Sarkoma - klastinga liga

18-a, 23-eji, 24-eri, 25-eri metai - tai amžius žmonių, kuriuos staiga, netikėtai užklumpa sunki onkologinė liga - sarkoma. Kodėl ji tarsi klastingas priešas puola jaunus žmones?

Staiga padidėjo limfmazgiai

Tą dieną, kai dainininkas Sasha Son lankėsi Vilniaus Santariškių klinikose ir susitiko su sarkoma sergančiais ligoniais, jo gerbėja Eglė Marcinonytė susitikime nedalyvavo. Jautėsi taip blogai, kad negalėjo net pastovėti. Žodžius "Vėžio himnui", kurį sukūrė dainininkas, parašė jau seniai ir labai norėjo paklausti, ar juos panaudojo.

Lietuviško himno onkologinėms ligoms idėja Eglei kilo išgirdus tokią dainą anglų kalba. Kartą kalbantis su likimo drauge Roberta abi nusprendė sukurti žodžius. "Ištvert išbandymą tu privalai, tikėk ir niekada nepasiduok, gyvenimą sau dovanok", - toks himno, kurį sukūrė merginos, moto.

Tai buvo pavasarį, po to, kai sunki liga - sarkoma Eglei atsinaujino. Pirmąkart mergina susirgo praėjusių metų kovą. Sutino limfmazgiai kairėje kirkšnyje. Kazlų Rūdos, kur Eglė gyvena, gydytojai įtarė infekciją, bet Kauno medicinos universiteto klinikose atlikus tyrimus paaiškėjo sunkesnės ligos diagnozė: sarkoma arba, kitaip sakant, jungiamojo, raumeninio audinio vėžys.

Dabar liga išplitusi kojose, dubenyje, nors atrodė, kad jau buvo suvaldyta. Vasarį Eglė atostogavo Čekijoje. Draugai slidinėjo, o ji nuo kalnų važinėjo rogutėmis.

"Kojos buvo beveik sveikos, o grįžus suparalyžiavo. Ir dabar vos paeinu, praradau 15 kg svorio", - liūdnai kalba mergina. Ir čia pat viliasi: "Gydytojai pakeitė vaistus, todėl, kai tik sveikata pagerės, šausiu kaip raketa."

Draugų siela, varžybų, žygių organizatorė E.Marcinonytė jaučiasi laikinai pasitraukusi iš aktyvaus gyvenimo. Iš studijų Vilniaus universitete - taip pat, nes liko tik valstybiniai egzaminai bakalauro laipsniui gauti. Dabar Eglė, jos žodžiais tariant, visko prisigalvoja: veria iš karoliukų papuošalus, skaito psichologinę literatūrą, "kad stogas nenuvažiuotų". Ir tiki, kad didžiausios kančios - jau praeity. "Gydytojai irgi taip sako", - drąsina save Eglė. Kai pasveiks, vėl eis klausytis Sashos Son.

Ant gydytojos nepyksta

Joana Orechovaitė šiemet baigė vienuoliktą klasę. "Mokslai sekėsi, bet daug pamokų praleidau, ilgai teko gulėti ligoninėje, nes sveikatos nebuvo", - tarsi seniai subrendusio žmogaus lūpomis kalba jauna mergina. Jos vasara gražiojoje Dzūkijoje taip pat ne itin linksma: Joana ką tik grįžo iš Vilniaus, Santariškių klinikų.

"Šiandien esu jau po chemoterapijos. Paskutinis dešimties dienų kursas prasidės liepos 31-ąją", - ateities planus atskleidžia mergina. Paklausta, kaip jaučiasi po chemoterapijos, padėkoja ir patvirtina, kad dabar viskas gerai. "Blogumas, pykinimas kankindavo anksčiau. Dabar organizmas tikriausiai jau pripratęs", - vėl padvelkia gyvenimo patirtis merginos balse.

Blogumas nuo chemoterapijos J.Orechovaitei yra niekis, palyginti su kojos skausmais. Jai išpjovė net 11 cm ilgio kaulo iš šlaunikaulio, į tą vietą įdėjo gabalą šeivikaulio. "Šiandien tyrė, kaip kaulas gyja, jau leido lankstyti koją, bet priminti - dar ne", - praėjusią savaitę pasakojo Joana.

Gal nebūtų reikėję operuoti kojos, jei Merkinės gydytojai nebūtų delsę ir gydę ligonę kompresais ir tepalais. Guziuką ant kojos Joana aptiko praėjusią vasarą. Rudeniop jį skaudėjo vis labiau, bet šeimos gydytoja galvojo, kad mergaitė bus kažkur susimušusi koją, ir nekreipė dėmesio, kad guziukas auga.

Buvo lapkritis, kai Joana per fizinio lavinimo pamoką pargriuvo iš skausmo. Tik tuomet Merkinės gydytojai pasiuntė savo pacientę į Vilnių. Sostinės medikai iškart diagnozavo sarkomą. "Sakė, kad dar spėjau atvažiuoti, kad stadija - antra", - pasakojo J.Orechovaitė ir tvirtino ant Merkinės gydytojų nepykstanti. "Jie ginasi, kad guziuko nerodžiau. Ką padarysi: kaip yra, taip yra", - išminties nestokoja mergaitė, šokuojanti su ramentais.

Teko amputuoti koją

Panevėžiečiui Mariui Kasiulynui, jo žodžiais tariant, pradėtoms telekomunikacijų studijoms nėra laiko dėl ligų. Jau pusantrų metų jis akademinėse atostogose. Nuo tada, kai jam diagnozavo osteosarkomą.

