Well Being

No. 4                           June 30, 2010

To the degree that we are sound in body, to this same degree we have the possibility of being sound in mind.  Sure, some have Mount Everest-esque physical challenges, yet manage to overcome all odds for serenity beautifully, even triumphantly.  And we’re so often inspired by those who do.  And there are many who, in spite of an amazing gift of physical well-being, who manage to abuse the useful foundation that physical health can be toward going on to focusing on the well-being of heart and mind, and “blow it” in a million different ways.  Abuses of body and mind are many, and, since we are all about focusing on what we DO want, we won’t go into that here.  But you get the idea.  There are endless ways to take our blessings and gifts for granted.  But, in general, especially for those who lack well-being in body, the focus tends to be on maintaining a certain equilibrium in body so that the focus on feeling “sound in mind” can be most fully pursued.

Which is what we’re all about, yes?  Balance.  Sound in body, so we can be all the more sound in mind.  Annnnd… being all the more “sound in mind” can, in turn, lead to being all the more “sound in body”.  (As we’ve discussed before, our thoughts can have a great impact on our bodies in many ways–a tool that we want to use carefully and most meaningfully.)

So…how do we maintain this balance?  Just as there are many ways that we can be out-of-balance, there are so many ways to maintain the best balance for us.  So many books can be written–and have been–about this…from so many different angles.  Everything from a physical training and athletic perspective to an emphasis on preventative medicine for the body as well as the mind.   And other, more cerebrally-emphasized approaches that focus on…well, our “focus. The importance of our mindset.  Our outlook.  Our attitude.  And any one may be what is most helpful for you.

But may I suggest something that I feel is so very important?  An “angle” that you may not have considered in depth.  That is the importance of “sound”.   Yes, in descriptions of this blog, I have mentioned that, among many other things, this would be a considerable part of our considerations.  Why?  Well, sound and music has been a life-long fascination, personally.  Its effects are so obvious in some ways. (i.e., Watching people enjoying dancing, or getting caught up all the more in the emotion of a movie because of the perfectly-matched sound track come to mind.)  Yet, illusive in others.  (What is it about music that “grabs” us?  How can it do that?  How can it go so deep, or change our moods so quickly?)  Yet, the more I’ve learned about the foundation of music, sound, the more I’m fascinated by, not only its power to move us, but increasingly, the power to heal.  Way back in the 1940’s, the “prophet of the profound” Edgar Cayce foretold of the day that this would come to be recognized.  “The future of medicine is sound.” he said. And, though it seems that we’re just beginning to scratch the surface, each year that passes, the more it seems to indeed be coming true.

So I would like to share some thoughts here about how this may be coming true.  Or better yet, always has been.  But it’s just now coming under the radar of scientific study, and, therefore is being observed more closely than ever. What a a fascinating time to be alive.  When what great folk and mystical traditions have instinctively always known are now being increasingly viewed and marveled at by those with a more purely scientific frame of mind.   How fascinating to see these come together!   I’m honored to be part of the “cutting edge” of this.   Not that I’m putting myself forward as an “expert” per se.  There are many who have many letters behind their names who are going much further into the study of this than I may ever do.  Yet, I do sense that this is an important part of my “calling”.  As much as I love to perform both with music and with “spoken word” poetry, I feel that this whole area of “sound healing” is a vast field of study that I may just now be getting really deep into.  I’ve been a student of sound…and its “mystical” application for some time now.  Several years of deeper exploration, and now a couple of years of in-depth intuitive exploration that has seen amazing and surprising results.  The rest is history…and well, mystery…even to me.  But I do know when I’m being “called” to pursue something.  There is a deep compelling sense to explore.  Not unlike Thomas Edison and his ever-illusive lightbulb. And many other ingenius inventions.  This may take that level of determination.  Yet, I’m honored to be part of a vast field of unfolding knowledge.  I plan to share much more.  Thank you for your time and kind attention.

For those of you who were most anxious to get to the practical application part, I do thank you for hanging in there with me as I give you some foundational thoughts before we discuss more practical possibilities.

May you be so blessed with SO much well-being…at every level of your being!

St e v e n   D.   L i g h t s p r i n g

No. 3                           June 21, 2010

How do YOU unwind?   Or do you?  It’s so important to spend time in a relaxed state of mind.  Away from all the dizzy-busyness of modern life, if possible, even for a few minutes a day.  In meditation, prayer, listening to relaxing music…whatever “gets you there”.   Some people can get into a very peaceful zone while doing something.  That’s where hobbies can help.  I know people who do knitting and quilting for hours on end.  I’m convinced it’s their particular form of meditation.  It seems to take them into such a deeply focused “zone”.  Even jigsaw puzzles, for some people. (I used to think of them as such a waste of time.  Why would I want to put back together what someone had broken into all those little pieces just for me to put back together again?  It just didn’t make sense to me.  Now I know better.  I understand how the brain works, and how just such an activity can balance right and left sides of the brain and get them feeling “in sync” [the right side focused on the "visual" aspect of the puzzle, the left on the "logic" of how the shapes fit], and thereby create a great sense of “in-the- zone”ness in participants.)  Or if you can find ways to stay in a restful state even in the middle of your busy day…even while doing things…even multi-tasking them…there are so many “secrets” to this.  So many different “strokes” for different folks.  I’d love to hear about what “gets you there”.  What “secrets” you’ve found that work for you.

One thing that works so well for me…that I’ll be sharing about here…is “sound healing”.  Though many of its deep roots and elements have been around for centuries, this is, scientifically-speaking, a relatively new area of exploration.  I’m pleased to be on the “cutting edge” of studying about this.  I’ve been an enthusiastic student of this field for a couple of decades now, and over the past couple of years have begun to explore a whole new way of sending good “vibes” into the body with encouraging, often surprising, sometimes even startling, results.  I’m so looking forward to writing and sharing much about this with you.

