The Serene Way

Each of us has our own path when walking towards the light, expressed through the way that connects us to our spirit, whether it is through words, music, energy healing, art or dance. No matter what form it takes our purpose is to follow that expression - I have named only a few - that bring us to that union of body, mind and spirit. Hopefully we assist others we meet along the way by sharing our experience. Each person has their own way of relating to this cosmic/universal/god/void/absolute energy, some personalize it with guides, others will see light, others sound or smell or taste or feel…each of them are real and valid. We are all different, yet the same, how the mind translates the message is as individual as each of us. So the journey to understand the “self” is perhaps the jumping point for how it is to fall into place. We have often heard “healer, heal thyself” we should start with the inner journey before expanding our sphere of influence.  

Living a good and honest life as with the 5 principles of Reiki or the yamas and niyamas of Yoga or the ‘basic’ truths or values of any religion – acceptance, love, understanding, compassion, conditions of higher vibration - at the fore of our minds then we can release some of the boundaries that keep us from seeing beyond what in Yoga is called Maya (often referred to as the veil, but it is all that is nature). It is the authenticity of how we live no matter the dogma, which is important. Meditation is to calm and quiet the mind, to connect to the energy of the universe, what comes within that state is a gift; sleep and dreams provide another avenue to this energy as well. An intention placed upon the mind prior to meditating or sleep can assist in allowing the mind to step out of the way so that the answer may be received, however, forcing it will impede the purpose of meditating. In my experience, when we are ready the all things will come of their own accord. It is wise to remember, sometimes the more we grasp for something the further it gets from us. Letting go allows us to receive with abundance. It is feeling this from the inside - the macrocosm within the microcosm – which will allow it to flow freely.  

Connection to this energy and messages are received in different manners depending on one’s abilities and interests. When we connect to that energy how it works through us, is as individual as are each of us. I have received attunements and messages or lessons in both dreams and meditation as well as through traditional hands on methods.  When I was dancing I was moved to choreograph…the music moved within and I had visions of movement within space. Since removing boundaries of the self and coming to energetic healing this inclination to sound provided an attunement in dream state (which I consider an alternate reality) with musical notes and then there was a physical manifestation of the third-eye chakra opening like a vortex into the skull. Music stimulated a visual response as well as I ‘saw’ movement, so sight was also at play. In another dream it was light that manifested seeing within this state the observation of the origin of Reiki between ‘God’ and the Archangel Michael, though I perceived them beings of light and names were only sounded upon emptiness. 

Now, I write and in moving from one area of interest or concentration, the manner of the messages has changed or at least the imagery has modified to suit the current situation. As in entering again an altered state of awareness – here it can be either meditative or dream state – I was given a discourse on the material and a manual then an attunement. This does not mean that being moved by music has been removed, it too is still there and continues to make my heart sing and body respond. I consider it growth; abilities are developing in other areas.   Whether physical or spiritual, the experiences were definitely real. I have now worked through my reticence of speaking of it. The real person or light beings or sound appearing in dream state and giving an attunement was as great as those I received in this physical reality. There were those in the dream or meditative state, that in the light of day were even more powerful and intense than some I have received on the physical plane. We can all connect to all the information that is, was and will be; by connecting to the universal source - some call it the Akashic records. As we grow along a path to light so too will how we perceive it. Upon perceiving it, we can pass it along to others, each of us reaching and moving towards our fullest potential.

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

Just today I was asked whether “I lived my life full on” to a profiled description. Well, the first thing I had to do was to go back to the details to figure out what I had posted. I have a good memory, it’s just short. My response was as follows… 

