Make 2008 Great!

Happy New Year!

I wish you the best in 2008. Here are some ideas to
help you take your life to the next level in 2008.

Be mindful of how you interpret the world around you.
Human beings are meaning making machines. Life is
how you interpret it.

Prepare for change by inviting it.

Change is a given, so don't fight it.

Welcome change.

Embrace change.

Volunteer for change - or you just might find yourself being
drafted for it.

All people want to claim something, even if it is there own
confusion.

Transcend confusion.

Transcend mediocrity.

Make a commitment to claim something extraordinary.

Claim something bigger than you.

Learn to accept yourself. Dance lightly with your goblins.

Open yourself to the lessons the universe places in your lap.

Surround yourself with consciousness raising ideas.

Connect with people who help you raise your personal standards.

Read life changing material.

Be open to influence.

Be willing to alter old assumptions and ideas that no longer work
for you.

I leave you with a powerful proverb that for me captures a
consciousness I choose to embrace in the New Year.

Look to this day,
For it is life,
The very life of life.
In its brief course lie all
The realities and verities of existence,
The bliss of growth,
The splendor of action,
The glory of power --

For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream
of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day.

Sanskrit proverb
by Kalidasa
Indian poet and playwright,
Fifth century A.D.

Be well! The best to you in the New Year.

Make 2008 Great!

Dr. Mike Davison
"Your Destiny Doctor"
mike@Meditationandmore.com

P.S. If you are ready to start out 2008 strong, consider
one of my Life Design Coaching programs.

Are you ready for action?

As strange as this may sound at first, there are certain things you can DO just by saying them.

This is possible if you use a verb that names the very act you are performing. There is an area of
study in linguistics called PERFORMATIVES. This is the study of what I call ACTION TALK.

YOU can use language that moves you to action. Language that is action.

Donald Trump does… “You’re Fired!” (That’s an action, not just words).

Ministers do… “I now PRONOUNCE you man and wife”.

Michael Vick knows about performatives since his Judge said “You’re guilty” (That is a declaration).

Use performatives.

Make declarations.

Be action oriented.

Make commitments to yourself and others that are couple with action.

Avoid empty promises.

Commit to your own personal development!

I am offering a free 'goals' check -up for the first 10 committed people who sends me an e-mail
at mike@PartnersInPupose.com . This involves an email questionnaire and a 15 minute phone
coaching consultation. A $100. Value fr*ee!

Make 2008 Great!

Dr. Mike Davison
"Your Destiny Doctor"
mike@Meditationandmore.com

P.S. Be among the first 10 action takers!

Passive Meditation and Active Meditation

There are many different ways of thinking about and categorizing different types of meditation.

Let me briefly explain two simple and general ways of categorizing meditation techniques - Passive and Active Meditation.

Passive meditation is a way of clearing the mind of all thoughts. Passive meditation is good for reducing stress, increasing creativity, or just getting in some quiet time. It is a powerful way of renewing yourself.

Active meditation is when you keep your mind active by working on a particular problem in your life or focusing on accomplishing certain goals you have set. One strategy of active meditation is to use affirmations while meditating. A relaxed mind is a mind that is open to influence.

If your interested in learning more about stress management or personal development, let me know.

Make 2008 Great!

Dr. Mike Davison
“Your Destiny Doctor”

If you have any questions about my Life Design Coaching Programs contact me at mike@Meditationandmore.com .

This is my wish for you...

"This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!"
--D.M. Dellinger

God Bless you in this holiday season and always.

In Peace and Gratitude!

Dr. Mike Davison
"Your Destiny Doctor"
mike@MeditationandMore.com

If you would like additional information about my Life Design Coaching Program for 2008, let me know.

Also, check out my month long series on mindfulness and meditation at www.drmikedavison.com


Also...Check out my month long series on mindfulness and meditation at www.drmikedavison.com .

Do You Believe in Magic?

You have the power to create magic.

Human beings (ALL HUMAN BEINGS) are unique from other "creatures", as we have the ability to radically change our life by changing our personal story.

While we all have the capacity to re-author our most dominant stories, not everyone believes they have this capacity.

Some people are addicted to their story.

Some people are addicted to their chronic negative emotions.

Some people are addicted to whining and complaining.

Consider the following:

Your current life circumstances are a reflection of your core beliefs about yourselves, others and the world around you.

Who you are is a manifestation of your most dominant thoughts. Put another way, "As you think, so shall you be". What you think, you become.

Your moment-to-moment words, thoughts, feelings and behaviors are a result of your most dominant personal stories.

You ultimately can't see what you can't imagine.

You ultimately can't create what is incompatible with your most dominant stories.

This is why we are often creatures of habit, continually re-creating the circumstances of our life.

Albert Einstein once wrote "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them". In other words, in order to change, we need to change our beliefs.

So how do we do this?

Thanks for asking.

You need to first get clear about where you currently are in your life. Don't downplay or minimize. This is not a time to be delusional.

Second. Get clear about where you want to be.

Third. Get clear about the thoughts, images and behaviors that you would need to have to create your most desired outcomes.

Fourth. Align your daily thoughts, images, and behaviors with your desired outcomes.

Here are some quick and simple daily activities that can help shape and reinforce the necessary consciousness to create your ideal life:

VISUALIZATION. Your behavior will match your image of yourself. Spend a few moments each morning clearly imaging your desired outcomes. The length of time is less important than having your images specific and vivid.

DECLARATIONS. Write several declarative statements that are worded in the positive, present tense, are highly specific, and inspiring. State them out loud each day with TOTAL BEHAVIOR – with complete alignment of your behavior, thinking, emotion and physiology.

CREATE A DREAMBOARD. Include words, phrases, pictures and anything that symbolizes your desired outcomes. Look at your dreamboard daily.

WRITE A PURPOSE STATEMENT. Similar to your declarations, use emotionally charged words, state it in the positive, keep it brief.

Write it as if you have already created and are living out your purpose. Keep this statement in your planner and review it daily.

KEEP A PURPOSE JOURNAL. Each morning write down at least THREE things you WILL do that day in the service of your purpose. Identify specific action steps. This is not a time to be mushy. Be precise. Think of these as your DAILY MARCHING ORDERS. Make a nightly entry, identifying what you did or accomplished each day that was in the service of your purpose.

MANAGE YOUR SELF-TALK. Smash the ANTS in Your life – Automatic Negative Thoughts. Learn to notice, catch and interrupt unproductive and limiting patterns of thinking.

USE LANGUAGE OF INTENTION. Avoid destructive language like can’t, I’ll try, I have to…

ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED. Ask and you shall receive – unless you don’t. Keep in mind, if you don’t get what you ask for you are no worse off.

TEACH YOUR PURPOSE. Research is clear that teaching something helps us understand it at a greater level. A principle used in medical residency training – learn one, do one, teach one.

One other important aspect of creating and sustaining the necessary consciousness to help you achieve your dreams is to surround yourself with the right people.

You won't achieve greatness hanging out with complainers.

Does this all sound like too much work?

Only you can answer that.

However, like any habits and rituals, once they are created they become automatic and effortless.

I don't quote shampoo commercials much, but as I heard pronounced in one shampoo commercial -

"Your worth it!"

You really are.

Your life is.

Your dreams and goals are.

Your legacy is.

Have a great holiday season!

Your worth it!

Power up to create some magic in the upcoming year.

Make 2008 Great!

Dr. Mike Davison
"Your Destiny Doctor"

If you have any questions about my Life Design Coaching Programs, contact me at mike@meditationandmore.com or 847 490-7689.

