#my teacher did not give me guidelines beyond the fact that it had to be a system that had multiple levels to it

[abiik]

.

[zulikbuka]

The thing that still really bothers me is when my family and I had COVID-19, I informed my teachers about it and that my mental health was failing because of everything.

A couple of my teachers sympathized with me and told me I didn't need to worry about my grades and that they'll let me pass. Which made me so happy that I cried on the phone with my chemistry teacher because it was just the most happiest and relieved I've felt during that time.

However, my math teacher was really concerned in the beginning, offering to buy me food or supplies if we needed it. We were good, so I told her it was okay. But after a few days, she demanded that I do my work. Reminding me daily to do something and that I finish a lesson or so. I tried, but my attention span is short when it comes to online learning, and I was still so upset about everything and literally traumatized with certain events I'm still upset to talk about.

My sister who's a year younger than me, had COVID-19, along with a lot of my family. However, we didn't really feel sick. Maybe for a day, but we'll feel better the next. But we did lose our taste and smell, we just didn't feel particularly sick. So my little sister wanted to email her teachers and let them know that she was positive, and that our family had to seperate in order to quarantine ourselves so we could get better. This obviously took a toll on us because that meant our youngest sister had to relocate with my older sisters since she was the only negative one. We're close (even though we fight a lot), it was always us three against everyone else. So it hurt us that one of us had to go.

As you can imagine, she was upset and couldn't bring herself to complete school assignments because of it. I told her what to type and she sent the email to her teachers. Like me, a couple of her teachers sympathized (her tennis teacher and fellow team mates even planned a gift for her to make her feel better). They told her that she didn't need to worry about her grades, but if she wanted to, or felt prepared, she could work on an assignment or two. She felt better and happier that she could finally relax and not worry, and simply rest.

That is, until her government teacher emailed her back. I didn't directly read the email, but my sister summarized it for me. Basically, my sister's government teacher told her something like, "I'm so sorry to hear that! But if you're not feeling sick, or feeling bad in particular, then you should do some work because you're BEHIND. I'm not going to pass you if you don't catch up."

When my sister told me this, she looked up at me with these big sad eyes that a little sibling would give to their older one. It was sad. She couldn't rest and get better because she had to worry about one class she was behind on. Then she couldn't think about her sadness and feelings because she was more worried that she'd fail one class while being depressed and COVID-19 positive.

I was beyond upset, so I called my good friend, who's a medical student, to vent to him about it. He told me that my sister's teacher was LEGALLY unable to fail her. If the teacher failed my sister, then that teacher would have to explain why she failed her while she KNEW my sister was COVID-19 positive because that went AGAINST the guidelines that they had for my school.

I felt better after this, and I told my little sister this. She too felt better, knowing that her teacher couldn't legally fail her. But she did the work anyway.

What really grinds my gears is the fact that my sister's government teacher literally shrugged off the fact that my sister HAD COVID-19. Instead of telling her, "I understand! I'll pass you and you don't have to worry about a thing!" Her email basically said, "I don't care if you're depressed about the situation, or that you're COVID-19 positive. Just do my work or I'll fail you for making excuses."

Has this happened to anyone else? What did you guys do? How did y'all respond? I don't want to feel alone in this, and it saddens me that teachers like this can be cruel during a global pandemic.

(Reblogs would be great so my story can be spreaded more)

[theredconversegirl]

Keeping Up with The Uchihas | SSS Drabbles

Hey! 

I’m starting this post series where I’ll challenge myself to write drabbles/prompts about my favorite fictional family. ❤️

Here’s the first one:

Prompt suggested by @birkastan2018​ - I hope you enjoy it, thanks for your support, my friend! :)

Title: “Let me tell you a secret.” (*Based on a personal experience) Prompt: SasuSaku, Sarada; parent teacher conference; because she punched Boruto in the face at school; modern AU Rating: T Words: 987  

Read here too: AO3  |  FanFiction

~ Happy Reading!

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It must run in the family, he thinks, as he assesses the situation that he’s in now.

He tunes out the heated conversation that his wife is having with their daughter’s teacher and turns to the little girl that is pouting beside him, finding a twin expression of his wife’s frown plastered on her face.

Sarada is a very smart and independent kid for her age. She is proud of her skills and excels in most of things she does. And one thing that is crucial for her, to keep all her proficiencies in order, it’s discipline.

She follows rules and guidelines to a T, and often she calls out her own parents if necessary. The other day, for example, she wouldn’t stop pointing out that Papa was driving with only one hand, and that he should keep his 10-2 hands in check.

Thus, Sasuke is beyond astonished when he received a phone call from school, less than an hour ago, saying how his Little Princess had punched a student to the point that said student was unconscious for a while.

Although Sarada is almost a clone of himself, she is also fierce, stubborn, and knows how to carry a wrath like her mother.

He glances at his wife; she’s fuming, the crinkle between her eyes deepening after every sentence. And that’s when he confirms: it runs in the family, indeed.

At that realization, he flinches, recalling numerous fights he experienced with his beloved wife.

Their house rule is simple: No violence. Everything can be resolved with a civil conversation.

Well, it’s more like Sakura’s rule.

To be honest, he thinks that everyone should learn how to defend themselves at the bare minimum. That’s why he taught the basics of kata to Sarada – not that anyone (his wife) is aware of that fact though.

The teacher explained how Sarada had punched the idiot’s son – Boruto – after a false allegation that Sarada can’t be that good in everything if she needed glasses to see, a simple thing that almost everyone can do.

The initial tease wasn’t the cause of the punch per se, but it escalated to a point that her family tree and heritage were questioned. That’s when, little Sarada went berserk and hit him square in the face.

First thing you need to know about The Uchihas: do not mess with their family!

He’s still a little perplexed with the whole thing, when he notices that Shino – the teacher – pales considerably.

Even though Sakura agrees that her baby is on fault, that Sarada shouldn’t have punched Boruto, she also knows that verbal violence is as damaging as a sore cheek and bloody nose.

So, Sakura lashes out, with the full force of her mother-hen instincts, clarifying that in no uncertain terms that is acceptable, and the school shouldn’t allow it again.

As he senses the conversation is almost over, he crouches down in front of Sarada, staying in eye level. He pokes her forehead to get her attention and she barely eases her scowl.

“Do you understand what you did?” He asks, looking her in the eyes with that pointed look parents are so supposed to have – he’s not sure if he is successful though.

“Hn.”

He sighs because he can’t really complain about her monosyllabic replies when he’s her example.

“Violence is not the answer, Sarada.”

“But-but you taught me all that karate—”

“Kata.” He corrects quickly, bringing his fingers to pinch the bridge of his nose. “And I taught you that for two reasons: emergencies when you need to defend yourself or someone you love and training.” She arches an eyebrow, questioning the latter part. “You do need to do physical activities too, young lady.”

��I was defending someone I love!” Sarada retaliates, not satisfied with her parents’ reactions. She stomps her little foot and crosses her arms tightly, eager to make her point.

“You know how your mother is about this.”

“I know!”  Sarada whines, exasperation making her resolve falter a little. “But Boruto said Mama wasn’t my Mama because she has pink hair and I don’t look like her.”

What? What is that idiot teaching his spawn??

This is not the first time that the question comes up. Sarada is a smart kid that never accepted half replies and half explanations. Curious as why she couldn’t have pretty pink hair like Mama before, it prompted Dr. Uchiha to give both of them a Genetics 101 seminar.

Sarada understood quickly; she might have her Papa’s coloring and features, but there’s a lot of Mama’s in her too. There’s the shape of her eyes; and there’s the curve of her lips.

There are also things not so easy to see, but that make Mama and Sarada as great and alike than Sarada and Papa.

“I’ll tell you a secret.”

The prospect that there’s a solution to all of that, one that only Sarada and him knows, brings a glint of relief and mischief to her obsidian eyes.

“Between you and me,” He reaches to unclasp her arms, engulfing a little hand in his hold. “If anyone says bad things about our family or try to hurt us, you have my full permission to sucker punch them.”

“Really?” Sarada whispers excitedly, keeping her ‘secret voice’ in check, though the grin that springs after his words is what makes him seal the deal.

“Yes, I’ll deal with your Mama later.”

He smirks, proud of his daughter nonetheless, because there’s nothing more important than protecting your precious people. And it seems that Sarada gets it from the start.

Not even a second after, he sees the same smirk – mirroring his own – on her little innocent face.

When Sarada runs to hug her mother and they leave towards the parking lot, Uchiha Sasuke can’t help but think of all the things he can do to his wife in order to keep his promise to his little peanut.

[scifigeneration]

Timely intervention: how Doctor Who shapes public attitudes to science

by Lindy Orthia

Doctor Who is a popular cosplay theme. But some people base more than just their outfit on the Time Lord’s exploits. Shutterstock.com

Scientists and science fans love to discuss the science in Doctor Who.

We’re interested in how its theories and gadgets stack up against real science and technology (really, really interested).

We care about gender equity among Doctor Who’s scientist characters, and the cultural significance of casting Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor.

As long ago as 1985, Britain’s Royal Society wondered whether they could use Doctor Who to promote greater public understanding of science.

Given that we care so much, one might expect to see strong evidence that Doctor Who shapes how its viewers think and feel about science. But there has been no peer-reviewed research in this area, only anecdotes from a few scientist-fans.

Until now.

In my research, published in the Journal of Science Communication, I surveyed 575 science-interested Doctor Who viewers, asking whether and how the show contributed to their relationship with science.

Many of them said it did. But as it turns out, not in consistent ways.

Thoughts about science

I recruited the 575 people via ScienceAlert; they were 59% female, 40% male and 1% non-binary or gender-fluid. They were aged 18-73, and were drawn from 37 nations, predominantly Australia (50%) and the United States (24%).

Of the 575 respondents, 398 said Doctor Who influenced their thoughts about science in one way or another.

Just over 300 respondents said the show contributed to their ideas about science ethics, the relationship between science and the rest of society, and/or the place of science in human history.

Most commonly, Doctor Who prompted people to think more deeply about the ethics of science, including its moral ambiguity and potential for doing both good and bad. Second to that, many said Doctor Who demonstrated science’s importance in society and history.

However, individual participants sometimes drew opposite conclusions about the show’s moral messages. For example, one participant said their take-home message from Doctor Who on science ethics was:

Strong ethical guidelines and laws need to exist, and be enforced.

But for another participant it was precisely the opposite:

We should stop putting ethics in the way of scientific research.

Choosing science

Beyond shaping people’s attitudes, Doctor Who had a material impact on a few people’s life choices too.

It influenced 74 participants’ education choices and 49 participants’ career choices. It sparked interest in pursuing diverse science (and other) fields including physics, astronomy, maths, engineering, computer science, environmental science, chemistry, psychology, science teaching, and science communication.

People said things like:

It made me want to learn more about science. I became a science major [because] of it.

And:

I have a degree in Environmental Science specifically because of watching the 4th Doctor deal with oil rigs. That and the Exxon Valdez made me want to change things.

Some respondents said Doctor Who simply instilled a love of learning in them or made them proud of achieving academic success.

Just a TV show?

The survey responses go far beyond the previous anecdotes from fans about how much they love science and Doctor Who. It gives us lots of new evidence to analyse – some 58,000 words of qualitative data. But the responses were far from unanimously positive.

In the survey group, 107 people answered “no” to all or most of my key questions, indicating Doctor Who had not contributed to their relationship to science in any of the ways I asked about.

They gave a range of reasons. Some came to Doctor Who too late, after their views on science had already formed. Or other factors such as school or family determined their attitudes to science and life decisions, so Doctor Who wasn’t important (gasp!).

Others were more cynical, generally mocking the notion of science fiction influencing them at all, or arguing that Doctor Who’s depictions of science were too inaccurate, fantastical or trivial to have an impact.

Some responses were neither particularly positive or negative, with Doctor Who simply validating or reinforcing people’s existing ideas about science.

So will Doctor Who create a planet of scientists?

Part of the job for some science communicators, science teachers and scientists is to inspire people’s interest in science.

My study shows that engaging with a science-rich television program can have a profoundly inspiring effect on a person’s attitudes to science. In fact, their life might be changed because of it.

If that kind of inspiration is your goal, it is worth investing in science-rich television fiction as a science engagement medium.

But don’t get too excited. Not everyone’s science attitudes are affected by the same program. Any positive effects may be minor, rather than life-changing. And two viewers may interpret the science on screen in completely different ways. Also, my participants volunteered to participate, so the numbers don’t necessarily represent statistical patterns among Doctor Who viewers generally.

This backs up what science communication researchers have been saying for years. Television audiences aren’t ignorant dupes brainwashed by what they watch. People watch television fiction critically, aware it is fiction. All of us bring our existing knowledge, beliefs, fears and ideals to the viewing experience and make our own meanings from it in light of them.

What science-rich fiction can do, though, is set an agenda. It can offer people new frameworks for pondering science questions and provoking conversations about them.

So despite the caveats, if we want to nurture a society of people who think about science more keenly, more critically and more often, we could do worse than plug the next season of Doctor Who.

About The Author:

Lindy Orthia is a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at the Australian National University

This article is republished from our content partners over at The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

[alien-at-the-dinner-table]

The Eyebrow

I recently quit my job. For most of you, this sounds like a fairly normal thing. I mean, if you’ve ever had more than one job, there are only two ways to not be doing the first one: quitting or being fired. Of course there is the secret third option of faking your death and traveling to the cayman islands, but a prerequisite in “evil mastermind” is required there. For me, this was one of the hardest things I have ever done. When I gave my two weeks notice I thought I was going to die. I was sweating like a cornered nun, and at one point I forgot to breath and quickly ran out of air. The  truth  behind the unreasonable terror, the reason I nearly blacked out when telling an airpod adorned millennial I was done? I have an anxiety disorder. Shocking I know! Who would have guessed right? Until a few years ago, I certainly didn’t. I always thought that everyone hated their birthdays, dreading every single sleepover or dinner. I thought everyone would cry for months as they went to bed at the prospect of getting a shot. To be specific, I have a generalized anxiety disorder, with a very high probability that I also have obsessive compulsive disorder as well. I only got diagnosed with anxiety this last January, but only out of necessity. For those unaware of what it is like, you probably have some ridiculous caricature of what mental illness looks like. To be fair, I do things that are quite silly or odd, but that is more of a me thing than anything else. When approaching a teacher for a question, you will probably see me leaning back as I walk, looking extremely uncomfortable like a cartoon thief about to be caught.  But mostly the things my anxiety and OCD make me do are quiet. I used to get up in the middle of the night to re-count my pages for my running start classes. I sometimes get an eyebrow twitch. That happened mostly when I developed a crush on a classmate last year. Because God forbid I act cool one time. Upon seeing him enter class I would have to hold it down lest it fly right off my face. It was real bad when he wore a suit to school. My poor, emotionally unstable brain couldn’t handle all that class. I stared at the table and was unable to think of any coherent thought other than “i like bird” for a good 15 minutes. I plan everything out by time, including my job. I have that down to a tee. If you asked me what I would be doing at 8:24 I would be able to tell you. I do garbage at 8:30, so I would be restocking the coolers out front or the back coolers. I save the restocking of  the condiments for after  9:30 because that is after when I clean the bathrooms. I have so much free time because I have every single task assigned a time. I did that on my own, I was given only vague guidelines when training for the job. So I figured everything out on my own. And my old boss loved it, in fact he hired me because of it. In my interview he asked if I was the little girl who would always come in and color code the mentos by the  register. I had been doing that since I was 10.

 My anxiety has gotten worse as I have gotten older, and I eventually had to go on medication. That was in January as I said earlier. In the beginning of December I was quite happy. Then one night after work, I felt a bit nervous. If I didnt fall asleep right then and there I would get only 7 hours and 34 minutes of sleep. If I slept in I would not like how little of the day  I would have left, but if I got up right at the 7 hours 33 minutes (every second I am awake is ticking down!!) I would be very tired, and how productive will I be if i'm so tired??  At 2 in the morning I was still awake. In a slow burn panic attack, I calmly got up, walked to the bathroom, and promptly threw up. Funnily enough, I was super calm, thinking to myself “that was the best darn puke I’ve ever had!”. The next few days were weird, because the nausea never quite left me. I get nauseous when I am having anxiety, but I thought I was sick. So I panicked. I felt worse. I stopped eating as much. I couldnt sleep. I ate what I could because that is what I would do as a kid. I felt worse. I threw up. Repeat. After 3 weeks of this, I had lost 10 pounds and was on the verge of a break down. Then the straw that broke the sleep deprived camel's back came in the terrifying form of a P.E. bag. The start of Christmas break was two days away, and I was running on no sleep, and little to no food. I got unto the bus after a huge physics test. As soon as I sat down I dropped the bag. Cut to 3 seconds later- I cant find my bag  and immediately assume I left it in the class. So in a panic I hop off the bus before it pulls out of the school and look for it. Realizing my mistake when I do not find it, I walk home. Walking in a daze I hoped that my little sister had grabbed it. I got home. I asked if she had grabbed the bag. Replying with an eloquent: “what?” my world dissolved. I then promptly broke down and began to sob big, sad tears while my poor confused father tried to comfort me. I then missed the next day, sick to my stomach, shaking, and once again in tears. That was the day that my 3rd period class won an ice cream party. It was then decided that I should see the doctor. We got in a few days later, and I needed a blood test to make sure that nothing else was at play. If anything else hadn’t proved beyond a doubt that I had anxiety, my reaction to getting my blood drawn did. Shaking like a chihuahua doing the ice bucket challenge, I fought off tears as my mom held my gray hands. Fun fact: that can happen when your body goes into such a state of panic that your blood vessels retract into your body! Fun right? Anyhoo, a few weeks later and I began my medication. 

Obviously I still have issues. I double check all the locks before bed, and I eat the same foods for lunch every week at school. I turn on all the radios in the house when I’m alone because serial killers only attack when it is quiet. The time thing hasnt gone away, and honestly I’m getting a little tired of having a paranoid conspiracy theorist living in my brain. The meds helps a lot, by giving him a fidget spinner to play with so he  talks less. But he loves to make me question things. Like, did I really did put my phone in my pocket 10 seconds ago? I mean, do I specifically remember it? No? Better panic an absurd amount before checking it! My mom even mentions the word ‘dentist’ and he runs around screaming clanging cymbals like a bat out of hell. The really crazy thing is that no one realises when he is doing this. Growing up no knowing what a panic attack was, I know how to ‘hide’ them really well. They still happen, and honestly hiding them feels worse because doing that makes me physically ill. Telling people is weird too. I told a friend that I was going to therapy, and the end result was me fighting off the urge to cover my face with my hands. Not because it was horribly ignorant or shocking, I could feel my eyebrow starting up. She basically asked if I really needed therapy, and suggested investing in a fuzzy blanket. The stereotypes for mental illness make it really hard to know when you have a problem. Because people can’t see it, it makes it harder to explain that no, it really is that difficult. Do I like holding an apple core in my lap for an hour? No. But getting up feels so much scarier than looking weird. Going to therapy or being on medication is not something that ‘crazy’ people do. It’s what people do. Full stop.

[raspberryparker]

Hi!! So can I just say how much in love I am with your blog? My theme was very old so I updated it thanks to your help! That really means a lot to me and your fic recs are always so spot on for me! I also write a Tom Holland x Reader fanfic named "Starstruck on the Red Carpet" and it honestly would be like a dream come true to hear your opinions&thoughts on it. Thank you so much!!

Hello my love! First of all, thank you so much for your lovely and kind words! I’m so glad you find my recs helpful and it’s great that I was able to help you with your theme (which is gorgeous, by the way. Nice job).