In the mean time… what can you do to get “in the zone” of relaxation…between activities…even for a few minutes.  It can really make a difference to know how to really “unwind” deeply at break time.  Better yet, how can you stay relaxed even while working or doing chores?  I’d be honored to hear about what works for you.  Maybe I can put many of your ideas together and share the results in upcoming blogs!

May you be so blessed…
With so much peace, calm and tranquility
Always…even in the middle of the busiest days…

-Steven D. Lightspring

No. 2                         June 17, 2010

There is an important metaphysical principle that bears repeating.  What you focus on is magnified.  Or… what you give water to…grows. This is so true in matters of our health, isn’t it?  If we want to live in “well-being”, we should make it our practice to think thoughts that are about that.  If we are so focused on
sickness and disease, we will tend to “attract” that, won’t we?  I mean, it’s hard to drive in one lane if you keep looking down the other lane.  You’ve got to focus on what you DO want, not on what you DON’T.  Am I right?  It’s hard to watch “where you’re going” in your car if you keep looking “where you’ve been” by looking in the rearview mirror.  Or at your cell phone or playing with the radio or anything else.  I mean, it’s obvious, right?  Watch where you’re going!  Well, the same seems to hold true in terms of matters of the mind.  What we focus on gets “bigger” for us. So let’s focus on what we want.  Energy. Stamina. Wholeness. All that exudes health and well-being.  That’s a great place to start in our search for “well-being”.

If you decide to focus on what you DO want, it’s likely that ideas that clarify that even further for you will begin to come to you all the more.  Ways to be healthier at every level will begin to just occur to you” out of the blue” so much more once you’ve made that commitment.  That means staying with thoughts about what you want, and letting go of thoughts that you don’t want.  Just let them go.  Don’t “resist” them. Don’t react to them.  That makes you bump into another important law of the mind:  What you resist persists.  So don’t get all down on yourself if you find yourself focusing on what you don’t want.  Just let that go…and give thanks for every time you DO get it right!  And count the times you do.  And focus on every little improvement!  Then, find ways to express the good in what you do want.  Say something like, “I give thanks for all the health and well-being that is mine.” each time you make your smoothie, or drink your fresh juice, or eat your favorite healthy food.  The more you keep this up, the more you begin to “feel” the energy you’re receiving in that moment.  Sure, you’re getting the energy either way, but if you “celebrate” it by accompanying with empowering thoughts and words, you’ll be surprised how much more energized you can feel.  This may seem a bit over the top to some of you, but consider the alternative.  If you’re thinking all kinds of despairing thoughts even as you eat or drink your healthy “input”, aren’t you negating the supposed good effects of that at least somewhat by the negative “input” into your mind?

Think about it! And do something about it.  Maybe you’re “already there”.  You have your own way of keeping it positive.  Good for you!  Now…how can you make it more positive?  More uplifting?  What about repeating your healthy habits even more…both the eating, drinking of healthy “input”…and the all-important
healthy “input” into your mind?  I’ve often “energized” my healthy “shakes” (sometimes something as simple as a “super” green food powder [chlorella, spirulina, barley grass, etc.] mixed with a little protein powder and a healthy sweetener)  by repeating a healthy “mantra” like… “I give joyful thanks for all the good and healthy things that I welcome into my body now…” etc.  I’ve done this while actually shaking the “shaker” bottle, and visualizing “blessing” it with my most positive and empowering of thoughts.  Try your version of that!  If it feels right for you, keep doing it!  Sometimes, with repetition, you can really feel all the more energized…by just combining an already-wonderfully-healthy activity with over-the-top, health-giving thoughts!  (Try giving thanks before, during, or even after a meal.  Whenever you feel most thankful is the “key”.)

A word to the wise.  Yes, ultimately, it’s all about “listening” to your body.  And there are times when your body is complaining so loudly, you’d really better go do something very physical about it…like find a good supplement, or take it to a good holisitic doctor, or other healthcare professional.  Positive thinking is always an all-important tool.  But it sometimes needs to be blended with other measures that help “put out the fire” of much of what we’ve been putting our bodies through by often not paying attention to them or “blessing” them with all the positivity that they do so require to stay feeling nurtured in “well-being”.  But lets never underestimate the power of our thoughts.  We can do so much wonderful “repair” of whatever damage has been done…just by changing our thoughts.  Along with a “healthy” balance of other tools, let’s use this wonderful tool for all its worth!

May you be so blessed…
With the most encouraging, hopeful, and
the most life-affirming and health-giving of thoughts…always!

-Steven D. Lightspring

No. 1                          June 15, 2010

Well-Being is about “being well” at every level of our being.  Being healthy in body is so helpful, and such a blessing for enjoying life. But being in perfect physical health and living in a state of mind that doesn’t allow for much peace or joy, and that is shut off to love…is still so far from a true state of “well being”, yes?  So let’s strive for well-being at every level.  In body, in mind, heart and soul.  My belief is that our spirit is our “core” and is our “natural”, yet super-natural state of well being.  All else, even our soul, is an expression of that, and as such, ideally, reflects the well-being we are at our “core”, our spirit.  Yet, we speak of our spirits needing “lifting”.  It seems that we block its natural flow when we focus on so many surface, superficial things.  That’s when we need a “lift”.  I realize there are many different views on these things, and I do hope that you can glean much here, whethere you are “with me” on the premise that I presented here or not.
The main thing is that you are encouraged on your own path and way of life.  As long as it leads you to peace and joy…and your deepest expression of love, then I hope whatever I share here will bring a lift to you to encourage you in making your heart and your world a better place of “well-being”.

May you be so very blessed…
with well-being…at every level!

-Steven D. Lightspring