Don't forget to check out my month long series on mindfulness and meditation at www.drmikedavison.com

Life Design and Self Reflection

Ready or not...

2008 is coming.

Are you ready?

What are some of your goals for 2008.

As a Psychologist and Life Design Coach, I am a HUGE fan of being deliberate about living your life.

Life Design is about

Getting absolutely clear about what you want.

Taking consistent deliberate action.

Take note of what happens when you take action.

An make necessary corrections. As the saying goes "If what you are doing isn't working do something different".

Here is a gift for you (link below). It is a audio on Self-Reflection: The breakfast of champions.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/todaysguest/2007/12/04/Todays-Guest-with-the-Fab-5

If you are interested in my Life Design Coaching Programs for 2008, please feel free to contact me at mike@meditationandmore.com or 847 490-7689.

To Your Success!

Dr. Mike Davison
“Your Destiny Doctor”

P. S. Check out my month long series on mindfulness and meditation at www.drmikedavison.com

Take a brain walk.

I know this does not sound very inspiring, but...

Stress in inevitable.

However...

You don't have to let stress overwhelm your life.

One strategy to manage stress in to take a "brain walk".

You may be wonder, How do you take a brain walk?

I am glad you asked.

First step? Get up from your stressful situation and walk away. Sound too good? Well, you're coming back, so don't get too excited! :)

Find a place outside to walk - some place that will take your mind off your current stressful ordeal. As you walk and enjoy the scenery, let your brain wander. Whatever you do, don't rehearse your stressful situation or relationship.

While you are walking, think of all the nature around you. The trees.... how beautiful the leaves are, how tall they've grown to be, how long they've been there. Just focus totally on the natural scenery around you.

Look at the sky. How vast it is. What's in the horizon? Now look at the clouds in that beautiful, endless sky. What do they remind you of? Maybe a marshmallow, or a mountain, or maybe even a train? What about the color of the sky they are resting in? Is that a true baby blue or is it amber and purple, white and cottony?

What about the birds? Are they quiet today or are they singing to the beat of your footsteps? Are they chattering to each other or are they silent - listening for the sound of approaching wind or rain or snow?

Is that a squirrel climbing over there? Does it have a nut for storage? I like to let my mind wonder where it might be headed. Maybe it's just going to eat it right now, forgetting the storage places.

As you are getting close to returning to your work place, think about the first thing that you need to do when you get there...only one thing. If you think about any more than that you will begin to get overwhelmed again. When you return, do that one thing and thing you will be able to move forward with your project.

By removing yourself from the immediate stressful situation, even if it is for just ten or fifteen minutes, you will greatly reduce your stress. There is something about watching and thinking about nature that alleviates stress and puts you in a much more relaxed frame of mind. You will find that as you return, your thoughts and vision will be clearer, productivity greater. You will return with a fresh start on your project.

Brain walks actually utilize nature to alleviate immediate stress! Enjoy them to the fullest!

Mindfully,

Dr. Mike Davison
"Your Destiny Doctor"
mike@meditationandmore.com
847 490-7689

P.S. Don't forget about my month long series on mindfulness and meditation at www.drmikedavison.com .

An entire month of Mindfulness and Meditation

This time of the year can be so joyful and can at times be so stressful. That is why I am dedicating the next month to putting daily entries on my other blog www.drmikedavison.com on mindfulness and meditation. Check it out!

Here is a brief message on stress you will NOT find on my www.drmikedavison.com blog.

Stress, stress, and more stress:

There are more definitions of stress than you can shake a stick at. But what we particularly targeting when we’re talking about the stress that causes disease and chronic pain is “the stress that produces too much adrenaline too much of the time”. I like this definition, because it fits me to a “t”.

I used to work in a high-adrenaline job. I mean, every second you had to be on guard for a disaster. When your mind is in that kind of gear, your body responds almost as if in an emergency state that it can’t get out of. Our bodies produce adrenaline like crazy. That lovely hormone, in small doses, gives color and joy to life. In an over-dosed state, however, the rest of our hormones battle to stabilize – some of them increase and wreak havoc with our bodies.

When you’re living in a constant “flight or fight” manner, you end up becoming excitable, anxious, jumpy and irritable. Naturally, these emotions diminish our abilities to be productive and focused. They especially interfere with developing and maintaining quality relationships (one of the best remedies for a stressful life!).

To be most productive, our day-by-day lives require a calm, focused, sensitive approach to living. You may have heard it said that being in the “here and now” is one of the quickest ways to alleviate stress and lower adrenaline levels. When we’re unable to control our flight or fight response – when the adrenaline is high all day long, we’re headed to disease and burnout fast. If we can focus on one thing at a time and breathe normally and naturally while completing that task, we lower our stress levels almost immediately.

It takes practice – living in the moment. But if you can accomplish just five minutes a day of calm focus on only one task at a time, you will begin to feel the heavy stresses of life dissolving like the morning dew. You’re not ignoring reality. You know you will take time to focus on each problem and situation separately. But for this moment, all you’re doing is one thing.

You will find yourself relaxing, your shoulders less tense, your back and leg muscles loosening. Enjoy the feeling of being at peace with yourself and focus on each little step of your present activity. Allow no thought of what you have to do later to creep in to this sacred time.

With practice, you can free your mind and body of anxiety and stress. Start with a few minutes a day, and then increase it to half an hour. The difference in your ability to enjoy life will motivate you to keep up this simple technique. You’ll find yourself accomplishing more and worrying less!

Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike Davison
“Your Destiny Doctor”
mike@Meditationandmore.com

P.S. Don't forget about my month long daily series on mindfulness and mediation on my blog at - www.drmikedavison.com

Count Your Blessings!

As we enter the holiday season, I hope all of you
are prospering and pleased with the quality of your life.

I know some of you continue to struggle and I want
to invite all of you to make a radical shift in the way you
go about doing what you do.

Give yourself the gift of personal development.

Remember, personal development is never truly personal.

The happy you are the more you impact others positively.

The more grateful you are, the more generous you will be.

When you go after your dreams, you are giving others a model
of inspiration to follow.

I do believe that personal development is never simply about you.

I recently developed a quick inventory to help you assess your quality of life. If you would like a copy, please e-mail me and I will send you a copy.

Remember there are two parts of Thanksgiving. Thanks and Giving.

Thanks…

If you express gratitude and thanks for what you have it will always be enough.

Giving…

The more you are giving and contributing, the more fully alive you will feel.

Thank You!

One additional gift I would like you to receive is at my friend Frank Gasiorowski's website.

Check out the free audios on his site at:

http://90daygoals.com/media.php

While your there, accept the gift of his newsletter. When you sign up you will receive his 90 Day Goals "7 Step Program" "How I Hit My BIGGEST Goals in 90 Days!"

With Deep Gratitude,

Dr. Mike Davison
www.Meditationandmore.com
mike@meditationandmore.com

P.S. Remember to take time to count your many blessings. It is truly the most rapid pathway to increasing your expereince of personal peace.

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Let us rise up and be thankful, for
if we didn’t learn a lot today, at
least we learned a little, and if
we didn’t learn a little, at least
we didn’t get sick, and if we
got sick, at least we didn’t die;
so, let us all be thankful.
-Buddha

I don’t know if your experience
in life has been the same as mine,
but things don’t always do the way
I want them to. Life inevitably has
it’s ups and downs. Challenges
come my way from time-to-time.
I have not yet figured out a way to
live an effortless and problem free
life. However, I have taped into the
next best thing. The next best thing
for me is living in gratitude. To
quote the popular saying, having
an attitude of gratitude. I believe
the greatest payer we can pray
is one of deep gratitude.

