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DrewMartin
USA
14 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2013 : 10:22:57
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Hello All,
I just wanted to stop by and let everyone know that I am doing well and pain free, now going on three years. This site was a huge help. Do the therapy, journal, skilled relaxation, and remember there is nothing wrong with you!
I wrote a blog entry about my experience here hope it's helpful:
http://www.thebiglistofawesome.com/meditation-is-awesome-heres-a-few-tips/
Best regards and never give up hope!
Drew |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 10:59:37
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| See guys, this is another example of what I have seen works the best, a state of peace and affirmations as tools. Great post Drew! Note how long it took drew to be "cured" - a total of 3 years. No mention of dealing with some unconscious hidden emotion. |
Edited by - Ace1 on 03/13/2013 11:17:22 |
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chickenbone
Panama
398 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 11:15:33
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| Congratulations, Drew. I read your link and think it is awesome. We can all benefit by your sharing this. I wish you the best. |
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RageSootheRatio
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 12:37:33
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Thanks very much, Drew for coming back and updating. 
Ace, I found this part (in bold) most interesting:
"Search the web for information on Skilled Relaxation.. The idea is to get you brainwaves into a Theta, or very relaxed but not asleep state, for 30 minutes twice a day. Do it in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon, not right before or after sleep. This way the calm state lasts throughout the day.
Despite years of trying various methods (Buteyko Breathing, Jon Kabat Zinn's mindfulness meditation, DST/EBT, yoga, qigong, tai chi, etc) I would say I've had mixed results. (I WOULD say I was successful w/ my "sinus headaches" using Sarno's method alone.) I've never deliberately tried to get to theta states for 30 minutes twice a day, though and as I have mentioned before, YES I am trying to get to the next level w/ my health issues.
I haven't been doing Ace's program for 3 years yet obviously, either, but I also want to see more signs of progress. The only way I would know if the "theta state 30 minutes twice a day" would help is if I tried it. I definitely want to be fully cured in 3 years...
BTW, Drew also says this:
"Dr. Sarno focused his attention on proving the these conditions are not triggered by physical causes, and recommends therapy and a conscious effort to uncover the sources of rage and anger that are most likely at the root of the pain or health complex. He also mentions the benefit of mediation. In my opinion, both go hand in hand. First, go to a therapist who understands psychosomatic disorders, then, once you have better a understanding of your mind, start a relaxation program for at least 30 minutes twice a day.
Very interesting, Drew. Thanks again,
RSR
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Edited by - RageSootheRatio on 03/13/2013 12:39:02 |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 12:58:49
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| Ok, we can let Drew address this directly, but later he states that the only cure is through medidation and if you read the post of his I bumped up, he says you can direct your affirmations based on what issues you have. I think it means(and this is in my keys)that you need to find out what gets up in a hyped up state, and then take actions to reverse this. I personally find it more helpful to be in a type of relaxed mediatiate mode most of my day instead of trying to induce it at specific points. It is also important to try to be in that mode in conditioned situations where we acted the opposite in the past. I also found the affirmations work best right before sleep. However as you can see the basic concept is the same, you have to eliminate that strained mental actiity and achieve a state of more peace. |
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RageSootheRatio
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 13:16:45
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thanks, Ace... I think that communication is difficult at the best of times, and it is interesting to get your continued clarification of what you mean. I really appreciate it very much.
You said "I personally find it more helpful to be in a type of relaxed mediatiate mode most of my day instead of trying to induce it at specific points."
I understand that is what you have *personally* found helpful. The problem I personally have had is GETTING to be in ANY "type of relaxed mode" ... my hyperarousal problems have been on the very extreme end I think, and that is why any approach has to be SO individualized I think. That is also why I have had such mixed results w/ so many methods.
(This is mixing threads, but Shawn, I don't have a problem with "change". Indeed, I have sought it out much more than most people. What I have a problem with is spending so much energy over so many years trying to GET change, and having not enough payoff for my efforts.)
quote:
However as you can see the basic concept is the same, you have to eliminate that strained mental actiity and achieve a state of more peace.
Yes, I think I get this now. I do wonder if trying more deliberately to get to "theta" state and so having a baseline I can actually reference would be helpful for ME, because it is hard to know if I am doing your "keys" correctly or getting the most out of them that I could. Because it is hard to tell whether I am just expecting too much too soon, or if I DO need something else .. maybe a little more focused.
quote:
You said "I personally find it more helpful to be in a type of relaxed mediatiate mode most of my day instead of trying to induce it at specific points."