"Iš pradžių pradėjo tinti koja virš kelio. Tino ir skaudėjo kuo toliau, tuo labiau. Nebeprisimenu, kaip kas buvo, tik žinau, kad pas gydytojus nuėjau prieš Kalėdas, o diagnozę sužinojau po Naujųjų. Šventės ji dar nebuvo aptemdžiusi, bet linksma nebuvo dėl skausmo", - prisiminimais dalijasi M.Kasiulynas.

Po keturių su puse mėnesio Mariui koją amputavo. "Tai buvo pernai gegužės 15 d. Aplink kaulą nevaldomai augo auglys, nesveika koja buvo 7 cm storesnė už sveikąją. Ketvirta stadija", - ligą apibendrino Marius.

Žinia apie amputaciją buvo skausminga, bet vaikinas suvokė, kad tai - vienintelis būdas išgyventi. "Psichologiškai buvo sunkiau dėl ateities. Liga baisesnė už amputaciją", - filosofinė išmintis skamba ir šio ligonio lūpose.

Liepos 9-ąją Mariui sukako 25-eri. Jo Zodiako ženklas - Vėžys. Tuo pačiu vardu pavadinta liga tęsia savo darbą: atėmusi koją, įsisuko į plaučius. Balandį juos operavo, pašalino auglį. Gegužę plaučiuose vėl aptikta naujų augliukų. "Turbūt vėl reikės operuoti", - ramiai apie save pasakoja Marius, gydomas chemoterapija. Vaikinas nusipurto,  prisiminęs jos poveikį. Sako, kad po seanso tampa nepanašus į žmogų.

Marius žino, kad dažniausiai sarkoma serga jauni žmones, kad iš kaulų ji labai daug kam persimeta į plaučius. Taip atsitiko ir jam, todėl negali prisitaikyti nuolatinio kojos protezo. Laikinasis laisvas, su juo nepatogu vaikščioti, todėl Marius mieliau ima į rankas ramentus. Vaikinas kuria muziką, nori įsigyti automobilį, nes dabar į Vilnių gydyti vežioja tėvai.

Sveiksta ir nuo maldų

"Pirma reakcija į ligą buvo šokas ir neigimas. Po to išbandžiau daug neordinarių gydymo būdų, bet vienintelis tikras - profesionali šiuolaikinė medicina", - priėjo išvadą bankininkė Violeta Naraškevičienė.

Susirgusi prieš pusantrų metų ji jau ištvėrė keturias operacijas, šešis chemoterapijos kursus. Išgyveno neviltį, dvasinę mirtį, prisikėlimą. Išmoko džiaugtis kiekviena diena, perkainoti vertybes. Pradėjo dar labiau tikėti Dievu. "Tik jis padėjo išgyventi, ištverti kančias. Sveikstu ne tik nuo vaistų, bet ir nuo maldų. Dievas viską gali, tai, kad aš dar gyva, - jo atsiųstas stebuklas", - įsitikinusi 40-metė, dviejų sūnų mama.

Savaitė žinioms skleisti

Tai tik keturių ligonių, sergančių sarkoma, istorijos. Lietuvoje per metus ši liga diagnozuojama daugiau kaip pusantro šimto žmonių. Jie yra susibūrę į retomis onkologinėmis ligomis sergnčių ligonių draugiją "Rolld".

"Atsakymo, kodėl kaulų sarkoma serga jauni žmonės, net vaikai, dar nėra. Tai jaunų žmonių liga, ir tiek", - pakomentavo Kauno medicinos universiteto Onkologijos klinikos vadovė profesorė Elona Juozaitytė.

Sekmadienį baigsis praėjusį penktadienį prasidėjusi tarptautinė sarkomų savaitė. Jos tikslas - suvienyti visus jautrius šiai problemai pasaulio žmones ir atkreipti visuomenės dėmesį į itin klastingą ligą.

Sarkoma - klastingas vėžys, dažnai iš pradžių palaikomas kitų rūšių vėžiu. Kiekviena diena, kurią sarkoma sergantis ligonis praleidžia be efektyvaus gydymo, sumažina galimybę išgyventi. Ligai diagnozuoti ir gydyti reikalingi prityrę specialistai ir efektyvūs vaistai. Deja, Lietuvoje jų dėl lėšų vaistams stokos trūksta. Parodos, koncertai, susitikimai - tai sarkomai skirtos savaitės renginiai, skirti skleisti žinioms apie šią ligą. Kaune ir Vilniuje į dangų paleisti aitvarai - tarsi malda prašant stiprybės sergantiesiems sarkoma ir pagerbiant mirusiuosius nuo šios sunkios ligos. JAV vykstančiuose renginiuose dalyvauja "Rolld" narys iš Lietuvos, osteosarkoma sergantis 23-ejų Marius Viršila.

Sasha Son, dainininkas

Apsilankęs Vilniaus universiteto ligoninės Santariškių klinikose ir susitikęs su ten gydomais ligoniais nusprendžiau tapti kaulų čiulpų donoru ir sukurti himną vėžiui. Taip pasielgiau senelio garbei, kuris mirė nuo vėžio. Nors jis yra vienintelis žmogus, kurį praradau, labai jį branginau. Manau, kad tai mane tik dar labiau paskatino kurti himną vėžiu sergantiems ligoniams. Jį pristatysiu ketvirtadienį sostinės muzikos namuose "House of music".