In my work as a Clinical Psychologist,
I have seen many depressed individuals
over the years. While I am not suggesting
this is a complete conceptualization of
depression, but folks who are depressed
have difficulty access feelings of gratitude.
This perspective is biased toward all that
is wrong and all they do not have. This
does not mean that depressed people
are making up ‘negative’ things, but I
am suggesting that they are likely to
filter out that which they can be grateful
for. I am not exactly suggesting positive
thinking. I am suggesting more of what
I call inclusive thinking. That is
acknowledging it all. The good, the
bad, and the ugly.

There is always something to be grateful
for. It may be things. People. Health.
A stable job. The list goes on and on.
Remember, I am not suggesting that
you deny the challenges. However,
don’t deny the ‘good stuff’ either.

I believe that having a deep spirit of
gratitude is contagious. It somehow
seems to give others permission to
stop and take notice for that which
they can be grateful for. Look for
opportunities to cultivate gratitude.
Keep a gratitude journal. Say prays
of gratitude. Write a letter of thanks
to someone who has positively impacted
you. Don’t miss an opportunity to say
words of appreciation and gratitude to
people in your life.

While the idea of expressing gratitude
or keeping a gratitude journal may
seem overly simplistic. I must tell
you - it works! I have a knowing from
my own experiences. I also know that
individuals who have kept a gratitude
journal for as brief as 6 weeks have
been studied and have been shown
to have a greater sense of subjective
well-being and also had increases in
immune system function.

Thanks for reading this weeks message.
I would be grateful if you considered practicing
the following daily exercises for the next week.
May it a week of gratitude and giving thanks!

7 Daily Practices:

Day one: Read this beautiful prayer from
Marianne Williamson that amplifies the
importance of gratitude and being clear
about what impact you want to have on
the world, and write your reflections in
your journal.

A New Day

Dear God,
Thank you for this new day, its beauty and its light.
Thank You for my chance to begin again.
Free me from the limitations of yesterday.
Today I am reborn.
May I become more fully a reflection of Your radiance.
Give me strength and compassion and courage and wisdom.
Show me the light in myself and others.
May I recognize the good that is available everywhere.
May I be, this day, an instrument of love and healing.
Lead me into gentle pastures.
Give me deep peace that I might serve You most deeply.

Amen.
Marianne Williamson from ‘Illuminata’.

Day two: Take at least 10 minutes to close
your eyes, quiet yourself and recollect
experiences over the past several months
when people were kind to you, you had
moments of deep appreciation for others,
you experienced a deep sense of joy and
connection with others. Imagine or
recollect these memories of gratitude
using all of your senses. Specifically
try to bring in what you saw, emotionally
felt, physically felt, heard, thought,
smelled or tasted. Visualizing past
experiences allows us to re-experience
them. Flood your mind, body and
consciousness with gratitude.

Day three: Write in a journal today for
10 minutes without stopping. Use the
statement, today I am grateful for…

Day four: Repeat the journaling exercise
from yesterday. Remember, in life what
ever you focus on you attract. A gratitude
journal is a powerful way of saturating
your consciousness with thoughts of
gratitude, which attracts more of what
you are grateful for into your life.

Day five: Tell at least one person you
are grateful for them today. Be
extremely specific for what and why
you are grateful for and why you are
blessed to have them in your life.

Day six: Write a letter to someone
who has had a positive impact on your
life. Express a heart felt appreciation
to this person. Be specific about what
they did that had a positive impact on
you. Be specific about the lasting
impact their generosity and kindness
had on your life.

Day seven: Repeat the visualization
exercise from day two. This time go
back as far in your life as you can to
recollect people, things, experiences,
occasions and accomplishments you
are grateful for. Allow yourself to fully
re-experience multiple vivid memories
of gratitude.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Dr. Mike Davison
Your Destiny Doctor
mike@MeditationandMore.com

P.S. Have you considered hiring a personal coach?

Give Thanks...

I know I am a bit early with this, but I could not help myself.

Maybe Thankfulness is for anytime...

The Pilgrims who celebrated the first Thanksgiving fled religious persecution in Europe to seek a better life in America. The Thanksgiving holiday was established to provide a national day of thanksgiving for all Americans.

Even if you follow no particular religion, however, Thanksgiving is a good time to count our blessings.

Whatever else you do on Thanksgiving, make it a time to say thank you to the people in your life who matter most and, if possible, to spend time in their company.
Life is short, it is the moments that count most, and many of the best moments in life are those spent with friends and family.

If distance or circumstances prevent you from spending Thanksgiving with some of the people you love, call, email, send a card or write them a letter.

If you don't already, maybe this Thanksgiving you can continue to give thanks and express gratitude by making it a daily practice- whether it be in the form of a prayer, meditation or just a simple pause and reflection at some point in your day- everyday!

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit ~

Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike Davison
Your Destiny Doctor

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.Meditationandmore.com/

Got Integrity?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend

I want to give you a gift to help you cultivate integrity.

My gift to you is an audio clip on this very topic.

Integrity is the one virtue that can make all the difference in life.

Check out the audio at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/todaysguest/2007/10/30/Build-your-spiritual-muscles

Your Destiny Doctor,

Dr. Mike Davison

P.S. If you are interested in personal coach to help accelerate your forward movement, simply contact me at mike@PartnersInPurpose.com or 847 490-7689

Relating to others (better) through Meditation...

Do you sometimes have difficulty relating to others?

I know I do at time.

I think we all do at times.

A simple Buddhist "loving kindness" meditation technique can help us relate better to those around us.

Here are some ways of going about it ~

* Relax deeply in a seated position with your spine erect
* Breathe in, drawing "loving kindness" from the universe into yourself
* Breathe out, directing that loving kindness with gratitude a toward particular person or group
* Breathe in more loving kindness
* Breathe out, directing loving kindness with blessings to a person or people you love dearly - to all those who have nurtured and nourished you
* Breathe in...
* Breathe out, directing loving kindness with forgiveness to people who annoy you or obstruct you, who are unkind or dismissive
* Breathe in...
* Breathe out, radiating the prayer - "May all people everywhere be happy"
* Breathe in and give thanks for all the loving kindness you receive
* Repeat as needed!

Any part of this technique can be used in any situation and be a avenue in promoting peace and harmony.

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit ~

Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike Davison
"Your Destiny Doctor"

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would interested and/or might benefit for our newsletter or blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! - www.meditationandmore.com

Meditation in Daily Life...

How can we turn the mundane chores of our daily lives into a form of meditation and be uplifted? ~

Through practicing "mindfulness" -by focusing all our thoughts on what we are doing.
We can also experience a sense of spiritual enlightenment/uplift from appreciating the beauty of everything around us- as well as use meditative practices when trying to gage and understand our emotions, and we can introduce meditation techniques such as mindfulness) into the ways in which we relate to others.

Here are a few ways in which we can bring meditation into the many aspects of our day-to-day lives:

~ Focus your mind and body completely on what you are doing at this moment- letting any distractions simply drift on by.
~ Live in the present moment as much as you can.
~ Try to see the beauty and worth in everything (and everyone) around you, as well as in everything you do- no matter how mundane.
~ Learn and try to use your "senses" to the full.
~ Develop self-awareness, and work with the connection between your emotional and physical self - noticing how certain breathing practices and posture/positions affect how you're feeling.
~ An everyday activity, such as eating - again, by taking the time to really be aware of and focus on your food and eating it- is a form of meditation that can make it more enjoyable and better on the digestive system!

