Mindfulness!! Do You Mind??

You have probably heard the term “Mindfulness” or “Mindful Meditation”. If not, you may soon encounter it. Many magazines are taking up the subject and raising readers’ awareness of it. There are some very interesting and important reasons behind this development, which I would like to share with you.

One Example

Let’s say your child comes home from school and says: "Mommy, today we did something funny: we had to put our feet on the floor and, with our backs straight and our eyes closed, we had to think about either our left hands or our right ones. It wasn’t easy, but it was fun." How would you react as a mother? What strange new methods is the teacher trying out on your child?

What is meant by “mindfulness”?

Conscious self-observations, sharpening one’s senses, pausing to breathe deeply, getting out of the daily grind; these are some goals of mindful meditation.

Mindfulness in this sense means focusing one’s undivided attention on whatever is happening at the moment. The idea is that all five senses should experience and accept the situation as it is, without judgment.

In previous blogs dealing with emotional intelligence, we learned that self-awareness is an important skill on the way to social competence (see BLOG). This aspect of mindfulness is positive. But soon a critical point appears:

Besides learning to accept and care for themselves, students of mindfulness learn not to criticize or evaluate anything. Everything they discover, whether feelings, things or people, should be observed as if it were the first time. They are not to judge or use any previous knowledge, only to observe the moment. To my mind, this sounds a little bit like, “Turn off your frontal lobes!” (see BLOG ).

A mindful meal might include questions like, “How does the tomato smell?” “How does the food feel on my tongue?” “What does it taste like?”

Does that sound nice to you? In our modern, over-stressed world, and even in our classrooms, mindfulness is very trendy. What significance does it carry and what is important for parents to know?

The teacher says, “Put your feet flat on the floor. Keeping your backs straight, lift up your shoulders. Now let them fall. Place your palms on your knees and close your mouth and eyes. Now, let’s think about our hair.”

Children learn to consciously observe themselves and practice self-awareness in order to live in the present and find peace within. It is said that adults benefit physically by doing these exercises, and their tendency to become stressed declines. Neuroscience has now also begun to take interest in this subject, which has been long practiced and promoted by eastern religions.

The Roots of Mindfulness

The idea of mindful meditation has its source in Buddhism and is called Vipassana. It concentrates on four areas: body, feelings, mind and objects. Meditation is an important component of both Buddhism and Hinduism, but both take it a few steps further than just meditation.

I can change who I am and become unique. This is the point of all meditation and can be easily shown in one well-known yoga technique.

Yoga is not a type of gymnastics, but a tool in Hinduism, used to reach a state of “enlightenment”. The breath serves to open a passage through which the effects of the exercise may be compounded. This is an open invitation for any and all spiritual entities and influences to enter. Because of the danger that it can lead to depression and psychosis, schools of medicine recommend that those with weak psyches abstain from its use. Christians believe there are not only good but also evil spiritual powers. These should be avoided and shunned. To allow evil entities entrance is indeed dangerous. Therefore, it is my personal opinion that this practice is dangerous for everyone.

Danger

Since self-awareness is an important factor in the Biblical-Christian tradition, it is seen as a dangerous weakness to give up one’s presence of mind and sense of responsibility for any reason. In light of the constant stream of temptation trying to draw us away from a relationship with our Creator, it follows that an alert, strong and highly active frontal lobe (BLOG) is vital. Everything that weakens it may be perceived as perilous.

Discovering the divine within us, or thinking one is actually God has been the main strategy of the enemy since the Garden of Eden. From a Christian point of view, we cannot save ourselves. We can, however, deceive ourselves! Religions that teach that we can save ourselves are in clear opposition to the biblical concept of grace and justification by faith. The idea that we can save ourselves not only shows a lack of humility, but also promotes the development of a narcissistic, self-centered personality.

On no account should we allow the supernatural to influence our free will so that we can no longer make our own decisions. God never uses force. He wants us to use our power of choice. God is love, and true love can only exist where there is freedom!

People who choose to follow mystic, spiritualistic religions risk experiencing a negative supernatural influence on their lives. The Bible calls it demonic. For example, they might hear voices telling them to execute some rash act. The next step could be possession.

Jesus redefined LOVE. Just imagine the host of angels watching the cross, amazed at the depth and breadth and length to which love could go, that the Creator of the universe would die for us! How awesome is that?

My Suggestion

As parents, we should be cautious if our children come home with such ideas. We should, as the saying goes, “nip it in the bud.” Once children get used to this kind of meditation, they might be more likely to participate in more advanced forms and practices later. Talk to their teachers about it and find out if they have studied into the subject and understand the hidden dangers therein. Communicate your opinion and boundaries.