“I actually had to go back and read my profile before answering your question…ahahah…and yes that is my full on life…I think most of the descriptions are actually what others have said about me…funny how we define ourselves that way…mostly I just feel like an observer of a bright pantomime, which is this life…I’d be most happy to share what I have…that’s another one of my philosophies or ways through life…sharing what I have…that’s all there is…I think you may have given me the thought for my blog today…I think about something in the morning…let it sit for the day…meditate on it at sundown, then do my writing with the moon…” There was a long period of my life where I never really thought much about what others though of me. Probably due to the teasing that I got from being a ‘large’ young fellow, Pillsbury Dough Boy still rings loud in my ears as do ‘bucky beaver’ ‘pop-eyes’ and the list continues. (They are not part of the current description.) So, I guess as a defence mechanism I just gave into it and decided well if I’m different I’m different. It gave me a chance to observe from the outside all that was happening as I was never really part of it. Not only that it also provided the opportunity to be individual and to build an inner strength outside peer pressure as I was not part of a peer group growing up. This was great as it gave me the momentum to follow paths that many in my circumstance did not or would not consider following. I broke my own trail, said what was on my mind and followed my heart and many doors opened.  

Then there came a time when at last I was accepted by my peers: a new and novel situation to be sure. All those things that made me ‘different’ the individual that I was, well they were swept under the carpet, hidden from view – not only from other but even myself. I wanted the friendships that I did not have as a child. I wanted to be part of a group that I never experienced. I followed paths that were not my own, and manifested for others. Once that and became the rule, my physical self revolted against me. The only recourse to return to that which I was with the experience of the loss and discovery now creating a depth and strength to the words and thoughts that never really changed, but were just kept at bay.  Along the way one of the things that I never gave up was understanding and accepting all those I encountered with love and respect. It was through freely giving that of myself, I received the best of them. We shared the best in each other and what better gift is that.  

Now, I return to this spirit from which I could no longer hide. I have made a journey from the spirit through the body and back again and in doing so have recovered my physical health.. I still see life as a bright pantomime, but now understand this as a necessary detachment from emotions that can sabotage and cloud judgement. There many lessons that have been learned that have taken the empty words of a child and created a ‘knowing’ from experience and connection to the spirit, which is no longer taken for granted but for which I am grateful and humbled. It is now with confidence that I define myself and though others my say these things they are now things that I believe about myself, they are indisputable. The story of my life is for anyone who wants to listen, and I in turn will learn from all I meet on the path to light to be my better self and hope only the same for others.

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

I grew up at a time in Newfoundland when many women were still referred to by their own names in addition to that of their husband’s, such as Aunt Mary Joe or Aunt Mary Steve. My paternal grandmother was known as Theresa Charlie or Grandma White to me. With my maternal grandmother I only ever heard Regina, and for me Grammie O’Brien. I wonder now what effect this had, if any, on their individuality. How different a time it was, when the identity of these wonderful, strong and loving women was so inextricably tied to that of the men in their lives. 

My grandmothers were born a year apart prior to WWI, when stoicism was, and perhaps still is, considered a more masculine trait. Yet I look back at the lives they led and think there are none more stoic than these women. They had husbands—whom they both outlived—that drank excessively and by all accounts had serious anger management issues. Still they persevered, held their faith and remained true. How they dealt with this situation had its similarities and differences. They both had their rocking chairs and knitting, next to an old wood stove where red hot embers would occasionally snap out of the vent. This is where I remember them spending most of their time with a ‘clickitey-click’ of the knitting needles. One family was quiet and accepting, perhaps beaten (down) into submission; the other loud and confrontational, climbing over the din; both as individual as their matriarchs. In these two extremes, what valuable examples of how any situation has many sides and complexities, illustrating a broad perspective on what defines strength.   