Mindfully,

Dr. Mike
Your Destiny Doctor

Finding Your Path to Life Enrichment Coaching Program

If you've ever thought about utilizing a personal coach to help you achieve your goals, this program was designed especially for you. Finding Your Path to Life Enrichment Coaching will give you the opportunity to work one-on-one with Dr. Mike Davison and discover firsthand the enormous benefits to be gained from making a commitment to yourself and developing your spiritual path.

In this unique Finding Your Path to Life Enrichment Coaching program you will learn to implement the fundamental tools used to create an extraordinary life of peace and prosperity.

For additional information, contact me at mike@PartnersInPurpose.com

Finding Your Path to Life Enrichment coaching program includes eight (8) phone sessions along with accompanying materials.

The eight sessions will help you:

1. Build your path

2. Get on your path

3. Stay on your path.

Your path leads directly to your Destiny.

The focus of the 8 Session include:

Session 1.

Introduction to the program. Understanding your own "default mode". What it means to be on YOUR spiritual path. Training in morality, master of the mind and wisdom. Overview of 10 spiritual muscles*.

Session 2.

Training in Mastery of the Mind #1- Right Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration
– instruction in the practice of mindfulness and meditation. Meditation retrains your mind toward your spiritual path.

Session 3.

Training in Mastery of the Mind #2 -- Handling your default mode. Learning strategies to self monitor yourself., interrupt unhealthy patterns, and strengthen your spiritual path.
Spiritual muscle: equanimity - having a clam and balanced mind.


Session 4.

Training in Morality #1 - Discuss the importance of inner alignment of right speech, action, and livelihood. Discuss concept of mindful action versus automatic reaction. Treating yourself with compassion, only then can you treat others with compassion. Remember, all beings are just like you, they want to be happy and free of suffering.

Session 5.

More on Morality. Spiritual muscles of Loving Kindness and Tolerance. Learning metta meditation.

Session 6.

Training in Wisdom #1 -- right thinking and right view -- filling the mind with
the Spiritual self. Knowing that everything starts with the mind. Need a daily plan for weakening your default mode and strengthen your Spiritual self. Daily plan includes making a daily commitment to your spiritual path, using all your senses to activate your spiritual self.

Session 7.

Training in Wisdom #2 -- Spiritual muscles - renunciation and generosity. Renunciation - give up whatever separates you from your spiritual nature. Generosity - give to yourself and others your true spiritual nature. 5 friends of your spiritual path. 5 enemies of your spiritual path. Acting "as if".

Session 8.

Maintaining your Spiritual Path. Spiritual muscle- Truth. Truth is essential for maintenance of your Spiritual Path. Honesty with self and others. Taking refuge in spiritual guides, teachings, and communities.

For more information contact me at mike@Partnersinpurpose.com

*Spiritual Muscles

1 Strong Determination

2 Effort

3 Equanimity

4 Morality

5 Loving Kindness

6 Tolerance

7 Wisdom

8 Renunciation

9 Generosity

10 Truth

Meditation ~ Mindfulness Walking...

In an article on complementary and alternative medicine, the Mayo Clinic Web site calls walking meditation "an efficient and healthy way to relax."

Meditation while walking is a great way to achieve calm and relaxation as well as physical exercise.

If you like to walk, in adding meditation or mindfulness to your walking regime- you not only get the health benefits of exercising your legs/arms and cardiovascular system, but you add on benefits and a dimension extending to your whole being - mind, body and spirit.

Here are a few tips on meditation or mindful walking:

1. Begin your walk by concentrating on your breathing. Breathe deeply from your diaphragm or belly.
Feel your rib cage expanding and contracting with each breath. After a few deep breaths, begin to count how many steps you take on each inhalation and exhalation.

2. Try not to think about what you have to do for the day, your last conversation or what you'll make for dinner. Just think about how your body is feeling as it moves.

3. Feel your feet as they touch the ground: heel, ball, toe. Stay with the rhythm of heel, ball, toe and imagine yourself striding with confidence.

4. Try bringing your awareness up past your feet to your legs and hip joints. Feel how they move as you walk. Then notice your arms swinging freely from your shoulders in counterpoint to your legs. Picture yourself moving through life with perfect rhythm and flow.

5. Focus on your center, just below your navel. Imagine that you feel all your movements originating from there. Feel your entire being as one whole/smooth movement.

6. Expand your awareness to include everything around you. Feel your-self and your environment merging. Try to notice every rock, tree, cloud, breath, dog, breeze, smell, etc. Remember to include yourself in the picture.

7. As you walk, add a verbal affirmation and repeat it silently to yourself, such as, "I feel great today" or whatever makes you feel good.

Most of these tips can be adapted while exercising on a treadmill or other cardiovascular machine as well.

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit ~

Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike Davison
mike@meditationandmore.com

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

The best 5 bucks you will ever spend!

"Life Was Never Meant to be a Struggle" by Stuart Wilde. Here are some take-a-ways that were useful to me:





If I have an ailment with my physical body: realize the weakness is a gift. It allows me to express power in spite of my condition. And the extra time it takes will allow me to enjoy the journey more fully.
Train myself to be more forgiving of myself, and I will see my life in an infinite sense – not a finite sense. Everything becomes a lesson, a way of strengthening me.
Only the fool stands and fights; the sage walks away. Avoid people and situations that drive me crazy.
Are my circumstances designed to nurture me?
To win a moral victory at the expense of my sanity is dumb
Am I going too fast??
Never be afraid to let people go if they’re not right; often that’s the only way you can make room for the right person
If conditions don’t suit me, then set about changing them
I am the cause of struggle if there is struggle
Place myself in a non-confrontational mode, first with myself, and second, with the world around me



Your Coach,

Dr. Mike

Invest in Personal Coaching

If you've ever thought about utilizing a personal coach to help you achieve your goals, this program was designed especially for you. Introduction to Personal Coaching will give you the opportunity to work one-on-one with Dr. Mike Davison and discover firsthand the enormous benefits to be gained from having more personal peace in your life.

Purchase on my secured site at:

http://meditationandmore.com/coaching.php

In this unique Introduction to Personal Coaching program you will learn to implement the fundamental tools used to create an extraordinary life of peace and prosperity.

You'll begin by working with Dr. Davison to take stock on where you are currently by completing a Quality of Life Profile. This profile will give you a greater understanding of yourself and your desires in life than you've probably ever experienced. It will give you the clarity you need to begin turning your dreams into reality.

This Introduction to Personal Coaching program includes four 1/2 hour phone consultations with accompanying materials.

The four sessions are as follows:

Session 1: Your Quality of Life Profile

Session 2: What Do You Really Want?

Session 3: Pursuing Your Path with Passion and Personal Peace

Session 4: The Creation Equation: Achieving Sustainable Personal Peace

Remember this special offer includes 2 additional sessions at no additional investment.

Sign up now.

Purchase on my secured site at:

http://meditationandmore.com/coaching.php


MIKE'S COACHING; WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

Dr. Mike Davison may be called a Psychologist, Philosopher, Philanthropist, Professor and even a Positive Motivator but what I see him as is a true Visionary. Anyone lucky enough to be associated with Dr. Mike (Your Destiny Doctor) will immediately see that his Vision is magnetic and you are overcome by his sense of Purpose. I have personally used Dr. Mike's meditation techniques to restore my own sense of balance and to bring a calm into my life. Dr. Mike Davison is living proof that these techniques can be taught and available to the seeker of his wisdom."