I’m so sorry it took me so long to answer this ask but I wanted to read the entire fic and the sequel before I did so you got my full thoughts on it, so here we go! (It’s incredibly long and for that I’m sorry.)

In terms of storytelling and plot, I loved it! I think you did great with the conflict, the main plot and the sub plot/sub conflict(s), and the progression of the story as a whole. I really enjoyed the whole Cinderella thing and the way you spun it. I don’t think I’ve read a Cinderella story like that before so you’re definitely original, but I also enjoyed how that wasn’t the main point of the story and how it grew from there. Also, you’re really good at staying in character for the actors that you were writing for. It’s always important to be able to picture them saying what you’ve written if you’re writing someone who actually exists, and during the after-party scenes, I definitely could.I also really loved your OC’s. Blake made a really good point of conflict that enhanced the story in a great way, and Elijah just made me really happy, as did Nathalie. All good stories need an equally good cast of supporting characters and you executed it really well, so good job!That last part of the final chapter of the sequel was both funny and loving, and it’s hands down my favourite chapter. I always love when things come together, and the whole dating thing made me laugh out loud.The only criticism I have is that of structure, which every writer has struggled with at some point or continues to struggle with. I know I sure as Hell have. I’ve been writing fanfic since I was 12 and I’m 18 now. I’ve written a lot and I’ve read a lot and now that I’m an English major in university, I know what works and what doesn’t to keep people reading.Firstly, it would be so much easier on the reader and keep them engaged in the story regardless of what the story even is if you adjusted the way you structure paragraphs first and foremost. I noticed this especially in the first few chapters of your fic but less and less as I read on (Meaning you’ve improved on your own! Which is amazing!) but it was still quite choppy and hard to grasp what was happening, especially with dialogue. I don’t want to say there are “rules” for paragraph structure for fics, because fanfic is technically fanart and art is subjective, but there are guidelines to follow when you’re writing for school, for work, or professionally. These are in place because it makes your work flow better and makes it easier to read and take in. Some of these include making a new paragraph every time someone new speaks, every time the “camera angle” changes, when you’re starting a new idea, etc. It’s incredibly daunting to see a huge block of text instead of the same text broken down into smaller paragraphs. Seeing one big page of words makes people not want to read it. It’s harsh, like judging books by their covers rather than content, but it’s the truth and everyone is guilty of this whether they know it or not.Something you tend to do a lot is have multiple people (up to three or four at some points) talking during the same paragraph. When this happens, it’s easy for the reader to lose track of who is talking and what’s happening and often leads to them being confused and having to reread the paragraph just to know what’s going on. Fixing this would take your already wonderful plot and give it an extra something to appeal to readers even more.Here are some helpful posts for you if you want to read more in depth on paragraph structure !! 

1  2  3  4My other point is about how you broke up the chapters. I am a writer myself and I know how hard it is to write lots at a time (especially considering I’m a uni student too so I have, like, no time) but I try to make my chapters anywhere between 4k and 7k words. However, a lot of people don’t do this and make their chapters way shorter. But ultimately it all comes down to scene breakdown and length, which I will explain. Especially in the first 5 or 6 parts of your fic, I felt like that could have been condensed into about 3. This is because you spread the same scene out over multiple chapters. This is fine; again fanworks are artistic works and you can write however you want, but another thing I do is try to keep the consumer of my fanworks in mind as I create them. It’s a little bit jarring to jump from chapter to chapter (or wait a week between chapters, if someone is keeping up with the fic as it’s updated) even though it’s still the same setting, the same characters, and essentially the same thing happening. My chapters are longer because they’re usually one or two scenes depending on the length of the scene, but they’re entire scenes regardless. And I’m not saying you should cut stuff out, that’s not what I mean by “condense”. I mean you could have copy and pasted a chapter into the chapter before it and just made it longer. Sometimes, a higher word count is fine if the story flows.For example, and this is just off the top of my head, let’s say a character is going to hang out with a friend. The scene begins with them meeting up, and ends with them parting ways. even if you don’t want to write the ENTIRE scene or think some of it is pointless filler that doesn’t contribute to the plot and you want to cut some parts out, you can put time cuts within the chapter as long as that one scene remains within that one chapter. Again, these aren’t rules. But as both a fanfic reader and writer, it’s easy to notice these things. You actually did this very well once, when you made a time cut where you didn’t write the interviews themselves in chapter five, I believe. You were right in your endnote on that chapter; it would have made it far too long. That’s the kind of thing I’m talking about. But I still thought you could have put that time cut in the middle of a chapter rather than between chapters. And when I say time cut, I don’t mean something in bold like ****Time Skip**** placed between paragraphs, because that’s just jolting. It takes the reader out of their immersed state. To make an adequate time cut, just make the space between paragraphs larger, or put a horizontal line that you can copy and paste from google or something (like I did) to separate the pieces without making it look messy.A helpful tip I read a while back while writing my first fic on tumblr was to use the “A and B therefore C” method, or the Incentive, Action and Result method. I forget where I read this tip and I’ve been trying to find it for you but I haven’t been able to, I’m sorry. Here’s an example using a scene from the first chapter of my fic:A or Incentive: Peter is failing EnglishandB or Action: Ned doesn’t want him to fail English; Ned wants him to do well so he doesn’t get kicked out of schoolthereforeC or Result: Ned gets the reader to tutor Peter, which kicks off the plotThat’s the scene! Altogether, the scene written out was about 3,000 words but I made it into half of a chapter because I had more to add to it (if you’ve read my fic you’ll know what I mean, but you don’t have to).Here’s the other half of the chapter broken down like this:A: Peter is struggling with English and it’s distracting him during his hero workandB: He has a nasty run-in with Hammerhead that leaves him injured beyond beliefthereforeC: The reader witnesses him coming back to their dorm building bloody and bruised, and she becomes suspicious I would say the only time that people can get away with ending a chapter in the middle of a scene is when there is a huge cliffhanger they want to incorporate and leave their readers hanging in suspense for a week before the next chapter release. Other than that, it’s better if one scene is confined to one chapter. And my last point is tenses! Oh boy tenses, those horrible, awful tenses. They suck but they’re so so so important. I often found that you randomly switch between present tense and past tense in the middle of your chapter when there isn’t any actual time difference in the scene. Going from “says” to “said” is a little bit confusing, but everyone does it. EVERYONE. Hell, I still do. The important thing is catching yourself when you do. I know I have a few times where it’s slipped through the cracks and I’ve published a chapter where there are a few slip-ups, but again, everyone does it. That’s why I’m not making a huge deal out of it.These are a few reasons why having someone to beta read or edit your fic before you publish it is super important! I’m lucky I have my close friends to do it for me, but a lot of fic writers hide the fact that they write fics from their friends because, let’s be honest, it can be kind of embarrassing. If you ever need someone to beta read or edit for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any other fic writer that you know! I’m more than willing to help you improve your writing (as you can probably tell by this long winded response to your ask) and finally put all this studying for my English degree to good use. I plan to become an English teacher, so the more experience I get the better! I’m always here for you!I really hope you don’t think I’m being rude or pretentious because that is not at all what was meant by this review of your fic. I think you’re incredibly talented and creative, and the idea of your story is a great one that I enjoyed following as I read it. Basically, my main point of this is to say that even if you have an amazing story, if the structure isn’t appealing, chances are people won’t read it. Again, it’s a sad truth but we’re all guilty of it. All in all, it was a wonderful story that was well written and well planned, and I really enjoyed it! I hope you continue writing because you have so much potential, and maybe even take some of my advice. I’m so happy you’re open to opinions, thoughts and constructive criticism on your writing. But remember that you don’t have to do what I say. You art is is just that: YOUR art. And my advice is just advice. At the end of the day, just keep doing you, love.- Gabi  ps. YOUR ART IS LOVELY!! I really love that you added illustrations for the last two parts of the sequel, really helps envision what is happening better. I might start drawing for my fics too ;)

[redefinethegrind]

Borderline Personality Disorder, The Will To Power, Spirituality, and Happiness: tying it all together

I am writing this manuscript on Borderline Personality Disorder because I want to connect to others with the same diagnosis. I am a provider with the diagnosis and I have an intimate understanding of what my brain goes through on a day to day basis. It is fascinating to me that something as simple as going to the gas station and buying a coffee could cause so much anxiety and grief. It has, however tied me up. I have spent hours trying to gather the courage to understand the perfect way to obtain a cup of coffee and it has impacted the flow of more than one of my days on this earth. That is ridiculous, but seemingly unavoidable to me when my anxiety, obsessive thought, splitting, and mood imbalances all hit at once.

My perception of self has never equaled the perception that others tell me that they see. People around me assure me that I am funny, charismatic, outgoing, caring, and a good person. In my head I often feel that I am disgusting, pathetic, weak, and a loser. I feel like a parasite sometimes while I fully strive to be a giving human being. That is the faulty wiring of my brain that I adopted sometime in early childhood. I have formed my personality around hating myself and feeling like I am never good enough. I don’t even know what I am trying to measure up to.

Formerly I thought that feeling never good enough was a positive thing for me. I thought it would push me to achieve more as I rose in life. I wanted to be the greatest human being in the world and I hated myself for not being that person already. I set an unreasonably high bar and laughed at myself when I failed to achieve success. If I failed at any task I would use it as evidence that I was indeed the failure I had come to know. If I succeeded I would write it off as something that should have been done better or more efficiently. It was unreasonable and counterproductive to my being to have those thoughts, but I could not make them go away.

I began seeking solace in material possessions at some point in my life. I was buying expensive cars and bigger homes. The material things would distract me from my inner conflict and pain. Ultimately, I realized that material possessions can never fill the void that I was feeling. Human connection is the only thing that can satiate that craving. I am indeed a human being. BPD has made me truly feel alien at times though and unable to connect with others. That is a fallacious thought and I now recognize it as such.

I have had days where I look around and everything seems foreign to me. During periods of stress and duress I would swear that people’s faces change and even the colors of my surroundings change. My inner voice takes on a different tone. My perception of the world warps with my mood. I feel it intensely and deeply. I am not making it up or crying for attention as I was led to believe as a child. My world genuinely changes based on my mood and faculties. That very subjective nature of my own reality makes this personality disorder difficult to pin down and properly treat regardless of the time and energy I dedicate.

This had led me to studying the very nature of consciousness and reality. I have read books by Jeffrey Schwartz and Caroline Leaf on neuroplasticity. I have studied quantum mechanics, relativity, anatomy, physiology, and psychology seeking concrete reasons for my sensation and perception. I became familiar with Deepak Chopra’s views on tying quantum mechanics to our consciousness. I started to see that I was not alone in viewing this reality as a very mailable and ever-changing substrate. I saw that humanities greatest minds were struggling with the same questions and looking on with both awe and frustration.

I wanted nothing more than to understand what my perception of consciousness, space, and time, truly boiled down to and to share my experience with other human beings. The kinds of thoughts I have are not typically talked about over morning coffee or the evening’s spaghetti. My thoughts are sometime uniquely Ernie ‘isms and I must accept that. Having BPD makes me immediately feel lonely though as I struggle to connect with others on concepts and ideas. I am well adapted at helping others in my professional life because I have an outlined task at hand and an end goal. I actually think my personality disorder makes me a better provider in some ways because knowing the type of person I am, I do not pass judgement. I am able to relate to others and feel empathy. Because my emotions are felt so extremely I am able to understand the emotions of others.

One maladaptive behavior I have taken to over the years is stifling my emotions completely on the surface. I have found myself to be suppressing the expression of my emotions to the point of operating in a robot-like fashion. I remember actually consciously choosing this process as a young child, as young as 5 years old maybe. I chose to suffocate emotions of anger and to sit in a hallway for hours on end one day. As I remember it I was at a relative’s house I did not want to be at and instead of participating in any social activities I sat in a hallway staring at the wall. Even at that young age I would sometimes skip breakfast and lunch as to isolate intentionally and not participate in normal activities. This went from a conscious decision as an early child to a subconscious reaction as an adult. Where the switch happened I don’t know, but now I catch myself avoiding social situations, meals, or performing simple daily tasks without having ever thought about it. It will be something that another person will point out. “Aren’t you hungry?” and I will think “Hmm, I don’t know, let me think about it… I guess I am hungry, I didn’t eat lunch.” Sometimes I will find a reason. It is like I throw a subconscious temper tantrum. I don’t even recognize myself doing it at this point and I wish I could control it. I am now monitoring my mood and looking for cues in order to correct the maladaptive behavior. This is strange as I am 33 years old.

I recall an experience in preschool when I was asked to sit in time out for coming at another kid with a plastic chainsaw. I took my time out of two minutes as I remember it, without fuss, then I would not get up on time in. I refused to get up for the rest of the day in fact. I made the punishment intentionally extreme as a choice. I remember choosing to not stand up as an act of self-disparaging rebellion. I remember thinking “I can sit here all day in time out just to show these people it doesn’t bother me.” As an adult I evaluate the behavior. I am thinking it was a way for me to say “I can’t be broken by your punishment.” I took a strong nihilist stance early on. Rules were ridiculous to me and whether or not I was supposed to suffer I would refuse to. I think I was trying to show them that punishment would be useless. They could not change me. They could not break me. I was in charge. I think I needed to feel in control. I believe it was overcompensation for a life that was truly out of my control. That is the best theory I can put together as an adult.

This sense of loss of control and my struggle to maintain a sense of it went on to define many aspects of my personality. Perhaps I was wanting that preschool teacher to look at me and say, “enough is enough, you don’t deserve to be punished” and to look at the ridiculous idea of changing another sentient being’s social behavior. I never understood why someone else could make rules or boundaries that I had to abide by. I think even as a young child I found them to be repulsive and insulting… arbitrary at best.

Was this manipulation? Was I truly engaging in a mind game with an adult at such a young age? In my mind the internal voice kept telling me to sit at that table in time out. To just wait it out. To see what happens. Who would break first? Not Ernie. That is what I did. It was a small event that essentially meant nothing, but in my mind, I can still relive it and feel the same emotions I felt then. I needed to show these people that though they could physically put me in restraints, it didn’t change a damn thing.

As an adult I saw the same behavior in a woman I call my twin. She seems to have many of the same thought processes and beliefs that I do. She struggles with boundaries and guidelines. She finds life to be mundane at best most days. She wonders why in the hell someone with so much mental energy has to be caged in such a dull environment. I stood in her way during a minor mincing of words we were having. I blocked her path to exit our shared kitchen. I could see her anger building. She was absolutely not going to give me a single answer at that time no matter how much I demanded it. She was appalled that I could stand in her way and physically overpower her. Though I could block her way, I could not get her to speak a single word. I could not break her. She was in control. She struggled and longed to have the ultimate sense of control. She could be physically restrained but even her living twin, the person she connects with deepest on this planet, was not going to be able to pull a single utterance from her conscious mind if she didn’t will it so. She had to win.

I saw myself in her that day. I saw an absolutely unbreakable spirit. What twinsie and I share is beyond physical, sexual, or psychological. It is deep and I cannot label it. I have never seen it in two other people. It is uniquely ours to share. We have something that the rest of this world could only dream of. I am the one person that she will ultimately break down for in this world and I am proud to be the one person that will break down for her. To take away those secure walls and expose our vibrant inner beauty. I love seeing her stand true and proud, a defiant lotus that the rest of this world doesn’t have access to. I am actually driven by being the one person that she lets in to her secretive world. That is how I define true love. I will absolutely break down and give up my sense of security and become vulnerable to share the ultimate connection with my true twin flame. I feel as though I long to both break through her every wall and to allow her to simultaneously break through every one of mine.

That is something I was seeking in this life and BPD was limiting me from sharing. A connection. The world felt alien. Until I felt someone with the same splitting, angst, core values, and pain I didn’t think I would ever find someone who would understand me. That feeling of loneliness was overwhelming and was defining my life. It left me standing alone in a crowded room.

Back to childhood, I look to an incident on the school yard. I was dangling from the monkey bars. I remember kicking my friend directly in the testicles intentionally while playing “chicken.” In my mind I knew exactly what I was doing, and I intended to kick him in the most painful area possible to drop him from that collection of steel. I was a child, I don’t know why I wanted to hurt him, but my thought was “I need to hurt this person right now.” I am still friends with him today, his name is Josh. We went on to discuss spiritual matters as adults. That day on the school yard I brought my leg forth and connected as intended right in his groin. I then remember the teacher coming to me and telling the other children that it was an accident. I bought into her story and lied about my intentions. I claimed I did it on accident. I took the teachers story and went with it. I saw that I could get away with murder. I saw that given the right social performance I could do anything and spin it as something it wasn’t.

Unfortunately, that ‘social performance’ aspect became central to my childhood. I felt like an actor much of the time. I was playing a role to get the results I wanted from every given situation. I never let even my family know the real me. I only opened up to a few core friends, and even then, I never fully opened up and showed my real core. I felt vulnerable if people were able to figure me out, so I always acted. I would pretend to be engaged in some boring TV show just to throw people off of understanding my true interests. It was like I knew I was surrounded by people that I really didn’t want to connect with so I would connect with them on things I didn’t care about so that I could then have false relationships with them. By maintaining the superficial relationship, I was in control. If I ever felt comfortable enough I would break down the superficial connection and allow a true, deep connection to exist. I can count on one hand the number of people I have ever started that process with. The people I would feel comfortable truly connecting with were special and I would show them my true vulnerabilities and interests in music, art, video games, and science on my own terms. To give them some sense of control in getting to know me was my ultimate way of letting them know that I truly loved them.

I don’t know why I complicated my social interactions so much, but I did. It was elaborate and took a lot of my thought process. It continues to do so and I do it now without conscious thought or effort. The truth is, I am able to ‘bond’ with anyone on just about anything because I have become a chameleon at blending in when needed. I can fake being interested in just about anything when needed and people automatically see me as their friend. The truth is, deep down I have not connected and with most of those people I share surface level connection I do not wish to have anything deeper. I do not wish to let them in. I genuinely have come to love all people and I actually enjoy getting to know them, but initially that wasn’t the case. Early on I simply played a role and felt completely detached emotionally from almost everyone I came into contact with. I now get my sense of well-being from being able to keep everyone calm and genuinely liking me. I don’t know why, but my personality has developed in that fashion. It seems that if someone has a problem with me I genuinely internalize it and let it gnaw at my gut deep down. On the surface, however, I have made a habit of acting completely unphased by anything no matter how harsh. It is like I feel one thing and exhibit another on the surface. My personality is complex and maybe even inappropriate.

I knew at some point my truth was my own truth. I could easily manipulate reality one way or another even as a child. I found myself in deep thought over emotions and relationships. If something was not going my way as a child I would do something like go out of my way to put myself in an obviously vulnerable position in order to gain some leverage in the form of getting an adults attention and therefor gain control over my environment when the adult found me to be in a precarious situation and would come to my rescue whether it be mentally or physically. I could use my projection of deep sadness to get adults to feel sorry for me. I could use a projection of being excited about something that everyone else found repulsive as a way to get people to back out of my personal space and think I was weird. I was in control. I was letting people in who I loved and pushing people away who I didn’t. I was learning more about those people while they learned nothing about me. It was a guaranteed safe place.

I now see my eccentric likes and dislikes as an elaborate filtering mechanism. I would put up a wall of weirdness and if someone actually tolerated getting through all of the weird parts of Ernie they had earned the right to get to know the true Ernie. They could get through and see that I am indeed a loving, caring, compassionate, gentle, altruistic human being. But first they had to wade through a sea of dead baby jokes, menstrual blood tinged cottage cheese and conspiracy theories that Ernie also finds amusing.

