As I Was Saying... - Page 2

Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-26-2008, 01:25 PM

I agree. The threads have grown in # so, it is a full time job keeping up. Glad to see you jump in. Such a fascinating topic.

THERE IS ONLY ONE *YOU*!
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER EXACTLY LIKE YOU.
YET, WE ARE EACH SO MUCH THE SAME.

When I look at others, I see mySelf. I see our Oneness. I sense the holiness within us all, believing each Soul is composed of the sacred energy of our Source.

We are each eternal and divine. I too speak, and write (in the book I am STILL working on ) of mySelf. My spell check keeps telling me I have made an error, but I persist all the same.

The Self That Dwells Within is our True Self. Our Higher Self. When we allow it to take charge of our Beingness, we become mightily empowered!

When my Spirit directs my mind to speak to the body we are housed in -- miraculous things can potentially occur. Despite all odds.

We are not the voice in our heads. That is dominated by an egoic, primal self that needs to evolve and keeps us caught in struggle and suffering. Our egos remember everything as if it happened -- yesterday! So we carry a heap of rage, blame, resentment and sorrow around with us.

When we go in silence to our core, to our Essence, we are able to connect with our Spirit, which in turn brings much joy and a sense of harmony. When we reach out to others with an open heart, we bless ourselves. We receive what we offer tenfold.

Surely, we don't act with kindness, compassion and a loving way for personal gain but rather because we believe that one of the primary reasons we are here is to help one another.

I have personally experienced mindbody victories. In 1980, after living in constant and sometimes utterly debilitating pain in my back, after seeing orthopedists and orthopedic surgeons, I was led (by 3 separate people who did not know one another) to one special doctor. The same wonderful physiatrist who headed the outpatient clinic at NYU Medical Center.

He taught me astounding things about the mindbody connection and helped me to CURE my very real and spasm-filled pain anyone could feel by touching my back. He directed me to take specific note each time the dull throbbing pain caused me to gasp and freeze in place. He asked me to do something that is quite difficult. At that very moment -- stop thinking! And search your mind for exactly what it was that caused you to feel the jabbing, knife-like pain.

Every single time, what I was thinking was stress related. From simple stress (of what am I going to buy and make for dinner) to major stress (such as how am I going to learn to live with what had been dx as *degenerating disk disease*). Such a condition, after all, only continues to get worse.

Within weeks, after yrs of ongoing pain in every movement I made, the pain dissipated. This great healer (who was also a professor who taught at Rusk Institute)explained that when we learn to control our thoughts, we can accomplish miraculous results. Without surgery. Without medical intervention. It was a profound lesson I carry with me to this day.

Once I saw, and proved to my satisfaction, that my pain was directly related to stressful thoughts, the pain subsided. I was filled with FEAR, you see. The doctor drew 3 arrows going around in a circle.

THE MORE PAIN YOU FEEL, THE MORE FEARFUL YOU BECOME. THE MORE FEARFUL YOU BECOME -- THE MORE YOU TENSE UP, IMPERCEPTIBLY TIGHTEN UP YOUR MUSCLES AND SQUEEZE ON NERVE ENDINGS -- AND THE MORE PAIN YOU WILL FEEL. AND THEN -- THE CYCLE CONTINUES ON. PAIN, FEAR, MORE PAIN.

This was a life-altering moment for me. A moment of remarkable empowerment!

I carry this Awareness with me wherever I go. And I have other examples of using my mind to produce impossible results. I will share at another time, if anyone is interested.

Yes, I too often cite The Four Agreements. We each do the best we can. And our best changes, from day to day.

I wish you all WELLNESS, laughter and serenity...
Andi

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-02-2008, 01:47 PM

Before I slip right off the first page, I wanted to bump this up.

ANYONE HAVE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE MINDBODY CONNECTION?

Andi

StephN · 10-02-2008, 05:27 PM

I could tell you about at least two out-of-body experiences, when I was aware when I theoretically should not have been.

One under anesthesia while having my tonsils out, and the other during an end-over-end auto accident.

At the time of these incidents I had never heard of the term "out of body."

The third time was when I was getting the news of my cancer progression. That was not MY body the onc was talking about. But I had to go through a process to get "mine" back!

harrie · 10-02-2008, 11:31 PM

Andi, can you be a little more specific about what you mean about a "mind-body" connection? (guess that question might also mean I neve had one...... )

Seeing "signs"...is that a mind body connection?

dlaxague · 10-03-2008, 08:04 AM

Andi, I would guess that we ALL have experienced this connection at some level. Haven't you ever felt really tired and down and something unexpected happened - perhaps an invitation to do one of your favorite activities? Maybe you thought you felt too crummy to do it but you decided to try anyway. And the next thing you knew, you were having wonderful fun with great energy? (I experienced this recently with kayaking - I was about to take a nap to try to fight off the cold that seemed to lurking, when a friend called with a river invitation. The time with good company on a beautiful and exciting river run energized me much better than that nap would have done). That's a most-basic-level example. More complex ones to follow when I have more time.