Frank Gasiorowski
"Mr90DayGoals"
www.90DayGoals.com


Dr. Mike is the coach's coach. He can take you on a journey for achieving your own personal peace. He can help you connect to your bigger picture. Allow him to be your travel agents to greater personal peace and prosperity."


Mike Litman, #1 best selling author,
Conversations with Millionaires
www.MikeLitman.com



"There is good news AND the awesome news...

The good news...
There are many coaches available to us and they each serve a purpose

The awesome news...
Dr. Mike Davison is available to all of us and serves many purposes

He is a master in the art of balance in life, from vision... to self-evaluation... to goals... to creating and implementing a plan... to self improvement... to gratitude... to having fun... to peace.

If I was asked to create a marketing campaign for Dr. Mike Davison, it would be:

Dr. Mike Davison, Your One-Stop Coach For Life"

Jacqueline A. Kennedy, CITRMS
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist
Identity Theft Awareness Group
www.IDTheftCanHappenToYou.com

Purchase on my secured site at:

http://meditationandmore.com/coaching.php

Q & A with Jeffrey Brantley, MD

Q & A with Jeffrey Brantley, MD ~ Author of Five Good Minutes




Q. Let’s start with the question everyone asks when they hear about
Five Good Minutes:
How in the world can only five minutes in the morning help someone who’s overwhelmed by stress?

A. In mindfulness-based stress reduction classes, we like to say, “It’s not the stress but how you handle the stress that makes all the difference.”

People often handle their stress ineffectively in ways they do not even realize. One of the results of stress is that the stress reaction in the body becomes activated.

The familiar elements of this reaction include a general state of hyper-arousal, racing heart, tightening muscles, and increased blood pressure.

When stress reactivity becomes chronic—frequently arising over extended periods of time—then the person experiences this hyper-arousal as distressing and usually develops ways to deal with the distress they feel.

They might say they are “stressed out” or feel “overwhelmed by stress.” They look for ways to reduce the feelings of distress they feel, both consciously and unconsciously.

Unfortunately, many of the ways of coping with chronic stress that people exhibit actually become harmful over time.
These ways frequently involve habits of inattention to what is present, denial of feelings, seeking distraction, and engaging in destructive compulsive behaviors (such as substance abuse, overeating, or doing MORE work!).

Because the experience of stress reactivity is felt in the body and emotionally and cognitively as well, then the means of coping may target all of these dimensions of oneself. Increased susceptibility to stress-related illness, and vulnerabilityto addictive behaviors are common examples of the cost of not coping successfully with stress.
This is where even five minutes can make a difference.

By stopping and becoming present through mindful breathing, setting intention, and acting wholeheartedly to practice ease, relaxation, awareness, joy, connection, or any of the other subjects in Five Good Minutes, one actually interrupts the unconscious patterns of reacting to stress and tastes a different way of being in the world and in one’s own life.

Of course, the old habits are strong. But, if one has had a personal taste of something different, if they have had a direct personal experience of ease or connection, for example, then the truth of this experience can be a catalyst for change in how they approach other moments of life.

The practice they do for five good minutes can be a seed that becomes a beautiful flower in their life if they can learn to cultivate it.

Q. How did a conventional doctor, a psychiatrist, get so involved with practices that have historically found a home in monasteries, not in hospitals?


A. I was fortunate that during my psychiatry residency at the University of California at Irvine Medical Center, there were opportunities to explore what have now come to be known as mind-body practices.

Mind-body simply means any method that takes advantage of the connection between mind (including brain and nervous system) and the organ systems and functional elements of the body. Examples of mind-body methods include practices such as imagery, clinical hypnosis, and, of course, meditation, including mindfulness meditation.
In the last twenty-five to thirty years or so, Western medical science has come to recognize increasingly the power of mind-body methods in an overall approach to health care.


One of the most important aspects of mind-body medicine, at least for many of us in the field, is the fact that when a person takes up a mind-body method, they are taking increased responsibility for their own health, and are more empowered in that direction.

So, in response to your question, I could say that I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time! I was exposed to mind-body methods, including meditation, at a time when Western medicine was becoming interested in the subject.

Q. The subtitle of your book promises increased calm and focus. How do they influence each other?


A. Focus here refers to directing attention. Where is attention “focused?” What interferes with focusing attention? What supports focused attention?

Without realizing it, many people are actually training themselves not to have sustained focus of attention.


Their attention moves rapidly and habitually from one object to another. Often, there is an underlying sense of urgency or even distress driving this movement of attention.

The exercises in this book call for focusing attention during the “five good minutes” on the experience itself.


Focus here actually supports acting wholeheartedly. When attention is focused it can actually lead to increased feelings of calm and ease (as when the “relaxation response” is activated in mind and body). Or, when one is relatively calm (not agitated), then the ability to focus is usually stronger.

Q. One of the practices in Five Good Minutes is called “license to do nothing.” For many Americans that’s like saying license to be lazy, after all we’re steeped in the Protestant work ethic. Do you see this attitude in people you work with and how do you respond to it?

A. I don’t think the issue is so much about being lazy, as it is about the importance of practicing self-care. I see many people with significant health issues related to stress who work heavy schedules, but who do little to manage the stress or to bring balance and support into their lives. Unfortunately, many people have come to believe that the only time they can be relaxed is when they are sleeping! We live in an over-stimulated, hyperactive culture where doing, doing, doing seems to have become the standard of behavior.


If activity does not produce measurable, “billable” results, then somehow it is not deemed worthy. Health consequences of such busyness abound.

They include all the signs of stress, such as irritability, fatigue, poor sleep, poor concentration, increased vulnerability to infections and colds, and impact upon a variety of illnesses including hypertension, diabetes, allergies, and even cancer.


Being willing to stop and to make time for oneself is not being lazy or selfish, it is simply being smart. I like to think of making time for oneself this way as practicing self-care.

Of course, one could be selfish about self-care, but in my experience, most people err way too far the other way. That is, they more often tend to neglect their own interests related to health and well-being.
People do NOT tend to neglect their obligations in favor of excessive self-care!


Taking the time to do any of the 100 exercises in Five Good Minutes is one way to practice self-care.

There are many other ways as well.

The important thing is actually to begin some form of self-care.
Self-care is closely related to values, and the sense of meaning, and purpose in life.


Self-care includes taking time to inquire: what is important in your life? What are your deepest values? How are they being served, or not served?

Once in the habit of doing some self-care, it is easier to look more broadly at the demands in one’s life.


Then, wherever and whenever necessary, the work of restoring and maintaining a more balanced approach to work, life, family, and personal needs can happen.

Five Good Minutes ~ a book well worth reading- just click on the icon below:



Get a copy for yourself (also a great gift for someone you care about).

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit ~

Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter-Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

Can You Beat Stress in Five Minutes?...

Psychiatrist Jeffrey Brantley says you can and he should know.

Dr. Brantley is an extrodinary Psychiatrist. I interviewed on two separate occassions. He is a kind and generous person.

He’s the founder and director of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at Duke University’s Center for Integrative Medicine and he has written a wonderful book - "In Five Good Minutes: 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm & Focused All Day Long" (April 2005).



In "Five Good Minutes" you will find five-minute exercises that you can use everyday to:
• Increase mindfulness and stay in the present moment
• Keep focused on what really matters
• Develop self-nurturing skills that you can use anytime, anywhere
• Stop minor annoyances from creating major stress
• Limit your reaction to stress-triggers

Why five minutes in the morning?
The morning is the best time to break away from old habits of thinking and feeling and to set a new direction for yourself and how you will be in your day,” says Brantley.
For many of us, our minds and spirits are clouded by worries within minutes after waking and it seems as though the tone of our day is set shortly after our eyes open.
In Five Good Minutes, you’ll learn that your mood doesn’t have to by governed by worries and anxieties. By taking just five minutes in the morning to do one of the exercises you can change course and infuse clarity and calm into your day.