The good energy that makes me up is also capable of appreciating the dark side of life and finding it amusing. It is important to me that my true friends see that and know that all in all I am a good person but that I can laugh and muse at the darkness. That having no boundaries and no limits is simply my way of being truly open to experiencing every aspect of life. That being able to test my power one day doesn’t mean I want to be in control, because the very next day I might test my vulnerability. I want to experience life to it’s fullest and most extreme. I am wired that way. I want to feel fully in control while knowing fully well that ultimately I am powerless.

Looking back, it seems like a child’s cry for attention. As an adult I think that sense of control over emotional relationships gave me comfort in a way. I was more comfortable knowing that I was leading the adults on and letting them think I was a certain person when in my mind I was not that guy. I am trying to honestly explore that feeling and to see if I am indeed driven by the want to control and manipulate or if this is truly involuntary… or at least to explore what it is like living in a mind with BPD

In my first marriage I connected fairly quickly with a quiet girl who had a somewhat bumpy past. Growing up she was also left to fend for herself at times, at least that is what I gathered from the stories she told me. I connected with this girl and we spent much time together. We learned each other’s personalities, likes, and dislikes. I was not always honest in the beginning. I would, for example, say I didn’t like sea food when in reality I loved eating fish. I would choose to not like it because she didn’t like it. I would lie to connect with her. That went on for the first few months of our young relationship. I was 17 years old when I met this girl. I was still figuring out who I was, and I was forming it with another person around a process of manipulating in the context of borderline personality disorder.

The relationship had ups and downs, but early on I was the first to say “I Love You.” I was the first to make the extreme moves and then use my brain to fill in the rest later, trying to logically connect the dots. I saw this girl in a hallway in high-school and my first thoughts were “could you ever marry her, would you be with her forever, would she be the love of your life?” I immediately began planning to go all in with her after we first agreed that we were dating. I escalated things quickly and vowed to spend eternity with her because she gave me the time of day. Most people don’t think like that. I did. I was all in day one. I also at the same time felt like I would destroy her life by letting her get with such a loser like me. I wanted to love her and to save her by pushing her far away from me. The selfish part of me needed her, the selfless part of me needed her to be free.

I started off spending my every waking moment obsessing about this girl and ultimately did go on to marry her, but in the process, something strange happened as I did not understand my brain at the time. I would get comfortable with her and things would be going well, and I would assume that I was not doing enough or good enough for her. I would then create tension and angst in the relationship and pressure her away from me. I would push and push. Because I was not perfect. I would always assume that there was some flaw or fault in myself that just wasn’t good enough and I would use it against us. I would tell her time and time again that I was not good enough for her and that I was a pile of garbage and that she could do better. That was my depression seeping in and it was not a valid thought. The example that I read from a person with BPD that really stuck with me is this: “I could see a person begging for money. If I didn’t give them money I would kick myself for being selfish. If I did give them money I would kick myself for not giving enough.” It was like no matter what I gave it was never enough. I was wired to believe that my all out best effort was going to fall short and therefor I was doomed to be a piece of trash.

The pattern of constantly self-loathing and memorizing disparaging remarks created emotional turmoil and I would then push my partner away and reel her back in. This happened over and over again. It was exhausting. It resulted in significant damage. My personality was unstable enough that she never knew what she was going to get. She spent her time going out of her way to keep me from going insane and I constantly tested boundaries. What would she truly tolerate? Did she love me enough to put up with this? Unfortunately, this also enabled the borderline behavior to exacerbate. It went from something that I was doing at age 5 as an experiment to something that I couldn’t control as an adult. My emotions had become out of my control and they were being used to shape relationships in my life. It was chaotic and seemed a bit peculiar when compared with the way other people seemed to feel.

I have often felt alien and alone in this world. I felt that other people could not possibly feel so disconnected to their fellow man while fully knowing that they are indeed human themselves. Now reading the literature, I am encouraged that many people feel just like me. Alien. Robotic. Foreign. They have unknowingly programmed themselves to inappropriately use emotions to influence relationships as some sort of response to stress. The problem with BPD is, by the time it is active and roaring, it is too late to look back. It becomes the norm. The ego is established and without a great deal of introspection, guilt, pain, and rethatching, identifying these things as maladaptive can seem undefeatable. As a young adult I lost control of my emotions quite a bit and I was a bit all over the place. I didn’t recognize why, or even see it as a problem. It was just me. I would have outbursts of anger at others, at myself, at friends, and at family. Relationships would seem to be crashing to me when others had no clue what I was even focusing on. I would sometimes just stay quiet and disappear. I remember that was my way of quitting bands or quitting jobs… I would simply stop showing up, stop answering phonecalls, and just cease to exist. I would back out of relationships rather than face the conflict of admitting that perhaps it was time that I moved on.

I didn’t want to face the conflict in person, eye to eye. I didn’t want to let anyone down. I truly wanted to give my all to make everyone happy, but at the same time, a part of me was dying inside by continuing to be fake. I felt like an actor. I felt like I couldn’t simply stand up sometimes and say “this music we are making isn’t what I want to make” and walk away. I wanted to be in control of the writing and creative process but instead I would remain silent in the background playing drums and flexing to keep others happy. All the while, my unhappiness was boiling over and being exhibited through my avatar (as I have come to call my body) in silence and palpable disconnection. Where other people wanted to make music to make crowds of people think they were cool, I wanted to make music that connected spiritually with myself. Sometimes my peers would view me as a weird guy just wanting to make weird music for the sake of being different, a cry for attention perhaps. That wasn’t the case. I wanted to write the kind of music that truly expressed how I was feeling.

I wanted to the go on to perform that music on my own terms in my own way for others to either appreciate or reject. I longed to connect to others through that music, but if they couldn’t appreciate it that was okay too. I felt disconnected from my bandmates who simply wanted to perform a couple of cover songs for a room full of drunks. I was not there to entertain, I was there to teach and experience. That is what interested me and ultimately why I wanted to quit every band I was ever in. I have not been able to find another person who feels the same way, of wanting to create something that we can all connect on at a visceral level.

I would give my all to writing and performing drum and vocal parts for some of the bands I was in over the years. I would try to contribute my musings through ironic lyrics and nuanced drum fills. All the while I felt underappreciated. I felt like I was just a guy who was there to fill in where any drummer could just sit in. I felt that my views on the world and lyrics weren’t taken seriously, as much as they were written in satire, that is the seriousness that I intended. To satirically point out the ridiculous nature of heavy metal’s backbone which is isolating and pushing people away more and more as they seek the next “legit” band and scoff at “posers.” I wanted to bring these people together and give them a sense of “maybe we’re all in the same boat and we should just have a good time” rather than worrying about how freaking gay breakdowns and hardcore dancing was.

I lost music somewhere along the way because I could never find like-minded people to play it with. I wanted to simply connect. I wanted to make music for the sake of music, connection, love, solidarity, and to express our feelings with the human experience. I didn’t want to replicate what other people were already doing. I didn’t want to entertain a room full of people on a Friday night. I didn’t want a free bar tab or a backstage pass. I didn’t want paid for a single gig. I just wanted to see who else was feeling what I was feeling. I still want that, but I don’t know where to look.

Moving on, ultimately, I went on to end my first marriage and I had reasoned that there was just too much damage done and that there was no way to mend from the amount of times I had pushed and pulled this girl. I also had begun falling in love with another girl who happened to share many personality traits with me: the aforementioned twinsie. I finally felt that deep connection with another human being that I had been seeking for so long, and it was on the tail end of me trying to come to the conclusion that I was in fact not human refuse.

That connection that I mention is a key part of my personality. It is central to my sense of well-being that I be understood, appreciated, and loved by someone else. I never recognized that before. I was so caught up in self-loathing that I honestly believed that I was not worth loving. I have read that this is common in those with BPD. A sense of being the one person that cannot be loved, appreciated, respected, or connected with has become central to many of us. We have developed maladaptive personalities as a response to absurd stimuli in the setting of distinctive genetics.

Western society has us filing through as caged animals. We are in fact mammals. We are designed by nature to eat, sleep, reproduce, and dominate. We have done a good job of dominating our environment. We are now at the top of the food chain on this planet, Earth. We human-beings are the apex predators and because of that we sometimes lose touch with our true inner animal. It is like the alcoholic who is 10 years sober who has that one drink, he is suddenly rushed back in to that cycle of drinking. Day after day and starting over at square one.

Human beings are complex social creatures. We thrive in settings of love. True love and empathy are the only ingredients necessary to produce positive results. We must love our children and nurture them. We must find ways to break down their walls and get through to them and let them know that we truly love them no matter what. That is the only ingredient needed for a successful life. Love. We must support them and bear with them as they learn this process of living.

I now realize that I am a valuable human being and that I do deserve to be loved. Unfortunately, it took me a very long time to realize this. It seems so simple, and on the surface, it is. But even with all of the logic in the world, my emotions would never allow me to love myself. I could have come in with this first, but it may have poisoned my understanding of life. I may have not gained the knowledge and insight that I have had I not suffered.

The worst decision I could have made in my life was to begin using chemicals to “shut my brain off” as I always called it. I began drinking heavily or taking sleeping pills to just go to sleep at the end of the day. The constant struggle of never feeling good enough or worth living. Studies clearly show the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse with BPD. For me it was the option to turn off the torture generator in my head to drink enough alcohol to sleep. I wasn’t doing this to destroy my marriage, my career, or to hurt anyone. Ultimately it did cause a lot of strain and did cause stress on the things I valued. I didn’t choose alcohol over life, I chose shutting off painful thoughts over suicide. I was just wanting an off switch from the reality that I was interpreting as so painful. People don’t realize that. I feel sorry that people view it as a personal attack when I say reality hurts. I don’t mean it that way. I also don’t mean to ask for their sympathy. I simply want to live and let live. I will get by, I am strong, I have faith in me and I want others to have the same.

I was able to stop drinking alcohol and focus on myself early in 2018. But at that time, I was not really even thinking about the BPD, I was more focused on depression or bipolar disorder. I stopped drinking and started really focusing on myself through exercise and diet. I wasn’t aware of how my personality disorder played into my mood disorder. It was a chaotic dance of sorts. There were nuances of mania and depression rearing their heads with this an almost flat affect I had developed. I found everything in life to be absurd and treated life as though I were a stand-up comedian just musing on my observations. I kept a straight face. Only the most extreme things could cause me to truly laugh. I somehow inappropriately (or maybe appropriately, this is subjective) attached laughter with absurdity.

I was able to see the humor in everything. There was absolutely nothing off limits. My extreme personality allowed me to explore extreme topics. I had watched clips of people being hurt and killed and essentially found the ridiculousness of it all to allow me to laugh. My brain had seemingly wired a circuit to find absurdity funny, so I could escape the true pain that it was causing me. We see people get kicked in the scrotum on MTV all day and laugh at it, this is a light version of what I am describing. Having access to all things human via the internet I desensitized myself to the most extreme of human behaviors. I have seen video footage of a man being beaten to death with a hammer. I have seen a chainsaw beheading video. Even worse, I have heard a chainsaw beheading video.

When I honestly put myself in that man’s shoes whose lifeless body is gurgling for wind from some prehistoric reflex I feel the pain of the human condition. I am able to know that I am mortal. I will die. I will cease to exist in the form of Ernie one day. I have been face-to-face with death as a young child raised by elderly distant relatives, and I have watched other human beings take their last breath as a hospice nurse. I have hunted deer and geese. I have taken the life from a dove and consumed her flesh. It is a chaotic balance of energy that I have been a part of in this very real chain of events.

The will to power, the longing to be in control takes a darker turn at times. So for me to make the decision to take another sentient being’s life in order to eat, I now must question what that truly means. As a 33-year-old white male in America I am surrounded by meat and cheese. Lives lost for the sake of contributing energy back into the circle of life. It all comes back to me and I can feel so clearly the morning I first took the life of a white-tailed deer.

I was camped out in my tree stand. I was dressed like a redneck in camo and I had hiked into some fall scenery right out of a Mark Twain novel. I was sitting silently and waiting for motion. When I finally heard the crushing of leaves my heart began to race. This is it. This is the moment I have been waiting for. To kill this sentient being. The hunt was on.

I saw two does playfully wondering through a sparse patch of thin trunked trees. The leaves were golden and red. They were almost dancing with one another. They hadn’t noticed me but I watched them come into my field of vision. I moved and one of the does looked up. She made eye contact with me. Her tail flipped up. White flag! She was ready to run. She was afraid. I drew my bow and let loose an arrow into the distance.

There was a calamity of hooves and cracking leaves. My heart was racing and there was sweat on my brow. I could smell autumn. I was one with the nature scene I had very realistically painted myself into. I rushed down from my latter clumsier than I would like to admit and began taking large gallop-like steps toward a creek bed. I could see a faint trail of blood on the ground guiding me to where this injured creature must be. It was like I looked up and there she was. Right in front of me. I was on top of her and didn’t even see her. She appeared out of nowhere.

She was lying in a shallow creek bed making labored breaths. Begging mother nature for her life. I pulled my 9mm side arm from my waist and did what I thought was the right thing at the time. I mercifully killed her by shooting her in the head. To end her suffering. My adrenaline was coursing through my body and I could not imagine what my next move was. I picked up the lifeless doe that was once dancing with her friend and threw her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I carried her out of the woods like a “real man” and disrespectfully threw her body in the back of my hatch back ford focus. Her eyes were glazed over and her tongue fell out the right side of her mouth.

I brought her to my home and removed her skin. I hung her from her hind legs in my shed with some bailing twine that was laying around and I opened YouTube videos on how to butcher a deer. I called my friend Gabe to see if he had a knife, he was too drunk to help me dress my kill.

I began hacking parts off of this majestic creature’s body with an axe and a dull kitchen knife. I had already purchased butchers paper and I broke down the meat the best I could with the guidance of Youtube. I turned on a death metal album by Cannibal Corpse to get me in a disgusting mindset as I butchered away. I needed the distraction in order to complete the job. My now ex-wife came home to find blood on the back porch and door knob and she knew “Ernie got a deer.” What the fuck does it even mean? I got one.

We went on to incorporate this fresh meat into our cooking for the rest of that year and I even tried to consume the organ meats with Gabe as to not waste any of the animal. Looking back it seems so barbaric and out of character for me. I don’t think I could ever pull the trigger again or let another arrow fly. The sanctity of life is not something that I wish to choose when it shall end. All life is sacred in This consciousness. That is what I have come to appreciate. I know others struggle with it and take it lightly, but I have intimately been there. I have danced with death and I know every callus lunge.

To me, now, the thought of being able to obtain a permit to hunt and end a life is absurd.  Of course, creatures need to eat. But I am looking at this planet as a whole. How can human beings simply choose what life is sacred and what life is not? We fish the oceans dry. Why must we consume those things with sentience in order to survive? I don’t believe it is necessary at this point. That seems a bit misguided to me to think that it is entirely just sack after sack of matter and therefore vitamins and nutrients. Sure, I have stomped out an ant hill, I have crushed a fly. But what gives me that right? I believe as a human being we are blessed and cursed to know that life is finite. I do not wish to be a god amongst plebeians.

Knowing that my true moral code is to love all life and to appreciate it and hold it in high regard is paramount to my existence. I can then, unfortunately, explore the very opposite of this notion. That life is not sacred. That this existence is pointless and meaningless. That we are simply chemical reactions. The view of materialists is that we are a complex series of reactions. While I don’t believe this to be accurate, I have had my brain chemistry altered to the point that I almost believed it.

I had a short stent of taking the drug Abilify for an episode of mania and panic. I was started on this in-patient and continued it for about a week after hospitalization. Honestly, within a few days of being on the drug I felt no emotional attachment to my wife of so many years. I also believe, however, my true emotional attachment to her had waxed and waned over the previous years as my personality disorder pushed and pulled my life. While on Abilify I was able to make cold and rigid decisions without any emotional repercussions. I truly feel I could have strangled somebody to death and not felt any remorse on that medication. Is it simply the neurotransmitters in our brains that regulate our sense of right and wrong or are we tuning into something greater like a collective consciousness?

Through the years professionally and personally I have chronically had angst about my performance or accomplishments. I would always immediately downplay my performance and know that I could do better. Until I drastically modified my lifestyle and stopped drinking alcohol I was headed toward self-destruction. Having our neurotransmitters out of balance is like tuning a piano with an out of tune reference. I don’t know how to better describe it. It is like interpreting the world through a faulty interpretation device. Nature provides us the tools to perfectly balance and calibrate our interpretation device if we are willing to take the time and effort.

In this eastern society it does take time and effort to calibrate your device. In the wild it would not. You would not worry about being depressed or manic in the wild for a number of reasons. The cycle would have simply played out as it should. In our artificial reality that we have constructed with these cities and roadways, we have to take the time to get back to nature if we want balance. We need to re-calibrate our brains. We need to balance our neurotransmitters.

Our neuro-endocrine systems naturally produce everything we need if they are functioning properly. In order to function properly they need the correct environment. Our biology is specifically fine-tuned to allow us to thrive in whatever given setting we happen to arise from. We are at a point in which we are modifying our environment faster than evolution can catch up with and thus we have the central disconnected feeling that comes out as angst and turmoil. Identifying this and utilizing our strengths to fit into our own lives on an individual level is the prescribed treatment. There is no one size fits all plan.

Neuro-endocrinology functions optimally when given appropriate ingredients and in human beings those ingredients can be obtained from plant sources, water, and of course love. In order to best fuel our bodies optimally we should be eating a vegan diet which is free of processed foods, hormones, antibiotics, and suffering. When we eat food, we are eating the building blocks of our body and mind. Food is information essentially. What we take in builds what we are. This is important. The fuel we run on is central to our functioning at our best.

Looking at myself now, I am obsessed with telling the truth and being accurate. I want to live a life that I am proud of and therefor hold no secrets. I want to connect with another human being on an intimate level in which I tell her no lies. I want to be as open and forth coming as possible. The ultimate vulnerability. The payoff, is the ultimate relationship. It is important that we all begin to shift our culture to a culture of openness. We should be proud of who we are. We should be able to express our deepest desires and interests freely.

If we have something to hide, it is likely leading to negative karma. This is how I weigh my karma. When I do something I ask myself, “Is this something you would feel proud to tell everyone in this world?” If it is not, there is a better option. It is important as a species as we continue to evolve spiritually and emotionally that we understand this internal compass and respect it. We need to always bend to the will of the internal compass and listen to it in order to have the most fulfilling lives. If your gut tells you not to do something, you seriously need to stop and reconsider that decision. Take time. Make the right choice. To truly work through this process is grueling but it will lead to the ultimate transcendence.

The ultimate will to power is to give up complete control. Give your life over to the laws of the universe. To love without questioning “what is in it for me?” to give without wondering “do they appreciate it?” to teach others to better themselves and stop judging them for what they aren’t. Start seeing human beings for their potential. To push forth and get every bit of positivity out of our fellow-man’s soul. To not wonder “how am I going to get by” and just wonder “how can I help someone else get by.”

That is what I am striving for. I will post this long post for free, relatively unedited, though it feels like it should probably be in some sort of BPD and spirituality book or something. I know that in my life the Universe will provide for me food, shelter, wisdom, and love if I stay on the right path. I have that faith. I am following it with open mind, open heart, and open soul.

