Meditation Secrets Revealed » stories

Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga in Public Schools – Part 1

Vlad Moskovski — Sun, 16 May 2010 19:44:01 +0000

As I look around me at a classroom of over 20 eager and curious 6th graders sitting on pillows in a carpeted room with colorful paintings, famous quotes, and a picture of social change leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, I can’t help but think how far we have come.

At this West Oakland School, every youth is taught mindfulness meditation, yoga, and mindful listening. This under-funded inner city school is taking a radical step towards preventing further violence in it’s community by teaching students to seek more peaceful and harmonious ways to live. Growing Up Mindful, is a program designed to teach students mindfulness, open and honest communication, yoga, and other consciousness raising activities. Knowing that this class is now integrated into the school curriculum with the approval and encouragement of the staff and principal is a dream come true.

This program is no singularity, similar programs are sprouting in many elementary, middle, and high schools all over the country. Yoga and Mindfulness are also being taken into jails, juvenile halls, and hospitals. With so much research to back up the claims that Mindfulness meditation and yoga improve concentration, memory, attention, reduce stress, and improve overall health, its no wonder that these ancient practices are finally making their way to public schools.

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, in a school setting students experience a radical boost to their self esteem and improved self image and confidence. By practicing yoga students are able to gain confidence in their own abilities to overcome physically and mentally challenging poses with a peaceful mind. The curriculum also focuses on establish mutual respect, kindness, and understanding- crucial to students facing inner city violence and oppression in their own communities.

Best book on Taoism: The Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell

Vlad Moskovski — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:44:00 +0000

There are two books that I treasure above all others in my life. I have already written about the first, it is the Ptanjali Yoga Sutras by Swami Satchidananda, this book is the second.

I have flipped through many different versions and translations of the Tao Te Ching, but this one always strikes me as the best and clearest of them all. The author has had years of experience as a Zen practitioner and meditator. I believe that this background and experience has helped him understand the deeper meaning behind the paradoxical language found in the Toa Te Ching. Stephen Mitchell himself says, “I have often been fairly literal – as as literal as one ca be with such a subtle, kaleidoscopic book… If I haven’t always translated Lao Tzu’s words, my intention has always been to translate his mind.”

I have had this little book for many years and it never ceases to amaze me just how much insight and perspective I can gain from re-reading just a few passages. Sometimes, I just open it at random to a page and read it, like a horoscope for that day. Other times, I search greedily for the passage that moves me and re-read it over and over again until it is burned into my memory. Like a soft whisper in my mind, the lines come back to me when I most need them to remind me to stay present and embody the Tao in my life.

The word “kaleidoscopic” seems very fitting for such a book because there are are hundreds of lessons or paths that you can take to understanding. There are 81 stanzas in total, and yet there is mainly one bold and central idea that underlies all passages. Lao Tzu wants to make sure that the reader really gets it. Even though he then laughs at the idea because it is not a matter of “getting it” but rather using it.

To quote another passage, “The Tao is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable. The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you understand.”

I frequently think of this book as a spiritual instruction manual. Its not philosophy, its not psychology, rather, its like an Ikea manual for assembling a lamp or table. Of course the Ikea manual will give only enough instructions on how to assemble the object, while the Tao Te Ching gives 81 instructions – often referencing “The Master” or one who is in alignment with the Tao. Thus, this is a unique spiritual book unlike any other simply because it was written to confuse the intellectual mind. A rational and reasonable person will find this book frustrating, certainly illogical, and quite possibly even useless. It is a brilliant way to filter readers and pass down wisdom without having the original message garbled up. This book is a gem of wisdom, its no wonder that it has survived all this time and continues to inspire new generations of readers. A few final words from master Lao Tzu.

“In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added.

In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less do you need to force things, untill finally you arrive at non-action.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

True mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way.

It can’t be gained by interfering.” (Stanza 48).

My first OBE (out of body) experience

Vlad Moskovski — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:56:25 +0000

Many people have spontaneous out of body experiences, they can be sudden, extremely frightening, and traumatic for someone who is not well acquainted with OBE’s. Sometimes, such experiences are so incredible that they radically change a person’s view of the world. Here is such a story described vividly by my friend Andrey. I decided to publish this because for those that have had this happen to them, it may be helpful for to read about it similar experiences. Enjoy!