Mindfulness and why it’s so important ~
Mindfulness is an awareness that is not thinking.
It is awareness that is capable of recognizing thoughts and emotions as they occur and does not identify with them.
Mindfulness is a friendly, nonjudging, allowing, present-moment awareness,” says Brantley. For over two-thousand years mindfulness has been a key component of Buddhist practice and thought.
Now, its made its way from the monastery to the therapist’s office because research shows that it’s effective in relieving the anxiety and stress that plague us an unprecedented rate.
In Five Good Minutes, Dr. Brantley offers mindfulness exercises that draw from ancient spiritual practices and have the imprimatur of modern science.
Making an important and life-changing intention just another item on your to-do list is a common pitfall to achieving it.
In Five Good Minutes, Brantley shows you how to skillfully set an intention. This means declaring your intention to move toward an important value or goal and making a commitment to maintain a nurturing attitude as you work toward it.
When you set an intention skillfully you don’t sacrifice temporary joy in the present for everlasting peace in the future.

Check it out at:

Creating personal time...

Each of us needs some time that is strictly and entirely our own, and we should experience it daily.

Preferably, it should be the same time every day —perhaps a half hour after dinner or fifteen minutes just before the start of work, or a few 10 minute breaks during the work day/ afternoon uninterrupted by meetings, phone calls or chats.
Try making this a time for meditation, for contemplation or just for the enjoyment of the things/world around you.

This can sometimes be perceived as "nonproductive" time - but it truly isn't when you see it instead as a way of being Present in the process of life, and not having some end result in mind.

People who take this time, particuarly first thing in the morning, will notice a positive effect.

Starting the day tuned in to your own rhythm sets up a pattern that you can continue throughout the day.

A leisurely walk by yourself or with the dog, taking a bath, inhaling a good scent, meditating, conscious breathing, just listening to music, reading poetry or something inspiring — these all allow us to feel our inner rhythm, and strengthen it, so it can stay with us.

While the importance of such time has long been acknowledged, actually doing it and sticking to it, can be difficult. Among other things, it requires developing the ability to say no.

In this case, the boundaries should not be too flexible. The benefits are only obtainable if you insist on the time for yourself alone.

One of the hardest interruptions of creating this time is - self-interruption. There are the bills to pay, the lawn to be mowed, the kids, the important phone call, the letter/email waiting for an answer, etc...-

But, just do it - make a concerted effort to create a block of time for yourself.
Try cutting a half hour out of your busy schedule to do something you find compelling in itself without tying it to the progress of a "productive" goal or outcome.

"Taking care of yourself, helps you to better take care of everything else"

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit ~

Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

Affirm your best life.

Learn to use visualization and affirmations to transform your life, your health and renew the joy and passion for life.

Imagine this...

Image waking up each morning bursting with excitement, joy and enthusiasm.

Image being able to create the life of your dreams.

Image bypassing struggle.

That is what this new program can do for you.

Learn how to leverage the power of affirmations.



Your Coach,

Dr. Mike
"Your Destiny Doctor"

Meditation and Affirmations

Don’t you hate it when you feel overwhelmed?

Maybe for you it’s more of a feeling of being “stuck in a rut?”

Or perhaps are you searching for a way to turn your life around but you just don’t know quite how to do it?

If you can relate with any of these questions, you will not want to miss this Thursday's teleconference.

This Thursday evening at 9pm EST I have the honor and pleasure of interviewing Dr. Patricia Ross.

I’ve just discovered a Workbook that Dr. Ross co-authored with Scott Armstrong that takes you by the hand and walks you step-by-step through a program that will help YOU master using affirmations to achieve your desires in life.

Any desires.

Their powerful handbook called “Affirmations Handbook: A 30-day Guide to Actively Creating the Life You Want,” by Dr. Patricia Ross and Scott Sharp Armstrong.

To learn more about their new Workbook check out:
http://www.bestaffirmations.com/affiliates/jrox.php?id=1025

To participate in this call tonight (Thursday, September 20th) simply call in a few minutes before 9pm EST.

Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 775-7100

Participant Access Code: 388951# I look forward to "seeing" you on the call.

Your Coach,
Dr. Mike
"Your Destiny Doctor"
www.MeditationandMore.com

Now it is your turn to write YOUR book!

You may know that I recently published my book, An Invitation to Personal Peace. It has been such a blast to get feedback from people in different parts of the world about the impact the book has had. I am so proud of the success of the book.

A question I have for you is...

Have you ever dreamed of writing a book?

If you have, please do yourself a favor and check out this site?
http://www.booksmeancredibility.com/vip/80

I'm going to do this (I have another book in me waiting to come out!).

I would love for you to do it too. I think we'll both love it.

The site explains everything.

Let's be "writing buddies," OK?

Your coach,

Dr. Mike Davison
P.S. Don't let your dream of a book die! Check out http://www.booksmeancredibility.com/vip/80

Wake up tonight

Most Thursday evenings I have teleconferences.

Tonight I am going to be discussing mindfulness.

What is mindfulness? (Good question)

Mindfulness is simply being in the present moment.

Mindfulness is an effective way to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, enhance emotional intelligence, and undermine AUTOMATIC and REPETITIVE destructive thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Mindfulness is about falling awake, connecting with ourselves, and appreciating the fullness of each moment of life.

If that sound like something you want more of, join me tonight.

To participate in this call tonight (Thursday September 13th) simply call in a few minutes before 9pm EST.

Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 775-7100
Participant Access Code: 388951#

I look forward to "seeing" you on the call.

Your Coach,
Dr. Mike
"Your Destiny Doctor"
www.MeditationandMore.com

P.S. You will get specific techniques to help you cultivate mindfulness.

Listen to this!!

Hello!

Here is the link to today blog radio show. Check it out!

http://blogtalkradio.com/hostpage.aspx?show_id=95581

Today we talked about Finding Your Life's Purpose.

This daily show is a collaboration with 5 individuals.
We humbly refer to ourselves as the Fab 5!

This is who we are.


Me, Dr. Mike Davison, Your Destiny Doctor, http://www.partnersinpurpose.com/ or http://www.meditationandmore.com/

Frank Gasiorowski, Mr90DayGoals, http://www.90daygoals.com/

Tracy Repchuk, Marketing Makeover Maestro http://www.millionairemarketingmiracles.com/

Ronda Del Boccio, The Storyation Lady http://www.storyation.com/

Penni Wild, The Dalai Momma http://www.reallifemagic.com/

The TodaysGuest Radio Show is aired each day, Monday to Friday at 10 am ET.You can listen 3 different ways:

1. You can listen to our show with your phone at:1-646-716-9817

2. You can listen on the internet at:www.BlogTalkRadio.com/todaysguest

3. You can listen to archived shows at:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/todaysguest

I hope you check us out.

Your Coach,

Dr. Mike Davison
Your Destiny Doctor

More on meditation...

Meditation is a process (or mental techniques) by which we can get some insight into our 'consciousness' to better understand our entire mind-space and really get to know our real 'self' - mind, body and spirit.

Meditation has different meanings at different levels of the mind.At a physical level, the process of meditation can be focused on just what we see, hear, taste, smell, touch or feel - one at a time. It is a state of experience without any thought about the experience.

At a behavioral level, meditation can help us to focus on our actions while working or talking -to have complete awareness of those actions.

