I found myself coining this phrase last week...
The Infinite "Now".
It so perfectly describes what "now" is...
it's the only thing that actually is! The past no longer exists, it is carried in our brain as memories, re-experienced as images, sounds, smells and feelings.
The truth is, life is totally unpredictable, especially these days, so it's pointless to spend much time fretting about it.
What does all this have to do with anti-aging? Well, our brain waves and our neurotransmitters, accurately reveal what mental state we are in; charged up, excited and active as in an interesting conversation, or in a calm, relaxed state.
It shows if we are experiencing emotional or mental stress or dis-stress, and it shows when we are forming ideas and in a thinking mode, either about the past or the future.
If we spend much time in the "should have" or "need to" mode, it always shows up as High Beta waves...
a state we do not want to remain in for long.
This causes the release of both adrenaline and cortisol, brain chemicals that are necessary for fight or flight, but very hard on our immune system and our cellular health.
The "Infinite Now", is a resting place - a place of complete internal quiet and calm.
It soothes our jangled nerves, quiets the brain chatter that just won't quit and strengthens our immune system by letting our cells stop - and take a deep breath.
You can achieve that state, by learning to "Rest in the Infinite Now".
Your means of getting there, is your body...
and the sensory signals that are going back and forth between your body and your brain, every micro-second you are alive and conscious.
The key word here is conscious.
A state of being "present"...
right here and now, by connecting or re-connecting with your body, to "notice" whatever sensory information you choose...
what you see, what you hear, what you feel (in your body), several times a day.
Anytime during your day (or night), that your mind keeps returning to a negative, worrisome or stress-producing thought, OR is racing out of control with "need tos", "should haves" or "if onlys" - stop...
and simply notice what the first thing your is that your body is aware of.
Is it something you can hear? Is it something you feel...
on your skin, in your hands - feet - in your stomach? Is it the temperature, pressure of your body on the seat, discomfort of any kind? Is it something you smell or can taste? Is it something in your visual field? Can you see a shape in the clouds, or see the trees talking to each other in the wind? What ever it is, focus all of your attention on "noticing" it...
intensely.
If you'll let your attention stay there - for even a few seconds, everything else drops away.
You're only aware of the sensory signal your body is sending you...
about it's state of being and the environment around you.
It's almost like magic.
Suddenly, nothing exists except you and the thing you're noticing.
In that tiny amount of time, 10 sec.
- 20 sec.
maybe even 30 sec.
, your body stops sending adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream, your cells get an immune-boosting shot of seratonin and dopamine, and you may have just added a minute or two to your life! You certainly improved the quality of your experience, for the length of time you had your attention focused on the miracle of your body's neurological system.
Now this may sound too simplistic to you to work, but trust me...
it does.
The body's main purpose, behind all of it's amazing functions, is to survive...
in fact, to thrive! "In the Moment For Just a Moment" This quiet morning (it's the one day I don't teach), the world around me is enveloped in fog...
soft and misty, rather like my mood.
My hummingbird, who has decided to spend another winter here, sits calmly on the manzanita branch I have stuck in the flag holder.
He sits looking into the porch, not out - as though he's always watching to see when I will come out the door.
I talk to him in "baby bird" talk, and he sits and listens, stretching out a wing and preening or fluffing up in appreciation of my attention.
When the rain is pouring and the wind is howling, he sits on the actual flag holder, nestles up against the beam that supports the covered deck.
His other home, and his night-time refuge is in a small oak tree about fifty feet from the front deck.
He may be the son of the beautiful male hummingbird I rescued Christmas nite, 2008, and who died - sitting in my hand almost a year ago, having gone into a deep sleep sitting on the feeder.
This new bird, probably a baby of his, outdoes his father's beautiful colors..
more vibrant, he has also surpassed his father's bravery.
He sits on his branch less than 12 inches from me as I talk to him.
His bright eyes taking in my face and the surroundings all at the same time.
He chases any intruder away.
Clearly he has claimed me for his own.
This small ritual is the way I start every day, even those that are destined to be frantically busy.
This moment of being in the Infinite Now, grounds me to what is real and precious in life...
the miracle of a bird, smaller than a kiwi fruit, who has connected to me.
His intelligence, however small because of his size, is enormous because of his interest in connecting.
Something we all could take a lesson in.