Combined, my grandmothers had 29 children, though they raised many more depending on need and circumstance. With the passing of a child or a child’s spouse or children who became single parents living at home or when their children and child’s spouse were working parents, they were there to take up the care of their grandchildren whether for a moment, a year or a life time. What an incredible sense of family and community they were able to provide, shouldering this incredible responsibility without question and with little means.   They also endured many nicknames as they matured and the physical effects of aging began to take their toll. Grammie O’Brien became ‘putt-putt’ as a couple of heart attacks in her 60’s caused a flatulence condition. I heard ‘leather jowls’ as sons would grab the cheeks of a roundish Grandma White, pulling and smacking them against her false teeth. She later graduated to ‘Grannie One-Lung’ after a portion of a lung was removed due to cancer in the early ’80s. Never more than a ‘tch, tch’ was given in reprimand, but there was always a good laugh! Here, another invaluable lesson for seeing the humour in life and being able to laugh at ourselves even when facing decline and illness. Grammie O’Brien passed a few years ago at the age of 89. Grandma White still chopped her own wood for the winter until the age of 91, being slowed only by the ‘nippers’(mosquitoes); she continues to live in her own house and will be 94 on her birthday in August. These women, who loved and cared unconditionally, provide an inspirational example of living that I carry with me in my heart everyday of my life.  

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

I have heard many times, believe on only half of what you see and one quarter of what you hear…which leaves little to believe in.

I was riding on public transit one day and there was a young girl talking on her mobile phone. She was very excited as she had just stared a new summer job and had moved to the city for this position. She was speaking quite loudly about all the possibilities presented by the position and a synopsis of the day’s events.

During the ride another passenger came up from the back of the streetcar and told this young exuberant lady to be quiet, she was disturbing other’s on their way to their next destination. Now, this person was not speaking for me or for many of the others (as far as  I could tell) that were seated in close proximity to this young woman, who was full of life and excitement over the prospects of her summer job, which indeed sounded very interesting.

The young woman felt obligated to hang up and did so. Then, tears started to roll down her face as she put the cell phone in her purse. The poor thing had been crushed.

She turned around and apologised for being so loud.

I gave her a smile and said, “It ok”.

Then she explained that she was talking to her mom, who worked at an opposing schedule to her and they had very little time to talk to each other. There was this young woman talking to her mother when they had the opportunity and someone else’s perspective and ‘feelings’ over-road this girls opportunity to share with her mom living so far away. The other person in question may have believed they were doing the right thing by insisting she get off the phone, yet, without the entire story how could she possibly know the circumstance. Was the woman who made the demand correct in her action? Not to my belief and when the full story was revealed, then perhaps not to many others.

This young girl new to the city, what was left for her to believe about the people that inhabit it?

Quite boldly, I gave her a hug and whispered in her ear, “I’m sure your mom is very proud of you.”

She left the streetcar smiling and ready to go on with her evening with a bounce in her step.

We can see, what appeared to be, was in fact not all what it appeared to be from neither sight, sound or action.

Many equate belief with religion but religion as it stands with most faiths in this day and age is really dogma and ritual based on bias. This bias is a written perspective of man upon the teachings of another based on the bias of their own experience, culture and environmental conditioning. Yet even here words have been used that have a different value upon all who read them based on the bias of their own experience - if one has never experienced love how can one understand the use or concept of the word - what I believe a word to mean is based on that which I know…so even the word ‘believe’ would take on various manifestations based on this concept. 

A recommendation from many books that I have read including ‘The Complete Works of Vivekananda’ suggests to believe only what can be proven it is a wise suggestion - test or ‘prove’ that which has been written and choose only that which resonates and is clear to one’s self. Even, this man says, ‘Do not accept anything at face value or merely because it has been written on paper.” This was to include his own words and teachings as well. We only have to look as far as the internet to see that there is much passed around as something to be believed, yet we come to find out it is a hoax.

Yet, if we believe only what we can prove…that leaves open the question of how is anything proven. In science a theory is taken and ‘proven’ by experiment, however the intention is set out to prove the theory, so in these cases would it not imply that to set out to ‘prove’ would have a play in the result. There is the belief at work, the experiment to fulfill the desire of the theory, many of which over the millenniums have been accepted by all, yet in the the evolution of consciousness have been ‘proven’ incorrect - the world being flat or the sun revolving around the earth to name just a couple.

What then is there to believe in? If we experiment with a desired outcome then more than likely that which we wish to see will indeed manifest or vise versa. 

So I believe in the possibility of the emptiness of nothingness within the void that is absolute potential of a path to light. 

