Awareness Comes First
“If you want to change your body, change your awareness first.”
-Dr. Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Wat Kow Tahm
Samui Healing is dedicated to help you cleanse the mind, body and spirit in order to heal and become whole and fully alive. I chose to start this blog on the subject of mental cleansing for awareness because, like Dr Chopra says in the quote above, in order to change anything we must change our awareness first. Developing awareness requires an internal relationship with our mind, thoughts and feelings. When you become aware you have the power to choose what thoughts you react to, let go, and which ones you want to explore deeper. With this mature relationship with your mind you can then make positive changes and develop peace of mind.
In December of 2009 I went away to Wat Kow Tahm on Koh Pahngan, Thailand, for a 10-day silent meditation retreat (also called a Vipassana or “Insight”). This was to study my mind, learn more about Buddhism and put the teachings into practice. I like the way the Buddhists think, or rather not think, about things. They enjoy being instead of achieving. I’ve dipped my feet into the study of Buddhism over the years but now, after the retreat, I feel fully emerged and I am staying in!
The silent retreat was the next step to my healing and mental development. It’s an experiential course of what the Buddha taught (and “The Power Of Now”) by putting awareness/mindfulness into practice. I now understand why the Karate Kid was instructed to focus his concentration on “wax on wax off”. With a silent, focused concentration on what you are doing (walking, breathing, raking leaves, eating, etc) you are faced with the thoughts that cause stress, suffering and unhappiness. This insight allows you to see them for what they are, past conditioning from your environment, and let them go bringing you back into the present moment. This was done for 12 hours everyday for 10 days; giving me a better understanding of myself and a strong desire and commitment to develop my mind.
retreat schedule
The movie line “You read all these books and you don’t know?!” from Rain Man comes to mind from this experience. I’ve read many books, as well as taken some weekend workshops, on the subject of mindfulness. I have never actually experienced and really understood it until now. Just because you intellectually understand something that you read doesn’t mean you know it until you’ve actually experienced it. Mind development is the actual study of the mind and not cramming more intellectual book knowledge into it. Practicing wise reflection on your thoughts and actions brings truth, compassion and wisdom.
Into the second half of the retreat I was noticing that a lot of my hair was coming out and my mind’s first reaction was “Oh no why is this happening?! I better write to my hairdresser, Danica, back home to see what I can do about this. I need to remember to write this down so that I don’t forget”. So reflecting on this new source of stress I came to realize the attachment I had to my hair, my physical beauty and image. During the retreat I learned about the impermanence of everything and what really matters in life. When you are on your deathbed all that matters is how you lived, how you interacted with others (with compassion and lovingkindness) and your peace of mind.
I also reflected on why it was coming out. Back in the US I was fortunate to have been introduced to Danica Winters who created The Plum Organic Beauty, one of the first organic hair salons in Atlanta and San Francisco. I have been consciously trying not to put chemicals in and on my body now for years but this was overlooked do to ignorance when I move to Thailand. My hair is naturally light brown and wavy but I like wear it dark and straight. A friend of mine, who has lived in Bali for 5 years, advised me to get it chemically straightened once I moved to Asia’s tropical, humid climate. I rationalized that the chemicals once every 5 months would be worth it to not have to blow dry it or straighten it with a flat iron. After a month of living in Thailand my hair started to lighten from the blazing sun, and I prefer it dark, so not knowing any organic colorists I chose to have it colored with chemicals at a salon. Every month since I was unhappy with the new growth (my natural hair) coming in and either touched up the color or the waves. I knew this wasn’t good for me, or my hair, but I chose it anyway for vanity. This vanity can cause unneeded stress emotionally and physically in the body.
physical detachment
With this reflection I’ve decided to shave my head. I wrote a blog on the reasons why I shaved my head and posted the video as a reminder and inspiration to others of what is really important in life and the true source of happiness.
growth
When you choose to cleanse your body start by writing the reasons why and then reflect on those looking at your past lifestyle (the thoughts, behaviors and actions) that were the cause of the stress, toxins and congestion that you are wanting to release. My next post will be on the cause and physical toxicity of mucoid plaque and why it is important to do a fasting program to get it out.
I want to start my first site, what blog platform do you use and recommend for me ?
Hi, I use WordPress and highly recommend it.
I’ve had a designer http://www.sem-group.net customize mine but they do have free templates you can use as well.
Very cool website, but you must improve your logo graphics.
You without doubt have a style all your own when it comes to creating these nice blog posts.