by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Jul 10, 2016 | Meditation & Mindfulness, Parenting
Mindfulness and meditation have proven beneficial for both parents and children. More and more studies are uncovering the short- and long-term benefits of incorporating mindful parenting practices into families’ lives (1).
Meditation and mindfulness are not mere techniques. They are states of being that bring less suffering, more presence, and peace into one’s life. Once a person has experienced the benefits of these practices and the ways in which they permeate our daily life and being, there is no going back. Mindfulness and meditation practices have a positive impact not only on the practitioner but also the people that surround this individual, including our children.
A Google search offers this simple definition of mindfulness: “A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.” Renowned meditation teacher John Kabat-Zinn also emphasizes the importance of noticing “nonjudgmentally” (2) because suffering is caused by the judgments we place on our perceptions.
Individuals who have chosen to apply these practices to their parenting have seen improvements in their own lives and the lives of their children. If you are not convinced of the value of these practices and wonder if they are just a fad, here are 40 benefits meditation and mindfulness can provide for parents and children.
For parents, a meditation and mindfulness practice offers numerous benefits:
- Develops more patience because we do not mix in our problems with those of our child.
- Reduces reactivity because we respond from a calm place instead of from past wounds when children push our buttons.
- Cultivates emotional awareness.
- Allows us to exercise self-regulation.
- Slows down time because we become more fully involved in our child’s life, and so do not miss out on the wonderful and simple moments of their childhood, which goes by too fast.
- Develops gratitude for all the mundane and extraordinary moments with our child.
- Helps us to become in tune with and accepting of our child’s actual needs, thus allowing us to make better choices.
- Promotes secure attachment with our child and a trusting relationship.
- Enables us to be more present, which allows space for us to listen with full attention and be able to validate our children.
- Develops compassionate and non-judgmental awareness in all interactions.
- Facilitates finding pleasure in and appreciating simple things.
- Helps us cope during stressful moments, such as tantrums or emotional outbursts.
- Promotes our ability to model proper emotion management, and this is how children learn best: by imitation.
- Prevents our children from becoming fearful or traumatized by our out of control reactions or screaming.
- Improves parenting interventions (3).
- Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Improves the immune system, which means parents are healthier (4).
- Promotes greater satisfaction with our parenting skills and therefore with our relationships with our children.
- Facilitates incorporating mindfulness into all aspects of our lives (5).
Children can also experience many benefits from a meditation and mindfulness practice:
- Develops the area of the brain responsible for emotion regulation and impulse control.
- Reduces stress, anxiety, and fears.
- Allows for a less reactive state to emerge.
- Promotes feelings of safety and security.
- Improves self-esteem and self-confidence because children feel heard, seen, and validated.
- Develops problem-solving skills by developing self-reflection and self-awareness, instead of being reactive and living on autopilot.
- Develops conscious individuals.
- Improves emotion management.
- Improves resilience.
- Cultivates better self-awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Children become better skilled at communicating their needs to others.
- Promotes healthy psycho-social development in children. Improved social skills and interactions emerge because children become skilled communicators. Conversely, they become good listeners themselves.
- Creates grateful children able to live in the present moment.
- Fosters compassion and empathy for others; they become less self-centered.
- Diminishes behavioural problems, while improving emotional health and behavioural functioning (6) (7).
- Improves attention, focus, concentration, memory, and learning (4).
- Improves emotional intelligence.
- Reduces reactivity to others’ anger. They do not take it personally.
- Promotes self-reliance by teaching them to accept and tolerate their own emotions, feelings, sensations, and thoughts. In turn, they find comfort within by learning to soothe and calm themselves without depending on external factors.
- Allows children to find happiness from the inside, independent of external circumstances.
- Improves parent-child relationship during adolescence.
- Cultivates more emotionally and socially competent youth(8)(9).
If you are new to mindfulness, start small. Choose moments throughout your day where you can pay attention to the unfolding of each moment. Become the non-judgmental observer of the experiences taken in by your five senses. Moreover, take in the beauty of your life. Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into our family life can only prove beneficial to all those involved.
REFERENCES
- Many of the benefits covered in this post are also summarized here : Duncan,L.G., Coatsworth, J.D. & Greenberg, M.T.(2009) A Model of Mindful Parenting: Implications for Parent–Child Relationships and Prevention Research Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2009 Sep; 12(3): 255–270.doi: 10.1007/s10567-009-0046-3.
- Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice,10, 144–156. doi:10.1093/clipsy/bpg016.
