[HealthDharma] Turning Suffering Inside Out, chapter eleven, part one

[Kokuu]

Dear all

This week’s reading is pages 201- (from the beginning of chapter to MINDFULNESS THE EVERYDAY-LIFE MEDITATION).

Darlene begins this section talking about the health issues that are caused by stress in the modern world. She notes that the trend in today’s culture of scientific materialism is to discount how primal our bodies actually are, and the visceral responses we can feel to both real and imagined stressors. This is exacerbated by how connected we all are through communication and media and events we would previously have been unaware of are streamed through our televisions and mobile devices. Paradoxically this hyper-connectedness has actually made a lot of people feel more isolated and we respond by seeking out more connection in places that are empty of that.

Darlene suggests that meditation is one of the antidotes to stress in getting us in touch with this very moment here and now, rather than being lost in our fantasies and fears. We can connect with our feet on this ground right here, and the sensations in our body and sights and sounds directly around us. She notes that there is a difference between living a situation and how we think about it, reflecting on her own stress around public speaking as an example of that (and one that I certainly share!).

Darlene notes that when we are fully connected with our bodily experience, rather than our conceptual experience, the situation can become fuller and more real than our imaginings of it. Much of our imagination can be an attempt to predict what might go wrong so we can maintain control and Darlene points to the fact that giving up control can allow us to be more present with how things are and give us a greater opportunity to respond creatively rather than engage in habitual reactivity.

Similarly, she notes that attempting to control your feelings can lead to greater stress while allowing feelings to arise (although not necessarily acting on them) can give more space to the situation. However, she also recognises that replacing our automatic reactions with open awareness is not an easy task or one that is necessarily achieved overnight. Working with this over time can allow us to notice the situations which cause us the most stress and that we are most likely to react badly to.

Darlene relates a situation in which she is walking with her three year old son when two muggers seize hold of her and attempt to take her back. She recalls the feeling of time allowing down and a sense of intimacy with her attacker who seemed far less in the moment that she was. She noted that her ability to remain present even while in fear, allowed her senses to take in a lot of information about what was happening and with that she was able to respond in a better way.


Question prompts

1. How does stress affect your physically? Do you find different kinds of stresses have different physical effects? Have you found ways to work with that?

2. Can you remember a situation in which you were able to be fully (and mostly) present despite feeling strong emotions? How did that change things?


Wishing you all a healthful week.

Gassho
Kokuu

[Matt Johnson]

1. How does stress affect your physically? Do you find different kinds of stresses have different physical effects? Have you found ways to work with that?

This question (and large parts of Darlene Cohen's book) brings Gabor Maté to mind. Gabor Maté, a physician and author, emphasizes the profound link between chronic stress and disease, asserting that unresolved emotional stress can manifest as physical illness. He highlights the significant impact of early childhood experiences, suggesting that trauma and neglect during these years can predispose individuals to illness later in life. Maté identifies certain personality traits, such as people-pleasing and repression of anger, as associated with higher stress levels and increased disease risk (including and especially cancer). He views addiction as a coping mechanism for deep-seated emotional pain rather than merely a choice. Criticizing societal norms that contribute to stress, Maté advocates for a holistic approach to medicine, addressing emotional and psychological roots of disease alongside physical symptoms. He encourages greater self-awareness and emotional literacy to manage stress and improve health, and calls for empathetic, compassionate healthcare that acknowledges the emotional dimensions of patients' experiences. Moreover, his work is well researched and evidence-based.

This also hits on a topic of discussion from other recent forums. Jundo often says don't do something stupid like do zazen instead of go to the doctor (and heck why not do both if you have healthcare). However, it never ceases to amaze me just how little doctors can do for patients with disease that has gone from subtler enegetic levels to grosser physical manifestations (my sister is a physician and we frequently talk about this stuff). I took a year and a half of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and I came to the conclusion that Zazen, Qi Gong/Tai Chi and Yoga can basically replace it and doing it regularly cam assist with preventing all sorts of ailments, but just like Zazen you got to put in the time.

