This is a year when changing our habits and routines will be useful.

The rise of the new moon on Thursday, February 3^rd marked the arrival of the Chinese New Year, Year of the Rabbit. Rabbit years are fabled to be positive and progressive years. Problems that have proved difficult can now move forward in leaps and bounds. Essential to making the most of the potential of a Rabbit Year is the focus on personal growth and personal development. New solutions are called for. New solutions come out of expanded viewpoints and original ideas. Original ideas occur when old pieces of information are seen to relate in new and interesting ways. This is a year when changing our habits and routines will be useful. Curiosity and inspiration will produce satisfaction and reward.

                          

We can see signs of this exciting, expanding energy at work in Tunisia and Egypt right now. Fortunately, in a peaceful and wealthy democracy like Australia, our efforts will be more personal. We are just beginning to understand that our society is in a gradual shift from “survival issues” toward “Post Materialist “ priorities like self-expression and the pursuit of a meaningful life. In the words of American author Daniel Pink: “there are two practical whole-minded ways to begin the search for meaning: start taking spirituality seriously and start taking happiness seriously” (Whole New Mind, D. Pink 2005).

I will be stepping up to the starting block to teach Mindfullness Meditation Courses in Mosman. I have practiced this form of meditation for over 20 years, but rarely ventured out to teach. I hope that when I step up to do the teaching, it will support many of you to step up to learn “Meditation for Health and Wellbeing.” I would love to share the exquisite benefits that I enjoy from Mindfullness Meditation with each and every one of you. Dwelling in positive mental states is absolutely good for us. Expect far-reaching impacts on mental, physical and spiritual health and wellness.

Over summer, we have all learned from watching our fellow Australians dealing with demanding natural disasters. How often did those stoic people who had lost everything remark “We are still alive. We have our health. We can recover.” This nightly demonstration of remarkable spirit was truly inspiring. It inspired us all to give – again, to make a difference. We can take time to reflect on how that inspiration and resilience could be working in our own lives. What could we be rebuilding?

Exercising my curiosity on a recent Sunday, I actually read an article called: ‘Battle acupuncture’ used to heal concussed US soldiers in Afghanistan. Would you believe that army doctors are successfully treating concussion with acupuncture! It helps the soldiers sleep (well, everybody) and sleep is the “most important cure for concussion.” Maybe we should mention this to all those football – you know rugby and soccer – players and clubs.

Even more extraordinary, US Defence Department personnel are meeting with the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine “to discuss the military’s continued exploration of acupuncture.” (SMH 12-13 Feb, 2011 p20.)

Now that is a new set of ideas! Who can imagine what will come of it?