Suffered with Fibro for 20+ years, have now found something which really, really helps.

[VitB12pls]

Dear friends

Firstly I hope you don't mind me saying "friends", I have been reading the blogs on this site for a while now (but this is the first time I have been brave enough to start a conversation!), this seems a genuinely friendly and supportive site and I do feel amongst friends even though I don't actually know anyone on here in the "real" sense).

I've suffered from Fibro/Chronic Fatigue* for about 20-30 years in varying degrees of severity, largely, it seems, depending on other aspects of my physical and/or mental health (I have suffered with depression on and off over the past 10 years, at times severe, which makes the pain and tiredness MUCH harder to deal with).

*only actually diagnosed as Fibro a couple of years ago.

For the past year or so I have been practicing Transcendental Meditation. I first heard about it from an acquaintance, who had learnt how to meditate when she was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer (many years ago). She still practices it twice a day would not be without it.

I was VERY skeptical about the whole thing (actually thought it was a load of hippy nonsense to be honest) but went along with it as I was desperate.

It's surprisingly easy to learn how to do (correctly - from a qualified teacher!!), but for me I find it very calming, releases stress & anxiety, bringing about a sense of peace, contentment and also positivity and when I feel positive I feel much better and kind of a bit revitalized!!

I don't know whether I would get the same results from another sort of meditation or going to yoga classes, etc. and would be really interested if anyone has any comments.

Love and positive thinking to everyone

xxx

[lynz]

hello there that sounds good ,glad it works for you xxxx

[soulsusie]

Hello and welcome and yes you are among ” friends”. I too practice Trancendental meditation and have done it on and off for 20 years! Hugs to you x x x

[Hidden in reply to soulsusie]

Hi sousie

Have you ever wondered why mentioning meditation seems to end up in a discussion about religion? Sorry, don't mean to offend anybody but it happens time and time again or am I the only on who notices this?

Whippet x

[anjie in reply to Hidden]

I think because prayer is very similar to meditation, and then the fact that a fair few denominations frown upon it...

[Hidden]

Thank you so much for posting your message VitB12pls, it made very interesting reading. I do a spot of meditation myself and also a bit of yoga and I must say I find it helpful both mentally and physically. I used to do yoga regularly and have researched more into meditation since I was diagnosed with Fibro and it definitely helps me focus and keep perspective. It's great that you have posted about this in our lovely forum, I am sure your message will inspire others too, thanks again!

[Hidden]

well anything is worth a go and i think that can be done without checking with your gp so may give it a go fingers crossed x love to you diddle x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello diddle, always lovely to 'hear' you x

[anjie]

Great post VitB12pls

I also suffer with depression on and off as well as the FM...I'm a Christian and often pray/meditate, it does help a great deal to slow down, relax and put things into perspective and keep focused.

hugs xx

[VitB12pls in reply to anjie]

Hi anjie, really excited to read your reply - I am a Christian too, but REALLY new - got confirmed last October and got loads to learn.

My husband says I should not tell anyone at Church that I meditate, especially our vicar, as the Church does not agree with it and would be very disapproving. I said it is totally non religious! (I feel inside that it's a gift from god because he wants to help me find ways to feel better). My husband had a very religious upbringing whereas I didn't so I guess knows what he's talking about What are your thoughts?

xxx

[anjie in reply to VitB12pls]

It's funny really as I was not brought up in a religious family, I found religion on my own at the age of 9. (They say everything happens for a reason...I'm a strong believer of that...as what was to come after, my faith kept me strong). I used to work for an Evangelical church, who argued with me that if I really believed in God, I wouldn't get depressed!! Rubbish!

I know a lot of people who didn't believe that meditation was a good thing, even things like yoga...(they say that in the silence is where the devil gets in) I still stick by my guns and say that both are a good tool of healing.

My view is meditation is just like praying, taking time out...being with God and putting things into perspective...

My vicar at the last church I went to, which was Anglican, was a firm believer in meditation and practices himself...(sadly he's now been forced out of his own church...what Christians do that!?)