I was trying some relaxation/yoga exercises before going to bed, and as usual was falling asleep. Except that there was something different about it this time. I’m guessing I wasn’t all the way asleep, and right before my physical body gave way, my mind woke up. I felt intense and warm electric vibrations come over me from legs upwards, my mind felt unbelievably clear, and thinking just didn’t occur to me.

I remember this very well – I could consciously not think. It’s kind of hard to describe, but my mind seemed to be separate from me, as well as my body. It was like looking at a bowl of soup and consciously choosing not to stir it. So as the vibrations were coming up my legs into my torso, my heart started to pulse VERY intensely. It wasn’t my physical heart, because it felt a lot more in the center rather than to the left. And by VERY intensely I mean REALLY REALLY VERY INTENSELY! I have never felt anything like that before. The whole body was engulfed by the “vibrations” and was pulsing. I was actually an energy body that expanded/exploded and kept pulsing and growing, while the physical body was shrinking and laying there like some kind of dead shell.

All of a sudden (still with intense vibrations and my heart pulsing like crazy) I realized that I could see through my eyelids, and not just that, but that I could see all around me and the same time! And not just seeing, I could FEEL everything around me with clarity and alertness beyond anything I’ve experienced in the physical world. Everything felt very fluid, alive and was radiating different kinds of energy. I was able to tell what a chair felt like, and the table, window and the fish drawn on my wall. Everything was radiant and alive.

My usual physical-sense world seemed like some gray, boring, pointless dream. I raised the right hand of my energetic/ vibration body and swiftly pressed the wall next to me, seeing how energy was flowing from that spot in ripples, much like a stone tossed into a pond (that’s standing up vertically). At this point I got very excited, and I my physical mind started to wake up with all it’s patterns. With that, an immense fear came all over me, and I was terribly afraid of my heart exploding.

I tried to move my body and put my physical arm to my heart to check if it’s actually beating this fast! (It’s hard to estimate the beat rate in a rather timeless place, but if I had to, it would be something like 10-15 beats a second). But, of course I could not move my physical body – it was paralyzed, because I wasn’t in it, and the fear got even worse. I pushed down all of the vibrations, feelings and vision rapidly vanished, and I jumped into an upright position (physically now) with my hand slamming into my heart and tears pouring down from my eyes. My physical heart was beating rather slowly.

This was the first of such experiences that completely changed my life.

Dealing With Emotional Pain Through Kriya Yoga: A Lesson In Acceptance & Rejuvination

Vlad Moskovski — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:10:11 +0000

In the science and philosophy of yoga it is said that, “whether pain or pleasure, both are the product of the mind.” A friend related his sad and inspirational story bringing this axiom to life. He is going through a tough time in his relationship, experiencing much pain and anguish. As I listened and comforted him in his pain, I realized that he is looking at the situation as a means to remain motivated and focused on his life goals.

In Kriya Yoga there is a notion of tapas which literally means to burn or purify. While it is easy to to run away from pain, and the mind tries to do so constantly, what would happen if we were to accept it and learn from it? Performing tapas means to see that pain as a burning fire, consuming our inner impurities and weaknesses, purifying our spirit and making the mind stronger. In doing so, we can practice acceptance welcome these “negative” emotions with open arms and the warm embrace of a long lost friend. Tapas provide us the means to practice mental discipline and self-restrain in situations where that choice is the hardest and most challenging.

Sometimes, a thing can be pleasurable but eventually lead to something painful, however in this practice, we are taking something painful and turning it into something positive and good. This form of yoga can only be achieved in the active state, in our daily lives and through our interactions with the outside world. May we all strive to see the deeper lessons and practice a little yoga in our lives.