- Dumas, J. E. (2005). Mindfulness-based parent training: Strategies to lessen the grip of automaticity in families with disruptive children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology,34, 779–791. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp3404_20. [PubMed]
- Mindfulness Web Site: Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life. www.greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness
- Coyne, L. W., & Murrell, A. R. (2009). The Joy of Parenting: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Guide to Effective Parenting in the Early Years. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
- Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Winton, A. S. W., Fisher, B. C., Wahler, R. G., McAleavey, K., et al. (2006). Mindful parenting decreases aggression, noncompliance, and self-injury in children with autism. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders,14(3), 169–177. doi:10.1177/10634266060140030401.
- Singh,N.N, Lancioni, G.E., Winton, A.S.W., Singh, J., Curtis, W.J.Wahler, R.G.,& McAleavey, K.M. (2007) . Mindful Parenting Decreases Aggression and Increases Social Behavior in Children With Developmental Disabilities, 31 (6) , 749-771. doi: 10.1177/0145445507300924
- Eisenberg, N., Cumberland, A., & Spinrad, T. L. (1998). Parental socialization of emotion. Psychological Inquiry,9, 241–273. doi:10.1207/s15327965pli0904_1. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
- Katz, L. F., Wilson, B., & Gottman, J. M. (1999). Meta-emotion philosophy and family adjustment: Making an emotional correction. In M. J. Cox & J. Brooks-Gunn (Eds.), Conflict and cohesion in families: Causes and consequences. The Advances in Family Therapy Research Series (pp. 131–165). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Sep 9, 2013 | Meditation & Mindfulness
The Bright Path Ascension Meditation Really Does Light People Up – Even Across Space and Time
By Saraswati
What if someone told you that you were made of light? What if they also told you that positive intention is not bound by space and time? Or, that it is possible to more than double the amount of energy in your body in just two and half days? What would you think if they told you that it is even possible to positively affect someone’s health in a past moment?
In 2011, I was lucky enough to be part of a team of Bright Path Ascension meditation practitioners, also known as “Ascenders,” who were involved in a series of remarkable experiments that would forever change my perception of what is possible. Like many people who use The Bright Path Ascension meditation techniques, I already knew from direct experience how powerful these techniques can be.
Typically, people who practice the Ascension techniques on a regular basis experience less stress, far greater levels of peace and stability, and – my personal favourite – a greater tendency to experience more joy, all of which can help with improvements in health. This is possible because the techniques allow you to transcend and change your relationship with any limiting thoughts or beliefs that may have been subtly impacting your life or behaviour.
However the remarkable series of tests – conducted in 2011 but not previously published – has provided further evidence of these impacts, and shown that the techniques can even influence the well-being of people in other times and places! A wealth of research in biophysics tells us that the human body is generating subtle electromagnetic fields. It has also been suggested that these ‘light fields’ – what we perceive as light is a tiny portion of the electromagnetic spectrum – provides energy for the organs to work efficiently and allows the cells to communicate with each other.
While Western science and medicine have been slow to recognize the implications of this fact, Eastern traditions have long used energy as part of healing. In 2002, scientists from the USA and Russia met in a congress in Maryland at the US National Institute of Health. One conclusion they came to was that a technique called GDV (gas discharge visualization), developed by professor Konstantin Korotkov, a biophysicist at the University of St. Petersburg, Russia, could be used effectively to measure the human energy field, and that this was a good indicator of the health of the body’s organs.
It was this GDV technique that psychologist Eusebio Gonzales Martin and researcher of bioelectrography Fernando Sanchez used to discover the effects of The Bright Path Ascension techniques, by measuring the changes in the body’s electromagnetic energy field.
Though the energy field is not visible to the naked eye, it can be measured and recorded using what is known as an ‘electro-photonic capture’ camera that can detect energy in the ultra violet range.
Improved Energy
In one of the tests, Eusebio measured changes in the energy fields of people learning The Bright Path Ascension meditation techniques over a weekend course in Spain’s Basque Country.
Participants were tested on the day the course began and again when it ended.
In these tests, the two researchers, Eusebio and Fernando, found profound improvements in the energy fields of all 10 participants. Nine of the 10 had more energy after the course; one had excess energy before the course, and during the weekend her energy levels reduced to optimal levels. Additionally, all participants had reduced stress levels.
