I feel that my mind is constantly in motion. Thinking about work, family, my health issues, what to eat, what not to eat, plans for day, plans for the weekend etc. etc. It is hard honestly to calm the mind and let it settle into a state of no-thought. Sometimes the best I can do is remove “myself” enough to just be an observer of the thoughts passing by like water in a stream.
There are a lot of people that feel that in order to heal the body, you have to calm the mind. I tend to agree and as I mentioned earlier I started meditating again back in August. During the time I was on the interferon I was so fatigued that it was really hard to motivate myself to sit and meditate. However since I stopped taking the interferon I have been much more consistent about it. Here I have been mediating once in the morning and then again in the afternoon.
Currently I am using my afternoon time in the treatment room for mediation. For this treatment I lay on my back on with my head supported by a pillow but slightly tilted backward. The technicians then soak a couple of pieces of cotton in a very thin mixture of milk, herbs and water. They place the cotton on my eyes, which are closed, then put a heavier piece of gauze of cotton on top of that. This effectively shuts out the light. They then pour that same milk, herb, water mixture into a brass container that is suspended just above my head. The container has a small nozzle on the bottom of it and the liquid comes out in a narrow stream that they direct to my forehead. What may sound like some sort of torture technique actually feels quite refreshing! The liquid is cool and on a hot afternoon feels great. After the stream starts flowing the technician then starts to slowly sweep the stream back and forth across my forehead, occasionally pausing in a single spot but mostly using the sweeping motion.
I like to use the sweeping motion as a signal to clear my mind. To sweep away the thoughts and let my mind relax. I am not sure exactly how long the treatment lasts. I would guess that it is a half-hour or so. But let me tell you…..it goes by all too quickly.