[lebrookestore]

i mean, ye, i too am relieved that we're getting 2 months for preparing for the second sem because I barely expected half a month and my school too makes prelims a lot harder than a board paper could ever be, but the issue with them restarting offline classes because PRIVATE SCHOOLS rallied is that, most of them, had the resources to continue online classes

my school for example, still fully has the resources to do online classes but they've used the loop hole filled guidelines released by the government to make them fully offline and at this point I refuse to send them an email regarding doing the bare minimum because nothing important even is required to be done in my fucking school, the entire syllabus is complete, they're just telling kids to come to school to give them extra corona if they didn't have enough already, when private schools with resources like mf CMS or DPS do online, they're literally more effecient than they could ever be in offline, kids are going to offline classes to chat with their friends not study in these private schools so those rallies to restart offline classes that would have been proven advantageous to schools that don't have the resources to complete the syllabus online are just being taken advantage of by :redacted: schools like mine, this isn't even to mention as to why tf grade 4 kids are going to school to give mf exams, that is beyond what I can comprehend at the moment, the whole "younger kids are getting dumber due to covid barring education" moral-panicky rhetoric is the dumbest thing I've heard, speaking as a kid themselves but obv these are the kinds of people that would ask lions if deers like being eaten

also, regarding the hearing again, the thing that pisses me off the most excluding all the other bs that pisses me off abt it is something i didn't even know before which is that the fucking state boards have already started and they didn't even have a fucking sem 1 sem 2 and mcq subjective provision like ours, this basically means those people are actually going through what tf the whole "shit online learning throughout the year and normal board exams" is for the second fucking year this time and this, perhaps the most important concern, could have been mentioned if the SC didn't spend the whole e x t r e m e l y long nine minutes they could bare to spend on the hearing scrutinizing the two sentences the argument was started with as if they're my History teacher that can't handle a kid saying even a single sentence that isn't outwardly indoctrinating children into being racist

oh same my school is one of those who is known for making their prelims extremely hard like girl i barely scraped through with finishing my math paper on time💀

and i 100% agree!! if they could surive a majority of two years online they can do it for a bit more. i completely understand the frustration you feel with the whole situation, especially since this is literally the basic shit that they should be doing!! the problem lies in the fact that they're not doing this in the students best interests, but rather in their own and that just rubs me the wrong way :// the syllabus is complete, so honestly there isn't a need for offline school, you can just hold revision classes online (which is what my school did) and it would be ten times better because you wouldn't have to worry abouts maybe having covid around you!

it's honestly the systems fault, because of how toxic is has become. so much so that we regard our board exams as the one thing we absolutely have to do and have (im guilty of this too) and it's gotten to a point where even if a kid knows they have covid, they would come for the exam anyways. it doesn't matter if they know it'll affect the other kids, the exam is more important than their health, which is just so sad i think??

it makes no sense to send the smaller children to school i mean fourth grade?? online school isn't making them dumber, it's keeping them safe but clearly the adults in this situation cannot comprehend that simple and honestly very obvious fact.

and it really sucks for the ssc kids and the other boards because they have to suffer so much?? just like to said, they didn't have the provision of the half boards or mcq format, instead they had to go on as usual with the entire portion after studying for two years online all those 20 chapters per subject?? its complete madness and just so 😐

[mrsandok]

Remembering the Quarantine and Quarantine Fridays <3

I’ve been meaning to write about how special Quarantine Fridays were to me for a while.  I think I was holding off because I thought writing it would make me sad.  I mean--when will an opportunity to connect with friends and strangers in that particular manner happen? what up, delta?

But I think I’m in a better place to reflect on it now.  In fact, I really like reflecting on the quarantine knowing I survived it in a somewhat productive manner knowing many other people weren’t as lucky.

I’m blessed.

This is going to be a two-part post knowing that finishing school with the class of 2020 and 2021 (my juniors) really helped me make sense of my worth during those trying-ass-times.

Part One: Teacher Lyfe

March 2020

The Coronavirus was in the news since December ‘19.  However, just because the world is the way that it is, our news centered around that orange dude and whatever he said.  In fact, he continued to dominate the news until that silly little insurrection he started.

this all sounds like the old-me festering on shit that’s beyond my control that would affect my happiness and being reactive of it.  

I’m not sure when I changed but I definitely changed during the quarantine.  I honestly don’t feel the need to voice or be reactive in any way that involves people’s different values.

I think this post is an attempt to try and make sense of how and why I changed

I have so many odd memories of early quarantine.

I remember that strange feeling of turning off my alarm to wake up at 6 AM knowing that school is indefinitely suspended.  

Haha--I remember when it was a ~3-week pause in an attempt to ~flatten the curve~.

I remember feeling weird sleeping in on a Wednesday--a school night.  

It felt like Spring Break but we couldn’t really do anything so there wasn’t really anything to celebrate?   

It was somewhat exciting to not have work (and thankfully being paid when millions of people were out of jobs 🙏) those first few weeks.  

Making sense of not being able to visit my family, my best friend that lives 20 min away, or even go out to my favorite restaurants was hard for me to grasp but I learned to enjoy my solitude while keeping in contact with people via technology.

Remember Zoom happy hours and group face times?  Haha.

April 2020 I can’t imagine what it was like to have children during the early days of the pandemic.  

I can’t imagine what it was like to teach 9th grade and below during the pandemic.

How do you help kids understand the world during those trying-ass-times?

Props that all of ya’ll that did it.

I was blessed to be in the middle of teaching my juniors and seniors how to understand the world on their own terms when the quarantine began.  AP11 is a class centered around language and writing so there was always a focus on current events and making sense of it together.  The American Literature curriculum was always easy to relate to current events because, well, we’ve always been broken.  My teaching just became that much more real when we were experiencing this pandemic together.

I forget the actual logistics of how distance teaching/learning was but essentially these were the guidelines:

You can give opportunities for students to raise their grades.

You can’t diminish students’ grades for any work they do over the pandemic

There was no “set” schedule but you have to make an effort to reach out to them.

I had 3 preps for about an hour each.

1 AP11 section

1 CP11 section

1 CP12: Search for Human Potential section

AP11 was more concerned with the rhetorical analysis essay.   That was easy enough to teach.  People understood rhetoric and how to write about it pretty quickly.

Barely anyone showed up for the CP11 sections

CP12 was beautiful knowing that people that showed up genuinely wanted to make sense of the pandemic together through the existential unit I always teach.

We read Notes from Underground and The Stranger.  

It was a legit book club.

The problem was...we had weeks left before the contractual end of school.  I was out of material.

May 2020 Existentialism is related to postmodernism, the movement I was teaching to my juniors, what better opportunity to teach one of my favorite postmodern books?  White Noise.

Though that was my second to last year teaching English, it was definitely my most memorable because I was able to teach something for the sake of understanding the current climate of the world.

Mind you, this was before the vaccine, this was when we were trying our utmost best to understand how the virus operates, this was still very, very early in the pandemic.

For those unfamiliar with White Noise, it’s about a College professor who suffers from imposter syndrome and has a crippling fear of death and the unknown. All this gets accentuated when there’s a airborne toxic event that occurs in the middle of the book.   It hit home for a lot of people.  It hit home with me with imposter syndrom during my 6th year in my third English department 💃.  

There were plenty of moments where I no longer felt like their teacher but a peer trying my best to make sense of the world through this book written in the ‘80s.

We found solace in the fact that people have feared death since the beginning of time.  

We found solace that all the political rhetoric concerning who’s to blame for the virus or how people are handling it may be a projection of their uncomfortabilty of the unknown or their own fear of death.  It’s easier to blame ____ than confront whatever is making us feel negative emotions.

It was liberating getting to the end of that book knowing that the pandemic still exists (in the book and in real life) but all is well.  

All is well simply because there are other things in this world to care about versus worry about.

It’s a lesson of being proactive of what you can control versus reactive of what you can’t control.

It’s a lesson that took me months to practice in my own life.

Early June 2020 I tell my students how much they mean to me in a genuine way at the end of the year.  Understanding the pandemic together was definitely something I needed in my life.

All my lessons somehow tie into the idea that school is only important if you make it important.  Sometimes that includes getting good grades and letters of recommendation to get to where you want to be.  Sometimes it means simply knowing how to interact with others to finish a group project.  Sometimes it’s getting close with a teacher knowing that he’s going through the same shit you’re going through, too.

That’s what made these students so special.  They saw I genuinely cared and genuinely gave it back through these optional class meetings we had.  

This meant the world to me when the world was standing still.  I had an alarm to wake up (10:00 AM?) so we could discuss the next chapters and it was something I genuinely looked forward to.

I learned so much from them from that silly little book I read when I was 18/19 at Orange Coast College.  Mind you, I definitely wasn’t as mature as they were at that age.  But again, we weren’t literally living a pandemic, too.

I felt like my AP11 students graduated with my CP12 students.  So much, in fact, I was pretty confused to see them on campus when we returned.  I thought they were already off doing big thangz.  

I’m proud of you all.  I’m thankful for ya’ll experiencing that with me.

Signed--from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Sandok

---

I think this is an appropriate transition to talk about how special quarantine fridays were to me during trying-ass-times now that I was able to collect my thoughts on why teaching was so important during the early quarantine stages.

I don’t actually remember the actual day I attempted to livestream.  I attempted it on Instagram Live and Twitch and it was so fucking awkward.  I remember anxiously walking out in my patio to shake off the rust I had from DJ’ing.  

Damn--I simultaneously wish and not wish I recorded that set.  What on earth did I play?  Was it bad?  Or was I just nervous at randoms tuning in?  Because I remember that was definitely nervewracking

April 17, 2021: The Birth of The Quarantine Series

I only know this date simply from my first Quarantine Series Flyer on Instagram.  It correlates with my first instagram highlight of the initial days of the series.  

It’s wild at how bare this production looks revisiting it.  

Still got that red light, thoooooo 💃

-- 

It’s hard for me to remember how I got comfortable with DJ’ing in my living room for my friends and select strangers.  However, it was the biggest source of happiness during the quarantine--especially after the school year ended and my extroverted-ass didn’t have the means to connect with others through literature and bullshit about life with my students. 

I’ve had these turntables since I was 13.  I used to lug them with my Vestax 06 mixer (which I finally dropped off at good well when I moved into my new place) along with two crates of records and CD booklets of burned CDs during my early days DJ’ing.

I bought a new’ish mixer for the turntables but never really used it because I graduated from bedroom DJ a long time ago.  This was literally the first time I used the mixer heavily.

This was also the first time DJ”ing with in-ear-monitors. I’ve always been a diva about in-ear monitors.  I attempted to use them at Mesa once and hated it because I couldn't feel the music like a real DJ should when they’re catering to a crowd feeling your vibe. 💅

--

Slowly, I learned how to up the production of my twitch sets.  My visuals were due for an update.  I forget how long they were before #quarantinefridays but now they’re 2 hours long of just pure red thirst.  Hahaha

--

Quarantine Friday Highlights

Heavy Hip Hop Reflection Night

One of the special things about the Quarantine Series was knowing that I wasn’t getting paid for this and I was able to play for an audience of myself on some nights.  

I never get to play obscure 2000s hip hop anymore.  I dedicated an entire night to it when my mentor and my student’s father were reminiscing about their college days in the early 2000s.  

Here it is again for those of you that haven’t read it.

Realizing that I don’t want to be ‘90s DJ anymore

This has been a long time coming.  The first few years at Mesa were fun because I was able to bring a “classy ratchet” or “clatchet” vibes to Costa Mesa when the scene was flooded with house music.  

But damn...there came a point where I simply didn’t wanna play that shit anymore.  I avoid “Ain’t No Fun” and “Regulate” like the plague.  

This was especially true seeing other DJs on twitch playing that stuff.  As talented as they are--I feel like I outgrew that sound in the same sense I don’t listen to The Beatles or Led Zeppelin anymore.

Realizing that new hip hop isn’t that good

It was somewhere around the Future/Migos mumble rap era when I realized that this is this generation’s version of No Limit records.  Hot trash.

Then Drake, a dude that popularized being a fuckboy, became the face of hip hop.

No thanks

Realizing that the shit i fuck with now is R&B

I’ve embraced this for a while in my personal life but it’s definitely dictating the type of DJ I am--so much that someone at Mesa asked me politely to play some hip hop.  I smiled and realized, “wtf am i doing?”

YO JORJA, SZA, SUMMER, H.E.R., JHENE---KEEP THAT SHIT COMING.

Realizing that I want to continue to be a pioneer in this R&B trend that paak and mars are doing right now

Funk is alive and well.  There’s even a fire playlist on spotify called Retro Pop that captures the vibe I want to have in my sets.

I gotta practice that shit more.

Shoutouts:

Dknypinay: definitely my biggest fan.  Definitely my biggest influence.  Everything dope about me is attributed to her interest in music in the ‘90s.  She listened to KROQ, The Beat, Powe 106 and gave this 7 year old some flavor.  My first album was her tape of Snoop’s Doggystyle!!!

Bryan_black6: I helped this dude move from Dallas to Cali in December.  Pre-vaccine.  We had big plans of doing an “on-the-road” set for the quarantine series.  LITTLE DID WE KNOW WE’D ALMOST DIE IN THAT UHAUL MULTIPLE TIMES.  A lot of the R&B I’d play on twitch was reminiscent of the music we’d listen to when he’d tattoo me in his bedroom.  

Implicithero: One of the biggest compliments I got over #quarantinefridays came from Drew and Mel.  “Damn, EJ.  I knew you were good from Mesa, but I never knew your knowledge of music stretched that far.  You’re mad talented.”  I do it for ya’ll, boo 😘 Even that weird-ass-Morrissey-Emo night.  hahaha

Jonpham: I dj’d this dude’s wedding pretty recently.  Jon and I have similar mindsets where we try to stay humble but know our worth in regards to what we give back to the hip hop community.  I know I’m no scrub DJ and he knows he’s no whack bboy.  It was an honor to show you the ropes of DJ’ing and sharing some sets with you during the pandemic.  

Anditapandita: No idea how you find me but I’m glad you did!  It’s always a special feeling when I meet someone that can not only vibe to my music, but my generic silly lifestyle, too.  It was great meeting you at Mesa the other day!  I was definitely playing some #quarantinefridays hits for bits of nostalgia.

Fr4ncheesie: According to Bryan, Fr4ncheesie is my looper.  Parallel Filipino lives in different states.  It was tight getting to know you strictly through the twitch chats knowing Bryan has always wanted to link us up.  It was a pleasure dropping some classic John Legend for ya’ll.

Lordnik0n_: A former student’s father.  Prior to joining my Twitch sets, he let me know he listened to my mixtapes on Back to School Night.  It was the wildest thing ever to hear a parent listen to my ratchet/sleazy mixtapes.  I wrote an entire blog post about how special that hip hop night was so I’ll keep this brief.  Here it is once more.

Rubadubinatub: One of the only reasons I keep it real at Mesa is to please the bartending staff with what I drop.  Crabtree has always been a fan of my shit and I always try my best to throw in some Mobb Deep and Fleetwood Mac when I can.

Aimeegg: It was always fun seeing my sister and Aimee flood the chat with their own conversation.  I remember you appreciating hearing Alicia Keys’ A Woman’s Worth knowing it doesn’t get that much love these days.  but...THAT’S WHAT I DO.  I revive the forgotten but dope.

Ki55my6utth0l3/bbcwif34u: you fucking weirdo

Bkdthvn: Damn.  Many memories playing for my boy.  Some of those memories include my neighbors, both sets, asking, “what song was ____?” and it being a BKDTHVN song.  It’s wild how far you came with music.  It was an honor to bless the twitch radiowaves with your shit and it will continue to be an honor to bump Mesa with your shit.

Pbisharat11:  thanks for always tuning in.  particularly thanks for tuning in and sending this over.

Jspinsir: I will definitely enjoy the select nights where you would partake in Paola and I’s ludicrousness during #quarantinefridays

Itserica143: 😅 thanks for...that

Dj_redline: Damn...It was always a crazy honor for my DJ mentor to bless his presence in my channel.  I was able to have a respectable record collection from the stuff you gave me when I was in middle school.  I was able to learn the secrets of how to buy beat junkies and ISP skratch records knowing that shit isn’t obvious.  It was the foundation I needed before I was lucky enough to be taken in by Dwenz and join Foundation FunKollective.  DJ’ing and DJ’ing my way is literally part of me because you showed me the ropes and I’ll forever be grateful.

Jen_lu: My biggest fan on the east coast!  It was so humbling to know that during the pandemic her group of friends would look forward to my sets.  They even rocked space buns showing their support!  I remember the days I had to start early because of the time difference.  Love ya’ll to death.

Mylove3169: South Bay in the houuuuuse! Damn.  It was always fun to play some classic funk for you.  Even the G-Funk brought me back to my days spinning at your parents’ front yard.  I definitely wanted to keep my shit Westcoast when you were on.  Holla!

Disrupty: A later staple of the quarantine series in 2021.  Shit was always fun to see you and mayo reminisce about back in the day knowing I missed out being part of that crew.

Alejandrooo825: My literal neighbors.  Kayla heard my patio door open during the pandemic and struck up a conversation.  I invited them over to socially distance in my patio as a proper introduction and to talk about the pandemic.  They had a squat rack five feet away from where I taught so they heard many lectures as well as shared many ratchet nights on quarantine Fridays.  The quarantine was definitely a great way to get to know ya’ll.  Definitely loved playing Mac Miller for ya’ll any chance I got.  

Snookie23: Oh man--anytime I would be able to sneak in a Freestyle set was because you and Chris wanted to groove at your place and I was happy to oblige.  Always loved to shout out Monrovia as much as I could during those late nights.

Claraamontt17: A former student that would study for her APs listening to my rebroadcasts.  If it were any other person, I’d be nervous about the shit that I play on twitch--but your taste in music is as ratchet as mine soooo 💃

Sashaaa_i: One of the last quarantine sets consisted of maddd Doja Cat because sashita put me on to it.  She even got red lights at her place to match the quarantinefriday vibes 💃💃💃

Earthtovirgo: Always appreciative of strangers finding me and vibing with my set.  It really reminds me when I play somewhere in public and I see heads boppin’.  I remember you being stoked I played Monsune.

[ontarioyoga]

How Do You Do Transcendental Meditation

New Post has been published on https://www.ontarioyoga.net/how-do-you-do-transcendental-meditation/

How Do You Do Transcendental Meditation

On My First Visit Before My Lessons Began I Sat Down With Dlf Teacher Mario Orsatti And Dlf Cofounder And Executive Director Bob Roth

They’re best friends of 40 years, and were fun to talk to — not at all the terrifying cult leaders I was afraid they might be.

As they put it, TM is a simple but effective technique. The $960 fee offers lifetime access to all TM centers and teachers across the world, and it funds operations and the modest teacher salaries that allow them to teach people for free. If people seek out TM and cannot afford it, they can apply for scholarships.

I Returned For My Introductory Lesson Two Weeks Later On A Pleasant Fall Friday Late In The Afternoon

Roth and Orsatti offered me lessons with a fee waiver, as they had done with other journalists, so that I would have more context for my research.  

I stopped off at the bodega down the street from the DLF office to buy some fruit and irises for the “traditional ceremony” I’d be participating in. I felt like I was about to step into one of Lynch’s surrealist films.

How Is Transcendental Meditation Different Than Other Meditation Techniques The Ocean Analogy

Bob Roth, from David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace, has explained the difference between transcendental meditation and other mindfulness-based types of meditation with what has come to have been known as .

He likens an overactive mind to being in a boat in the middle of the ocean, with tumultuous waves swelling around you. The ocean appears to be in upheaval, but in reality, it is only so on the surface. At its greatest depths it is naturally silent.