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

A story of what once was complete understanding, yet when the tool/application in this case the tower itself is removed or in this case destroyed that understanding no longer exists. This is a case where and external application was required in order for comprehension of one to another. It is interesting to note that it is this ‘tower’ which ruled communication, we don’t have to look very far in current trends of this age, with cellular phones and satellite links that rule our daily communication routines to see a parallel. Imagine the world today should these towers be felled, how would we talk to each other. Is this a story of the past or a prognostication of the future? 

This is story however illustrated in general terms communication of different languages being understood. Let us no think this too far in the distant future, when already there are programs which can translate for us online add to that the voice activated controls and our ‘Tower of Babel’ may yet again, or for the first time appear.  

The ‘babble’ that we deem another language is not so far from the babble of those who may even speak the same language yet are from a different country. Even within a country we have colloquialisms. We can only understand when we open up and learn - gather the information from the source. Thus, creating and internal mechanism to understand the language or use of language in it colloquial terms – an internal ‘Tower of Babel’. If we take this down to a personal level we should be able to develop internal mechanisms that will ease difficulties of our daily interactions. 

Language

Geography     +   Environment

Dialects    +    Socio-Economic Experience

Colloquialisms    +    Moral/Spiritual Development

Definitions   +    Emotional Perspective

=  Tools for the mechanics of communication/Ability to communicate and comprehend  From these areas we see that how we communicate rests not only with our geographic location but also with our physical experience. This experience creates our psychological development which includes our strengths, fears and insecurities thus, defining our perceptions and individuality and creating our “loveable” eccentric nature. 

The physical experience will change whether we are male or female and within that frame work whether we define ourselves as a member of a marginalized group. As well, we need to include our religious affiliation or even the fact that we do not have one or have defined ourselves as atheist. It is the personal journey of education and learning that can build our tower of Babel and allow understanding of all we meet. This with compassion can lead to the next evolution of the human organism toward the path to light. 

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

From an earthen mold man was created, yet it had no life.

The mold had eyes, ears, mouth, digits and body.

God wanted to put life into this earthen mold (made of physical properties)

He asked the spirit to enter the mold but the spirit refused,“I am free.’ Said the spirit. “Why would I want to be imprisoned in such a mold?”

No amount of discussion would change the resolve of the spirit.

God noticed that when the angels (light) sang (sound of the word), the spirit was greatly moved and swung through the air, it’s energy heightened.

So God said to the spirit, “If you enter this mold, you will hear more clearly, feel more strongly, See a different reality.”

Moved so strongly by the song of the angels and greatly confused upon hearing this,the spirit entered the earthen mold and thus man was given life.  

This is one of the most beautiful stories that I have come across explaining the birth, you could say, of man. 

Who is Jesus?  

Was he a man? Yes, there are far too many stories for such and individual not to exist.  Was he a madman? Maybe, but there have been many others of similar persuasion that have taught outside current accepted parameters and met similar response, non-acceptance, judgement etc. 

What is he? A prophet, sage, seer, rishi – call it what you will he was connected to an energy that had a message for man on a better way to live life. There have been many like Buddha, Mohammed just to name two…there have been many others one I am currently reading about is Sai Baba again from India, with similar miracles, yet I digress…but just a little more, there is a wonderful healer a young man of aboriginal heritage from British Columbia who has had amazing results with manipulating Quantum energy fields that have effected a healing including prostate cancer and tumours (his most famous client being Ronnie Hawkins)…just to explain the healing stories that about the man/spirit called Jesus.  Is Jesus the son of God? As much as well all are sons and daughters of the Source that was the message he, to my mind, was trying to convey. We are all of the same making, that spirit or energy that imbibes all physical manifestations with life. Now, what I see the problem encountered what that the separation that man feels from this divine energy is based on this physical realm. Those powers that in India are accepted by the masses are in fact rejected by those that have them. For they are illusions to the greater journey to return to the spirit, they can help to ‘market’ the ideals that we are all to follow.  