Kristina Andrėkutė, Vilniaus universiteto ligoninės Santariškių klinikų Hematologijos, onkologijos ir  transfuziologijos centro gydytoja

Kas yra sarkoma? Graikiškai šis žodis (sarx) reiškia "mėsa". Tai auglys, atsirandantis iš kaulo ar minkštųjų audinių - raumenų, riebalų, nervų ląstelių. Tai retas vėžys, iš visų onkologinėmis ligomis sergančių ligonių juo serga mažiau kaip 1 proc. Kaulų vėžiu dažniausiai susergama iki 20 metų amžiaus.Vieno tipo sarkoma dažnai nėra panaši į kitos rūšies. Mediciniškai tai labai skirtingi augliai. Vieni jų auga ir plinta po organizmą lėtai, kiti sparčiai progresuoja. Sarkoma - tai ne viena liga. Po šiuo pavadinimu slepiasi iki 100 skirtingų sarkomos tipų, diferencijuojamų pagal mikroskopinį naviko vaizdą. Sarkoma gali atsirasti bet kurioje kūno vietoje. Didesnė dalis navikų atsiranda galūnėse, kiti - aplink įvairius organus pilve ar krūtinės ertmėje. Kaulų sarkoma atsiranda iš kaulo. Liga sukelia simptomus, kurie priklauso nuo jos atsiradimo vietos. Galūnėje tai gali būti skausmas, sutrikę jutimai, juntamas ar čiuopiamas darinys. Bet koks auglys, gumbas, kuris atsirado ar auga, turėtų kelti susirūpinimą ir turi būti ištirtas specialisto. Sarkomų gydymas sudėtingas ir kompleksinis. Dažnai turi būti panaudoti visi įmanomi metodai: operacija, chemoterapija, gydymas spinduliais. Dėl šių priežasčių sarkomos turėtų būti gydomos centruose, kuriuose sukaupta šių navikų gydymo patirtis. Susirgus sarkoma prognozė priklauso nuo daugelio faktorių. Iš jų pagrindiniai yra ligos išplitimas ir naviko tipas, kuris nulemia ligos piktybiškumą - augimo ir plitimo organizme greitį. Kai kurios sarkomos efektyviai gydomos moderniais vaistais, todėl liga kontroliuojama, net jei yra išplitusi. Pasaulyje atliekama daugybė klinikinių tyrimų, siekiant surasti naujų efektyvių sarkomų gydymo būdų. 

Интуиция. Как её развить?

Это случилось в далеком 1912 году. Некая миссис Дайсон, почтенная мать семейства, готовилась отплыть со своим мужем в увлекательный морской круиз. Все вещи были давно упакованы, билеты (очень даже недешевые!) куплены, но... Но в последний момент дама закапризничала и начала придумывать всякие отговорки: мол, отравилась накануне несвежей шарлоткой, голова раскалывается и вообще, кажется, беременна. Донельзя рассерженный супруг отменил поездку и крепко обиделся на взбалмошную жену. А потом прочел в газетах о том, что "Титаник" – тот самый круизный лайнер, на котором они должны были путешествовать, – пошел ко дну. Этот хрестоматийный пример ты можешь дополнить своими собственными историями. О том, как человек, не понравившийся тебе с первого взгляда, впоследствии действительно оказался негодяем. Или как выполняя тестовое задание, ты поставила наобум галочку именно напротив правильного ответа. Истории будут разными, но суть одна: наша интуиция помогает нам в трудных ситуациях и оберегает от опасностей.

Немного теории

Еще Сократ признавался, что его по жизни ведет некий внутренний голос, который подсказывает ему верные решения и удерживает от неправильных поступков. Теорий о том, что же такое интуиция, существует множество. Буддисты утверждают, что это – космический разум, с которым можно пообщаться, впав в состояние транса. Последователь Фрейда Карл Юнг выдвинул теорию о коллективном бессознательном: некоем "архиве", в котором хранится опыт человечества и откуда мы черпаем необходимую информацию. Современные психологи предпочитают не вдаваться в эзотерические тонкости. "Интуиция – это неосознанный опыт человека, который накапливается на протяжении всей жизни, "записывается" в подсознании и внезапно "выстреливает" инсайтом, озарением", – считает психолог Валентина Паробий.

Совершенствуем технику. Проверь свою интуицию. Как правило, подсознание экологично по отношению к своему хозяину и ни за что не посоветует нечто, могущее причинить тебе вред. Вспомни пять недавно произошедших случаев, когда ты поступала, повинуясь зову сердца. Что из этого получилось? Если в итоге оказалось, что твой внутренний голос помог принять правильное решение, поздравляем: у тебя развитая интуиция!

Логик или интуит?

Творческих людей часто озаряют гениальные идеи, и это неспроста. Дело в том, что участки мозга, отвечающие за креативность, воображение, эмоции и интуицию, располагаются в одном и том же полушарии – правом. Детей часто называют интуитами, мол, у них подсознание работает гораздо лучше, чем у взрослых. Это и в самом деле так: ребенок, в отличие от взрослого, не анализирует ситуацию, действуя спонтанно. И часто оказывается прав! С годами окружение приучает его: прежде чем что-то сделать, все обдумай и взвесь, а лучше просчитай на калькуляторе. Развивая логическое мышление, мы все чаще забываем прислушиваться к своему внутреннему голосу. Так что же – нельзя быть интуитом и логиком "в одном флаконе"? Оказывается, можно! Например, знаменитый шахматист Гарри Каспаров уверен: побеждать на турнирах ему частенько помогала именно интуиция.

Совершенствуем технику. Отключаем логику. Важно научиться в нужный момент "выключать" внутреннего критика и доверять своему чутью. В этом поможет любая техника медитации. Постарайся расслабиться и не думать ни о чем. Можно сосредоточиться на своем дыхании, посчитать до тысячи или представить себе красивые пейзажи. В этом состоянии в голову неожиданно могут прийти ответы на вопросы, которые тебя давно мучили.

Сильнее обстоятельств

В древности люди, обладающие хорошо развитой интуицией, часто становились жрецами и вождями. Шестое чувство предупреждало их об опасности, помогая выжить. Кстати, давно подмечено, что на самолеты, которые терпят крушение, продается намного меньше билетов, чем на удачные авиарейсы. Поэтому если тебя вдруг, ни с того ни с сего, тянет изменить привычный маршрут поездки на работу или почему-то не хочется идти на шумную вечеринку, стоит прислушаться к своему внутреннему голосу. Кстати, все мы чувствуем сигналы подсознания по-разному. У одних сильнее бьется сердце, другие ощущают тепло, чаще всего в районе солнечного сплетения. Там находится точка – индикатор проверки правдивости информации. Если чувствуешь приятную теплоту – то ты, скорее всего, на верном пути. А вот когда ощущаешь пустоту или дискомфорт, насторожись и не спеши принимать решение.