At a emotional level, meditation can be focused on and have influence on our emotions while thinking or talking with our inner voice (spirit/soul)- to be aware of our thoughts and emotions.

At a spiritual level, meditation can just be listening to our inner spirit/soul without any opposing thoughts and without any emotion.

At the "edge" of the mind, meditation is mind without any thought, like a paper on which nothing is written. It is to feel the silence within- venturing into an empty space- alone, yet connected and one with all!

At all "levels" - meditation = beneficial to our over-all well being.

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit

~Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike
"Your Destiny Doctor"

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

An at work "breathing break"...

An at work "breathing break"...Most of us tend to breathe very shallowly, working for hours without taking a good, deep, cleansing breath.

When we catch ourselves sighing or yawning during the day, this may be a sign that the body is trying to take in more oxygen for optimal functioning.

But, it is quite common for many of us to continue to work long hours, eating meals on the run or skipping them altogether and not taking some well needed breaks...

Here is a quick breathing exercise that is easy to do in the middle of the day and can relieve stress and help to rejuvenate your well being both emotionally and physically.

It can be done while sitting at a desk- the steps are as follows:

1) Take a deep breath as you drop your chin toward your chest, touching the chest if possible. Exhale as you gently raise your head slowly to an upright position. Repeat as desired. It may also be helpful to do some “head rolls,” in which the head is rolled slowly to the right, to the chest, to the left, and to the chest in a semicircle.

2) Take a deep breath as you stretch your arms over your head. Hold your breath and the stretch for a few seconds, and then release both slowly.

3) Take a deep breath as you stretch your arms out in front of you. Hold your breath and the stretch for a few seconds, and then release both slowly.

4) Take a deep breath as you stretch your arms behind you. Hold your breath and the stretch for a few seconds, and then release both slowly.

After doing this I usually find myself a little more energized, getting more work done and with better quality.

Try it and maybe you will too!

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit

~Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

Taking Meditation Seriously...

A lot of people take anything they think has to do with religion, spirituality or any sort of "practice"- very seriously.

But, it doesn't have to be this way- First off, "meditation" is not a religion and it might behoove some of us to start taking a lot our daily stuff, "to-do-list" and Ourselves a little less seriously and embark on new (or old) endeavors/practices (like meditation) less seriously and more playfully!

Meditation is different than the sort of things that people are supposed to take seriously.

It doesn't have to involve intense "work".

It's not like practicing tennis, piano recitals, managing a company or studying for a major test- which one does in order to attain a certain level of perfection.

The practice of meditation can be much more laid back, and at the same time- really help to center, calm/relax and reduce the stresses of daily life (mental and physical) that come with "work".

Meditation Technique: Simply just watch what's going on - not only what's going on outside, but what's going on inside. Treat your own thoughts, your own reactions, your own emotions about what's going on outside as if those inside reactions were also outside things.

But you are just watching.

Just follow along, and simply observe how they go.

If you sit or lie still and simply observe what is happening: all the sounds outside, all the different shapes and lights in front of your eyes, all the feelings on your skin, inside your skin, belly rumbles, thoughts going on inside your head -- chatter, chatter, chatter. "I ought to be doing such and such.... I should have done this, maybe I should do that, etc..." -- all that is going on -- when you simply just watch/observe everything, without attempting to change it in any way, without judging it, without calling it good or bad - just watch - it can be fun and it somehow has the magical power of letting us release and let it go.

A lot of our daily stress/anxiety, etc... can be alleviated this way - it's kind of like releasing a balloon to the sky and watching it simply and gently float away and out of sight.

The benefits of meditation are serious and powerful, but the way of thinking about and practicing it- doesn't have to be so serious.

Enjoy, have fun with it!

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit

~Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike Davison

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

Insomnia, Bedtime Rituals, Meditation...

Insomnia is a common response to the normal stress of daily life.

In a lot cases involving insomnia/sleep disorders- with the help of anti-stress mind-body practices, herbal remedies and self care routines, you can gently ease the tension and anxiety built up throughout your day.

Creating a regular bed/sleep time and routine is key to achieving healthy sleep- also incorporating a nightly ritual of a meditation technique or listening to guided visualization/meditation cds with calming music can have a strong influence on the nervous system and help to slow down your mind and contribute to a better -solid night's sleep.

For some people, meditation, deep breathing or any relaxation-promoting practice before sleep can reduce alertness and arousal.

But no matter what routine you adopt, it’s crucial to resist fretting over your sleep (or lack thereof).

Just try taking a moment or many moments- to devote yourself to some healthy tension-melting pampering, during the day and at bedtime to aid in catching some quality zzz's!

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit

~Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike
mike@meditationandmore.com
847 490-7689

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

Meditation and emotional balance

Regular meditation is very effective in stabalizing one's mood and achieving emotional balance. Just by sitting still and observing our experience without trying to change it, we realise that every mental state comes and goes- that nothing is permanent and fixed.

Neither pain or happiness lasts forever.When we understand the "coming and going" of our emotional states (somewhat like the weather!) we can begin to feel less fearful or bothered by our "negative" emotions and take them more in stride and less driven to run away, lash out or perhaps push and bury them deep down inside.

Although it is often drowned out by our mental busyness with the stresses and responsibilities of daily life, no matter what our outer circumstances may be, there is a natural, quiet place available to all of us.Meditation is a wonderful way to connect with that place- our inner balance and once we come in contact with it, it becomes an invaluable refuge."Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It's a way of entering into the quiet that's already there-buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day." ~ Deepak Chopra

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit

~Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter or Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -http://www.meditationandmore.com/

Another dimension...

Another dimension...

While many people are initially drawn to meditation for myriad of health related benefits - learning to relax, stress reduction, better focus or to boost energy, they might also discover that meditation can be a wonderful window to self-exploration.

Sometimes without intending it, people who practice meditation find themselves opening up to new ways of questioning and thinking about themselves and their lives.This is a more difficult and personal attribute/benefit of meditation and one hard to describe, but nonetheless, is one that many people who meditate come to experience and benefit positively from in many ways.

I have come to realize the power and importance of meditation.It helps to control your mind and your heart and controlling oneself is a step towards success.

Meditation can bring a great change in every mind and soul."The soul loves to meditate, for in contact with the Spirit lies its greatest joy. If, then you experience mental resistance during meditation, remember that reluctance to meditate comes from the ego; it doesn't belong to the soul."- Paramahansa Yoganan

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit

~Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Newsletter-Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! -www.meditationandmore.com

From a doubter to a believer in meditation

"At first a doubter, but now a believer in meditation"(This post was written by Dr. Tom Gross - an emergency medical services director for the Novato Fire Protection District) -

I am coming up on an anniversary of sorts, but not an anniversary that warrants a brass band, jewelry or flowers, but nonetheless an anniversary that will remain fixed in my calendar for many years to come. It's the anniversary of the only time that I ever participated in an invasion.We knew it was coming. We prepared our equipment. We loaded a C-130 transport to within a margin of its carrying capacity, a hard thing to accomplish. Finally, in accordance with the old rule that warfare is 99 percent boredom and 1 percent sheer terror, after an incredible wait, we were in the air at night, lights out, for a seven-hour flight, tracked by the air defense radar of several different opposing forces.Sitting still for seven hours was the easy part, but what do you do with your mind during that interval? How do you prepare yourself mentally for the great unknown that is bearing down upon you?

Some people went over their checklists in their minds. Some people fiddled with their personal gear, such as night vision goggles, backpacks and vests. Others pretended to sleep.