One participant in particular named Rosa, began the weekend in a very distressed state. She had significantly low energy and high-stress levels, and felt nervous and anxious. After just two and a half days of Ascending (Meditating with the Bright Path’s techniques,) her energy levels had improved dramatically and her stress levels had reduced. She reported feeling comfortable and relaxed, and could not believe the improvement she felt from the weekend’s course.
Below are the results of Rosa’s readings from the experiment:
Before: After:
Explained simply, The Bright Path Ascension techniques were literally lighting up Ascenders’ bodies with the energy they needed, where they needed it most. And these dramatic effects were being felt after only two and a half days of Ascending.
Reduced Stress
When we have an excess of energy it can cause stress on the body. Stress is a natural program of nature to help us survive in extreme circumstances. Doctors now recognise that when stress becomes continuous it can exhaust the body’s energy levels and become the main cause of physical and mental ill health.
Eusebio and Fernando’s research also measured energy levels within each of the body’s vital organs. Before the course, seven of the ten participants had too much energy in some organs and too little in others – meaning their bodies were not functioning optimally. Afterwards, significant improvements were found in all seven participants.
Ayurvedic medicine suggests that we have seven energetic centres along the spine, called chakras, which are connected to the body’s gland system. When these are aligned and balanced they represent good health in the body.
ROSA – BEFORE AND AFTER:
These images show energy levels in Rosa’s vital organs before (left) and after the weekend course (right).
Before: After:
The analysis of the experiments suggest that even in the first weekend of learningThe Bright Path Ascension meditation the following results can be experienced:
- Increase of vital energy in the body where it is low.
- Reduction of vital energy where it is in excess.
- Balancing of energy between the different organs.
- Reduction in stress levels.
- Improved alignment and balancing of the body’s chakras, which has a positive effect on the body’s gland system.
Positively influencing the health of other people
In a separate set of tests also in 2011, Eusebio and Fernando measured the impacts of the techniques on more experienced meditators at The Bright Path’s retreat centre in Mont-ral, Spain. In these tests, the results were so dramatic they could scarcely believe them. In one experiment, ten Ascenders used an advanced meditation technique for twenty minutes to focus on one of the men participating in the retreat who was ill with lymphatic cancer. The subject was tested before and after the experiment. The Ascenders were in the same room as him, but he was reading and asked not to meditate during the experiment.
The tests found that after the meditation, the subject had less stress, more energy, and improved distribution of energy to vital organs. This was most prevalent in the spleen, which plays an important role in the immune system. The readings literally went from the spleen being the most de-energised organ in his body before the experiment, to a reading of absolute perfect optimization afterwards.
Even time and space don’t appear to stop these benefits
In another test, Eusebio carried out two separate GDV readings on a female participant who had been experiencing very high stress levels. The tests were carried out at 11.50am and 12.30pm, and showed reduced stress levels and significant improvements in distribution of energy to vital organs over the forty minute period.
At 5pm on the same day – several hours after the subject was tested – a group of twenty people in a different location used the same advanced Ascension technique to focus their attention on the name of the subject, and the time ‘noon.’ The subject did not know at any point that they would be doing this, and neither did Eusebio, the researcher. Yet the advanced Ascension technique still appeared to have had an impact.
Before: After:
In other words, not only did the advanced Ascension technique appear to benefit her health – but it appeared to do so across distances in both space and time. Eusebio describes the results as “remarkable.”
These findings, although unexpected, appear to find some support within the discoveries of modern physics, which have broken down conventional distinctions between space and time, and between matter and energy. Einstein once wrote that the distinction between past, present and future was “only an illusion, although a convincing one, ” and also that any person’s physical separation from the rest of the universe was a kind of “delusion of… consciousness.”
Consistent with these observations, many meditators have reported experiences that suggest space and time may not be immutable physical facts, but rather, may be creations of the mind. Eusebio and Fernando’s research appears to provide some additional insight into these experiences.
Research methods
More information about GDV and the camera used can be found at Dr. Korotkov’s Lab .
For more articles on the benefits of Mediations go to the The Bright Path’s web site (Health and Science)
Reproduced with the permission of Adya and Avya Ishaya
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Sep 9, 2013 | Meditation & Mindfulness
The meditation is simple, natural and powerful and is called the Ishayas’ Ascension. Ishaya means “for higher Consciousness” and Ascension means to “rise beyond” the self-defeating beliefs and judgments which keep the mind in conflict and the heart in pain.