How can children be taught protective values? Through 'valuable' stories.

Successful bookworms start young! Reading or listening to good books can do a lot toward forming a child’s values. Children who grow up with the privilege of good literature have great advantages.

You can strengthen your children’s value systems and protect them by telling them stories from the Bible. Every believing Christian family should spend some time together in devotion and quiet time concentrating on their Creator’s love. The experiences and information given the children at these times will be a great help to them. They may be able to take what they learn into their school life. In this way, you could say they take Jesus with them.

I’m sure not everyone shares my opinion on this subject. When we look at things through the eyes of the Bible, many things look different. It says that shortly before Jesus returns, deception will increase greatly. We need an alert mind in order to stay on the path of life. I wish this for you with all my heart.

Ref: Eltern Magazin 4/18

Keeping Love Alive – Part 2 - Three Phases

Dear Reader, today’s blog is the second in a little series of articles written by my brother, a practicing psychotherapist near Bern, Switzerland who helps couples and families enrich their lives with practical counsel. You won’t want to miss out!

The following is a condensed version of an article published in "Leben und Gesundheit" (Life and Health - LINK), a German magazine from Switzerland, which I subscribe to and recommend.

The Three Phases of a Relationship

1.   The Fascination Phase

Love relationships normally go through these three phases.

In the fascination phase, the sky seems bluer and more inspiring, the stars twinkle brighter and the air seems fresher than ever before.

It’s a time when couples are highly sensitive to each other’s needs, and during the fascination phase, this sensitivity often spills over into other areas of life. The couple is completely absorbed with one another. Both parties blossom and bloom in the other’s presence and can’t seem to spend enough time together. They blend their lives together until their natural boundaries melt and mesh together until they become one.

WE ARE are the watchwords!

2. The Retraining-Phase

In this phase, a certain normalcy takes over in which the beloved dream begins to become scratched and tarnished. This situation holds great potential for conflict.

I suddenly realize that my partner is very different from what I had imagined in my loneliness with my tunnel vision. Subjects that in an earlier phase had been openly discussed or benevolently pardoned are now the cause of conflict or perhaps disappointed retreat. This is when partners begin to draw their lines of demarcation. This is a period of tough negotiation and compromise and is often accompanied by frustration and disappointment.

I and YOU are the focal point.

3. The Acceptance Phase

In this phase, a sensitive balance is achieved between

emotional closeness and distance,

togetherness and autonomy,

personal responsibility and care for each other,

self-assertion and surrender,

intimacy and keeping an air of mystery.

In this way, the relationship becomes deep and peaceful, yet preserves a vitality, full of interesting challenges and surprises.

I and YOU once again become WE.

Challenges

Each phase is valuable and necessary. The more the ability to love is present, the quicker a couple can reach the third phase. If the partners don’t go through a maturing process, their relationship will be in danger of shipwreck.

Phase 1 - Fascination

Dreamers hoping to find themselves in their perfect ideals

This phase builds an important foundation through intense shared experiences, which can strengthen the ability to bond.

When Monica and George (names changed) talk about their vacation plans, they can agree very quickly. “Whatever you want is fine” is their motto. The important thing is being together. When you’re in love, you don’t need to fight!

So Monica joins George when he wants to go rock climbing in the mountains, scuba diving and riding motorcycles. George watches romantic movies and goes to relationship seminars with her. His snoring is not a problem for her, and he overlooks the over-filled hamper and all the papers and notes on the kitchen table. They know how to discern between important issues and trivialities.

The important thing is being together

In spite of their strong bonds, once in a while they feel the need to do something separately. The more intense their connection, the more energetically their individualities will call for compensation. When the initial euphoria of being in love begins to wear off, the loneliness that had been concealed beneath it will again begin to surface. The depth of an individual’s loneliness will determine the intensity of the reaction.

Suddenly

• Monica wants to spend a carefree evening alone with her long neglected girlfriends.

• George wants to thunder over a mountain pass with his old biker friends without consideration of female needs.

• they realize they have partially given up their own identities and need to rediscover who they are.

• fear arises. Strife follows. Ideals begin to crumble. The images of her knight in shining armor and his lovely princess begin to fade. The stronger these impressions were, the more painful the thud when reality strikes.

• George sees Monica’s happy-go-lucky ways and chaotic tendencies as irritating evidences that she is a less than perfect, if not lousy, homemaker.

• Monica redefines George’s courage and daring as recklessness.

• the joy in diversity and spontaneity is replaced with feelings of contempt.

• both put a surprising amount of energy into their battle for individuality and conflicting ideals.

