Gary Green's Blog, page 10

No Time for Mindfulness

A complaint I have heard many times over the years I have been teaching mindfulness is: “I am far too busy to practice mindfulness.” I thought I would say a few words about that.

When I first started meditating my main job was working for my parents on their dairy farm. While we were quite busy (as any dairy farmer can attest), I made a point of following my instructor’s instructions to meditate twice daily for twenty minutes each time. There were times when my parents were not pleased about this. The reason I was so dedicated is that at the time I was severely depressed, though I didn’t recognize my condition as such. I was convinced that my problem was stress and that meditating would help with that—and it did.

I was drowning and meditation was my life preserver. However, as I started recovering I sometimes got so busy I forgot to meditate. One missed session led to another. Soon weeks passed, then months, then–I’m sorry to report—years. However, as more time passed since my last meditation some of my old symptoms returned.

In my youth I suffered migraine headaches. Regular meditation kept them at bay. After some years of not meditating they returned. Insomnia returned. I found time to start again.

When I worked in manufacturing I would meditate on my breaks. When I was the director of the mental health facility I sometimes meditated on breaks, but generally saved it for after work. As my understanding of mindfulness grew I found that I could do many tasks placed before me in a mindful way and I became more efficient and effective.

What I tell people now is this: Most people, if they really want to, can find even five or ten minutes at some point to do a deep relaxation type of mindfulness practice. For example: counting your breath or using a mantra. This will get you practiced in gently directing your attention to one thing; and it will give you experience with the “Relaxation Response”.

I think most people have heard of the “fight or flight” response to stress. The relaxation response is the opposite of that. Things that go up during fight or flight, like heart rate and blood pressure, go down during the relaxation response—and for a while afterward.

So, start with deep relaxation. Then, as you go through your day see if you can use the same skill of directing your attention to one thing to direct your attention to the tasks that present themselves. Most people find that as they do that they become more effective and can finish tasks in less time. So they end up with more time.

Additionally, as they incorporate other principles of mindfulness like acceptance and compassion things just don’t bother them so much. With less on their mind they become more efficient and have more time.

So, people who say they don’t have time for mindfulness are on a treadmill of their own choosing. They can get off if they choose. They can find five or ten minutes a day to start a new life.

If you want to learn more about meditation check out the sample chapter of The Mindful Lifestyle on this website: https://authorgarygreen.wordpress.com/my-books/the-mindful-lifestyle/the-mindful-lifestyle-sample-chapter/

A FREE book and a chance to win $50

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free book and a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

Everyone who signs up for my newsletter can download a PDF copy of Rebecca’s Initiation, my new fantasy:

Rebecca’s Initiation is a fast paced fantasy adventure about a young girl who loses her mother in a car accident and has to go live with her grandmother. Her grandmother is an extraordinary woman who lets Rebecca in on her secret and initiates her into a world of magic populated with fairies, gnomes, elves and a dragon. She soon learns that her mother’s death was not an accident and that she was the intended victim. She has to learn how to defend herself—and learn fast. This entertaining story teaches valuable life lessons that anyone can use.

Of course, anyone who wants to post a review on Goodreads or Amazon will have my undying gratitude.

There will be a random drawing on Sept. 1 to determine which of my subscribers will win the $50 gift card. Just click on the signup link and follow the instructions.

The real question is: What is in the newsletter that would make anyone want to sign up? Well, there will be exclusive content like previews, contests, discount coupons for my books, tips on mindfulness, and lots of other stuff. Also, feedback from my readers. Let’s make this fun and interesting.

News and Violence

I have been working hard all week on my website. This is my first post on the new and improved model. Please feel free to look around. You will find sample chapters from each of my books and if you sign up for my news letter you can download a free PDF of Rebecca’s Initiation. People seem to like it and you can’t beat free.

Also, I am doing another giveaway on Goodreads. So, you can enter to win a signed copy or you can sign up and download a free PDF.

There has been a lot on my mind this week so I thought I would just get it out.

It came to my attention that the cover of “Rebecca’s Initiation” has been featured on a website called something like “Terrible Book Covers”. Apparently there is a group of people who have nothing better to do than post mean comments about book covers. I actually thought it was kind of funny. At least they are talking about it. One of the people commented that it looked like “dino-porn”. Dino-porn? Really? Someone else responded that the guy that did it probably had never heard of dino-porn. That guy is correct.