Meditation On Old Age – My Grandpa’s Wisdom

Vlad Moskovski — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:25:59 +0000

My grandfather is one of the happiest men I know. He is 87 year old with failing hearing, loss of eyesight, no teeth, frequent migraine headaches, and yet, he is always there, greeting me with a grin and a smile. I wonder, what it is that makes him enjoy life so much while others at his age, and even much younger, are completely depressed, somber, bitter, and so on. I know that when I hear that slow rhythmic soldier shuffle of a walk, I can count on him being in a good mood, ready to hear about my life and eager to tell me about his own. Positive thinking perhaps? Maybe he is the type of person that always sees the glass half full.

I think it is more than that. He tells many stories and they frequently highlight just how lucky his life has been. When he thinks back on his life, he dwells on the challenges he overcame, on the creative solutions, on the relationships he has built and the amazing people he has met. As we sit in the backyard and gaze out over the lush suburban landscape, I hear him say, “Isn’t this wonderful, look at how beautiful this is.” In those moments, he emits a pure feeling of gratitude and appreciation for what he has. It is completely out of his control, he accepts it, and is grateful. He is always present in the moment, still sharp of mind, and quick of wit. I love, admire, and respect my grandfather, he has mastered the art of joy.

For those of you that earn for bullet points here are the take-away lessons from Grandpa:

1. Be present in the moment

2. Appreciate what you have, even if its outside of your control

3. When dwelling on the past, think about your accomplishments, not the failures.

How Yoga Changed My Life – Reaching for Inner Peace

Vlad Moskovski — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:16:48 +0000

The first change was in my emotional states. I became much more calm, centered, and at peace with myself and the outside world. Small things that had previously annoyed or given me great anxiety became inconsequential. Instead, of responding with anger or annoyance, I would notice my feelings and be able to examine them before reacting. In this way, I was able to save myself a lot of inner turmoil and pain. Along with the feelings of calm and inner peace, I also began to experience prolonged periods of inner joy and happiness. Simple things like a person saying hello, or a pretty picture, would bring immense pleasure and satisfaction. I believe this is due, in part, to the meditation practice of eliminating stray thoughts along with the ability to stay present. Along the way, two books have been instrumental in my self discovery: The Ptanjali Yoga Sutras and the Toa Te Ching have been my beacons and continue to guide my life, adding their ancient yet profoundly useful wisdom and guidance.

For more information about the Yoga Sutras, see my post Best Books About Meditation and Yoga

Benefits of Yoga: Tip of The Iceberg

Vlad Moskovski — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:02:41 +0000

I have been interested in Yoga for almost as long as I can remember, for me this was not a question of why, but rather a question of where do I learn and which path do I follow. My own path has lead to a complete transformation of my entire person. There are many benefits to taking up yoga- the obvious ones being improved health, flexibility in the body, and relaxation. This is a no-brainer since almost everyone has seen flexible women and men doing interesting and sometimes strange poses – showing off their flexibility, balance and strength. What most people do not realize is the intense concentration, focus, and mental control that is necessary to correctly perform these poses.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg because the all the other major benefits are under the surface and cannot be seen as easily. By conducting interviews with average people on the street, I am learning that the predominant belief is that meditation and yoga helps relax and calm. While this is true, the same can be said about going for a walk or riding a bicycle. The vast difference between these recreational activities and yoga is that the latter is a complex, ancient, and highly developed system that has been scientifically designed to raise one’s consciousness and completely transform one’s life in every aspect. This is only true if the person doing yoga is willing to immerse in the study of all the different elements, as opposed to just doing the stretches in class and then forgetting about it once the class is over. The transformative power of yoga is tremendous if it is embraced completely.

Meditation Revealed – What’s The Secret?

Vlad Moskovski — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:54:14 +0000

As part of my research for this blog, I have begun to interview people on the streets in order to gain a better understand of what people think of meditation. In asking these three simple questions, I want to determine the common beliefs, depth of knowledge, and values of the average person.

When asked, “what does meditation mean to you?” people’s responses typicaly follow a predictable script about relaxation, sitting with eyes closed, cross legged, and so on. Having studied yoga scriptures and practiced meditation for many years I can say that most people have a very narrow and mistaken view of meditation.

