World of Wellness
Follow Me:

Sheila's Blog

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Keto Blog
  • Blog
  • Products
    • Aloe Vera
  • Yoga
    • Yoga Classes
    • Yoga Q&A
  • Meditation
    • Meditation Sessions
    • Meditation Q&A
  • Ayurveda
    • Ayurveda Program
    • Ayurveda Q&A
  • Relaxation
    • More about Relaxation
    • Relaxation Training
  • Training Programmes
    • Chopra Centre Programs
    • Retreat
    • Relaxation Training Programme
    • Ayurveda Lifestyle Programme
  • Contact Me

The Miracle of Meditation

20/5/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Miracle of Meditation - Marilee Bresciani Ludvik

It’s hard to believe that in 2005, I could barely walk, and now I can ski down black diamonds and trek in the Himalayas. It’s hard to believe that I once thought meditation was a bunch of Southern California woo-woo hippie talk, and now I research its effectiveness. It’s hard to believe that less than a decade ago, I thought meditation was a waste of time, and now all I want to do is share the practice with others—especially with those who question its worth.
How did that transformation occur?


The Story Leading Up to the Miracle

Nine years ago, I was an Assistant Vice President at Texas A&M University; I had no interest in associating with anything that slowed me down. So, when my dear friend and colleague, Jan, invited me to yoga and meditation classes, I looked at her as if she had three heads. While I admired Jan’s grace and elegance under fire,  I didn’t want to have anything to do with anything that sounded so “unproductive.” My workout regimen was aggressive and included daily running and weight lifting—that was how I dealt with stress. So I kept coming up with excuses to leave the yoga class before it barely started … and to avoid any meditation class at all. Soon, however, my excuses would come to an end; my opportunity for awakening was upon me.

In 2005, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder, the prior four months leading up to that diagnosis, the use of my legs had been claimed, and the strange numbing sensation was moving into my core cavity. My daily workout routine was no longer possible, and the doctors could do nothing but offer me medication to manage my pain and growing anxiety. They weren’t sure how far the numbing sensation would progress or how to reverse its progress, but they kept telling me to be grateful that the disorder wouldn’t kill me and that I could learn to live with whatever would become of my once very athletic and active body. I was too weak and in too much pain to even react.

The Onset of a Miracle
My dear friend, Jan, came to my side. Realising that I could no longer manage my stress and uncertainty with running and working out, I could also no longer run away from the yoga classes she had previously invited me to attend. I finally listened to her invitation to be still. Jan graciously and gracefully sat beside me and taught me how to focus on my breath. With the increasing challenge of breathing, I now found this very still practice incredibly fascinating.

I also found the practice of focusing on my breath to be productive. Within weeks, the disease stopped progressing, allowing gifted physical therapists and Eastern trained nutritionists to do their work. Less than two years after Jan taught me how to focus on my breath, I walked into my first yoga class and this time, I stayed until the end.

Four years of yoga practice fuelled my yearning to discover more. At this point I was a tenured, full Professor at San Diego State University, and I was convinced there was much more to this “stillness stuff,” and I wanted to find out what it was. This marked the beginning of my studies at the Chopra Center.  

Spreading Miracles and Inspiration
After experiencing this miracle, reversing my fate, and recovering from the disorder, I received a calling to inspire and teach others to overcome their barriers. 

In 2012 I had the joy and honour of becoming certified in Primordial Sound Meditation. I use this training, along with my experience as a certified yoga instructor, a Search Inside Yourself teacher-in-training, and a Professor at San Diego State University to bring this knowledge to others. I get to experience all of these worlds coming together in practice … and they do so in beautiful perfection.

The Research to Back Up the Miracle
The practice of all of this has culminated in a fascinating research project where I get to teach undergraduate and graduate students focused breathing (meditation), focused movement (asana/yoga), and other mindfulness and inquiry practices in 16-week programs. The results of the research have been compelling. Here’s what we’ve found:
  • Significant decreases (with large effect sizes) in students’ stress and anxiety
  • Significant increases in students’ ability to pay attention, observe, describe, act with awareness, regulate their emotions, and practice non-judgment, non-reactivity, and compassion
  • Significant increase in students’ confidence in their reasoning
  • Significant increase in overall students’ well-being and conscious choice-making
  • See www.integrativeinquiry.org for more details and statistics

It’s been quite a journey from a sceptic to a believer; and not just a believer but one who is gathering the data about how transformative the practice of meditation, yoga, Ayurveda, and compassionate choice-making can be for everyone. Working with an amazing team of neuroscientists, psychologists, monks, yogis, students, and sceptics, we are discovering just how interconnected the body is with the mind.