I’m going to miss John Stewart. His replacement is going to have big shoes to fill, but I wish him well.

There has been a rash of violence in the past month. It has become common place. Everybody wants to carry a gun. Because of the shooting in Chattanooga recruiting offices are going to have armed guards. Violence begets violence. While I agree that a society must protect itself, I think that violence fails in the long run.

I think that the only solution, the final solution, rests with the individual. As for me, I find that it is helpful to expand my view to see my self not as a white man, not as an American, but as a human being. Like all human beings, I am happiest when I feel connected to my group of close friends, when I have work I love and when I am fully present in each moment.

When I look at things the way they really are I know that I owe my very existence and everything in it to others. I feel gratitude for that and that opens me up to the possibilities that each moment presents.

I also know that I am not perfect and sometimes my actions have hurt others. I strive to learn from that and not repeat those actions. I also know that I must forgive those who have harmed me–be it intentionally or not. If I am worthy of forgiveness then so are they. Also, carrying a grudge generally hurts me more than it does anyone else. It is about the past. I am trying to live in the present.

I don’t claim to be perfect. That is the work of a lifetime–perhaps many lifetimes. But I am working on it. Perhaps if each of us worked on ourselves the world would change and violence would be a thing of the past.

I have been working hard all week on my website. This is ...

I have been working hard all week on my website. This is my first post on the new and improved model. Please feel free to look around. You will find sample chapters from each of my books and if you sign up for my news letter you can download a free PDF of Rebecca’s Initiation. People seem to like it and you can’t beat free.

Also, I am doing another giveaway on Goodreads. So, you can enter to win a signed copy or you can sign up and download a free PDF.

There has been a lot on my mind this week so I thought I would just get it out.

It came to my attention that the cover of “Rebecca’s Initiation” has been featured on a website called something like “Terrible Book Covers”. Apparently there is a group of people who have nothing better to do than post mean comments about book covers. I actually thought it was kind of funny. At least they are talking about it. One of the people commented that it looked like “dino-porn”. Dino-porn? Really? Someone else responded that the guy that did it probably had never heard of dino-porn. That guy is correct.

I’m going to miss John Stewart. His replacement is going to have big shoes to fill, but I wish him well.

There has been a rash of violence in the past month. It has become common place. Everybody wants to carry a gun. Because of the shooting in Chattanooga recruiting offices are going to have armed guards. Violence begets violence. While I agree that a society must protect itself, I think that violence fails in the long run.

I think that the only solution, the final solution, rests with the individual. As for me, I find that it is helpful to expand my view to see my self not as a white man, not as an American, but as a human being. Like all human beings, I am happiest when I feel connected to my group of close friends, when I have work I love and when I am fully present in each moment.

When I look at things the way they really are I know that I owe my very existence and everything in it to others. I feel gratitude for that and that opens me up to the possibilities that each moment presents.

I also know that I am not perfect and sometimes my actions have hurt others. I strive to learn from that and not repeat those actions. I also know that I must forgive those who have harmed me–be it intentionally or not. If I am worthy of forgiveness then so are they. Also, carrying a grudge generally hurts me more than it does anyone else. It is about the past. I am trying to live in the present.

I don’t claim to be perfect. That is the work of a lifetime–perhaps many lifetimes. But I am working on it. Perhaps if each of us worked on ourselves the world would change and violence would be a thing of the past.

The King is Dead, Long Live the King

I think we can all agree that there are several aspects of the killing of Cecil the lion that are shameful. However, since it cannot be undone I have to wonder if there is any good that can come of it. If I can set aside any judgmental thinking I have about a certain dentist or the system that allowed him to do such a thing, I believe that there are some good things that have or will come out of this tragic event.

It brings world-wide attention to the fate of endangered animals. Most of us go through our daily lives without giving a thought to lions or any other animals that human activity have put at risk. Every once in a while something happens that makes everyone sit up and take notice.
Once upon a time trophy hunting of big dangerous animals was a socially approved activity. In fact, often the big game hunters were looked up to. Those days are over. The world-wide uproar over this event sends a clear message that it is no longer socially acceptable.
If the dentist can avoid going to jail, I am guessing he will think twice before engaging in this kind of activity. Furthermore, others of his kind will similarly be deterred. I am not naïve enough to think that all big game trophy hunting will end. But it is crippled by this event and the controversy it triggered.
In a larger sense, it brings attention to the issues of endangered species and how we humans must learn to live with nature. We are born of this world and must learn to live in harmony with it.