So many stories of Enlightenment revolve around a resolution of sickness that was either mental or physical (both or neither) that it suprises me that it is not more officially a part of our training (it IS in some zen traditions). I myself was introduced to most of my zazen adjunct energy practices in Zen centres, temples and monasteries… It has helped me tremendously and I can't recommend it enough.

_/\_

sat/ah

Matt

[Alina]

1. How does stress affect your physically? Do you find different kinds of stresses have different physical effects? Have you found ways to work with that?
I tend to accumulate tension, in neck-shoulders, and sometimes my lower back. I've had acid reflux as a response to very stressful periods.
To work with it, I take short breaks, breath, go for a walk, or eat chocolate
A few weeks ago I installed the Plum Village up on my phone and set up a timer it brings, "the mindfulness bell", to ring once an hour. Whenever it rings, I stop whatever I am doing, breath 3-5 times, and then continue. It's a small way to slow down during the day and come back to just being.

2. Can you remember a situation in which you were able to be fully (and mostly) present despite feeling strong emotions? How did that change things?
Sort of, I've been in work meetings that I managed to "survive" in spite of my anxiety, and discussions with loved ones that were difficult to navigate... but this is mostly a skill I have yet much to learn about.

Thank you Matt for citing Gabor Mate, his approach really resonates with this chapter (with the whole book). I am also surprised that Zen training does not seem to involve at least breathing exercises and some form of strengthening of the body, but maybe it used to be the case in monasteries with in person training under the direct guidance of a teacher.


Gassho
Alina
stlah

[Tairin]

Thank you Kokuu

For me this was one of my favourite sections of the book. I like and agree with much of her perspective on this practice.

1. How does stress affect your physically? Do you find different kinds of stresses have different physical effects? Have you found ways to work with that?

It depends but generally too much stress makes me feel anxious and agitated. Stress used to be a much bigger part of my life in one of my earlier work places. It was really leading me to feel quite wrecked.

I generally have learned to work with stress by remembering to take some time out for me. My two biggest stress relievers is to take a long walk and to play guitar. They work in different ways but both give me a chance to get away from the stressors.

2. Can you remember a situation in which you were able to be fully (and mostly) present despite feeling strong emotions? How did that change things?

I’ve mentioned this many times here at Treeleaf. Several years ago I was dealing with an unfortunate sequence of events including losing my job and a few other things that happened sort of all at once. I had worked very hard at this company and my job loss was really just a bean counter issue. I was very angry and frustrated. Despite this I was able to keep some perspective and thankfully I had this practice to help me. Things turned around and honestly looking back I think things worked out for the best although it was really hard to see that at the time.

A few weeks ago I installed the Plum Village up on my phone and set up a timer it brings, "the mindfulness bell", to ring once an hour. Whenever it rings, I stop whatever I am doing, breath 3-5 times, and then continue. It's a small way to slow down during the day and come back to just being.

That sounds like a neat idea. I’ll look into this app. Thanks for the pointer



Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tai Shi]

Yesterday, I felt strong emotions, so as I underwent brain scan for my old AVM which was removed and successfully treated, on October 29th, 2021, and I focused on the gadget above my head despite fear, I read that afternoon, my hospital posted to me my results, and anything but only a little aging, the surgery is still a success. I am thrilled, and my presure is caused from Arthritis in my neck, and not disease process of AVM which never did come back, and still I am thrilled The preasure appears to be from my arthritis which will be treated soon. This is the Radio Frequency Ablation I refered, and Monday will mark 2 weeks, and I am getting along with needed sleep, and of course--food.

Morning of Power

Pressure in the head.
Is it brains, or the disease?
Bone grind on nerves, bones
Ground to visceral meaning,
Where is my doctor?
Why don’t I cry out?
Is nothing come to something?
Is something come to nothing?
Can each person carry their load
Into oblivion, thus, is all this wonder?

