News & Views

No, that's not a beautiful piece of music or thoughts about an insignificant island in the mid-Pacific.  It's a mediation created by Mark Robert Waldman and Andrew Newberg that studies have shown increase the health and agility of the anterior cingulate, a little part of the brain that acts as a train switch for our thought processes. When it's working well, it heads us out toward the frontal lobes where we can apply logical reasoning to our actions.  The results of that kind of thinking pull us away from reactive, aggression-style problem-solving and move us toward compassion and understanding.

So the anterior cingulate is a significant part of our brain and one that has helped in our evolution toward becoming a more compassionate species.  The interesting thing is that it is one of the more recent developments in our brain and one we don't want to lose.  Religious practices like Gregorian chant and praying with the rosary all helped stimulate the activity and development of the anterior cingulate, so even if we move away from some of the ritual acts of traditional Christianity, it is important that we find ways to keep our brains evolving and not let them get too lazy - especially around the anterior cingulate.

Here is the mediation that Newberg and Waldman have created.  Results of studies show that within 8 weeks of daily practice, noticeable improvement in memory tests are reported.  An added bonus for "practicing compassion"!

 Sit comfortably.   Pay attention to your breathing.  Focus on breathing in and out, perhaps counting to four on the way in and five on the way out.  Focus on your breathing for two minutes (yes, I forgot to mention this in the morning's service!)

Sing four syllables, sa, ta, na, ma,  using a simple tune that places each syllable on a different note.  I use the first four notes of Mary Had a Little Lamb because they are easy to remember.  As you sing each syllable, touch one of your fingers on each hand to your thumb on the same hand, moving through the four fingers on each hand as you sing the four syllables. Do this for two minutes.

 Whisper the syllables while continuing to touch your fingers to your thumbs. Do this for two minutes.

Say the syllables only in your mind as you continue touching your fingers to your thumbs.

Whisper the syllables and touch your fingers to your thumbs - again for two minutes.

Sing the syllables while touching your fingers to your thumbs. This is the last two minutes.  The total is 12 minutes each day. Not much of an investment for an incredible pay off!

The results will start happening immediately but you might not notice them for awhile.  If you want to mix the meditation up, do ahead.  The key elements are breathing, focusing on words or syllables, singing, touching.  Whatever way you'd like to mix them up is up to you.  My mom started out using the words hope, love, joy, peace instead of the syllables.  Make it yours and here's to a kinder, gentler planet through the strengthening of our anterior cingulates!

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So excited to be back to West Hill this week after seven, count them, seven week of study and vacation. The focus of my time away has been the writing of my second book, this one on the topic of prayer.  It has been a rich time and I've been influenced by so many great minds -- some having written centuries ago, some just a few weeks back.

The book is due out at Easter next year.  Between now and then, we'll have lots to talk about as the ideas and understandings that have percolated in my brain and that I've encountered as I've studied begin to percolate in the community as well.  

I am SOOOOO fortunate to be doing this work together with you and I can't tell  you how delighted I am that we are forging a way to the future that promises it will shine with all the beauty we can possibly offer it.

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The deadline for our newsletter, THE SALTSHAKER, is this weekend. Submit your articles about your committee, upcoming activities, report on past events, summer vacations, news and views. Our publisher, Terry Repol and editor, Andrea Rowan are anxious to hear from you. Please copy both of them on your submissions.

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The 2009 Annual Report is now available on line. Being conscious of our environment and making wise use of our resources there will not be a distribution of printed reports. There will be a limited number of printed versions available upon request from the office. So relax, read all the interesting reports highlighting the activities of the past year. Bring any comments or questions to the Congregational Meeting on Tuesday, June 22.

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Daniel Gullotta is a theological student and candidate in the process toward ordination in the Episcopal Church in Australia.  He attended the Common Dreams conference in Melbourne and introduced himself by saying "Hey! We're friends on Facebook!" Which, of course, earned him an instant hug and instant camaraderie!  Daniel's review of my book, With or Without God, was posted on website of The Center for Progressive Christianity in the States.  Here, Daniel reflects on the closing service at the Common Dreams conference.

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" Seeking a healthy balance between self-care and care for others, we share time, energy, talents, wisdom, knowledge, skills, material goods, and our presence with one another in order that we may inspire, encourage, delight, comfort, and help one another."

In this section, we talk specifically of the balance between self-care and care for others. Where does that line get drawn for you and are you comfortable with where it is? Is there somewhere that it might be more healthy for you or helpful for others? If so, are there things you would consider doing in order to move the line closer to where you'd like it to be. 

 

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"We choose love as our supreme value." 

 What's  your definition of love?

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 The word "transcendent" has often been used to convey something beyond us which we cannot attain, maybe because we belong to the natural order and, since it was considered spiritual, we could never grasp it wholly.  If we believe the things we don't understand now, were we to come to understand them, would be found to be natural, too, what does "transcendent" mean? Can we attain it individually? As a community?

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There was some good initial discussion yesterday around unpacking the statement "Everything happens for a reason" and its implications.  Anything to add?  What does that statement mean to you?  Is it positive? Does it give you hope? Or does it infuriate you?

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Video of today's reading and medition is now up on www.warmplace.ca.  Audio is available at www.westhillpodcast.ca or on iTunes (search for West Hill United).

Continue the discussion in this post or on our Facebook page here.

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