Now, I happily stand corrected: I no longer believe that the practice of meditation is just for southern California hippies, nor is it just for those looking for a miracle. The practice is for anyone who wants to observe their mind—whatever that may mean to you—and invite in a compassionate, gracious, non-judgemental perspective of your mind. When we learn to become aware of what the mind observes, we can then invite in more conscious choices.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    June 2016

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    8 Limbs Of Yoga
    Abundance
    Acceptance
    Accountability
    Active
    Acupuncture
    Adapt
    Affirmations
    Ageing
    Aging
    Airport Stress
    Alcohol
    Alcoholism
    Alisa Paliano
    Allergies
    Altar
    Anti-inflammation Foods
    Anxiety
    Appreciation
    Archetypes
    Archetypes Of Survival
    Aromatherapy
    Around-the-table Meals
    Art
    Asparagus
    Autumn Eating
    Awareness
    Awe
    Ayurveda
    Ayurveda For Dogs
    Ayurvedic Wisdom
    Bacteria
    Balance
    BBQ Sauce
    Beliefs
    Belly Bloat
    BItterness
    Bloating
    Blueberry Smoothie
    Body And Mind
    Body Mind And Soul
    Boundaries
    Brassica
    Breakdown
    Breakthrough
    Breathing
    Broccoli Cheese Soup
    Brown Fat
    Busy World
    Butternut Squash Soup
    Cabbage
    Calm
    Calories
    Camel's Pose
    Cancer
    Cancer Prevention
    Caregiving
    Carrot Ginger Soup
    Centering Thought
    Chakra
    Chakra Clearing
    Change
    Children
    Child's Pose
    Chlorophyll
    Chocolate Coconut Smoothie
    Christmas
    Christmas Stress
    Circadian Rhythm
    Cleanse
    Coconut
    Coconut Oil
    Coffee
    Coherent Heart
    Colourful Food
    Commuting
    Compassion
    Compassion Meditation
    Confrontation
    Connection
    Consciousness
    Cooking With Tea
    Cook Nourishing Food
    Cook Your Own Food
    Cook Your Own Meals
    Cream Of Broccoli Soup
    Creativity
    Crisis
    Cultivate Spirituality
    Daily Rituals
    Dan Buettner
    Dating
    Debate
    Declutter
    Deconditioning
    Deepak Chopra
    Dehydration
    Depression
    Desire
    Detachment
    Detox
    Dharma
    Diet
    Diet Myth
    Digestion
    Digestive Distress
    Distractions
    Divine Couples
    DIY Sunscreen
    Dogs
    Dosha
    Doshas
    Doubt
    Dreams
    Eating
    Echinacea
    Eggs
    Embrace Helplessness
    Emotional Baggage
    Emotional Health
    Emotions
    Empath
    Empathy
    Equinox
    Essential Oils
    Excuses
    Exercise
    Express Love
    Extra Weight
    Eye Care
    Faith
    Fear
    Feelings
    Feeling Stuck
    Feminine Energy
    Fibre
    Fight Colds
    Financial Success
    First Aid
    Fitness
    Flow
    Flu
    Food
    Foot Massage
    Forgievness
    Forgiveness
    Free Your Energy
    Fresh Start
    Gardening
    Getting Back On Track
    Gift
    Gifting
    Gifts
    Gifts That Give Back
    Ginger Shiitake Noodle Soup
    Ginger Tea
    Giving
    Giving And Receiving
    Goal
    Goals
    God
    Good Fats
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Green Beans With Almonds
    Green Goddess Smoothie
    Green Leafy Vegetables
    Green Powder
    Greens
    Green Vegetables
    Grounding
    Growth
    Gut Health
    Gut Instinct
    Habits
    Happiness
    Healing
    Healing Effects Of Art
    Healing With Sound
    Healing Yoga And Meditation
    Health
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Fasting
    Healthy Food While Travelling
    Healthy Genes
    Healthy Habits
    Healthy Holiday Desserts
    Healthy Iced Fruit Bars
    Healthy Options
    Heart Chakra
    Heart Disease
    Heart Intelligence
    Heavy Thoughts
    Herbs
    Herbs Hands Healing
    Holding Space
    Holiday
    Holiday Gifts
    Holiday Season
    Holiday Stressors
    Homeopathy
    Humour
    Hydration
    IBS
    Ideas
    Immune System
    Imperfection
    Infinite Possibilities
    Inflamation
    Inner Change
    Inner Child
    Inner Healing
    Inner Peace
    Inner Voice
    Inner World
    Inspiration
    Intention
    Intentions
    Intuition
    Jen Miller
    Jenn Miller
    Jill Davies
    Joint Care
    Journal
    Journalling
    Joy
    Judgement
