by Scott Ward
I have been attending the Canmore group for the past 17 years and have been also practicing meditation and Buddhism on my own for the same amount of time. I realized those many years ago that one had to gain some semblance of control over the mind to reduce self-inflicted suffering.
Likely due to being a first responder in my job, I was suffering from anxiety and worry. I would wake up at 0200, my mind would start running, and the rest of the night was a wreck. I took a meditation course from Sangamitta (Mary Dumka) through the Canmore Community Classes and very quickly started seeing results. Shortly after that I started attending the Group and have been practicing ever since.
This has made a huge difference in my life. I have become calm, content and not prone to worry or anxiety. I recently received a prostate cancer diagnosis and, while being told by the Urologist, I did not feel any anxiety or apprehension. I couldn't believe it. -I thought something must be wrong with me. As I await surgery I still do not feel anxious about it. The only thing I can chalk it up to is the practice.
Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy.-I know what I choose!