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!
The monthly VISITORS AND TRAVELLERS LUNCH is being held this Sunday, September 5. After Gretta brings us inspiration at the 10:30 service stay for a delicious lunch and interesting conversation. Everyone is welcome. See you then.
There will be a bike ride on Sunday Sept. 5, 1:00 p.m. in memory of Colin Hanson, a West Hill member who died in a car accident on Sep 3, 2009. Colin was an avid outdoorsman and cyclist. All are invited for this memorial ride.
Good Morning. Yes, it is still morning. Not something I see often these days. I got this invite and am overjoyed that WHUC has started this site. Being that there were no topics started yet, I thought I would start one. My story of how I found WHUC is actually a very profound one. It was way back in mid '90's. I had just split from my now ex-husband and found myself in a Bachelor in Housing at Kingston Rd and Lawrence Ave. Unfortunately, the divorce didn't favour me much and I ended up on Social Assistance to boot. Emotionally distraught, severely depressed I was unable to work. I tried to learn to live again. I was alone, in every way imaginable. I was mourning the loss of my Step Daughter whom I was not allowed to see. The "family" I was once apart of had disowned me. I was lost, in every way a person can be lost. Unfortunately for myself, I had grown up in a family that was unable to feel. Whenever feelings became to strong, they ran from them in any form of "using" they could. I learned this way of dealing with pain very young and by the time this divorce took place I could not feel at all. It was too difficult and far too painful. I drank myself into oblivion most days and used any drug that would help me escape from reality. I was dying. I didn't even care. As many probably don't remember, the Welfare Office was at that time in the plaza at Manse Rd and Kingston Rd. I had to walk up there any time I had dealings with them. I had always believed in God, but was not raised with any form of religion or spirituality in my home. I would pass WHUC often. It was on a particularly difficult day when I had been to the Welfare office and was walking home. I remember walking with my head down. Feeling worthless and alone. Something (and when I say "something", I mean something or someone) made me look up. There, on the sign in front of me were six words. Six words that changed my life. Six words that jumped out at me like a huge neon sign on an abandoned back-road!... "A WARM PLACE TO FIND YOURSELF" Those words still bring a chill and a sense of peace to me to this day. If ever in my life I needed to find myself, it was then. It wasn't just a small sign on the front of a Church lawn. It was a SIGN! A SIGN FROM GOD! Incidently, I went to WHUC that next Sunday at 10am. I've watched our old Minister, Bruce Sanguin, with his guitar and the children. He moved on years ago. I made friends there who I don't always see, but still "feel" in my heart. I was finally Baptised there a few years later. I got to know Peggy and found her to be such a beautiful person. And it was Peggy who introduced me to the program which saved my life even more! As some know, WHUC allows a 12 Step Program known as Narcotics Anonymous to meet on Sunday evenings at 8pm in the big room downstairs. She told me about it and I began to take part. It saved my life from the using of drugs and alcohol that I had been drowning in. It was another "home" I had found. It was Gods Will. I have seen Bruce come and go. I have watched Gretta from the beginning. Her personality and flair take off like a Butterfly at first flight. She fills me when she speaks. She touches deep in my soul and brings out things I never knew I was able to feel. I cry and I laugh with all the people of WHUC. I "feel" again, finally. Even if it hurts to feel, I can feel again. I know I am no longer alone. God is with me always and forever. It is WHUC I have to thank for this. It is God in his infinite wisdom who brought me to WHUC because he knew I needed it. I sometimes walk up to the labyrinth and just walk it. It is heaven there. Thank you WHUC. You saved me. I may not be there every Sunday bright eyed and bushy tailed at 10 - 10:30am all the time, but you left footprints on my heart. They will never go away. You are home, you are life. To me you are Love. In Christ's name, I Thank you. In peace. Amen.
Laurie Cassar Saturday June 5th at 9:58am
"What you are is Gods gift to you, What you become, is your gift to God"
Over the past six weeks there has been a great deal of discussion about our Food Awareness Initiative. Earlier in the year you might have read several articles in the SaltShaker, perhaps you saw the brochure that was distributed at church last month, you may even have participated in the Q&A session following a Sunday morning service. All of these have prompted feedback. We wanted you to know that the board appreciates your input and takes it seriously. We've met several times to reflect on what we have heard. Time is a precious commodity. All of the board members are volunteers and finding time to engage in these types of discussions is never easy. However we are committed to finding the direction that best reflects the values and the needs of this congregation. So, please stay engaged in this dialogue as we attempt to find this path.
So, we've signed the Earth Charter, we've committed ourselves to live in right relationship with the planet, we're cutting back on our consumption and, soon, entering into a conversation about responsible, humanitarian food choices. But still, the argument rages between those who believe global warming is a looming crisis and those who believe it's as likely to destroy us as the Y2K bug; that is, it's not. Here, in a video posted 2 full years ago, is a simple answer to that question. And it all comes down to a simple gamble.
Again, thanks to Scott Campbell for forwarding this link.
This will be a happening event April 24-26/09 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto.
There will be green products, services, farm-fresh fare, innovative ideas and prototypes, eco presentations, cooking demos, hybrid test drives, food & beverage market, film screenings, and if you still have energy left after all that, a 5K walk/run.
FreeRice: this is a fantastic concept! Everybody wins - don't you love that?!? It's a spelling game that you play on your computer.
For each correct answer, ten grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Program - people are fed.
The sponsors names are seen at the bottom of the screen - they get advertising.
A word is offered with a choice of four definitions - you learn.
Win-Win-Win!
The purpose of the site is to feed and educate as many as possible throughout the world. FreeRice has been expanded to include six major categories: Art, Chemistry, English, Geography, Language Learning, and Math. Imagine! It even automatically adjusts to your own level. It's incredible - for any age, and you will be fascinated! Check it out here.
April 17, 18, 19/09 - Metro Convention Centre. This is a really big event in the natural health world. The theme for this year is "Preserving Our Food, Our Earth, and Our Communities". Check it out. Click "Show Info" for a listing of speakers and topics. Wear your runners, take pen/notepad, and prepare to be fascinated!
