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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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OM: Training the Mind to Meditate

by Rosie Lazroe, Coordinator,  Local Yoga Directory

Silent meditation is one path to explore when seeking to cultivate a neutral mind. To become still, we must first learn how to become present. Present moment awareness comes in many forms, most of which are quite accessible to everyone, every day. Think of the simple things that we do as we go through the motions of our daily routine. These are all opportunities to train the mind.

You are here.

In order to embrace silence and stillness for long periods of time without falling asleep, we must first achieve a high level of concentration. When sitting is uncomfortable or not possible, keep in mind that there are many ways that we can be mindful without actually meditating.

Walk for the joy of walking and be fully present in this joy.

Basic guidelines for meditation require that it be done every day, at the same time of day, for the same length of time each day. This means that we can choose to dedicate five minutes every morning to brushing our teeth without allowing the mind to wander. Or we can commit 15 minutes of focus solely on cooking without thinking about other things. Keeping it simple is key.

Let your next breath refresh your mind with vibrant awareness.

Annoying distractions will inevitably occur to pull us away from our focus. As soon as we make the choice to refocus our awareness, we can rejoice knowing that we are on the right path. Having the ability to gently redirect the mind is essential to meditation. Once we can do this, then we can attempt to sit in sweet stillness and just be.

Be curious and create.

In actuality, all of us are meditating on something every day. Notice what you think about and consciously choose to shift the topic if it doesn’t feel sweet and simple. For example, every day we hear various noises and sounds. If we dedicate 15 minutes to listening to one sound, that would be considered meditating. If we dedicate 15 minutes to thinking, speaking or gazing at something, we would be meditating. Combining structure with creativity is the final step toward cultivating a personal mediation. It isn’t a one-size fits all practice. Anything that draws you inward will lead you in the right direction.

Rosie Lazroe is a certified yoga teacher and master reiki practitioner. For more information, you can contact her at 732-596-7384, [email protected] or visit RosieLazroe.com.

Rosie’s Corner
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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