From bachang at uci.edu Thu Oct 6 23:28:26 2005 From: bachang at uci.edu (bachang@uci.edu) Date: Fri Oct 7 19:59:47 2005 Subject: [AUM list] Re: Summary of 10/06/05 meeting Message-ID: <1410.70.187.191.166.1128662906.squirrel@webmail.uci.edu> Hi everyone, Rajiv asked me to do a brief recap on the meeting tonight so that everyone can go over what we talked about and what we did. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A) The concept of meditation * 2 types of meditation as defined by Andrew Newberg, MD at UPenn who does research on meditation. * Via positiva -- to focus intensely on one thing (ie. chant/mantra, icon, image) to the point where one becomes so absorbed that the attention is fixated on nothing but that thought. * Via negativa -- to empty the mind of all thoughts and stimuli, the attention is focused on "no-thought." ** Both types have the same result even though the methods are different. They both result in increased alertness, the relaxation response, a sense of bliss, decrease in serum cortisol, increase of seratonin, increase of endorphines/enkephalins. B) Qigong Meditation * "Qi" or "Chi" is a philosophical abstract from the Chinese tradition. It is thought of as an immeasureable form of energy that flows through all that is inanimate and sentient. * Modern conceptualization of "Qi" is that it could be bioelectric energy, blood flow, neurotransmitters, hormones, or oxygen. * "Qi" is neither proven nor disproven. Different people have different ideas. Perhaps "Qi" is a combination of all those factors. C) Meditation exercises * Spinning moon and sun method. * "Beach ball" with danten (stomach) breathing * Remember that these exercises require practice. If you're not feeling significantly relaxed or if there isn't a distinguishable sensation, then you are not doing it correctly. D) Homework (and you thought you were off the hook ;p) * Invite at least 1 other friend to the next club meeting * Practice meditation exercises at home during the week ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If anyone has any questions or comments you can reach me by email (bachang@uci.edu) or AIM (oblique callisto). Sincerely, Brian From AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu Mon Oct 10 19:02:55 2005 From: AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu (AUM@spirit.dos.uci.edu) Date: Mon Oct 10 18:05:21 2005 Subject: [AUM list] WEEK 3 MEETING INFO Message-ID: <3193.70.181.85.82.1128992575.squirrel@spirit.dos.uci.edu> Hello! I would like to remind you all that you are welcome to bring a pillow or something soft to sit on if you want to meditate on the floor. See you Thursday! Rajiv also here's a message from our treasurer: Hi. This is Justin Mar, the AUM Treasurer. I just wanted to give a brief description of our current financial situation. Currently, our club is in a slight financial ditch. We have recently had to pay the yearly club dues, purchase supplies to publicize our club and buy snacks for the meeting. In order to keep our club afloat and not collect mandatory club dues, we have decided to ask members for small donations if at all possible. Any money we can get, whether it be lump sums or weekly installments, will definitely be utilized in preserving and promoting our club. In addition, I also want to have some fundraisers in order to get enough money to sustain the AUM for the rest of this year and the following year if possible. If you have any ideas or could help us out, please feel free to contact me. jmar@uci.edu Thanks. From AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu Fri Oct 14 01:24:43 2005 From: AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu (AUM@spirit.dos.uci.edu) Date: Fri Oct 14 00:24:45 2005 Subject: [AUM list] WEEK 3 MEETING Message-ID: <1796.70.181.85.82.1129274683.squirrel@spirit.dos.uci.edu> Hello everyone! In case you missed it this is a recap of today's meeting provided by our Historian Justin Wong: Thursday, October 13, 2005 During today's meeting, we went over the topic of "mindfulness." Practiced by the Buddhists, mindfullness is the concept of focusing on a particular idea or feeling of the body. This practice was used in an eating exercise with either a piece of chocolate or dried mango. The focus was to be put on the food - how it tasted, the texture, and the sensation that it gives you. By paying more attention to the food and its affect on your body, you should be able to appreciate or get more out each bite and ultimately have your hunger satisfied without having to eat as much. The meeting then closed with a basic mediation using mindfulness, where the goal was to give attention to your own breathing. Today's mindful eating exercise was adapted from the following article from an author referenced on WebMD: http://www.spiritualityhealth.com/newsh/items/article/item_9736.html