"Remember the Alamo? Neither do we?" And the yoga studio. This made me laugh until I cried. And btw - Liberty Island is in NEW JERSEY, but wherever. It's not Texas!
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Difficulties of Chronic Pain
The last three weeks Jane Brody of the New York Times did a series of columns on chronic pain.
Living With Pain That Just Won't Go Away (November 6th, 2007) yes, she mentioned my condition and also delineates the problems chronic pain cause beyond the physical difficulties including the adverse affect on social connect, economic burden and misunderstanding. Most apt statement: "No one in his right mind -- and most patients were in their right minds before the pain began -- would trade a fulfilling life for the misery of chronic pain."
Chronic Pain: A Burden Often Shared (November 13th 2007). Really address to those who have a family member in pain and how to cope. The suggestions struck me as helpful and relevant, if only I had a family who could take steps one and two. Most apt statement: "Whether you are the patient’s primary or intermittent caregiver, it is important not to contribute to feelings of helplessness."
Many Treatments Can Ease Chronic Pain (November 20th, 2007). She doesn't talk about yoga, but does mention meditation. And she didn't mention what for me was the most difficult side effect of painkiller drugs - dizziness. And she mentioned the fentanyl patches but neglects to note that since July 2005 the FDA has been investigating the patch as a cause of death, a report I saw on CNN just tonight.
On a related note, Dr. McCall has a two-part piece on chronic pain on the Yoga Journal web site.
Living With Pain That Just Won't Go Away (November 6th, 2007) yes, she mentioned my condition and also delineates the problems chronic pain cause beyond the physical difficulties including the adverse affect on social connect, economic burden and misunderstanding. Most apt statement: "No one in his right mind -- and most patients were in their right minds before the pain began -- would trade a fulfilling life for the misery of chronic pain."
Chronic Pain: A Burden Often Shared (November 13th 2007). Really address to those who have a family member in pain and how to cope. The suggestions struck me as helpful and relevant, if only I had a family who could take steps one and two. Most apt statement: "Whether you are the patient’s primary or intermittent caregiver, it is important not to contribute to feelings of helplessness."
Many Treatments Can Ease Chronic Pain (November 20th, 2007). She doesn't talk about yoga, but does mention meditation. And she didn't mention what for me was the most difficult side effect of painkiller drugs - dizziness. And she mentioned the fentanyl patches but neglects to note that since July 2005 the FDA has been investigating the patch as a cause of death, a report I saw on CNN just tonight.
On a related note, Dr. McCall has a two-part piece on chronic pain on the Yoga Journal web site.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Does Ayurvedic Medicine Work?
It did for me. For 6 weeks in 2002 I was cured of my chronic illness. Now a Frontline reporter investigates how health care is delivered in other parts of the world. In this episode, he focuses on India and the practice of Ayurvedic medicine. It's a good overview. And it's a fascinating result.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
How to Become "the Enjoyer"
I was working on some yoga and studying the ancient text the Katha Upanishad and came across this passage.
“Now, imagine the Self as the rider in a chariot.
The body is the chariot, the intellect the driver, and the mind the reins.
The senses are the horses and their objects are the road.
When combined with the senses and the mind, the Self becomes ‘the Enjoyer’ – so say those who know.
When a man lacks wisdom his mind is always restless, and his senses are wild horses dragging the driver this way and that.
But when he has become wise his mind is collected, and his sense-horses are tamed, obedient to the driver’s will.
He who lacks wisdom, whose mind is unsteady, whose actions are not pure, such a one never reaches the highest state and will suffer rebirth again and again.”
This passage seems to me to reflect well the causes of our “unsteady mind(s)” and “impure acts.” – which is can be the source of the harm we cause each other. Nobody is wise all the time.
So what to do about it? Sometimes we're simply too tired to gain control of the reins and steady our minds. We forget what we know and how to act on what we know. Sally Kempton in "Give Me Strength," tries to show us "how to tap into your most reliable support."
“Now, imagine the Self as the rider in a chariot.
The body is the chariot, the intellect the driver, and the mind the reins.
The senses are the horses and their objects are the road.
When combined with the senses and the mind, the Self becomes ‘the Enjoyer’ – so say those who know.
When a man lacks wisdom his mind is always restless, and his senses are wild horses dragging the driver this way and that.
But when he has become wise his mind is collected, and his sense-horses are tamed, obedient to the driver’s will.
He who lacks wisdom, whose mind is unsteady, whose actions are not pure, such a one never reaches the highest state and will suffer rebirth again and again.”
This passage seems to me to reflect well the causes of our “unsteady mind(s)” and “impure acts.” – which is can be the source of the harm we cause each other. Nobody is wise all the time.
So what to do about it? Sometimes we're simply too tired to gain control of the reins and steady our minds. We forget what we know and how to act on what we know. Sally Kempton in "Give Me Strength," tries to show us "how to tap into your most reliable support."
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