I'm now a member of a Baptist church (I don't really like being stuck to one church, i prefer to hear many points of view but my husband needs to be to be part of the Third Order Franciscans), I don't know what their views are on meditation...but they can keep them.

I personally find it useful and I'm not changing that for any church.

[VitB12pls in reply to anjie]

Good for you.

Since posting earlier, I contacted an old friend who knows loads about the bible etc because his father was the preacher at an Evangelical church (he doesn't agree with a lot his father says but that's another matter, lol!).

I asked him why it was that they disapprove so strongly and he said the same as you have - that if your mind is empty then that is when the devil can take advantage and get in your head

I'm happy now that I know the "theory" and really don't want to offend anyone reading this but personally I think that whoever thought that one up didn't really know the first thing about meditation, doh.

(off to Google "Third Order Franciscans"!)

xxx

[anjie in reply to VitB12pls]

I haven't met a preacher's son yet that agree's with their father!

Surely if you are using that meditation for a good purpose then the devil can't get in...

I wonder where the thought first came from? Might have a look into that.

Third Order Franciscans are a very interesting group of people.

[Mumof2 in reply to anjie]

How refreshing and I agree totally - good for you! I also am a Christian however I don't particularly enjoy going to Church. I am currently doing philosophy and looking towards meditation, at the moment we just do an excercise which requires nothing more than being still and listening (observing the senses) which is refreshingly calming, as is praying to God. I have fms, hypermobility, degenerative disc disease of the spine, sciatic nerve problems, asthma & high blood pressure ( which was probably caused by my body being in intense pain). I have found that being optimistic, accepting what you have and learning to live with it rather than fight it, (along with strong painkillers! ) is the key. I have observed that stress flares up fibromyalgia terribly and we must do our best to avoid it ( as a mum of 2 young children, eldery parents and my husband running his own business, along with 2 close family members having intense brain surgery in the last 2 months and losing my 11 year old dog, oh and my daughter breaking her arm - phew) has been rather difficult! So I have paid the price which you all know hurts.....

I came across a wonderful book which I hope may help others, It's by Vidyamala Burch and it's called 'Living well with pain & illness The mindful way to free yourself from suffering' It's worth taking a look at and I wish you all the very best.

[anjie in reply to Mumof2]

Gosh, you have been through it recently. Hope things are looking up now.

Before i met my husband, I didn't go to church either, but prayed often.

The book sounds really interesting, will look it up and thank you for sharing.

I have also found a useful book called "Finding Water - The Art of Perseverance" by Julia Cameron.

It's primarily a spiritual book but you can take or leave that part...basically it's about finding a goal, working towards it through finding yourself, through art, me time and meditation/prayer.

hugs to all xxxx

[VitB12pls]

Gosh, thanks for your lovely replies! xxx

[Huggybear16]

I too am a christian and I dont think anyone can judge another .what they do is between them and God . It says judge not lest u be judged . Have a wonderful day God bless xx

[anjie in reply to Huggybear16]

Absolutely true Huggybear.

[Mumof2 in reply to Huggybear16]

Here here!! How very true, God bless you too xx

[gerry1]

thank you for being brave......i am into meditation through a 12 step programme and that have coaked me into finding out about your type.

i am not christian, catholic or any religion but do consider myself as spiritual and recently over the past year have had directions pointed at looking at the bible and god in that way, through people, but it does scare me.

all the best

gerry

[VitB12pls in reply to gerry1]

Hi gerry, I hope you have success with TM, it is very gentle and rewarding.

I'm sorry to hear that you are a bit scared at the prospect of "getting religious".....I think it can be a bit daunting and I am rather reluctant to say to people that I am a Christian as I don't want them thinking I am a weirdo or will be judgemental or self-righteous. I guess go along to a few services at different churches and see which appeals to you personally.

Good luck (and god bless!)