Совершенствуем технику. Прислушивайся к себе. Задавай себе вопросы: "Что я сейчас чувствую? Почему мне неуютно или тревожно?" Перед принятием важного решения сформулируй вслух вопрос и оставь его "в пространстве". Затем отвлекись от него на 15–30 минут – вполне возможно, что правильный ответ сам сформулируется у тебя в голове.

Общаясь с людьми

Пожалуй, легче всего развить в себе умение с первого взгляда определять характер и нрав незнакомого человека. Ведь, по сути, наше подсознание просто фиксирует невербальные сигналы, которые подает нам собеседник (его мимику, жесты, интонации), и выдает готовый ответ: стоит ли доверять этому субъекту или нет. Для того, чтобы лучше чувствовать людей, обращай внимание на их эмоции – они не солгут! Во время разговора лицом к лицу, по телефону или онлайн попробуй распознать, какое у собеседника настроение. Практически ни один, даже самый гениальный актер, не может правдиво изображать гнев, радость или боль, если он не испытывает их на самом деле. Помнишь, что за эмоции и интуицию отвечает одно и то же полушарие головного мозга? Отзеркалив, почувствовав состояние визави, ты как бы влезешь в его шкуру и поймешь, что он из себя представляет.

Совершенствуем технику. Развивай эмпатию. Эмпатия – это способность чувствовать чужие эмоции. Есть много техник, которые помогают ее развивать. Вот несколько из них. Когда ты едешь на работу в переполненном транспорте, присмотрись к лицам окружающих: попробуй понять, что у них на душе, придумай коротенькие истории их жизней. Вы с мужем поскандалили? Предложи ему поменяться стульями – и взгляни на ситуацию с его позиции. Стань перед зеркалом и изобрази такое же выражение лица, как бывает у твоего любимого человека в момент ссоры, скопируй его жесты. И прислушайся к своим чувствам при этом.

Автор: 
Елена Еловикова

http://ezotera.ariom.ru/2011/12/14/intuiciya.html

About Karma

You have to love Karma. It gets the bad people with the bad and the good people with the good. What comes around goes around. Although I do not appreciate Karma all the time (I am a good guy , dammit!) it seems to take care of me when I least expect it. Now, I just need to convince Karma that I need to win the Powerball and all will be good. So, Karma got me back (in a good way) this past weekend. 

So, as you all know, I recently settled the Bank One/JP Morgan Chase lawsuit that was dragging on my for over a year. The stress, frustration, and just stupidity of the lawsuit were just crazy. And, as you may all know, I recently settled the lawsuit by paying half of the amount to those money grubbing idiots. Roughly $1900 and some change. It took every ounce of strength in my body to pay that amount to the evil money mongers that they are. But, I figured it was best because it put an end to the stress and I didn’t want to battle this out for months, if not years, on end. I figured I won some, they won some, but in essence, no one won the complete battle. That is, until I go the mail on Saturday…..

It was like any other normal Saturday morning: the sun was out and the day was just perfect. (Except for the fact that I lost my voice and had a sever amount of antibiotics in me fighting a bacterial infection….got to love Zithromax) So I took my drugged up self and went to my mailbox. To my surprise there was an envelope from JP Morgan Chase. “What the fuck now?”, I said to myself. My anger boiled in me to the point I could feel my heart starting to pound. I aggressively opened the perforated envelope and got the biggest surprise. 

“Dear Edward:
According to our records you have an outstanding balance of $2199.63 in your Bank One Cash Balance Plan. Please advise us on how you would like to continue for us to either accrue this balance, or have the amount distributed to you. You can contact us at 1-800-XXX-XXXX.”

WHAT!!?? (Yes, you read correctly). I had not a clue that I had a vested cash balance plan. So essentially, they are paying me the amount (minus taxes). How freakin’ cool is THAT!!!??? I guess this means “I WON!!!!”Those idiots are so big and ignorant that they have not a clue about how everything relates. 

You’ve got to love Karma.

Next post coming soon: Puerto Vallarta: The good, the bad, and the (gasp)square-cuts!

http://truestoriesinphx.blogspot.com/2006/02/karma.html

Transforming Meditacions

Meditation is a method for acquainting our mind with virtue. The more familiar our mind is with virtue, the calmer and more peaceful it becomes. When our mind is peaceful we are free from worries and mental discomfort, and we experience true happiness. If we train our mind to become peaceful we shall be happy all the time, even in the most adverse conditions, but if our mind is not peaceful, then even if we have the most pleasant external conditions we shall not be happy. Therefore it is important to train our mind through meditation.

There are two types of meditation: analytical meditation and placement meditation. When we contemplate the meaning of a Dharma instruction that we have heard or read we are doing analytical meditation. By deeply contemplating the instruction, eventually we reach a conclusion or cause a specific virtuous state of mind to arise. This is the object of placement meditation. Having found our object through analytical meditation, we then concentrate on it single-pointedly for as long as possible to become deeply acquainted with it. This single-pointed concentration is placement meditation. Often, analytical meditation is called simply `contemplation’, and placement meditation simply `meditation’. Placement meditation depends upon contemplation, and contemplation depends upon listening to or reading Dharma instructions.

Since most of the problems we experience when we are new to meditation come from overstraining at placement meditation, it is important to be moderate and avoid becoming tense from exerting too much pressure. The effort we apply should be relaxed and steady, and whenever we become tired we should rest.

