Online Resources:
The Wild Divine: This is a very cool biofeedback tool designed by Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil and Dean Ornish. It is a computer program with attached finger clips to measure your Heart Rate and skin conductivity. http://www.wilddivine.com/
DoAsOne.org – Breathing and Color Meditation breath guidance. Also has a mobile app.
The Meditation Room at “Learning Meditation.” You can browse through texts and listen to audio from various authors and can either download (many for free) or explore CD’s by authors you particularly enjoy. http://www.learningmeditation.com/
The Institute of HeartMath is an internationally recognized nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to heart-based living – people relying on the intelligence of their hearts in concert with their minds to conduct their lives at home, school, work and play. HeartMath has been researching heart intelligence, stress and emotional management for more than 19 years and applied its findings to practical, easy-to-use tools that have been scientifically developed and tested. http://www.heartmath.org/
Book Suggestions:
“The Stress of Life” by Hans Selye, MD, PHD
“Stress has become such an ingrained part of our vocabulary and daily existence, that it is difficult to believe that our current use of the term originated only a little more than 50 years ago, when it was essentially “coined” by Hans Selye. How this came to pass because of a serendipitous laboratory accident is interesting, but not nearly as fascinating as the story of its discoverer, Hans Selye, who would easily qualify for the Reader’s Digest “Most Unforgettable Character I Ever Met” classification.” –Paul J. Rosch, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Hans Selye MD PHD,the discoverer of “biologic stress”, the neuroendocrine response of the body to exposure to stressors, lays the foundation for mind-body medicine and takes the reader on a detailed journey of scientific discovery which impacts every human being. This three time Nobel Prize nominee was way ahead of his time documenting the role of stress hormones on the immune, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and neurological systems.
Selye’s interest in educating the lay public and health professionals and his commitment to share behaviors and life philosophies that are protective or modulate life stressors are evident throughout. Strongly recommended for health professionals with an interest in the scientific foundation for mind-body medicine. A must read for the lay person with an interest in stress adaptation and how the brain processes life stressors.
“When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times” by Pema Chodron
The beautiful practicality of her teaching has made Pema Chödrön one of the most beloved of contemporary American spiritual authors among Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. A collection of talks she gave between 1987 and 1994, the book is a treasury of wisdom for going on living when we are overcome by pain and difficulties. Chödrön discusses:
Using painful emotions to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and courage
Communicating so as to encourage others to open up rather than shut down
Practices for reversing habitual patterns
Methods for working with chaotic situations
Ways for creating effective social action
Local and Mobile:
East West Bookstore: a resource for meditation CD’s with a listening station as well as a lending library of DVD’s and CD’s. Also a place for Classes, workshops and other events and a place to purchase items such as Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, cushions, books and more. On Roosevelt and 65th in Ravenna. www.eastwestbookshop.com
There’s an App for that! You can find apps for meditation timers, breathing instructions and more!