[electricjaws]

yes ,we are all friends here all with a common "enemy" fibro! i am going to see if we have anyone practising transendental meditation in my area,as i think anything that can calm you one way or another must be benifical i am 48 and have a friend who is 77 and she is so active and looks 50! and she has practiced yoga and meditation for 30plus years, i have tried hypnotherapy and have the c..ds i was given after several sessions the only reason i had to stop was i'm afraid financial,but i think i should lay on the bed and listen to them more on a regular basis, my favourite saying is don't knock it til you have tried it and if transcendental works for you that has to be a good thing right? x

[VitB12pls]

Hello, I was going to really struggle to pay to learn TM (am a full time mum to a pre-school age child), so my teacher very kindly put me through at Student rate! The first stage is to go to an introductory talk and if you still think it's for you, speak really nicely (or plead!) to your potential teacher, you never know. Oh, and you can also pay by installments. The official website is:

t-m.org.uk/

xxx

[Hidden]

I am looking into 'mindful' meditation which from what I can work out in it's simplest form is to be mindful of what you are doing when you are doing it. This works when I work it! My day goes so much better if I simply keep my mind on what I'm doing. It can be as simple as saying in my mind "I am on my way to my Dad's via the chemist" over and over again until I get there otherwise I would end up at my Dad's minus my meds. I will go deeper into mindfulness when the need to do so becomes evident.

I read with interest the experiences of the Christians amongst us. I am a member of no religion but am open minded. I've investigated many but they all seem to have the sam things in common which could never work for me. This might be difficult or even impossibl for some to understand, but I have a very strong faith which is the single most important thing in my life and without which I would not have a life.

Thank god there is room enough for all sorts of believers as well as non believers in this wonderful forum.

Whippet x

[VitB12pls in reply to Hidden]

Hi Whippet, I think your mindful meditation is a brilliant idea!! Since I became a mum I have become annoyingly absent-minded....

I completely agree, it's a lovely forum.

xxx

[soulsusie in reply to Hidden]

Haha right on x x x

[BOBBIETINKER]

I also am a believer in Christ and without him I would be nut. He tells us in his word to meditate. Would like to share a song that a mediation I'm all the time. God is the joy and the strength of my life, Removes all pain, misery and strife, He promised to keep me, never to leave me, He'll never, never fall short of His word. I've got to fast and pray, Stay in that narrow way, I'll keep my life clean everyday, I want to go with Him, when He comes back, I've come so far and I'll never turn back.

God is my all and all.

[BOBBIETINKER]

If you would like scriptures on meditation let me know.

[VitB12pls in reply to BOBBIETINKER]

Hi Bobbietinker, thanks for that, yes, I'd be interested in scriptures on meditation, my bible is still looking very new and not really very well read!!

[Mumof2 in reply to BOBBIETINKER]

yes please, could you let me know where I can find them?

Thanks

[BOBBIETINKER in reply to BOBBIETINKER]

Let's start by asking the question 'what is meditation?'. This is what Webster's says Meditate: to engage in contemplation or reflection, to focus one's thoughts on: reflect or ponder over. to plan or project in the mind

Think: to form or have in the mind, to have as an opinion, to regard as or consider, to reflect on or ponder, to determine by reflecting, to call to mind or remember, to center ones thoughts on or form a mental picture of, to have in the mind engaged in reflection, to consider.

reflect: to think quietly and calmly

ponder: to weigh in the mind, to think about, reflect on, to think about - esp quietly, soberly and deeply.

I love the book of Phillipians and James

Philippians 4:8 to think on these things, "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

check this book out online "Be Joyful"

amazon.com/dp/1434768465/re...

Love to All

[Gracie59]

Stress increases pain, so anything that can make you relax without extra medication can only be good.

Ignore anyone who tells you that yoga, reflexology, acupuncture and meditation etc are bad.

I've found relaxation CDs can be helpful sometimes.

Whatever floats your boat.

From a regular church goer

[VitB12pls in reply to Gracie59]

Must dig out my old personal CD player and buy some relaxation CDs, thank you for the tip.

xx

[Gracie59 in reply to VitB12pls]

Best of luck - have a look on Ebay - and if you don't like it, you can sell it again