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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
 Posted - 01/22/2005 : 21:09:33
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Hi everyone,
It's a big old blizzard here in NY, with possible accumulations of two feet!--although they're always wrong. But lucky me, the Schechter CD set arrived early this afternoon, just before the snow started falling. :] So I go to thinking, would it be a bad idea to listen to the CDs directly before I go to sleep, the point being that I will be sleeping--hopefully--for a majority of the recording and therefore it will be absorbed easier into my unconscious. In other news, I have been trying to ease up a bit in my TMS work as some of you mentioned that I might be overdoing it a wee bit (you were right). I'm not going to launch into lengthy discourse about my perfectionist tendencies causing this, blah, blah; but I would like to share with you what I have been doing. After I wake up, I concentrate and say a quick affirmation similar to what Baseball had recommended: something to the tune of "I know who you are and what you are doing and will not let it disrupt my day...” Then, anytime during the day when I find myself focusing on pain I might say a quick "I know this is TMS" but I then try to focus my attention on something else instead of diving into lengthy TMS thoughts. Deeper thinking and journaling is reserved for "quiet time" (~30-40 min). So far it's only been one day, but I'll keep you updated.
On a related note, I went to the gym this morning and ran--as I have been for the past month or two, just to show my brain that my "shin splints" are nothing more than conditioning. Believe it or not, they did still hurt a bit, but this is the best they have been since I "developed" them. Now I am hoping this isn't a "fluke" and that I'm not imagining it (does that happen to you sometimes? You think you're making up any progress you might be experiencing), but I think it's a good sign. Now that I think about it, the splints did not start until after my major TMS symptoms (headache, TMJ, etc.) Before they were fine.
Also, I'd like to take the time just to vent a few of my deepest fears (even though I journal about them, it helps a lot when I write about them on the board):
1. Sometimes I get to thinking about when I will be graduating college (in May) and beyond, and I picture myself still in pain suffering with my chronic headache and the like. I know by doing so I am negatively goaling, but I cannot help it sometimes. I try and tell myself it will be fine and even if I still have symptoms in May, I am on the right track. Did anything ever have thoughts similar to these. I guess they are due largely in part to experiencing so many let downs in terms of failed treatments.
2. This next fear is tricky. As I have mentioned before, there has always been a part of me--even prior to TMS diagnosis--that is afraid/does not want to get better. As ridiculous as it may sound, I feel it is caused by being in pain so long and not remembering what it is like to not have pain. I am in a sort of comfort zone so to speak. I know it is crucial for me to dispel this fear, but it is very difficult. I know it is completely irrational, and deep down inside I do want to be better, but there's always that part of me that says, "no you don't, you're fine where you are." Has anyone else experienced this? Perhaps I should integrate it somehow into my visualization?
Seth |
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Mobius
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2005 : 21:48:15
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Hello Seth,
If you are having a problem with anxiety and fear then the solution is TRUST. Trust that things are going to work out just as they are supposed to and leave all that anxiety and fear behind you. Anxiety and fear never solve anything they just create problems for you. You might want to stop trying to anticipate every possible future eventuality. That kind of mental activity is bothersome, seldom accurate as it is all guesswork, and leads you no where. Try to just be aware of what is happening right now in this moment and let the future unfold as it should. Take care. Mobius
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2005 : 09:09:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Seth
So I go to thinking, would it be a bad idea to listen to the CDs directly before I go to sleep, the point being that I will be sleeping--hopefully--for a majority of the recording and therefore it will be absorbed easier into my unconscious.
I am not so sure that your unconscious absorbs anything aurally while you are sleeping.
However there is evidence that our unconscious brain "works" while we sleep. I have seen it myself. If you work on a difficult problem to the point of exhaustion, then go to sleep, when you wake the solution might be suddenly obvious.
So, some have surmised that reading about TMS (or listening to the tapes) just before going to sleep might be a "shortcut" to your unconscious. This is really just a theory, though... |
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Kajsa
Denmark
144 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2005 : 09:59:26
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[quote]Originally posted by Mobius
Hello Seth,
"If you are having a problem with anxiety and fear then the solution is TRUST."
The solution may be TRUST.
But if you have anxiety and fear problems it is pretty hard to get that "solution".
You are so young Seth.
Do you see a psychotherapist? Ofcourse the lack of trust is an important thing in your life. But it is very hard to deal with this things yourself. You mentioned som pretty hard things that happened to you in your life.
I think you need help to deal with this things. You can never force youself to "not thinking about the bad things". Your worry will not go away because you demand it to do so.
You need to talk to a good person who can lead you through the emotions. Feel them, look at them closley.
All the best!
