Greetings ATS denizens. I hope that y'all are well and having a positive, productive week.
This thread is a simple one. I want to share a youtube video I've found quite helpful. It was produced by an interesting Dutch man named Wim Hof.
Some of you have no doubt heard of him or are familiar with one of his aliases: Ice Man. If you are unfamiliar with him: he achieved some notoriety by
defying science with his ability to resist cold. He did a series of tests under close observation by medical specialists in which he was able to
resist temperatures for periods of time which were thought impossible.
These techniques aren't new to Wim Hof. It has been documented that Buddhist monks in the Himalaya will unrobe and wrap themselves in wet cloth in
sub zero temperatures and through focused meditation are able to generate enough body heat to completely dry the wet cloths. It appears that Wim Hof
has learned to tap into the same energy and focus which these monks utilize.
Now to the point of this thread. The video I've found helpful is a guided breathing exercise courtesy of Wim Hof. I'm not a big fan of youtube
(Google has been agressively censoring videos which do not adhere to the accepted narrative of the day) but I will link the video on youtube as I've
not been able to find it elsewhere, and I am not interested in a paid membership from Wim Hof's site or app. If you are on mobile and unable to play
the imbed, just search 'Wim Hof Guided Breathing' in the mobile version of youtube.
The video is exactly 11 minutes long and well worth a try if breathing exercises are new to you or if you'd like to try a different breathing
exercise than those you might already be familiar with. I've found this to be a great way to start my day and it is also a good way to center myself
if I've allowed an outside influence to take me out of my element. I'm not into sitting in quiet meditation, as it has not been effective for me in
the past. I have a noisy mind in which many voices speak, often simultaneously. My meditation is done while riding my bicycle, working with a
chainsaw, helping another human being, creating artwork, etc. That being said, this guided breathing exercise is the closest I've come to quiet
meditation, and it has shown me that I may learn to be capable of quiet meditation.
Here is a little more information on the Wim Hof Method and breathing exercises, found on his website.
Some information about me and why I find this particular breathing exercise helpful. I was born with multiple hernias and a couple rare diseases, from
nerve disorders to liver, pancreas, and enzymatic imbalances, and a number of other issues. I was repeatedly misdiagnosed throughout childhood, my
teenage years, and adulthood. It is likely that I am vaccine injured from multiple doses of thimerosal (mercury) and aluminum adjuvant injections,
though that is a touchy subject for many and I won't go into further detail. I also dream in extremely vivid format and my dreams can go on for days,
weeks, years. I've dreamed like this since my earliest childhood memories and I continue to dream this way today. The dreams I experience require
their own thread and perhaps I will get around to writing and posting that thread someday.
In addition to the injuries, health conditions and dreams, I endured a great deal of trauma, both physical and sexual, starting at a very early age.
The abuse came from individuals I had been told to trust, and I kept these experiences to myself for many years. Events transpired which caused me to
be re-traumatized as a teen and again in my early twenties. I grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands where substance abuse was rampant and widely accepted
as normal. For me it was normalized. I turned to substance abuse at an early age as a means to cope and self-medicate. I became an alcoholic in
adolescence, and by the time I was a teenager I had experimented with a wide range of substances. They were easy to come by in the Caribbean and were
both cheap and potent. I despised school even though I tested in the upper 99 percentile on aptitude tests which were very popular during the 80's
and 90's. I rejected all forms of authority and lashed out against authority figures.
Throughout my childhood and teenage years I was sent to various psychiatrists and psychotherapists. I was diagnosed with ADHD, manic depression,
autism and borderline / multiple personality disorder. At one point I was on over half a dozen very powerful psychotropic pharmaceuticals at a high
dose. Simultaneously I was partying and drinking heavily. In hindsight the majority of this was due to suppressed trauma and being a troubled teenager
in a challenging world which felt alien to me. I didn't begin to speak about the trauma I endured until recently. It's only been a few years since I
finally began sharing things which had happened without my consent.
Approximately three years ago I chose to get sober. I'd finally had enough. Not enough substances, as there was no limit to the amount of substances
I'd consume. I'd had enough pain, loathing, and self-inflicted abused. I'd put those who cared me through more than enough pain as they watched me
cycle through highs and lows.
My struggle and journey to find my self and seek peace is not unique. I don't believe that I am special. Whatever entitlements I had when I was
caught up in patterns of indulgence and self-abuse have faded away. What remains is a profound gratitude for this existence and a recognition that
this life is merely one act in a much grander play which is composed of many different aspects of being.
Over the duration of my life I have lost many dear friends to substance abuse. In the towns near where I live fatal overdoses have become a weekly and
sometimes daily occurence, and this impacts many individuals across all ethnicities, ages, and walks of life. I attribute my survival to luck, a
proclivity for certain substances and an avoidance of others, and higher powers which are beyond my current capacity to comprehend. I don't have an
explanation for it and it needs not be explained. It just is. If you've experienced these things, or are close to someone who has, perhaps you will
understand my meaning.