The Infinite "Now".
It so perfectly describes what "now" is...
it's the only thing that actually is! The past no longer exists, it is carried in our brain as memories, re-experienced as images, sounds, smells and feelings.
The truth is, life is totally unpredictable, especially these days, so it's pointless to spend much time fretting about it.
What does all this have to do with anti-aging? Well, our brain waves and our neurotransmitters, accurately reveal what mental state we are in; charged up, excited and active as in an interesting conversation, or in a calm, relaxed state.
It shows if we are experiencing emotional or mental stress or dis-stress, and it shows when we are forming ideas and in a thinking mode, either about the past or the future.
If we spend much time in the "should have" or "need to" mode, it always shows up as High Beta waves...
a state we do not want to remain in for long.
This causes the release of both adrenaline and cortisol, brain chemicals that are necessary for fight or flight, but very hard on our immune system and our cellular health.
The "Infinite Now", is a resting place - a place of complete internal quiet and calm.
It soothes our jangled nerves, quiets the brain chatter that just won't quit and strengthens our immune system by letting our cells stop - and take a deep breath.
You can achieve that state, by learning to "Rest in the Infinite Now".
Your means of getting there, is your body...
and the sensory signals that are going back and forth between your body and your brain, every micro-second you are alive and conscious.
The key word here is conscious.
A state of being "present"...
right here and now, by connecting or re-connecting with your body, to "notice" whatever sensory information you choose...
what you see, what you hear, what you feel (in your body), several times a day.
Anytime during your day (or night), that your mind keeps returning to a negative, worrisome or stress-producing thought, OR is racing out of control with "need tos", "should haves" or "if onlys" - stop...
and simply notice what the first thing your is that your body is aware of.
Is it something you can hear? Is it something you feel...
on your skin, in your hands - feet - in your stomach? Is it the temperature, pressure of your body on the seat, discomfort of any kind? Is it something you smell or can taste? Is it something in your visual field? Can you see a shape in the clouds, or see the trees talking to each other in the wind? What ever it is, focus all of your attention on "noticing" it...
intensely.
If you'll let your attention stay there - for even a few seconds, everything else drops away.
You're only aware of the sensory signal your body is sending you...
about it's state of being and the environment around you.
It's almost like magic.
Suddenly, nothing exists except you and the thing you're noticing.
In that tiny amount of time, 10 sec.
- 20 sec.
maybe even 30 sec.
, your body stops sending adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream, your cells get an immune-boosting shot of seratonin and dopamine, and you may have just added a minute or two to your life! You certainly improved the quality of your experience, for the length of time you had your attention focused on the miracle of your body's neurological system.
Now this may sound too simplistic to you to work, but trust me...
it does.
The body's main purpose, behind all of it's amazing functions, is to survive...
in fact, to thrive! "In the Moment For Just a Moment" This quiet morning (it's the one day I don't teach), the world around me is enveloped in fog...
soft and misty, rather like my mood.
My hummingbird, who has decided to spend another winter here, sits calmly on the manzanita branch I have stuck in the flag holder.
He sits looking into the porch, not out - as though he's always watching to see when I will come out the door.
I talk to him in "baby bird" talk, and he sits and listens, stretching out a wing and preening or fluffing up in appreciation of my attention.
When the rain is pouring and the wind is howling, he sits on the actual flag holder, nestles up against the beam that supports the covered deck.
His other home, and his night-time refuge is in a small oak tree about fifty feet from the front deck.
He may be the son of the beautiful male hummingbird I rescued Christmas nite, 2008, and who died - sitting in my hand almost a year ago, having gone into a deep sleep sitting on the feeder.
This new bird, probably a baby of his, outdoes his father's beautiful colors..
more vibrant, he has also surpassed his father's bravery.
He sits on his branch less than 12 inches from me as I talk to him.
His bright eyes taking in my face and the surroundings all at the same time.
He chases any intruder away.
Clearly he has claimed me for his own.
This small ritual is the way I start every day, even those that are destined to be frantically busy.
This moment of being in the Infinite Now, grounds me to what is real and precious in life...
the miracle of a bird, smaller than a kiwi fruit, who has connected to me.
His intelligence, however small because of his size, is enormous because of his interest in connecting.
Something we all could take a lesson in.
Source...