Merry-go-round or roller coaster?Change is inevitable. At times we greet it with openness, even though it's scary (the roller coaster). At other times, we prefer to repeat the same old routine, even though it can be boring, painful for us, or pain creating for others (the merry-go-round). The following is the story of our life when we are aware, moving with change, intending to grow, getting stuck, and growing in awareness. An Autobiography in Five Short ChaptersI. I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I feel lost. I feel helpless. It isn't my responsibility. It takes forever to find a way out. II. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in, again. I can't believe I am in this same place. But it isn't my responsibility. It still takes a long time to get out. III. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in. It's a habit but, My eyes are open and I know where I am. It is my responsibility. I get out immediately. IV. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

V. I walk down another street.

Mistaken Ideas: Dispelling 10 Myths about Meditation An excerpt from Nina Livingstone's forthcoming book, Let's not call it meditation: Common sense information for people who think they can't sit still or quiet the mind. It used to be that when meditation was suggested people would have a blank look in response. Now, people often respond by declaring that they can't meditate. They say they can't quiet their busy minds, can't sit still, or don't have time. Meditation has been written about and suggested by doctors and yoga teachers, including Deepak Chopra, H.H. Dalai Lama, Wayne Dyer, and Andrew Weil. Many people have read the books, tried meditation and decided they can't do it! The very feelings that arise from fearful thoughts of failure when trying something new, often keep us from asking a question that would dispel misunderstandings. We also tend to find others who share the same interpretation of their experience, or what they have heard from others! This is how myths are created. A person makes up a story, shares it, and somewhere along the line, people begin to believe it, share it as true with others, and feel that they are "right". Just think about the phenomenon of urban myths! (If you are new to this form of story telling, go to Google, type in urban myths and you'll find dozens of listings!) "Stray doggie adopted by tourists turns out to be a sewer rat." "Palm Beach golfer is devoured by large crocodile." When shown in the light of correct information, these myths are shown to be false. Bringing awareness and correct information into our personal myths will dispel them as well. Here's a list of myths recorded in response to years of hearing different answers to the question, "Have you tried to meditate?"

Please see if you find yourself in the list. Notice how you greet the information. Notice if there's self- judgment or openness. Notice if there's a willingness to try again- and maybe "stick with it" this time around.

Summer Classes at The Springs of Clifton Please consider joining Nina for any or all of this summer's classes if you live in the Rochester and Clifton Springs, NY area. We will experience forgiveness, compassion and meditation together. Go to the link at the bottom of this section for specifics. Nina will be teaching at the east side and west side locations of The New Life Learning Institute in the Rochester area in the Fall. Specific information will be forthcoming. Also, if you haven't explored Nina's meditation CDs, you can listen to audio samples through the CDs pages at www.healingwithawareness.com.Monday evening meditation and discussion sessions continue at Nina's home. Call or email for more info.