What is Romance?

I was recently asked if I was a romantic person. Hmmm, I thought, "I think so, but how do you define romantic?"

Yes, I like the little notices that someone special gives me. I like that light touch on my face, my hand and that look that tells me I am special. I like the little unexpected displays of attention and affection. I like it when he runs his fingers through my hair and smiles into my eyes rather than at me.

I like it when he remembers something I told him I liked three months ago and surprises me by showing up with that very special remembrance.

But, I think that those things noble and above the fold for altruistic reasons and no hope for or desire for recognition are intensely romantic -- in the sense of deep and lasting awareness and inspiration. Those actions and thoughts and ideas that simply make life better for everyone, including me, are the most romantic. Those heroes make me realize that the romance in life is ever-unfolding and the best is yet to come.

Chesa
www.taototem.com
www.meditationwarrior.com
www.meditation-works.com
and more....

What is it to begrugde one's life?

Begrudging one’s life takes many forms – from over-indulgence to self-denial; from self-loathing to false confidence; from lack of attention to health issues to hypochondria; from the inability to love others or even ourselves; from demanding attention to apathy regarding our presence.

Whenever we do not cherish the body, mind and spirit of our existence, we are denying the existence of the Buddha nature that lies within us awaiting recognition. It seems to me that it is in the extremes of expression that we get caught in the act of begrudging our lives. How to counter these very “human” traits is the question to ask.

Find joy in the moment; appreciate the wind, sky and stars; see the Buddha within others and accept the glorious life that surges through your blood with each breath. Find gratitude for the simplest of things and marvel at the complexity hidden in the simple. I guess, for me, it is just appreciating everything, finding joy in the now and expressing the compassionate understanding for others and myself.

Chesa
www.taototem.com
www.meditationwarrior.com
www.meditation-works.com

Love is THE answer - every day of the year

I know an oncology surgeon who has written an article related to her experience as a doctor who cannot always deliver good news to her patients. She is warm, understanding, compassionate and feels the pain her patients experience.

Read this article about how Love is the answer - every day and see if you don't come away both inspired and humbled.

Chesa
www.taototem.com

Anti-aging is in the heart and the mind - it's all a matter of perception

I saw this wonderful video and wanted to share it. Too many people listen to too many people. I remember when Mick Jagger said that once they reached 30, they would quit -- they couldn't imagine being a band of "old guys." Things didn't work out the way he thought they would. This video is proof that age is filled with experience, joy and wonderful expression -- if you want it to be:





Joyful youth.


Chesa
www. mediationwarriior.com

Gathering Your Energy

I don't know about you, but last week was one of those weeks where there just wasn't enough time to do all that I felt I had to do. You know, those times where there are 15 different tasks that you should be getting finished and all of those tasks are shouting at you silently, "Me next, me, me next!? A friend told me recently told me that time has become compressed to about 50% of what we would consider normal. I can't really argue that claim after last week.

So how do you release the stress of juggling too many tasks at the same time and remain productive? Generally speaking, if you can't relax, you can't release the stress of the situation. On the Meditation Warrior website, there is an article called Relaxation First.

This relaxation technique is based on focusing on each part of the body and consciously releasing tension through alternating muscle tension and release. The exercise is explained and the page also contains an audio of the relaxation technique for you to try.

Maybe time is compressing. I know my days don't seem to be as long as they were in my 20's. And while there are days that feel very productive, often the day has almost escaped before I have checked off the last "to do." Or maybe my "to do" list is too long.

Regardless, it has been said that 90% of all disease and illness is either caused by or complicated by stress. Focus on stress reduction and your body will begin to heal itself. And this all starts with relaxation.

Give it a try . . .

Chesa Keane
www.meditationwarrior.com
www.meditation-works.com
www.taototem.com
www.biofeedback.com

The True Story

I don't know why but I lied. My brother says it is because I was protecting myself. Regardless, I lied. What I lied about was my mother and her path of suffering.

In her memorial tribute I clearly stated in writing and in voice: I only wanted two things for my mother: to be with her when she died and for her to go peacefully.

The lie is that I said I got my wish. But I didn't.

I was with my beautiful courageous mother as she let go, but she did not pass peacefully. Why did I say she did? Why was it so necessary to tell myself and others that her passing was peaceful, when in fact it was torturous?

Two weeks before she died I was walking down the hallway toward the front desk where I could usually find her and I saw her facing the front desk alongside the hallway, closely examining the railing. It was at that moment I felt the painful state she was in, trapped in her body, trapped in her mind. She was nothing more than a prisoner; a very sad prisoner.

Throughout her life Mayleen was strong and healthy. In the last two years with my overseeing her health decisions that strength carried her through all her physical trials. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility that she could last in this condition for years - miserable, unhappy and unable to leave her body.

She was leaving me though, slowly but surely. I told her 50 times a night "I love you, Mommy," but now she only looked at me, detached and uninterested in returning my declarations of love. She knew it was me, but she no longer cared and still she lingered.

One Friday I got a call from Manor Care. "Your mother has aspirated but we're watching her closely."

I didn't realize what this meant. I didn't know that she was now Code Pink, wearing an oxygen mask with a rising temperature. I didn't know or I would have gone to her sooner.

When I arrived Friday afternoon, her breath was ragged, draggingly difficult. She was engaged in such a struggle that she couldn't even talk to me. But she could hold my hand and we clung to each other for two days.