Was Jesus a good marketer? Well, not so much the man himself as he himself wrote nothing of his own experience or at least that has been yet to be un/discovered. Most that have had this experience live their lives by example and allow that example to speak for itself…it way not the original Rishis of India that wrote, they merely observed and through word of mouth passed the observations down through those that their message resonated…which are their followers, though in reality they are followers of the divine light as incarnate in a physical form. This is true of the various testaments of the bible that were written by followers of the same mind – those which the message resonated - with Jesus. At this point the stories of the bible include a discriminatory policy as we have only been given 4 of the testaments and there were many more. It is the creators of the current edition of the bible that were the best marketers as were those that wrote to increase awareness of these teachings, though one has to admit that anything written by man comes through his individual perspective and has much room for interpretation…it is taking the finite definition of a word based on our own experience that creates separation from the spirit of the ‘word’….a person who has not felt love has no idea what the emotion is and therefore has little attachment to the ‘word’, the same can be said on the other side…a person that has never been depressed may be able to empathize but without living the experience cannot weigh the ‘word’ in the same manner as another that has had the experience or lives it.

Did Jesus exist? There is a wonderful Buddhist thought that goes…believe only what you yourself have experienced, accept that which another says as a possibility, but be true to that which is your own reality, question all even that which is your own perception. So, as far as any historical prophet existed then so too must this person we call Jesus. I mention this Buddhist thought as they separated from the Vedas prior to the birth of the man called Christ. So, they did not accept that which was written in the Vedas as complete truth, which is the basic beginning of scientific thought perhaps…separation of church and science for questioning is the basis of science, though the problem that this created was that science disengaged itself so far from energetic manifestation that theories completely disregarded this aspect of the human organism and as a result set about to prove theories and test were made to ensure that these theories proved true…they are now finding that there is a missing ingredient – energy as quantum science is not proving (well as close as proof of any theory can go without faith). Perhaps at this point it should be said that ‘science’ is in itself a religion as it is a means to understand and connect to the physical world…maybe closer to paganism as their belief system was closely regulated by the earth itself… 

Was Jesus of ‘immaculate conception’? Well, does it really make a difference to what he was teaching…not really, but it does make for a much better story…now if we look at advanced in medical technology there are many born today of ‘immaculate’ conception though it is termed artificial insemination…there is nothing new under the earth, sun or stars…anything is possible…   

Did he rise from burial? Well, again anything is possible…perhaps a better question would be ‘what do you think happens to us after this physical incarnation?’…if we are energy and we are resonating with a particular energy then when it is transformed would we still not have a perception of that energy…I would think so…there is much that we perceive that we do not understand and my thought here goes like this….It is the instrument of reception that defines perception…so if we are using our hearts to perceive then would not we ‘see’ something other that what is within this physical manifestation…as a path to light.

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

Religion…if we look at the root of the words itself ‘re’ to come back to or regarding ‘ligion’ is reference to ligament or connection then combined they become a reconnection to that which joins us together (as a ligament within the body joins muscle to bone) what are we joined together by spirit or the energy of the One, the Source through the mind to the physical body. Physically there is only 3% of our DNA that makes us look different from each other. The energy - being our emotions are all the same no matter what our heritage. The other interesting thing is that between species on the earth there is also very little difference in the physical make up right down to the earth worm that only has a few thousand chromosomes less than a human being to the surprise of many scientists…much less the DNA…where there is more in common that one would expect. The symbiology of live on this planet. 

It is interesting to mention the use of ‘Christian’ by westerners a shortened form of ‘following Christ – the man known as Jesus’. Westerners also created as simplified and ‘bastardized’ form of a word to indicate the ‘umbrella’ of Hindu which was originally a descriptive of a geographic location meaning ‘on the other side of the river Indus’ and not a description of a particular religion…the philosophy is Vedic and within that are various incarnations of the One that are worshipped with the underlying understanding that the incarnation is merely a personalized aspect of the One that cannot be personalize. The Vedas are older than Judaism which is older than Christianity which is older than Islam and these were originally written in the oldest of languages Sanskrit. These ideas were formed by keen observation…the words, stories were developed and passed on in verbal or story tradition then set down as written language (as in any scripture) to act as lessons for the ‘simple’ truths.  