Kajsa
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2005 : 12:29:16
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Mobius & Kajsa,
You couldn't be more correct in stating that trust is absolutely essential to the recovery process. And the more that I think about it, the more I come to realize that I have always had some issues relating to trust--particularly trusting myself, which I almost always tend to doubt.
I am seeing a wonderful therapist that is very well versed in the mindbody connection and is completely open to TMS theory, although I am planning on purchasing MBP and having him read it. I was seeing him weekly, but have since switched to every other week (sometimes 3x a month). This is due primarily to time and money issues.
At first this the prospect of decreasing my number of visits was a bit scary, but with the combination of doing the work along with this board, I think it's working out ok so far. You're right, I am way too young to have gone through all of this, but you know what? In retrospect--even though I'm not completely out of the woods yet--I am very grateful that I did. Not only did it set my priorities straight, but it taught me much about life, lessons that have and will prove to be invaluable.
So I listened to the first CD last night, it was great. Really helpful--as Tennis Tom mentioned--in hearing the words come directly from a TMS doctor. I'll let you know how the other two CDs are as soon as I'm finished with them.
I must away and finish my paper on Ifa Divination, which sadly, is at 72 pages so far, but near completion nonetheless. Speak to everyone soon! As always thanks for the kind words.
Seth |
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Peaceful Warrior
12 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2005 : 13:58:37
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| Hi Seth, it's good to hear of someone around my age. How do I get those CDs? I'm having a frustrating time with using this forum, I'm not able to see any replies to my last posting but it does say under my topic that tennis tom for example has replied on the 23rd, what am I not doing right? Also, I'm not able to post any topics for some odd reason. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2005 : 15:29:47
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pw, put your email in your bio and ill tell you how to get cds.
you may want to post sarno soldier, you have a lot in common with him. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2005 : 16:20:41
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quote:
Originally posted by tennis tom
pw, put your email in your bio and ill tell you how to get cds.
you may want to post sarno soldier, you have a lot in common with him.
You should also read all the archived posts by mrosenthal. He was about your age and shared many of the same issues. The reply posts to him will answer your concerns. |
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mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2005 : 20:35:27
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Peaceful Warrior
Here's the link to order the CDs Just follow the instructions.
http://www.mindbodymedicine.com/7tms.html
Good Luck & Good Health
Mala |
Edited by - mala on 01/24/2005 03:51:19 |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2005 : 21:04:54
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So over the past three days I have listened to all of Schechter's CDs and I must say I am very glad they were recommended to me (thanks TT!). They're especially useful for--as many have already noted--listening to in the car; and speaking of which, a peculiar thing happened tonight on my drive down to Sarah Lawrence. I was listening to CD number 3 (the one with the interview with Dr. Dubin) and my chronic headache started to get worse. And it still is while I am typing right now. I take this as another good sign that I have TMS on the run. What struck me most was when Dr. Dubin mentioned the concept of surrender, how--at least in my case--I just need to slow down and trust the process, instead of fretting about it day in and day out. Interesting how seemingly simple concepts like this can take so long to sink in.
Seth |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2005 : 22:39:11
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I'm sitting here doing my Neuroscience homework and my headache is raging; it hasn't been this bad in a while. I also feel a bit "sickish", by this I mean flushed, coughing, etc. I wonder if this really has anything to do with listening to and really thinking about what Dr. Dubin was saying on tape number three. I'll keep you posted.
Seth |
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Sarah Jacoba
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2005 : 00:37:20
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as to what the unconscious does during sleep: I am convinced as a guitarist that our subconscious is working on stuff all the time, sleeping and otherwise; case in point: I learn 10-20 songs a week with my students and often can barely play a song at the end of a lesson (having just figured it out by ear and written it down for them); invariably the next week when I see that student I can pick up their music and play the tune 3 times better, even though I havent seen or played or thought about the music I wrote for them since the prior week. It's amazing. In this case, it proves that the subconscious mulls over and integrates everything, without any particular direction or impetus from my mind.
This being the case, I would guess a frightening amount of our mental activity is under the radar. Given my sense of this, I dont doubt you can absorb information while you fall asleep, even if you might not once dead asleep. (I regularly listen to my hypnosis/relaxation CDs as I fall asleep and usually fall asleep about 5 minutes into a 20 minute CD; nonetheless they seem to help).
One thing that is related is how I have been thinking on Rick Carson's Gremlin book. A key point of his method is to Simply Notice the gremlin and (if you like) amplify or clarify what he is saying. At first the argument that this would be freeing sounded stupid to me, but I've found that much of my TMS brain chatter is pitched to be *slightly* below the level of full consciousness. I.e. I'm thinking it but not really noticing it. When I repeat it back to myself, it suddenly sounds so silly. e.g. "You had better not work in the yard today, Sarah, because if you do you'll be sore for days and your work will suffer." Then I immediately think, what am I so weak at 36 that I cant do an hour's yard work? Phooey. But if I dont amplify this voice, it sneaks in its comments and I start feeling afraid without ever really Noticing what's going on in there.