It is not a belief or a new/old religion. There are four techniques called Ascension Attitudes and these are based on the natural movement of the mind towards praise, gratitude, and love and compassion. These techniques effortlessly move the mind inward. By naturally moving the mind inward, all chaotic modes of functioning are surpassed, and the mind arrives at its natural state of silence. The hemispheres of the brain go into perfect coherence, and the body reaches a level of rest, deeper than the average rest it gets from eight hours of sleep. When the body rests, it heals; thus, the stress lodged in the nervous system naturally dissolves – and Freedom dawns. There is no need to analyze the stress and limiting internal programs to be free of them.
It is very practical as these Attitudes can be used with eyes open to prevent stress from being built up during the day, as well as with eyes closed which releases stress from the nervous system. Benefits of using these regularly are deep rest, stress release, improved health, clarity of mind and expanded consciousness. The techniques have the potential to increase effectiveness and enjoyment in all areas of life by bringing one to the present moment and by removing the destructive beliefs and mental blocks that inhibit the natural functioning of the mind and body.
The Ishayas’ Ascension has origins in both the East and the West and has been taught throughout the world since the early 90’s. The course is taught over 3 days and teaches the four Ascension Attitudes which are based on Praise, Gratitude and Love. The Praise Attitude heals the stress in our subjective (personal) experience of life. This is the most fundamental of all the techniques. The Gratitude Attitude heals our relationship with the objective (outside) world, including our bodies. The Love Attitude heals our relationship with the Source, the Ascendant, the Absolute, and All-That-Is. The fourth attitude develops compassion and enlivens our relationship with the rest of humanity.
Description of the First Four Ascension Techniques
Together these four techniques work to heal any self-destructive program, any stress, any past limitation or painful belief that keeps awareness bound to the waking state.
Praise
The Praise Ascension Attitude is the most basic, the most fundamental of all the techniques. The Praise Attitude heals our subjective experience of our life. This is the root attitude of all the techniques taught by the Ishayas. This technique can be used any time, day or night, with the eyes open or closed, to cause a calming and healing effect.
Gratitude
The Gratitude Attitude is subtler than the Praise Ascension Attitude. The Gratitude Attitude deals with another of the fundamental stresses that needs to be healed to experience life fully. The Gratitude Attitude is designed to heal our relationship with everything in the physical world, including our bodies.
Love
The Love Ascension Attitude heals another one of the fundamental misconceptions that keep us from experiencing who we truly are. The Love Attitude deals with our relationship to the Source, the Ascendant, the Absolute, the Infinite.
Cognition
Cognition heals the fourth fundamental stress that keeps one from evolving to enlightenment. The Cognition technique deals with our relationship to all of humanity.
What is the Ishayas’ Ascension? Commonly Asked Questions
The Ishayas’ Ascension is a series of simple, profoundly effective meditation techniques that allow one to Ascend, or rise beyond, stress and self-defeating beliefs. Once this occurs, it is possible to be fully centred in the heart and reclaim our naturally enlightened state of freedom and innocence. The Ishayas’ Ascension is so effective because the techniques are based on the fundamental principles of Praise, Gratitude and Love. It is simple and effortless.
Why do we need the Ishayas’ Ascension?
As one grows into adulthood, the nervous system becomes imprinted with every experience it has ever had, including traumatic ones. These imprints, or stresses, cause us to respond to various life experiences in habitual, often negative, ways. The easy-to-use techniques of the Ishayas’ Ascension systematically erase the stress of the past and create the abitlity to respond to present situations with more creativity and flexibility.
How does the Ishayas’ Ascension work?
In as few as twenty minutes with the eyes closed, the Ishayas’ Ascension allows the body to reach a level of rest that is about twice as deep as the deepest sleep. This allows the body’s natural healing tendencies to activate, permanently clearing the nervous system of stress.
How often should one practice the Ishayas’ Ascension?
The recommended minimum is two to three times per day, for twenty minutes with eyes closed. It is suggested that one Ascend in the morning, in the evening, and before bed. In addition, one can use the techniques all day long with the eyes open.
Are any special preparations required to practice the Ishayas’ Ascension?
No. In fact, comfort and innocence are keys to successfully practicing the techniques. The more one can approach them without preconceived notions of what it should be like, the faster stress will dissolve from the nervous system. No special positions, no special preparations and no belief are required.
What are the benefits to using the Ishayas’ Ascension?
With regular use of the techniques, one’s ability to handle life’s challenges in the present moment increases. People report having less anxiety and worry. As the nervous system becomes more and more clear, the Ishayas’ Ascension begins to serve its true purpose; the heart and mind coming into alignment, producing a state of constant inner stillness, clarity and oneness, known as Enlightenment.