There is a wonderful story of St. Issa in India…relating to Jesus…or perhaps the man himself…the truisms of unconditional love, acceptance, understanding, empathy…all positive, giving and compassionate energies that are created from the source (One)…it is in trying to group oneself with a proponent of a given statement (not necessarily factual as how can anything that man says be simple fact as it will always be coloured by his own experience) that created the followers of specific doctrines or better said dogma that another man created…not the One…for the One source does not have words, it just is… 

“ I find it interesting that as divine incarnations that we are automatically sinners – sins of the father…yet how as those being of light can we be born as sinners.” – This is not really a question, more a quandary this is in relation to the church’s view that we carry the sins of out father. I personally question this - how as divine incarnation of ‘god’ or universal energy…word semantics…is this possible? If all is One, then all things are divine incarnations, it is then our perspective based on environment, culture etc. that colour our ‘judgements’ on any given act or situation. Some particular doctrines are without question, I do like ‘judge not lest you be judged’ this is a truism not necessarily a ‘religious’ allegory of goose and gander ie. Good for one but not another. Hypocrisy, is something which belongs to most organized religions as a group not just Christianity. 

Religion then for me is as I have described a journey to reconnect to the One, the Source of all…that energy the surrounds, pervades and what is - we and all things upon this physical plane exist because and due and are it. Do I call it religion, no…only because of the connotation that is brings… 

I call it spirituality - again only for my own reasons - personal connotations to words and current social/political environments that create a varying degree of negative thought and energy. So those things I remove from my sphere of influence and incorporate (especially from an energetic point of view – one could think ghost though again our environmental upbringing creates emotions based on this premise) the more positive energies. 

So what do I base it on…well everything that has come into my conscious, sub-conscious or un-conscious, interactions, observation and interaction and experience…taking all the best of what has come to pass, that which is undeniable, positive and of the highest vibration…light & love…even that which is not necessarily seen as positive can be seen so…it is merely a matter of finding the best way to look at it…lessons learned and put into practice…well the latter probably the most difficult…there are things that have come to me in dreams…there are things that merely come out of my head…like creating music or art…that is a connection to the spirit…that creative force…though one must also realize that with creative force there must be destructive force for all that is created must be destroyed, to create that which is next, the evolution to the reconnecting to the One, the Source….there is like the breathe always a movement for without that movement there would be no creation…  It is from the physical through the mental to the energetic that we can all find our reconnection to the Source that is all we are - a path to light.

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

Here are a few simple step by step exercises to help engage the full body breath.

 Part 1 – Belly breathing

From a seated (or lying) position;

1. Cross the arms with a hand on each shoulder observe whether the shoulders rise during inhalation it is important to keep the shoulders down and relaxed while breathing
2. Keep the upper torso constricted with the arms across the chest. This will facilitate dropping the breath down into the belly. The abdominal cavity will expand with inhalation and collapse on exhalation indicating the muscle of breathing, the diaphragm, is activated
3. Once this has been achieved keep the hand on the belly button (navel) with the middle finger of each hand touching and feel the fingers separating as you inhale and then return to touch each other on the exhalation…a ½ kg or 1 lb bag of rice place on the belly while the arms are across the chest is another variation on this exercise, in this way the chest is still constricted and there is a visual of the bag of rice rising and falling.
4. Close your eyes and become aware of your heart beat, listening to the beat of your hear will give you the tempo for your breathing
5. Start with an inhalation of 3 or 4 heart beats and an exhalation of 3 or 4 heart beats
6. Gradually increase the duration of the breath with the heart beat to a maximum of 8 beats or eight seconds per inhalation and the same for exhalation. This process will immediately initiate a relaxation response.