    Juicing
    Kapha
    Karma
    Katie Pande
    Keep Warm
    Kindness
    Kitchen
    Kleshas
    Kombucha
    Leaky Gut
    Learning From Your Dog
    Life Coach
    Life Expectation
    Life Purpose
    Lifestyle
    Lissa Coffey
    Lists
    Loneliness
    Loss
    Love
    Low Lunge
    Lung Problems
    Lymphatic System
    Madisyn Taylor
    Male And Female Energy
    Manifestation
    Mantra
    Massage
    Meal Planning
    Meal Preparation
    Meaningful Connections
    Meat-free Meals
    Meditation
    Meditation Techniques For Beginners
    Mediterranean Diet
    Mental Baggage
    Mental Health
    Mental Stamina
    Mindful Dating
    Mindful Eating
    Mindfulness
    Mindset
    Minerals
    Minestrone Soup
    Mint
    Moderation
    Mood
    Morning Habits
    Morning Person
    Morning Routine
    Morning Routines
    Motivation
    Moving Forward
    Mudra
    Mullein
    Mushrooms
    Music Therapy
    Natural Allergy Relief
    Natural Remedies
    Natural Skincare
    Natural Sunscreen
    Natural Sweeteners
    Nature
    Negative Behvaiour
    Negative Thoughts
    Neighbours
    Nestmaven
    Neti Pot
    New Year
    New Year's Resolutions
    Non-resitance
    Nutrients In Greens
    Nutrition
    Oneness
    Opportunity
    Organic Food Shopping
    Osteoporosis
    Outdoors
    Outer World
    Pain
    Passion
    Patanjali
    Pattern Interrupt
    Peace
    Perfection
    Petitation
    Pets
    Phtyonutrients
    Piriformis Syndrome
    Pitta Dosha
    Planning
    Plant Foods
    Poetry
    Portion Control
    Positive Habits
    Potato Leek Soup
    Poverty
    Power
    Practical
    Prayer
    Present Moment
    Present Moment Awareness
    Presents
    Priorities
    Probiotics
    Prosperity
    Prostitute
    Protecting Your Skin
    Pure Awareness
    Purpose
    Quiet Time
    Quotes To Start The Day
    Rain
    Ray Long
    Recipes
    Reclining Heart Opener
    Regrets
    Reiki
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relationship With Food
    Resolutions
    Resting Pose
    Retreat
    Ritual
    Rituals
    Roger Gabriel
    Routine
    Rudolf Tanzi
    Saboteur
    SAD
    Salads
    Samyama
    Seated Forward Bend
    Secret To Living Longer
    Sedentary
    Seeds
    Self-awareness
    Self Care
    Self-Care
    Self Compassion
    Self-compassion
    Self-Enlightenment
    Self Worth
    Service
    Setting Intentions
    Shakshuka
    Shatavari
    Simplify Space
    Six Tastes
    Sleep
    Slow Down
    Smile
    Smoothie
    Social Life
    Social Media
    Soma
    Soul Questions
    Soup
    Soup For Cold Days
    Soups
    Spicy Vegetable Chilli
    Spirituality
    Spiritual Success
    Spiritual Wellbeing
    Spring
    Spring Allergies
    Spring Cleaning
    Spritual Connection
    Square One
    Standing Forward Fold
    Standing Mountain Pose
    Statins
    Staying Focused
    Stress
    Success
    Suffering
    Suhas Kshirsagar
    Summer
    Summer Archetypal Energy
    Summer Smoothies
    Sun
    Super Foods
    Susan Pinker
    Susan Weed
    Susun Weed
    Sweet Potato Casserole With Caramelised Bananas
    Sympathy
    Take Charge
    Talents
    Tea
    Tea As A Spice
    Thanksgiving
    The Blues
    The Five Elements
    The Law Of Karma
    Therapeutic Breast Massage
    The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success
    The Whole Cur
    Thinking Patterns
    To Do List
    To-Do List
    Tolerance
    Tough Times
    Traditions
    Tragedy
    Transform Your Life
    Transition
    Travel
    True Self
    Trust
    Trust Your Gut
    Uncertainty
    Universe
    US Election
    Vacation
    Values
    Vata
    Vedanta
    Vegan Soup
    Vibrant
    Vibrant Health
    Victim
    Vision Board
    Visualisation
    Vitamin D
    Vitamins
    Weather The Storm
    Weight Control
    Weight Loss Myth
    Weight Management
    White Bean Chilli
    White Fat
    Who Am I
    Wholeness
    Will Power
    Wine
    Winter
    Winter Activities
    Winter Blues
    Winter Hibernation
    Winter Solstice
    Wisdom
    Wise Woman
    Woman
    Worry
    Yin And Yang
    Yoga
    Yoga Anywhere
    Yoga For Sniffles
    Yoga For Stress
    Yoga For Summer
    Yoga Sutra
    Yogic Eye Exercises

Proudly powered by Weebly