--Sarah
"When dream and day unite" |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2005 : 13:07:52
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Update: My head is still raging (as opposed to being a dull pain), and I'm still listening to the Schechter tapes. I've also since developed a useful acronym: Accept Surrender Trust (AST). Basically, everytime I beging to focus on the pain I repeat these three words in my headache stopping to think for a couple of seconds on each one. So far I'm finding it really helpful. Take care everyone.
Seth |
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Tunza
New Zealand
198 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2005 : 13:14:10
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Hi Seth,
I also find it useful to use words in the same way.
I now have good control over my hayfever. When I feel it intensifying I can calm it down straight away by saying "I accept. I acknowledge" and breathing calmy in and out of each word.
Hope your headache eases off forever soon.
Kat |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2005 : 18:56:06
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Hi guys and gals,
Even though I'm not leaving I'm in need of a "TMS booster" 
So basically, my headache is still really bad since I posted last and I'm continuing the approach I described even though It's very hard at times; that "leap of faith." "I guess I just need some input on that my headache flaring like that is actually a "good" thing--if in fact it is. Because it is tempting to get back into the mindset of: "Oh, it's nothing more than a "wax" in the wax and wane process." But it hasn't been this bad in a while; at least not for more than a day. Thanks so very much!
Seth |
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Louise
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2005 : 20:40:06
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Seth - give it time. I know that it's really hard, especially when you're in big-time pain, but a huge part of feeling better is being able to ignore the physical. Remind yourself that it's a distraction, and TRY not to fall for it. If all else fails, take something for the pain - it's not a sign of failure. Your unconscious mind has been using pain as a distraction for quite a while, and it's not gonna give up without a fight.
I found that I could banish my nightly pain and also my asthma with meditation. Try this - sit or lie down and breathe.
Feel the breath flow up your nostrils. Feel it glide over the litle hairs in your nose. Feel it flow back out and over those little hairs. If your mind wanders, gently turn your mind back towards feeling the air flow. Do this for a while, and you'll find that while you were breathing, you didn't notice your other pains. Use this as ammunition to banish your pain. It won't happen overnight, but armed with the knowledge that you can subvert the pain, you can eventually short-circuit it.
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Peaceful Warrior
12 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2005 : 23:27:44
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Mala, thanks a lot, I ordered them right away. FYI, I've been posting my updates under "this forum may be a savior"
take care |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2005 : 00:16:38
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Louise,
Thanks big time for the inspiration! You know I really find things "clicking" the past day or so. I'm finally starting to realize what it takes to get better, and I know this may sound strange b/c I have been reading and re-reading Sarno, etc. and how could one not know? I realize now--I think--the type of thinking that is required to succeed, and--how do I articulate this?--that it takes work. Now, I know you're probably thinking, "how can you not think it doesn't take work?" I feel as though since starting TMS not only have I been trying way too much at applying the work, but the work I was doing seemed a bit too easy on the gut level if you know what I mean. I was really taking it in intellectually, and thinking that my heart was absorbing it, when in fact I was still remaining within my comfort zone if you know what I mean. This is very exciting for me--although I must admit, it is scary (now I can relate to the drawbridge (?) analogy. In any event, pardon my silly ramblings. Last but surely not least--and when I say this I hope I'm not offending anyone--but smoking a little grass helped account(I think) for a few of the insights I described--although I am not condoning it, and furthermore, I could very well just be experiencing a coincidence; or could this possibly be a "breakthrough?" Just thought I might share.
Seth |
Edited by - lobstershack on 01/26/2005 10:24:45 |
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Louise
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2005 : 10:26:27
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Seth -
I'm glad to hear that you've had some insights. TMS thinking is definitely a process, and I think for most of us here, it can and does take a while to accomplish. As to the grass - my philosophy is: hey, whatever works.
The recent postings about Louise Hay made me pull out her "You can heal your life" book again. I bought it a while ago, and when I looked at it then, I thought "yeah, right - what a load of new age fluff!". Well, I picked it up the other day and looked up some of the conditions that I have or have had. I was astounded at how "right-on" the descriptions were. I came to the brilliant conclusion that for me, hanging on to past "hurts" in my life results in physical pain. Now, I knew that intellectually a long time ago, but it FINALLY registered with me the other day. I had a good long thought about things that I needed to forgive and let go of. The next morning, my nagging low back ache disappeared! It reminds me of the Edna St. Vincent Milay poem that Dr. Sarno paraphrases in his book - the part about the mind being slow to learn (or something like that - I don't have the book on me at the moment!).
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CDs in the mail
