Stimulus for reflection

TAJ

Peace Tay, All

Talking to a sincere friend about what hurts me and then listening to what they have to say even if it was something that I don't like to hear is a life changing moment for me. It would be like breaking me from the middle forcing me to review my approach to what bothers me and so allowing me to unburden myself from many things I thought crucial in my life.

Problems can trigger us to take a deep look into our lives to revaluate the whole thing, where we are going, what we are doing, and why. I used to hate problems, I still do, but now I know that problems is life challenging me to move to a higher level in my thinking and to a better way of seeing things, so that to prepare me for something bigger coming in my way!

The sufferings in the world also makes me reflect. Looking closely in the life of the poor, the sick and the disabled can shake us to the core. The other day I saw a beautiful young man, 16 or 17 years old, surrounded by two maids, one holding each of his hands, aiding him to walk. One maid stopped to tie his shoelace while he was totally unaware of what is going on around him. I was drowning in my tears and crying for many days after, and still when I remember him. It makes me wonder. Sometimes I think that going to ER can provide a good dose of needed lessons in gratitude and appreciation.

Art, in all its forms, provides another way of looking at things. It touches me and allows me to see and think differently and so appreciate everything in this world. Art silences us and silence is what we need in order to think clearly. Before, I used to take art lightly but not anymore. Now I spend some of my time everyday, mostly before I go to sleep, looking into the paintings of Da Vinci, Michel Angelo, and other famous masters, looking at the world through their eyes, the eye of a stranger as you put it, Tay! How did those people live? Didn't they have problems? How could they just leave everything behind and just allow beauty to run through their fingers? Those people did humanity a great deed. Their works are true tranquilizers to say the least.

Beautiful voices reciting Quran or chanting a Dua'a or Nasheed or solo singing would also stop me in my tracks to withdraw to that peaceful inner place to enjoy that voice.

Beautiful topic, key question, Tay. Thanks

Tay

Peace Lote, Taj, and Khalil,

Thank you for the thoughtful replies. It's great to hear that you all have ways to stimulate your spirit, and the diversity in these ways is helpful to me, as I'm always looking to find more accessible and healthy avenues to inner peace.

-Tay

unknownuser

Hello Tay,

....as I'm always looking to find more accessible and healthy avenues to inner peace.
-Tay

I am not suggesting meditation to you, but I am curious - have you tried meditation before?

Regards,

Tay

Peace Lote,

Yes, I have tried meditation, and I'm currently working on a plan to allow for more time in the day so I can make it to a peaceful spot to meditate on a regular basis. I need it, and I know it.

Have you ever tried guided imagery? I did it twice and found it absolutely wonderful- it was healing colors from a dude named Dennis Adams. I need to find some CD's as the one I used was just a short part of a seminar. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Tay

unknownuser

Have you ever tried guided imagery? I did it twice and found it absolutely wonderful- it was healing colors from a dude named Dennis Adams. I need to find some CD's as the one I used was just a short part of a seminar. Any ideas?

Hello Tay,

I have not tried guided imagery. But I have tried different meditation techniques. I have now settled down to a form of "mantra" based meditation. In fact I use a combination of Breathing and Mantra meditation in my meditation sessions. The Breathing Meditation to relax my physical body and the Mantra meditation to clear my mind. I found this combination very effective for myself and have been doing it for the past two years...

In my research into meditation techniques I have become aware that people who are "creative" or musical, the mantra-based meditation works really well for them. Have you ever tried mantra based meditation?

Regards,

zenje

Peace Tay,

I just wanted to say, when I read the heading of this thread first, I thought you were talking about taking a 'stimulant' (e.g. weed) to help reflect. lol

I'm currently working on a plan to allow for more time in the day so I can make it to a peaceful spot to meditate on a regular basis. I need it, and I know it.
Me too, brother, me too.

sytalls

Peace all.

What a lovely thread.

I also enjoy meditation, although I find it's all too easy to get out of the habit of taking time for it. And there's something wonderful about simply sitting and reflecting.

For guided imagery, there is an audio program called "The Healing Waterfall" that is very pleasant.

http//www.serenitymusic.com/item--The-Healing-Waterfall-and-Lightbeing--waterfall1.html

I've heard of Dennis Adams, but I know very little about him and haven't had a chance to listen to one of his progams.

unknownuser

I also enjoy meditation, although I find it's all too easy to get out of the habit of taking time for it. And there's something wonderful about simply sitting and reflecting.

Yep that is the reoccuring problem. The aim is to make it as routine of your daily life like brushing your teeth in the morning. But effort and dedication is needed to make meditation as part of your life. It is hard but I say it is a very important endevour and key to our spiritual progress...

Regards,

unknownuser

Peace be upon yuo all,

What a wonderful thread! I also have been studying meditation for some time now and my studies have led me to the understanding that "salaat" is talking about meditation.

Meditation involves your understanding that there is TWO PARTS to your being (remember, the God creates all things in pairs). We have the conscious side, and the subconscious. The Daytime is when the conscious is in full effect and the subconscious takes a back seat, the Nightime the subconscuios is in control and the conscious takes a back seat, which is why our dreams we mostly cannot control. So meditatiojn involves the merging of the two states, or getting into the MIDDLE(medi) of these states.

You know what, I am just going to start a thread entitled meditatin in the salaat thread. I hope all of you will participate and give light to this wonderful technique that the God has given mankind that so many cultures practice.

I have much to say on this topic and I am sure many of you also do.

I think this topic will be what we all were looking for. I am very excited!!!

zenje

Peace Kyle,

You know what, I am just going to start a thread entitled meditatin in the salaat thread.