Love,
Debbie Laxague

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-05-2008, 01:04 PM

My dear Maryanne, you're quite right. I should have been more specific. I think what I was looking for were ALL THINGS SPIRITUAL, which would include signs from above (from the Spiritual Domain).

And, Debbie, your example of MINDBODY connection was great. We are each capable of so very much more than we think. If we were to consciously alter our thoughts (as you did w/your kayaking venture, or as Olympians do facing tremendous challenges)we would find that we can see miraculous (and rewarding) results.

It is a good example, one we can each relate to, to feel like crap and cave in to that -- OR -- to push ourselves (because we truly are required to be at an important occasion or event) and *somehow* miraculously not only appear there, but feel better in every way.

I had a kidney stone the size of Texas in 1980. It was lodged somewhere between my kidney and the urethra. The pain was excruciating, as you can imagine. An IVP and my urologist deemed this killer stone too large to pass on its own. He wanted to operate. I only do surgery if my life depends on it (i.e. mastectomy), so I said, I am going to try to pass this on my own.

I drank 80 oz of water a day, trying to flush it out. I strained every time I urinated to try and catch something for analysis (at the doc's suggestion). I WENT WITH THE PAIN, learning that when the pain went from horrible to intolerable it meant the stone was ON THE MOVE, which was a good thing. So, like with childbirth, I allowed the pain, believing I was soon going to give birth to my stone.

I used guided imagery, based on the plastic figure of our innards that sat on the doc's desk. He took it apart, like a puzzle with pieces, and showed me the exact route my stone needed to travel.

I jumped rope, trying to jar the stone into moving, which was effective but difficult when you would rather just fall to the floor and writhe in agony. I WAS DETERMINED.

After 10 wks, I passed that sucker! I retrieved it and brought it to my doc. I will never forget the look on his face, grin from ear to ear, and utter disbelief. He truly did not think it was possible. I believed I could get my body to cooperate with my commands. (I had been reading about the MINDBODY connection wherever I could find info. I had watched PBS specials about the *new*, yet old, phenomenon. I had met my remarkable physiatrist who dealt with the physiology of the body and totally embraced the power of our thoughts to cause and yes to heal ailments and dysfunction. I had my own experience which I described above, after 2 yrs of back pain and immobilization. I was/am an excellent candidate doctors tell me.)

So, I was hoping to inspire some others to try this out and help themselves heal. And to collect other personal experiences for all of us to read about. This is the motive behind this thread.

Another time, I will tell you about the news report I saw on CNN about a woman and SOMETHING that suddenly told her to run... Cliff hanger...

Andi

harrie · 10-05-2008, 11:18 PM

My mother died from cancer at the age of 69 after dealing with it on several occasions for about 20 yrs. I was diagnosed with my first occurrance 3 yrs after she died and while she was alive, she also did not know she had passed the gene on to me. Esp with this past experience I had with stage I, chemo, etc...I have noticed several "signs" leading me to make the "right" choices and I am pretty sure, these signs were from her.
This would be my mind-body experience.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-06-2008, 09:50 AM

I often speak of The Voice In Our Heads that is composed of our intellect, our learned conditioned beliefs (that are generally unconsciously absorbed and incorporated). Along with this is the still predominant nature of our egos. Our egoic thoughts are primal reactions from our childhood that remain embedded in our responses.

Hence, we often feel offended, belittled, disrespected, angry, sulky, insecure and uncertain.

One of the greatest dysfucntions of humanity is that -- WE IDENTIFY OURSELVES WITH THE VOICE IN OUR HEADS. It prevents us from growing and evolving and enriching our life experience!

The ego or The Impostor, thinks it is you. And you concur!

Now, I have learned to listen to my Inner Voice. It emanates from my Spirit. It loves me more than I could imagine love to be. It wants what I want. It wants what I want. It guides and protects me. When I consciously choose (a gift of Empowerment given each of us since our birth)-- I overrule The Voice In My Head, now Knowing that it is NOT the True Me. Instead, I align mySelf with the divine Essence of my Being. I am a Soul, with a mind and body. And, don't forget, an ego that is a control freak!

I do believe Teachers, Guides and Guardian Angels, entities from the Spiritual Realm, walk with us. God cannot be everywhere at every given moment. And so S/he devised this arrangement, having willing Spiritual Beings leading us through the labyrinth of Life.

I would not be surprised, Maryanne, if your Mom has chosen to remain with you. And so, continuesto bless your life...

Did you ever read the book THE RED TENT?. It blew me away! About Biblical times from a woman's perspective. This point I speak of is mentioned in such a magnificent way, I could not help but feel the words resonate on the deepest of levels within me. It's Truth felt undeniable...
Andi

harrie · 10-06-2008, 04:24 PM

I read THe Red Tent a few yrs ago. Absolutely loved that book.

ElaineM · 10-06-2008, 04:52 PM

Absolutely beautiful sentiments. Body,mind and spirit do connect and work together.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-06-2008, 05:53 PM

Hi Elaine!

Read your story (through your website) and I say WAY TO GO, SISTER! Wise and wonderful Warrior! With a beautiful Spirit...