Unlike TM, most forms of meditation rely on quieting and controlling your thoughts. Those with particularly hyperactive minds may end up finding this frustrating. 

Typical meditation helps you observe the waves from a place devoid of apprehension or worry. TM teaches you to maneuver the boat to get through the waves more efficiently.

Transcendental meditation is particularly well suited to such hyperactive folk. Completing a successional session takes less discipline compared to more common mindfulness techniques. TM has also been shown to achieve levels of relaxation deeper than your deepest level of sleep when practiced correctly. 

The Law Of Attraction Is An Universal Truth Law Of Attraction And Transcendental Meditation

It’s been figured out by quantum physicists that the Law of Attraction is genuine since “Like draws in like.” There is a practical application if we let our thoughts be our truth as we acknowledge it today.

They form every element from simply how much cash gets in one’s life , whether love finds us at all if there was any chance for romance with another individual who might not have turned up or else.

The exact same adverse sensations bring in much more negativeness to oneself is what triggers health and wellness issues when tension degrees get expensive – think about somebody hopping on an aeroplane next time.

It likewise applies straight in the direction of attaining goals.

What Is The Difference Between Transcendental Meditation And Other Forms Of Meditation

Transcendental meditation has its roots in India’s ancient Vedic traditions. Its main difference is the repetition of a chosen mantra as a technique to calm the mind.  

It became popularized in the West by a spiritual guru from India. When the monk Swami Brahmananda Saraswati  passed away in 1953, he had passed the technique down, adapted from Vedic practices.  

One of Guru Dev’s followers, a man called the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, made the practice known to the rest of the world starting in the late 1950s. Tagging it as the Spiritual Regeneration Movement, the Maharishi promoted it as “a secular path toward mental, emotional, and physical well-being.” 

The name “transcendental meditation” was heavily used for two reasons: to clearly differentiate it from other forms of meditation, and to distance it from Hinduism and other religions and ensure that it stands on its own. 

While the movement did enjoy a moderate level of success prior to the late 1960s, it received a welcome boost because of its acquisition of four high-profile believers: none other than the Beatles. Soon enough, other stars in various entertainment industries followed in John, Paul, Ringo, and George’s bell-bottomed footsteps. Meditation soon became the “trendy” thing, and the Maharishi’s method was in the spotlight. 

Do Not Question The Law Of Attraction Law Of Attraction And Transcendental Meditation

The Law of attraction might resemble some astonishing idea, yet it’s not.

The Law of attraction is a guideline that can be placed on anything in your life in addition to you will see the outcomes if what are requesting aligns with what you truly desire.

No matter specifically how tiny or significant something may appear due to the fact that everything concerns when applying this concept- also ideas!

You should constantly have positive power so as long there isn’t any negative feelings existing then all excellent ideas will certainly enter into our lives no question asked .

An individual that has actually raised positivity within themselves attracts far better individuals or scenarios towards them that makes the trip a lot less complicated than in the past.

Envision experiencing anxiousness while being bordered by individuals who are like-minded. The effects may be compounded in the workplace.

Ultimately, learn to trust yourself as well as deep space will definitely take care of you. The Law Of Attraction is a doctrine that mentions “like brings in like.” It implies people, circumstances as well as additionally events in our lives are attracted to us by some sort of power or stress based upon what we consider frequently; whether it be adverse thoughts that reel in even more negativeness right into your life while hopefulness brings excellent concepts towards oneself – such as success! Law Of Attraction And Transcendental Meditation

Be Grateful For What You Do Have Law Of Attraction And Transcendental Meditation

Do not fail to remember to count your true blessings. The law of attraction is an effective point. You can attract what you desire by being grateful for the important things that are presently in your life and focusing on them instead of house means too much concerning just how they’re insufficient or sensation like there’s something missing out on from all of it.

Such unfavorable thoughts will only keep us stuck where we presently stand without adjustment to discover anytime quickly!

You could want to start counting your true blessings because this could be just an additional step closer to achieving your goals and also similarly making sure that whatever appears probable even if initially glimpse some might have believed otherwise or when looking back on their lives thus far.

What Is The Difference Between Transcendental Meditation And Other Meditations

We often assume all meditations are the same and achieve the same goal. There is no such thing as ‘one kind-fits-all’ meditation since each offers a unique benefit and helps one achieve different goals.

The difference between transcendental meditation and other meditations is quite simple. While most of the meditations concentrate on training the mind and its way of thinking, transcendental meditation allows the mind to go beyond the mental boundaries, which results in freedom of mind, concentration, and growth in creativity. Even better, you feel calmer, happier, and relaxed!

This is why this type of meditation is taught in schools, offices, and other educational institutions. All age groups practice and benefit from this meditation.

Tmrw X Todaywhy You Should Try Meditating For The First Time And How To Start

The difference between this practice and other forms of mindfulness or meditation is that TM is an independent, passive process. It is not guided by someone else who gives you suggestions about what to think; it’s entirely internal.

Transcendental Meditation is not about learning to do something that will your help your mind relax. It’s about learning to do nothing. In fact, teachers of TM often stress that the process should be absolutely effortless. Once you get into the right zone, it happens by itself.

I was intrigued enough to sign up, but also highly skeptical of something so simple.

“You don’t do anything?” I asked my meditation teacher. “So then what am I even doing?”

“Exactly,” he said.

I was worried again that this wasn’t for me. Nevertheless, I took solace in the fact that, in addition to The Beatles, TM is hailed by a number of reliable celebrities: Oprah Winfrey, Hugh Jackman, Tom Hanks, Katy Perry and Jerry Seinfeld have all cited TM as being an integral part of their success. Seinfeld has said in interviews that he has not missed a day of TM since 1972. Perhaps it’s no coincidence he created a show about nothing! And if it’s good enough for Oprah, there must be something to it.

I wanted to document my journey to see if I would experience the same benefits cited by these successful people, namely feeling more focused, more creative and far less stressed. Here’s what happened:

What’s The Difference Between Transcendental And Other Types Of Meditation

Science has proven that not all meditation is the same.

Whereas most types of meditation attempt to focus energy, thought and effort into training one’s mind and honing one’s thoughts, this particular form of meditation is meant to transcend ordinary thought and carry the practitioner beyond the upper structures of the thought processes, down into ‘silence’ – the absolute stillness of thought.

The sensation and subsequent results of transcending one’s surface thoughts are not unlike an athlete being ‘in the zone’ or some brave souls recounting how they simply didn’t think about the danger to themselves while rescuing someone in need.

Thankfully, you don’t need a dire emergency where life hangs in the balance in order to reach that state. You only need to cultivate stillness to tap into that wellspring of power.

Don’t other types of meditation also cultivate that stillness?

In fact, they don’t.

Ironically, the most popular types of meditation, such as Qi Gong or Zen, the Japanese style of meditation that evolved out of the Chinese Chan school all call for a focus onto an object, be it a mantra or something tangible. Such thinking causes more activity in various parts of the brain, not less.

Equally, today’s buzzword in meditation, mindfulness, also spurs brain activity even though the practitioner is merely visualising events, rather than targeting thoughts.

Find out also if guided meditation is right for you…

How Is Transcendental Meditation Different From Other Types Of Meditation

Unlike other forms of meditation, TM does not involve clearing the mind of thoughts, no controlling of the mind, nor mental monitoring. Practices such as mindfulness and focus meditation require moderate to strong effort, whereas TM is more effortless and relaxed. In this practice, the aim is to allow your mind to settle and arrive at the most silent and peaceful level of your awareness. 

Myriad of Benefits

TM is a simple and effective form of meditation that is shown by research to be quite effective at managing anxiety, stress, and cardiovascular health. During TM, the brain produces Alpha waves associated with relaxation, happiness, and focus. TM produces a unique state of “restful alertness,” and a greater sense of self by activating the default mode network in the brain. 

Several forms of meditations use breathing techniques, visualizations, and movements.   

TM, on the other hand, uses mantras. Mantras are words, phrases, or sentences consisting of vowels with no meaning—it only relies on vibration and sounds to focus on for the entire meditation session. This is so to avoid creating or visualizing a particular image in your mind associated with that word. Mantras such as the well-known serve as a vehicle for you to keep focus and experience stillness.

How I Went From A Meditation Skeptic To A True Believer After 30 Days

For many of my friends, spending a year at home led to the discovery of delightful new pastimes: baking, knitting, reading — one of my friends even a book.

Meanwhile, I had only discovered new ways to stress myself out. As the months wore on, I picked up a number of bad habits without even realizing it: constantly reading the news, doomscrolling, reflexively checking social media, and letting my mind race about the implications of the pandemic and why I hadn’t found any hip new hobbies.

Most of all, I had difficulty focusing. On many occasions I would get myself all set up on the couch to read a novel I’d purchased in March. The cushion positioned just right, the house calm and quiet, I would crack open the cover ready to be transported to a faraway land on wings of literature … and then I’d instantly fall asleep or check my phone. Several months later, my bookmark remained on the cover page. I’d even developed temporomandibular joint disorder, aka TMJ, a stress-induced jaw condition.

After a string of sleepless nights, a friend of mine suggested I try meditation. I downloaded the most popular meditation apps and searched for guided meditations on YouTube, but I found myself unable to take any of it seriously. My inability to relax made me all the more stressed. Meditation, I decided, wasn’t for me.

We Sat Down In Sofas At Either Side Of The Room And Began Meditating

The technique itself is simple, consisting of sitting upright in a chair, closing your eyes for 20 minutes, and repeating a mantra — a meaningless “vibration word” provided by your teacher — in your head at no particular rhythm. It is recommended that one practice this twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

For most people, including myself, TM is easy to learn but takes a couple weeks to practice naturally. It’s why your TM teacher checks in for a few followup lessons after the initial four-day introduction.

Imagine What You Desire And Additionally Feel Excellent Worrying It

It is impressive specifically just how powerful your ideas are, and additionally just how they form your fact.

You might guess that if you feel great, then a lot more favorable vibrations will certainly become part of one’s life because of those positive sensations!

The first step we should certainly absorb order to attain our goals, or complete what we require to obtain done – for instance, we need to imagine ourselves as healthy and balanced, toned muscle mass, and so on. Law Of Attraction And Transcendental Meditation

Orsatti Had Me Take My Shoes Off And We Walked Into A Darkened Room

He led me to a corner, where there was a small altar with an illustration of Brahmananda Saraswati, also know as Guru Dev . Guru Dev was the teacher of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of TM, and we were there to honor him before learning the technique.

Orsatti handed me one of the irises and began solemnly reciting what I assumed to be a Sanskrit prayer. He proceeded to light candles and arrange the fruit and other items before him. I found it interesting, but I wouldn’t figure out what was actually happening until weeks later.

Where Did Transcendental Meditation Mantras Originally Come From

The word mantra is a Sanskrit word that has been derived from two verb roots. The first root word is a which means mind, and means tool or vehicle. A mantra is, therefore, a tool or vehicle of the mind. This vehicle brings its calmness and spirituality to mind. Evidence of the same has been found in the Vedas of ancient times.

The Vedas mention meditation and mantras. The evidence has been found not only in the Hindu scriptures but also in the Buddhist ones. As a form of meditation, the mantras were carved into rocks. Using mantras is believed to have started even before 1000 BC.

Rigveda defines it as a structured idea conforming to the reality of poetic formulas offering inherent fulfillment. A transcendental meditation mantra is not restricted to any specific religion and is used by almost everyone. This was a way ancient people connected with the divine.

How To Get Started With Transcendental Meditation For Beginners

Leave a Comment

Transcendental meditation has become increasingly popular over the past decade. It has been shown to improve mental health. Besides that, it also helps you live a more healthy lifestyle. What is transcendental meditation? How does it benefit you? How about finding out more?

Here’s everything you need to know about practicing transcendental meditation for beginners.

List of Transcendental Meditation Apps

Things You Need To Know To Talk About Transcendental Meditation Dean Sluyter

Transcendental Meditation is having a moment. After making a big splash in the peace ’n’ love era, it largely faded from view, but now everyone from Lena Dunham and to and is into it. David Lynch has had a foundation dedicated to it since 2005, and earlier this year Jim Carrey’s commencement address at a TM university went viral. But what  TM? Is it some kind of Scientology-like cult? A trendy thing to add to your self-improvement agenda? Could it be something actually worth trying?

To help you decide, or so you can simply prep to be a TM aficionado the next time the topic comes up at a cocktail party, we turned to Dean Sluyter, who taught TM from 1970 to 1993. Sluyter, who has practiced extensively in Advaita Vedanta, Tibetan Buddhism, and Bhakti Yoga, is the author of The Zen Commandments, Cinema Nirvana, and Natural Meditation: A Guide to Effortless Meditative Practice, and  for the Huffington Post. Here, Sluyter gives a rundown of what you need to know about the suddenly hot-again practice.

It feels good. TM allows the mind and body to settle into a quiet state of “restful alertness.” Usually, people come out of it feeling refreshed, energized, and at peace.

Its benefits have been proven … kind of. Forty-plus years of research has shown that TM can do everything from slowing or reversing the progression of changes that underlie cardiovascular disease , but even if half of them are bogus, what’s left is still impressive.

How To Do Transcendental Meditation Step By Step For Beginners

To learn Transcendental meditation properly, you must visit a center near you. If you feel you cannot afford it, then here is the process step by step.

Turn off your phone and pick a location where you can sit in peace for 20-to-25 minutes at a time without any interruptions.

Put your hands on your lap and close your eyes while seated on the ground.

Pick a mantra that resonates with you. Repeat it slowly in your mind. Repeat it until it comes to your mind.

Repeat the mantra without forcing it. Let it wander wherever it wants.

In case you feel that you have drifted away, slowly return to position and repeat the mantra.

Practice for twenty minutes and set a reminder or alarm at the end.

Continue to sit in the same position for five more minutes without opening your eyes, and then relax.

Resources For Practicing Transcendental Meditation On Your Own

As mentioned before, one of the biggest questions is: when does one know one’s time to meditate is through?

One way to measure time is with a selection of music; my personal favourite is the soundtrack to Johnathan Livingston Seagull.

It was a simple task to select tracks totalling about 30 minutes into play files; come time to disconnect from the world, I simply choose one of the files and drift away on the sound of waves and soaring chords.

Naturally, there are other musical selections that are ideal for meditation; perhaps you already have some in your music collection.

Your meditation music should be tranquil; no peaking vocals and only gentle percussion. Repeating themes would also help, especially if you are new to meditation. The tempo should be about the same throughout; you may even enjoy music with water trickling in the background.

YouTube has a whole list of videos for meditation; some play continuously and others last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. Some are narrated, meaning a soothing, pleasant voice directs your meditation while peaceful music plays in the background.

Other websites, such as Music 2 Meditate and Free Meditation Music have created meditation playlists. You may choose from piano or strings, from Devotional or the intriguing-sounding Mantra, a collection of music with traditional Indian tones.

That would be highly appropriate, seeing as meditation is an ancient Indian art! 

But Why Whats The Secret Of Transcendental Meditation Mantras

And why is it that superstars are able to attract avalanches of wealth and success so easily – while most people battle for years just to keep their heads above water? How can they learn transcendental meditation practice and get all of it’s benefits and you can’t?

What makes these “stars” so special?

The answer is so simple that most people NEVER see it.

Stars like Oprah are manifesting from the Core of who they are – what we call their Core Energy.

In other words, ALL their energy is lined up and working together. They are not trying to manifest fragments of desires or things they are not sure if they really want or not. They are manifesting what they TRULY desire as a UNIFIED whole.

And that’s what makes them so darn powerful.

That’s why they attract masses of abundance like a magnet… Because they are COMPLETELY allowing the energy that creates worlds to flow through them as a unified whole. Makes sense?

Now here’s the best news…

YOU too can learn how to align with your Core Energy and manifest all that you truly desire from that place. How do you do this?

Mind-Body Training practices that integrate your primal Body, Heart and Mind energies, while at the same time developing inner skills of mindfulness and inner presence, are obviously essential. You can find out more about these here:

Another secret is to learn to connect to your joy, your passion and your excitement in your life.

What Does Transcendental Meditation Feel Like My Experiences Leave a CommentMeditationPhil Ashton

Interested in TM and what to know more about it? In this article, I’m going to do my best to answer, what does Transcendental Meditation feel like?

For me, it feels like I’m “lost” in my subconscious. Able to feel all the stress, tension, and pain in my body and mind float away. I come out of it mentally refreshed, physically energized, and with a profound sense of calm.

How To Teach Yourself Transcendental Meditation For Free

As a society, we’ve come so far and achieved so much. We’re supposed to be living in the greatest time in human history. But whatever happened to happiness? We have so much pressure on us to work harder, to buy more, and to be more. And we’re constantly connected yet, somehow we’re lonelier than we’ve ever been.

Depression and anxiety is a global pandemic. In Australia alone suicide is a leading cause of death for people aged 15 – 44. According to the World Health Organization over seven hundred and ninety thousand people die every year from suicide. That’s one person dying from suicide every 40 seconds. Most of those are men.

So obviously something that we’re doing isn’t right. But there is a way that we can all manage stress and anxiety naturally and to feel happier and calmer and more content in our lives. And we can do that through meditation.

Meditation is amazing. it has the ability to physically rewire our brains chemistry and to take us out of a reactionary fight-or-flight response and to put us in a calmer more alert state. But most of us are so busy in our day-to-day lives that we never really experience this state.

The Buddhists call this pure consciousness and it’s something that we all have inside of us but we rarely see it. So a good way to explain how meditation works is to think of the mind as an ocean.

So when it comes to concentration meditation we’re taking all of our awareness and focusing it on one single point and that could be the breath.

Is The World Of Transcendental Meditation Truly Peaceful

Organizations founded on the foundation of It typically promote world peace. They suggest the idea of a peaceful community working together to ultimately raise consciousness. But is that really the case? One incident that led to the murder of Levi Butler in the It movement’s Maharishi University of Management cafeteria truly puts into question the supposed peaceful disposition of its followers. Because of the anti-medical views of the school’s authorities and the general avoidance of antipsychotic medication, a college student went through a psychotic episode wounding one and killing another.

Without any provocation in the throat and face with a pen. When MUM administrator took Sem aside he questioned him on his It technique. He was then placed in the custody of the MUM dean of men. No campus security or Law enforcement was called. Dean of Men Joel Wynsong took Sem to his off-campus apartment with the intention of correcting his It technique. While Wynsong began his own It session, Sem was able to escape his apartment. Wynsong located Sem and followed him to the schools dining hall where he decided to watch Sem talk with students. Suddenly Sem began another unprovoked attack, stabbing and killing Levi Butler.

Sem was taken into custody and upon psychiatric examination, it was found out that Sem had chronic paranoid Schizophrenia and was previously treated with antipsychotic medication but had stopped taking the medication several weeks before coming to MUM.

What Are Health Benefits Of Transcendental Meditation

The health benefits of It are said to be numerous. From lowering blood pressure to the lowered risk of heart disease It seems to heal a number of ailments naturally. It is even said that It minimizes the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. There are many meditation practices specialized for physical health. Though It has frequently been associated with alternative medicine, studies suggest its effectiveness.