Part 2 – Thoracic breathing, lateral expansion

Still in a seated (or lying) position;

1. Place the hands on the lower rib cage so that the baby finger is at the base of the ribs and the middle fingers are touching at the area of where the ribs begin to meet about 4 – 5 inches or 10 – 12 cm above the navel
2. As you inhale and the ribcage expands become aware of the fingers separating, the expansion is lateral as the tips of the fingers get further apart
3. Close your eyes and become aware of your heart beat
4. Start with an inhalation of 3 or 4 heart beats and an exhalation of 3 or 4 heart beats
5. Gradually increase the duration of the breathe with the heart beat to a maximum of 8 beats or eight seconds per inhalation and the same for exhalation

Try to put Part 1 and Part 2 breathing exercises together. First filling the belly then filling the lower ribcage area…again following the tempo of 4 – 8 heart beats…don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t come immediately…just start again with the first exercise, moving at your own pace towards the second exercise. Then again try to combine both exercises till comfort and ease are attained.

 Part 3 – Thoracic breathing, anterior and posterior expansion

Maintain either position;

1. Contract the abdominals and try to hold the lower ribs in place…if you cough or laugh you will get the feeling of how the muscles should feel during this breathing exercise.
2. Feel the air coming just into the upper part of the ribcage, your clavicle will rise to meet your chin and you will feel the expansion through the front of the ribcage or thoracic cavity - if you have problems feeling this in a seated position then you can lie supine on the floor which will further constrict the back and ease the perception of the anterior (front) chest expansion
3. To feel how the breathing expands in the back, lie prone or on your stomach thereby constricting the front of the body, you will immediately feel the breath expanding through the back of the thoracic cavity or ribcage
4. Repeat with the eyes closed and coordinating the inhalation and exhalation with the heart beat

Now combine parts 2 and 3. Once a level of comfort and awareness has been achieved with this component then part 1 can be added and with the incorporation of all these simple exercises the full body or yogic is now activated and stress will be greatly reduced. You can practice any time of the day and anywhere…

In stressfull situations we are told count to ten before saying anything…I like to add the breathing 5 count inhalation and 5 count exhalation.

“Count to ten, then breathe to a count of ten.”

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

When we talk about our work, it is how we deal with the stress that is an indication of our character – a positive and constructive attitude towards ones self and others in the situation. We may not know all that is going on in a person’s life – there are those that are ill – or just uncomfortable and stressed out at home – they can tend to project their feelings outward, which is a natural thing. It is important to remember that their reactions are not a reflection upon our selves. Doing things that remove our emotions from the situation is the best remedy and those things that allow us to breathe deeply such as walking helps in that regard as do they other activities that facilitate this process…

Deep breathing engages an automatic relaxation response throughout the entire human organism including; increasing cellular respiration, immune system response and improving digestion. The breathing is like filling a glass of water, first the bottom of the glass is filled then the middle and finally the top…when we take that simile to the anatomy of the body, we fill the belly with air first, then the lower rib cage and finally the upper chest, then we reverse the action on the exhalation - first with the upper chest, middle rib cage and finally the belly – much like the way a baby breathes (though most people would not like to consider themselves a baby, so the glass of water works best, so does the wave upon the shore as it breaks and slowly rises up the sand and from there retreats back to the ocean – the description of this visualization is also very calming and can be used with the breathing).

…A suggestion for those that you deal with a situation which may allow co-meditation and help another deal with their stress is to facilitate deep breathing practice. By holding their hand and having them breathe with you in the same pattern may have a calming effect on both of people in the situation, there is a feeling of compassion and community, when the breathing is controlled so are the emotions and then there is love. If you can feel the beat of your heart then perhaps start with 3 or 4 heart beats for the inhalation and the same length for the exhalation gradually increasing the length of the breath to 5 or 6 heart beats, depending on the ability of the person you are with, this can again be slowly increased or decreased based on need and ability.

