Psychotherapist finds strength in teachings after accident

By Peg Mayo

I am in the midst of an unexpected educational experience. Having been in an automobile accident and having been treated to two surgeries and hospital time (you better be tough to take that on!), I am now back in the rehab bin for several weeks. I messed up a knee and heel, so not to worry.

We've always heard that "it is more blessed to give than receive." Not so. They are of equal merit, when done with good hearts and intentions. Friends, readers, passing strangers and the professionals here in the rehab bin are generous with skills and effort. What amazes me is I'm not finding it diminishing or shameful to need so much. Breakthrough time! I can't name all the good folks, but you know who you are.

Two books (and my beloved "Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom") have been marvelous support. I want to share ideas from them for others who are being tested in their lives.

Background: My personal spiritual-intellectual interest is in Celtic spirituality, which takes its lessons from the patterns of nature. That two of the recommended books are rooted in the breathing meditation practices of Buddhism opens, but doesn't conflict with, my primary beliefs.

Here are ways to approach "dat ol' debil" fear, embarrassment at needing help from strangers with intimate processes and in-the-body pain.

"True Nature: An Illustrated Journal of Four Seasons in Solitude" (Barbara Bast, Shambhala) is the visually lovely account of a vulnerable, courageous woman retreating to an isolated cabin to draw, paint and discover the importance of facing her fears with mindfulness. Mindfulness is being in the moment. When you wash the dishes, wash the dishes — don't plan the next event, review the day or solve problems. It is to be right here, now.

The difficulty of this is evident. Try peeling and eating an orange or banana, always returning your attention to the process, not being seduced into reading, chatting or other distraction. It ain't easy!

The primary tool is following your breath in and out of your body. In doing so, fear, anticipation and escape to intellectual distraction are left behind. At such a time, the deepest wisdom of the body and consciousness become clear. I can now do it for as long as five breaths, when I genuinely focus.

The second book, "At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace" (Claude Anshin Thomas, Shambhala) is anything but a gentle awakening to the grace of living harmoniously in an often brutal world.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. In one sense, we are all veterans of the ongoing struggle to survive on our uniquely exquisite Earth, so demonstrably in fragile balance; of participating in a culture without the apparent capacity to compromise contrasting values and the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" in our personal lives. This book coolly, straightforwardly — not poetically — looks at the process of self-healing by consciously choosing wholesome behavior and attitudes, by choosing to become peaceful warriors.

What Thomas has to teach comes from surviving a gritty, abused and abusive life. A Vietnam veteran, he was a crew chief on assault helicopters, was shot down five times, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 27 Air Medals and the Purple Heart. He witnessed horrifying cruelty and was responsible for the deaths of many Vietnamese.

For years he struggled with post-traumatic stress, drug and alcohol addiction, social isolation and homelessness. Today he is a Zen monk, an international peace activist, author and teacher. He has walked the path, felt the anguish, chosen peace over conflict and has much to share. This is not a pretentious, showy "how to" guide to enlightenment, but a pilgrim pointing a direction.

Thomas' and Bast's teaching are helping me through a time of potential fear, pain and confrontation with mortality. If you have found the political-social events of the past weeks incomprehensible, confusing and disheartening or other disruptions are gnawing at your heart, I urge you to at least examine these ancient comforts.

A primary teaching of "At Hell's Gate" is the deceptively simple to describe yet enormously challenging practice of breath mindfulness. Thomas will be speaking at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library at 2 p.m. Sunday. For further info regarding Thomas' visit to Corvallis, call 754-4124 or 758-5649. I can't be there, though I'd treasure the opportunity: give yourself a refreshed perspective.

Peg Elliott Mayo, LCSW, is a writer, artist and psychotherapist who lives in the Coast Range and maintains an office in Corvallis.

Because of a recent automobile accident, she is in rehab and not seeing clients until after the first of the year. However, messages are welcome at 753-2744, pegmayo@rivervoices

.com or uncommonideas@river

voices.com

She'll respond as she can, and is truly doing very well. She is grateful for your concern and great kindness.