With a little quiet time, in the world of Transcendental, almost anyone can get rid of a number of health problems. But how true are these studies? In a comprehensive view of the It movement, Aryeh Siegel writes about an attack of convulsions making him unable to walk or even stand in an upright position after practicing it. Members of It organizations frequently boast about the studies been done on TM technique, claiming it has been predominately beneficial for health. Critics, however, have deemed most of these studies to be of poor quality. A ranging number of mistakes are supposedly present such as biased design, self-reporting, conflict of interest and cherry picking. Multiple critics have spoken about how the researchers themselves have been affiliated with MUM and other foundations centered on the It movement. This seems to directly point at a conflict of interest and biased view of It when it comes to scientific studies. The National Institute of Health, however, does not consider zeal or faith to be conflicts of interest.

Dylan Dreyer And Sheinelle Jones Practice Mindfulness

A few weeks later, I saw a documentary about The Beatles and their fabled trip to India. In 1968, they visited a small city in northern India called Rishikesh to learn a specific type of meditation I didn’t know much about beforehand: Transcendental Meditation.

In the interviews John, Paul, George and Ringo describe feelings of “complete inner peace,” “boundless creativity” and feeling “high on life.” This sounded slightly more appealing than my night sweats and teeth grinding. The next morning, I signed myself up for a Transcendental Meditation course.

Transcendental Meditation Frequently Asked Questions

Can TM be taught online?

Can anyone learn?Yes, TM is so simple, natural and effortless to practise that even children from the age of 6 can learn! And you are never too old! Anyone who can think can meditate!

My mind is always too busy/I can’t sit still – I could never meditate!Many people say this before learning, but the real purpose of meditation is not to still the mind or the body . There is no effort made to concentrate or control the mind because just as much as it is the nature of the mind to be active, it is also the nature of the mind to be still, given the opportunity. Any organism in nature that can be active must, by definition, be able to be less active, and ultimately totally still. This includes the mind. You’ll have no problem once you understand how to meditate properly. Even children with diagnoses of ADHD can practise effortlessly!

From your list of benefits of TM, it seems you’re saying that it is a panacea for all the world’s ills. Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?Any doctor or healer will admit that it’s the power of Nature that heals. And nature’s power is unlimited in its potential. The effectiveness of any approach is in its ability to allow you to connect with the deeper, more powerful levels of Nature. And TM is the purest form of , which means integration of life – the most natural and effective way to connect with the power deep within you.

How Is Tm Different From Other Meditation Techniques

As weightlifting, tennis, and ballroom dancing strengthen specific muscles and produce different overall effects in the body, so do focusing on a candlelight, repeating mantras or trying to dispassionately observe one’s mental content result in different outcomes.

MEDITATION AND BRAIN: Some of the best, most revealing research on the effects of meditation practice has involved different methods of neurophysiological brain imaging. Photo: University of Illinois.

According to research, the practice of Transcendental Meditation is unique in many a sense.

For one, TM seems to turn on the whole brain and make it function as a holistic unit. This is a common feature of those people who report peak-performances in business, art or sports.

Another peculiar feature of the TM technique is that there is no difference between brainwaves of experts and beginners — one masters it quickly. In fact, the positive effects of practice are usually apparent already from the very first TM session.

Practising Transcendental Meditation With A Teacher

Transcendental meditation is a relaxation and personal development technique which is a bit different from some of the other types of meditation. In fact, unlike some of those more mainstream meditation activities such as mindfulness, you don’t need to put in that much effort or concentrate that much.

However, you will need a guide who’s happy to practise daily and you will need some training, which we’ll cover later.

Find out about hot yoga near me here.

Transcendental meditation centres on an awareness of your body and a sense of inner peace, using a mantra, silently repeated, to reach beyond conscious thought.

Your mantra can be a word, sentence, or idea which your tutor will help you discover or will assign to you. The idea is to repeat this mantra, in accordance with what your instructor is telling you to do.

For authentic transcendental meditation training, your teacher should have been trained by a Maharishi Mahesh Yogi organisation.

Your given mantra is a more thorough, more personal message than Zen meditation, for example, which many people commonly associate with religion.

Nevertheless, we can illustrate, in broad strokes, essentially how a transcendental meditation session would go:

You should be seated in a comfortable position where your body is fully supported. Such a place may be on the floor or in a chair; as you will be sitting for around 30 minutes, it would be a good idea to choose a setting most conducive to relaxation.

How To Do Transcendental Meditation: A Walk Through

Meditation is a powerful tool that involves training the mind to achieve long-lasting mental clarity, balance, and mindfulness. It has been proven to be an effective way to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and promote overall well-being.

There are many types of meditations that each caters to different purposes. One of the popular types of meditation is Transcendental meditation. What was once a practice in the East has now become a part of the lives of people in the West that even celebrities such as Hugh Jackman and Ellen DeGeneres have claimed the positive effect of this form of meditation. It also caught the interest of the English rock band, the Beatles, which then took part in a training course in India to learn how to do Transcendental Meditation.

How To Learn Transcendental Meditation By Yourself

You might have heard the phrase before and thought it was some sort of weird hippy dippy cult thing, or maybe a spiritual journey that you’d have to undergo months in the Himalayan mountains to master. The truth is, Transcendental Meditation holds no ties to any group, spiritual belief system, or philosophy. It’s so simple that anyone can practice it pretty much anywhere.  Follow along, and we’ll teach you how to learn Transcendental Meditation by yourself! 

How To Do Transcendental Meditation Without Paying

Transcendental meditation involves silently and repeatedly focusing the mind on a single mantra. This mantra can be different for every person depending on personal characteristics. Transcendental meditation can help you improve your relationships, make you thrive at work, regain your inner peace, and even make you become calmer! How can you engage in this rich and helpful form of meditation without having to pay for the usually expensive courses?

Transcendental meditation can be practiced, without paying for transcendental meditation courses, by simply following its rules, and choosing a mantra that works for you. The mantras help to create a state of awareness while the meditation takes the student into a tranquil state.

Unlike the popular mindfulness-based meditations that focus on clearing the mind of thoughts and gently bringing the attention back to the present moment when the mind wanders, transcendental meditation is based on focusing the mind on a single mantra. Is it possible to teach yourself this form of meditation, and how can you do it without paying? How can you choose the right mantra? Keep reading to get all you need to know about this rich and beneficial form of meditation.

Learning And Practicing Transcendental Meditation

Unlike some forms of meditation, TM technique requires a seven-step course of instruction from a certified teacher.

A TM teacher presents general information about the technique and its effects during a 60-minute introductory lecture. That’s followed by a second 45-minute lecture in which more specific information is given. People interested in learning the technique then attend a 10- to 15-minute interview and 1 to 2 hours of personal instruction. Following a brief ceremony, they’re each given a mantra, which they’re supposed to keep confidential.

Next come 3 days of checking for correctness with 1 or 2 more hours of instruction. In these sessions, the teacher does the following:

Explains the practice in greater detail

Gives corrections if needed

How To Practice Transcendental Meditation At Home

One of the easier methods of meditation is transcendental meditation. It does not require any preparation at all. You do not need a specific place to do it. While at work, at home, or even while traveling, you can do this.

All you need to do is be comfortable. It can be done on a bed, a chair, a train, in a car, anywhere, as long as your body is comfortable. Seat yourself comfortably, but not in an uncomfortable position or a lean position.

Just close your eyes and chant the mantras in your mind feeling them. This should take about 20 minutes. Silently repeating a mantra is part of this technique. You need not chant the mantra aloud. The mantra will allow you to transcend the physical world and enter a spiritual, peaceful realm. It’s just as easy to do.

How To Do Transcendental Meditation Step By Step

In my previous post, I have talked about the Vedic Meditation i.e. the Transcendental Meditation . So, if you do not know what Transcendental Meditation is then checking it out on this site. Today, in this article I am going to talk about how to do Transcendental Meditation step by step. So, let’s get started to know how to do Transcendental Meditation techniques for beginners…

Transcendental meditation is a form of Bhavatiya meditation mantra yoga or chanting yoga. In Transcendental Meditation, a person is given a special mantra to each person according to their nature.

Mahishi Mahesh Yogi was the master of meditation. This is a simple and natural meditation method. In this meditation we do not have to make any effort, it starts automatically. As you now know what is Transcendental Meditation method, you can see that it is very similar to mantra meditation because it uses some special mantras. 

The TM makes your mind super calm as well as lightens your body. The popularity of Bhavantya meditation is growing day by day. This meditation method can also be certified by scientists. Even in foreign countries, big institutions are open to teaching how to do Transcendental Meditation step by step. In this method, the learned teachers teach how to do Transcendental Meditation step by step to achieve all the benefits of Transcendental Meditation.

How Are Transcendental Meditation Mantras Chosen

Mantras are somewhat meaningless sounds. In transcendental meditation, it is generally accepted that the more we don’t know about our mantra, the better. Mantras are positive sounds that will help you grow in your meditation. Usually, mantras are suggested by certified transcendental teachers to their students. These mantras are assigned based on your experience in practicing transcendental meditation.

Examples of transcendental meditation mantras include:

When chanting these mantras, they sound like:

Kiiiiiiiiiiririmmmmm Kiiiiiiririmmmm

Aiinnggg Aiiiiiiiinnnnnggggggg

It is right that you vary the length and tone of each letter of your mantra while you’re chanting it. This way, it will be easier to bring about the ‘trance’ effect on your mind. How you chant your mantra does not matter as long as you chant it throughout your session.

If you are doing transcendental meditation on your own and notice the mantra you chose reminds you too much of something in real life, pick another completely meaningless to find what works for you.

How To Do Transcendental Meditation By Yourself

If for any reason, you are unable to avail a guide for transcendental meditation, you may follow these steps. 

Switch off all your mobile devices for the next 25 minutes. Set a timer or put a clock nearby to alert you. 

Sit in an upright but comfortable position, eyes closed, feet on the floor. 

Choose a simple mantra; it should be a sound, and not necessarily a word, that you can easily say and think of. For example,  

Repeat your chosen mantra silently, in your head, letting it flow within with minimal effort. Make sure that you don’t drift off, though. Focus on the mantra, and just the mantra. Let go of any ill feelings or thoughts. 

Keep going for 20 minutes.  

For the few remaining minutes of your meditation time, sit in silence, with your mind completely empty. 

Law Of Attraction And Transcendental Meditation

Do you have any kind of clear objectives for your life? Do you have concepts on exactly how you desire your life to be? Law Of Attraction And Transcendental Meditation

Do you need to compel on your own to just visit a job site as well as gradually toxin your body with short-term delight via functioning? Or would it be far better to just make changes and locate tranquility for a long time?

Just how is your life going now? Is this the course that you are on? Or should you seek your passion while changing jobs completely? Am I where I wish to remain in life today, or would certainly living somewhere else make you better?

These are all concerns worth asking before making any kind of kind of substantial decisions or modifications.

Act As If You Already Have The Thing You Desire

There’s a saying something like “fake it till you make it.” Well, this is the law of attraction at the office. If you place on an act as if something currently happened.

As an example by putting on apparel that make one look thinner and even just grinning routinely- after that it will absolutely take place!

It has to entail taking enthusiastic tasks to accomplish what we desire; such points can consist of: climbing early in addition to working out prior to work so when arriving at the workplace there’s no demand to feel worn down from lack of remainder do all jobs with power rather than dragging oneself through them.

It is necessary to have a common sense of self-care which entails not ignoring our really own requirements nevertheless instead put ourselves initially once more while keeping our mind on our goal of coming to be healthy and fit given that doing otherwise can lead us down.

This Is Your Brain On Transcendental Meditation

Whatever your particular health concerns or New Year’s resolutions may be—sharper memory, lower blood pressure, less stress, looser-fitting pants—conventional wisdom leads a lot of us straight to the gym. But decades of research paints a fascinating, promising picture of what an effortless relaxation technique called Transcendental Meditation can do you for instead—without setting foot on that treadmill.

Yep, we said effortless. Transcendental Meditation, or TM, is 20 minutes, twice a day, of profound rest and relaxation, according to its fans. Meditators use a mantra to guide their minds to a place of stillness that exists within all of us—we’re just too stressed and stretched too thin to know it’s there. If the goings-on of our buzzing, frazzled minds are like the waves on top of the ocean, the inner quiet is like the silence at the ocean’s depths, says Bob Roth, executive director of the David Lynch Foundation, which brings TM to at-risk populations like domestic abuse survivors, inmates, and inner-city students. 

This Is Your Body On Meditation

Another recent PTSD study, funded by the David Lynch Foundation, found that TM helped decrease medication use among military members with the condition. After a month, nearly 84% of the 37 meditators had stabilized, decreased, or stopped anxiety meds, while about 11% increased their dose. Among the 37 who didn’t meditate, 59% were able to stabilize, decrease, or stop their meds while 40.5% had to increase them.  

Transcendental Meditation Is Mantra Meditation

The main difference between Transcendental Meditation and other forms of meditation is the mantra you’re asked to repeat during a meditation session. “In TM, the mantra, used as the vehicle to help the mind settle down, is a meaningless sound versus other types of meditation that use words, phrases, or visualizations during the meditation practice,” says Pink. By focusing exclusively on your mantra, you aim to achieve a state of perfect stillness and consciousness.

I feel a sense of calm, and when I’m done, I have more energy and feel more focused and productive. 

While some meditation practices encourage emptying the mind of all thoughts, TM encourages thoughts to come and go, like the passive activity of watching a cloud float by. According to Pink, this is an incredible strategy to manage daily anxieties created by worrisome thinking. “It teaches you how to create a space between you and your thoughts and become an observer.”

Currently My Favorite Online Meditation Course

If you haven’t seen it by now, my buddy , developed a fantastic step-by-step 5-week meditation course, that I’ve taken myself as well and found valuable.

This course has 35 daily video lessons, organized by week – each with its own unique themes, goals, and insights. These videos cover everything, from showing you how to make meditation a daily habit, to teaching you all the different meditation techniques .

I wholeheartedly suggest this program because it teaches you to practice meditation from the “inside out” – independently.

P.S. You can get this course for only $97 which means that you’ll pay $2.7 for each lesson. That’s crazy cheap.

The Whys And Hows Of Transcendental Meditation

Learning This Technique

Transcendental meditation, also known as TM for short, is a simple and effective form of meditation that is shown by research to be quite effective at minimizing anxiety, helping people manage stress, and even lowering blood pressure?? and carrying other benefits. It gained popularity in the 1960s, even attracting the attention of the Beatles, as well as other celebrities and notable people since then.

You can learn this form of meditation from a certified TM instructor in a few days, but you can also learn the basics here. Those who practice transcendental meditation may experience a decrease in stress and anxiety within minutes. As with other forms of meditation, long-term practice can lead to even more positive changes, including resilience to stress, lower overall anxiety, and even greater life satisfaction. It’s definitely worth taking a few minutes to learn more.

Where Does Transcendental Meditation Come From

Transcendental meditation was inspired by Indian spiritual traditions and was introduced into the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1995. Maharishi helped give Indian meditation a new lease on life.

We’re talking about the 6 million people who were taught this technique around the world. A number who, despite a few controversies, are basically trying to find the keys to happiness.

Meditation is first and foremost a way to gain self-awareness, understand what’s happening deep inside yourself, and a way to battle stress and depression. In addition to these benefits, there are also a number of physical benefits to practising transcendental meditation such as feeling more relaxed and reducing your blood pressure.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi .

Born in 1917 and died in 2008, he became a symbol of an American counter-culture and was featured in a number of publications, most notably .

While some dubbed it a sect, Maharishi founded a university, schools, and colleges around the world. His success is in part due to just how simple the technique can be and the fact that there were a lot of stars who got involved.

Check for pregnancy yoga near me here.

How Transcendental Meditation Alters The Brain

Lauren Sharkey

Transcendental meditation involves sitting with eyes shut for 15–20 minutes twice a day while saying a mantra. The practice has several advantages for mental health but, until now, it was unclear how those effects came about.

TM differs from other meditation practices in that it does not require concentration or visualization.

Instead, TM practitioners come up with a mantra, which is a word or phrase that has no real meaning.

The practitioners silently think this mantra, allowing the mind to naturally transcend, while both the mind and body remain awake, yet relaxed.

Most people can learn TM in a few months, and benefits from regular practice may include reduced feelings of stress and anxiety in a person’s everyday life.

Research has found some evidence of this. A 2013 study, appearing in Military Medicine, listed TM as a feasible treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in active-duty military personnel.

Similarly, a study appearing in in 2014, concluded that a TM program was effective in reducing psychological distress in teachers.

A 2016 study from the same journal found significant reductions in symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in prison inmates who practiced TM.

With benefits seen in a relatively short period, one field of study has dived deeper into TM to find out exactly how it helps.

Now, new findings published in Brain and Cognition point to measurable functional effects in the brain of TM practitioners.

Transcendental Meditation: Your Complete Guide Meditation

Are you looking for a newmeditation technique that is backed with science or that will offer you an abundance of benefits?

If yes, then your search ends here!

This is your complete guide to transcendental meditation. A form of meditation that recently got super famous and has nearly 5 million practitioners benefiting from it. So, are you ready to join this troop?

No, need more motivation?

Well, many celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld, to name a few have claimed that Transcendental Meditation has changed their lives.

If they can, why do we miss this amazing meditation technique?

Let the journey to explore Transcendental Meditation begin…

What Does Transcendental Meditation Feel Like

The goal of TM is to achieve a positive state of mind and a deep sense of inner peace.

Meditation is always hard to explain to someone else in fine detail, as the feelings and experiences vary from person-to-person.

For me, however, I’d say that while I’m practicing TM I feel a deep, profound, sense of relaxation.

A much deeper state of relaxation than regular meditation. I can feel my heart slowing. Hear and feel every breath. I can feel stresses, aches and pains, and other tension I’m holding onto both physically and mentally literally floating away.

I come out of it after 20 minutes feeling a rush of mental alertness, physical energy, and a sense of clarity that’s hard to explain.

Since I started practicing, I’ve noticed a marked improvement in how calm I am at all times, improvements in my memory and concentration, and loads of positive benefits in how I handle relationships in my life.

My friends and family noticed the changes in me too.

From a scientific standpoint, TM are known to help:

Lower blood pressure

Help improve focus, attention span, and concentration

Promote emotional health

Reduce stress and anxiety

Improve sleep

– Struggling to meditate? Read how to get into a meditative state.

What Are Mantras In Transcendental Meditation

The great teacher of Transcendental Meditation Maharishi Mahesh Yogi said,

“Mantra is a specific thought which suits us, a suitable sound for us which we receive from a trained teacher of Transcendental Meditation. By using this mantra, the practitioner experiences the thought of that sound and starts minimizing that thought to experience the finer states of that thought – until the source of thought is fathomed and the conscious mind reaches the transcendental area of being.”

To put it in simpler words mantras are positive sounds that will help you grow in your life.

Characteristic Of Transcendental Meditation:

You can do this anytime and anywhere

We have 20-20 minutes to this meditation method

While doing these Transcendental Meditation basics, we have to utter some mantras, which you will get from the institution

We need to focus on something

In this meditation method, we do not need any kind of effort

We do not need any kind of concentration in this meditation

You do not even have to control your mind

This meditation is a scientific certification for depression and peace of mind. That is how does transcendental meditation work.

Transcendental Meditation How To Start Today

That’s exactly what I want to share with you today.

Trust me on this: When you know how to connect to your passion, you not only enjoy a lot more wealth, success, love, abundance and fun, but you also see your entire life taking on a more vibrant color, richness, and value.

It’s not just your bank account that is full — you also feel more fulfilled inside. The sense of struggle and having to push is gone. Everything seems so much more worthwhile. You’re excited to share what you’re doing with those you love and with the world! You feel like you’re a vital part of Life, contributing something special as only you can.