Back to the breathing exercises and meditation: this exercise is helpful for me because I strive to achieve serenity in my thoughts and actions. It is
possible to feel intense emotion and engage in meaningful action while remaining serene. Serenity is a state of being. It is a choice. One can either
take the steps necessary to achieve serenity or not. I do this by focusing on the breath (the essence of physical life as a human), eating well,
exercising, helping others, and remaining sober. It isn't easy for me as I am a creature of passion with a busy mind, prone to grand and outlandish
thoughts. Despite this, I continue to strive for peace and tranquility in all that I do. I value the ATS community, as I've been coming here since a
young man seeking answers for the events which transpired on 9/11/01. The words I've read here from members who have come and gone helped me
immensely through some of my more challenging times.
This post is in general chit chat because it doesn't have any real topic. It's purpose is to share something I've found helpful and give a little
background as to why it has helped me.
What has helped or is helping you in your day to day? What are things which have helped you in times of hardship? What do you hope to achieve in this
Matrix we know as life on earth? I welcome anyone who feels like sharing to do so. I draw inspiration and hope from the triumphs, accomplishments and
honest endeavors of others.
We are conditioned to believe that a triumph has to be something monumental, but it does not. Victories can be as small as helping an older neighbor
with her yardwork or volunteering with a local group to assist others in need. A triumph can be as simple as pulling off a healthy dinner, even if it
doesn't turn out exactly as you'd intended.
Speaking of dinner, it's 20:44 here in Holland and I'm gettin hangry for some meat-filled Dutch pastries, some broiled broccoli doused with garlic
butter and a fruit tart with some fresh cream topped with roasted pistachios and even more fruit. I didn't plan this dinner, but it sounds really good
after typing that out.
I ran out of space in my first post because I turn simple threads into long-winded productions, so I'll put this disclaimer here. I am not
affiliated with Wim Hof in any way. I do not derive revenue in any way, shape or form from sharing his words and his video. I've merely shared these
links and the video because I have a personal interest in them. Everything I've shared is for educational purposes only.
Cheers & best regards to you and to your loved ones.
What has helped or is helping you in your day to day? What are things which have helped you in times of hardship? What do you hope to achieve in this
Matrix we know as life on earth? I welcome anyone who feels like sharing to do so. I draw inspiration and hope from the triumphs, accomplishments and
honest endeavors of others.
Every morning since for about nine years now, with a few exceptions, I get out of bed and as soon as my first foot touches the floor, I slip into Qi
Gong moves for about ten minutes. It helps me tremendously to focus my energy that is plenty and at times overflowing. It helps me sort out my
thoughts as I visualize my goals for the day. It helps with some movement restrains I face in my bad leg. I do this with closed eyes and try to keep
track of the room and try face the door when I finish. Not always being as concentrated as I like to be, but it is never a chore.
I hope to achieve raising my daughter to the same standards I was raised. To value honesty, directness, tolerance, pride in work and most important,
keeping a loving and helping heart. That's my biggest goal and the biggest price I could win, ever. It's not always easy to be a good example but I do
hope that my good deeds blur out the mistakes I made or will make in future, or at least she can learn from mine.
On a professional, work related level, I aim high. I've been homeless for a few days once, it was all my mistake no one else is to blame. Years later
I had to restart a second time, this time, faultless. I won't go back to there is what I swore myself.
Today I am as happy as I could be, I fulfilled myself many dreams that I worked hard for in the last two years. People that don't know me personal
often get the wrong impression about me since. I drive Porsche as my business car, because it kind of is required I own a powerful car and I am
acceleration addict, but I will be all excited about some old timer car or trivial normal car, if things are intelligent and good solved.
I've been asked before how I can achieve so many things at once and not burn out. The truth is, I am just too damn awkward to ask for help. I am a
person that exactly asks one time for major help and if it does not happen, I autodidact myself into it and just do it. People would be surprised what
they can achieve when they adopt such an admittedly unhealthy habit, but I don't recommend it. Don't try to be social awkward if you are not
Visiting the forest more often brought deep serenity as I discovered that it earths me, with all the tech and electronic and hectic around me
normally. If I can make it happen (single parent), I will take time on certain moon cycles to meditate on my favorite stone.
Helping others via smart charity, helping them to help themselves is something that I also enjoy. For me it's just giving back things and often I do
it in sneaky ways to avoid exposure. It does not work always though. I don't like the thought that someone smiles at me because I gave them something,
I want smiles because of their internal relief. I know this is kind of dishonest but I would not do it if I had to hear a lot of thank you's. I rather
dish them out than receive them.
I do have my faults though that I am aware about, some maybe not but generally I try to be a positive factor for others. That makes me happy. Making
someone genuinely smile is something that can't be paid with money and it's a big reward.