First Sphere Format
Friday Night 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Introduction
Praise Ascension Attitude
Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm
The Mechanics of Ascension
The Gratitude Ascension Attitude
Lunch Break (Vegetarian Pot Luck)
States of Consciousness
Discussion of further opportunities with Ascension
The Love Ascension Attitude
End of Class for Saturday
Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Cognition Technique
This Ascension Attitude is given Individually rather than in a group setting. The rest of the day is devoted to practicing all four techniques with the eyes closed. A Cognition Lecture will be given at the end of the day. You may wish to bring pillows and blankets to get comfortable. Also a bottle of water and some light food to snack on during the day would be a good idea.
This portion of the course may start earlier if the course is large.
Reproduced by permission from Adya and Avya Ishaya, from The Intro Pack –The Ishayas’ Ascension, Meditation Course ©
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Sep 9, 2013 | Meditation & Mindfulness
Article by Avya Devi Ishaya, M.A., CMT
In answer to the question in the title, I know I certainly was. I had a whole committee of voices in my head commenting on my every move. I could readily relate to the oft quoted saying around twelve step programs referring to our thoughts as the “itty bitty shitty committee”. This committee was relentlessly judging my past mistakes, and filling my head with needless worry about the future, “You made a mess of that” or “What will everyone think?”
Sound familiar??
So much of my energy was wasted on these incessant worry and regret thoughts! I look at pictures of myself from 15 years ago and I look older than I do today. Happily, I learned the Ishayas Ascension meditation back in 1997. It helped change my relationship to thoughts. I became the observer of the mind. I was so relieved that this meditation was not about trying to stop thoughts…how exhausting. These techniques, based on praise, gratitude and love, helped me turn my attention inward to the infinite, peaceful experience resting beyond the mind.
I had learned numerous forms of prayer as a Catholic nun, but none offered a practice to use during daily activity. That, for me, was one of the hallmarks of this Teaching that intrigued me. I remember one of my first times using the praise attitude while driving, and having this feeling of fullness and joy well up inside as I gazed and actually noticed the beauty around me vs. ticking off “to do” lists in my head.
I invite you to notice how often in your day you are barely present to what you are doing. While your body is present in one activity, your mind has moved on to planning the hours that lie ahead of you.
At work, you are thinking of being home, and at home, you are planning your work activities.
The Ascension techniques, or attitudes, made the dramatic shift of helping me remain fully present to right NOW. From that, life unfolds magically and effortlessly. I find I am guided much more by intuition rather than the egoic mind. That ittty bitty committee still tries to grab my attention, but I find it fairly amusing these days. I don’t listen to it, as I have a far greater experience to pay attention to…a vast, silent cosmos of endless peace and infinite light. It is right here, as close as our very breath, waiting to be discovered….remembered. We need only value ourselves enough to take the time to explore our infinite nature through a meditation practice.
The Ishayas’ Ascension is one practice which offers guidance and programs that direct you to your true home within.
What are you waiting for?
Avya Devi Ishaya is a teacher of the Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension, as well as a practitioner of various healing modalities. Please visit www.peaceinfusion for more information.
She will be teaching a week-end meditation course October 25-27th in downtown Ottawa.
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Nov 10, 2010 | Meditation & Mindfulness, Parenting, Self care
Some people who suffer from anxiety fidget a lot and like to keep their hands busy. For some that means holding a cigarette, fiddling with their keys, etc. I have found that in my practice, many anxious individuals find it relaxing to handle the playdough that is on my shelf. So why not make your own?
Not only is it natural and non-toxic, but you can add essential oils to it that have a soothing effect or any other desired effect you may seek.
The process of making it can also have beneficial and relaxing effects, keep your mind off things, and may even have a meditative effect. While you are at it, why not practice mindfulness while in the process of making your own playdough?
Mix the following organic ingredients (non organic ingredients are ok too):
2 Tbsp of Cream of Tartar
Food coloring or use natural spices for color (e.g. turmeric for yellow)
A few drops of an essential oil (eg, lavender for relaxation).
It is up to you to choose other essential oils if the purpose is other than relaxation… read up on the properties of rosemary, geranium, chamomille, peppermint, grapefruit, lemon, etc..Adjust ingredients (flour or water) until you get the texture you like.
Place in a sealed container.
If you would rather buy it… go on Etsy and for a tutorial on How TO, go on You Tube there are quite a few tutorials!
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