I know Hawaii is pretty big, but do you live anywhere near Maryanne??

Aloha,

jones7676 · 10-06-2008, 08:42 PM

Thanks Andi (and the rest of the crew for the positives). You all often give me the will to keep fighting and hoping for the "right treatment"

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-07-2008, 02:05 PM

Barb! You keep believing! It WILL come. Soon. You are calling it to yourself right now. I just know it.

And I will keep praying for you too!

Immerse yourself in beauty. Music, poetry, loving friends and family and laughter.

Remember -- faith and fear cannot occupy the same space.

WITH LOVE,

StephN · 10-07-2008, 02:44 PM

Yes, I got a used copy of The Red Tent and it has been working its way to the top of my reading pile - almost there - next actually.

One of my grandfathers died when I was 5. I loved him so much and missed him strongly.

I had a couple of "near misses" and felt his presence in critical moments as well as just on a car trip. There seemed to be a connection that would not break even though he was not here physically.

The ability to INTUIT things/events in my life has stood me in good stead through my cancer fight. I took a good look at my cancer and remembered lady MacBeth's "OUT, OUT damn spot..."
Something inside my told me that this would happen. My fear melted away when I had the encouragement of scans showing decrease in the tumors.

ElaineM · 10-09-2008, 03:16 PM

Hi Andrea,
Mahalo for sharing your kind thoughts. I think all the members here are great warriors. Maryanne and I are on different islands in the same state.
Take care.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-10-2008, 08:00 AM

A friend of mine was talking to a friend of his. They both know someone in India. One had come to visit and stay over recently. Turns out they are related! You just never know...

I love your state! Went there to celebrate my 60th Bday (dx at age 50). I, scared of spiders, heights, even scuba diving -- went parasailing -- to get as close as I could to God and give a shout out -- THANK YOU FOR BEING ALIVE!!!

harrie · 10-15-2008, 12:23 AM

Andi, I try to live by and take your words to heart about the ego and spirit and all.
Sometimes it is just so hard though. I know what you are saying, I agree 100%, but today at work, my ego was giving me hell. It was creating issues in my head and I know I must have been giving off neg vibes. I didn't know if my thoughts were justified, I almost thought I was depressed or something,...I think my ego blew things out of proportion. Thank God I had yoga after work and it was a really good session.
I am mostly just writing this to VENT! I know my problem was my out of control ego. But today, it just felt like too much work to try to control, so I just let it go and I just rode it out. I am hoping for a better day tomorrow.
I just wish you were here so I could have a shoulder to cry on.
Maryanne

ElaineM · 10-15-2008, 03:23 PM

Hi Andi, Harrie and all !!,
I always thought we are here to learn. We are attending the "Life University."
We all strive to be the best that we can be in every area of our lives. We have many tools to help us do that, but everyday we are a work in progress. Nobody is perfect. We are human, so we have good experiences and not so good experiences. We also have our ups and downs. Hopefully we learn from all our experiences and our ups and our downs. We share our experiences, ups and downs with other people. The main thing is that we keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to be the best we can be. We meet each challenge the best way we can and try our best to keep going. Sometimes we need as much patience with ourselves as we give to other people. Take care all !!

suzan w · 10-17-2008, 09:53 AM

YES!!! You are an inspiration for us all!!! I love reading your posts as I share your philosophy. I am out in the world living each day to its fullest and basking in the sunshine (even when it rains!). I know your new plan will work!

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-17-2008, 02:40 PM

I hear you Maryanne. Life is full of challenges to be sure. And some days, we get blind-sided and take things personally (egoically) and fall into our humanness. We lose our Spiritual nature.

We are always justified/entitled to our feelings. They are directly connected to that voice in our head, though. And when we can breathe, and remember that that voice is not who we truly are, we automatically then connect with our Truest Selves. That of course is a wondrous reality! We are each a radiant Spirit full of unconditional, infinite Love. Tapping into that truth changes everything.

You always have my shoulder, HarrieCanarieBird! And I truly hope you are having a better day.

Recently I had an incident that left me feeling kicked to the side of the road, disregarded and unappreciated after decades of my loving kindness and friendship. I was wounded. My ego was badly bruised. I too rode it out. When I was able to catch my breath, and to vent PLENTY (sooo relieving!) -- I was able to get back to my joy spot, at my core.

That's what I wish for you.

And yes, Elaine! Life is a huge classroom for sure. You express it all so well. We are indeed a work in progress. We must continue to evolve and grow, to learn and become more, with each new day. That is what we are each meant to do. And to be there for one another. And yes, the biggest mistake is not to learn from your mistakes. You can't undo what you may have said/done, but you can be sure you won't repeat it. That's worth a whole lot. Collecting Life Lessons and sharing them too.

Thank you Susan for your kind words. You lift me up! Much appreciated, I assure you! Being out here in uncharted waters is seriously scary. But I have faith! I stay in touch with my body, and with my Spirit, I meditate, I pray, I converse with the Universe all day long and I live more in joy and harmony than in fear. And I keep putting one foot in front of the other! Onward and upward, as a dear friend of mine has often said. I love that mantra! And her...