Loving Kindness Meditation

1. Preparation

We sit in the meditation posture as explained above and prepare our mind for meditation with breathing meditation. If we like we can also engage in the preparatory prayers.

2. Contemplation

All living beings deserve to be cherished because of the tremendous kindness they have shown us. All our temporary and ultimate happiness arises through their kindness. Even our body is the result of the kindness of others. We did not bring it with us from our previous life – it developed from the union of our father’s sperm and mother’s ovum. Once we had been conceived our mother kindly allowed us to stay in her womb, nourishing our body with her blood and warmth, putting up with great discomfort, and finally going through the painful ordeal of childbirth for our sake. We came into this world naked and empty-handed and were immediately given a home, food, clothes, and everything else we needed. While we were a helpless baby our mother protected us from danger, fed us, cleaned us, and loved us. Without her kindness we would not be alive today.

Through receiving a constant supply of food, drink, and care, our body gradually grew from that of a tiny helpless baby to the body we have now. All this nourishment was directly or indirectly provided by countless living beings. Every cell of our body is therefore the result of others’ kindness. Even those who have never known their mother have received nourishment and loving care from other people. The mere fact that we are alive today is a testimony to the great kindness of others.

It is because we have this present body with human faculties that we are able to enjoy all the pleasures and opportunities of human life. Even simple pleasures such as going for a walk or watching a beautiful sunset can be seen to be a result of the kindness of innumerable living beings. Our skills and abilities all come from the kindness of others; we had to be taught how to eat, how to walk, how to talk, and how to read and write. Even the language we speak is not our own invention but the product of many generations. Without it we could not communicate with others nor share their ideas. We could not read this book, learn Dharma, nor even think clearly. All the facilities we take for granted, such as houses, cars, roads, shops, schools, hospitals, and cinemas, are produced solely through others’ kindness. When we travel by bus or car we take the roads for granted, but many people worked very hard to build them and make them safe for us to use.

The fact that some of the people who help us may have no intention of doing so is irrelevant. We receive benefit from their actions, so from our point of view this is a kindness. Rather than focusing on their motivation, which in any case we do not know, we should focus on the practical benefit we receive. Everyone who contributes in any way towards our happiness and well-being is deserving of our gratitude and respect. If we had to give back everything that others have given us, we would have nothing left at all.

We might argue that we are not given things freely but have to work for them. When we go shopping we have to pay, and when we eat in a restaurant we have to pay. We may have the use of a car, but we had to buy the car, and now we have to pay for petrol, tax, and insurance. No one gives us anything for free. But from where do we get this money? It is true that generally we have to work for our money, but it is others who employ us or buy our goods, and so indirectly it is they who provide us with money. Moreover, the reason we are able to do a particular job is that we have received the necessary training or education from other people. Wherever we look, we find only the kindness of others. We are all interconnected in a web of kindness from which it is impossible to separate ourself. Everything we have and everything we enjoy, including our very life, is due to the kindness of others. In fact, every happiness there is in the world arises as a result of others’ kindness.

Our spiritual development and the pure happiness of full enlightenment also depend upon the kindness of living beings. Buddhist centres, Dharma books, and meditation courses do not arise out of thin air but are the result of the hard work and dedication of many people. Our opportunity to read, contemplate, and meditate on Buddha’s teachings depends entirely upon the kindness of others. Moreover, as explained later, without living beings to give to, to test our patience, or to develop compassion for, we could never develop the virtuous qualities needed to attain enlightenment.

In short, we need others for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Without others we are nothing. Our sense that we are an island, an independent, self-sufficient individual, bears no relation to reality. It is closer to the truth to picture ourself as a cell in the vast body of life, distinct yet intimately bound up with all living beings. We cannot exist without others, and they in turn are affected by everything we do. The idea that it is possible to secure our own welfare whilst neglecting that of others, or even at the expense of others, is completely unrealistic.

3. Meditation

Contemplating the innumerable ways in which others help us, we should make a firm decision: `I must cherish all living beings because they are so kind to me.’ Based on this determination we develop a feeling of cherishing – a sense that all living beings are important and that their happiness matters. We try to mix our mind single-pointedly with this feeling and maintain it for as long as we can without forgetting it.

4. Dedication

We dedicate all the virtues we have created in this meditation practice to the welfare of all living beings by reciting the dedication prayers.

5. Subsequent Practice

When we arise from meditation we try to maintain this mind of love, so that whenever we meet or remember someone we naturally think: `This person is important, this person’s happiness matters.’ In this way we can make cherishing living beings our main practice.

http://www.how-to-meditate.org/loving-kindness-meditation.htm/

About Rebefing

In what the basic sense of employment by breath?

Majority of urban dwellers suffer from a moderate form of chronic depression.

Sometimes this depression makes you feel miserable. But often it is much softer. It is a feeling that your life isn't full, even when seemingly everything is quite well.Man suffers unexplained yearning for something more than mere physical existence. He begins to search for the meaning of life, looking for excuses for his stay in this situation, or seeking oblivion in alcohol, smoking, overeating, gambling, long watching TV.

Free breathing - a way to make a "mystical journey in search of himself, experience the incomparable state of inner wholeness and harmony, to feel that it is impossible to explain any words - their unity with the world in the flow of cosmic energy.

What does free breathing give? 
Since the birth in our minds, and later in the body, there is a lot of "dams" of the suppressed and repressed emotions, overlapping the natural course of our energy, feelings, thoughts. This is a "swamping" of large areas of our inner space. As a result, also in life we fall by time to time into the pits with standing water.

Free breathing - is an opportunity to restore freedom, the natural flow of the river of our life.

Where are the roots of breathing techniques? Why is it us?

Working with the breath is an important part of most spiritual and physical practices. The great value to breath is given by shamans, yogas, taoists and sufies.