If I could, I would adopt a child, just like I was adopted and give that little person a new chance but it is like it is. Maybe in a few years when I
have someone working with me and I can spent so much more time with my daughter, then I will readdress that thought.
Add: This all only works with around 4 hours of sleep so my day is packed, but just like now, I am sitting on ATS, how can that be
It's easy, multi tasking. There's a machine running in the background I supervise and these are my ATS times. ATS is connected with loud noises for me
edit on 30.9.2021 by ThatDamnDuckAgain because: (no reason given)
Oh that's nice. Exactly what I needed: there are still people at least trying.
...you know to be good, handle it, cope the best possible way, to be true... and such.
Thank you, because both of you felt honest. I know exactly what losing trust feels like, betrayal.
My mother has psychological issues, she's just evil honestly and used to make up stories how my father (not by blood) had abused me and was overall
just a bad person.
I had my first suicide attempt when I was 12, a cry for attention more than anything else. So I never learned how human interactions work, if she
noticed I was there I got a gift and two minutes later was forgotten again.
...still not the worst that has ever happened to me...
I went homeless a while, for what I call 'dodoistic research'. Also to impress a guy a lá 'look I walk through half of Europe and half way back for
you'. All without money.
But the tides didn't carry me through the Netherlands (NWO=Netherlands World Order! lol, my favourite country been there on other occassions, before
the C19)
Yes I am not quite normal.
A guy once druged me and wanted to pass me around on a party. ...also not the worst thing that has ever happened to me.
Anyhoo enjoyed your posts
Carry on
Oh right the topic sorry: cool stuff breathing is always good
lol
Powerful stuff I mean
Also want to share here a thought, that i have found very beneficial in the last couple of years,
You are not your thoughts.
Your body and mind come up with all these crazy things, like, be triggered, feel angry, want this, do that.
It is very liberating just to observe these patterns as they occur, and let them just die out, not acting on them, i started this easy with the
following- You know when you hit your toe and it hurts, and you want to say something nasty, or maybe hit something as if it would somehow lessen the
pain?
Just do nothing and the feeling will just fade in a matter of seconds, then you feel stronger for not reacting to it.
a reply to: Peeple
Oh I have my bad days too, no worries. But I try to make the best out of everyday. In my teenage years I was at the brink too. Schoolmates and the
daughter of the family I was adopted in, well today it's called mobbing. Children and teenagers can be cruel, I've forgiven them for it though. Before
that it was my parents segregating me out of the family for something I am not at fault, not at that age.
lol about the dodoistic research, I did that in Berlin and failed hard the first days. It was quiet the experience though.
However, I turned to self defense and learned about Qi Gong, as a warm up practice and chi management. It helped me so much find that inner calmness.
It uses breathing techniques too. Now we're on topic again
a reply to: CircumstancialEvidence
Have you watched the Earthing movie?
I think you would like it.
"The Earthing Movie: The Remarkable Science of Grounding (full documentary)"
edit on 1-10-2021 by Itisnowagain because: (no reason given)
I'm grateful that the messages are meaningful to you! Your message is very meaningful to me as well. You might not know this, but your posts have been
meaningful to me as a long term lurker on ATS. Your words have been helpful to me at times when I needed to listen and wasn't in a place where I
wanted to contribute. That kind of comes across as a bit creepy but it isn't meant to be. There are many who lurk here and find our messages
meaningful. It's individuals like you, Duck, and others I won't name out of respect for T&C who are the reason I made this account. It's my only form
of "social media" if it can be called that, and the only website where I post.
Anyway, thank you. I appreciate you. As a fellow traveler who has also been homeless on several occasions (twice by choice and once through no fault
of my own), I am grateful for all that I have and very grateful to have the luxury of making these posts and responding to individuals whom I respect
and admire.
As far as being on topic? You nailed the topic. It's in general chit chat for a reason. Many people take themselves far too seriously, and much of the
world is in some state or chaos. It's nice to just chill and relate to one another.
I haven't seen it but it's right up my ally and I'm going to watch it this evening. I'm familiar with grounding / earthing, though I've only recently
become aware that there is a term for it and a movement behind it.
While growing up in the Caribbean I rarely wore shoes. Where I live in Vermont I am surrounded by forest and I do all of my gardening barefoot. I like
getting up in the morning and walking outside at early dawn through the dew covered grass. In the winter I'll hop in the hot tub and then walk on the
snow and ice until my feet burn or roll in the snow and then hop back in the tub again. It's very purifying and grounding. I've only recently become
aware of the health benefits. I just did it because it felt right. 😅
I like to keep negation close to my heart out of spite, compassion can be a vehicle for the creative process. It's probably more about the frustrating
anger you really want to miss out on, not negativity as such.
Which would be an important distinction to make. Your thread reminds me of the TED talk on the topic "How to be brilliant every single day", and I'd
reckon you'll love it.
So I'll simply share away and wish you all a blast!