I found a wonderful audiobook by Pema Chodron: Getting Unstuck: Breaking Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality. It's a series of talks about meditation and being stuck in unhealthy patterns in our lives. She really addresses the struggles many of us encounter day to day as we try to change our eating habits (or other unhealthy habits). If anyone happens by and is interested in discussing practice here, email me. Caryl

Its so easy to wrap my self in everyday concerns that meditation takes the back seat. I've been ill the last few days and I think part of it is because my body is telling me to relax. During the holidays I would try to calm my mind but it was hard. Now I remember my body is as important as my mind. Last night I used some meditative music and was finally able to completely let go. Is there some part of your meditation routine missing?. Sometimes its a simple thing needed to get you back into the place you need. I too feel the need for a spiritual retreat but in the mean time will search for the retreat within. Betty

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Janice, Thanks for posting! There are many different styles of meditation. I practice in the Zen tradition so that's what I know best. 1. Find a comfortable sitting position, in a chair or crosslegged on the floor. Lying down isn't generally recommended since we tend to associate that with sleep. Whatever you choose, be sure that your back is straight and relaxed (not ramrod military straight!) - same for your head, neck and shoulders. Eyes can be opened but softly focused, or closed if you prefer. You can just fold your hands in your lap. 2. Breathing. This is very important. Focus you attention about two inches below your naval. You want to take deep, full breaths from your diaphgram. Just as babies or opera singers do. You are able to take in more air in this way than with "pump up the chest" style breathing, as your lungs expand downward. The focus below the naval stimulates a nerve center that promotes the generation of energy. This same principle is at work in yoga, taichi, martial arts, etc. The breathing rate should be natural not forced. With time you'll notice that you start to breath very slowly with no effort. 3. Mind. Simply count your exhalations from one to ten. The count can be as long as the exhale; onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnne, twoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, etc. Initially this can prove to be quite a challenge, as thoughts arise and before we know it we are off in a kind of dream state. Remembering some event from long ago or planning something in the future. It happens to all of us. When you notice that you have lost count, stop, acknowledge/recognize the thoughts and start over again. The goal is not to "get to ten" but rather to become aware of when we are day-dreaming and to become more aware of the present moment. We are not trying to stifle thought but rather let it settle down naturally. An image often given is that of a glass of muddy water. Stir it and it will never get clear, let it sit and eventually all of the cloudyness settles down, revealing the true clarity. Just like exercise, regular periods of meditation are the most effective. Start with just five minutes after waking or before bed. In time these short periods will fly by and you'll have no trouble sitting for longer. The simple beauty is that you have everything you need to do this wherever you are - it comes in handy while waiting in the doctor's office or on bus rides. Simple but not so easy! But it does work. Given a few weeks you'll probably notice changes in how you deal with situations that life offers and you'll certainly be more aware of the tired, old, re-runs that all of us are playing in our heads (and that we subsequently act out of in our lives). Please post/email if anything I said above is unclear. Good luck! jmw

I had heard of the surgery in the mid 80's. I went to a consultation and was certainly a candidate. Ultimately, I was too scared to go through with it and I had that "this is the easy way out" idea. 15 years and many pounds later I decided too look into it again. Other than sleep apnea I never had any serious health problems, but I could see my 40th birthday a few years away and knew what lay ahead. So I figured "now or never". Even though I had some difficulties in adjusting to a thinner self (and those contributed to the end of my marriage), I have never regretted it.