Unit 7: Meeting Aesclepiyus

"There is one thing which, if practiced and developed conduces to letting go, giving up, stilling, calming, higher knowledge, awakening and to Nirvana. And what is that one thing? It is the recollection of peace."
~ Buddha ~

These meditative practices and experiences have become awe inspiring to me. The following took place this week and I understand that some may find it hard to believe, but it is the absolute truth. On Sunday night I practiced my meditation exercises outside under the stars and became so relaxed and my mind became completely empty and calm, there was such a peace I had never experienced. When I completed my exercise I got ready for bed and that night, I experienced the deepest most peaceful sleep that I can ever remember encountering. So deep and peaceful, I didn't hear my alarm clock, my phone ringing (work calling to see where I was), or my grandkids knocking on my door, (they told me that night they were trying to wake me up). Thus, I was two hours late for work!

Not until I practiced the "Meeting Aesclepius" exercise did I remember the dream I had that night.

I was in a field, it was night with the only light coming from the moon and the stars. There was a group of people, and as it was dark I could only make out their silhouettes, we were all holding hands in a large circle. I can remember we were meditating as there was a "humming" sound coming from us all. As we progressed through this exercise a beam of light came from a figure in the sky that was hovering over us. This figure was in a full lotus position just hovering and the beam of light was coming from its head and then it engulfed our heads, this lasted for a while when another light came from the figures throat and engulfed our throats. I can remember the dream so vividly now, and can remember a peace and divine feeling flow through my entire being. From there a third light came from the figures heart and flowed into the hearts of all of us there. This again lasted for quite a while and the feeling and emotion that passed through me can be nothing less than nirvana.

That day and the next day at work (and at the time didn't quite understand it) I had so much compassion and peace. We were extremely busy as we had more than 70 people in the ER throughout the entire day. This would normally have caused stress, but I didn't feel stress at any time. I went through my day caring for my patients in a way I never experienced. I was able to calm them, relieve their anxiety, and had complete strangers tell me they loved me. This was all due to the fact that my "nature" was calm and at peace. And now as I remember my dream, I know that was the reasoning behind my "nature" change.

This is what the meaning is, of the saying "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself." How are we able to lead someone if we have not experienced it our self? How would we know if they have gotten there if we have never been? We all have an obligation to our clients/patients to be the best we can be, physically, psychologically, and spiritually. We need to do this to be able to bring the awareness to all of our clients/patients. This buts the meaning, purpose, and love back into the practice of medicine. (Schlitz & Amorok, 2005)

Peace, Love and Tranquility

Robin