In 2000 I started attending a meditation course, I also started yoga classes, and that was a turning point for me mentally and spiritually, and I have to say now that I live with Fibro, a huge head start to keep me more positive, motivated and focused during this challenging time.
I was heading towards my 30th birthday and hadn’t really subscribed to the concept of milestone birthdays up to this point, but this seemed to be a milestone moment. I also started reading a lot, like I hadn’t done before, devouring book after book on personal and spiritual development, I had found content that spoke to me. The first book I read was ‘Ancient Wisdom, Modern World’ by HH The Dalai Lama. It was a light bulb moment, and resonated with my own thoughts, feelings and questions.
What this all gives me now is a spiritual approach and enlightened perspective on how to view and live with the daily challenge of Fibro. My current situation is only good or bad in the context of what and how society demands that I am able to contribute, and if I compare myself to other’s lives. Granted, being able to return to work would be a huge financial bonus, but it is not possible at present due to the decline in my cognitive function. The situation just is what it is, and there are many lessons within that. True, sometimes thinking too much in this way ties me up in knots, but upon reflection I realise this is in the context of societal demands.
What I need when my symptoms are bad is to find peace to calm my nervous system and regain focus. What meditation continues to teach me, and challenge me with is finding peace even in the most challenging times or situations – ultimately the only location you can go is within.
I have found, both when working in challenging logistics roles including management, and now managing my daily challenges of a life with Fibro, that through regular dedicated meditation time, with nice ambient or meditation specific music in a quiet room, I can go and find the peace that lives within when I am in a more challenging or stressful environment. I think this is an essential skill, especially for those of us introverted, highly sensitive people, and should be taught from a young age for everyone. It’s there for all of us if we can do the preparation and want to find it. It’s in the breath we take when feeling overwhelmed, being mindful of how our senses are contributing and mentally reducing the input to understand what our body and mind needs.
I have included a link below to one of the meditation tracks I use regularly on YouTube. There are lots available so look for something that resonates with you, it might take a little while, and after time your needs can change, so try something else. Even after all these years I sometimes struggle to get in the zone, sometimes I need to change the music, then all of a sudden it clicks and I don’t want to stop. My top tips are;
- Sit or lay in a comfortable position. If I lay down, only when I’m really tired and might drift off, I find putting my hands on my stomach or chest, feeling the gentle rise and fall, relaxing.
- Breath slowly and deliberately into your chest and stomach, ignore any frustrations or anxiety.
- Don’t worry about thoughts that pop in, just say in your mind ‘not now’, eventually your mind and body will slow down.
- Don’t worry about what others think – this is your quality time.
- Follow the slow rhythm of the music with your breath.
- If you want, come up with a short, positive mantra. I like to slowly say as I breathe ‘I am calm, happy and peaceful’ or the Buddhist mantra for compassion, ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. It’s amazing how you can feel this practice lighten your load.
- Don’t get frustrated if you drift off, it’s still beneficial and is what your body needs.
- Try listening to a short track when you go to bed to help you drift off, there are some tracks that run for several hours that will see you through the night if you like.
Over time I have found that once in the zone, time literally flies by, although I’m far from the days when one hour regularly felt like five minutes. Regardless of how long or how short your meditation, it’s all beneficial for mind and body.
The images used in this post are from a range I created in various colours from a photography of one of my Buddha statues.
Fibro & Photos 
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