Comments for Mornum Time

Comment on This is your forum by Gail Flynn

Gail Flynn — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:46:55 +0000

Is this blog still active??!

Comment on Stroke of Insight by SØREN POULSEN

SØREN POULSEN — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:51:17 +0000

A dane in berlin

HALLO BEIDE

ONE TVIBEL

Comment on Stroke of Insight by online stock trading advice

online stock trading advice — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:14:50 +0000

There’s good info here. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog. Keep up the good work mate!

I’m Out!

Comment on Stroke of Insight by Annette C Eckert

Annette C Eckert — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:53:30 +0000

Report about the treatment by Annette Eckert (Aug.05 – Aug.06)

I am 64 years of age and suffered a brain infarct with a pronounced paralysis on one side nine years ago. I did not want to accept the paralysis and have therefore, in irregular intervals, obtained “kranken-gymnastische” treatment from good therapists.
A friend of mine who hadn’t seen me for a long time was struck by my strenuous movements. She suggested to get an appointment with Frau Eckert. This was one year ago. She has been coming to me twice a week since then – of late only once a week.
Already at the first session I was speechless: I have very often been massaged, been touched, but I have never experienced this releasing kind of pressing, stretching, light shaking without hurry or effort, without “purpose”.
Instead of somebody pressing hard on tense muscles, I experienced a widening in places which were not noticed by therapists. There was no hasty grip or hurry, but tender stretches and vibrating movements.
My toes which had to keep me in an equilibrium were cramped up and shortened, I couldn’t stretch out the paralysed leg, my left arm was cramped and bent down, I couldn’t lift a single finger, my shoulders were pulled up high and to the front. Very hard muscles.
Instead of working on the neck, she very softly and with much time, touched my head, maybe in the way I have missed as a child. Times were tough then.
The shoulders all flat on the couch. She paid strict attention that I did not ‘help’ her with her movements. It has since been possible for me to get up without effort and to walk in the garden.
Very unusual: I wasn’t meant to look at the floor anymore. For protection, she walked alongside. First of all, always again: The posture of the head.
I have not received a particular task to exercise.
In walking, sitting down, getting up she reminded me time and again to keep the head free, to let the back feel wide, and to let the feet unwind(unroll), and to enjoy this movement.
This lightness with which I’m able to move now, get up, sit down, use the left arm in carrying and gripping, use scissors with my left to cut my fingernails is hard to believe.
I might walk slowly, but I won’t be rushed anymore.
I am grateful.

Dr. Dorothea Ridder
Goethestr. 26 a

Comment on This is your forum by robin moeckli

robin moeckli — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:51:59 +0000

Great idea Jerry!
I’m finding rereading ‘the Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle useful for AT practice. He says ‘ask yourself – is there joy, ease and lightness in what I am doing?’ I would then add, if not, can you let there be more? Sounds like an AT lesson with different vocabulary to me. To find enough peace of mind in troubled (or interesting) times is a daily struggle for me. So many thoughts and duties seem to pull in all directions. To find the next thing to go about calmly, not to be unduly irritated by the students who come late or cancel unnecessarily. Just living my life in a reasonable way does not seem to me easier after 39 years of AT lessons and practice. Increasing awareness seems to bring increased responsibility. However it is a daily privilege to apply thinking in activity to my life.

Robin Möckli

Comment on This is your forum by jerry

jerry — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:20:41 +0000

My comments were not meant to undermine the very real value we experience from working on ourselves, or from lessons if we are studying with a particular teacher at a particular time. I was simply trying to capture one aspect of the Technique that creates difficulties for many, that unlike studying the piano or tennis or dance, the signposts of progress are harder to read, to be certain they are what they appear to be. We continue on, because we have an underlying confidence that the direction we are moving in is the right one, but, for many, uncertainty persistently nips at one’s heels. I think that is one of the main jobs of the teacher: to inspire the student to keep exploring, while not overselling the Technique itself. The paradox, as I see it, is that we have an inefficient tool that can make remarkable changes.

Comment on This is your forum by npchapman

npchapman — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:51:04 +0000

Hi Jerry

Thanks for the forum. Great to spill out your thoughts occasionally. I have had the problem of feeling ‘there must be more.’ Also of students getting frustrated they ‘couldn’t do it themselves.’

I think all this is a load of old endgaining! Once I stop worrying about it and think about my inhibition and direction, I always remember that in terms of what there is to learn and to teach. I have only just begun. And I try to convey this to my students. But, if they won’t stop endgaining, well there is very little anyone can do about it really. Trying a new teacher might help for a while!

Cheers

Nick Chapman

Comment on This is your forum by Constance Clare-Newman

Constance Clare-Newman — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:13:46 +0000

Hello Jerry,
Thanks for starting the conversation.
I am wondering what inspired you to address the “not quite working” question. Do you find this is a common issue with long-term students and also teachers?
My own experience is less “I should be this way…” oriented. Not that I am perfect by any means, but I am aware that I have ongoing choices to be “more conscious or awake” whenever I have the capacity. And when I, for many varied reasons, may not have the capacity to be fully present, conscious and choiceful, at least I can remember to allow my neck to be free.
My students often comment that remembering to be aware is the most challenging part of learning the Technique. I think that remembering, and mindfulness of what is going on moment-to-moment, is a skill that we build on as we practice. All of us, at whatever level, practice building this mindfulness; it’s just that the layers of awareness and the fullness of choice get deeper and more layered.
So at my best, I have a far greater sensory awareness, understanding of my habitual patterns and ability to choose than I had when I began lessons. And at my worst, my habits are not as bad as they used to be!

Comment on This is your forum by Kerry

Kerry — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:12:52 +0000

As a novice, the most striking thing about AT has been the emphasis on relaxing muscles, rather than on exerting them. I do find there is exertion involved, in the sense of mental intention. But it’s more like the “exertion” in relaxing one’s “monkey mind” during meditation. In fact, there are many parallels to meditation, such as a gentle awareness of different parts of the body—the alert relaxation involved in meditative sitting. Has this connection been remarked upon? Do others, including more advanced practitioners, feel it?