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Hello
I have been reading Paul Bruntons A Search in Secret India, recommended by the registrar cardiologist.
I have been suffering from ectopic heart beats, racing heart and palpitations. Its thought these were brought on by long term stress and consequently depression. They have been so bad that I gave up work earlier than I wanted too. I decided perhaps meditation may help.
But I am struggling to meditate. I keep putting it off.
I want to switch my whole philosophy and start to be more mindful. Again I struggle as the habit of worrying about yesterday and tomorrow is always with me.
How does one stop and take stock. How does one stay in the moment
I have been suffering from ectopic heart beats, racing heart and palpitations. Its thought these were brought on by long term stress and consequently depression. They have been so bad that I gave up work earlier than I wanted too. I decided perhaps meditation may help.
But I am struggling to meditate. I keep putting it off.
I want to switch my whole philosophy and start to be more mindful. Again I struggle as the habit of worrying about yesterday and tomorrow is always with me.
How does one stop and take stock. How does one stay in the moment
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Comments
"How does one stay in the moment?"
A good starting point, perhaps, is to set aside a small amount of time each day (even if it is only five minutes in the morning or some other time that suits) to sit and do absolutely nothing.
During your five minutes, or however long you are comfortable sitting doing absolutley nothing, just enjoy sitting. Don't try to get anything from the experience. All you are doing is sitting and that is good enough for now.
I am very familiar with ectopic heart beats, palpatations, and having an irregular pulse and anxiety and depression - regular meditation over the past 20 years or so has changed my relationship with the physical symptoms and over time has helped me gain clarity about the changes in lifestyle which have proven helpful and the ability to action, accept and when necessary quickly move on from unhealthy situations.
Interestingly, now that I am over 45 the cardiologist who reviewed an ECG taken when I was last in hospital for surgery and my pulse was found to be very slow whilst under anaesthetic, said that maybe I have atrial fibrillation ( the condition as a younger person I always feared the symptoms indicated ) - I have been extensively investigated and do not - my pulse is generally slow- when meditating it gets down to below 40 beats a minute.
I would suggest either finding a teacher who can help you learn to meditate, or if you can't find one locally, obtain any of a huge number of widely available CDs and/or DVDs that will do the same thing. There are many meditation techniques, and almost all of them are good. Look for beginner techniques. But remember that no matter what happens, don't struggle against it. Let it go at its own pace, and don't set goals or deadlines. That's just more struggle. Don't beat yourself up if it doesn't appear to go the way your ego mind (your "me" mind) wants it to go or thinks it should be going.
It's tough sometimes (been there, done that!), but you can reap great rewards down the road by just taking the first step. As I believe it was Confucius said, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."
Best of luck on your journey!
Peace
Mtns
Sometimes, when I'm faced with a cold, wet, dark walk home, I sing that song to myself:
"One foot
in front of the other,
I'm telling you brother
we'll get there quite soon.
One foot
in front of the other,
I'm telling you brother
we could walk to the moon...!"
Just one little step at a time, will be more productive than thinking you have to circumnavigate the globe.
And a good walk is always more fun if you do it with someone else....
Welcome.
Don't be too hard on yourself.
The only person you're competing against, is you.
Welcome Jennis, wishing you well.
The book by Paul Brunton was written in 1934. Basically it's about his journey through India and meeting Sage's and Yogi's.
He was I think responsible for bringing meditation to the west.
He (the registrar) thinks that my heart skippy beats etc, have been brought about by long term stress....hence his suggestion that I begin meditation.
I have purchased a CD. Thanks again
All the best, Jennis
That's a very good reason to start, but then *any* reason is a good reason to start. Just try not to have a goal with it. Just meditate and let it be what it is, with no expectations, no end point. Just (as the commercial said) do it. You may or may not find that your ectopic heartbeats subside. Likely they will, but don't go in expecting it or being disappointed if they don't.
Mtns (RN)
If you know that the condition is definately caused by stress, then there are a number of things that you can do to change this.
Meditation is definately one of them, although meditation is a long term (lifelong) treatment and is not an instant cure.
Imediate treatment would likely include medications that address the balance of neurotransmitters.
These include SSRI's/SSNRI's anti depressants, Beta blockers / Benzodiazapines and some others. Although, I believe Beta Blockers are popular for treating heart palpatations as they reduce the heart rate. Some are used when needed and others, on a constant basis.
The next step is to learn "thought stopping" / "thought replacement" Cognitve Behaviour Therapy that can be used against ruminatory and negative thoughts.
Other treatment include adjusting diet, eliminate stimulants from diet.