Rebirthing the first modern technique of breath-connected which, its father Leonard Orr gave to "western" people. However, the origins of rebirthing to look for in Indian yoga of immortality. In one version of Babaji (Indian saint and teacher of Orr) said: "You're Western people, yoga is not appropriate you. Breathe properly - it will be for you to yoga." 
Now every modern man has the opportunity to learn the ancient practices, adapted to our reality. Why? Just to gain the opportunity to live in harmony with oneself and the world, be healthy and full of energy, creativity and life filled with happiness. 
The problem of modern man - the skills of self-regulation body and mind, so to purify themselves and to restore power faster than they spent.

Distortions in uniform, connected breathing arise from stressful experiences, holding back emotions, suppression of natural expressions and desires. But people are so accustomed to the wrong, "squeezed" the breath that first processes connected breathing can cause uncomfortable feelings. After "pumping" they disappear, remains a pure state, which is characterized by a feeling of love, joy and ecstatic ascent.

Why do I need to pass a seminar? 

During the years of life, each of us very well have learned not to breathe correctly and worked for this skill is constant repetition. To overcome the stereotype of breathing correctly work out the five elements of free breathing, successfully overcome the discomfort of the first processes The help of the instructor is necessary. He'll become your quide in the world of surprising sensations which accompany process, will prompt how to behave in unexpected situation for you.

In addition, at the seminar conduct trainings, which help to immerse into the world of internal sensations, to better understand themselves and their strategy for communicating with the world. The group creates a special atmosphere of unity and trust, which helps sensations appear fuller. Energy of the group helps the internal process of each participant proceed richer and more efficient.

Often during the process of breathing person gets into a zone of its own birth. It is very important and crucial moment. In a properly managed process, which is present at the seminar, you will rewrite your birth: pass it consciously and come in a world full of love for you. After gone through may radically change the attitude to life and strategy of action. You begin to see the world differently, in life there are new people come, new and unexpected ideas occur, the favorable circumstances and events appear.

What is the distinguishing feature of free breathing techniques: 

1. This approach is based on the natural physiological breathing, which "erases the rhythm of the disease, recorded in our habitual breathing. 
2. There is a simultaneous, high-quality work, as with the physical body, and to the psyche. 
3. The main task - to take the work experience of their own limitations and difficulties, and release them to freedom. 
4. There is a familiarity with their inner world, opening its own internal reserves. 

Seminar on the free breathing - the way to the integrity of the individual and the attainment of conscious inner freedom.

 http://wsneo.com/silences/rebefing.html

Practice of Meditacion (Meditacijos praktika)

A baby's eyes are riveted on a flower or a butterfly. It keeps looking at the object with unwinking eyes, eyes full of wonder, for minutes together.

A mother calls her teenage daughter to go and have lunch, but there is no response. The call is repeated twice, thrice; still there is no response. The girl just does not hear, though her ears are very much open. Nor is she deaf. What could be the reason, then, for her not hearing? Her mind is immersed in a Sherlock Holmes or a Harold Robbins; her eyes are glued to the lines; her face is buried in the book.

In the dilapidated building of an elementary school, the class is on. The teacher explains something and then asks the children, "Did it enter?". There is an instant response from the backmost bench: "Only the tail has not entered yet!". The earnest voice belongs to a boy who has been all along intently watching the struggle of a rat to wriggle out of the class room through a hole in the wall. It has managed to squeeze in its body, but its tail is still not gone in. Perhaps the hole is blocked.

These are everyday examples of concentration. Attention, concentration, meditation-these are different degrees of the same process. It is fixing the mind on a single object or idea to the exclusion of everything else.

In his book, "Concentration and Meditation", holy Master Sivananda presents a most beautiful scene to illustrate what is meant by concentration. In this, Dronacharya tests the power of concentration of his students, the Pandavas. A basin of water is placed on the ground. Above, a clay bird is kept rotating. The archer hat to hit the bird by looking at its reflection in the water.

Drona: "O Yudhishthira, what do you see?"

Yudhishthira: "O Acharya (teacher), I see the bird to be aimed at, the tree on which it is sitting and yourself also."

Drona: "What do you see, Bhima?"

Bhima: "I see the bird, the tree, yourself, Nakula, Sahadeva, the tables and chairs, etc."

Drona: "What do you see, Nakula?"

Nakula: "I see the bird, the tree, yourself, Arjuna, Bhima, the garden, the streamlet, etc."

Drona: "What do you see, Sahadeva?"

Sahadeva: "I see the bird to be aimed at, yourself, Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishthira, the horses, carriages, all the onlookers, several cows, etc."

Drona: "Now then, Arjuna, what do you see?"

Arjuna: "O Revered Guru! I see nothing but the bird to be aimed at."

That is concentration. Arjuna's is the power of concentration. Concentration, when developed, becomes meditation.

Yoga is an exact science. Asanas and Pranayama (Yoga postures and breathing exercises) perfect the body. Service and charity expand the heart. Prayer, Japa (repetition of the Lord’s Name), Kirtan (singing devotional songs) and other devotional practices purify the mind and make it more subtle. The aspirant is now fully equipped for the last lap of the journey. It is the toughest part of the pilgrimage to God. It is full of darkness and the aspirant has to pierce this darkness with his purified mind. The purified mind is the most dependable weapon in the armoury of the spiritual aspirant.

The purified mind must be made to concentrate. Concentration is mental focussing. The mind can be focussed on a concrete object or an abstract idea. For a novice, concentration becomes easy if the object of concentration is concrete. Also, the beginner should choose a pleasing object on which to concentrate. Only thus can he prevent the mind from wandering away from the object of concentration. To start with, concentration can be practised on the flame of a candle, the tick-tick sound of a clock, the star in the sky, the picture of OM or the picture of one's lshta Devata (personal God). This should be followed by concentration on a suitable spiritual centre within the body. The Sadhak may concentrate with closed eyes on the space between is the eyebrows or on the tip of the nose. There is nothing which cannot be achieved by concentration.