Here’s a little something that was written for one of the courses I offer…perhaps some of it may be useful, take what applies and feels right in any situation…

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques start by taking your consciousness away from emotionally charged thoughts and directing it to activities that are emotionally neutral such as breath and body awareness. If your attention is on your big toe it is difficult to stay angry, the same is true if you are focussed on the movement of air in and out of the body. Tension will be released with the implementation of conscious deep breathing and the rotation of awareness through various muscles and parts of the body.

The full body or Yogic breath

 The yogic breath allows the body to release tension by slowing down the breathing rate, utilizing increased air and pranic capacity and engaging the parasympathetic nervous system. Alternatively, with shallow and quick breathing the sympathetic nervous system activates the ‘flight and fight’ response in which adrenalin and cortisone fill the physical body, a caustic element to cellular health and overall well-being.

For the most part people have very shallow breathing that originates in the upper regions of the torso – effectively the shoulder area. These muscles often give great problems as tension is being held in these areas, especially with work at a computer or desk and even driving will be exacerbate this tension. Shallow breathing increases the work load and over use of those muscles which attach to the rib cage and facilitate the mechanics of breathing.

Breathing should follow these rules:

1. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the nose, as this part of the process warms and filtrates the air (those with constricted nasal passages or colds may have difficulty with this and should modify accordingly, with the intention of increasing this capacity)
2. Keep the back of the throat and the jaw relaxed, this will open the air passage ways and increase the oxygen flow to the lungs
3. Feel the cool air travelling down the back of the throat warming as it passes into the lungs
4. Maintain this relaxed state during exhalation, feeling the warmed air expelled from the lungs in the reverse course
5. Do what comes naturally…relax into the breath!

 © T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved

The other day I received an email titled “Proud Canadian” indicating it was written by a mom whose son is in the Canadian Forces. It talked about a woman in a burkha asking a cashier when Canada was going to stop bombing her countrymen in Iraq. There was an ensuing diatribe from a man in line about problems in Iraq, that if they could fix it themselves there wouldn’t be the need for ‘us’ to be there and that he would ‘gladly pay for a ticket for her to return to her country’. At which point there was much cheering from other people in the line at this grocery store.

This brings me to a conversation that I had with my 6 year old nephew a few weeks ago. It was the first lengthy phone conversation I had with him usually it is just a grunt or a no from the background when asked if he wants to talk on the telephone.  He was driving in the big rig with his dad on a short haul. This conversation started with a play by play of what he was seeing along the way. Then it turned to the ‘war in Afghanistan’. (Now here I point out that even a 6 year old child knows that troops from Canada are in Afghanistan, not Iraq.) 

He asked, “Why do the people there hate us?” 

I said I don’t think everyone there hates us. There are moms and dads and brothers and sisters just like you have that don’t hate us. They want to have fun and play and live in peace just like you do.  

“Then why is there a war?” He continued. 

I remember an episode of ‘Dinosaurs’ that gave a great description so I told him sometimes when you have two groups of people thinking… 

We

Are

Right

Then you have a conflict and if they cannot agree on things then you have a war. Not everyone wants this war but it is fought none the less. People do not understand each other.  

“Everybody’s different.” He said.

That’s right; everybody’s different, just think of all the things that we can learn from people who are different from us. 

‘We can learn lots from people who are different, but no so much from people who are the same.” was his reply.  I remind you that this is a 6 year old talking here. He continued, “Even teachers learn new things, right?” 

Yep, even teachers learn new things. That’s what life is all about learning new things and not being afraid of new or different things.   

“If there was a war here,’ he said, “I would have to leave and go where there wasn’t a war. Do you think there’ll be a war here?” 

It is my hope that there won’t be. If everybody thought like you and learned from each others’ differences then respect, accept and tolerate those differences then perhaps there wouldn’t be wars.  

“That’s what I would like, no war. There’s lots of different places I’d like to see too, like the Great Wall of China.” said my 6 year old nephew.  

And wouldn’t it be good to be able to travel anywhere in the world and not be afraid of entering a war zone.   From the voice of a 6 year old boy remember… There is a lot we can learn from our differences, but not so much from being the same and many places for us to see…”

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved