Domestic Therapy

Life is predictably capricious. No one is immune to its challenges and the odd 'left ball' it throws their way. How an individual responds to daily pressures and huge emotional upheavals is as individual as their fingerprint.  Meditation, prayer, exercise and even knitting have all been cited as therapeutic responses to stress.

After  the unexpected death of my father caused by a drunk driver, I have found the rhythmic nature of knitting woollen squares, calming. Like meditation, the movement of the needles focuses my mind, providing respite from unwelcome thoughts and emotions. Knitting also gives my agitated hands something to do and anchors me to a seat.

Rediscovering the benefits and joys of this craft has sent me foraging for old knitting patterns in the attic where I managed to locate an eclectic collection of instruction booklets. Some of them had been purchased during my early twenties when knitting was à la mode,  and others were inherited from my mother and great Aunt, who had impressive knitting skills, which  unfortunately weren't genetic.

One of the gems that has resurfaced may have practical appeal to a lover of tea, but I can't envisage any of its suggested products as items on my tea-tray!

Inherited knitting patterns from the early 20th century, offering some cosy
activities for a cold night.

Tranquility in Times of Stress

Nature can still make me catch my breath. These images are of  some of the magical places in Switzerland that I revisit mentally in times of stress.....Yes, I'm slightly stressed, so instead of reaching for food, I'm using imagery to coax my brain into releasing more endorphins! 
I can vividly recall the fresh, damp scent that filled my nostrils, the crisp breeze against my skin and my feelings of absolute serenity and awe as I first stood at these locations to record their splendour on camera.

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.  ~Author Unknown
I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.  ~Henry David Thoreau

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  ~John Muir


How do you relieve stress, or are you the laid-back type who always goes with the flow?

Quotes: Meditation......Kindness......Love

A personal place with happy memories for Loving Kindness meditation

"We meditate for various reasons. Peace of mind we all badly need. Therefore, when we meditate, either consciously or unconsciously we aim at peace of mind. Meditation give us peace of mind without a tranquilliser. And unlike a tranquilliser, the peace of mind that we get from meditation does not fade away. It lasts for good in some corner of the inmost recesses of our aspiring heart."

- Sri Chinmoy 

 Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. 

~Samuel Johnson

Each Wednesday evening during summer, the residents of this French village eat together - young and old. Kindness and love are evident at every table.

Kindness in words creates confidence, kindness in thinking creates profoundness, kindness in feeling creates love.

~Lao Tzu

Continued....Instructions for Loving Kindness Meditation

Loving Kindness meditation is a form of guided emotional imagery which explicitly targets the development of positive emotions. 

1. Sit comfortably in a quiet place with your feet on the ground and your hands resting comfortably in your lap. (I usually have my eyes gently closed)

2. Visualize an experience when you had tender, warm feelings towards someone you love (picture the situation, feel your positive emotions.)

3. While visualizing this positive experience say to yourself

• May I be safe
• May I be happy as I am
• May I be healthy
• May I live with ease (peace)
• Keep repeating this – start for about 7 minutes a day for one week.

4. Meditate for 10 minutes a day for the next week and gradually work up to about half an hour per day.  

5. Then extend your visualization and chant to include someone whom you love and are very close to.

• May I be safe
• May I be happy as I am
• May I be healthy
• May I live with ease (peace)

• May  “so and so” be safe
• May “so and so”  be happy as I am
• May “so and so” be healthy
• May “so and so” live with ease (peace)  

6. Then extend your visualization and chant to include someone you know.

7. Then extend it to include someone whom you don’t know.

8. Finally extend the whole chant to include someone you dislike! (I am ashamed to admit that I have never reached this point!)

FOR THE MEDITATION TO BE EFFECTIVE, YOU MUST VISUALIZE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE WHILE CHANTING.

Best wishes for your journey of discovery. Carpe diem......

Meditation

I have a tendency to be anxious. Those who know me well would claim that this is an understatement.  In order to slow the unravelling of my telomeres I meditate regularly – more or less . Being an early riser, I tend to meditate first thing in the morning when the house is still. I find chanting, or focusing on my breathing, very effective ways of entering and maintaining a meditative state.

Loving Kindness meditation is another form of meditation - its powerful effects of on one’s state of "happiness" and focus have been scientifically quantified and documented. Whenever I practice Loving Kindness meditation, I am aware that I “return to earth” with a smile on my face.
Another favoured form of meditation is green meditation – gardening. It definitely stills my mind but I can’t vouch for its effects on those magical telomeres.

For those who are interested ……………..

Love and Kindness (Happiness) Meditation is:

• a form of guided emotional imagery
• explicitly targets positive emotions – you must experience positive emotions while mediating to get any benefit.
• needs to be practised daily for approximately 3 months  to become effective.

To be continued .............. Instructions for Loving Kindness Meditation.