Concentration should be followed by meditation. Meditation is nothing but protracted or sustained concentration. A scientist has to concentrate on a problem, on a given subject, on a riddle, to bring out the answer, to solve it. He has to think, think and think. Then only the answer flashes forth. Likewise, meditation is intense concentration, concerted concentration on the problem of life, on the problem of the inexplicable triad of God, man and the universe. While concentration becomes essential even to solve small problems in science, what to speak of the problem of life which has baffled humanity since time immemorial? The Sadhak (aspirant) who wants God must meditate, meditate and meditate.

Meditation can be practised on any image of the Lord. This is concrete meditation. After some practice, the aspirant will be able to visualise the form of the image even with closed eyes. Meditation can also be practised on abstract ideas and on various Vedantic formulae such as "I am Eternity", "I am Infinity" and so on.

Reading of profound scriptural texts like the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras (revealed texts of the Hindus) requires intense concentration. Such reading itself is a mild form of meditation. It should be followed by contemplation on what was read. Repeated meditation on a single idea will bring out a wealth of knowledge on that idea.

While meditating on a particular object or idea, various extraneous thoughts will try to enter the mind of the aspirant and interfere with his meditation. The aspirant should ignore these extraneous thoughts, be indifferent to them and repeatedly try to concentrate on the object of his meditation. Gradually, the frequency of interruption will be reduced and a time will come when meditation will give uninterrupted peace and bliss.

Meditation is digging deep into the mine of truth and wisdom. Swamiji asks the Sadhak to meditate and bring put his own Gita and Upanishads. Says the Master: "There is no knowledge without meditation. An aspirant churns his own soul. Truth becomes manifest".

Meditation confers peace and strength. Sivananda affirms that half an hour's meditation is sufficient to enable the aspirant to smilingly pass through a whole week's life in this world of problems and misery.

Meditation must be regular. Whenever the Sattvic (a state of calmness and purity) mood manifests and divine thought-currents begin to flow, the aspirant must sit down for meditation. Brahmamuhurtha (period between 4 am and 6 am), says the Master, is the ideal time for meditation. Why? He gives the answer:

"There is Sattva in the atmosphere
In Brahmamuhurtha.
The atmosphere is calm
And the world is asleep.
The Raga-Dvesha (like-dislike) currents
Have not yet started flowing in your mind.
You are just returning from deep sleep
When you enjoyed bliss without objects;
You can then easily convince the mind
That real happiness is within.
Only Yogis, Jnanis (wise man) and sages are awake at this time.
You will be greatly benefited by their thought currents.
Never miss the Brahmamuhurtha even for a day."

It is not possible to meditate the whole day. Without variety, the mind, especially of a beginner, will get tired . It is necessary to guard against this possibility. It is important that the aspirant should be protected from the monotony of one-sided spiritual practice leading to reaction and a return to worldly activity with a vengeance. The beauty of divine life lies in the fact that the seriousness of meditation is tempered with the joy of Kirtan, the happiness and strength of service, the peace of Japa and the understanding of Svadhyaya (reading of scriptures).

In the books of Yoga, the great Rishis (sages) distinguish between Bahiranga Sadhana and Antaranga Sadhana. Bahiranga Sadhana is outer Yoga or spiritual practices designed to perfect the outer instruments of body and Prana (vital- energy). These are the ethical practices and the Yogasana and Pranayama exercises. Once the body is perfected and the Nadis or astral tubes are purified through Pranayama practices, the spiritual seeker attains fitness to start the inner Yoga or Antaranga Sadhana. This includes Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana-sense abstraction, concentration and meditation. The senses and the mind must be withdrawn from the sense objects and the mind must be focussed on the God within. This is inner Yoga. The outer Yoga practices are to prepare the aspirant to gain fitness to practise this inner Yoga.

Where the necessary preparation is inadequate or wanting, meditation cannot succeed. Simply sitting cross-legged and closing the eyes, thinking the same worldly thoughts and building castles in the air, or falling into a semi- sleep is not meditation. A person who wants to meditate must be free from disease and desire, from cares and worries. He must be free from love and hatred, and from like and dislike. He must be soaked in Vairagya (dispassion). He must be able to sit firmly for hours together in the same posture. His breathing must be slow and even. His stomach must be free from constipation, free from gas and very light. when these conditions are not satisfied, meditation will remain just a pipe dream.

While meditation in itself constitutes. a very powerful attack on ignorance, Swami Sivananda suggests that the spiritual aspirant should practise Vichar also. Vichar is enquiry into the real nature of things. Vichara results in Viveka or discrimination between the real and the unreal. It helps the aspirant to sift the true from the false. Swamiji asserts that without cogitation, Truth cannot be known or realised. Vichara sharpens the intellect and leads to the discernment of the Truth that lies behind the phenomenal universe.

How should the aspirant reflect? The Master shows the way: "Who am I? What is Brahman (God)? What is this Samsara (process of worldly life)? What is the goal of life? How to attain the goal? How to attain freedom from births and deaths? What is the Svarupa of Moksha (Essential nature of liberation)? Whence? Where? Whither? Thus should the aspirant of liberation ever enquire, seeking to achieve the purpose of life". The justification for this method of Vichara or enquiry is contained in the saying, "As you think, so you become". By constant reflection on the Reality behind the appearances, the seeker attains oneness with the Reality and becomes that Reality itself.

