Stress Relief at Your Desk

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Attaining Non-Duality

Non-duality is “a term and concept used to define various strands of thought,” typically associated with the Eastern tradition of meditation or spiritual awakening. To attain or experience non-duality is an undefinable experience, but one where the self becomes realized and the surrounding world and the self, become indistinguishable and inseparable.

We live in a world convoluted and dominated by media, technology, and distraction that forces us to plan for the future rather than live in the now. How easy it is to be caught up in this fast-passed world and forget to sit back, enjoy, and relax, forgetting the importance of silent reflection. Technology, while attempting to bring us together and make the world a smaller place, has in turn also negatively impacted our ability to communicate amongst peers but also within our own mental capacity and stability. By constantly denying our minds to sit back and reflect, we live in a constant world of division. It is then important to train the mind, and exercise the mind, as you would any other muscle, to attain or recognize this non-duality.

Attaining non-duality can come in many shapes and forms; one could attain non-duality by experiencing something awe-inspiring or humbling. Non-duality can also be attained by experience it’s opposite, or by experiencing the “bad” of this world. Individuals of all ages can be said to experience non-duality in a multitude of ways, but the universal truth about non-duality – if a universal truth can be deduced – is the cognitive recognition of some larger scheme than the self; the self plays a mere part in the grand cosmos of the universe.

This past summer, I experienced what I consider to be a non-dual moment. After spending a week in Canada in total isolation from any source of technology, I went kayaking with a close friend at midnight. The world around me was so dark, it was possible to see the Milky Way. I had not seen the Milky Way since I was a little girl, so the experience was remarkable. My friend and I sat in silence as we shared in this non-dual moment. Without words, we were able to communicate a mutual feeling of respect and admiration for the scene around us.

Now, whenever I feel overwhelming or stressed, I think of that non-dual moment, and try to once again attain that feeling of freedom and infancy.

“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite” ~ The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky

Basic Yoga Moves

It's amazing what a few simple steps can do for you and your mental sanity. Try a few of these basic steps, and feel the change.



Basic Yoga Moves (Image from Google)

For a short step-by-step tutorial on getting into these positions in a safe environment, please feel free to reference this video:

http://curious.com/ekhartyoga/wake-up-yoga-flow-sequence?gclid=COySuur887kCFU8V7AodvikApw

Zen -

"a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition" (google dictionary).

"Chinese Ch'an. Buddhism. a Mahayana movement, introduced into China in the 6th century a.d. and into Japan in the 12th century, that emphasizes enlightenment for the student by the most direct possible means, accepting formal studies and observances only when they form part of such means. Compare koan, mondo" (Dictionary.com).

"the discipline and practice of this sect" (Dictionary.com).

"a Japanese sect of Mahayana Buddhism that aims at enlightenment by direct intuition through meditation" (Webster).

As much as we search for a definition of "zen," the harder it seems to pinpoint exactly what "zen" is; definitions seem to only raise greater questions: What is meditation? How can I achieve "zen"? How do we know when we have found "zen."

All of these questions and more are hoped to be addressed throughout the following blog.

Enjoy, and peace be with you.

“Learning to let go should be learned before learning to get. Life should be touched, not strangled. You’ve got to relax, let it happen at times, and at others move forward with it.”
― Ray Bradbury

Zen -

                                          Preikestolen, Norway

“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center" 

~ Kurt Vonnegut