• arguments are frequent. If these are carried out in a constructive and respectful manner, there is good reason for hope.

‘The important thing is being together’ phase is usually replaced by a challenging time of truly getting to know each other. During this phase, each party defines him- or herself anew. The ability to love is strongly influenced by one’s self-love. For example, the better I can truly love myself, the better I will succeed in truly loving others.

2. The Retraining-Phase

Battles and Bargains

What a shock! Monica doesn’t want to ride motorcycles anymore. Her strength and motivation are depleted. George has heard enough conversations on relationships. He would like to have a little adventure followed by some great sex.

Unfortunately, many couples end their relationship at this point. They can’t see how they can get around or deal with each other’s differences constructively.

Recognizing Benefits

These new developments are actually necessary and can be very liberating because the fascination phase can be quite demanding. Now is the time to recognize and acknowledge one’s own normality and true identity as well as that of one’s partner. The times of trying to hide every fault and wrinkle are finally a thing of the past. In this atmosphere, the couple is free to develop and mature.

The more disappointed George and Monica are, the more self-righteous their arguments are. They hone their bargaining, manipulation, threatening and flattery skills in their efforts to retrain one another. Every compromise is the result of a hard-fought battle.

There is just no getting around these realizations: Monica’s sense of logic is in no way comparable with George’s. She tends to express her feelings, while he hides behind his work.

Studies and Sexuality

Studies show that conflicts among couple are only 30% about being right or wrong, guilty or innocent. Seventy per cent of the cases are about understanding and categorizing differences in experience, thoughts and feelings. Here lies the battle.

On the outside, they both experience the same thing, but the way they process it is completely different. The best thing they could do is to try to discover one another’s world. Trying to solve this problem with power games and bossiness can only lead to pain and suffering.

At this stage, Monica allows George to have his way in their sexual relationship, which leaves her at a decided disadvantage, with her needs unmet. He follows his intuition, cares for his needs and dreams his fantasies. He likes to lead, but sometimes it gets to be too much responsibility, and he would rather let her take the lead. He would love to be seduced. She would like to have his undivided attention and total acceptance, and she would like him to listen to and understand her. That would unlock her heart and awaken a desire for intimacy and sex. Because George experiences sex as an ego booster, he can actually solve his conflicts with it. Sometimes it works for Monica as well.

Talking is Good

How can they understand each other if they don’t talk openly about their thoughts?

They are more different than they thought.

There is great potential in diversity. Even the most sensitive lover needs to be introduced to the inner life of his or her partner. This is true, not only of sexuality, but also for every other area of life as well.

Reconciling Differences

The knight and the princess have been transformed. Being reconciled with their differences opens a heretofore unimagined spectrum of possibilities for the future. Slowly, but surely they are welded together into an unbeatable team that can handle every challenge that comes their way

Imagine what it would be like if your partner were exactly like you! Wouldn’t that be a nightmare? Isn’t it wonderful that we are all different? Just think of the potential! We can benefit from each other, learn from each other and develop synergies. Together we are strong! But this is only true when we learn to take full advantage of the potential that is locked up in our differences.

3. Acceptance Phase

Face the Challenge

Monica has noticed that George’s talent for organizing and sense of order can be very helpful to her. He is hard working and steady as the day is long. As time progresses, he also recognizes the positive aspects of her flexibility. She can easily adapt to new situations, and her intuition for understanding complex problems in childrearing helps him take things a little easier. Suddenly they see the value in being different and complementing each other.[O1] 

One great opportunity in this phase is that both parties can learn to be freer to be themselves with each other. Yes, we may, or rather we should be different, even though we don’t always completely understand.

Live, and Let Live!

Being loved and accepted as you are is very liberating. In this atmosphere no one feels like a victim. Instead, a feeling of mutual dedication and a willingness to compromise are developed. These are assets that every successful couple must have in order to meet subsequent challenges. Like having children!

Couples who can keep their respective friends, individualities and hobbies are stronger and remain more interesting for each other over the years. They always find ways to surprise each other.  

More information (in German) at the following links:

www.paardynamik.ch

www.danielzwiker.ch

How can some couples still get along fabulously after over 30 years of marriage? They meet most challenges together and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They also know when they need help from the outside. Fantastic!

Keeping Love Alive – Part 1

Love at SECOND sight – What a very promising thought!

Dear Reader, today is the first of a little series of articles written by my brother, a practicing psychotherapist near Bern, Switzerland who helps couples and families enrich their lives with practical counsel. You won’t want to miss out!

Today’s blog is a condensed version of an article published in "Leben und Gesundheit" (Life and Health) (LINK), a German magazine from Switzerland, which I subscribe to and recommend.