CATS=Caffeine/Alcohol/Tabacco/Sugar (and illegal stimulants such as speed/coccaine/etc.)
Daily exercise is also advisable as it reduces the amount of stress hormones in the blood stream. 25-45 mins daily at 70% for 5-7 days a week.
Low stress employment
low stress living environment
low stress activities
relaxation therapy
Diaphramatic breathing
Body Scan relaxation therapy
energy tapping
brain machines
accupuncture
etc.
Sorry to hear you are suffering with anxiety problems.
I too have dealt with this affliction.
Meditation will help. Please keep at it.
Also what I have discovered is that it is fear. Which is too much future and not enough present. Illusions and stories that have no real substance except what we give them.
A good question to ask yourself is what is wrong with this exact moment.
Best wishes.
Easy to read, and you can start putting it into practice within the first few pages.
Thanks so much for taking the time to offer this advice.
I have tried beta blockers but they made me wheeze so the docs said I cant have them now. Nor can I take SSRI's due to another condition.
I do think exercise and the other alternative methods would or may help though.
Thank you. I am struggling with the meditation but will persevere. I have only just come across mindfulness - I will try to understand what is wrong in this exact moment. Not an easy question to answer in...not easy to stay in the moment. But I will continue to learn how to do this. Thank you so much.
Hello Jennis,
I understand your position. However, your doctor may not be aware that there has been some development with Beta Blockers over the years and that some have now been developed that work in a different way to the standard ones which apperently are safe for asthmatics.
cardio selective beta blockers
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Truth-About-Asthma-And-Beta-Blockers&id=510589
Another medication is called buspirone (buspar) which is an anxiolytic which is different to SSRI's and SSNRI's.
Buspirone has a similar effect to benzodiazepines (such as Valium) but is known to be less addictive and often prescribed to people with history of Drug Addiction / Alcoholism.
Used primarily to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder, although, other conditions if required.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buspirone
More popular in the US, although the NHS also endorse its use for short term use.
I can also recommend L-Theanine. An amino acid abstracted from Green Tea that is quiet a good relaxant. It works in a simliar way to Valium but is not as potent (works on GABA). Not addictive and can be brought over the counter.
Builds up in the system if taken everyday.
Not known to toxify liver in the same way other natural stress reduction supplements such as Kava does.
In my opinion
Best brand Solgar. Dose 3 capsules a day.
Be well. :-)
de_void_of_meaning thank you again. I would prefer alternative methods rather than prescribed meds. Ah but they did keep the newer drugs a secret from me.
For many years I worked in a drugs and alcohol agency. My job was to work helping people reduce and withdraw from prescribed drugs, including beta blockers and so called non addictive antidepressants. If I can get well using myself as the tool, even with a little bit of help from some alternative med I'd prefer it.
I will look into L-Theanine and thanks. I only feel anxious when I get these heart skippy things...I have been very stressed though and now have depression but am working on that. I feel meditation is worth a try and I'll look around for Tai chi or even Yoga. Id prefer yoga as it may help me sit correctly to meditate.
By the way I achieved 20 minutes of meditation, although my mind continues to chatter. Its so darn hard to make it stop. I managed it for a few seconds here and there
just a quick not with regards to anti-depressants. Please do not rule them out as they can be quiet effective for treating anxiety.
If you want to learn more about anxiety disorders and what causes them, I can recommend this book.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anxious-Brain-Neurobiological-Disorders-Effectively/dp/0393705129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286030892&sr=8-1-spell
Your anxiety may not be so servere as to require anti-depressants.
So perhaps the alternative treatments will be enough to relieve you symptoms.
The heart problems that you are suffering from most often can be caused by diet, such as consuming caffeine and other stimulants.
Still, meditation is also a really good activity, even if you no longer suffer from anxiety.
Just a quick note with regards to mind chatter.
Mind Chatter is natural and comes and goes.
When you first start you may be a little shocked at this experience, as most people do not sit long enough to be aware of their of their mind state.
With practice you will learn to accept the mind chatter and the chatter will get less.
Although happens only over time and will not happen over night.
Anyway, good luck.
Cheers
Does it help? I don't know, but I've read it's useful to do, it costs nothing, and involves just a very short span of concentration.
And when you first sit down to meditate, what will happen is that the next door neighbours dog starts barking, you'll remember you've a bill you've forgot to pay, you'll start thinking about all the advice you've been given, you'll find something to worry about.
This is perfectly normal, and I have found that with short regular meditations, it gets easier and more comfortable to do.
I don't know if I'm a Buddhist, but I swear meditation helps me in my day-to-day life; I'm much less likely to get angry, overly annoyed, or anxious these days; though those things still happen.
What he/she said!