Meditation

"Meditation is a liberative practice.  It's about liberation from mind-states such as greed, anger, and delusion.  This has real-world implications." Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn

Some people may shy away from the healthy practice of meditation because it may have religious connotations for them, but religion need not be a factor in mediating.  Dr. Kabat-Zinn is the founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a secular mediation-based approach to dealing with stress, pain, illness and daily living.  Years ago when I was working with students with cognitive and emotional disabilities, I led them through what I called 'relaxation technique' daily.  It was important for me to honor the separation of church and state in a public school setting, but I also wanted to give these children tools for handling the stress of life encountered by someone with disabilities.  Dr. Richard Davidson, director of the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin says, "In the 1950's, hardly anyone exercised for their health.  Now that's an accepted practice.  Within fifty years, the same thing will happen with meditation."  Numerous research programs are indicating that meditation is a wonderful daily practice to help with the stress of life, and as caregivers for someone with dementia, the practice is particularly imperative.  Let us together form the intention to meditate for at least 10-20 minutes a day.  You may find, like I do, that the best time is at the end of your day.  Meditation can be supported by listening to cd's that lead you in meditation as you go to sleep at night. The one I am using right now is:  Three Stages of Healing Trauma by Belleruth Naparstek.  There are many other good ones.