Then I remembered that I had a special skill for occasions like this. Many years before I had learned to meditate; that is, to make my mind as "still as the flame of a candle in a windless place."I was not sitting in a lotus position on a bed of elephant grass. I was bent into a cloth troop seat. I was not smelling incense or fragrant oil, unless you consider jet fuel to be fragrant. I was not sitting quietly in a meditation hall; I was 15 feet from an Allison turboprop engine. I was not seeking nirvana, but I was seeking to focus my attention on where I wanted it to go, and not where it wanted to go. I focused on the present and not on the future.

When you see a newspaper advertisement for meditation, you usually see an attractive person, often female, sitting in a lotus position with eyes closed, the very image of serenity. When I think of meditation, I see something entirely different.

I see my friend Walter lying on a gurney with a 10-inch wound on his thigh, all the way down to the bone. The anaesthesiologist was there to "put him under," in order to have the wound repaired. Walter said, "No, doc, I can handle it. Just don't talk to me." Walter closed his eyes and meditated while the surgeon repaired his laceration. For over an hour, he neither winced nor flinched.

Meditation is not what most people think. It is not about religion. It is not about how you sit. It is not about how you vote or what books you read. It is about only one thing; namely, learning to put your mind where you want it without distraction or interruption. It requires intense concentration. In fact, it may be the most challenging task that I have ever attempted. The mind is a very noisy place. It is used to having its own way. It doesn't like being told what to do.There are 50 good reasons to meditate, and no good reasons not to. You may start meditating for one reason, and then continue it for many others. How would you like to gain control of your blood pressure without medicines?

Do you need help quitting smoking or alcohol or drugs? How would you like to control anger? How would you like to sleep better every night? How would you like to have more energy during the day? How would you like to do better in school? How would you like to improve your tennis game? Or, as in my situation, how would you like to stay focused and calm during periods of absolute terror?I was a "doubting Thomas." I thought that meditation was not for me; it was for those other kinds of people. An elderly man, a teacher, proved me wrong. He said, "Tom, don't take my word for it. You're a scientist. Try it on yourself. Give it eight weeks, and if you see no difference, then put it down and never come back."That was 20 years ago.

After reading this column, some people will say to me, "Meditation? Doc, you are a real flake." Some people might look at me and just nod their heads, almost imperceptibly.

Some will come to me, alone, and ask quietly, "Hey, Doc, tell me more."

Until next time...

To your Mind, Body & Spirit ~

Mindfully,

Dr. Mike
mike@meditationandmore.com

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Creative Visualization

The Power of Creative Visualization is a tried and true technique that helps you create the things you want in life. Creative Visualization is the art of sending an image - a picture to your subconscious mind.Your subconscious mind creates your reality based on a number of messages you send to it. One of these messages is the pictures and images that you visualize and send to your subconscious mind. It then picks up this creative visualization or picture and begins creating what it sees.

The key to understanding how creative visualization works is to first understand that your subconscious mind does not know what is real and what is fiction. It simply creates your reality based on the image that you visualize.So if you visualize yourself struggling, poor, unhappy, single or depressed then this is the reality that your subconscious mind creates. There have been many books written on creative visualization all of which tell you that if you visualize you will create the things you want. But there's only one problem - it can take years before you see results through simple creative visualization.

Don't get me wrong - I believe in the power of creative visualization - when it's done properly. But I have yet to find a book that tells you exactly how to get the most out of visualization. Most of the books I've read tell you to simply close your eyes and visualize yourself having what you want. Yes, this will work - in the end. But remember - your subconscious mind receives a number of messages from you - and it creates your reality based on these messages. In order to get the most out of visualization all your other messages to your subconscious mind have to be in agreement with what you visualize - otherwise you'll never create the things that you visualize no matter how hard you try.

Think of it this way. You're in a boat and there are a number of people rowing this boat for you. You tell one of them to row in a certain way so that you go in a certain direction. But if all the other people rowing for you are going in the opposite direction - that one person rowing will have little or no impact. The boat will never go the way you want. In order to get the most out of visualization you need to add a few other techniques during and after your visualization. When you do that get everybody rowing your boat in the direction you want - and you'll naturally get to your destination sooner.

When you work with creative visualization you begin automatically using a number of techniques that tap into all your powers creating a tidal wave of positive energy sent to your subconscious mind. All this works to create the things you want sooner. With creating visualization you begin rowing your boat with a number of oars - suddenly you're cutting through the waves and headed straight for what you want.

Learn how to visualize and tap into the amazing power of your subconscious mind. With creative visualization you'll be on the road to success by working just 5 minutes a day and manifest success, happiness and much more.

To your Mind, Body & Spirit,

Many Blessings,

Dr. Mike

P.S. If you need additional information about creative visualization, contact us.

P.S. Do you have a family member, friend or collegue that would be interested and/or might benefit from our Blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! - www.meditationandmore.com

The wandering mind

What if my mind wanders while meditating?

If your mind wanders, don't be concerned. Notice whatever has captured your attention, then let go of the thought or feeling, and return to the awareness of the breath. In this way, meditation teaches us gentleness and an ability to forgive our mistakes in life and to go on.

What do I do when my thoughts just won't stop?

Some people have a mistaken idea that all thoughts disappear through meditation and we enter a state of blankness. There certainly are times of great tranquility when concentration is strong and we have few, if any, thoughts. But other times, we can be flooded with memories, plans or random thinking. It's important not to blame yourself. Notice that you don't invite your thoughts. You haven't said, "At 6:15 I'd like to be ruminating about the past or future." Thoughts will automatically and randomly come and go, but we don't have to be ruled by them.

So, with the wandering mind:

Accept that it is wandering. Try to let the thoughts go and focus on your breathing. You can also give the mind an internal travel plan of where to journey- a favorite place/setting and/or use a positive mantra/affirmation as a focus point. Try to be in a physical place/position that is most comfortable for you.

Remember to breath smoothly, quietly, with no jerks or pauses, and at a comfortable, somewhat slow rate.

Enjoy & Relax!

Until next time...

Mindfully,

~Dr. Mike
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Why Meditate?

The reasons and benefits are many and profound!

Modern science has shown that relaxation of the mind has a healing effect on the body, helping people to reduce stress and as a result, prevent and treat a whole host of mental and physical dieases and ailments - even something as simple as the common cold.In a meditative state, metabolic processes, including respiration and blood flow, slow down.

Key words—SLOW DOWN.

Meditation is a technique that helps us focus and calms the mind resulting in a relaxed and restful state of physical and mental being.Meditation is generally focused on one constant thing, usually your breath. It is an effective tool to gain mind control, self-awareness and understanding that eventually lead to inner calm and peacefulness.

And meditating does not require any great length of time. It only takes some conscious effort. You can take as little as 5 minutes to slow down, focus on the center of your body and let the rest of the moment happen.The point is to achieve a sense of being centered and letting go of every day concerns.

Meditation is simply taking a moment to BE.

A big mistake that alot of people make is thinking it is too time consuming or complicated and then not giving it a try at all.

A very quick and simple meditation technique is to concentrate on and control your breathing pattern for a few minutes. Ever notice when someone says the word “breathe," you do? That right there is controlling your pattern.

Take a deep breath in and slowly let it out- as simple as it may sound - you have just done a form of meditation!

Try it for as little as 5 minutes a day when need be and see how this simple technique can calm, center and elevate your mind, body & spirit!

Until next time....

To your well being,

Dr. Mike Davison

P.S. Do you have any family, friends or collegues that would be interested and/or might benefit from this blog? If so, please feel free to guide them on over! - http://www.meditationandmore.com/