I'm hoping to archive these weekly updates on the website: http://clubs.uci.edu/aum and any questions can be addressed to aum@uci.edu See you next week! Rajiv From AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu Thu Oct 20 02:42:07 2005 From: AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu (AUM@spirit.dos.uci.edu) Date: Thu Oct 20 01:42:10 2005 Subject: [AUM list] MEETING TODAY Message-ID: <1376.70.181.85.82.1129797727.squirrel@spirit.dos.uci.edu> Hello Everyone! Just a reminder to come to the meeting today at 6:30PM in CS 243. Today's topic is Zen meditation and happiness. Brian will be talking. You are welcome to bring cushions, snacks, whatever makes you comfortable. See you there! Rajiv From AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu Sat Oct 22 15:43:16 2005 From: AUM at spirit.dos.uci.edu (AUM@spirit.dos.uci.edu) Date: Sat Oct 22 14:43:19 2005 Subject: [AUM list] Meditation Seminar at IVC Message-ID: <3165.70.181.85.82.1130017396.squirrel@spirit.dos.uci.edu> Hello everyone! I'm pleased to announce that AUM will be making a group field trip next Saturday, October 29 from 10:30AM to noon to attend a seminar at Irvine Valley College about an meditation and mindfulness. It costs $5 to attend, but thats a suggested donation so I guess we can go for free. If you need a ride we can carpool. Please let me know asap if you can come! Have a wonderful weekend! Rajiv more information about this event can be found at: http://meditation4joy.com/ From bachang at uci.edu Mon Oct 24 01:09:28 2005 From: bachang at uci.edu (bachang@uci.edu) Date: Mon Oct 24 08:50:28 2005 Subject: [AUM list] last week's AUM meeting Message-ID: <1166.70.187.191.166.1130137768.squirrel@webmail.uci.edu> Last week's theme: Zen meditation A special transmission, Outside the scriptures. No dependence on words and letters. Direct pointing to the mind and the realization of Buddhahood. -- Bodhidharma As beautifully explained in the Rutger University website . . . "Although Zen has its roots in Asia, anyone can practice Zen. No doctrines need to be accepted and no scriptures need to be studied. The foundation of Zen is meditation. Through meditation, Zen practicioners gradually transform their deepest mental habits. Step by step, breath by breath, the mind frees itself from its illusions and passes through its artifical barriers." * According to research, Buddhists are the happiest of all religious sects. How is this so? * The Buddhist practice of training the mind can lead to emotional stability, increased conscious awareness of surroudings and internal dynamics (fears, hopes, desires etc.), and an overall improvement in the quality of life. * Reinforcing certain thoughts can affect the wiring of our brain. In meditation we become aware of our "internal climate" and thereby we can develop the ability to manipulate it. This concept is also supported in neuroscience. Practical applications are commonly used in rehab to help drug addicts quit substances such as heroin and cocaine and in cognitive behavior therapy with depression that are caused by the replaying of destructive, self-defeating thoughts. * The Zen concept of mindfulness: "If we can work with our minds focused on the present moment of now and what we are doing, our achievement will not be action of compensation for our failures in our childhood but more of an act of true creativity." (Derek Ayre, eMaxHealth: Zen and the Art of Happiness) * Zazen (sitting Zen meditation): (A) half lotus or full lotus style with leg position. (B) right palm open and sitting in open left palm, thumbs gently touching and right below the belly button. (C) tip of tongue on palate (stimulation of the pineal gland). (D) concentration on Danten (stomach breathing) (E) full awareness of bodily and mental sensations. practice acknowledging them and set it aside. do not "block" anything. know that it's there, and know that it's okay to let it go. (F) IMPORTANT: keep eyes open and softly gazing down at a 45 degree angle. this is to prevent dozing off. I understand that this is challenging, but don't be discouraged! Just keep practicing =) * for beginners, meditation can result in "racing thoughts" because the mind isn't accustomed to being still. instead of being frustrated, be encouraged that you are to a degree mindful of these racing thoughts. the more you practice, the less frequent this would occur and the easier it would be to let go of them if they do happen. HOMEWORK: See if you experience a "Zen moment" during the week and then share with the group your experience. A Zen moment could be considered active meditation. When finding yourself in any everyday situation (ie. being cut off in traffic), instead of reacting to it you take a step back and consciously examine what is happening around you and inside of you, and then collectively harmonize (not ignore or condone) the mind to the situation. ARTICLES: zazen.rutgers.edu/zazen.html www.emaxhealth.com/30/926.html Buddhism and Neuroscience (see attached file) Peace, Brian -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Buddism_Neuro.