Mice, Memory and Creating Your Inner Light

#a world that works for everyone

Sometimes experiences from the past keep influencing us-again and again and again.....

It could be that the circuits in our brain  get stuck in an endless loop. Researchers at MIT have been changing the brains of mice with light. They call this new science Optigenics.  It appears that as a memory is encoded in the brain negative or positive emotions associated with that event are stored in another part of the brain. Every time the brain remembers the event the emotions associated with it are triggered.

By shining a light for only 12 minutes on  the brain cells that store these emotions mice were able to let go of previous conditioning  and no longer experienced negative emotional reactions. 

Optigenic studies will help MIT better understand how the brain works and in the future they may help to relieve depression, post traumatic stress, epilepsy, chronic pain and some forms of mental illness.1

Are you planning your future based on your past?

I believe it is possible to erase the pain and limitations we may remember from our past.  Yesterday’s disappointments and hurts can keep us from experiencing happiness today. In years to come we will be able to use Optigenics to heal our brain, body and psyche.  Today we can use meditation, prayer, EMDR and other techniques to free ourselves from the negative influences or  hurtful things from our  past. We can also create our own inner light to help us let go of previous experiences that no longer serve us.

Change your mind by shining your inner light

Find a quiet place, whether that is in your room, outside in nature or even sitting where no one knows you. Take a few moments and breathe deeply until you feel yourself settling down. When you feel quiet  read or say these words:

Always I am aware of being part of a greater Whole. The Oneness I share with Spirit and all beings brings permanent safety and refuge from the events of my past. 

In this Wholeness, I am strong, safe and secure. Nothing from yesterday can ever harm me again.I let go of anything from

the past that no longer serves me.

  

I feel the light of Wholeness inside me.The light of Wholeness shines all around me.  I am the light and the light is me. Peace and joy live in me now and I embrace my future knowing it is Good.

Take a few moments to come back to the present moment and then go on with your day. 

Powerful words like this or others you might choose write for yourself can shine your inner light on your brain and help to releases burdens of the past. Our thoughts are creative and we can use them to change ourselves, our lives and our environment. I believe you can feel a gentle and permanent change inside yourself from regularly shining your inner light.

Give this a try for a month. I'd truly enjoy hearing about your experiences of creating your own inner light. 

References:

1.Optigenics Changing the Brain with Light

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Depression-One Woman's Journey on the Road to Joy

Recently I talked about healing as restoring yourself to a state of balance that you are happy with. The World Health Organization states that 121 million adults around our world have depression and that 47% of all adults have headaches. Researchers in the US have determined that 60 million people are burdened with feelings of isolation and loneliness.1 Clearly,too many are in distress and are not able to find their way out of it.

The following is the story of a 50 something woman who was experiencing depression, headaches and isolation. Life had worn her down. She found a creative way to restore herself and became happy, healthy and whole.

Kate’s four children were almost out of the house when her second marriage ended in a stressful divorce.  Later, she tried another relationship which just didn’t work out. There had been a long period of recovery from a painful shoulder injury. Then three beloved family members died in a short period of time….

Kate began to have bad headaches, she felt isolated and depressed. It was like a heaviness or a dark vortex was coming to suck her down. Things that had always helped her feel in balance- like her art work were no longer possible. 

She knew she had to get away from the dreadful dark feelings that were pressing her down. Kate decided to go within and through prayer she called on her higher power.

Over the next few days Kate remembered how much she loved riding on her brother’s motorcycle in high school-a Honda 750. Quite spontaneously she was guided to look through the local ads at motorcycles for sale.

A beautiful fire engine red 2004 Harley Davidson XLH 883 Sportster Hugger captured her heart and everything fell into place.

She remembers saying to herself “If you don’t get this now- you will never do this! Do this for yourself the kids are all grown.”

Kate enrolled in a motorcycle safety class to learn how to ride. She passed the written part of the class easily but found that she was too nervous to make turns successfully. Kate didn’t pass the riding part of the exam but she had 90 days to take it over. She got her learner’s permit and began to practice her turns. 