Not Trees, electronic media,
Pressure in skull, weaving,
Tapestry of blood and sinew,
Repressed anger broken into pieces
Of skull, she resents horror in my life,
I’m not paper at 451 F, paper burning,
Not burn, my temp is lower around
98.6, then I become kindling in the fire
Of dissolution, no one is listening,
No one is there, wife does not listen.
She caresses my head, "Oh my love,
I do this for you. You are my rock!"

We Dream?
Posted on July 7, 2019 by elgwyn
Invisible light path
Upon which light stream,
The breath of the dream
Music of our fright
Or the Aria of delight in the morning
Sky– an illusion of insight
Our negativity lies as we live
In spite of the negativity of people
Who dwell in Plato’s cave, most?
With shadows deep into which
They hide their fright.
They move between more of the night
And less of day, of lingering light at the mouth
Of the grave opening of a day into which
They lay traps of words, apples of knowledge
Without wisdom for me– various others
Creative in our plan, without leaves.

Gassho
Tai Shi
sat/lah
Charles E Taylor

[Matt Johnson]

Yesterday, I felt strong emotions, so as I underwent brain scan for my old AVM which was removed and successfully treated, on October 29th, 2021, and I focused on the gadget above my head despite fear, I read that afternoon, my hospital posted to me my results, and anything but only a little aging, the surgery is still a success. I am thrilled, and my presure is caused from Arthritis in my neck, and not disease process of AVM which never did come back, and still I am thrilled The preasure appears to be from my arthritis which will be treated soon. This is the Radio Frequency Ablation I refered, and Monday will mark 2 weeks, and I am getting along with needed sleep, and of course--food.

Morning of Power

Pressure in the head.
Is it brains, or the disease?
Bone grind on nerves, bones
Ground to visceral meaning,
Where is my doctor?
Why don’t I cry out?
Is nothing come to something?
Is something come to nothing?
Can each person carry their load
Into oblivion, thus, is all this wonder?

Not Trees, electronic media,
Pressure in skull, weaving,
Tapestry of blood and sinew,
Repressed anger broken into pieces
Of skull, she resents horror in my life,
I’m not paper at 451 F, paper burning,
Not burn, my temp is lower around
98.6, then I become kindling in the fire
Of dissolution, no one is listening,
No one is there, wife does not listen.
She caresses my head, "Oh my love,
I do this for you. You are my rock!"

We Dream?
Posted on July 7, 2019 by elgwyn
Invisible light path
Upon which light stream,
The breath of the dream
Music of our fright
Or the Aria of delight in the morning
Sky– an illusion of insight
Our negativity lies as we live
In spite of the negativity of people
Who dwell in Plato’s cave, most?
With shadows deep into which
They hide their fright.
They move between more of the night
And less of day, of lingering light at the mouth
Of the grave opening of a day into which
They lay traps of words, apples of knowledge
Without wisdom for me– various others
Creative in our plan, without leaves.

Gassho
Tai Shi
sat/lah
Charles E Taylor

I don't know your story Taishi, but I hear the universe talking through you!



sat/ah

Matt

[Kaitan]

1. How does stress affect your physically? Do you find different kinds of stresses have different physical effects? Have you found ways to work with that?

I do suffer from burnout, I honestly have no idea for long it has been, but it does cause extreme exhaustion. Over generalization and trying to read people's minds (not trying to be a psychic) produces a great deal of discomfort.

I'd like to say that being aware of the breath, as Darlene has recommends in most of the book has helped tremendously for the past few years. I would like to do more exercises daily because I lack consistency. And of course, seeing a therapist has started to ease my daily life, though at the cost of feeling more pain that I try to hide from.


2. Can you remember a situation in which you were able to be fully (and mostly) present despite feeling strong emotions? How did that change things?

Mostly happens during Tonglen. Can also recall from some episodes of anger, I feel more present.



stlah, Kaitan