I thought you already did a couple of weeks ago! ?

Nural_Amin

Peace,

I meditate on my life too often! Maybe not the sort of mediation you are all talking about, simply thinking deeply in the quiet mornings and night. Reflection is well needed and helps me. This can also be done through talking as others have mentioned.

Although art has never really helped me, I like music (brings peace to my mind), but pictures and art don't do that!

How do some of you enjoy art and looking at pictures and works? I just don't see the pleasure, seriously! Maybe it is because of my red-green colour blindess, who knows? Is there anyone else that doesn't really enjoy looking at paintings and would rather do something else in their spare time?

Nural

Tay

Peace All,

Zenje stated

I just wanted to say, when I read the heading of this thread first, I thought you were talking about taking a 'stimulant' (e.g. weed) to help reflect.

idea idea idea

Lote Tree stated

In my research into meditation techniques I have become aware that people who are "creative" or musical, the mantra-based meditation works really well for them. Have you ever tried mantra based meditation?

I haven't tried it. Can you point me to an intro?

Sytalls, thanks for the link. It was nice, though a bit teasing. I was just starting to relax and the audio stopped cry
I've read a bit about guided imagery, particularly regarding healing. Truly fascinating stuff. I'm thinking about ordering one of the CD's from the link you provided. Any suggestions?

Kyle, I agree thus far. I think you're onto something. BTW, how have you been? With the weather warming up, perhaps a day trip to Philly is in order. Do you know any good chees steak joints? I like 'em with just steak, onions, mushrooms, and cheese. I'm getting hungry thinking
about it.

Nural, art is like any other...ummm...art. You just have to let go of your need for immediate satisfaction and listen to what the artist is telling you, and listen to what your soul is telling you as you experience the art. Therein lies the beauty, imo.

Peace,
Tay

sytalls

Peace all
Peace Tay...especially since your music got cut off in mid-cyberstream.

I only have two titles from SerenityMusic--the Healing Waterfall, which I've been listenin to for 15 years, and Rain Dance, which is very soothing music.

Several friends have ordered their own copies of the Healing Waterfall after listening to mine. Only one person I've shared it with had complaints. Turns out, he's color-blind, so he came to a complete stop when he reached the path with different colored stones. Ooops.

The Lightbeing guided imagery on the other side of Healing Waterfall is good, too. But I have trouble staying awake through the whole thing. Maybe it's a little too relaxing for my mind. The Healing Waterfall makes me feel peaceful and refreshed...or peacefully energized. It's chakra-based, although it doesn't go into doesn't address this specifically.

For mantra meditation, your question wasn't directed at me, so I hope you don't mind if I toss in a bit of info here. Mantra meditation is very relaxing and wonderful for dealing with stress. You pick a couple of times a day (more if you want) when you repeat certain sounds over and over again. The idea is to create resonant frequencies between body and soul, so that you're more serene and able to listen to your spiritual side more closely--you're more "in tune," that is.

I've tried mantra meditation using some of the letters at the beginning of certain suras. Ha-meem is a great meditation sound, for example. It's got a similar vibration as the "ohm" used by Buddhists.

Hindus have Jopa meditation, which some other people have adapted to suit their own beliefs. Clearly, chanting the name of Hindu idols wouldn't be appropriate for us. ? I've never tried any form of Jopa meditation, but I think the Sufis have something similar to this, where they recite the names of Allah. Not sure though.

You may also want to check out qi gong. It's got rhythmic motions designed to get the chi flowing, but it is far less complicated than tai chi. There are only a few positions in qi gong.

Overall, I think anything...art, music, chanting...that quiets the ego is, as you said, a beautiful way of listening to our souls.

unknownuser

Peace be upon you Tay,

Just got back here, I have been fine and hope you are fine as well D Anytime you are ready for that trip, let me know. I like Pagano's for a chicken cheeses steak myself, but trying to cut back on my meat intake.

Zenje, I forgot I had started that thread on "meditation" D

Sytalls, good post and I definately agree on the Qi Gong. There is really so much to understand once we open ourselves past the limits of a "text" and start to read Al Kitaab(The Universe), as oppossed to a text designed to guide us in the direction of Al Kitaab.

unknownuser

In my research into meditation techniques I have become aware that people who are "creative" or musical, the mantra-based meditation works really well for them. Have you ever tried mantra based meditation?

I haven't tried it. Can you point me to an intro?
Tay

Hello Tay,

Sorry for this delay in responding to this. I have opened a new thread under the salat section called "MEDITATION TECHNIQUES". I am hoping to details some of the "popular" meditation techniques that are available. Hope to see you there.

And about your new icon. Is that a picture by Salvadore Dali called the "Birth of the Modern Man". I love surrealist art especially Dali! -)

Regards,

Tay

Peace Sytalls, Kyle, Lotetree,

Sytalls, thanks for the info. It is much appreciated. I decided to do a bit of research before choosing a program for myself. I picked up "How to Meditate" by Lawrence LeShan, Ph.d. So far so good. I've leared a lot already. I'll keep you posted.

Kyle, Pagano's sounds good. I'm looking at a few days off in about 2-3 weeks. I'd really like to come down. I'll try to bring an old friend, apparently a mutual acquaintence wink

LoteTree, I'm heading over to the new thread after this. As for my icon, yes, it's Dali- my favorite artist, next to Khalil of course. I finally got the opportunity to see his museum in St Petersburg, Fla, this past winter. If you haven't seen his stuff in real life, let me just tell you, you have no idea what you're missing. It's worth the price of airfare just to see the real thing. No picture does it justice. Some of his paintings are over 10ft tall!!

Peace,
Tay