“Lord, I am so nervous. I’m 54 years old. I am scared. What am I doing? Am I insane? Help me Lord.”

It took her two weeks to get out of her neighborhood and onto to the street to make it down to the park where she could pratice safely.  Within a few weeks she was able to begin riding around and discovered the back roads away from the traffic. 

"My excitement got rid of my fear. As I developed my skills I experienced sheer pleasurable joy riding on my own. From the deepest source of my being that joy would flow up like a fountain. Your joy takes you away from your hard places. For me the wind in my face lifted that heavy darkness.  I was moving forward my higher power was guiding me.  I was singing, laughing, praying inside my helmet.

Letting my higher power guide me and following its message changed my life and gave me freedom from the responsibility of life. There have been no more headaches. My depression and isolation are gone."

 6 1/2 months later as an accomplished fully licensed rider Kate traded up for her 1200cc Custom Harley Sport Cruiser. Kate also discovered that chocolate was the cause of her headacches so she doesn't have it very often. She began to meet new people and joined the Christian Motorcycle Association (www.cmausa.org/) which led to many new adventures. Since then Kate has had the opportunity to act as a spiritual counselor for women in prison and women everywhere inspiring them with her wisdom to find new meaning in their own lives.

Kate found a way to heal her body, mind and soul and exchanged her depression, headaches and isolation for a life of joy, satisfaction and freedom. I hope Kate’s story of what brought her the greatest healing will be inspiring for you.

How did you learn to listen to your feelings and discover what would give  you- your healing successes? Do you have a story of healing or know of someone who would like to share their healing success?  To connect with Kate send your message to me in my comments box or at the email address listed above. I will forward it to Kate so she can get back to you.

 

References:
1. Cacioppo, John T.; Hawkley, Louise C. (2009). "Perceived social isolation and cognition". Trends in Cognitive Sciences 13 (10): 447–54. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2009.06.005.PMC2752489. PMID19726219.


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Strung with Love-Making Prayer Malas

Every religion uses prayer and meditation yet they have something else they share. Many religions have a tradition of using beads or something like beads to count prayers, chants, mantras and affirmations. Catholics call their beads the rosary. Muslims pray using their Misbaha or Tasbih beads.  In Judaism worshippers count the knots on their prayer shawls. Hindus and Buddhists chant mantras and meditate with malas.

Recently I wrote about using chants to bring healing, improve well being, break through obstacles, calm the mind, restore vitality and even help with weight loss and sugar addictions. It  can be helpful to use prayer mala beads when you chant, pray or practice your affirmations. Mala is the Sanskrit word for garland.  With a prayer mala, you can stay focused in reciting mantras, prayers and affirmations. As you move your fingers along the beads your hands are slightly engaged- providing a place to release energy and allowing the mind to relax. So there is no worry about how many recitations you have completed and no need to focus on the clock.

“You pass the beads across your fingers, bead by bead, with each repetition of the mantra. If your mind wanders, the activity of the hand or the touch of the bead will remind you of the mantra. The rhythm becomes more compelling, the experience more total as your body works in harmony with the mind.”

Ram Daas 

Traditional mala beads are made from wooden beads, seeds and semi-precious stones. You can be creative in designing your own set of mala beads to make it unique and meaningful for your own purpose.

You are invited to learn how to make your own prayer malas, to chant with them and to discover how your mala beads can be powerful for you. 

Strung with Love-Making Prayer Malaas

with Sue Robson

Date: Saturday, August 16th
 Time: 10 am to 1 pm
 Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa
 2075 Occidental Road Santa Rosa, Ca 95401

Cost-$30

To enroll online:Prayer Mala Workshop


You can connect with Sue or get more information about her workshop and Prayer Malas at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/PrayerMalas

I use rudraksha and coral mala beads as part of my spiritual practice. I would love to hear how you use your malas. You can leave your comments below or email me at the address listed above.