“Human suffering (our suffering) is most apparent when the mind (ego) is actively processing lower energy thought such as “guilt, shame or fear.” This unconscious playback of negative beliefs about ourselves, our world and others, keep us from expressing the beauty and magnificence of who we truly are.”
Cold Showers – Are there benefits you should know about?
I came across an article in late 2018 about people having and enjoying a cold shower and immediately thought, are they crazy! We’ve all watched people jump into a lake or river water in winter usually as a challenge or for charity and said “no way am I ever doing that!”
But, as I read more about cold and the possible benefit from having cold showers I was intrigued. A guy named Wim Hof (nicknamed the “IceMan”) kept coming up. This guy at first glace seems a bit crazy and yet he is able to do extraordinary things?
So I needed to know more and kept reading. There are people all over the world taking cold showers and not just once or twice a week, but every time they shower or can swim somewhere cold. Many of these people document months or years of their lives and are very honest and thoughtful in outlining what they perceive as beneficial from their cold therapy experience.
Not being one to sit on the sidelines if a practice seems helpful, I took up the challenge to know more. I had my first cold shower about 6 weeks ago and it was damn cold and not very pleasant. The next day I had another cold shower and thought, what am I doing, but did notice feeling quite awake and alert afterward. Day three was better in that I didn’t experience the shock to the cold water for as long and really felt good afterward. As the days progressed and I continued to have cold showers I realized that the initial adjustment to the cold sensation was changing. In about 5-10 seconds I was comfortable in the cold water and although the water hitting me was cold, I wasn’t cold, which is very similar to what people doing this were saying.
If you have every run the tap and put your hand under the water waiting for it to become a specific temperature you will have experienced the same thing I did in the shower. As your hand become used to the water you become unsure what the actual temperature is, needing to touch the water with your other hand to verify the water temperature. This idea of cold becoming tolerable is quite interesting!
As weeks pasted and more cold showers took place I noticed being outside in the cold winter air I felt warmer than it normally would have, just like in the shower. I felt alert and awake right after my shower and strangely wasn’t hustling to get warm (keep in mind that my showers would never be more than 3-5 minutes). One day after an extend time outdoors working and moving snow I thought I would treat myself to a hot shower and had a most interesting experience. The hot water actually seemed to reduce energy flow and I started to feel gross and groggy, as if the battery which is my energy was somehow shutting down.
For the record, I have since had a couple more warm showers (not hot) and have felt fine but certainly not as energized like from a cold shower.
So what is the deal with cold showers?
Although I have little data of my own to share, I can say that cold showers are not harmful. I can also say that if you dare to start having cold showers expect to feel very awake and clear headed (keeping in mind that brain fog will not be eliminated fully unless all obstacles that can cause this symptom are in check). You should also notice that your skin and hair feel cleaner and less blocked with junk (still unsure why?).
So, if you dare, TRY IT!
My suggestion is to get into a shower that you are accustomed to and over the first minute adjust the temperature colder, stopping at the point where it isn’t pleasant, then continuing to adjust colder, etc. Just play with the temperature until you can get into a lukewarm shower and turn it to 80-90% cold almost right away. Because it is winter in Canada just now, full cold is not my goal for now, work with that last 10% your own way. I finish my shower with a short 15-30 seconds burst at the very end of every shower.
Here are a few resource to read and help you understand possible benefits of cold showers.
Wim Hof (IceMan)
Have Fun Getting Cold!
Tom Kelly
Awareness Without Mind Clutter
When you teach a child that a bird is called a bird, they never see the bird again. – Unknown
Peregrine Falcon, Arizona
Without realizing it we often clutter the beauty of our life experience by expanding it far beyond what is there.
In the 1980’s when music videos became popular, Neil Young made a conscious effort to “not” tell a story with the videos he made. He said “we are killing imagination by offering a story-line to go with the music we write,” and I agree with Neil.
Why not spend some time experiencing life without clutter, expanding our experience.
Eckhart Tolle often speaks about observing without adding unnecessary thought. For example, as you watch a bird, simply see the bird and enjoy the experience without adding thought such as, what a beautiful bird, what beautiful colors, etc
By eliminating thought and clutter we open to a truly Divine experience. These are magical moments of consciousness, multidimensional in what is perceived.