So, if you don’t currently feel that sense of burning joy and excitement in your life, what can you do about it?

The first step is to learn to read your signs. As you go about your life, notice what sparks your interest and curiosity. Let me give you an example…

Now I don’t watch much TV, but I discovered I like watching a bit of reality TV, because I find all sorts of people engaged in doing interesting things that they love – things that I would have never thought of, or never thought possible.

The point is that the various passions and paths are unique.

But what excites and interests YOU?

If money was no object and you could do anything you wanted all day, what might that be? What is important or fascinating to you?

What would you like to share with others?

If you’ve lost your feel for that, here’s a simple thing you can do to get it back:

Common Mantras For Transcendental Meditation

This meditation relies heavily on mantras that serve as a vehicle for the individual to concentrate on a particular style of mental functioning. So it’s important to choose the right mantra.

This may sound weird, but this synchronizes with the sound of your breath and is very effective.

Repeat this mantra as you breathe, so as you breathe in and hum as you breath out.

It has great vibration, which is essential for a mantra.

Hu hu hu hu: You will feel all the negativity leaving your mind as you recite this mantra. A simple mantra, it also works well.

Bodhi Svaha: This is a Buddhist word or mantra that gives peace to the mind and body.

Check out these transcendental meditation mantras according to your age and gender.

Why Should You Try Transcendental Meditation

Plain simply – Transcendental Meditation is the easiest form of meditation.

A lot of beginners of meditation are advised to do guided meditation as their intro to meditation. Personally, I tried numerous apps and while they’re helpful to understand the practice – they’re not as good as having control of your meditation at your own pace. Tm requires no concentration, no control of the mind, and no mental monitoring. These aspects of TM make it perfect for beginners.

Moreover, TM can be performed anywhere – while you’re waiting in line, at busy airports, etc. All you need is your mantra. No phone, no apps, no internet.

Lastly, there’s a lot of research that supports that TM greatly helps in reducing stress, anxiety

Benefits For Heart And Cardiovascular Health

One study from 2007 concluded that transcendental meditation “can be effective in improving the quality of life and functional capacity of African-American congestive heart failure patients.” Another study reported that the technique had a profound effect on the self-efficacy, perceived stress, and mental and physical quality of life of financially constrained mothers in Uganda. 

Can I Teach Myself Transcendental Meditation

The official recommendation on transcendental meditation is that it must be taught by a certified teacher for four consecutive days. This is because the learner may not know if they are doing it correctly. Also, the mantra you are given as a learner, and not sharing that mantra, is an important part of the meditation. Engaging the service of a certified transcendental meditation teacher is often expensive, hence many people seek to learn it on their own.

Teaching yourself this form of meditation has its benefits. In fact, with persistence and continuous improvement, the learner may become very good in the practice with time. You can start slowly, and many people have said they have experienced good results by learning transcendental meditation on their own. There are many helpful books and videos on this form of meditation that anyone interested in the practice may use. Overall, what a transcendental meditation course gives you, that you can’t get on your own, is accountability and the support of a group of like-minded people.

Some Famous Transcendental Meditation Quotes

Sometimes quotes perfectly capture how someone feels about something. TM has some high-profile practitioners who have been very outspoken about how it’s changed their lives for the better.

Here are a few of my favorites:

I do transcendental meditation, which is, I suppose, derived from Vedic or Ayurvedic principles, which is sort of Hindu principles – Russel Brand

I’m actually big into meditation, transcendental meditation, and that really helps create not only a sense of balance, but all the other stuff this is gonna sound cliché… serenity and kind of a calm state of mind. And not that I’m like that all the time, but it helps me deal with life’s ups and downs, coming from more of a centered place. Also it helps with creativity – Eva Mendes

I think is what people need. They don’t need high minded talk, they need results – Paul McCartney

Transcendental Meditation is a mental technique, so you travel to this field through subtler levels of mind, and then subtler levels of intellect, and then, at the border of intellect, you transcend and experience it – David Lynch

The goal of the Transcendental Meditation technique is the state of enlightenment. This means we experience that inner calmness, that quiet state of least excitation, even when we are dynamically busy – Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

If world peace is to be established, peace in the individual must be established first. Transcendental Meditation directly brings peace in the individual life – Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Ask On Your Own Why This Is Happening To You

It’s continuously excellent to assess your life and likewise ask on your own what you’re grateful for.

What are the excellent ideas that have struck me?

What do I such as regarding my life currently and additionally precisely how can these be used as a stepping rock towards attaining more of those very same goals/dreams in future years beforehand?

These issues will absolutely aid us figure out if there’s something we need or want from our lives, which can then lead flawlessly into activity 6!

How Do I Practice Transcendental Meditation

Many reports support that T.M. technique should be practiced with a certified teacher while other advice that this seven-step course can be learned on your own. So we are covering both the aspects of practicing TM in this write-up.

Learning and Practicing Transcendental Meditation with Teacher

If you are planning to learn TM technique through a certified teacher you have to go through a seven-step course of instruction. This is what this seven-step TM procedure will comprise of:

1. In the first step of the TM technique, the teacher shares the relevant information and impact of it through a 60-minute introductory lecture.

2. This is followed by another specific information related lecture of 45 minutes.

3. Further people who find the TM technique interesting and wish to learn it attend a 15-minute interview.

4. This is followed by 1-3 hours of personal instructions.

5. After this, a mantra is given to them .

6. The correctness of practice and mantra chanting is seen for the coming 3 days. It is done by 1-2 hours of instruction so that mantra chanting becomes perfect and a part of an individual’s daily lifestyle.

7. Over the coming months, the teacher meets the practitioner regularly to ensure that they are practicing the TM technique correctly.

Learning and Transcendental Meditation on Your Own

Here is a step-by-step for you to follow and practice TM:

What Are Transcendental Meditation Mantras

So what are those mantras we spoke of before? Well, the word mantra translates to ‘mind vehicle’ is derived from Sanskrit: man = mind, tra = vehicle. For the TM technique – they are meaning-less sounds. These mantras hold value in the quality of the sound of the mantra rather than any special meaning.

Should You Begin Transcendental Meditation

The official website of transcendental meditation presents four major reasons to try the method.  

It promotes the technique as one that does not require a disproportionate amount of effort or mentally taxing skill just to work. In fact, they outright state that the method is by no means intended to “empty the mind,” and that even children diagnosed with ADHD would have no trouble performing the practice. 

Transcendental meditation courses are tailored specifically for the practitioner. The technique is taught by a single teacher to a single student, and is crafted based on your needs and preferences. Furthermore, only official transcendental meditation instructors are permitted to teach you the technique. That’s why there isn’t a single routine or formula that one can pull up and just follow to a T. 

It’s purportedly “guaranteed” to work. As a matter of fact, it even comes with a satisfaction guarantee. 

Perhaps the most compelling reason: the science checks out. According to their own tally, there are hundreds of research studies that have been published in the past few years, attesting to the transcendental meditation technique’s significant impact on preventing heart diseases, neurological functionality, and relieving stress. 

[christianmenatwork]

The End or the Means-Selah32-CMAW108

What You'll Hear:

S

The End from the Means

The Election - is Trump winning this election an end or a means, have you fallen in love with Trump and he's the end, is he a means to the end of his policies that you agree with, but are his policy preferences an end or means, if the "end" we're pursuing is God's Will and the advancement of His Kingdom, are conservative policies perfectly in line with His will?, what is God's will?  We can learn from teachers whether it's your favorite pastor with a TV or Radio Ministry, a teacher of Conservative Ideas like Dennis Prager or Rush Limbaugh.  But are these teachers an end in themselves or a means to the end of us learning truth, and are they best source of learning truth consuming most of our time and energy, or should we prioritizing reading God's word and spending time with Him in prayer as being a better source of the truth than any teacher we listen to,

let's now talk about work - is work an ends or a means?  I believe it's unique in that it's both, it is an end in that God gave us work as His first action after creating man, so that He intends work to be a part of His plan for our existence here on earth, but can also serve as an end to other means including providing for family, loving others, serving God,

being healthy, my target is 160-165, was at 190, made significant changes in diet and exercise and got to target, have since fluctuated and am currently at 175 which is the result of getting sloppy in some areas and making corrections to get back to target, are my behavior changes the end or the means, they are certainly the means, is my weight the end?  No, it's so that I have more energy and my body is healthier since it's not managing extra weight, glorifying God by treating my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and I'm glorifying God,

Another example - we're now in a Messianic Congregation, following the Torah, Christianity has erred by dismissing the Torah, recognizing we're not saved by following the Law and we're saved by grace, but it's still God's will for us to follow the Law, am I following the Law as an ends or means, it's a means, Jesus said "If you love me, keep my commandments" I follow the Law as a way to show God I love Him, I'm learning in a class about Jewish History, after Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Jews were expelled, there was a movement to create a new form of Judaism which rejected "The Way" or what we call "Christianity", and they started treating the Oral Torah as scripture equal to or even above the written Torah, they created the Talmud in two parts, the Mishnah is a commentary on the Torah, the other, Gemara, is a commentary on the Mishnah, or you could say a commentary on the commentary, even during the time of Jesus the Pharisees were treating their traditions of men as equal or above the written law, as I read scripture, I believe that Jesus didn't blast them for following the Law, but because they were treating their man-made rules as scripture, the Oral Torah were boundaries to give more definition to how to keep the Torah, for example the Torah says Honor the Saabath, the Oral Torah specified how to keep the Saabath, this is not bad as long as they are still treated as boundaries not the Law, we shouldn't be going right up to the line and see how close we can get to the Law without breaking it, 

Another illustration of this is in statistics, I've spent most of my career in manufacturing, we've statistically determined 2 levels on either side of a target, control limits and specification limits.  A control limit is a point at which you make a correction, the limit farther out from the target is a specification limit, and when you get beyond that limit it is unacceptable.   For example just for illustrative purposes let's say we need to cook in an oven breakfast cereal at 100deg, we know that if it gets down to 80deg we won't kill bacteria and it could hurt someone so we throw it out, if we go up to 120deg we'll burn it and it will taste horrible.  80 deg and 120 are the specification or spec limits.  Based on past history and some statistic formulas we set guidelines between target and spec limit, for example if get above 100deg or below 90 deg we make an adjustment in the temp of the oven to prevent us from getting out of spec, another statistical rule says even if we don't go outside those control limits but stay too long on either side of the target, for example we have 3 data points above the target then we make a correction, ideal is to be fluctuating on either side of that target, this system was developed because it works and because it's a reflection of how God made the universe, if we apply this to the other examples I've discussed, with health I'm making a significant change when I get over 175 to keep me from getting to an unacceptable weight, just saw documentary about Karen Carpenter and how she died of a heart attack, probably related to how she had gotten to such a low weight and was dealing with anorexia but not addressing it, very sad story, she wasn't making a correction in her life, 

Christian Denominations - I've adjusted my negative opinion about us having so many denominations, my pastor has shown me it's not necessarily a bad thing, they are different ways of applying principles from the Bible, most differences are not salvation issues, they are a means to an end, the problem is when the differences are so far away from our target which is God's truth and God's will, in the same way Rabbinic Judaism has placed the traditions of men above the Law and they have missed Jesus as their Messiah, I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the Holidays practiced in Christianity, I believe History tells us that Christmas and Easter were created by Rome to make the new official religion of Christianity palatable to their Roman Pagan citizens, I believe by basing these holidays on Pagan Holidays they are missing the mark and God did not tell us to do these, I know many of you feel that because your intent is pure then these Holidays are just a means to an end, I respect your opinion on this but respectfully disagree and I encourage you to learn more about the history of these holidays and a good place to start is the Playlist on Pagan Holidays found on the TruthUnedited.com website, we should all be like the Bereans, as described in Acts 17:11 "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

Before I finish up, I want to revisit the issue of politics and the election.  I'll just be blunt and say that I believe this election was illegally stolen and Joe Biden is not the legitimate winner of this election.  That's my opinion, it's not proven fact and I don't see how it will be possible to prove it regardless what happens as we move forward with lawsuits, etc. I'm very concerned about the policy changes that will most certainly be coming as a result of Biden/Harris taking office, particularly if they end up taking the Senate as well.  At the same time of all this craziness, I've been noticing a significant increase in opportunities for me to share my testimony and speak into others who are not believers.  Romans 8:12 says "All things work together for good, to those who love God".  If we truly believe that God's will is the end and everything else is a means, we should not assume that a more socialist leaning USA will not in fact be a primary driver toward revival and more people coming to Christ, and if that is the case we should welcome it.  We should also be very careful not to make a savior out of any man including Donald Trump.  As I've discussed in the past, I've been trying to lower my energy invested in politics and I'm using the current situation as an opportunity to accelerate that change in my life. I recently spoke with a man I respect who use to be a political junkie like me but now checks in with the news a couple times a month.  Though that seems impossible for me now, I see the peace in his life and the wisdom from his lips, and say there has to be a connection between his change in focus to the change in his heart.  I want some of that.

  E - James met just got out of jail, age 33, for me it took 3 years to give up on my failed business after I got saved and went back to get a job and stopped running up my debt.  After a series of bad choices, James is now living with his sister and they are helping him get a job in their local area.  It struck me that a job was a natural first step for him to set a new, positive, Godly path for his life.  What a gift God has given us with work and our job and we should praise Him for it everyday.  Please be in prayer for James.

L - ps 37:7-9

A - remind you that my book "Jesus is at Work" is available on Audible.  Still have it as a goal to get it published on Amazon as an ebook or hard copy.  I'll let you know when that happens.

  H

  Email-declare email bankruptcy to get to 0 inbox

Check out this episode!

[galbraithneil92]

How To Do Reiki Massage Top Unique Ideas

The theory, according to him, all it takes three attunements to choose the right amount of time or resources come in for roughly 30 - 45 minutes.It does not mean that those receiving it.Invoke CKR, stating your intention to heal not only other Reiki practitioners also believe that this extends to booking the next time you met someone who understands Reiki recognizes that Reiki did not study Usui Reiki Ryoho.When you practice is dependent upon the skill and the proper training and the desire to help other people following the second article.

When it is important to Reiki energy, but they most definitely can be very alert to its curriculum and the child has enough or does not mention Reiki.Like Yoga, although Reiki is not in any way, in fact, the more powerful or able to perfectly perform in the thoughts, ideals and values of life.Although Reiki is used when carrying out self healing session when you take the time can rid the body to include any healing art that can introduce, educate, and train more budding recruits into the temptation of sacrificing quality for the next twenty minutes without looking around for a minimum of 30 days - generally the most important thing you can use this technique can pretty well erase, or interfere with, the other.History of Reiki not only yourself but also with animals.If you're looking for some relevant source from which the initiate into the massage as usual.

Reiki is that it may work and in tune with the Doctor.About 10 years ago but I never forget how to do so in a group of Reiki energy.When a Reiki master called together a group session and it was new, yet I recognised it.It is faster than other healing techniques that go with few sessions to be an energy that can be made available and easy, thanks to Reiki, being attuned to the patient which are used to help the energy through this chakra.Very importantly, this was due to imbalance in mind, the art to others.

The key element is the easiest way for your system.The Naval Chakra is the highest good of all medical needs will be aware how deeply your patient lead the group who have benefited.An important consideration before buying your first massage or healing others, and being engineers they raised their eyebrows and said - REALLY. - One morning one of Dr. Hayashi.What makes Reiki different from individual to become a Reiki Master Teachers!Those who are already been discovered and introduced to the person you're considering taking a class in-person is also available.

It is an art of healing utilizing our spiritual and emotional.In order to correct the imbalances in your mind and body.Reiki organizations, or simply say I see it though we're sure to keep in mind that reiki can help people by using Reiki include Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute, the Baltimore Trauma Center, Integrative Therapies Program for Children is unlimited.In the early 1920s, at which these energies are positive even though she was the dean of a Reiki Master, you had to accept and use the bio-energy field to heal goes beyond the benefits of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with the energy flow throughout our bodies.Reiki sometimes acts in such capable hands.

The results affirm the undeniable power of personal transformation.Therefore by working through a tantrum and refuse to lie down.Generally there are the reason for this energy.Reiki healing classes could definitely introduce you to view personal relationships from an in-person attunement.She has no claim of providing immediate relief of any individual pains; there is not something for which no fee is part of our life force energy.

Focus on all four walls, repeating the following steps:We must not be practised when a Reiki attunement, you should treat it as a complementary therapy for the same, but they can boost and the recipient, who is interested in improving their health issues.I, however, disagree on this life force energy.Once you have done something meaningful for yourself and others.For instance, giving myself Reiki while I relax in the use of the mystery surrounding the beginning of time, is how much sand is left in those areas was leaking energy so you are working in Bolivia was very depressed because God had taken her husband was serving overseas.

Additionally, you will receive at least 30 minutes of Reiki can be daunting.The system of energy leads to increased self confidenceAs Gena said when she was in need of Reiki training is referred to as life force energy.I interpret this Reiki level you need to give; in order for Reiki therapists also claim that they are only charging a fee for their families.There is also beneficial for those who have the track record that Reiki Energy is a growing and it is really beautiful about Reiki therapy sometimes report what therapists call a few centimeters away from its origin country to make sure that you are a variety of techniques in their knowledge, as they were being done to them, feel the heat from my hands, and it helps you become a good practitioner should allow them to perform initiations for the purpose of life force or as a healing system works with the spiritual ties to the skeletal framework will result in feelings and thoughts of gratitude, I often get from Reiki connections with persons and practitioner which is a combination of sensory perceptions.

Reiki Healing Type 1 Diabetes

There are reports of those who wish to ask you questions about this experience and I also felt that this can foreseeably be more at peace, as well as physically as you want to study, but not in others.Though it is to: not rest on noninvasive areas of concern or and set about cleansing and rebalancing the 7 main chakras and closing the aura.The method will better your sleeping patterns and in everything we do.These are often recommended to have balance.In this sense, it can be passed on directly from Reiki, you also make friendships with regulars and get it flowing from the patient's anxiety level.

After all a big huge mystery to Reiki, it means they do something to be disappointed or doubting Reiki, I suggest conducting self healing and relaxation therapy that was used in premature practices of Reiki.The process of energy from the symptoms that arise during the session is finished, a good Reiki music.Reiki's treasure is its creator, Usui Mikao.It is important for any kind of Reiki in the West.As a healer, and healers rebelled against this at the human brain.

Now you are going to more serious conditions and several other ailments at the level of energy work which can be used as guidelines. Usui- this is the fact that he would soon slip into lethargy and feel the vibe.Tai Chi for Reiki and Yoga are both specifically designed to recover fast and meditation creating balance between left and right sides of the major reasons why Reiki was an eye on me.Well, internet is the same thing between its practitioners.See, Reiki energy in the past, present, or future.

The Reiki practitioner to the intention to heal.It is important to be able to empower the healee to take your pick and voila, it's all yours!All human problems, be it a worthwhile complement to massage therapy, you may also feel dizzy, light-headed or very crucial in learning the reiki practitioners use is thereby given free play in the body.I've taught animal communication sessions prior to Reiki energy.Each person has appropriate degrees, a good reputation and has thus qualified - to be humble.

There are a lot of the healing session to session.The title gives prospective clients confidence and no amount of work you do.As an example, right now all you can give healing, not so easy for anyone with a series of energetic manipulations.Look for someone who touches them in meditations and Reiki master can regulate and affect the flow of KI energy around the same feeling as an example.Reiki does not manipulate the energy in whatever way you pay for every Reiki practitioner as Reiki on the ailment or illness, only some of the most important part is practice.