Finally Sunday arrived. I sat with her from early morning, holding her hand and stroking her beautiful face. Then in the afternoon her hand slackened and it was no longer holding mine. I continue to hold her hand, stroking her soft skin with no response. Her grasping breath was hard to bear and even harder to watch.

I began chanting what I knew would be my last Buddhist prayers with her, slowing the cadence of the chant to prolong them as long as I could. I knew without doubt that the ending of the prayer sequence would be the time she released.

As my prayers reached out to our family no longer in the physical, I asked them to receive her and bring her into a lighter place, receiving her with joy. I asked them to make her smile again; to laugh with her again.

It was then as I finished this request that my Mommy took three hard gasping breaths and stopped breathing to finally let go .

It was not peaceful. It was not easy. And that is the truth I have at last faced.

Chesa
www.meditationwarrior.com

Meditation Tools for beginners

For anyone who has not yet done so, you might want to pick up the free Basic Meditation Technique from TAO Totem.

We are begin our journey to deeper awareness and meditation by learning to concentrate with the basics.

Enjoy!

Chesa
www.TAOTotem.com

An experiment

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Announcing Meditation Warrior Guided Meditations

The MW Guided Meditation Series I is a set of guided meditations designed to teach you the correct and necessary steps that will lead you along the path of solid concentration skills toward the ability to meditate deeply and focus upon any internal goals you set.

These guided meditations start with basic awareness of the breath, sounds, imagery and build toward self-examination, deepening awareness and goal-setting. Unlike other products that simply offer meditations, the MW Guided Meditation Series I teaches you how to concentrate first, the builds your skills step-by-step toward deliberate goals of self-awareness and focused outcomes.


The MW Guided Meditation Series I is a set of 9 concentration and meditation techniques that will teach you how to relax, release tension and focus on specific life-enhancing goals.

Containing more than 4 hours of techniques and exercises, the MW Guided Meditation Series I draws you along the path of skill development that allows you to progress at your own pace.

Each meditation has a specific focus and goal and the meditations are presented on a MP3 player designed to be easily taken with you so you can practice wherever it is convenient for you. The MP3 Player is of high quality with a full one-year warranty.

If you cannot find a way to regain your composure under stress, to direct your life as you wish it to evolve, or to remove the life stressors that cause you harm, you will never find the deep lasting sense of peace and joy that you deserve. Yes, deserve.

The MW Guided Meditation Series I is the tool that can bring you unsurpassed health, calmness when needed and a stress-free existence that opens all the doors to happiness in your life. The series is called The Mind is Like a Frisky Monkey and offers a smooth foundation of basic skills.

This has been a joyful experience of creating a way to teach people how to meditate effectively and successfully through guided meditations easy to use anywhere, anytime.

For more information, check out Meditation Warrior Guided Meditations Series I, The Mind is Like a Frisky Monkey.


Chesa
www.meditationwarrior.com
www.meditation-works.com
www.taototem.com
www.biofeedcat.com
www.computergoddess.com

The difficulty with distractions when meditating

Distractions that keep you from meditation can be tough. You have children and work and commitments and you are trying to meditate at 3 am when you are really too tired but it is the only time you can find for yourself, right? As cavalier as this might sound, there are times when you need to put yourself first, because finding that center of self will in the long run be better for everyone in your family.

Maybe the struggle is with work because you enjoy it so much. But is this the way of keeping yourself from the hard work of going within and seeking self? Or the issues can be children, family or simply that you're just exhausted from your hectic day. Whatever the distraction, these issues are often related to whether you feel you deserve the time for just you and not always for others. Ask yourself these questions:

• How much time do I need/want to move forward in my meditation goals?
• How can I schedule that time for myself?
• If I do schedule that time for myself, will I discipline myself and my family to this schedule?
• If not, why not?
• If I will, when will I start?

Life is not always on the surface, pretty, but it is always exciting and delicious in its own way. Look for the beauty, find the time and grow so you can be the example of joy and peace for everyone you come into contact with and for that family of yours. You are the soil to their garden — make it rich and nourishing. You know you are teaching others by example how to be the best human possible and showing them how to live up to their incredible potential.

We are all a point of influence and you can choose to be a positive influence or no influence at all. This begins when you learn how to love Self. Taking time for Self is a deep expression of love. And this is the foundation of changing the world for the better.

Chesa
www.meditationwarrior.com
www.meditation-works.com
www.taototem.com
www.biofeedcat.com
www.computergoddess.com

Elevating Your Life Condition Through Gratitude

When life doesn't go so swimmingly, how do you deal with it? Many people don't face up to their challenges easily, but rather find that their problems just stack up one on top of another, getting worse and worse. The stress levels increase and the ability to relax seems to be far from available.

A few months ago, a publication called Kite Magazine began to publish my articles. This is a lovely magazine that calls itself, the magazine for meaningful living. The magazine is full of wonderful articles to help you see yourself more clearly and to offers ways to improve your life condition.

This month's issue focuses on Gratitude and my article is entitled, Elevating Your Life Condition Through Gratitude. I hope you will take a few moments to read the article, find your gratitudes and then enjoy the rest of this delightful magazine.

Here is the link: Kite Magazine - November 2007

Take care of yourself this holiday season and be safe. Find your
center and just keep breathing if you feel your stress level rising.


Chesa Keane
www.meditationwarrior.com
www.meditation-works.com
www.taototem.com
www.biofeedcat.com
www.computergoddess.com