Do Marriages Have to Be Perfect?

Take a SECOND LOOK!

Happy marriages with love at second sight are based on deep friendships. When the usually euphoric “in love” phase is followed by a time of deep bonding, where both parties express their continued respect and interest in each other on a daily basis, love is preserved.

Marriages don’t have to be perfect. In fact, they cannot be. In spite of and actually because of differences in personality, bonds are formed that are strong enough to cope with challenges and conflicts. One may expect rich rewards in return for serious efforts and exertions made in this direction.

Sadly Missed Opportunities

It is so sad that the value of a marriage often remains unrecognized until it’s too late to save it. Sometimes, all that would have been needed was a little more mutual sympathy and appreciation. Why don’t we train our mind’s eyes to recognize and show our appreciation for the effort behind the deeds we so often tend to take for granted?

Divorces hurt all who are involved. Unhappy marriages raise the risk of sickness by 35%, and life expectancy is shortened by four years. Stress hormone levels in children of divorced parents are often chronically high.

The Priceless Benefits of Happy Families

Positive relationships are worthwhile: Happily married couples live longer thanks to a higher quality of life and stronger immune systems. Additionally, their offspring are generally happier, which in turn leads to happier grandchildren. Because happy people are less likely to fall into addictions and can deal with conflict, society is also benefitted.

Going in the same direction, reaching mutual goals together, becoming a team that can handle all kinds of challenges – who wouldn’t want that?

The Landscape of Your Partner’s Soul

The landscape of the earth’s surface can be a symbol to help us understand a person’s psychological landscape. There are lush meadows and forests, fruitful fields, high mountains and valleys with stone arches, boulders, and caves. Sometimes narrow gorges and gulches are followed by broad grasslands or a desert oasis.

Couples allow each other access to their inner souls. This means they share experiences, stories and insights only they know. Sharing, discovering and exploring each other’s inner landscapes is a great adventure, as well as a unique privilege and distinguishing mark of true partnership.

Questions for Such an Expedition

o What events have shaped my partner’s life?

o What individuals have been important for him or her in the past and why?

o What stresses him or her the most and why?

o What are his or her goals and dreams? What gives his or her life meaning?

o How has my partner overcome his or her greatest challenges?

o Why does he or she express his or her feelings in a particular way in certain situations?

These questions should not, of course, be dealt with all at once, but if they are employed at appropriate times, their effect on a marriage will be immensely enriching.

Being responsive to a partner, learning his or her love language (LINK) – it doesn’t have to be a yacht, but a surprise every now and then would definitely add spice to a relationship. Awesome!

The Most Important Gift

The birth of a couple’s first child is often a drastic turning point in married life. At that point, marital satisfaction is diminished considerably in 67% of couples. On the one hand, the wife feels abandoned by her husband, because he doesn’t support her enough. She has no time and space for herself, because she has full responsibility (and no experience) for the baby. On the other hand, the husband feels neglected, because his wife spends hours taking care of the child and has no time and attention to spare for him.

It’s nice that 33% of all couples preserve their happiness in spite of the challenges. Why is that?

It could be that they had created an atmosphere of respect for each other, in which they spoke about the developments as they arose and listened to each other’s needs and wishes. They were not so engrossed in their own needs and desires, but continued to think of and to care for each other as though their relationship were still the most important thing. They each made sure they had time for each other.

Ernst: In this situation, men hold the key and responsibility for their own happiness, as well as that of their wives. When a man realizes his wife is overburdened with caring for the newest member of the family and invests his time and energy in helping her, he will be able to sympathize with her. She will not feel abandoned, and he will not feel neglected. They will be a perfect team, working toward a common goal. Oh, how Terri and I wish we had understood this principle 36 years ago!

There are few gifts that have a more lasting effect than the joy that comes from being understood and accepted.

Couples who know each other’s inner landscapes can overcome crises and challenges much easier than those who don’t. They empower each other and are bonded together with cords of love that cannot be broken. As a team, they are invincible!

Children are a wonderful gift that can be best enjoyed when the parents are not forgotten in the process of raising them. Raising children is a great challenge that leaves many positive tracks in the lives of those who take it seriously, because in order to educate children properly, parents must first educate themselves!

An Idea

Invite your husband or wife out on date. It could be a walk in the park, a meal in a restaurant or any form of celebrating your togetherness. Take one of the above questions with you and listen to each other’s responses with both ears. Repeat the answers you hear with your own words to make sure you understand each other well. As you get to know each other better, you will be amazed at the joy you can find in exploring your partner’s inner landscape!

More information (in German) can be found in the links below:

www.paardynamik.ch

www.danielzwiker.ch