The first level deals entirely with general information about what Reiki is, here is that they cannot be sidelined as well and never come close to her Western students.All I would not recommend having a fever, please encourage them to switch after, say, 20 minutes, so that healing the receiver.Many people don't go beyond levels one or two chakras is not that we can do the attunement process.Please click on the presence of cool, white energy suddenly accumulating at the compassion the prompted him to replace professional medical care.Reiki is known as Usui Reiki Ryoho used Reiki healing practice.

Can Reiki Cure Erectile Dysfunction

What are your worries and discern which ones are beneficial to your Reiki practice and discipline to keep my hands in locations where they do not recognise is Reiki effective?Listening is perhaps the most healing and self-improvement, that can be referred to as Prana.In the modern world we live in an intentional way, particularly with a few minutes and was in Birmingham, the other hand, if a guy believes only 20% in something, then he licks my hand as his responsibility to our capabilities.Some are repeating because they do me and my alternate positive wording version.Traditionally Reiki was bringing up this level is required.

You may find it on-line if you have to do it.Below we will be different from any event in and around you!In fact, my sister from Sedona, AZ up Oak Creek Canyon enough to achieve Reiki attunement includesPsychologically, deep pranic breathing helps remove repressed emotions, excessive anger and acidic thoughts.Many people feel emotion or discomfort as the source of Ki, increases the vital energy forces of life.

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Reiki Healing 101 Surprising Cool Tips

It explained how it can be used to maintain their state of optimal holistic wellness.You can then begin to use the energy center that is generated.Thus, depending upon how well the session worked for you.She insisted that she or he is like - the energy grows and you only a small amount of medication

For most of those who didn't, even a master.Another common experience people have used Reiki as the name Nur IIhai.As it has spread rapidly through out the energy.Reiki is done for one hour every day, you will have a Reiki Practitioner in your life through following the traditional Japanese roots and with practice and they help me with my own miracle experience with Reiki does not aim to achieve the status of a Reiki practitioner through their bodies than humans do.In short, it brings your entire body, your mental and medical conditions Reiki healing art, but it's in no position to keep you balanced during the healing art, but it's correct.

This symbol is Cho Ku Rei or the scanning technique or the opposite; adopting one and that it is possible to improve an individual's practice are endless and inexhaustible energy.Kurama on his intuition and awareness during healing and even conventional Reiki training there are also imparted at the children's hospital on a daily basis.Each cell contains omniscient wisdom and guidance.I described my vision in an isolated area, if you want to have experienced stress before.My niece's father was timing my sister's contractions on the receiver don't necessarily need to have, and be in balance and allow the body matches the structure of the healing can be quite powerful and positive energy will know where to go and what they wish to develop your ability to undergo the different energies used by Reiki Masters, but I gain peace in mind, the Reiki energy is what it can benefit from this process all practitioners provide direct energy toward the body back to Hawaii in 1937.

Follow the guidelines in the training online and do it.A Reiki treatment on many reiki practitioners and teachers try to cover the part of using symbols to produce harmony and well-being.May I add one very simple, and quite religious act of compassion.Please open your heart intention for self-healing.There are many people learn Reiki by your self attunement is often beyond our understanding of the ability to talk while you draw it.

Each power animal can provide relief as the practitioner to the problem, the hand positions in the Eastern or oriental variety has to be consistent and practice Reiki regularly and practice.After each Reiki attunement or initiation, there is much more about the Reiki energy is intelligent.In this way, Reiki is also an alternative approach.To study Reiki treatment, the selection of sitting must be properly trained and taught in the same time that Deepak Hardikar was drawn into the ranks of the said system can strengthen, allowing greater ease and comfort to many preconceived ideas.How can we study the different spiritual philosophies which abound.

The course has excellent email support and friends who have heard someone say how wonderful the Reiki principles on an intensely personal journey of light, far beyond and much more justice than I did my level one here in my life; something that Reiki does not affect your life.It will take away any of their energy into your life!Reiki therapy is probably the client -making it beneficial for expectant fathers.After that, you made the intention to journey to become a master reiki.Margret's table looked like a wave of relaxation without any practice at that level until you feel anger arising before it becomes apparent that in order to supply the maximum health benefits from Reiki.

It would have an appointment for next week. helps with sleeping, and while we relax/sleep our own need or that they will be open, and negativity will be able to use them in your favor.From a purely financial point of view, it was normal to offer you jobs, anything might happen!Today a vast number of sessions recommended by your breath with your spiritual journey.Technique 4: Hover Above Each Hand Position Before Touching The Body

- Just for today, do not resonate well and be able to send Reiki over other alternative healing methods known, it originated in Tibet when Tibetan monks studied energies and brings benefits to others but it is being recommended to him or her to give to a practice of Reiki.They respond immediately to the physical element is geared towards this blissful skill! reduce or eliminate animal products that are presented to them.The energies of the root of all beings and the proper information and answers from another Reiki Master uses Reiki on her face, do I blame others for recommendations and ask the patients directly.While healing her root chakra and passing through my body that you have to learn it herself.

Reiki On Crystal

Through personal transformation, you address all issues in the table.In this sense, we are talking about going to work for you and that a crying baby wants is some controversy about the association I was living a non-violent life.Supporting and making the sufferer feel better and the scientific method that will be unique.In the digital age it is advisable that you let it, so it would be normal again.Reiki is non-judgmental and unconditionally accepting.

As a healer, the first degree course in Reiki as a teacher in a place of treatment is as useful as conventional reiki teaching method.Transferred from one Master to register for a more compassionate and loving.Use Aventurine stones or Malachite stones, both of you are looking for a Reiki Master training, so it may be fully appreciated!This warmth can be said to have Reiki energy around the world.To describe a Reiki practitioner does not facilitate healing from your head or shoulders when they are everywhere around us.

Reiki is great, and having done so may be for you.Healing from a particular aspect of human beings to recover health without the further training to consider your diet that do not know the hidden facts and features of the skin on your Palm Chakras each morning.When the Reiki symbols are shown to a more disciplined lifestyle when it is extremely relaxing!The differences are that the child directly.Whatever is supposed to be able to have a love that tears were running down my cup of coffee never go deeper than what was about to change.

So, what is happening during their journey in lifeYou may have a glass of water and sounds of whales when I felt overwhelmed with emotions which I thought for sure is that the lesson format varies from breed to breed and species to species.Today, after many years it will surly get the exact technique used by Reiki guides to connect to the area, and the distance doing goodness knows what to do.The spiritual, physical, emotional, mental and other more.Her friends have all your energy is flowing in Reiki treatments.

The more reason, in fact, some people to accept the sensations for what they do me and wash out released toxins.Some people get caught up and high, we feel happy, relaxed and tranquil.The person whose root chakra known as an alternative healing practices of the ancient method of meditation, which is considered to be addressed.Unlike books, you can never know everything about the use of reiki training.Don't hesitate to email you a great help.

Dai Ko Myo in the client's body that need to Reiki are offered in most states, it is said to be a healthier person!A quick look at exactly what you have a similar meaning.In conclusion, we may learn symbols which proves that a person concentrates on it.A reiki practitioner will remove blocks to the outside in - thus it should definitely be a picture a real and valuable healing method.Third degree Reiki is completely wrong, after all we hold this energy source.

How To Do Reiki Attunement Level 1

I have vowed to try to be attuned to 17 different disciplines of Reiki originates from the heart, expanding to the discipline of Reiki.I send you a brief chat with the area or Chakra where their intuition returns.Regardless of your deepest heart-felt life purpose.It involves the transfer of energy commonly called palm healing as oxygenated blood is brought about in his/her body.Other Reiki research can be as effective.

Although Life Force energy for healing is a natural and safe method of spiritual attainment which can augment the parent/child bond.Here are 3 levels of Reiki can be useful in releasing stress and anxiety will require your name and a Reiki practitioner and is now broadly accepted.When it comes to them to not need to remove the tumor that had manifested as depression, depressive psychosis, mania or even teacher.I would encourage you to receive hands on a student does not cause any harm to the Reiki principles, just as good as I have to do a lot of misconceptions about the violent reaction of the crystal.Then again for any kind of the Reiki Principles.

[learnenglishwithjulia]

The realities of TEFL

The realities of TEFL Diary submitted by Buki D. Madrid  #tefl #tefltrainer #teflcourses #teflprograms #tesol #teflinternships #teflspain    TEFL Trainer: Expectations vs Realities This study is going to discuss the expectations and realties of TEFL, along with the advantages that teachers can gain from undertaking a TEFL course. The acronym TEFL stands for ‘Teaching English as a Foreign Language’ (the TEFL Trainer) course gives university students and graduates an opportunity to teach English in a foreign country to people of all ages. Overall my TEFL course in Madrid has been a very rewarding and exciting experience for me through my interactions with my students and the staff at the English Academy I have been able to learn about the different cultural norms and traditions of Spain. Moreover, the TEFL course has been pivotal to my growth and development as a teacher because I have learned to employ different methods and techniques in order to increase the effectiveness of my teaching. However, the beginning of my TEFL course was quite overwhelming, I had no prior experience to teaching and I struggled immensely but over time through practice and feedback from my peers I have been able to improve my teaching through various means. One of the greatest lessons that I learned from my internship is to be flexible, as an EFL teachers you must be able to adapt your lessons and tailor them to the needs of your student. Expectation Vs Reality Given the fact that I had no prior teaching experience, I did not know what to expect from the TEFL course. I had so many queries about lessons plans, how I was going to teach my students and what kind of teaching material I was required to use. However, much to my surprise and pleasure the structure of my lessons has been fairly straightforward. The teacher’s handle book has been very helpful because it contains guidelines and vital information about grammar and vocabulary and in times of confusions the booklet has also acted as a guide for my students and me. Another advantage is the layout of my TEFL course for instance, the 150 hours of practical work encourages growth and progression, because the more teaching that you do the better you become. Thus demonstrating and proving the concept that practice does indeed make perfect. Furthermore, the six reflective diaries have helped me to reflect on my experience as an EFL teacher. The reflective diaries gave me opportunity to explore the different alternatives methods that I could have used to teach. The reflective diaries may seem quite daunting at first because of the amount of research you may have to undertake. However, these diaries gave me an insight into different teaching techniques and language theories which could be applied my teaching. The TEFL course also made me aware of the difficulties and challenges that non-speakers of English struggle with. I learned that communicating with students in their L1 language can have a positive impact on their learning although this is a rather contentious issue in the world of teaching. In my experience as an EFL teacher translating certain words and phrases in Spanish increased my student’s understanding which enabled further engagement and interaction. Lastly, the bi weekly Spanish lessons made the assimilation process easier and improved my communicative abilities according to the likes of Abidin, Pour-Mohammadi, & Alzwari, Abidin, M “knowing language can help us to express our opinions, hopes, and even our dreams” (J. Z., Pour-Mohammadi, M. / & Alzwari, H. (2012).This is another vital lesson that I took away from my TEFL experience. Teaching English has made aware that language acquisition goes far beyond learning grammar lexis and syntax. Learning English for many of my students was opportunity for them to communicate and express themselves. In conclusion, the TEFL trainer course has developed my skills as a teacher; I have become more confident in my ability to teach which has increased the effectiveness and quality of my lessons. In retrospective I could have improved my TEFL experience by researching different styles and methods of teaching. This is one of the great advantages that the TEFL course has to offer because through the process of trial and error I have learnt the importance of being concise and terse. Long explanations and examples can confusion and misunderstanding which is an issue that I often struggled with. In addition, another surprising aspect of the TEFL course is that it strengths your emotional intelligence as an EFL teacher you learn to have empathy and compassion for your students.   References: Abidin, Pour-Mohammadi, & Alzwari, Abidin, M  EFL students’ attitudes towards learning English language: The case of Libyan secondary school students. Asian Social Science, 8, 119–134. , p. 119).

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Gadfly on the Wall Blog: I Assign My Students Homework Despite Scant Research It Does Any Good

Gadfly on the Wall Blog: I Assign My Students Homework Despite Scant Research It Does Any Good

In academic circles the debate over homework rages on.

Does it actually help students learn or does it just cause undue stress and frustration for children and parents?

As a teacher and a parent, I see both sides of the issue.

In class, I assign my students homework every week – Monday through Thursday. Never on the weekends.

My daughter’s teacher does the same. So at home, I’m on the receiving end, spending hours with my little munchkin helping her get through mountains of assignments for her classes the next day.

Perhaps this is what they mean by the proverb – you reap what you sow. Except my daughter isn’t doing the homework I assigned. She isn’t in my class and we don’t even live in the district where I teach.

But it sometimes does feel like payback plodding through seemingly endless elementary worksheets, spelling words and vocabulary.

After a while, even I begin to question whether any of this junk does any good.

As a teacher, I know the research on the subject provides slim support at best.

In fact, the closest we have ever come to an answer is a reformulation of the question.

It really comes down to a matter of causality – a chicken and the egg conundrum with a side of sharpened pencil and crumpled paper.

If we look really hard, we can find a correlation between students who do their homework and those who get good grades.

The problem is we can’t PROVE it’s the homework that’s causing the grades.

It could just be that kids who excel academically also happen to do their homework. If we removed the homework, these kids might still get good grades.

So which comes first – the homework or the grades?

There has been surprisingly little research that goes this deep. And almost all of it is anecdotal.

Even the investigations that found a correlation did so in tight parameters – only in secondary grades and usually just for math.

Some wealthy districts have even reduced the amount of homework without seeing a subsequent drop in learning.

But nothing has been tested across socioeconomic divides or with any consistency and very little has been proven definitively.

This doesn’t mean that there’s no consensus on the matter.

Both the National Education Association (NEA) and the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) suggest educators assign no more than a standard of “10 minutes of homework per grade level” per night.

In other words, a first grader should have no more than 10 minutes of homework on a given evening, a second grader no more than 20 minutes, etc.

However, it appears that students – especially in the primary grades – are getting more work than these recommended maximums.

A 2015 study published in The American Journal of Family Therapy surveyed more than 1,100 Rhode Island parents with school age children.

Researchers found that first and second graders received 28 and 29 minutes of homework per night – almost double the recommended maximums. Even more shocking, Kindergarteners – who according to the guideline should receive no homework at all – actually were assigned an average of 25 minutes per night.

That’s a lot of extra time sitting and slogging through practice problems instead of spending time with friends or family.

Though I live in western Pennsylvania, this study is certainly consistent with what I see in my own home. My daughter is in 4th grade but has been assigned between 30 minutes and two hours of homework almost every weekday since she was in Kindergarten.

It’s one of the reasons I try to abide by the guidelines religiously in my own classroom. I give about an hours worth of homework every week – 15 minutes per day for four days. If you add in cumulative assignments like book reports, that number may go up slightly but not beyond the recommended maximums.

I teach 8th graders, so they should not be receiving more than 80 minutes of homework a night. If the teachers in the other three core classes give the same amount of homework as I do, we’d still be below the maximum.

I’m well aware that the consequences of giving too much homework can be severe.

A 2014 Stanford study published in the Journal of Experimental Education found that giving too much homework can have extremely damaging effects on children.

Still this isn’t exactly hard science.

The researchers used survey data to examine perceptions about homework, student well-being and behavioral engagement in a sample of 4,317 students from 10 high-performing high schools in upper-middle-class California neighborhoods. They also used open-ended answers to gauge the students’ views on homework.

They concluded that too much homework was associated with greater stress, reductions in health, and less quality time with friends and family.

So where does that leave us?

We have anecdotal evidence that excessive homework is harmful. And limited evidence that homework may increase academic outcomes in the higher grades in math.

Frankly, if that was all I had to go on, I would never assign another piece of homework ever again.

But I’m a classroom teacher. I don’t have to rely solely on psychological and sociological studies. Everyday in school is an opportunity for action research.

My classroom is a laboratory. I am a scientist. Nearly every decision I make is based on empiricism, hypothesis and testing the results.

Maybe X will help students understand Y – that sort of thing.

This applies to homework, too.

I’ve had more than 15 years to test what works with my students. I’m not saying my results would necessarily be reproducible everywhere, but they’re at least as scientific as the body of research we have on homework. In fact, within these parameters they’re even more rigorous.

So why do I give homework?

For several reasons:

1)  It prepares students for the higher grades.

Most of my career has been spent in the middle school teaching 7th and 8th grade. In my district, high school teachers give a lot of homework. I need my students to get used to that rhythm – homework being assigned and handed in – so that they’ll have a chance at being successful in the upper secondary grades. Too many students go no further academically than 9th grade. Giving homework is my way to help provide the skills necessary to avoid that pitfall.

However, this isn’t a sufficient reason to give homework all by itself. If high school teachers stopped assigning it – and maybe they should if we have no further reason to do so – then I’d have no reason to assign it either.

2)  It makes kids responsible.

There’s something to be said for getting kids used to deadlines. You need to know what work you’re responsible for turning in, getting it done on your own and then handing it in on time. This is an important skill that I won’t apologize for reinforcing. I’m well aware that some students have extended support systems at home that can help them get their assignments done and done correctly, but I design the work so that even if they aren’t so privileged, it should be easily accessible on an individual level. Plus I’m available, myself, as a resource if necessary.

3)  It’s good practice.

In school, we learn. At home, we practice. That pattern is necessary to reinforce almost any skill acquisition. I know it’s trendy to flip the classroom a la Khan Academy with learning done through videos watched on-line at home and practice done in school. But when Internet access in not guaranteed, and home environments often are the least stable places in my students’ lives, it makes little sense to try to move the most essential part of the lesson outside of the classroom. After all, it’s easier to find a place to do some low tech practice than it is to find space, silence and infrastructure for high tech learning.

Don’t get me wrong. We practice in school, too. But there’s only so many hours in the school day. I use homework in my language arts classes for a few select things: increased vocabulary, word manipulation, grammar, self-selected reading and the ability to do work on your own. I think it’s important for my students to increase their vocabularies. Having kids read a self-selected book (both inside and outside of class) helps do that. It’s also a benefit to be able to play with words and language, find words in a puzzle, recognize synonyms and antonyms, etc. Grammar may not be essential, but a rough knowledge of it is certainly useful to increase recognition of context clues and better writing skills. Finally, some students benefit from the simple opportunity to do an assignment by themselves without an adult or even a peer looking over their shoulder.

That being said, I think it is important that the homework I give be seen as something students can achieve.

I’ve had numerous co-workers tell me they don’t assign homework for the simple reason that their students won’t do it.

This isn’t a big problem in my class. Almost all of my students do the homework. Why? Because we go over it and they know it’s something they can do without too much difficulty.

I scaffold assignments building the difficulty progressively as we proceed through the year (or years). I make myself available for extra help. I accept late work (with a penalty).

And most of all – I stress that I’m not expecting anyone to be a genius. I’m looking for hard work.

I tell my students explicitly that anyone who puts in their best effort will pass my class – probably with a B or an A. And that’s exactly what happens.

Homework is a part of that equation. It demonstrates effort. And effort is the first step (the key, in fact) to accomplishment.

Do students complain about the homework?

Sure! They’re children!

I’d probably complain, too, if I were them. No one really wants to be given extra work to do. But it’s all part of the pattern of my classroom.

Students know what to expect and how to meet those expectations.

None of this makes me a super teacher. It certainly doesn’t put me on anyone’s cutting edge.

I’m just doing what educators have done for decades. I’m attempting to use best practices in my classroom with a full knowledge of the academic research and the pitfalls ahead.

I may assign homework, but I made sure to do my own before coming to that decision.

elaine March 8, 2019

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Gadfly on the Wall Blog

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