Paying attention

[anewsbcu]

Hi,

There is very little evidence that supports any form of treatment that is not based on drugs, surgery or phsysiotherapy that would satisfy the rigors of clinical trials. And often allopathic treatment fairs no better than the placebo. Recent clinical trials shows that mindfulness (a practice of "paying attention" with curiosity and gentleness) can be better than antidepressants. And some recent trials show that some antidepressants are no better than placebos!

But in all of these cases patients do show improvement in their conditions above those of control groups with no intervention. So what is going on? The only common factor in all treatments, talking therapies, allopathic interventions, counseling, alternative therapies, mindfulness etc is some kind of "paying attention."

In this context I'd like to just recount what happened to me yesterday. I have recently had a tooth out. The wound was quite sore and the whole side of my face became hot and I realised it probably was infected. I wen home in the afternoon and washed my mouth with salt water before meditating for about an hour. After this the heat on the side of my face had completely gone. Part of mediation practice is just paying attention to sensations one might be experiencing, with no fear, no expectation, just paying attention in a curious but gentle way.

I thought about writing this post when another friend told me about an experience she had yesterday at lunch today. She said she started to have a strange sensation in her nose and thought that pressure was building up in her sinus. She thought is was the onset of a sinus infection. She also meditates and thought that it would be worth just paying attention to it. Soon there was release of pressure and the sensation dissipated. She remarked: "isn't it amaising what just paying attention can do."

Maybe this is the key to a lot of what the healing process is... paying attention in a curious, gentle manner... with an openness of heart.

Norbu

 

[The Bible (gives Hope)]

Yes, paying attention is about being in the Now, in the now we are focused on the content of the journey.

When we take responsibility as creators of our journeys and our existence, we can alter the content using a clear, positive mind.

IMO 'placebo' is simply natural 'healing' being created by the individual on their journey.

 

[larnetesgealf]

Hi norbu

I have suspected this for a while and agree with you. By 'coincidence' I looked into Quantrum Entrainment after reading the post below earlier in the week

http://www.massageplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68044

and amazingly this is what it is all about !

love lou xxx

 

[Priscilla]

Hi scoobylw,

I have read the interview with Frank Kinslow http://www.quantumentrainment.com/interview.html and like much of what he explains Quantum Entrainment is about. At least I think he is on the right track with what he is doing. (I have to say that I'm a little sceptical about setting up a method as he is doing and calling it "Quantum Entrainment." I guess that's just a very American thing to do.)

It's interesting to note that he has spent significant time in meditation practice before developing his approach. He says it's a quick method to teach. I have my doubts here (but I'm willing to be at least a little open minded about this).

However, in the end, I agree with you, the central issue is about becoming more aware and paying attention more. This has to be done with ever more openess of heart, with ever more freedom from expectaions other than, perhaps, seeing that "all is well."

I like Kinslows description of how to practice this healing method:

Norbu

 

[Bubblerawk]

Hi Norbu

I'm glad you found the Quantum Entrainment stuff interesting.

I agree with your doubts about it being a quick method to teach I wondered too. I have done alot of ground work on myself and work as a Complementary Therapist and I found what Dr Kinslow had to say to be very inspiring and refreshing almost 'the next step' however for myself I am not sure that if I was new to the field or ideas he refers to it would have made any sense.

interesting stuff !

love Lou xxx

 

[Jaci]

Hi Lou,

You mention you think this might be a "next step." I suspect that if you have come to some understanding of what Kinslow is describing the next step is no more than just recognising that this form of awareness is the healing factor.

It is something that I work with at least in meditation practice. I can't say I'm particularly good at using it though but reading about Kinslows approach did make me think more clearly about it.

Incidentally the ideas he is using are very close to Indian ideas. These are developed in some strands of Buddhist and are similar to Advaita Vendanta. Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now," which he agrees in the interview is what he is tapping into, is also very close to Advaita Vendata.

Mindfulness practice is very much about developing an open, non-judmental, gentle attention. The usefulness of this practice as a healing approach is then to bring this kind of attention into areas of experience that are painful, emotionally or physically. This is then only one step away from using this approach with another person more formally. I suspect that good healers are just doing this when they use their preferred skill as a vehicle.

Norbu