The Experience of ‘No Thought’ – Progressive Relaxation and Edmund Jacobson

From time to time, I read and hear about the experience of ‘No Thought’ in the context of meditation, martial arts and kendo [KendoNotes MushinResources] [KendoNotes MushinQuotes] [KendoNotes MushinEiga].  It is

Progressive Relaxation: “Mother Knows Best”

This is a short story serving as an introduction to Progressive Relaxation (also referred to as Progressive Muscle Relaxation) and a reminder of the adage:  “Mother knows best.” 

Emotions as Gifts, Signals and “Action-Requiring Neurological Programs”

A friend recently referred me to Karla McLaren who writes on the subject of emotions and empathy.  It was like a breath of fresh air to read a few of

“…ing” and Non-Duality – Quotes

The pointers to presence, awareness, peace, … :  What is the object of my attention?, Who is paying attention to that object of attention?” and “Who am I?” have been addressed in

Mushotoku (無所得), “The Cat’s Martial Arts Assembly” and Path to 10th Dan ;-)

During a discussion on meditation today, a person mentioned the term  “Mushotoku” (無所得) which I had never heard of before.  It refers to a state of “not seeking anything”

“Nothing is resisted, nothing is sought. Everything is allowed to be as it is.” – Surrendering

A masterpiece by Remy van Gogh at the age of 22 months.  July 2020.

A lady from a meditation group recommended the writings of Joan Tollifson.   The contents of the following article on her website caught my attention:

Deep Belly Breathing and the Wim Hof Method

Thanks to a friend who is a certified instructor of the Wim Hof method, I experienced the wonders of deep belly breathing on and off over the past several years.  I have

Where is My Attention?

Jacarandas in bloom in San Diego, CA, May 2020.

Life and the mind seems to be in one of two states.  Being under water mostly for me and periodically coming up, out of the water, for air.  Or being asleep mostly and waking-up

The “Whispered Ah” – for Calmness, Muscle Relaxation and the Posture

I was recently reminded of an Alexander Technique known as the Whispered Ah – developed primarily for those in the performing arts [Josefsberg Breathing] [Dias WhisperedAh, p. 4] [Breaking WhisperedAh].   It is a very simple technique that initiates,