Meditation, for me, is a skill and a state of mind where a person’s concentration is focused on an object of contemplation.The object can be a place, thing, emotion, or thought. This of course is a very broad definition and there are many traditions and paths from all over the world that have found different ways of interpreting, ritualizing, and training this state of mind and skill without imposing strict rules of posture, length of time, location, and other attributes typically associated with this overused word. As you read, I invite you to begin to explore and imagine all possibilities and opportunities for bringing meditation into your life.

National Center for Contemplative & Alternative Medicine: Meditation

The Power of Playfulness: Learn To Play- Its Fun and Good For You

Vlad Moskovski — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:04:20 +0000

Children are supposed to play, adults are not. As an adult, we are conditioned to behave and conform to the standards of society; they tell us to walk without running, keep our voice controlled, don’t disrupt, don’t climb, don’t jump, don’t shout, and the list goes on and on. Most people actually believe this is what qualifies a person to be an adult and a proper, socialized citizen. By upholding this belief, the majority of adults become rigid, unyielding- cutting play and imagination almost completely out of their lives. Yet play is the ultimate new behavior generator. It is a boundless resource for creativity and experimentation. If I am talking to somebody and ask them sincerely to try something they may feel uncomfortable or fearful of performing that activity, or answering the questions. As soon as I rephrase the request and say, “Imagine or pretend to know the answer…” By putting the word, imagine, in front of the question, I am inviting a mental shift and encouraging play and imagination to take place, thereby changing the emotional state of that person. Now, that person feels free to explore without self doubts and fears holding them back. This is the power of play.

I frequently run into people that say, “Oh, I can’t learn that, I’m too old.” Another comment that I frequently hear is, “Children learn much faster then adults, the adult brain just isn’t capable of soaking up information the way a kid’s brain is.” Well, if you believe that, then it certainly is true for you, but I don’t. In fact, people frequently tell me that I learn extremely quickly and my response is, “I learn faster, better, and smarter now than I ever did before. “ In part this is due to my personal philosophy and attitude towards learning and the relationship between play and learning.

Play allows me to experiment, be creative, lighthearted and carefree. I was teaching my boss, a serious man of 60 years of age, how to use his new laptop. He was listening to me and cautiously moving the mouse around the screen, following my instructions. The entire process of teaching him the basics of a program were excruciatingly slow because he was unable to get past his fear of ruining or screwing something up. Caution overtook curiosity and excitement, and the result was a very difficult and tedious learning process. If I was to put a playful adult in his stead, yes such a species does exist, that person would be jumping all over the menus, pushing all the buttons and rapidly exploring the new computer options. If you have forgotten how, it’s never too late to re-learn how to play, it’s easy, it’s natural, and scientists are starting to learn that is necessary for development. Learn to cultivate a playful and curious attitude towards new and familiar things; it’s the best recipe for staying young, active, and smart.

Here are a few links to great TED talks and news stories about play:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital.html

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play.html

http://www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19212514

Meditation Techniques: Mindfulness Joy of Being Present

Vlad Moskovski — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:04:00 +0000

Quite often, our thoughts and memories play tricks on us. When we think of a situation that has occurred, it is generally the same no matter how many times we run through it in our mind. Now, try taking a walk in a familiar place. One of the things you will notice is that it is not the same as you remember it. The world has changed, and it is constantly changing. Being present in the moment forces awareness of your surroundings and the ever-changing world. It is a well known fact from neuro-science that your eyes only capture a partial impression of the external reality. The rest of what you perceive to be reality is actually filled in by your mind. To have a fresh perspective and to see without assuming and expecting is the goal of being present in the moment.

Take notice of these changes and become aware of the liquidity of life. This new awareness can inspire you to become more flexible and pliable in all aspects of your life. Born, we are soft and supple, dead we are hard and stiff. Movement and change is the way of life, rigidity and stiffness is the way of death. To be present, truly present, is a joy that is beyond words. Once you become aware that you are living a real moment, a unique moment given specifically to you, no matter what it is, you can appreciate it and be grateful for being alive. Be grateful that you are having this breath, having this food, having this ache, because it’s the only one like it that you will ever have.