When a person faces a challenge they cannot control, like an illness that puts them close to death, they need to learn to focus on the silence beyond their thoughts. We have been conditioned to focus on thinking our entire life, but there isn’t a comforting thought that really prepares us for that challenge. That preparation develops throughout a lifetime by developing qualities like confidence. Confidence, which in Latin comes from “con fide” or “with faith,” determines how you face that challenge. Real confidence doesn’t change your challenge; it just determines how you deal with it.
Many people rely on their beliefs, which are an excellent resource, but in Latin “belief” comes from “to allow”. So your beliefs allow you to let go of your thinking mind and allow a deeper wisdom to meet your challenge. If that truly happens, your thinking mind can really serve you, but when you focus on thinking, it is easy for things to bubble up that don’t serve you.
In your subconscious mind you may have fears, unfinished business or emotions like anger that arise when they are inappropriate. So my main focus is to help patients look beyond their mind-made reality. In the silence beyond their thoughts exists what I call the Wisdom of the Body. This is where powerful inner resources are found completely free from ego’s limitation.
With no fear or anxious thinking, you can approach death with love in your heart. That puts you into a receptive state of mind where you accept challenges free from limitations. Imagine someone you love or your relationship with God to fill up your heart and be confident.
Our breath gives life to whatever we breathe into. A complete breath is where we breathe into silence. The root of the word “worry” comes from “choke”. When you breathe into anxious thinking, it cuts your breath short and you choke. Breathing into silence is the best antidote for worry because you are giving life you to a reality beyond your limitations. Many people do that naturally when they feel love, but when you are in a struggle, you have to take control.
This is how people can learn to take control of breathing when they face a serious challenge: First, stretch out your dominate arm. This arm represents your thinking mind. Next, with the other arm, which represents your breath, breathe into silence by having that hand go beyond thinking. Negative thoughts mean nothing unless you breathe into them. Breathing into the silence beyond thinking activates your inner wisdom. So instead of an anxious ego dealing with your situation, inner wisdom takes on that challenge.
This says nothing about what you think; it just focuses on what listens to your thoughts. Breathe into thoughts and you give them life to interpret your challenge. Breathe into silence and you give your deepest wisdom life to deal with your challenge. If you do this before you go to sleep and upon awakening, it becomes a habit. Then, by a simple breath, you trigger a reaction where wisdom comes alive. It takes time to develop this habit, but in your final days it is time well spent.
The quality of life does not depend on the health of your body; it depends on your focus.
Marc Lerner is author of A Healthy Way to be Sick and host of an internet radio show of the same name. On Amazon.com/A Healthy Way to be Sick, you can download e-books related to each show episode. The larger book specifically deals with avoiding negative thoughts. Go to: http://lifeskillsinc.com to view archived shows and an overview of his work.
© 2011 Marc Lerner and Life Skills Institute
Marc Lerner is the President of Life Skills Institute and has been working with people in a health struggle since 1982. He is the author of A HEALTHY WAY TO BE SICK, which teaches you how to consciously create yourself in the midst of a health challenge. You can view a mini-copy of this book at: http://ahealthywaytobesick.org He also conducts tele-seminars that lead you through the main techniques of this book, where you will do over 20 experiential techniques on your own to support the main techniques.
Marc has had MS since 1981, is legally blind and in a wheelchair. The idea of a healthy way to be sick reflects a positive spirit during difficult times. If a patient consciously approached the healing process, they would become valuable partners with their doctor. Marc has been working with people in a health crisis for decades and knows that this is a significant resource in a national health plan. Marc has developed simple techniques that transport your consciousness to powerful inner resources which can reduce medical expenses and personal anxiety.
Marc Lerner and Life Skills Institute is open to network with other people dealing with health challenges or any challenge you cannot control. Marc can adapt the Life Skills Approach to meet any challenge. Struggles have one incredible quality; if you approach them consciously, they can force you to grow.