Losing Our Marbles & Presence
The other day I was walking down the beach at Waitarere with Luna. It was the anniversary of Miriam’s passing, so I decided to just spend the day with her memory in solitude. There had been rain as we arrived, but it cleared, and the sun came out. It was a nice time to just be present in the moment, while at the same time remembering her natural presence, which I still feel in each moment when I choose to get quiet. So while it’s a memory, paradoxically it’s also here and now.
At the time I was taking in the view, then noticed something special on the horizon. It was a very heart-filling moment, just to be with the beauty of the environment that we are so lucky to share. Check out the photo. Noticing things like this are never boring for me. The more I take moments in each hour to be completely present, the more of these things that I notice. And I have a feeling it is good for my brain as well!
If you’d like a present moment exercise check out the below from an Ian Wright book I’m reading. While I have read dozens of books on the subject, I never tire of reading the ideas of someone new.
But before that:
Brain Health (CSF) and losing our marbles!
The reason this newsletter is late (again) is because I’ve been writing essays for a CranioSacral Therapy examination. While doing that I came across some research relating to dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, potentially sclerosis disease, and the functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). As craniosacral therapy has a positive influence on CSF flow, I thought this was very interesting. As well as the above, it seems to have promise for other brain related conditions like brain fog, chronic fatigue, endocrine balance, fertility, mental health and myriad other health maintenance issues.
The research is a little technical, and I’ve added links if you want to read it. However, the gist of it is that CSF has several useful functions. It surrounds the brain and spinal cord, and provides them with some impact protection if you bump your head or back. It also helps ‘float’ the 1.5kg weight of the brain, so it becomes almost weightless, preventing it from collapsing on itself and squashing other critical parts like the pituitary which maintains hormone balance; the medullary area that keeps heart, lungs and gut doing what they do; potentially squashing arteries (impact on blood flow – nutrients and oxygen to the head), and inhibiting venous drainage (blood and lymph from the head – congestion can result), to name a few.
CSF also maintains an even ion balance for the brain axons, as well as pH stability and temperature buffering – like our personal ‘heat pump’ for the brain.
You probably knew most of that. However, the big thing that got my attention was its role in bringing nutrients, but also in removing waste products. You can imagine that if the brain is floating around in too much waste ‘sludge’, it’s not going to work properly. One of the sludge byproducts of brain activity is amyloid-β. Research has found high concentrations of amyloid-β in the brain tissue of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
However, if the CSF fluid is circulating optimally, it will help clear away these sludge byproducts in healthy brains. One of the main reasons for having Craniosacral Therapy is to promote the optimal flow of CSF around the brain and spinal cord, and so remove the sludge, and remove any tension from any tight falx, tentorium membranes and bone sutures that inhibit this flow.
There are other factors that influence CSF flow as well – good sleep, exercise, healthy diet, limit alcohol use, and so on. Keeping a healthy arterial system, preventing atherosclerosis, keeping blood pressure under control to protect the kidneys and other vital organs, also blood sugar maintenance – these all have positive benefits for healthy brain function.
So ‘losing our marbles’ is not inevitable, there are things we can do.
Be in the Present - an exercise
(Ian Wright - Dynamics of Stillness)
‘Try now to take a few minutes to sit and really be in the present. It helps if you can concentrate on the softness of your breathing. Making your breath soft can be done in two ways. The first is meeting something that feels soft and delicate within your breath. The second is consciously breathing gently, softening and taking in smaller breaths. You can do this even if you have difficulty in breathing or if you suffer from anxiety. Breathe softly, not deeply, and allow your outbreath to be slightly longer than your inbreath. You have plenty of air!
Let your thoughts come and go
It can be helpful to see them as clouds across a beautiful blue sky - the sky being your mind and the clouds being your thoughts, whether grey thunder clouds or white wispy clouds, whether they come or they go. Behind these clouds, the sky is still there and always will be. What is this blue sky? The blue sky behind the thoughts, feelings and sensations is you. And this has a stillness to it.
Once you feel the internal thoughts and noises begin to quieten, allow your mind to take in your surroundings. Start with the sounds, whether they are loud and irritating - even if there is the loud banging of a power tool outside, or heavy traffic, or if they are the songbirds in full voice. It doesn't matter. Listen without judging any of these sounds; simply allow them to arise and then to fall away.
Notice your surroundings
Let your view move unhindered - do not control it, let it move wherever it wants to. Maybe now, let your eyes wander to the minute detail of the crumb on the floor, or to the vista and faraway horizon. Just let your vision be moved by the moment.
Next, start to bring awareness to your sense of smell. Mostly, you do not use this sense except when brand new aromas come into your consciousness. Common, everyday smells fade into the background just as everyday sounds do. When you bring awareness to your sense of smell, everyday smells are treated by the brain as something new, different and important.
Conclusion
Finally, spend a few minutes feeling things in your immediate environment. Pick up an object and enjoy its texture and contours.
If you are near water, whether a stream or a kitchen sink full of water, spend a few minutes feeling the water by moving your hands through it and enjoying the texture, temperature and fluidity.
Take time to enjoy all your senses. Let them direct what they want to do, whether you are drawn to a sight, smell, sound or texture. Allow your mind to be in this present moment and let yourself be moved by it. Whatever it brings up, just observe, allow and accept. Now close your eyes, sit in the quiet of the moment and just be.’
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With caring and kindness,
Rhys Dwyer
If you know anyone, from kids up who maybe struggling with body-held tension, energy levels, stress, anxiety, or choices, then please ask them to check me out. Bodywork and present moment awareness may just make a big difference.
Note that bodywork is always complementary to prudent medical care.