Why We Meditate
We meditate to go from the level of problems to the level of solutions. Will meditation solve all problems? No, but meditation allows us to see problems through a much different lens. If we are then able to step forward with a different framing of our situation, a new and more clearly defined reality will be seen.
Meditation is the path to consciousness and being conscious is like having won the lottery. The only difference being, all sensation of this glorious state continue well beyond any material success.
Crystals to Enhance Life force Energy
If you are thinking about gifts for the holidays, here are some great suggestion. Don’t forget a nice grounding / protective stone or bracelet to round out this experience!
Quote of the Day
Awareness transcends time, and when we become aware we transcend time too.
Natures Message
Last week while taking a short break from work to enjoy some sun and warm weather I had an unusual visitor join me. As I stood there enjoying the moment a small white moth flew toward me. It meandered alone its path determined to attract my attention, which it did. As the moth flew in front of me I was struck by its flight. If you have ever watched a moth fly, you will know how they seem to struggle and yet manage with an uncertain grace. She (the moth was a girl) fluttered and flopped clumsily as she literally climbed through the air molecules in front of me. She flew in awkward little circles and with my hand on my hip flew between my arm and body circling behind me, flying back around in front. She flew down near my knees, then behind me again landing softly beside my right foot. As she sat quietly on the grass a collogue who had joined me looked down at the moth, then up at me and then back down again to where the moth sat peacefully. I looked down as well and wondered how many more sleeps she might have before the seasons would fully change bringing an end to her adventure. It was in this long moment of wonder that I said, “I think we will see her again.” Not a second later she flew again, coming close one last time before departing on her journey. As she left I had a sense of cosmic understanding. We are often in the right place, yet we overlook the significance of many things that call to us. On this day, our friendly moth was determined to ensure she was noticed, and not because she would soon die, but because she was alive.
By Tom Kelly
Quote of the Day
If you are not sure what you are being told, ask spirit to repeat the intuitive thought being direct to you.
Quote of the Day
How can we love ourselves fully if we really don’t know ourselves? The depth of love we express for ourselves and all living things is directly related to the openness and presence allowed by our being. Living with an openness detached from egoic stimulation shines light on every moment we encounter. Surrendering into “our” truth brings an opportunity to experience what is real, free of burden which then allows the full expression and peace and love to evolve within.
Yoga and Healing
Those who know me understand how much I connect with Yoga. And although there is nothing that can replace doing a class in person and being part of the community, there are times when a good teacher pops up online.
For me to endorse a teacher, number one they need to have an advanced level of knowledge but more importantly, offer “safe” options in their routines. You should never leave a yoga class hurting, or in worse condition than when you started. This is why choosing a teacher is so important, whether online or in person. As a student, it is “our” responsibility to gauge our level of participation, keeping in mind growth and expansion comes over time. If we compare ourselves to students in the class we have immediately lost our reason for being there. As a yoga student one needs to be committed to our process and free of comparison. A teacher reads the class and gears the practice to keep everyone interested and safe, leading students beyond the pose and yet in sync with the group.
This week I was looking for a psoas release and came across this wonderful yoga teacher Brea Johnson. Her videos range from full-length classes to short videos specific to help to gain strength, stretch and releasing muscle groups or areas of the body. I find her approach safe and effective. If you are looking for ways to expand your daily practice and can’t get to a class in person. Brea has created a video to help you expand, get stronger and be safe.
Brea Johnson on YouTube
If you are looking for a studio to Practice in Ottawa there are many. All good studios offer trial packages to allow students to attend different classes and be with as many teachers as possible. Your goal as a student is to find a class and teacher that challenges you but also support growth on an individual level. Remember, no two people are alike, our bodies, bone structure, flexibility, and life experience are different. Thus your practice will be unique to you.
Students who fully surrender at their own level in class are often learning and experiencing far more than a student who might look great in a pose but may not see or feel a deeper sense of self. Not that any practice is right or wrong.
Here is a shout out to my studio, keeping in mind the Yoga community in Ottawa support each other – Pranashanti Yoga Centre