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 204989 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://spirit.dos.uci.edu/pipermail/aum-list/attachments/20051024/20dd51c7/Buddism_Neuro-0001.pdf From bachang at uci.edu Wed Oct 26 03:47:20 2005 From: bachang at uci.edu (bachang@uci.edu) Date: Wed Oct 26 20:44:53 2005 Subject: [AUM list] being happier Message-ID: <1429.70.187.191.166.1130320040.squirrel@webmail.uci.edu> Hi everyone, If you recall I menitioned that Buddhists are happier due to their discipline of the mind through meditation and mindfulness. Well, here is the article if you are interested ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3047291.stm Peace, Brian From rramdeo at uci.edu Thu Oct 27 05:24:28 2005 From: rramdeo at uci.edu (Rajiv Ramdeo) Date: Thu Oct 27 04:21:19 2005 Subject: [AUM list] MEETING TODAY and Saturday Meditation Seminar at IVC Message-ID: <2257.70.181.85.82.1130412268.squirrel@webmail.uci.edu> Hello!! REMINDER: CLUB MEETING at 6:30PM Thursdays in CS 243 This week we will be discussing meditation and stress relief. I would also like to remind you of the Meditation Seminar at IVC on Saturday. information: Introduction to Meditation & Mindfulness Learn to Meditate: Peace, Joy, Happiness. Learn to Be Mindful: Focus, Positive Thinking, Being Present. Date: Saturday, October 29th, 2005; Time: 10:30am to 12:00pm Location: Irvine Valley College, Room P0 5500 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine (Campus Map) Contact: info@meditation4joy.com Suggested Donation: $10 (Full-time students $5) http://meditation4joy.com/ Let me know if you're going! Also let me know if you need transportation. =) Hope to see you! Rajiv From rramdeo at uci.edu Mon Oct 31 00:56:56 2005 From: rramdeo at uci.edu (Rajiv Ramdeo) Date: Mon Oct 31 00:50:45 2005 Subject: [AUM list] IMPT ANNOUNCEMENTS Message-ID: <1685.70.181.85.82.1130749016.squirrel@webmail.uci.edu> Hello, **** We're having a booth at Rainbow Fest on Weds from 11-2pm **** I have to announce that during this week's meeting time we will be going to view the free screening of 'Crash', a critically acclaimed film about racism in LA. **** Free 'Crash' screening in HIB 100 at 7PM on Thurs **** (discussion following the movie) What does this have to do with meditation???? Mindfulness does not only concern yourself. An effective meditator has a heightened awareness not only within himself but also the greater society he belongs to. To be a responsible world citizen one must be conscious of the social and political injustices in his society. Often people are not mindful of other's perceptions and they do not take it into account the implications they impose on others. In short I feel that attending this screening is more important than the club meeting. See you there! Rajiv (please tell me if you're coming so we can go together) From rramdeo at uci.edu Mon Oct 31 00:57:38 2005 From: rramdeo at uci.edu (Rajiv Ramdeo) Date: Mon Oct 31 00:51:25 2005 Subject: [AUM list] Meditation and Stress Recap Message-ID: <1686.70.181.85.82.1130749058.squirrel@webmail.uci.edu> Hey Guys! This is an outline of the stuff we talked about last week: Info about stress from the UCI Counseling website: http://www.counseling.uci.edu/outreach/selfhelp.aspx#stress Meditation & Stress from a western medical perspective (I highly reccommend this article): http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HQ01070 Here's a Stress Meditation Exercise from UCI Counseling Center: if you feel really stressed out: 1) write down a list of your major stressors and think about how they are affecting you 2) meditate 3) take a look at the list and reflect again how they are affecting you Attached is something I edited based on the Mayo Clinic article. I hope you print it out and give it a read. Its pretty much an overview on meditation. Other News: * I found out there's meditation sessions at the ARC at 6:30pm on Tuesdays. I'm going to check it out this week. * We registered with the Cross Cultural Center so eventually we'll move our meetings in there. * The meditation seminar at IVC was pretty good. We made a good connection with the instructer and I hope to bring her in to give workshops. I wish you luck with your midterms! Rajiv -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Meditation from a Western View.doc Type: application/octetstream Size: 28672 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://spirit.dos.uci.edu/pipermail/aum-list/attachments/20051031/e333c71c/MeditationfromaWesternView-0001.bin