I feel compelled at this time to state that I am a hunter. In my life I have hunted many kinds of small game and white-tail deer. I no longer hunt small game, but I do continue to hunt deer. There are a lot of deer where I live and they take a significant portion of my crops. Additionally, they damage small trees that I have planted by eating their leaves and twigs, as well as scraping the bark off with their antlers. So, I hunt deer to control their population, as well as provide food. I like venison. I see this as a much different thing than going to Africa to kill an animal that has had no effect on my life. In my case I am trying to live in harmony with my immediate environment. Hunting deer is part of that effort.

In conclusion, it is not my place to pass judgment on this dentist. A court somewhere will do that. What I can and should do is look at my own life to see if I am interacting with nature in a respectful way. I encourage everyone to do the same.

Some thoughts on farming

Well, here we are in the middle of summer and its hot and humid here in central Minnesota. I do a bit of farming and I thought I’d talk a bit about that. I have fifty acres of land that was part of the farm I grew up on. It is located on what is called a glacial moraine. A glacial moraine is basically a big pile of gravel that was left here when the glaciers melted. There are numerous gravel pits in my area.

So, my land is composed of gravel hills with small fertile valleys in between. I decided long ago, after watching my father’s crops burn up with drought every summer that the best use of the hills would be to grow trees. Toward that end 22 years ago we planted over 11,000 trees. I plant more every year.

The fertile valleys I use for crops. In the past I have planted all my fields to soybeans because they don’t require the heavy fertilizer that corn does and are financially rewarding. I have gradually diversified. This year I have soybeans, corn, alfalfa, wheat, barley and oats. I am trying to move to a more organic farming method. I say this because I want you to understand what I am trying to do here. I want to talk about each of my crops and explain my rationale for planting each one.

I plant “Glyphosate resistant” soybeans. That means that I can spray them with Roundup to kill the weeds and the soybeans are unharmed. It works well, but I don’t like it. I don’t like the idea of putting poisons into the environment. I know that glyphosate breaks down quickly and is alleged to not leave a residue. But it is just the idea of it I don’t like. However, soybeans are one of the most profitable crops I can raise. So I do what I must and keep looking for a better way.

Two years ago I went to our local farmers market and bought six ears of “Indian corn” or calico corn. Last year I planted the seeds from that. I was quite impressed with it. Some of the stalks were ten feet tall. While I did not calculate the per-acre yield, it seemed pretty good considering no fertilizers or pesticides were used. I do not agree with the current agricultural model that in the Midwest is based primarily on corn and soybeans. I think it is responsible for the demise of many small rural communities. However, I think that raising a bit of corn every year to feed my own livestock would be OK.

My wheat crop this year was interesting. I did not plant it. Two years ago I planted wheat as a nurse crop for sweet clover. Sweet clover is a biennial plant (does not produce seed until the second year, then dies) that is very useful in building the soil because it pulls nitrogen from the air and grows quite tall. Then when the plant is worked into the soil the fertilizer becomes available for the next crop. Anyway, last year I harvested the seed and worked the residue into the soil. Apparently, there was enough wheat seed left from the previous year that most of the little field came up to wheat. It was not a thick stand but since it was essentially free I considered myself lucky. The thing that impressed me was the character of the field. It was the tallest wheat I have ever raised, but stood up well in the several wind storms we had—better than the barley or oats. Additionally, the ground was covered with first year sweet clover. That means that next year I will have a crop of sweet clover there to harvest for seed.

The barley was a hull-less variety. That means that when it is harvested no further processing is needed to make it people food. I can hardly wait for the beef and barley soup. Also it is good for livestock.

The oats are also a hull-less variety. This is a big deal with oats. The indigestible hull on oats has always been difficult to remove. With this variety the hulls come off in the combine. This leaves the oats ready for making oatmeal or cookies. Oats are good for you and for your livestock too. My chickens love them.

I planted the alfalfa to feed cattle. I don’t have any cattle at this point. So, I have yet to harvest it. It is my intent to cut the hay and use it for mulch and compost. My fruit trees and garden will thank me. I may even spread some on next year’s corn.

