Linda K. Bradak L.M.T., CST-D

Though I am now a Catholic, the mantra I learned in the 1970's from Siddha Yoga remains ever in me, as though on an endlessly repeating tape loop, OM NAMAH SHIVAYA. It's the last thing I hear in my "inner chant" as I go to sleep. If I find myself, for example, in traffic in my car, an "invisible hand" turns the dial and I hear myself chanting it out loud. I anticipate that I'll hear it at the time of my death, too. It's a great comfort to be reminded that everything endlessly transforms.

I always sang but never played a musical instrument until I turned 55, when I started taking clarinet lessons, having always loved that instrument's woody sound. I swiftly recognized that at least at that age, I did not have the finger dexterity for clarinet virtuosity. I also realized that I actually preferred low tones to high tones and harmony to melody: voila, I switched to the BASS clarinet, whose parts are simpler (as usually are the parts of larger instruments.) 19 years later. I now play my bass clarinet with the local university's Symphonic Band and clarinet choir. Playing music with others is one of the great joys of my life. It includes aspects of the creative, the physical, the mental, the social, and the breath. I heartily recommend that one take up an instrument AT ANY AGE. It will help to keep you ageless!

Another approach beyond that cleansing breath of inspiration is to go within and ask yourself, "What resource do I need to support me in the moment?" and allow that reply to come to you. Then imagine placing it before you, behind you, above you, below you, to the right of you, to the left of you, within you and all around you. Visualize whatever resource is appropriate in all these places. Breathe it in. FEEL it. As you continue to do this in moments of stress, you'll see that the specific resources you need WILL show up for you, and you can make them your own.