Upcoming Program
Healing the Healer, The Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY, September 7 – 12, 2008.
22.5 Category One CME/CE for physicians, nurses and therapists of all backgrounds
Healthcare providers dedicate their lives to serving others, yet often stumble in taking care of themselves. Healing the Healer can help solve this dilemma.
Through discussion, movement, artwork, breathwork, journaling, and meditative techniques, we gain an understanding of the unique stresses faced by healthcare workers and their families, and discover how to diminish their harmful effects.
You will learn to:
Understand the relationship of stress and health
Learn new tools to modify our stress responses
Gain a deeper understanding of transpersonal healing states
Enhance your ability to communicate and love more deeply
Evaluate personality traits that help or hinder your progress, personal growth, and patient care
Adopt action planning tools to create positive changes in your life
This workshop is designed for healthcare workers of all backgrounds and training to help cultivate a greater sense of life balance. Spouses and significant others are also encouraged to attend. For more information and registration, click here.
Meditation
What if there was a product out there that allowed you, in 20 minutes, to prevent emotional outbursts, improve your sleep and blood pressure, and enhance the fun aspects of your life? How much would you pay for it? Meditation is that product. And meditation is free. You don't need equipment, accessories or fancy chairs. You just need a quiet place to sit and 20 minutes a day for meditation to work its magic. Aren't you worth it? Well, all it takes is a little practice.
To some of you, meditation may feel like a foreign concept. It shouldn't. Have you ever sat quietly on a beach, hypnotized by the waves? Walked in the woods, hearing the sound of the trees, and momentarily forgetting about your thoughts? Do you remember playing music or gardening, and just for a moment forgetting who or where you are? Have you ever prayed and felt a sense of connection with something bigger than yourself? These are meditative moments. Moments where it was enough for you to be just you, alone and in peace. In the language of psychology, these are transpersonal moments. In the language of religion, you are connecting with God or spirit. In the language of Hip-Hop, you are chillin.'
Meditation on those you love (5 – 20 minute practice)
There are many forms of meditation available to you. Most people find focusing on emotions of love and caring to be the most pleasing form. It intentionally focuses on the feeling of love, or being in love. It uses this emotion as a focal point to distract your mind from 'busyness.' This is my personal favorite as I am a diehard romantic. We often focus on things that cause anger and frustration; this is the way to inoculate against that habit.
You'll need to generate a list of people, places or things that help you feel loving. It's useful to write down the names of people in your life you appreciate. Include family, friends, mentors and even patients you are grateful for knowing. After doing this, follow the steps below.
First, find a comfortable position, then close your eyes. Take some slow, deep breaths until you feel relaxed and calm. Make the inhale much deeper than usual and the exhale long and slow. This lowers your sympathetic tone.
Picture yourself in a comfortable, peaceful place. What do you see there? Are you sitting or standing? Can you feel the ground beneath your feet or the place where you're sitting? Try feeling the air. What does it feel like? Are there any smells you can identify?
As you relax, begin to see the faces, one by one, of those you had written about. As you see each one before you, remember fondly the times you spent together. Then thank them for the role they have played in your life. Focus on your appreciation and love for that person. In your mind, tell them how you love and appreciate them. Hear what they say back to you, if anything. Then let them go.
If your mind wanders, bring your focus back to this person or someone else you love.
Continue this practice as long as you like while keeping the deep breaths going. You can practice this over and over throughout the day or in one sitting. Vary the time as you see fit. However, you should start with at least 5 minutes each day.
Personally, I end this practice by focusing on my wife. (You will have to find someone else; she's spoken for!) For me, it's a great way to start the day.
By giving yourself this experience, you have altered your physiology as if you had really been in this place with these people. Your catecholamines drop, dopamine goes up, blood pressure decreases and heart rate slows. You also improve cortical function and performance. Not bad for a few minutes of appreciation!
"I shut my eyes in order to see" – Paul Gauguin
Favorite Meditation CDs
Mine, of course – Finding Balance Meditations and Imageries – a guided series of meditations to enhance your learning. Click here.
Jon Kabat-Zinn's series. Visit: http://www.mindfulnesstapes.com/
Marty Rossman, MD's CDs click here.
Just for fun
My favorite CD release of the past month is Jesse Malin's Glitter in the Gutter. If you were to categorize it, think 'alternative', but the range here transcends that label. From the hard rocking "Prisoners of Paradise" (The Replacements are a clear influence here and elsewhere) to the lyrical rock song, "Don't Let Them Take You Down," you will find yourself singing along easily. An awesome summer driving CD! A must hear is the sweet duet with Bruce Springsteen called "Broken Radio" - sweet reminiscence of times past and worth the price of admission. Have a rockin' summer!
Lee Lipsenthal, MD, ABIHM
