, ask the right questions and you progress, ask the wrong questions and at best you become stagnant. A qoute from Anmol; “Enlightenment has to do with bringing about a realization in yourself and that should be the primary area of your inquiry.”

The point being, questioning around the the realization of self will put you on the track to process your spiritual path. To question society, religion, other’s behaviors, etc; this just questions our false reality and does nothing to question things that will lead to realization of self.

On the other hand, as I move on my spiritual path, this point may make sense but not at the same time. I have to profess that I understand the concept but do I understand how to fully use it?

What do you think? What questions would one ask?

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