I guess my point is, that I am not there, yet. And I do wonder whether your "keys" assume a particular starting place(s). I could well be an "outlier" on the "outlier's" continuum!
So "BEING in a type of relaxed meditative mode" could be particularly difficult for someone like myself, who is coming from a very different place (in part because I have a (dx'd) very different sort of brain than most people ...) It might take me 30 minutes of trying to GET to beta to experience what you already find easy to experience by using affirmations etc. ... hmmmmmm
I really do appreciate your help and support in guiding me in the right direction and really making me think this through for my own unique situation ...
RSR
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alix
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 13:31:38
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RSR, have you tried to be in the NOW at all time. When you just experience and stop thinking, stop that mind chatter, there is no fear and usually symptoms go away. It is the power of meditation but on a continuum.
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 13:41:51
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| Yes what alix is saying is right. It takes practice depending on where your starting from. My keys apply to all starting points. I consider I was in a very bad starting point myself. I dont think those keys I put up have been up more than 5 months max. Why do you expect such a quick cure? Are you doing what they say? Are you looking at the BIG picture when your in pain instead of intensly focusing on how to get out of pain. Are you doing affirmations like I have asked you to do them? Are you not reacting to your symptoms that are leading you to stay in the hyped up mode of things? Are you recognizing when in a hyped up mode what you do now, will usually do nothing for the moment, but help in the future? are you doing everything with ease,and patience, avoiding the rush? I know that when there are symptoms you want to DO SOMETHING to stop them. Have you thought that I have to remember that I will DO NOTHING about them and continue to work on my goal of peace. I hope this helps. I dont mind continuing to explain until this makes sense. |
Edited by - Ace1 on 03/13/2013 13:48:51 |
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alix
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 14:28:05
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Thanks Ace, you are absolutely right.
I discovered it by accident really, before you had your keys up.
In the past few years, I did daily meditation and why I felt good doing it, the effect never lasted.
Then when I rediscovered Sarno last fall and had moments where the symptoms would disappear, I would be in a panic not knowing what to do. The symptoms would come back right away of course. I read Steve-O's advise saying that in those moments you should simply feel another part of the body. It worked.
But then I read "Practicing the power of now" and that was my Ah-Ha moment. I understood that feeling another neutral part of my body was to be in the now but that I could extend it and make it an empowering, pain free, enjoyable way of life by simply choosing not to follow the chatter in my brain. |
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plum
United Kingdom
641 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 15:01:12
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Drew, thanks for this. It's always heartening to hear anothers story. May I add that your wife's garden metaphor has particular resonance for me, and best describes my personal approach.
RSR, I am also a veteran of numerous practices, most treasured of these the shamanic, not the least for its embrace of the many states of consciousness. Much as I love these avenues unless and until we make them our daily bread, they remain a class, an experience, a promise. I enjoy reading your posts immensely.
Ace1, neither yearn nor aspire. Healing is the sweetest contentment, happy-in-your-skin, warm still moment of life as it is. You are quite right. This deep peace and relaxation rests at the core, rippling out over the river of our days.My pain and rippling fluctuate at the moment but I am gentle with my frustrations and better at distilling them. I no longer lose my head.
Today has really felt and really meant this acceptance. Perfect equilibrium. Pain dramatically dimished. Ease and softness of self drifting through the world most lovely of all. This is the source and when I am lost, remind me of this. |
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Barbara Carroll
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2013 : 16:00:25
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Are there specific meditation CDs you would recommend?
Barbara |
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RageSootheRatio
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 07:18:59
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Thanks Alix and Ace1. I will mull over your thoughts and see what I can catch in the moments I most need them ... as I don't really *think*/ am not aware of feeling fear of my symptoms (I don't have chronic pain). Would have a hard time describing my symptoms actually. Just don't feel a lot of WELL-BEING a lot of the time.
Ace you said this:
quote:
Have you thought that I have to remember that I will DO NOTHING about them and continue to work on my goal of peace.