Enquiry opens the aspirant's eyes to new vistas of knowledge. It leads him steadily to Truth. For instance, if the aspirant starts the "Who am I?" enquiry, he will soon find that he cannot equate himself with any one of his sense organs like the nose, the eyes or the ears, because even without one or more of these, he can live and life can pulsate in his veins. So, he is not the body. Nor is he the mind, because even during the unconscious and the deep sleep states, when the mind ceases to function, he exists and his heart throbs. Then, what is this 'I' in everybody? Swami Sivananda declares that the real 'I' is none, else than Brahman or the Atman who is the motive force behind all existence. It is He who thinks through the mind, sees through the eyes, eats through the mouth, hears through the ears and so on He is the Witnessing Consciousness who dwells in all beings. When a person gets up from deep sleep and says, "I enjoyed a sound dreamless sleep", it is this Witnessing Consciousness which remembers the fact that the body and the mind rested in sound sleep. It cannot be otherwise. The mind which was virtually dead during the deep sleep state could . not itself have consciously enjoyed a sound slumber and remembered it. The enjoyer is the Atman. Swamiji repeatedly advises the spiritual seeker to identify himself with this Atman which is his real Self and not with his perishable body. Constant identification with the Atman or the Witnessing Consciousness in oneself is a shortcut to spiritual success. The aspirant who adopts this technique will soon rise above body consciousness.

The secret of spirituality lies in realising one's essential nature. It is not becoming something outside of oneself. It is not as if man and God are separate and that man should go to a God who is external to him and merge in that God. No. God is already there, everywhere, Within us and outside of us. The body and the mind in which man is encased are mere illusions of an ignorant mind. God only is. All else is not. All else is only appearance. This appearance is made possible by the functioning of the mind. Meditation and enquiry enable the aspirant to feel, to realise that he is, after all, Brahman and not a bundle of body and mind. When divine wisdom dawns, the Sadhak realises his innermost Being. And being is Brahman.

Man himself is God and the entirety of Sadhana (spiritual practices) is meant to enable man to realise his God-nature, to realise that the God he has been searching for is his own Self. Initially, Yoga Sadhana purifies the mind. Later on, the seeker uses this purified mind, to concentrate and meditate on the God within; and at the deepest point of meditation, the purified mind melts in the God within and is itself lost there, destroyed there. And only God remains. Being remains. God-consciousness remains. A telling analogy given in the Yoga texts is the dry twig used in kindling a fire, where the twig itself is ultimately consumed in the fire. The purified mind is like this twig. It helps to kindle the fire of God-consciousness within, and in the process, is itself destroyed in that fire. In Samadhi (superconscious state), the mind melts in Brahman as camphor melts in fire. The separate identity of the individual soul vanishes. Only Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence- Consciousness-Bliss Absolute) prevails.

 http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/meditation.htm

The History of Gospel Music

At its most basic level, gospel music is sacred music. It is a unique phenomenon of Americana which had its earliest iterations toward the end of the nineteenth century. It is folk music which suggests that it and its secular counterparts are greatly influenced by each other. Just as much of the contemporary gospel music of today sounds like R & B and Hip-Hop, so did most of the early gospel music sound like the Blues.

Gospel, meaning "good news," derived its name from it close connection with the gospels (books in the New Testament). As we look at the common themes in the gospels of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John, we find many references to God’s goodness and mercy.

In order to reach the widest possible audience, there are no "style" restrictions on gospel music; only the thematic content remains constant. Coming out of an oral tradition, gospel music typically utilizes a great deal of repetition. This is a carryover from the time when many post-Reconstruction blacks were unable to read. The repetition of the words allowed those who could not read the opportunity to participate in worship. Gospel music over the centuries has ministered to the downtrodden and disenfranchised. To sing about a God who comes in the nick of time to deliver his people from uncomfortable circumstances is a consistent theme, which has been at the core of gospel music. This music has been enjoyed for many decades and it continues to grow in its variety and sound.

Gospel music has a history which can be traced to the 18th century. During this time, hymns were lined and repeated in a call and response fashion and the Negro spirituals and work songs came on the scene. Because the enslaved Africans attended their masters’ worship services, the seventeenth century influences on Negro spirituals and work songs were traditional hymns the enslaved Africans heard in worship. Worship services served several purposes; not only were they a means by which the Africans could be monitored, but they also served as a reinforcement of the slavery indoctrination. Quite often readings were from St. Paul where made to being good servants and loving, obeying, and trusting one’s master. At this time it was also illegal for more than a handful of blacks to congregate without supervision. This meant that the blacks were not free to worship on their own they had to attend worship services with their master. At these services they would grow closer in their understanding of Christian doctrine and role that music played in that experience. The worship music (hymns) of the whites masters became the backdrop for the music the enslaved Africans would use at their eventual worship meetings.

The unlawfulness of the blacks congregating did not keep them from secretly holding "campground" meetings. These meetings were typically held at a distance from the main house to assure discretion and avoid possible punishment. It was during these such meetings that "newer" renditions of traditional hymns were developed. It is often wondered how such creativity and beauty could have come out of such a dismal time. As we listen to gospel music today with its sometimes downtrodden themes, it continues to be curious how such beauty and richness can emanate from troubled times.

In the tradition of the black church, call and response in singing and in speaking has been and continues to be a foundation on which the gospel is delivered. Through this participatory delivery system beliefs are reinforced. There is an expectation that when there is agreement with either the spoken word or song because of either its content or its contexts that verbal affirmation will be given. Those who are witnessing, speaking, or singing are encouraged by the responses and those who are about to experience issues are empowered to be victorious.

Gospel music can stir many different emotions. The audience for this spiritually moving idiom continues to grow as do the types of venues where it can be heard. No longer bound to the walls of the American church, gospel music captures the creative and spiritual imaginations of increasing numbers of international audiences. For gospel singers and listeners, making a joyful noise unto the Lord is what the music is about and it invites the participation of all to come together, honor the past, look forward to the future, and through song, renew our faith.

~  Brother Dennis L. Slaughter

http://www.bostoncommunitychoir.org/history_of_gospel_music.htm