Ulcerative Colitis and Meditation

I really started Meditating in June of last year during a Vipassana Meditation Retreat. By really meditating I mean consistently connecting and doing a practice that resonated with me and made sense. I never could sit still for that long, it was too difficult, it just didn’t appeal to me. It didn’t make sense logically or experientially to me, and that is the purpose of Vipassana, to balance the two. The purpose of this meditation is to observe the sensations of the body in silence. To attempt to do this for one hour at a time or however long you can. It begins with the breathe, observing the inhale and the exhale as it comes and as it goes. Focusing the mind on the breathe, and by focusing the mind, no longer creating thoughts that don’t serve you. Once you focus the mind you can open it up to looking deeper within different parts of yourself. Bringing up things that have been hidden away within yourself, things that lead to illness and imbalance in your body. Sitting in stillness and watching your body in equanimity is the way to not react to your own reactions and distractions. Thus, when external stimuli attempt to distract your happiness and contentment from moment to moment, you will, ultimately, not react. It will not affect you as much, as quickly or as strongly as it once had. In the case of illness and Ulcerative Colitis you will not respond to the symptoms as you once had. You will be more relaxed, more aware, and more prepared to deal with the stresses that come, and hopefully they never will, because, through meditation you have calmed the mind, and are better able to recognize the stresses and past stepping stones that have caused the illness to arise in the first place. A calm mind, means less stress, means more energy on a day to day basis, and you are able to thrive in your health, appreciating the days and years you spend symptom free. Vipassana is one of the best and most difficult things that I have ever done. Check it our here (Vipassana) More at : http://brendenpettingill.com/index.php/2017/01/22/ulcerative-colitis-and-meditation/