This "goal of peace" might be one big contributing problem in my case. I was dx'd with alexithymia many years ago and so "peace" is a hard thing for me to understand. And, while physiological regulation is probably a part of it (?) and is obviously not a bad thing, I don't know that is what you are really trying to get at, either. I will try to keep working on it (though not to the point of strain.) 
thanks again for your feedback and help! I have really appreciated it -- RSR |
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chickenbone
Panama
398 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 07:54:34
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| I can tell you that I have been meditating for about 7 years fairly regularly. This has helped me stay more relaxed and functional during the day, but I have never received a great benefit from it. It actually seems to make my sleep problems worse when I do a lot of it. It did not help much at all with my TMS, which is mostly gone now because of Ace's Keys. |
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eric watson
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 09:32:22
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barbara- ihave got to say the best cds are the affirmations
im calm relaxed peaceful and patient- even milton erikson that great
teacher of the mind from the 40s said these wew the exact words he used to get out of back pain and all kinds of pain he had- he was paralyzed for two years-at this time all he could do was think
the im calm , at peace and patient affirmations said a thousand times a day is how he put it
i want you to learn the power of these affirmations
and be patient, humble, study 1 of aces keys a week remeber
and know it with emotion ok. god bless
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Edited by - eric watson on 03/14/2013 09:34:50 |
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eric watson
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 09:35:43
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quote:
Originally posted by DrewMartin
Hello All,
I just wanted to stop by and let everyone know that I am doing well and pain free, now going on three years. This site was a huge help. Do the therapy, journal, skilled relaxation, and remember there is nothing wrong with you!
I wrote a blog entry about my experience here hope it's helpful:
http://www.thebiglistofawesome.com/meditation-is-awesome-heres-a-few-tips/
Best regards and never give up hope!
Drew
drew congradulations - your a superstar
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alix
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 10:43:54
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RSR, when I suggested not thinking, I mean beyond thinking about your symptoms. When you brush your teeth, feel the toothbrush against your gum instead of thinking. Then when you have your coffee, feel the taste, the temperature, don't think about the day ahead etc...
Try to not think at all about the past or the future. Just experience what is happening right now.
99% of our thinking is completely unnecessary, does not solve any problems, and simply adds to the strain. |
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RageSootheRatio
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 11:36:07
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Thanks, Alix. I appreciate this greater clarification, and will work on it. I also especially note this comment of yours reminding me to think of my "bigger picture" of strain, as Ace also mentioned:
quote:
99% of our thinking is completely unnecessary, does not solve any problems, and simply adds to the strain.
Also, Ace I forgot to say that yes, I have definitely been following your instructions in the keys, since you first posted the first version ... as best I can, short of straining (which is of course, my great tendency.) I would say that I HAVE and continue to experience some progress. Just want more right now, I guess. 
It seems I am also somehow looking for the "big click" ... some combination of words where I "get it" ... so far this has come closest for me, even though as I said in my previous post, I have wondered whether I understand it:
quote:
Have you thought that I have to remember that I will DO NOTHING about them and continue to work on my goal of peace.
If I add this to what Alix just posted, then maybe I will be getting closer to unravelling my chronic strain ...
Reminds me of this quote by Abraham: "Words do not teach at all. It is life experience that brings you to your knowing. But when you hear words that are a vibrational match to the knowledge that you have accumulated, then sometimes it's easier for you to sort it all out."
Hopefully I am getting closer to sorting this all out!
thanks again,
RSR
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Edited by - RageSootheRatio on 03/14/2013 11:38:19 |
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alix
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 12:39:04
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| At first, RSR, it feels so boring. Nothing to think about, just observe stuff, pay attention to what people say etc... But after a while you feel so much clarity and peace that you crave it. You will also realize how noxious this constant brain chatter is. |
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bryan3000
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 12:55:57
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Yet another in the long list of success stories around here who used calming the body as a primary tool in healing.
TMS is anxiety. Anxiety must be dealt with in part by dealing with overstimulation of the body.
I wonder how many success stories we have to read around here with the same exact template before the whole
"ignore the body" mantra is dumped around here.
Great job, Drew and thanks for sharing and giving optimism! |
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pspa123
672 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 13:45:16
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quote:
Originally posted by alix
RSR, when I suggested not thinking, I mean beyond thinking about your symptoms. When you brush your teeth, feel the toothbrush against your gum instead of thinking. Then when you have your coffee, feel the taste, the temperature, don't think about the day ahead etc...
Try to not think at all about the past or the future. Just experience what is happening right now.
99% of our thinking is completely unnecessary, does not solve any problems, and simply adds to the strain.
Is this a realistic way to live? For a monk in a monestary perhaps, but for the rest of us with jobs, families, friends, goals, interests, ambitions? |
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alix
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2013 : 14:03:29
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Yes, I think it is to a certain extent. Anything is an improvement. It certainly is a way to achieve Ace's keys. I am not 100% successful but let me give you a few examples:
If I discuss with somebody, I listen and don't try to formulate an answer in my head while the other person is speaking.
If I empty the dishwasher, I make a point of paying attention to what I am doing. I take my time, look at the shiny glasses etc... There are a myriad of little tasks throughout the day that you can use to stop thinking.
Try it. |
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