You may be wondering what all this has to do with personal growth or mindfulness. Well, each and every one of us is dependent on the abundance of the earth for survival. Everybody eats. Our modern agricultural system, with thousands of acres devoted to one crop, does not strive to live in harmony. It beats the land into submission. I believe that going forward this system is destined to fail. By being fully present I am able to see what the land wants to grow. By growing trees on the gravel hills I have accepted that corn is not a good match. While that land does not produce a cash crop currently, I am able to supplement my heat with the wood I cut there. Additionally, I have quite a few black walnut tree that provide human food. I also have some chestnuts and pecans that are still too young to produce nuts, but they will someday. By being fully present and accepting of what the land is telling me I can learn to live in harmony with it. In the long run isn’t that what we all have to do?

More Free Books

I am running 2 giveaways on Goodreads. The first one is my YA fantasy “Rebecca’s Initiation”. People seem to like it so far. Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/144506-rebecca-s-initiation

The second giveaway is my first book “In Pursuit of Joy”. It was rated 4.3 stars on Goodreads. Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/144841-in-pursuit-of-joy

There are 5 copies of each available. Enter early and enter often.

Book Giveaways

I just finished two Goodreads book giveaways. I like doing them. As an author I can decide in which countries the giveaway is available. Since we live in a global society I have opened it up to the bulk of the English speaking world and also China. So far I have sent books to the US, Canada, Great Britain and India. Hopefully the winners will spread the word.

Goodreads has a policy that you can’t run a giveaway for books that have been out more than six months. Since “In Pursuit of Joy” has been out longer than that I have been enclosing a copy of it with the copies of “The Mindful Lifestyle”  people have won. I’ll just have to see how that works out.

I am currently running another giveaway of “Rebecca’s Initiation”. So far it has been well received. Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/144506-rebecca-s-initiation

Death and Forgiveness

I am sure we are all aware of recent events in South Carolina. A sad little boy with a gun murdered 9 people in a church. I was so disgusted by it that I was going to not respond in this blog because I did not want to give any more publicity to this most recent tragedy. Already they seem to be happening with increasing frequency.

However, I was moved by the reaction of the families of the victims. Many of them spoke up at his first hearing to say they forgave him. What a powerful message. In many communities there would have been rioting in the streets, as we have seen too many times lately. However, in Charleston we see a community coming together for support. There is a lesson here for us all.

I imagine that most of us in a similar situation would be angry. That would be our first reaction. I imagine that it was the same for these families. However, they held the ideals of compassion and forgiveness and moved past their anger. I am sure that there are still moments when the anger returns—at least that is how it would be for me. But they keep returning to forgiveness and compassion.

It is a mindfulness practice, really. They direct their attention to forgiveness and let go of their anger—again and again. I think it is similar to “radicle acceptance”, where a person learns to accept the “unacceptable” by releasing the judgmental thoughts that arise. The terrible events happened. Nothing can change that, but life must go on.

I think the most notable quote from this is, “We won’t let the hate win.”

I see this as similar to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They were able to prevent a bloodbath when the Black majority took over the government by acknowledging that the terrible events occurred and giving the victims and/or their families a chance to be heard. They were able to move past the terror and build a society.

On a related issue, I personally think it is terrible to fly the Confederate flag in any capacity. It is a symbol of a horrific time in our history. As the battle flag of a government and society that was built on racism it serves as a rallying point for people who hold to the ideal that people of European origin are inherently superior in every way to people of African origin. (The irony here is that most African-Americans also have European ancestors.)

However, if we are to live in a free society we must allow people to hold and advocate a wide variety of opinions. So, it falls to each of us as individuals to examine our ideals with a critical eye. If you find that your ideals, like the perpetrator on this tragedy, mean someone must die I suggest you re-think your ideals. Hate begets hate and retribution without end. The only solution is forgiveness and reconciliation.

Think about it.

On another matter, today is the last day of my Goodreads giveaway of “The Mindful Lifestyle”. Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/143060-the-mindful-lifestyle

Book Giveaway

I am running another book giveaway on Goodreads. I am giving away 5 copies of “The Mindful Lifestyle”.

Here is the Amazon description: The self-help and inspirational book The Mindful Lifestyle describes mindfulness practices in detail, with the idea that everyone can benefit by learning and practicing mindfulness meditation. Many examples and exercises are provided. While it is a small and concise book, it covers all aspects of mindfulness in an easy to understand way, and suggests that meditation can be more than a practice one does a few minutes a day. It can be a lifestyle choice.

If you want to enter click here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/143060-the-mindful-lifestyle?utm_medium=email&utm_source=giveaway_approved